(Proverbs 14:11 KJV) The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
What are the lessons in the word pictures of these words? The “upright” (3477) are given a “tabernacle” (tent NASB) (168). I am not sure if the KJV gives more clarity or less. The word is meant to carry emotional meaning. This refers back to the tent of meeting or the Tabernacle, which was a tent. The tent moves as God moves and is able to adapt to flexible needs. Remember that each day the children of Israel would follow the cloud as God led. Each time they stopped they would set up the Tabernacle and set up the Holy of Holies. It was part of God’s promise to be where His people were.
So? Keep in mind that God being with His people meant that they had to follow where He would lead. It gave flexibility and variety but it also demanded obedience.
Monday, August 14, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Find Your Fences
(Proverbs 13:8 KJV) The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
I really can’t figure out what this verse means, at least not enough to make a definitive statement about it. I notice that you have the two extremes of society mentioned. Look at this as a continuum or spectrum rather than two choices. I say that so we can all be included. Few of us will ever consider ourselves rich and even our welfare classes live in luxury compared to the poor of the Bible or the rest of the world today.
It would seem we all have a need for something to keep us on the right path. The rich who want to stay rich live to preserve their wealth. Spendthrifts often end up in the poor house. The poor are often ignored but they need correction just as much as the wealthy.
So? Seek guidance. Be aware of the fences that are around you to keep out the wolf and to keep you from straying.
I really can’t figure out what this verse means, at least not enough to make a definitive statement about it. I notice that you have the two extremes of society mentioned. Look at this as a continuum or spectrum rather than two choices. I say that so we can all be included. Few of us will ever consider ourselves rich and even our welfare classes live in luxury compared to the poor of the Bible or the rest of the world today.
It would seem we all have a need for something to keep us on the right path. The rich who want to stay rich live to preserve their wealth. Spendthrifts often end up in the poor house. The poor are often ignored but they need correction just as much as the wealthy.
So? Seek guidance. Be aware of the fences that are around you to keep out the wolf and to keep you from straying.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Color Samples
(Proverbs 12:6 KJV) The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
How many “words” (1697) of the “wicked” (7563) are lurking in your home? By that I mean how many books, videos, albums or games are in your house just waiting for an unsuspecting mind to open itself? As a mature adult I don’t worry about the books on my shelf. There are works of literature that I have read to be informed. That is part of being wise, knowing what the other side thinks. But there is a caution I would suggest.
Do you have any children around that are susceptible to nonsense? I have read the Koran. I have read Atlas Shrugged. I have read a lot of science fiction. If I had young children they would be among the titles I would not have in my house. Be wise.
One reason Christians understand the world better is because we are totally surrounded by the thinking of the other side. The pagan God haters control just about every source of information we have. If we are on track we spend time each day in the word so we have a solid foundation to resist and interpret their nonsense but it does not happen automatically.
So? Be alert when you pick up a book on history or a source of news. Be like the home owner wondering what color paint to buy. He takes a sample of what he is trying to work with and uses it as the basis of his decision. The word is your color sample.
How many “words” (1697) of the “wicked” (7563) are lurking in your home? By that I mean how many books, videos, albums or games are in your house just waiting for an unsuspecting mind to open itself? As a mature adult I don’t worry about the books on my shelf. There are works of literature that I have read to be informed. That is part of being wise, knowing what the other side thinks. But there is a caution I would suggest.
Do you have any children around that are susceptible to nonsense? I have read the Koran. I have read Atlas Shrugged. I have read a lot of science fiction. If I had young children they would be among the titles I would not have in my house. Be wise.
One reason Christians understand the world better is because we are totally surrounded by the thinking of the other side. The pagan God haters control just about every source of information we have. If we are on track we spend time each day in the word so we have a solid foundation to resist and interpret their nonsense but it does not happen automatically.
So? Be alert when you pick up a book on history or a source of news. Be like the home owner wondering what color paint to buy. He takes a sample of what he is trying to work with and uses it as the basis of his decision. The word is your color sample.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Boomerang Principles
(Proverbs 11:17 KJV) The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A brief look at the Hebrew shows us a difference in the original text used by different translations. If you have the cool software you can note two Hebrew words with the numbers 2617a and 1580. The first is “merciful” in both the KJV and NASB but while the second appears in both translations it is associated with different English words. It seems to be just a matter of the translators having issues because the meaning comes through the same for both.
The point is that our attitude and intent tend to be boomerangs. They eventually loop back and hit us in everyday life. I don’t think this is a short term promise. I think it is a long term principle. Jesus put it this way,
So? If you want the best out of life, give the best.
