The Wisdom of Solomon

Welcome to the blog!

In the summer of 2009, this blog was used as a daily Bible study of the Book of Proverbs. The 31-chapter Book was broken down into smaller segments to cover the entirety in a three-month period.

Participants were encouraged to highlight verses of significance to them in the comments section. Blog posts also concentrated on select verses, elaborating on word meaning and Hebrew word definitions; exploring alternate translations and paraphrases; and using additional commentary and Biblical cross-references for insight.

Please use the Blog Archive to find the verses you wish to explore, and perhaps you will discover something new into the wisdom of Solomon--God's Word brought to us through the one earthly man and king who sought and prayed specifically for Godly wisdom to the delight of His Father, who granted him wisdom beyond any other man.




Photo: http://wil3.typepad.com/funny_pictures/images/sol1_2.JPG

The Epilogue: "Heap Burning Coals"

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
²²For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.

I had promised you a revisit to Proverbs 25 and the expression "heap burning coals on one's head."

Obviously, one is not actually heaping burning coals on another's head, nor is this an act of vengeance. (The Lord would not reward that.) Dictionary.com says the expression is an idiom meaning "to repay evil with good in order to make one's enemy repent." Well...that's kind of on the right track, but, from a Biblical perspective, God has a lot more to do with the recognition of sin and the bringing about of repentance than man does.

Not surprisingly, as Edie had noted in her comment, there is disagreement about what this expression means, even where it comes from. So, here are some of the findings with their sources:

"Refers to an ancient Egyptian custom in which a person who wanted to show public contrition carried a pan of burning coals on his head. The coals represented the burning pain of his shame and guilt. When believers lovingly help their enemies, it should bring shame to such people for their hate and animosity."

--My NASB Study Bible on Romans 12:20, in which Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21 & 22

"This has been described as a reference to an Oriental custom. A fire in the center of a village was kept going day and night. This fire was used to light the fires in individual homes each day. Every morning a village youth would put a container on his head, and hot coals would be heaped into it. He would then go from house to house distributing the hot coals so that the villagers could start their fires. On cold days this was an enviable job, since the heat from the coals of fire kept the head and hands of the youth warmed. To heap coals of fire on someone's head, then, means to warm him, and, by extension, to bless him."

--Ivan Maddox, Emory University Chaplain's Office

"It will be a likely means to win upon them, and bring them over to be reconciled to us; we shall mollify them as the refiner melts the metal in the crucible, not only by putting it over the fire, but by heaping coals of fire upon it. The way to turn an enemy into a friend is, to act towards him in a friendly manner. If it do not gain him, it will aggravate his sin and punishment, and heap the burning coals of God's wrath upon his head, as rejoicing in his calamity may be an occasion of God's turning his wrath from him...."

--Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

"This is not to be understood as a revengeful act intended to embarrass its victim, but just the opposite. The picture is that of the high priest (Lev. 16:12) who, on the Day of Atonement, took his censer and filled it with "coals of fire" from off the altar of burnt offering, and then put incense on the coals to create a pleasing, sweet-smelling fragrance. The cloud or smoke of the incense covered the mercy seat and was acceptable to God for atonement. Samuel Wesley wrote: "So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head: In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below."

--Footnote from the Amplified Bible

More than you ever wanted to know about burning coals, yes? Discrepancies there are, but if you read through these commentaries, meditate on this verse, what you know about God's wisdom--you do start to put together a picture, another strong metaphor of trying to reach the heart.

After Paul quoted Proverbs, he added in verse 21 of Romans 12, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Not that it is the easy thing to do. I'm thinking it's downright tough most of the time. But, we do this because it's what Jesus wants us to do, and He told us as much in Matthew:

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven...."

--Matthew 5: 43-45

Photo: http://www.goldfishandclowns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/burning_coals_banner.jpg

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 31: 10-31

¹⁰A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.

¹²She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

¹³She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].

¹⁴She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].

¹⁵She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.

¹⁶She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]

¹⁷She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

¹⁸She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].

¹⁹She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

²¹She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.

²²She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].

²³Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

²⁴She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].

