Tradition or Truth

(Pro 31:1 KJV)  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

Chapter 31 starts off with a reminder for us that we are supposed to base our knowledge of the Bible on the Bible, not what we think, others think or just general tradition.  Whom do people say wrote Proverbs?  General wisdom is Solomon.  Generally that is true.  Solomon wrote Proverbs, except for the parts that he didn’t write.  I was listening to a pod cast by Wayne Grudem on systematic theology as I walked.   He mentioned that some people attack the Bible because it teaches that the world is flat.  Grudem says there is one big problem with that statement: The Bible does not teach the world is flat.  I did a quick word search on flat in the KJV and NASB and did not find it used in regard to the world.

Do your own research before you quote me.

So?  How much of what you believe is based on the Word of God and how much is on the words of the guys at the water cooler?  Tools are readily available.  Go to the source. 

Testing, Testing

(Pro 30:5 KJV)  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

What is the purpose of testing or as the KJV says being “pure” (6884)?  Too often we tend to think in terms of finals.  Our grade depends on the score we get.  In education and training that has a place, but there is another concept in testing that educators talk about a lot but rarely do to any real purpose.  One of the concepts behind testing is to find out how much you know so that the missed concepts and facts can be retaught.  It is a wonderful concept that does not work in education because of time restrictions and other problems that are more political so I won’t go into them here.

We should have time to apply this in our lives but the testing is kind of in reverse.  It is more a pattern of applying the principles and standards, seeing how we are doing and moving on.  The Christian life is a walk not a crisis.  It is growth, not stasis. 

So?  When you find a truth that you have been ignoring or have not been aware of, apply it.  Make it a part of your pattern of behavior or your world view.  Make it a matter of thought and prayer. 

Stay Out of the Cafeteria

(Pro 29:15)  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Have you noticed a tendency in Church attenders and cultural Christians to practice what is being called “Cafeteria Christianity.”  It means that you go along the line and pick out what you want for the day.  What you pick varies according to mood.  That may be no problem when you are at a fast food joint, but it becomes a serious issue when you are talking about your faith.  We sometimes criticize Thomas Jefferson, who took scissors to the Bible and cut out all the parts he did not like.  We do the same thing today

One area this is true involves the discipline of our children.  We have swallowed the belief system of the world that says people are innately good.  The Bible says we are inclined to evil.  That is why correction, discipline and teaching are so important.  This verse says that corporal punishment is an acceptable path to wisdom.  This does not mean that corporal punishment is the only way to wisdom, just that it is an acceptable method.

So?  Base your decisions in life on what God says, not on Dr. Phil or Dr. Spock.  Remember who will be sitting on the judgment seat. 

Crime Is the Pits

(Pro 28:17)  A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Being a Christian does not mean totally accepting everyone at all times.  Many of us could do better on being less judgmental, but we often lean over too far backwards.  Some people have done things that justifiably make them “flee” (a fugitive NASB) (5127).  The NASB marginal note says this means “flee to the pit.”  They should have so much fear of justice that they avoid civil society, even the church.

This is a hard concept for many to accept who have a view of love that is based more on Hollywood and modern, Bible rejecting theology than on the teachings of Jesus and Paul.  There is a place for a hard line.  I personally think the average church and average Christian has found it easier to ignore this.  It leads to coddled and comforted perversions.

So?  This is not something that is supposed to start a witch hunt.  This is a standard that we need to seriously consider in how we respond to crime.

“If” Is a Condition, Not a Promise

(Proverbs 27:24 KJV)  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

This is a good place to reflect on the difference between Biblical principles and Biblical absolutes.  It seems to me that David had his dynasty guaranteed.  Consider the following words to David regarding his son Solomon,

(1 Chronicles 17:12 KJV)  He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

If taken in isolation this seems like an absolute promise.  Yet even Solomon understood that there were conditions and offers this as a qualifier.

We see a similar thought later:

(Pro 29:14 NAS77)  If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.

Notice the "if."  Always consider the “if’s” of life.

So?  God’s promises are true.  So are His expectations and conditions.  Don’t try to bind Him with your conditions, live by His.

Band-aids Still Needed

(Proverbs 26:2 KJV)  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

The NASB says the “curse” (7045) will not “come" (alight NASB) (935).).  The marginal reading of the NASB tells us that it literally means “come” just as the KJV says.  What are we going to do with these modern translators?  There is a difference between the two ideas.  One means that the curse can kind of flit around our heads but find not purchase.  The other means that it won’t even arrive in your location. 

This is reminding us that living a righteous, upright life has results.  Living free from evil means that the curses of evil will not even begin to approach us.  This would also help us understand the difference between the curses of evil and the simple results of living in a sinful world.  We are all subject to the curse of death.  It effects all of nature.  We will age.  We will get colds and flu.  We will face unemployment.  But the true curses of the coming year will not be on our heads.

So?  Buy band-aids and Tylenol.  Try to figure out the health care debacle.  Rejoice that God will shield us from the truly evil. 

And a Ring for Her Nose, Ho, Ho!

(Proverbs 25:12 KJV)  As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

I do not understand jewelry or why it attracts people.  Being raised in a church that had a tendency toward legalism I had early training that jewelry was evil and a sign of worldliness.  Paul would be quoted,

(1 Timothy 2:9 KJV)  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

The principle is obviously not about gold and pearls but about the attitude we have toward them. 

I especially like the side notes in my NASB.  It says this can also mean “nose rings.”  A better example of this is in the recruiting of Rebekah as a bride for Isaac.

(Genesis 24:47 KJV)  And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

If we took this seriously we would expect every bride to receive a nose ring.

So?  This is an area where I must work at not judging.  If rings and necklaces rock your world and don’t distract you from serving Jesus, then adorn your body to match your soul.  I imagine you have the same hangup about my golf clubs.