(Pro 31:11 KJV) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
We are at the beginning of a long passage on one topic. It is possibly the longest single topic passage in Proverbs. It is talking about the qualities in the ideal wife. This verse puts before us the first, and thus most important. It is the matter of “trust” (982).
When it comes to marriage, trust is a must. The same is true of any serious relationship. The word seems to have the idea that you can press ahead without having to worry about what is going on around you. If you are leading a charge in war it would mean that you assume the rest of the unit are moving forward with you. It is the confidence that you will not be left out in the cold while everyone else clusters around the fire.
So? We should work to build that kind of attitude in others. It is easy to destroy and hard to maintain. Start with prayer and continue with straight living.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Beware of Swimming Holes
(Pro 30:15 KJV) The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
The KJV translates this with “horseleach” (5936). When I looked for a definition I came up with, “a large leech, as Haemopis marmoratis, that infests the mouth and nasal passages of horses.” I asked myself how a horse could pick up such parasites. To my knowledge leaches live in water. I would imagine that a leech could attach when the horse was drinking infested water.
So heed the warning. Be careful where you drink. Take that figuratively or metaphorically. We seek knowledge and companionship in varied ways. Some are neutral, some beneficial and some are evil. The evil will infest your mind and soul. It will suck the joy and possibly the salvation out of you.
So? Feed on God’s word. Keep your eyes open. I remember getting in a lake in the Midwest, seeing leeches in the water and immediately exiting.
The KJV translates this with “horseleach” (5936). When I looked for a definition I came up with, “a large leech, as Haemopis marmoratis, that infests the mouth and nasal passages of horses.” I asked myself how a horse could pick up such parasites. To my knowledge leaches live in water. I would imagine that a leech could attach when the horse was drinking infested water.
So heed the warning. Be careful where you drink. Take that figuratively or metaphorically. We seek knowledge and companionship in varied ways. Some are neutral, some beneficial and some are evil. The evil will infest your mind and soul. It will suck the joy and possibly the salvation out of you.
So? Feed on God’s word. Keep your eyes open. I remember getting in a lake in the Midwest, seeing leeches in the water and immediately exiting.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Favor of the Day
(Pro 29:26 KJV) Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
I am currently starting to meet with a group of guys who are concerned with the way our country is going and seeking ways to do something about it. The focus of our group will be with the first part of this verse. That has its place and in a republic is necessary, but we cannot forget the second part of this verse. God is the ultimate authority.
I at times fall into the frustration trap because my plans are not working out. What do I mean, “At times”? It is a constant failure. The failure is actually in believing in my gut that God is in control. He not only judges me, He judges the culture I live in. I need to be reminded that if God could work with the rulers of Egypt, Babylonia and Persia then He can work with our ruler of the day.
So? Take the long view. Seek God on a regular basis. Keep moving forward.
I am currently starting to meet with a group of guys who are concerned with the way our country is going and seeking ways to do something about it. The focus of our group will be with the first part of this verse. That has its place and in a republic is necessary, but we cannot forget the second part of this verse. God is the ultimate authority.
I at times fall into the frustration trap because my plans are not working out. What do I mean, “At times”? It is a constant failure. The failure is actually in believing in my gut that God is in control. He not only judges me, He judges the culture I live in. I need to be reminded that if God could work with the rulers of Egypt, Babylonia and Persia then He can work with our ruler of the day.
So? Take the long view. Seek God on a regular basis. Keep moving forward.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Options
(Pro 28:6 KJV) Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Let’s be honest. We really think we should have both. We think that God should honor our spiritual stands and get us the promotion or cause the stocks we bought to shoot through the moon. We get discouraged when it doesn’t happen. Okay, maybe it is only me. Maybe I am the only one who gets tired of doing the right thing and being left alone in the corner while the party moves on.
I pray that I can live with that, in victory. I am not called to get rich. I concede that it would be nice but it might also destroy me. I am called to be righteous. My goal is to set my agenda for the day on that basis.
So? Go to work because you need to pay the bills. Spend time with the Lord because you need to avoid the traps.
Let’s be honest. We really think we should have both. We think that God should honor our spiritual stands and get us the promotion or cause the stocks we bought to shoot through the moon. We get discouraged when it doesn’t happen. Okay, maybe it is only me. Maybe I am the only one who gets tired of doing the right thing and being left alone in the corner while the party moves on.