A brief look at the Hebrew shows us a difference in the original text used by different translations. If you have the cool software you can note two Hebrew words with the numbers 2617a and 1580. The first is “merciful” in both the KJV and NASB but while the second appears in both translations it is associated with different English words. It seems to be just a matter of the translators having issues because the meaning comes through the same for both.
The point is that our attitude and intent tend to be boomerangs. They eventually loop back and hit us in everyday life. I don’t think this is a short term promise. I think it is a long term principle. Jesus put it this way,
(Matthew 5:7 KJV) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.I like to think about how He had to Old Testament scriptures in mind when He spoke.
So? If you want the best out of life, give the best.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Self Fulfilling Prophecy
(Proverbs 10:24 KJV) The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
There is a phrase that comes to mind, “self fulfilling prophecy”. Here it relates to the state of our mind as we face life. When your focus in life is on evil, and Proverbs has a very wide definition of evil, you are going to reap the harvest of that focus. Have you noticed how animals seem to sense fear in humans? I like horses but I am afraid of them. They know it. When I ride they pretty much ignore me.
So? Life will reward you, good or bad. It will give you the desire of your heart. Most people are determined to be lord of their own lives and God will honor that rejection.
There is a phrase that comes to mind, “self fulfilling prophecy”. Here it relates to the state of our mind as we face life. When your focus in life is on evil, and Proverbs has a very wide definition of evil, you are going to reap the harvest of that focus. Have you noticed how animals seem to sense fear in humans? I like horses but I am afraid of them. They know it. When I ride they pretty much ignore me.
So? Life will reward you, good or bad. It will give you the desire of your heart. Most people are determined to be lord of their own lives and God will honor that rejection.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
What Do You Mean
(Proverbs 9:4 KJV) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Often you can’t tell right from wrong by the words used. Think of all the people talking about love. We hear a lot about peace. How about justice? These are the obvious ones. In education we have terms like “authentic assessment” and “cooperative learning”. In politics we are told we need more “bipartisan” approaches. The problem is in what the words mean.
I remember having a long discussion once with some Jehovah’s Witnesses who came to my door. They told me that they believed Jesus was the Son of God. At least that is what I heard. The words were fine but what they really meant was that Jesus was a son of god. You had to know exactly what to ask and when to ask it. They also believed that you and I are sons of god.
So? Be wary. Always plug in your mind. Don’t accept what people say at face value unless you know them well enough to trust them and even then be wary. Wisdom and truth are available but not if we insist on being “simple” (naive NASB) (5493).
Often you can’t tell right from wrong by the words used. Think of all the people talking about love. We hear a lot about peace. How about justice? These are the obvious ones. In education we have terms like “authentic assessment” and “cooperative learning”. In politics we are told we need more “bipartisan” approaches. The problem is in what the words mean.
I remember having a long discussion once with some Jehovah’s Witnesses who came to my door. They told me that they believed Jesus was the Son of God. At least that is what I heard. The words were fine but what they really meant was that Jesus was a son of god. You had to know exactly what to ask and when to ask it. They also believed that you and I are sons of god.
So? Be wary. Always plug in your mind. Don’t accept what people say at face value unless you know them well enough to trust them and even then be wary. Wisdom and truth are available but not if we insist on being “simple” (naive NASB) (5493).
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Involving Trees in Worship
(Proverbs 8:31 KJV) Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Christians are to have a different attitude toward the natural world around us. Pagans tend to deify nature. Some versions have spirits, demons and little gods located in each tree and rock. You might not cut down certain types of trees because the tree gods would be unhappy and cause the wood in your bow to break when you needed it most. To Christians this is a superstitious attitude toward nature.
A Christian might also spare the tree but not because he is worried about the spirit of the tree or feels that the tree is his brother. The believer spares the tree because he is a good steward and realizes that God enjoys the tree He created. The tree is for man to use, not to waste.
So? Enjoy nature, don’t worship it. Worship God through your enjoyment. Glorify God in his creativity if you are a scientist delving into the complexities. Praise God for his taste if you are an artist using it for inspiration.
Christians are to have a different attitude toward the natural world around us. Pagans tend to deify nature. Some versions have spirits, demons and little gods located in each tree and rock. You might not cut down certain types of trees because the tree gods would be unhappy and cause the wood in your bow to break when you needed it most. To Christians this is a superstitious attitude toward nature.
A Christian might also spare the tree but not because he is worried about the spirit of the tree or feels that the tree is his brother. The believer spares the tree because he is a good steward and realizes that God enjoys the tree He created. The tree is for man to use, not to waste.
(Genesis 1:28 KJV) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.Notice that we are to subdue the earth but also replenish it.
So? Enjoy nature, don’t worship it. Worship God through your enjoyment. Glorify God in his creativity if you are a scientist delving into the complexities. Praise God for his taste if you are an artist using it for inspiration.
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