A Dumb Blessing

(Proverbs 31:8 KJV)  Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

You may be different but I find I “open” (6605) my “mouth” (6310) many times when I shouldn’t.  Welcome to the human race.  This verse refers to the opposite problem.  Too often we do not speak up when we should. 

There are many times we should speak up in our lives and we remain silent.  We become the “dumb” (483) spoken of here.  In the pre-politically correct days that meant someone who could not speak.  Often we seem to lose this ability when it involves a sensitive cultural or moral issue such as homosexuality or welfare.  That is not the point here. 

This is about becoming advocates for people who are not able to speak up for themselves.  This could be on the street when someone is being insulted.  It could be in private with someone you know is struggling with an issue or relationship.  The point is that since God has reached out and touched us, we should be sharing the blessing of wisdom and insight.

So?  Watch for a chance to give an encouraging word or be an advocate of someone who is really unable to do it for themselves.  Be a blessing.

Too Wonderful

(Proverbs 30:18 KJV)  There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

How can something be “too” (4480) “wonderful” (6381)?  I can understand the pain being too much to bear.  I know hunger.  I know boredom.  But too much wonderful?

There have been times when I have wondered why God blesses me so much.  When I see people my age struggling with health issues that have not touched me I am reminded of God’s blessing and how I should be more sympathetic.  When I see people out of work who really want to work, my less-than-satisfying job becomes a blessing.

This also gives me an indication of what eternal life will be like.  Leave aside the talk of streets of gold and gates made of precious stones.  Pretty but not awesome.  Being in the presence of a holy God and not being consumed by the fire, that is too wonderful.

So?  Rejoice.  Whatever is ahead, the best is yet to come. 

Lightening Insurance

(Proverbs 29:1 KJV)  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Remember the words of Jesus when asked how many times we had to forgive.

(Matthew 18:22 KJV)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I think the same thing can be said about expecting “reproof” (8433b).  Most of us are slow learners, at least in some area of our lives.  How many times did you need to be reminded about a simple responsibility when you were a child?  How many times have you had to be reminded about a glaring weakness in your life as an adult?  God’s correction will keep on rolling.

Remember, when God chastises us it is a mark of His patience and love.  If He did not love us He would not bother to correct us.  If He was not patient we would live in a land depopulated by lightening bolts.

So?  Expect it.  Embrace it.  Repent and demonstrate the change.  Avoid being “destroyed” (broken NASB) (7665). 

Where Did You Put Your Man Card?

(Proverbs 28:5 KJV)  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

It is interesting that this mentions “men” (376) specifically.  Often when we see a phrase like “evil men” or “evil ones” we see the noun in italics because the Hebrew actually only has the word “evil”.  That is not the case here.  This specifies men.  Consider it the opposite of chauvinism. 

I don’t know if you have noticed the increasing number of women in leadership.  Part of that is the sweep of political correctness.  Our culture is on a self destruct mode and is looking at things like gender, race and political affiliation before it considers genuine qualifications.  We all see that.  The trend is older than that in the churches and families of America.  Women have been stepping into leadership, often when they didn’t want it, because men would not accept the responsibility. 

So?  If you have drunk the politically correct kool-aid this is not an issue for you.  The Bible says different.  Men of righteousness need to stand up.  If they won’t do it they need to be stood up.  If the men of America who are serious about serving Jesus would start stepping forward and accepting the call we could see some real changes, spiritually, socially and politically. 

A Surety Thing

(Proverbs 27:13 KJV)  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Our actions have consequences.  Here we see that someone will “take” (3947) what the young man had foolishly used to guarantee a loan.  Although this is a concern, I think the bigger concern is the interplay of good and evil involved in this passage. 

Under “actions” we need to include our thought life, our attitudes and motivations.  Sin that condemns us usually does not happen on the spur of the moment.  Those kind of things usually generate the sequence of repent, learn a lesson and move on.  What drags us down are the actions that are taken after weighing the cost and consequences and deciding to take the chance.  After all, who will know?

God will.

So?  God is listening to my thoughts.  That is why Jesus said to hate in our hearts was the same as murder.  I pray that He will cause me to grow in this vital area. 

Thinking Faster Than We Talk

(Proverbs 26:16 KJV)  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

We cannot be the judge of whether we are wise.  That is really for others to decide.  But we can work on being careful how we “render” (2940) an “answer” (discreet NASB).  One of the meanings of this word is “taste”. 

What does it take to develop taste?  One way is to take measured amounts of something, usually small.  Sip the coffee.  Nibble the cheese.  Sniff the flower.  When we have an idea or come across a new way of doing things it would behoove us to do a little nibbling rather than going whole hog.  Take the time to think things through.

So?  I find that a little thought sometimes shows me how silly my comment would have sounded to others.  Too bad it doesn’t happen that way more often. 

Timing

(Proverbs 25:11 KJV)  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

The NASB reverses the order of the phrases compared to the KJV.  Both translations are talking about the timing for the words we use.  Neither is literal.  A literal phrasing would have us speaking a word “according to” its “situation”.  Sometimes it is not what you say but when you say it.

Wisdom recognizes that there are times to wait.  I may know the answer.  I may have all the evidence on my side.  If people are not willing to listen I am wasting my breath.  Sometimes people call us cowards or hypocrites for not speaking out.  In reality we are being golden.

So?  I am so used to speaking when I shouldn’t and talking when I shouldn’t.  My prayer is that wisdom will help me with my choice of moment.