I pray that I can live with that, in victory. I am not called to get rich. I concede that it would be nice but it might also destroy me. I am called to be righteous. My goal is to set my agenda for the day on that basis.
So? Go to work because you need to pay the bills. Spend time with the Lord because you need to avoid the traps.
Monday, July 27, 2020
Drop Drills
(Pro 27:16 KJV) Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
Are you a control freak? No? How about just liking to be able to control the basics of life. Join me in a moment of my life where I dropped an ice cube on the floor and it shattered into little pieces. Picture me with my big fingers trying to get a grip on those little slivers. The macho man in me would just let them melt and evaporate, but I have a wife, so that won’t do. I keep trying to pick them up. That is the picture here.
The answer would involve using alternative methods. You could try a broom and dust pan. I think that a dry dish towel might do the trick. Maybe your needle-nose pliers would keep you language pure. Whatever you do it will require patience and wisdom.
So? Even if you are single life is going to hand you some form of contentious woman. Count on it and learn to deal with it. You are not alone.
Are you a control freak? No? How about just liking to be able to control the basics of life. Join me in a moment of my life where I dropped an ice cube on the floor and it shattered into little pieces. Picture me with my big fingers trying to get a grip on those little slivers. The macho man in me would just let them melt and evaporate, but I have a wife, so that won’t do. I keep trying to pick them up. That is the picture here.
The answer would involve using alternative methods. You could try a broom and dust pan. I think that a dry dish towel might do the trick. Maybe your needle-nose pliers would keep you language pure. Whatever you do it will require patience and wisdom.
So? Even if you are single life is going to hand you some form of contentious woman. Count on it and learn to deal with it. You are not alone.
Sunday, July 26, 2020
A Time to Spoon Feed
(Pro 26:15 KJV) The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Having just spent months with our two grandchildren in the house I look at this a little different. The newborn could not bring his hand to his mouth. He wasn’t sure what a hand was. The toddler is a different story. If we had let her it is possible that we would still be spoon feeding her at two years. Even after she demonstrated she could handle the utensils, she would have times when she wanted to be fed. Was it sloth? Possible. Was it manipulation? More possible.
We have a lot of people around us who never grow up. They want others to do their work. They feel like you are their servant. You may not have noticed, but Proverbs does not have good things to say about those kind of people.
So? Grow up and help others grow up. I am sure that each of us fits into one of those categories.
Having just spent months with our two grandchildren in the house I look at this a little different. The newborn could not bring his hand to his mouth. He wasn’t sure what a hand was. The toddler is a different story. If we had let her it is possible that we would still be spoon feeding her at two years. Even after she demonstrated she could handle the utensils, she would have times when she wanted to be fed. Was it sloth? Possible. Was it manipulation? More possible.
We have a lot of people around us who never grow up. They want others to do their work. They feel like you are their servant. You may not have noticed, but Proverbs does not have good things to say about those kind of people.
So? Grow up and help others grow up. I am sure that each of us fits into one of those categories.
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Light the Slow Fuse
(Pro 25:15 KJV) By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Sometimes I think translators allow the sermon they heard on Sunday to influence their translating. The “forebearing" (forbearance NASB) (639) mentioned here is usually translated “anger” or “wrath”. It is not the patience we associate with forbearance. Of course there is the other word that is hidden in the NASB but comes out in the KJV, “long” (753). They make it patience. I make it controlled, simmering rage that works slowly toward a solution.
We live in republics that grant us the right to petition our government. We are supposed to be getting on their backs. It will keep them in line. The second part of the verse reminds us that people respond better if they are not painted in a corner.
So? Go to the city council meeting. Write the letter. Participate in the church committee. Find a way to let them know your are deeply concerned but allow them to find a way to respond without having to duke it out.
Sometimes I think translators allow the sermon they heard on Sunday to influence their translating. The “forebearing" (forbearance NASB) (639) mentioned here is usually translated “anger” or “wrath”. It is not the patience we associate with forbearance. Of course there is the other word that is hidden in the NASB but comes out in the KJV, “long” (753). They make it patience. I make it controlled, simmering rage that works slowly toward a solution.
We live in republics that grant us the right to petition our government. We are supposed to be getting on their backs. It will keep them in line. The second part of the verse reminds us that people respond better if they are not painted in a corner.
So? Go to the city council meeting. Write the letter. Participate in the church committee. Find a way to let them know your are deeply concerned but allow them to find a way to respond without having to duke it out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)