²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

²⁶She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

²⁷She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.

²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],

²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

³⁰Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!

--from the Amplified Bible

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Can't believe we close out the Book of Proverbs today! Such a journey!! Have learned so much, and I hope you have also. I have learned much from your comments as well--it's as if we were sharing around a table! Thank you, friends....

I have no idea what to post today. This is one of those passages of Scripture that is so well studied. So many books (am reading one now!). I had not read the Amplified Bible's translation before, and I decided to feature that today, because it truly adds some exceptional points about this woman.

I like the expansion on verse 15: "She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household..." One of the footnotes in the AMP stresses that the description we read is not just about a woman who is great with things about the house (i.e., Martha stuff), but her life is full because she is spiritually full. God gives her the power to do the about the house things (and more) because she prepares first to spend time with her Lord.

Verse 16 spoke loudly to me: "She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]...." When new "fields" make themselves available, do I really consider--plan, imagine, state the purpose--if I need one and what will happen if I accept one? What happens when I take on good thing after good thing (oh, they're all good!!), is what this verse says: The present duties don't go away. Logically, I should know this, but being wooed as I am by a "good field," I forget the consequences that come with too much of too many good things! Then, I go back and plug in verse 11...ask if a husband's heart is reconsidering his confident trust on one who buys (and expects to maintain) too many new fields?




Look at 18b: "...her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust]." I have not read this verse any other way except that her light stays on through the night--while she's working! She's up early and works; she's doing well or isn't done, so she stays up late. No...her Light stays on, warning away fear, doubt and distrust. I know those times when I am up in the middle of the night, I am so grateful that God is there--because all of those things can cause one's mind to get too busy at a time when it needs rest. This was a huge blessing today for me!

"She opens her hand to the poor...." (vs. 20) and "She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom..." (vs. 26) Do you remember what we were reading yesterday about the king and what he should do: "Open your mouth for the mute...Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy." As kings were challenged to mediate the compassion of God, I would suggest that the Proverbs 31 woman, likewise, shows compassion in her service and in her words.

Verse 27: "...the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat." Again, I have always just breezed through this verse taking the most literal translation of idleness. She works all the time, or, at least, doesn't sit still for the trivial. I think the AMP's expansion on this is noteworthy and valid.

Verse 29: "Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all." The AMP has an extensive footnote on this verse, part of which I will quote here. In comparison to other great women of the Bible--Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Hannah, among others--how does this woman "excel them all"?

"In her spiritual and practical devotion to God, which permeated every area and relationship of her life. All seven of the Christian virtues (II Pet. 1:5) are there, like colored threads in a tapestry. Her secret, which is open to everyone, is the Holy Spirit's climax to the story, and to this book. In Prov. 31:30, it becomes clear that the 'reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord,' which is 'the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom' (Prov. 9:10), is put forth as the true foundation for a life which is valued by God and her husband as 'far above rubies or pearls' (Prov. 31:10)."

One last thought on this incredible passage (I have to get Matthew Henry in here one more time!). Again, truly expanded my thinking:

"This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described."

Wow.... So much to think about. And that's a good place to be--even after learning so much! "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" to "a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!" AMEN

P.S. Join me tomorrow for "the epilogue" as we revisit the idea behind burning, heaping coals.

Photo: http://web.ncf.ca/ek867/rmw.midnight.snowlight.jpg

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 31: 1-9

Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

¹The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
²What, O my son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
³Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
⁵For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
⁶Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
⁷Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more.
⁸Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
⁹Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Who is King Lemuel? Some translations use "king of Massa" referring to one of the sons of Ishmael. 'Lemuel' means "belonging to God" and is also "a symbolic name of Solomon." [Strong's] According to ancient Jewish tradition, King Lemuel is identified as King Solomon.

What is shared with us through these verses is a poem about what a wise king is supposed to be--shared, from the perspective of a mother, who loves her son greatly.

"Do not give your strength to women" she says. According to my S.B., this phrasing refers to the taking of multiple wives, which was not uncommon at the time of Solomon. In fact, Solomon did have multiple wives, and it's a fact that his mother's prophecy was true, as this led to Solomon's downfall as a king.

