(Pro 30:8 KJV) Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
If you compare translations you see a different English word used to describe the Hebrew when it comes to “vanity” (7723) in the KJV and “deception” in the NASB. The difficulty is that the word has a lot of nuances and any of them will work. It is even better to try for the whole spectrum. That probably can’t be done in English.
The definition includes emptiness, nothingness, vanity, lying, worthless conduct. You can see why a righteous seeker would want to stay away from these things, or as the verse says, have them stay away from him. The secular culture uses words like integrity and moral but does not mean them. That is a constant battle we have gotten used to. We also need to be alert to the drift in the church to embrace the secular concepts and reject the Biblical standards.
So? This is a good daily prayer. It was good in Solomon’s day. It is vital today.
Monday, September 30, 2019
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Trap Map
(Pro 29:18 KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
We have a lot of confusion when it comes to the “law” (8451) [torah]. We tend to think of the law as restraint. Laws are to keep us from having fun. Laws are confining. In a sense that is true but when we talk about the laws of God we need to understand that they are written to make our lives complete. When the government make laws I tend to have a picture of some little man who hates chocolate making up rules against eating chocolate. We all know people who get their jollies from controlling others. God is not like that.
In the New Testament it is explained that the purpose of the law is to show us where the quicksand is. Picture being told to cross a swamp without that knowledge. When the law says, “Don’t” there is a reason.
So? The greatest happiness comes from knowing where the traps are. The amazing thing is that if we follow the law we don’t even know the tragedy that we are avoiding. Sounds like good news to me.
We have a lot of confusion when it comes to the “law” (8451) [torah]. We tend to think of the law as restraint. Laws are to keep us from having fun. Laws are confining. In a sense that is true but when we talk about the laws of God we need to understand that they are written to make our lives complete. When the government make laws I tend to have a picture of some little man who hates chocolate making up rules against eating chocolate. We all know people who get their jollies from controlling others. God is not like that.
In the New Testament it is explained that the purpose of the law is to show us where the quicksand is. Picture being told to cross a swamp without that knowledge. When the law says, “Don’t” there is a reason.
So? The greatest happiness comes from knowing where the traps are. The amazing thing is that if we follow the law we don’t even know the tragedy that we are avoiding. Sounds like good news to me.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Trust Diet
(Pro 28:25 KJV) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Notice that the KJV says we will be “made fat” (1878) while the NASB has “prosper”. The KJV says literally what the Hebrew says while the NASB tries to adjust to our culture where being fat is a bad thing. Modern Americans don’t understand that historically being fat was a sign of wealth. Most people worked long hours on a subsistence diet. All you need to do to get this point is to look at their art and its ideas of beauty.
So fat is good. To get the point here you might think about the roles fat has in the human body. It stores up energy for times of need. It insulates from cold. It cushions the bones. If you think about it those are good things that could be applied spiritually.
So? Don’t go on a trust diet in the sense of limiting trust but do so by focusing on it. Allow God to energize, insulate and cushion you on the road of life.
Notice that the KJV says we will be “made fat” (1878) while the NASB has “prosper”. The KJV says literally what the Hebrew says while the NASB tries to adjust to our culture where being fat is a bad thing. Modern Americans don’t understand that historically being fat was a sign of wealth. Most people worked long hours on a subsistence diet. All you need to do to get this point is to look at their art and its ideas of beauty.
So fat is good. To get the point here you might think about the roles fat has in the human body. It stores up energy for times of need. It insulates from cold. It cushions the bones. If you think about it those are good things that could be applied spiritually.
So? Don’t go on a trust diet in the sense of limiting trust but do so by focusing on it. Allow God to energize, insulate and cushion you on the road of life.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Wanders of the World
(Pro 27:8 KJV) As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
I have a nice view of a mini-forest out my window plus one of the trees in my yard. I enjoy watching the wind whip the branches and the vultures circling in the sky. This morning I saw four deer making halting progress along the edge of the trees. I enjoy the view but it does not give me much knowledge about nests.
On the other hand, the birds that I can see are not sitting on their eggs, keeping them warm. Wandering seems to take a lot of different forms. For some it involves sitting on the telephone line instead of the chicks. For others it is flitting around with the buddies or chasing other women. For a few it is soaring high in the air looking cool and leisurely. In the same way I guess we can “wander” (5074) in different ways. Some of it brings instant condemnation. Other types of wandering can be done with a very spiritual aura about it. Drunks are easy to pick out but the pastor who is ignoring his family may be getting a lot of praise.
So? As always we need to focus on ourselves, not the other guy. Keep in mind that the sermon last Sunday was intended for you not the guy over there.
I have a nice view of a mini-forest out my window plus one of the trees in my yard. I enjoy watching the wind whip the branches and the vultures circling in the sky. This morning I saw four deer making halting progress along the edge of the trees. I enjoy the view but it does not give me much knowledge about nests.
