Rejoice in the Law

(Pro 31:26 KJV)  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Two great concepts are united in this verse.  Different translations hide one or the other.  The KJV says “law” (8451) of “kindness” (2617).  The NASB says “teaching” instead of law.  If they were trying to please me that would say “law of lovingkindness”.  Let me drop in the Hebrew words and it becomes “torah of chesed”.  

Law gets a lot of bad press because of Paul reacting to Judiasers trying to push circumcision.  We forget that we also have phrases such as “law of love” and this “love of lovingkindess”.  The purpose of the law was not to lower the boom but to mold a people into a civilized society.  The character of God includes justice and holiness but also love and compassion.

So?  We need to put them together in the proper proportions.  Law gives us boundaries that keep us on track.  Kindness modifies the rules with an attitude of mercy.  Apply them both.  

Big Ears

(Pro 30:14 KJV)  There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

Personally I think we have too many people with the gift of mercy and not enough with the gift of discernment.  Part of that is because people lather on the mercy without the gift and then attack those who have discernment.  The other part is that discernment knows when to speak out and when to stay silent.  Discernment knows how to express itself to the “poor” (6041) and “needy” (34).  When someone is struggling in the mud you don’t jump on their shoulders.  You give them a hand and then help them wash.

We stand for righteousness.  We must never compromise.  We must speak truth.  Sometimes the tone of voice can destroy the message.  Sometimes refusing to listen can totally distort what the afflicted are saying.

So?  Stand tall but develop big ears to hear.  Truth spoken gently can sometimes be more powerful than a loud voice.  

Partisans

(Pro 29:27 KJV)  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

I’m sorry.  No, we can’t just get along.  As much as we might want “peace in our time” it is not going to happen.  

We know that as Christians there is a courtesy and concern for the unjust.  It is part of the burden we carry.  At the same time we need to recognize that our ways are not compatible with theirs.  In fact we should accept that they are an abomination to God and thus to us.

What we keep avoiding is the understanding that they hate who we are.  What makes it worse is that there is no real restraint on their hatred other than the laws and justice systems that the upright have established.  Picture the monarchs who think that their will is above the laws of the common rabble.

So?  The power that will bring victory to our lives is not the rational discussions with evil but the power of God that we trust and lean on.  

Dangers of DIY

(Pro 28:26 KJV)  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

When you have questions where do you look for answers?  Many look in self-help books.  Some talk to a friend.  The problem with these approaches is that you find books that reinforce the inclination of your own “heart” (5315) or you find a friend who will tell you to trust your heart.  That is not walking “wisely” (2451).

To walk wisely means to seek truth instead of trying to assuage your feelings or feed your inclinations.  I know it is possible to find a verse that reinforces what you want but if you are reading consistently and encouraging your mind to be receptive you will find the answers you need.

So?  Read scripture widely.  Don’t just focus on Psalms or Proverbs.  Those offer a lot of wisdom but it may not be the bit that you need today. 

Give Me Context

Proverbs 27:26 (KJV) The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

When you hear sheep and goats mentioned together you think of judgment and Jesus separating them, or at least I do.  Our conception is that sheep, or here lambs, are the righteous and goats are the bad guys.  Notice that does not apply here.

Be careful in your choice of words.  Even more important be careful of your interpretation of words.  They do not always mean the same.  Another example might be milk.  At one place you have the joy of a land of milk and honey.  At another you are urged to grow beyond the milk of the word as baby food.

So?  Never get complacent.  Be aware of the danger of drifting and not thinking.  God speaks but we need to listen.  

Daily Reminder

(Psa 119:125 KJV)  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

I read in Psalms and Proverbs every day.  One of the dangers of regular Bible reading is that it becomes a routine that can dull our edge.  We can read and not understand.  I think we have all had that experience where we find we have read several pages and can’t remember a thing.  Sometimes we read it again and still can’t remember.  Our minds wander.  We can have the same experience with verses we have memorized.

Here the author is calling upon God to take him beyond the ability to read and quicken his mind so that he has understanding.  That is a good prayer for us to start every day and to renew many times.

So?  God puts His truth in writing for us.  He also wants to quicken it in our hearts.  It is not just a book on the shelf.  It is meant to change us.  

Be Neighborly

(Pro 25:17 KJV)  Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

As I write I am applying this in my own life.  I have decided that the period of time here is three days.  It does not say that.  It simply says don’t stay too long when you are visiting.  I take the principle and apply it in a way that seems logical.  I think there is some chemistry that changes after three days but it is just me.

I offer this as a way of suggesting how to apply scripture.  Much of what we read is the transmission of principles.  Because life is complex it is better to understand the principles than the exact words.  This is an example of the comparison made between the spirit of the Law and the letter of the Law.  If demands that we engage mentally and spiritually with what God is trying to communicate.

So?  Think as you read.  Recognize the letter being delivered but go beyond that to the principles at the core.