Proud or Preoccupied?

(Proverbs 21:24 KJV)  Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

We should be careful about putting these labels on people we do not know well.  Many times it is our misconception.  Have you ever had someone drive by and ignore you?  It is too late now but try to remember, were they driving into the sun?  Were they fighting a reflection on their windows?  Were they deep in thought?  We need to give people the benefit of the doubt.

At the same time we need to make sure that these terms do not describe us.

So?  Give others some slack but hold yourself to a high standard.  If everyone would do that we might begin to approach an even handed reality. 

The Beauty of Age

(Proverbs 20:29 KJV)  The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

There is “honor” (1926) in “gray hair” (7872).  Why do so many people try to cover it up?  Why are so many people reluctant to tell their age when the number is big.  I remember a mother who would visit me at school and bring her younger children.  One of the rituals we went through was to talk about how her little one was three years old.  He was proud to hold up the fingers and share it with us.  It was a big deal.  I don’t ever remember the mother’s age being discussed.  And we all know people who tell us they are 29 and will always be 29.

Perhaps we do this because we want “glory” (8597) more than honor.  We want the fun and games rather than the insight and wisdom.  The Bible does not condemn strength and vitality but also reminds us that it is fleeting.  Wisdom on the other hand becomes more useful.  Wisdom also might keep us from doing something that is “fun” or dangerous.  Maybe that is why we don’t seek it as much as we should.

So?  If you are young, enjoy it.  The same if you are old. 

Be a Legacy

(Proverbs 19:26 KJV)  He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

My parents have been dead and gone for many years.  I am approaching the point where I could die in this world at any time.  I don’t expect it, but you never know.  Since they are gone I don’t have much call to violate this verse.  At this point they live in our memories.  How can I attack them?

I guess I either attack or endorse them every day by the way I live.  Do I continue in the steps they demonstrated?  Do I live by the principles they taught?  In my case that would be living a godly life.  If you have the image of people leaning over the banister of heaven and watching what we do then the issue is how they feel about what they see.

So?  I am the legacy of my parents.  They may be gone but the legacy continues, or it should. 

Sustainability

(Proverbs 18:14 KJV)  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

What keeps me going every day?  What keeps you going in the face of horizons of struggle?  We have all seen people with minor issues who fold and live in defeat when others with major handicaps live in victory.  It has to do with the “spirit” (7307) [ruach]. 

I think that this involves more than numb endurance.  The process going on has to do with comprehending the struggle.  As believers we can understand what is at stake.  When we look at an election we realize it isn’t just about tax rates and immigration quotas.  We realize that we are involved in a cosmic struggle and it is the underlying principles that are at stake.  It is the view of life that gave the martyrs their courage and provides us with the inner resources to press on.

So?  Life is not a party but it is a journey overseen by our Creator.  We can face a lot if our inner spirit is in tune with the Eternal Spirit. 

Laughing at the Three Stooges

(Proverbs 17:5 KJV)  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

The second part of this verse reminds me of I Corinthians 13:6 where it says love “rejoices not in unrighteousness,...”  This is a key part of our faith.  We are not allowed to desire damage to our enemies.  I have been doubly aware of this being trapped in a room with perpetual television.  Do you realize how many lawyers advertise on TV?  And they don’t summon those who have been persecuted by the government.  They generally are looking for people who are in a situation where the other side has good insurance and would be glad to settle out of court.  When I hear the lawyer wanting my business on the radio he wants cases where you have been hit by an 18 wheeler, not the guy with no insurance.  I can’t help but believe they are glorying in my “calamity” (343) or at least hoping they can.

So?  As Christians we are to desire the best for others, even when we don’t like them and they can’t stand us.  It is an extension of turning the other cheek. 

Sweet Talk

(Proverbs 16:24 KJV)  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Usually “honeycomb” (1706/6688) is presented in a positive light.  This is actually a compound word which literally means “comb of the honey”.  Only one other place has this combination.

(Psalms 19:10 KJV)  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Here it talks about “words” (561); in Psalms, the Law.

Our speech is to be pleasant and true.  We are to be that rock in the middle of the stream where a traveler can put their foot and know that it will not turn under them.  We are to be that electrical appliance that is properly grounded so a touch will not kill.  We are the living representatives of Jesus.

So?  I sometimes shudder to think that people would hear some of the things I say in moments of weakness.  We are not like the animals.  We have mouths that can choose truth or falsehood.  We can heal or destroy.  I know which I want.

Respect for Both Parents

(Proverbs 15:20 KJV)  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

There are days when a verse catches my attention while reading the chapter and it ends up being the same one that I would have picked next by method.  I enjoy those days.  This is a verse that is designed to show how we should please our parents but something else hit me.  It also is one of the numerous places where the Bible points out the fact that we are not supposed to live in a male-only world.  Both parents are mentioned.  The approach is different but the result is the same.

The Bible sets up order in the family.  In that order there is no loss of importance, just different roles and duties.  In Israel women had much more freedom than they did in surrounding cultures.  It is an attitude that we also find in the New Testament.  Christians were at the front of movements like education for women and giving women the right to vote. 

So?  Read the Bible and take what it says as the final answer.  Don’t rely on the pastor, the politician or the blogger.