Self Games

(Pro 7:8 KJV) Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

I hope you are not filled with sympathy for this young man who seems to be trapped by a loose woman.  Don’t be.  He seems to have a goal and that goal is this babe who is waiting for him.  Notice that he is heading for her neighborhood.  He knows where he is headed and knows who will be waiting for him.  I imagine he felt he could deny it if he met the wrong person but it was all laid out in advance.

So?  How many times have I talked myself into believing that I am being caught by the unexpected?  Sometimes it is true.  On reflection I can look back and see how I could have done better, no, how I should have done better.  It is hard to live without playing games with ourselves. 

The Hunger Football

(Pro 6:30 KJV)  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

I sometimes wonder if I have ever been really “hungry” (7456).  I have had my stomach growl.  I have had a great appetite.  I have had my mouth water.  I don’t think I have ever been to the point talked about here.

Hunger is a political football today.  I don’t know how many times I have been urged to make a donation to feed hungry children.  We have all heard the spot ads and political chants that tell us how many children will go to bed hungry tonight in America.  In the ancient world starvation was a real problem.  People lived on the edge of it.  There are places in the world today that people are starving.  The problem is not lack of food stores.  Usually it is a political issue, caused by government policy or perpetuated by “religious” leaders.  The real problem is sin. 

So?  If you know of a hungry child then pass on some food.  It may be that the parent is lazy or just spending all their money on cigarettes and alcohol.  You may not be able to do much long term.  Don’t stop with giving food.  This is where prayer and witnessing are important.  The hunger will not go away until the real problem is dealt with. 

A Ravishing Context

(Pro 5:20 KJV) And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

This is an interesting choice of English.  The NASB has “exhilarated” (7686).  The KJV has “ravished.”  You may not have noticed but the previous verse uses the same word but in a positive context,

(Pro 5:19 KJV)  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

This is an interesting play on words.

The Hebrew has the base meaning of leading astray.  It is used in the context of getting someone drunk and having them out of contact with reality.  I guess the translators were trying to find a word that would translated in two verses with different consequences. 

So?  This is another case of something being positive in the right context and destructive when used wrong.  Think of salt, sodium chloride.  Two lethal elements combined to make a necessity of life.  God’s way of doing things is totally awesome. 

A First Step

(Pro 4:7 KJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

There is a saying that you find on motivational posters.  It goes something like, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”  That is the point here.  In order to arrive you usually have to get moving.  The only exception to that would be if you are already there.  Such is not the case for most of us in life.

We have “miles to go before we sleep,”  to paraphrase Robert Frost.  There are few areas of my life that I am totally satisfied.  I am not sure if there are any and I am not willing to stop and think about it.  The key point here is that if we don’t get moving we will never arrive, nor will we get closer. 

So?  I need to get moving on my journey toward wisdom.  Today.  Now.  I see that some have gotten a head start.  That is okay.  It is not a competition with only one prize.

Creation Wisdom

(Pro 3:19 KJV) The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

At first I am sure we think of wisdom as being a concept we can understand.  Wisdom is, you know, wise.  Then we see it as being different than knowledge and even understanding.  I think this verse gives us a clue to the deeper meaning of wisdom.  Here it is linked to creation. 

One of the reasons that people can believe in a Creator God is the complex coordination of the universe.  Everything works together.  Sun spots tie into rain fall.  Osmosis and diffusion are vital to life as well as chemistry and physics.  What happens a million light years away is tied in with the fungus under your toe nails.  That calls for Wisdom.  That is an understanding of how it all ties together.  It knows how the ripples of your rock skipping can effect the sex life of a frog in the pond.

So?  Understand that God did not create by caprice.  He did it by wisdom.  That applies to your creation at the moment of conception too.  Go out and enjoy the night sky knowing God was really plugged in when He made it.

Sad Truth

(Pro 2:19 KJV) None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

One of the sad truths that we need to face is that not everyone will be saved.  In fact, heaven will not be overcrowded.  It is not because God is not patient.  We can all testify to how many chances He has given us and how often we have been forgiven.  It is not that He does not reach out.  The Holy Spirit is constantly at work.  There are triggers and catalysts all around us. 

But we have that scary word “none” (3808/3605).  I don’t understand the translation.  It is a compound word combining “not” and “the whole”.  It doesn’t sound as final as it sounds if you get my meaning.  Still, it is final enough.

So?  All we can do is keep witnessing in our lives and with our mouths when we get a chance.  Oh, and make sure that we don’t drift off target.  The rest is between God and the rebel. 

A Good Question

(Pro 1:22 KJV) How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

As I read this today and came across the “How long” my thoughts went to David and his frequent question.  I know I have asked the same thing so I did a little search.  The question comes up 62 times from Exodus to Revelation.  Psalms, at 19, has the most.  You have it being asked by God the Father and God the Son.  You have it asked by the martyrs.  Don’t feel alone if you ask the question.

What struck me was an assumption that came with the question.  When asking “How long” the implication is that the answer is long past due.  Look at our verse today.  Solomon is talking to a bunch of people who are persisting in attitudes and actions that they should have grown out of long ago.

So?  I know God is looking at some of my procrastinations and habits and wondering when I am going to get moving.  I feel like I am not alone in this.