Condition Orange

(Proverbs 31:14 KJV)  She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

In this passage there are many references to the things that a good wife does to generate income.  We could look at this as another reference to that but I want to look at it figuratively.  A “merchant” (5503) is someone who travels and take risks in order to find items that will be of worth to others.  That is literal but a woman would be limited on how much travel she could do.  Picture the lady of the house as she travels through her day.  If she is the woman God wants her to be she is constantly sensitive to that which will strengthen and nourish her family.

She does not immerse herself in headphones and social media.  She watches, observes, processes and applies.  In a word, thinks.  She evaluates relationships around her.  She senses what is unsaid because she it alert.  Everything she sees goes into the priorities for the day, to the benefit of her family.

Like so many qualities this is one that should apply to every member of the traditional family and the family of God, the church.

So?  Don’t zone out.  Seek to understand your world.  Use that knowledge to benefit you and yours and God’s.  Allow the Holy Spirit to do His teaching even when you are doing common things.  I think that is when He likes to speak the most. 

Locusts of Life

(Proverbs 30:27 KJV)  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

I could only find one other reference that mentioned “locusts” (697) in a positive way.

(Leviticus 11:22 KJV)  Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

It seems that although you cannot eat most insects, you can eat locusts.  Every other reference refers to them as pests.  They are pests that come in swarms and destroy everything in their paths.  Modern America has seen nothing like this.  There are references that say the swarms can be so large and dense that they blot out the light of day.

Do you have locusts in your life?  Most of us do to some degree.  Sometimes we think they have a “king” (4428) but there is probably no real conspiracy. 

So?  Just a reminder.  Somehow Proverbs still emphasizes hope, wisdom and righteousness in the midst of verses like this.  Don’t let the locusts of life get you down. 

Short and Clear

(Proverbs 29:11 KJV)  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

This is a simple reminder:  Don’t lose your temper. 

It is so easy to give in to this.  It is easy to claim your are Irish.  Excuses are everywhere.  The simple command is:  Don’t lose your temper.

So?  Sometimes the short version is all you need. 

Beware Lions Bearing Gifts

(Proverbs 28:15 KJV)  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

The focus of these evil leaders is on the “poor” (1800b) “people” (5971a).  This is the most common word translated “poor” but it is not the only one.  This one has a scope of meaning that goes beyond economics.  This is the word for those who might have enough money but are lacking in strength.  That strength can be political or personal.  If you look back at verse 3 you see it translated “lowly” in the NASB.  A number of translations have it as “weak”. 

There are many people who are not able to stand up and be counted.  They cannot do the right thing if pressure is put on them.  They tend to give in to temptation instead of resisting.  Evil leaders tend to manipulate and use these people.  That is why welfare and entitlements are so destructive.  They are used to gain political power, to buy votes.  It can make our form of government a joke.

So?  We are in a political time.  Use discernment.  Recognize that many political promises are simply the tool of unscrupulous politicians manipulating the sheep for their own benefit and power.  Vote accordingly. 

Flock Mentality

(Proverbs 27:23 KJV)  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

I wonder if this is a way of tell a herding culture to mind their own business.  How many times have you had people that you don’t even know give you advice about a part of your life?  Some might try to tell you how to discipline your children.  Some might tell you the best way to make chili.  And they might be right.  The point of this verse is not to get us to stop listening to others but to stop us from butting into their business before they get into ours.

We all know school teachers who have children that are a total mess.  We see pastors who have marriages that are falling apart.  I always love it when I have young, single women trying to tell me how to live the life of an older, married father of two grown children.

If you have ever flown on an airplane you know the pre-flight routine.  One has to do with the oxygen masks.  Put on yours first, then the child’s.  It won’t help the kid if you pass out in the process.  Also, consider the verse everyone likes today that says, “Judge not”.  They miss the point which is a little further on.

(Matthew 7:5 KJV)  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

So?  Get our own act, fields and herds in order before you start trying to run the lives of others. 

Guile-Mates

(Proverbs 26:26 KJV)  Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

“Hatred” (8135) and “deceit” (guile NASB) (4860) go together.  The first is pretty straightforward.  It is always translated as a form of hate in both the KJV and NASB.  This seems to be the most common Hebrew word used.  You find a lot of condemnation of this emotion and attitude.  If you have anything with Strong’s numbers system you can follow it along with the more common verb “hate” (8130).

People follow a long convoluted road to cover up that hatred.  That is where the “guile” (4860) comes in.  This is the only place in the Old Testament that this Hebrew word is used.  The English word is defined as sly and cunning.  The implication is dishonesty.  It is not just a matter of being clever or creative.

So?  Beware.  Just because someone says something nice about you or does something nice for you does not mean they have your best interests at heart.  It is also a good reminder in a season of political campaigns. 

Sloth and the Enemy

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

As I was reading this my mind went back to another word that has been coming up in my recent reading of proverbs:  Sloth.  Here we are told that there is a basic minimum that is expected of us in regard to our “enemy” (8130).  Does it say the same thing anywhere for the lazy? 

Think of those to whom we are expected to extend the love of Christ.  We have the poor, weak and sick.  We have orphans and widows.  We have foreigners and strangers.  This adds enemies to the list.  The same does not seem to be true for those with a sense of entitlement.

So?  Be a steward of your resources.  Extend kindness and courtesy to all but don’t be too concerned about the person who will not get up to go to work or expects something for nothing.