Proverbs 21: 1-9

On Life and Conduct

¹The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
²Every man's way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
³To do righteousness and justice
Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.
⁴Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
⁵The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
⁶The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
⁷The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
Because they refuse to act with justice.
⁸The way of a guilty man is crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
⁹It is better to live in a corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Traveling on this study adventure with me puts you in the passenger's seat, taking constant side ventures into the meaning of words. I'm making up for all those years when I refused to consult a dictionary!

I've only commented on this verse, but today, it's time for me to take a deeper look at it. Verse 9:

"It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman."

The first words to look at are 'roof' and 'house'. In Solomon's day, homes were built with flat roofs. Many had a short wall or parapet built up around the perimeter of the roof. (In fact, Deuteronomy 22:8 talks about the wisdom in building a parapet, so that one would not have bloodguilt over an accidental death caused by one falling off the roof!) In the great heat, folks often met up on the roof--even slept there!

Although this sounds lovely, and I'm sure there were some marvelous city views, staying on the roof at all times might be a little uncomfortable. Rain would do more than dampen your spirits! And there's the issue of no phone-no pool-no parapets.

Going a bit beyond the intended meaning, I'm sure, the Hebrew translation of the word roof, by analogy, means "on top of an altar." [Strong's] YIKES!

Next, I need to look at 'contentious'. Contentious comes from 'contend' not 'content'! The contentious woman is far from content. She is brawling, quarrelsome, argumentative, nagging, faultfinding. [Strong's, KJV, AMP] The original roots of 'contend' point back to 'tense', whose root means to stretch, thin.

Solomon writes of this woman on more than one occasion in Proverbs. We have already studied one, 19:13, "A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping."


I do equate this with nails on a blackboard. My S.B. says, "...a leak so unrelenting that one has to run from it or go mad." What makes her so awful for her mate is that she is impossible to control. Jumping ahead to Proverbs 27:16: "He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand." [Hmm....good luck with that!]

I need to bring up the expanded phrasing of this verse by the NASB: "It is better to live in a corner of a roof than with a woman of contentions and a house of association." The King James refers to the house as "wide." It would seem that the house itself may be a contributing factor along with the woman's character.

Back to the Hebrew, 'wide' translates as "charming, enchantment, a spell, society." [Strong's] The woman clearly has an influence on her house--a spell, perhaps? I wonder, too, if 'society' might not refer to others with whom the woman associates? Perhaps I'm generalizing, but folks who have mastered the art of nagging probably share stories with others who do the same thing.

One of the definitions for 'wide' is British slang for shrewd and unscrupulous. (Dictionary.com says, "oblivious to or contemptuous of what is right or honorable." Don't you love it when it all circles back to the wisdom of Solomon?!)

So, what do we do with contentions? How should we respond when we want to lash out, talk back and otherwise nag our way to what we want?

"It is best to shun bitter contention by pouring out the heart before God. For by prudence and patience, with constant prayer, the cross may be removed."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

"You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."

--Psalm 80: 6 & 7

There is hope, even for the contentious!

Photo: http://christianclassicalliberalist.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/biblical-house.jpg; http://buildingblocksintupelo.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/bb-dripping-faucet.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 21: 10-19

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 20: 20-30

²⁰He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.
²¹An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
²²Do not say, "I will repay evil";
Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
²³Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,
And a false scale is not good.
²⁴Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way?
²⁵It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!"
And after the vows to make inquiry.
²⁶A wise king winnows the wicked,
And drives the threshing wheel over them.
²⁷The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
²⁸Loyalty and truth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.
²⁹The glory of young men is their strength,
And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
³⁰Stripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Verse 25: "It is a trap for a man to say rashly, 'It is holy!' and after the vows to make inquiry."

It's easy to blow off this verse. I mean, who says, "It is holy!" about anything any more? (sigh!)

OK, let's break it down....

"It is a trap"--that catches my attention every time. No one likes to be trapped. We don't like to be teased, made fools of or ensnared. What causes us to take a step into a trap? Speaking rashly--which is bad anyway--and specifically, speaking the words, "It is holy!"

