(Proverbs 7:6 KJV) For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
I am a homebody. I don’t need to go out and “do something”. That is not necessarily a virtue. If I had been Abraham my family would still be in Ur. If I had been Lewis, Clarke would have explored by himself. It is also not a vice. In this passage it is the homebody, looking through his “window” (2474), who observes for us the fall of the young man who had to “do something”.
Might I suggest, since it is my inclination anyway, that we might be better off if we spent more time at home. When I read about tragedies in the news it seems that a large number of those killed or injured would have been safe and healthy if they had stayed home and read a good book. I accept you may be different but give it a thought.
So? Maybe I need to get out more. There is a balance in everything.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Sin Produces Results
(Proverbs 6:33 KJV) A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
We have two different words, “wounds” (5061) and “dishonour” (disgrace NASB) (7036). In a place like this I find myself wondering if this is a literary device of repetition for emphasis or does it portray two types of damage that sin can deliver. As I say many times it is a case of both/and, not either/or.
Sin has physical consequences. The first word here is usually translated “plague” in the KJV. It can refer to leprosy. How many times have people found themselves beaten, broken and even killed because they have lied, stolen or fornicated? How often does drunkenness cause broken bones and fatal accidents? How often does gluttony lead to gout, heart disease, diabetes and the list goes on.
So? All physical problems are not the result of our personal sin. All of nature is corrupted. But in addition to the attacks our bodies get from its natural enemies is the added dimension of personal sin. It does matter how we live. It matters very much. This is a thought for self examination, not having “Aha” moments about others.
We have two different words, “wounds” (5061) and “dishonour” (disgrace NASB) (7036). In a place like this I find myself wondering if this is a literary device of repetition for emphasis or does it portray two types of damage that sin can deliver. As I say many times it is a case of both/and, not either/or.
Sin has physical consequences. The first word here is usually translated “plague” in the KJV. It can refer to leprosy. How many times have people found themselves beaten, broken and even killed because they have lied, stolen or fornicated? How often does drunkenness cause broken bones and fatal accidents? How often does gluttony lead to gout, heart disease, diabetes and the list goes on.
So? All physical problems are not the result of our personal sin. All of nature is corrupted. But in addition to the attacks our bodies get from its natural enemies is the added dimension of personal sin. It does matter how we live. It matters very much. This is a thought for self examination, not having “Aha” moments about others.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Engage the Brain
(Proverbs 5:13 KJV) And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
Every once in awhile when I am deep in thought and driving I will suddenly become aware that I have not been aware. Others have shared the same experience. The car is staying in its lane. If someone stepped out in front of you, you would hit the brakes. Suddenly you become aware that you have not been paying attention. You have been on auto-pilot. I don’t know how dangerous this is. We can do a lot through habit. I still find it disturbing.
I have had the same experience in church. I have had it reading a book. I become aware that I am going through the motions but my mind is not engaged. In our Proverbs passage the listener seems to be waking up. He is aware of the problem. It doesn’t say what the stimulus is. It doesn’t say what he did about it. It is a warning to us.
So? This is relatively gentle. Life could deliver a much more serious wake up call. I need to ask myself, “Am I paying attention?” God is speaking and He doesn’t like to waste His breath.
Every once in awhile when I am deep in thought and driving I will suddenly become aware that I have not been aware. Others have shared the same experience. The car is staying in its lane. If someone stepped out in front of you, you would hit the brakes. Suddenly you become aware that you have not been paying attention. You have been on auto-pilot. I don’t know how dangerous this is. We can do a lot through habit. I still find it disturbing.
I have had the same experience in church. I have had it reading a book. I become aware that I am going through the motions but my mind is not engaged. In our Proverbs passage the listener seems to be waking up. He is aware of the problem. It doesn’t say what the stimulus is. It doesn’t say what he did about it. It is a warning to us.
So? This is relatively gentle. Life could deliver a much more serious wake up call. I need to ask myself, “Am I paying attention?” God is speaking and He doesn’t like to waste His breath.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
DIY Resource
(Proverbs 4:2 KJV) For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Where can we find “good” (sound NASB) (2896a) instruction today? Solomon is setting himself up as a source. He is a father who seems to have a genuine concern for his children. He has the reputation of being the world’s wisest man. He wrote the book of Proverbs. Did you ever wonder why the world’s wisest man, given the gift of wisdom by God and with the power of the government behind him did not leave us a lot more? Maybe he did but none of it survived.
This is a reminder that we are not to establish any experts as our source of spiritual information. What survived of Solomon’s wisdom was edited by the Holy Spirit. It was published in a form we can use. It is available in numerous translations and languages. The only thing lacking is for you and me to pick up the book and start consulting it.
So? Everything we need to know for life and salvation is found in the Bible. It is readily available. In spite of that we keep seeking people to tell us what it says. I have a suggestion. Ignore me and read the chapter for yourself. I do. You can.
Where can we find “good” (sound NASB) (2896a) instruction today? Solomon is setting himself up as a source. He is a father who seems to have a genuine concern for his children. He has the reputation of being the world’s wisest man. He wrote the book of Proverbs. Did you ever wonder why the world’s wisest man, given the gift of wisdom by God and with the power of the government behind him did not leave us a lot more? Maybe he did but none of it survived.
