A Double Standard

(Proverbs 31:5 KJV)  Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Life is full of double standards.

(Luke 12:48 KJV)  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Some have the spiritual gift of leadership.  Some in positions of power have it.  They have been given ability and position.  Therefore they are even more blameworthy than regular people.  This is reminding us that leaders are more bound by “the law” (what is decreed NASB) (2710) than are the followers.  Our leaders have forgotten that.  Today’s leaders seem to think that the power is for their benefit, not for the benefit of those below them.  This has always been a fundamental difference in how leaders view their role.  Even some of those who believed in the divine right of kings viewed it as service to God and felt a responsibility to care for the people.

So?  No matter what your level of leadership you are expected to live righteously.  Parents or politicians, public or private, you cannot allow yourself to give in to temptation or decadence.  Others are watching and responding in kind.

Be a Hard Target

(Proverbs 30:14 KJV)  There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

This chapter of Proverbs seems to fall into three themes.  Actually it is two positive themes and one of warning.  This verse falls in the warning section.  We are warned that there are types of people who are totally into themselves and are like bloodsucking leaches (next verse) on the weak.  They are of a “kind” (generation NASB) {1755}.  They seem to run in packs and feed on each other.

Do we live in such an age?  I know that the cultural gurus of our day like to portray business and the wealthy this way but I tend to look at the facts I see, not the hatred of a group that tends to reject the Lordship of Christ.  I regularly talk with a retired businessman who is spending his final years giving back to his community and who will sometimes ask me, “Do you know anyone in need?”  I look at the billions given by the rich to education and such.  I may not agree with their politics, but they are trying to use their wealth to benefit their world.

At the same time, when I listen to podcasts on security one of the themes is that the violent of society look for the weak and preoccupied to attack.  They will often bypass people who are alert.

So?  The same principle applies in daily life and spiritual walk.  Be alert.  Be one of those people who are too much trouble to mess with.  Do it by locking your car, staying out of dark alleys and feasting on the principles in your Bible. 

Partners

(Proverbs 29:24 KJV)  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

This is the only place that either the NASB or KJV translates this Hebrew word “partner” (2505a).  The most common in both is some form of dividing.  This makes this a greater concern.  A partnership to me has the idea of common goals and commitments.  The idea here is more getting your own share of something.  So don’t trust a “thief” (1590).  Don’t plan on taking a profit from anyone who is dishonest.

That would seem simple and straightforward.  The problem for most of us is recognizing a thief when we see one.  A pastor I knew used to joke about someone when they exaggerated a bit of information.  He would say “Never loan this guy money because he who would lie would also steal.”  The point is that a person who is lacking in integrity in one area of life will also have something to hide in another area of life.  Observe and don’t be afraid to call a spade a spade.

So?  We are supposed to be discerning without being judgmental.  Use the wisdom that comes from knowing God’s standards.  Apply it to your own life.  Apply it to your evaluation of others.

A Place for the SWAT Team

(Proverbs 28:28 KJV)  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

How do the “wicked” (7563) “perish” (6)?  This is an important question.  We have seen the forces of destruction in our homes in child abuse and broken families.  We have feared it on our streets in the form of riots, gang activity and drunkenness.  We have seen them through history in wars, terrorism, genocide and one time atrocities.   Evil and wickedness exist. 

While I can accept a place of defending yourself, it is the role of government to deal with evil in an active way.

(Romans 13:4 KJV)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

To me this gives the government the duty to make evil people “perish”.  The mildest part of the definition means to “go astray” but most nuances have to do with destroying.  This means taking drastic action.  The sword is not made for counseling.

So?  As Christians we can support things like the death penalty.  We can support the role of the police in suppressing riots and civil unrest.  It is their God given role.  It is not vengeance, it is punishment. 

The Map of a Bird Brain

(Proverbs 27:8 KJV)  As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

A “man” (376) that “wanders” (5074) brings to my mind what I do when I am killing time in a mall waiting for my wife or some other shopper.  I can do a mall in about fifteen minutes or a bit more if it is a big mall.  If I know I have time to kill I will amble along with no goal in mind and move toward anything that grabs my attention.  Sometimes it doesn’t take much.  I get nothing done and always run the risk of buying something I really don’t need.

Occasionally wandering in a mall is not the end of the world.  Living a life this way is bird-brained.  We all have responsibility to someone or something.  Think of the duty that goes both ways in life:  Parents and children, employees and employers, neighbors, citizens and government, church.  If you can’t find anything else there are many small churches out there that need you to step up to the plate. 

So?  Are you ambling through life today?  Is that simply because you are refusing to accept responsibility or listen to the calls on your life?  God is calling.  Listen, think, pray, act. 

The Return of the Mutt

(Proverbs 26:11 KJV)  As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

One thing I noticed when we had a dog was that her behavior changed as she grew older.  When she was a pup we used to call her to clean up what the cat had left.  She did so with gusto.  When she got older she would look at us like we were the fools. 

She was still a dog.  She still sniffed and licked things that I would not even want to touch.  She still barked at things no one else heard.  But she stopped enjoying vomit.  Why?  I don’t know, but it happened.

So?  She was still a dog.  Some people will always be fools.  Maybe they can still learn in spite of that.  Maybe we should be alert but keep trying.  Maybe.  Maybe not. 

Don’t Run with the Big Dogs

(Proverbs 25:6 KJV)  Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

Did you ever stand on the side lines and watch the Big Man on Campus when you were young?  Perhaps you have a version of that in your life now.  I don’t know if it is a defense mechanism or if I am really over it but I avoid hanging with the cool people.  I still get a rush when there is genuine acknowledgment by the top dogs, but I don’t seek it.

That is much healthier than wanting to be accepted.  We have a greater chance of living righteous lives if we are not trying to be accepted by the openly unrighteous or the modern Pharisees.  When it is important to us to be accepted we are much more likely to compromise God’s standards and eventually drift away from the truth.  At least that is true for me.

So?  Don’t try to run with the big dogs.  Don’t want approval from the power brokers.  That kind of focus will not bring us to hear the words of Jesus, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”