Solomon has enlightened us through many a chapter about rash speaking. "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." (10:19) We get so wrapped up in our own thoughts and ideas that we can't stop ourselves from saying everything, whether it should be said or not. The Hebrew explains it as "to blurt or utter inconsiderately; devour" [Strong's]. Time is devoured, one's spirit--upon hearing ill-considered words--is devoured. Our hearts are devoured by the evil of our speech. Talk about stepping into a trap; one we've set for ourselves, no less!

As to proclaiming something holy, it refers to making a vow or a promise to God. Offering something to Him! O, woe!! Who offers something to God without really thinking about it?

"When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

--Ecclesiastes 5: 4 & 5

We know that God does not need anything from us. We are not living in the times of the tent of meeting or the temple, and bringing our sacrifices. Still, are there not times, perhaps in prayer, when a vow has been lifted up? A vow of service, perhaps? What about offering up "a sacrifice of thanksgiving" (Psalm 50:14)? Are there times when we promise God that we'll do something? Have we ever uttered promises--rashly--that we would do something for God in exchange for His working something in us?

This verse, and the Bible in general, tells us that not fulfilling a vow made to God comes with consequences. "He takes no delight in fools" becomes branded on our hearts. Wisely, Solomon adds that we can avoid this trap by not making vows in the first place. Truly, God does not require them!

As if making the vow in the first place isn't trying enough, that we "make inquiry" over it surely brings Him grief. We blurt first and then use wisdom as an afterthought. Maybe we can fulfill the vow, but, maybe we can't. And if we can't, knowing the consequences, we might start to think about how to elude the fulfillment process. Backpedaling, stalling, begging, pleading, conniving, and resorting to other tactics of evasion only dig us deeper into the trap.

"The evasions men often use with their own consciences show how false and deceitful man is."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Do not leave this post thinking that one cannot successfully make a vow unto the Lord. Solomon encourages us to make such a choice through wisdom, not through "rash-ionalization." Look at Hannah, who wanted a child so much that she endured years of painful responses from those around her, even as she stayed constantly prayerful.

"She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head."

--I Samuel 1:11 (emphasis mine)

And when Samuel was born, he was given over to the Lord's work, just as Hannah had promised. Closing with a lesson review from Proverbs 5:

My son, give attention to my wisdom,
Incline your ear to my understanding;
That you may observe discretion
And your lips may reserve knowledge.

--Proverbs 5: 1 & 2

Photo: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41N190pTI36jmG39O0D9TlotoqQ1zMafLxgO5u9_NB4xPOTGUnbdz0Kl0t247ApuXPEo8m-TVMDVvTPHK2z4yg-nvBXyMrFeb00KKPd4cy_9nxtzhUSsVqfAaseegJa0yhfLefZlkeqY0/s400/apr02-1.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 21: 1-9

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 20: 11-19

¹¹It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself
If his conduct is pure and right.
¹²The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The LORD has made both of them.
¹³Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
¹⁴"Bad, bad," says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.
¹⁵There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
¹⁶Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.
¹⁷Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
¹⁸Prepare plans by consultation,
And make war by wise guidance.
¹⁹He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

Today's Thought Question:

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

I'm finding myself really taken in by the change in the tone and phrasing of these statements devoted to "life and conduct." Granted, many of the ideas are similar to things Solomon has expressed throughout Proverbs, but the language reads differently in these verses, and I spend more time reading them--a good thing!

Verse 14 is so unusual amidst the other verses today that I had to take a look.

"'Bad, bad,'" says the buyer, but when he goes his way, then he boasts."

I am not a big shopper. Some of you more dedicated followers of my blogs already know that. When I do shop, I purchase things that I need, and usually from a list. I collect coupons, though they are fairly useless unless I really do need three of the same item. I shop the clearance racks first. (Mostly, I just keep things forever, avoiding the shopping hassle altogether.)

I think there’s a difference between being frugally wise and being a buyer seeking to make a bargain in a circumstance in which it’s inappropriate. Solomon’s buyer sees something she wants, and creates and stars in a drama to obtain it. “Bad, worthless, no, no, no,” she chants. “Let me offer to relieve you of that... 'junk'… for a small something, so you don’t go completely without.” Securing her prize, she counts her steps until she is out of earshot of the seller, then blares her bargain victory song.

“I got this for a steal! Isn’t it amazing?” followed by self-righteous laughter.

There is a difference between the frugal and the scraping-the-bottom-of-the-bargain buyer.