Kingly reign and alcohol do not mix. I don't think I need to expand on the issues of alcohol and its influence on logic, reason, wisdom, etc., though I will say that our culture does associate people in power--not necessarily presidents of countries, but corporate honchos and celebrities--with lavish parties...and don't hold the alcohol.

Verse 6: "Give strong drink to him who is perishing." Right away, I think about Jesus on the cross in His time of pain. Remember what He was offered by the soldiers? Luke records, "sour wine." (23:36)

The last two verses of this poem highlight the good that a king should do for others: "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate...judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy." I'm not sure these are things we necessarily look for in a leader today. The folks who I know who do serve in this way, sadly, I'm wondering how many others would see them as leaders.



What's so important here is compassion! And, my S.B. makes a note about this compassion: "The monarch thus mediates the compassion of God." In this way, compassion is a "brother" to wisdom, in that God must be the one to work through the heart, to generate the compassion. This is not something we can brew up ourselves, any more than we can gain understanding apart from our Father.

Who are these verses talking about? Oh, if Solomon would have heeded his mother's words! No, only One could demonstrate this kind of compassionate monarchy. But, He was misunderstood and led to the cross, and offered strong drink--which He wouldn't accept. Even then, Jesus fulfilled another part of Scripture that folks wouldn't understand in His time, but would later.

The words of this mother were truly wise. Solomon's father, David, prayed for his son upon Solomon's taking his kingly reign. In Psalm 72, we find not only wise words for Solomon, but truly, words looking to the King of Glory, God of Compassion.

"And let all kings bow down before him,
All nations serve him.
For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy he will save.
He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight;
So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;
And let them pray for him continually;
Let them bless him all day long."

--Psalm 72: 11-15

Photo: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/02-13-2007.compassion.GRI2359TT.1.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 31: 10-31 (The words of Lemuel)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 30: 21-33

²¹Under three things the earth quakes,
And under four, it cannot bear up:
²²Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
²³Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
²⁴Four things are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
²⁵The ants are not a strong people,
But they prepare their food in the summer;
²⁶The shephanim are not mighty people,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
²⁷The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in ranks;
²⁸The lizard you may grasp with the hands,
Yet it is in kings' palaces.
²⁹There are three things which are stately in their march,
Even four which are stately when they walk:
³⁰The lion which is mighty among beasts
And does not retreat before any,
³¹The strutting rooster, the male goat also,
And a king when his army is with him.
³²If you have been foolish in exalting yourself
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
³³For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Agur establishes a pattern for presentation that began with yesterday's verses: three things with an additional item at the end--often, one to which we should pay extra attention. He also uses lots of examples from the creation here. I wonder if his students were nature buffs as well.

"Under three things the earth quakes,
And under four, it cannot bear up:
Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress." (vs. 21-23)

What things cause the earth to quiver in anger or fear (as suggested by the Hebrew) [Strong's]? We'll take them one at a a time....

"Under a slave when he becomes king"--Slaves (or servants, as used by the KJV) are characterized as those who have not received wisdom. Solomon said to us in 19:10, "Luxury is not fitting for a fool; much less for a slave to rule over princes." Rather than "becomes king," the KJV uses "when he reigneth," which can mean to take the throne or to take counsel. Surely, it would not be God's intent for fools--who do not have the wisdom of God--to take this kind of leadership over people (unless He had a much bigger purpose in mind!).

"And a fool when he is satisfied with food"--We just chatted about portions a post ago or so. Do you think a fool is satisfied with his allotted portion of food? The fool is one who will indulge himself to excess.

"Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband"--As has happened more than once in this study, the seemingly innocent deserves a bit more attention; because it's not as it appears. Compare the NASB's use of 'unloved' with the KJV's use of 'odious,' which means to hate! The Amplified Bible calls her "an unloved and repugnant woman." Wow! She's unloved not because no one has discovered her. Au contraire! She is unloved because she is unlovable, detestable!! The Message paraphrase says, "when a whore is voted 'woman of the year.'"

