Shiny

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

Although this is a passage talking about drinking too much it is also a reminder to us of whom we should accept as leaders.  Drunk leaders “pervert” (8132) what they touch.  I would add that even followers destroy what they touch when under the influence.  When I went to look for the definition of “pervert” I was expecting to find a word that reflects the usual, to bend or twist.  Not so in this case.  The root meaning is “to change”.  That brought to mind another verse that I have noticed and I wondered if it was the same word in the Hebrew. 

(Pro 24:21 KJV) My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change (8132):

It was. 

This is an argument for the place of tradition in our lives.  There may be times for change.  Where would we be if America rejected the horseless carriage?  I guess there would be a lot of jobs available for sweeping up the horse manure off the street but it would have lowered the quality of life for the average person.  On the other side is the need for a flashy new car every two years.  The point is we need to avoid people who want to change just for the purpose of change.  The new is not always better than the old.

So?  Be wary of political leaders and church leaders who come up with innovative ideas.  There is a good chance they are not on the side of the angels. 

No Additives Allowed

(Pro 30:6 KJV) Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

One of the big questions that the early church struggled with was, “What is to be included in scripture?”  It was an honest question and different people had different understandings.  The results were hammered out over a couple of hundred years and we come up with the 66 books that are accepted by all Christians and the Apocrypha which is added by some.  Personally I don’t feel like anything beyond the 66 is to be included.

Then comes the question of translation and manuscripts.  That will probably never be agreed on by the entire church.  In the disagreement you have two large groups of scholars.  You have one group that is honestly trying to get to the best understanding of the original sources.  They are on the side of the angels and have the support and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The second group are the ones who are simply trying to be the most clever kid on the block.  To them it is an intellectual exercise at best and an ego trip a little further down the road.

So?  For those of us in everyday life we need to accept what this verse is telling us.  There is a body of writing that is the Word of God.  Other things may have a use but they are not on the same level.  Try to understand and ask all the questions you want but do not add or subtract from what was given to us. 

Influence

(Pro 29:16 KJV) When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

In Proverbs context does not always have the power it has in the rest of the Bible.  That is because the book is a collection of thoughts that may have been written down a little bit at a time as they occurred to Solomon.  This is one of those places where the verse seems to stand alone, and yet....

The verse before and the verse after both have to do with the importance of discipline.  It would be possible to infer that how we raise our children will have an influence on the amount of evil we see in our culture.  We often tend to think that we live in isolation, that what we do will not matter.  This is a reminder that the world we live in can be influenced.  No, more than that, it will be influenced by each of us.

So?  It is easy to think we are so unimportant that we can slide through life.  God doesn’t seem to look at it that way.  Decisions we make influence us, our family and our world.

The Ayes of the Beholders

(Pro 28:23 KJV) He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

I have always assumed that this verse was talking about the response of the person put on a short leash.  You know, the way a parent tells the little boy, “Someday you will thank me.”  What if that is not the case?  What if this is a matter of the observing congregation or family who are favorable? 

I know I have appreciated it when someone straightens out their obnoxious child.  I also enjoy it when someone calls down a public figure who needs correction.  This should encourage us to take a stand when it is needed.  Too often all we see is the reaction of the target, not the audience.

So?  It would be great if we would do the right thing all the time.  How about once today as a step in the right direction. 

Critical Listening

(Pro 27:6 KJV) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

This speaks about the painful honesty of a true friend.  It also reminds us of the quality of friendship that is willing to listen.  I wonder what kind of friend I am.  That has to do with both the speaking and the listening roles.

So?  Next time you are criticized, listen and be open.  The criticism may be wrong but what do you have to lose by thinking about it for a moment?

A Hot Rod

(Pro 26:3 KJV) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

You may have heard the saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”.  Those into Montessori will be glad to know that this is not in the Bible.  Those who are into the Bible will know that the sentiment is, even if the exact phrase is not  The Bible endorses corporal punishment.  The “rod” (7626) is not there just for looks.  It is to be used for discipline.

At the same time it is not to be overused.  The point is the discipline.  If you can enforce it using other methods, then feel free.  It is also clear that some people only learn through pain.  I know that kicking rocks teaches me to watch where I am walking and bumping my head teaches me to duck. 

So?  Who are you going to believe, Dr. Spock or God almighty? 

Unsolicited Advice

(Pro 25:3 KJV) The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

It amuses me when reporters and talking heads try to tell a president what he should do in a certain situation.  For one thing the sitting president managed to get elected and they didn’t.  For another he has sources of information that they don’t.  It is pointless to tell him what to do.

For us peasants it is also almost a waste of time to try to understand why certain things are done.  A president is not going to share everything they know or all the different balls they have to keep in the air at the same time. 

So?  Keep your eyes on the standards that God has given you and as far as possible measure what our leaders do based on those, not on the current cultural mantra.  Even more important keep your own feet on the path of righteousness.  Keep in mind that you will not be judged for anything a politician does.