This is a reminder that we are not to establish any experts as our source of spiritual information. What survived of Solomon’s wisdom was edited by the Holy Spirit. It was published in a form we can use. It is available in numerous translations and languages. The only thing lacking is for you and me to pick up the book and start consulting it.
So? Everything we need to know for life and salvation is found in the Bible. It is readily available. In spite of that we keep seeking people to tell us what it says. I have a suggestion. Ignore me and read the chapter for yourself. I do. You can.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Rejection
(Proverbs 3:11 KJV) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
At what point do we “despise” (reject NASB) (3988a) a truth or a standard? Is it immediate or gradual? I am sure that both apply depending on the situation. Think of all the people you know who have “come” to the Lord and all is wonderful. Then they begin to realize that being a follower of Jesus is not just a temporary or part time affair. Jesus wants all of you. They begin to understand that they cannot continue living the way they have always lived. It doesn’t even need to be because someone confronts them. Usually it is the work of the Holy Spirit in their inner man.
And they begin to slowly reject the things of God. The word has the idea of contempt or despising. They find that their love of the world begins to trump their love of God.
So? Keep alert to the danger. Make up your mind which way you are going to go. If you are going to live in sin you might as well stop wasting your time. If you are going to go the way of righteousness, don’t risk falling away. Every day counts.
At what point do we “despise” (reject NASB) (3988a) a truth or a standard? Is it immediate or gradual? I am sure that both apply depending on the situation. Think of all the people you know who have “come” to the Lord and all is wonderful. Then they begin to realize that being a follower of Jesus is not just a temporary or part time affair. Jesus wants all of you. They begin to understand that they cannot continue living the way they have always lived. It doesn’t even need to be because someone confronts them. Usually it is the work of the Holy Spirit in their inner man.
And they begin to slowly reject the things of God. The word has the idea of contempt or despising. They find that their love of the world begins to trump their love of God.
So? Keep alert to the danger. Make up your mind which way you are going to go. If you are going to live in sin you might as well stop wasting your time. If you are going to go the way of righteousness, don’t risk falling away. Every day counts.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Treasure Hunt
(Proverbs 2:11 KJV) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
If you look back to the previous verse you see that the foundation is wisdom. It seems to imply that there are three things which accompany wisdom. Verse 10 gives knowledge. Here we have “discretion” (4209) and “Understanding” (8394). That is quite a combination. It is a powerful combination. It starts with wisdom. Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord.
Think of the ways in which life tries to subdue us. When I look at the headlines each day I have come to realize that what I see might have nothing to do with the actual story. You sometimes have to read to the end to find the key paragraph that makes it come together. Sometimes it isn’t even there. How do you pick up on the bias of a reporter? How do you tell if the story is just another hit piece?
It all starts with a fear of the Lord and an engaged brain.
So? Don’t ever stop thinking. Don’t ever stop checking to see if what the preacher is saying is really consistent with the word. Don’t believe anything you hear, little of what you read and much of what you see. Truth exists but sometimes it is hiding.
If you look back to the previous verse you see that the foundation is wisdom. It seems to imply that there are three things which accompany wisdom. Verse 10 gives knowledge. Here we have “discretion” (4209) and “Understanding” (8394). That is quite a combination. It is a powerful combination. It starts with wisdom. Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord.
Think of the ways in which life tries to subdue us. When I look at the headlines each day I have come to realize that what I see might have nothing to do with the actual story. You sometimes have to read to the end to find the key paragraph that makes it come together. Sometimes it isn’t even there. How do you pick up on the bias of a reporter? How do you tell if the story is just another hit piece?
It all starts with a fear of the Lord and an engaged brain.
So? Don’t ever stop thinking. Don’t ever stop checking to see if what the preacher is saying is really consistent with the word. Don’t believe anything you hear, little of what you read and much of what you see. Truth exists but sometimes it is hiding.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Wise Measure
(Proverbs 1:5 KJV) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
If you were to ask me if I am “wise” (2450) I would be very modest. It would be an act. In my heart I have this fantasy of wisdom. I guess it depends on the competition and how you measure. I must admit that it am surrounded by the molehills of wisdom. I have a Pumicism that I came up with for kids telling me how good their grades are,
In reality I have a long way to go. I am aware of it. God has a way of humbling us and deflating our egos on a regular basis.
So? I will continue trying to listen and gather. You never know where you will find the missing piece of the puzzle in a messy house.
If you were to ask me if I am “wise” (2450) I would be very modest. It would be an act. In my heart I have this fantasy of wisdom. I guess it depends on the competition and how you measure. I must admit that it am surrounded by the molehills of wisdom. I have a Pumicism that I came up with for kids telling me how good their grades are,
Being the deepest puddle on the sidewalk is nothing to brag about.I often wonder how people can believe the nonsense that they accept without a batted eye. Part of the difference is that I spend enough time with the eternal truth of the written word that I can see the big picture.
In reality I have a long way to go. I am aware of it. God has a way of humbling us and deflating our egos on a regular basis.
So? I will continue trying to listen and gather. You never know where you will find the missing piece of the puzzle in a messy house.
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