"And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress"--A maidservant or handmaid is a female servant (see earth-shaker #1). When the slave becomes "heir" (KJV) to her mistress, there is something wrong. The Message paraphrase all too accurately presents the headline so prevalent in our news these days: "when a 'girlfriend' replaces a faithful wife."


Agur brilliantly follows up this set of verses with another set of four examples--all featuring creatures of the animal world! And the animals are looking way more wise!! (sigh!) Really, it is quite sad when I look over this list and think,"This is what the reality/talk show producers use when they sit around the table at their production meetings to plan their next shows." The ravages of not embracing wisdom shows in our penchant for watching these folks on the tube.

Are these folks doomed to life as a product of daytime TV? Is there hope for the fool? Solomon has given us plenty of verses demonstrating that it is impossible without God and His wisdom. Can a fool turn away from his sin, find the road to wisdom and hear her cry at the city gate?

"Four sorts of persons are very troublesome.... Let those whom Providence has advanced from low beginnings, carefully watch against that sin which most easily besets them."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Photo: http://www.shoeboxblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/daytime-tv.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 31: 1-9 (The words of Lemuel)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 30: 10-20

¹⁰Do not slander a slave to his master,
Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.
¹¹There is a kind of man who curses his father
And does not bless his mother.
¹²There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes,
Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
¹³There is a kind--oh how lofty are his eyes!
And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.
¹⁴There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords
And his jaw teeth like knives,
To devour the afflicted from the earth
And the needy from among men.
¹⁵The leech has two daughters,
"Give," "Give."
There are three things that will not be satisfied,
Four that will not say, "Enough":
¹⁶Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, "Enough."
¹⁷The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young eagles will eat it.
¹⁸There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Four which I do not understand:
¹⁹The way of an eagle in the sky,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the middle of the sea,
And the way of a man with a maid.
²⁰This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, "I have done no wrong."

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Today, I'm pulling out verses 15 and 16:

"The leech has two daughters,
'Give,' 'Give.'
There are three things that will not be satisfied,
Four that will not say, 'Enough':
Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, "Enough."

Leeches were common in the Middle East. We know that they have been used for medicinal purposes. The King James' uses 'horse leach,' which can also be translated "vampire." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia notes that the Arabic translation, which is almost identical to the Hebrew, is 'ghoul,' "an evil spirit which seeks to injure men and which preys upon the dead." So, right off the bat [Get it, vampire...bat--terrible!], we're talking about something really nasty.

But wait, there are daughters! The Message uses "Gimme" and "Gimme more." Matthew Henry's Commentary calls them "Cruelty and covetousness...and they are continually uneasy to themselves." What sucks the life out of us? Indeed!

On the tail of the "Gimme" girls, Agur comes at us with a list of four things that are also never satisfied. We just read in Proverbs 27 that Sheol, Abaddon and the eyes of men are never satisfied. Sheol, "the grave" (KJV), or "Hell" (The Message), will continuously look to swallow up whoever it can. Satan will never be satisfied until he can lure every last man. Praise God, we know he won't and can't, but that will not quench his desire to do whatever damage he can.


The barren womb cannot be satisfied without intervention from God. Rachel and Jacob experienced the challenge of a barren womb. So did Hannah. Sarah didn't have a child for years! If you have been in the position of having a deep longing for a child and not having that longing fulfilled, you can easily start to doubt and feel a dissatisfaction (if not outright depression) with life in general.

The last two "unsatiables" (The Message) are environmental. The King James' says "Earth that is not filled with water." Also, the fire that continues to burn and grow. Barren land will always seek to be quenched. Fires do not put themselves out of their own will.

What do we learn from these many examples that Agur offers? It echoes Solomon's teachings about our restless and dissatisfied selves. Human beings are not often content with anything, are they? How often I've looked out the window at our summer-dreary plants and dry lawn asking where the rain is. Carmen, I have no doubt that you are praying for those wildfires to cease (despite God's blessing of an amazing moon!).

Really, the more I think about the things that go unsatisfied, the more I can look to God and say Lord, You know what is best--for now, for all earth's days. Fire and rain are under Your control. You may bless with children or bless without children. And through Jesus' saving work, we are looking to our Heavenly home and not at a home with chains that bind us to the evil one.