A side trip in our understanding of the word boast. The Hebrew translates "to be clear...or to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamourously) foolish; to rave; causatively to celebrate; also to stultify (to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual--Dictionary.com)." [Strong's] Understandable why Solomon brings us the profile of the buyer, who, like the self-proclaiming man from yesterday's post, is not a friend of Wisdom.

"Boast no more so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed."

--I Samuel 2:3

Expanding on this a bit, do you know folks who devalue salvation? How many borderline Christians have you met? The ones who say, "Well, I'm a nice person. I'm nice to others. I don't kill or steal. Isn't that enough? I can get into Heaven with that, can't I?" They haggle God every day with their offer. Truth is, they will end up with everlasting life, but they'll find it in the bargain "basement."

Jesus came with the greatest gift of all in our salvation. The cost to Him was the highest, and it was non-negotiable. Do we boast of the cost we paid? Nothing?!!? A bargain? Oh no, friends. As the popular praise song says, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross."

"Thus says the LORD, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD."

--Jeremiah 9: 23 & 24

Caveat emptor! (Buyer beware!)

Photo: http://fitzvillafuerte.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/haggle.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 20: 20-30

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).

Proverbs 20: 1-10

On Life and Conduct

¹Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
²The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
³Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
⁴The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
⁵A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
⁶Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?
⁷A righteous man who walks in his integrity--
How blessed are his sons after him.
⁸A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.
⁹Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin"?
¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

Today's Thought Question:

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

I'll pick up where I left off yesterday. Verse 6: "Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?" "An excellent wife, who can find?" It's the same idea here. God brings forth the trustworthy man; they are not self-made.

Trustworthy means reliable. I found this definition on Dictionary.com that suits our purposes well. "Being or deriving from a source worthy of belief...." We trust people because we identify with them on an innermost level. Trust is built upon a relationship, and qualities and characteristics of a person in which we can place our confidence. When one is a Christian, it means one who is derived from God and holds a relationship with Jesus Christ. Does that not say "source worthy of belief"?

This trustworthiness relates directly to faithfulness, because how can we continue to be trustworthy if we do not have an active relationship with the Lord and God's holy word? The King James translation uses 'faithful' for 'trustworthy':

"Most men will proclaim [to] every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (KJV)

The Hebrew verb for 'proclaim' can also be translated "call out, address by name or accost a person met." [Strong's] Have you ever been accosted by one who wants to tell you every wonderful thing he or she ever did? It's hard to show grace in those situations sometimes. Plenty of articles have been written about how to get out of conversations, and, sometimes, you want to try out a line on these folks.

Jesus made mention of some folks like this:

"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

--Matthew 6:2

Our Lord says that they have their reward in full. From what we know of Solomon's words, these are not the folks considered "rich" in wisdom's view. As excellence or prudence is a gift in a wife not easily found, so is faithfulness or trustworthiness a gift not easily found. Indeed, the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, refers to the few who may be called such. Again, Jesus illustrates the rarity of this fruit of the spirit, and He did it through the parable of the widow who sought legal protection from an unjust judge.

"For a while he [the unjust judge] was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'

And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?'"

--Luke 8: 4-8 (emphasis mine)

Of today's proverb, my S.B. says, "There are a lot more people who are eager to brag about themselves than there are those who are truly faithful to testify of God's goodness."

Perhaps we need to take a page from Jesus' parable notebook. He taught His disciples about how to pray without losing heart by using the example of the widow's persistence. We might all think about focusing part of our prayer life on keeping us faithful, which might as well be a Solomonic euphemism for "not losing heart."




Photo: http://annsnewfriend.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/the-cocktail-party-434.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 20: 11-19

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).

Proverbs 19: 20-29

²⁰Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
²¹Many plans are in a man's heart,
But the counsel of the LORD will stand.
²²What is desirable in a man is his kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
²³The fear of the LORD leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
²⁴The sluggard buries his hand in the dish,
But will not even bring it back to his mouth.
²⁵Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
²⁶He who assaults his father and drives his mother away
Is a shameful and disgraceful son.
²⁷Cease listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
²⁸A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice,
And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
²⁹Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And blows for the back of fools.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Verse 22: "What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar."