On the other hand, the birds that I can see are not sitting on their eggs, keeping them warm. Wandering seems to take a lot of different forms. For some it involves sitting on the telephone line instead of the chicks. For others it is flitting around with the buddies or chasing other women. For a few it is soaring high in the air looking cool and leisurely. In the same way I guess we can “wander” (5074) in different ways. Some of it brings instant condemnation. Other types of wandering can be done with a very spiritual aura about it. Drunks are easy to pick out but the pastor who is ignoring his family may be getting a lot of praise.
So? As always we need to focus on ourselves, not the other guy. Keep in mind that the sermon last Sunday was intended for you not the guy over there.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Screening for Fools
(Pro 26:5 KJV) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
One difficulty I have applying this verse is the matter of judgement. Who am I to determine if the person speaking is a fool? Actually, there is no one better. I would hope that you would fit into that category too. A foolish man is the opposite of a wise man. A foolish man is the opposite of an insightful man. Both wisdom and understanding begin in a fear of the Lord. We have a ready made screen for identifying a fool.
We may not be able to know the mind of heart of a person. We can observe their position on issues based on morality. This is getting easier in many ways because our culture, which has paid lip service to God’s standards in the past, is taking increasingly more blatant stands in opposition to Biblical ethics.
So? To know what the Bible’s standards are you need to read the Bible. It is getting more iffy to accept anyone else’s word for it because more and more pastors and teachers are falling in line with Satan and our culture. Don’t join the fools.
One difficulty I have applying this verse is the matter of judgement. Who am I to determine if the person speaking is a fool? Actually, there is no one better. I would hope that you would fit into that category too. A foolish man is the opposite of a wise man. A foolish man is the opposite of an insightful man. Both wisdom and understanding begin in a fear of the Lord. We have a ready made screen for identifying a fool.
We may not be able to know the mind of heart of a person. We can observe their position on issues based on morality. This is getting easier in many ways because our culture, which has paid lip service to God’s standards in the past, is taking increasingly more blatant stands in opposition to Biblical ethics.
So? To know what the Bible’s standards are you need to read the Bible. It is getting more iffy to accept anyone else’s word for it because more and more pastors and teachers are falling in line with Satan and our culture. Don’t join the fools.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
A Righteous Sewer Commissioner
(Pro 25:5 KJV) Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
In ancient times the average person would have nothing to say about what happened in the halls of power. Most people were peasant farmers. Probably the next largest group would be slaves. In some cultures the slaves would outnumber the free farmers. There was little short of insurrection that could change anything. The principle still is true but we have more ways to make it happen than any time in history.
Keep in mind that in our system the president nominates but it is the Senate the confirms. As citizens we have something to say about who becomes a senator. We also have increasing influence as we move down the hierarchy of power. When you get to city council you really have a voice.
So? Apply your voice. You may only be voting for a mayor or Sewer Commissioner but those people may eventually be running for the Senate. Go for righteousness. Plant the seed. Do today what you can do. God will then bless the culture.
In ancient times the average person would have nothing to say about what happened in the halls of power. Most people were peasant farmers. Probably the next largest group would be slaves. In some cultures the slaves would outnumber the free farmers. There was little short of insurrection that could change anything. The principle still is true but we have more ways to make it happen than any time in history.
Keep in mind that in our system the president nominates but it is the Senate the confirms. As citizens we have something to say about who becomes a senator. We also have increasing influence as we move down the hierarchy of power. When you get to city council you really have a voice.
So? Apply your voice. You may only be voting for a mayor or Sewer Commissioner but those people may eventually be running for the Senate. Go for righteousness. Plant the seed. Do today what you can do. God will then bless the culture.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Domino’s Effect
(Pro 24:34 KJV) So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Cause and effect are Biblical truths. Yes, there are times of miracles. Yes, we accept the right of God to work outside of natural law. At the same time the Bible is generally an if/then kind of document. Here we are assured of a result that is not a promise or a threat but an observation. It is endorsing the result of sloth: “Poverty” (7369). You don’t need to seek it out, it will “come” 935) to you. It is the ultimate of the Domino’s Effect. Your pizza will come to you with double sloth and a side of bread lines. All you have to do is take another nap.
Okay. I accept that one extra nap won’t send you to the poor house unless it is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
So? Get up and get on with life and don’t tell me you will after your nap.
Cause and effect are Biblical truths. Yes, there are times of miracles. Yes, we accept the right of God to work outside of natural law. At the same time the Bible is generally an if/then kind of document. Here we are assured of a result that is not a promise or a threat but an observation. It is endorsing the result of sloth: “Poverty” (7369). You don’t need to seek it out, it will “come” 935) to you. It is the ultimate of the Domino’s Effect. Your pizza will come to you with double sloth and a side of bread lines. All you have to do is take another nap.
Okay. I accept that one extra nap won’t send you to the poor house unless it is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
So? Get up and get on with life and don’t tell me you will after your nap.
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