For me, Paul has the lock on the quote that I need to live by in any season of dissatisfaction:

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

--Philippians 4: 11-13

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 30: 21-33 (the words of Agur)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 30: 1-9

Proverbs 30

The Words of Agur

¹The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
²Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And I do not have the understanding of a man.
³Neither have I learned wisdom,
Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
⁴Who has ascended into heaven and descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name or His son's name?
Surely you know!
⁵Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
⁶Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
⁷Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
⁸Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
⁹That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

First, a little background, per my S.B.: "This is a collection of proverbs written by an unknown sage who was likely a student of wisdom at the time of Solomon. Agur reflects humility, a deep hatred for arrogance and a keen theological mind.... Agur addressed his wisdom perhaps to his favorite pupils [Ithiel and Ucal], as Luke to Theophilus." Oracle is another word for prophet.

As you have noticed, Agur does not write in the same form as Solomon at all. I don't think I can dwell on just one sentence; this is quite an outpouring!

You can't escape reading verse 2 and not be caught up in the extreme expression of humility. "I am more stupid than any man...neither have I learned wisdom...." Remember, this is a sage at the time of Solomon, not just any fool at the city gate. He makes the very clear distinction between learning wisdom and having THE knowledge of the Holy One. "'Who' can have that?" he asks, rhetorically, in verse 4.

The power of the metaphor is rich in these verses. Look at his last question: "What is His name or His son's name?" What an interesting question for these times. Jesus would not have come yet, but, still.... Agur could lord all of this over his students, but he says, basically, I know nothing of my own. My wisdom is from a "fear of the Lord." Verses 5 and 6 confirm his understanding of God's Word.
Onto verse 7, where the dialogue shifts to a plea from Agur to God Himself. He asks not to be too rich or too poor, but to be fed "with the food that is my portion." (vs. 8) To live with great wealth might lead him down that road of self-sufficiency, which does not require a Holy God to direct him with His wisdom. Yet, to live in such dire poverty, he would forget the daily sustenance of the Lord and turn to the ways of evil to somehow regain his worth.

My study Bible mentions Job more than once in its exposition on Agur's words. Doesn't this quote sound like something Agur might say?

"I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

--Job 23:12

Why do you suppose this chapter is included amongst the Proverbs? Certainly, being a sage at the time of Solomon gives him a connection. Verse 1 suggests to me a relationship between teacher and students--and a teacher who undoubtedly received wisdom from THE seeker of wisdom! As we read Agur's words, we are instantly reminded of Solomon's thoughts, without the couplet pattern. And that's OK! That should encourage all of us in our desire to share the Word of God that we can do so in our own way, so long as we stay true to the Word. That Agur is a man of integrity and humility challenges all of us in our sharing to be likewise.

Listing Agur's students by name is not unlike reading Jesus and His students called by name. What I love seeing is the relationship and the purposeful leading of one another in that relationship. We can make so much out of Bible study--what book, what author, what translation, what this, what that.... It's about the Word of God and those who come together to gain wisdom from it.

Photo: http://www.makingkidshealthy.org/atf/cf/%7BC7D66E28-BEDC-480C-9C6D-D6EE09035202%7D/Portion+Pic-1.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 30: 10-20 (The words of Agur)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 29: 19-27

¹⁹A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
²⁰Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
²¹He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.
²²An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
²³A man's pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
²⁴He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the oath but tells nothing.
²⁵The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.
²⁶Many seek the ruler's favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.
²⁷An unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

"Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice for man comes from the LORD." (vs. 26)

This verse jumped right out and said, "Gotcha!"

I have a certain brand of "trouble with authority." I'm not after people's positions. Really, I'm a huge people-pleaser. I like going above and beyond to make other people happy. I like being included as part of a team, being led by a manager, taught by a manager. But I struggle when I see things I feel those in authority should be doing but aren't doing. I can feel like Isaiah, to a point.

"But I said, "I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity; Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD, and My reward with My God."

--Isaiah 49:4

I may toil over projects and not receive the "team nod" that I'm seeking. I may feel like all my work was for nothing because I haven't been affirmed by the one for whom I'm doing the projects. I can't imagine being Isaiah--facing great humility over his own sinfulness, being in the very presence of God and cleansed by one of His angels, then sent by God to prophesy to a floundering Israel. God's chosen people had no regard for Isaiah's prophecies--laden as they were with God's strong words of discipline, but great hope as well.

I said "to a point," and that's because Isaiah embraced a promise of God that I am still trying to wholly accept: "the justice due to me is with the Lord, and my reward with my God." Isaiah could always see the even-greater picture and the greatest reward, even as his earthly commission was ministering to a thankless-yet-blessed people. Yesterday, Carmen talked about vision and goals. How easy for me to respond that, yes, if with God, let us pursue. To realize God's vision in every thing--regardless of what things look like or feel like--the results, the justice, the reward is with God.

"For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord."

--I Corinthians 4:4

This is a powerful cross-reference, because it reminds me that God is the one who examines me, my words, my actions, my heart. Regardless of what men may do, the only One who will matter is God. So, though Paul may not be conscious of ills against himself, he also knows that he is not free on his own merit, but because of God's working in him.

Matthew Henry's commentary is a long selection, today, but, in my archiving, perhaps I will reflect upon these words, and continue to pray for God to work in my heart and deal with my issues with authority.

"Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy.

Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men.

Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of the Bible

Photo: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/04obama650.2.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 30: 1-9 (of the transcribed proverbs of Solomon)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 29: 10-18

¹⁰Men of bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright are concerned for his life.
¹¹A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.
¹²If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
¹³The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
¹⁵The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶When the wicked increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
¹⁷Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also delight your soul.
¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

"The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both." (vs. 13)

A couple of chapters back, in chapter 22, Solomon gave us this thought: "The rich and the poor have a common bond, the LORD is the maker of them all." (vs.2) This is a follow-up to that thought. Sometimes, these are difficult thoughts to fully accept.

Not only did our Lord make both the poor man and the oppressor, but He chooses to give light to the eyes of both. We might think, but how? Why? But, no... God can show His grace and His power through anyone or anything, and it is definitely not our place to question anything about His ways.

The prophet Ezra was confronted with a situation in which the people of Israel had been marrying within nations of people that were not God-loving people. In his extreme distress over the situation, he tore his clothes, pulled out his hair and had some major prayer time with God.

"But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage."

--Ezra 9:8

What I like about this passage is that it's God's chosen ones, the people of Israel, who have strayed. God does demonstrate His grace, even when it seems inappropriate. How many nonbelievers have influenced you in your life? Think about how God uses those "unusable" people to reach us. You might be surprised as you think in retrospect.

The Lord gives light "to the eyes." The expression in the Hebrew means "spring of water" or "fountain (eye of the landscape)." [Strong's] The passage doesn't say that God enlightens their hearts. It's almost as though His presence is something that needs to be seen, to be recognized.

I don't think you wake up one morning and suddenly have God's wisdom sitting in your heart--surely, not without having asked for it or sought it. God's giving light through the eyes, however, allows one to see, to be a witness to the presence of God, and the "windows to the soul" might well accept the light, and see that it is good.

"Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death...."

--Psalm 13:3

Photo: http://oneyearbibleimages.com/eye.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 29: 19-27 (of the transcribed proverbs of Solomon)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 29: 1-9

Proverbs 29

Warnings and Instructions

¹A man who hardens his neck after much reproof
Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
²When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
³A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
⁴The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
⁵A man who flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
⁶By transgression an evil man is ensnared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
⁷The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.
⁸Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away anger.
⁹When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Blogging from a remote location today, and my resources are limited! (Internet connectivity very sketchy; access denied.) Keep pluggin’ despite me!

“Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.” (vs. 8, KJV)

Scornful men or scoffers do not come with welcoming words. Yet another expressive definition from the Hebrew: “into a snare” implies kindling a fire! The scoffer’s hot air is so heavy and strong that the city is set ablaze as a wildfire.

Fools either rush into laughter or into a rage, yes? (vs. 9) The scoffer can bring down our house with a few fiery blows. We often get singed, but we need to think back upon our solid foundation and realize that God will keep our houses from falling—the best home insurance ever!

And what is the response of the wise man? Perhaps, even before our houses are affected, we can act out of wisdom and turn away the wrath of the scoffer. Truly, no one wants to be angry. Circumstances drive some to use anger to persuade, to boast of their excellence—really, to shield everyone from their insecurities and lack of wisdom. So, knowing this, and knowing that God is the source of all wisdom (not to mention that He wants us to love) can we turn to God in an effort to steer the scoffer’s anger off the track?

Remember Solomon’s words to us earlier—that we are to be slow to anger, those rich in wisdom. The more we take our time, and use our hearts over our emotions, the more open that channel for Wisdom to flow—extinguishing the fires of the scoffer!

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 29: 10-18 (of the transcribed proverbs of Solomon)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).

Proverbs 28: 21-28

²¹To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
²²A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth
And does not know that want will come upon him.
²³He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
²⁴He who robs his father or his mother
And says, "It is not a transgression,"
Is the companion of a man who destroys.
²⁵An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
²⁶He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
²⁷He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Today's Thought Question:

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

^"To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress." (vs.21)

This isn't a new thought that we read from Solomon today, but I'm always blown away by the accuracy of his blunt analogies. For as many different men as exist, there are as many different sins. Man’s sin doesn't always measure in great mountains or come with a royal crowning. Sometimes, a man just needs to eat. But, in his hunger, he can be led astray, and his want for bread can lead to his forsaking righteousness.

"For handfuls of barley and fragments of bread, you have profaned Me to My people to put to death some who should not die and to keep others alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies."

--Ezekiel 13:19 (God speaking of the false prophets of Israel)

The point of the latter part of this Proverb is that no matter what the transgression looks like--be it money, love or bread--sin is sin! We visited this concept yesterday: Transgression implies rebellion—breaking away from just authority, to trespass, apostatize or quarrel. [Strong’s]

“Forgive us our debts (our trespasses) as we forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us).”

–Matthew 6:12

Jesus wasn’t talking exclusively about the money we owe or those who owe us. He addressed our sins--our rebellion from the Father. The prayer taught by our Lord to teach us to pray comes with a necessary component recognizing our sinful nature, our brothers’ sinful nature, and our need to seek forgiveness from our trespasses on the Holy Word of God with our dirty hands and feet!

Now, the first part of the Proverb has some interesting phrasing. Carmen, I’m not sure if you said “respecter of persons” yesterday because you started in on today’s study early or if that is a common phrasing that you use. But…here it is again:

“To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” (KJV)

“Respect of persons” through Hebrew translation means, “literally ‘lift up the face,’ and, among other translations, is rendered indifferently ‘accept’ or ‘respect the person.’” Similarly, we should not lift up the face of him who faces judgment. Reads Proverbs 24: 23, “It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.”

Over time, as language changed, this phrase evolved as well to mean “accept the person instead of the cause” or “show partiality,” which is what the NASB uses. So, Solomon says that to show partiality or to accept a person instead of a cause is not good. [All above references through the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.]

Showing partiality works in at least two ways. We can have disdain for an individual and reject a cause outright, or we can have great love for an individual to the point that his or her cause is assumed good. You can play out these scenes as well as I can, putting a just cause in the hands of one who rubs us wrong or supporting one we love in a cause that God finds disdainful. We may fall into sin as easily as the one who accepts bread!

The ISBE concludes its description of “respect of persons” by saying, “God’s judgment rests solely on the character of the man and will be influenced by no worldly or national considerations.”

What was it that Jesus said in the desert? “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Let us not be influenced by earthly bread.

Yea, Lord: “Give us this day our daily bread [of Heaven].” (Matthew 6:11)

Photo: http://cache.lifehacker.com/assets/resources/2008/04/sliceobread.png

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 29: 1-9 (of the transcribed proverbs of Solomon)

1. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?
   

* * *

Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).