I like how the Amplified Bible relays this verse: "That which is desired in a man is loyalty and kindness [and his glory and delight are his giving], but a poor man is better than a liar."

It's one of those fruits of the spirit that Galatians 5 addresses--kindness. Interesting that the Hebrew translation of the word can also mean "goodness"--which is a different fruit of the spirit--lovingkindness or kindness specifically toward God (piety)." [Strong's] The extra emphasis given by the Amplified Bible's translation truly gets to the focus--it's giving. Kindness is about glorying and delighting in giving.

No surprise, then, that the root of 'kindness' is shared by the root of 'generosity.' 'Genus' means to beget, produce or father; to generate or bring forth. Additionally, 'child' and 'son' are some of the root words from which 'kindness' comes. (Kindergarten is another word that comes from these roots.)

To me, it all points back to our loving Father God, who is the only one who could have brought forth generosity, if I can use all those roots of kindness! So, it's a delightful find to see that 'son' also ties in with kindness, as our lives have been regenerated through God's Son:

"For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us...."

--Titus 3: 3-5a

It is sad to see that kindness has become "Oprahized." It was probably after the book Random Acts of Kindness came out in the early '90s that kindness became "big" again, although it boiled down to things like paying tolls for people you don't know. Sorry if I sound a bit dour on the approach, but I truly don't think this is what God was referring to when He sent His Son to be our saving kindness. Paying tolls for strangers is nice, but--as I've said in other posts--where's the relationship? Where is the love (as in "love your neighbor as yourself")?

Going back to the verse, the Amplified Bible and the NASB footnotes include the word loyalty along with kindness. I think this is an important connection, because you can't have loyalty without a relationship. It's this winning combination that shines in the person who gives. Because you give from the heart, you give with intention, and you give because of relationship!

And though you may not have possessions to give, Solomon's words tell us that it's not what you give but how you give it--with honesty! Do you remember back to chapter 3?

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

--Proverbs 3:3

Kindness is not an act. The Bible tells us it is a fruit of the spirit--it's an attitude. The giving, the fruit, comes from the spirit. And the spirit is what fills our heart, to enable us to keep giving.

Photo: http://www.abridgetopeace.org/images/kindness_1902_wideweb__470x341,2.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 20: 1-10

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).

Proverbs 19: 10-19

¹⁰Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
¹¹A man's discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
¹²The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.
¹³A foolish son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
¹⁴House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
¹⁵Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And an idle man will suffer hunger.
¹⁶He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of conduct will die.
¹⁷One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,
And He will repay him for his good deed.
¹⁸Discipline your son while there is hope,
And do not desire his death.
¹⁹A man of great anger will bear the penalty,
For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Many are speaking today! "One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord," verse 17--which could have been a nice addition to yesterday's post. "A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again," verse 19--which is what discipline is all about. If we don't allow others to experience consequences, we will be the ones enduring anger outbursts over and over and over again.

I want to visit a verse that goes back to an earlier one (which I didn't select at the time), verse 14:

"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD."

It was in Proverbs 18:22 that I first thought about this. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD."

We are working our way to Proverbs 31--the wife of noble character--and its opening question ties in here: "An excellent wife, who can find?" It's not that excellent wives aren't to be found, but that excellent wives are not readily available nor are they heirlooms ('inheritance') to be passed down from the generations.

I think Solomon drives home the point in these proverbs that such women are not to be 'found' so much as they are placed in one's path. God, who ordains the steps of each, has it in His sights to bring husband and wife together for His good pleasure and delight ('favor')--which is something we can 'obtain' or secure from the Lord's blessing of this union.

Back in Genesis 2, God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone, so He created "a suitable helper" for Adam. He fashioned and placed Eve exactly where she needed to be and with whom she needed to be, completing [making perfect] God's design for the human being and its further fruitfulness. Unfortunately, as we all know, though Eve was the perfect suitable helper, she was not without freewill, and the mistake brought into and through the union remains with us all.

You might question, then, if Eve was a prudent wife from the Lord. Surely, she was wise and took notice of her surroundings. She knew God's word about the tree. She shared her wisdom with the serpent, which, is like sharing wisdom with a fool. The craftiness of the serpent then worked through her prudence--as an adulteress with her smooth and convincing tongue would speak. Prudence is not stored in a impenetrable box.

What's missing from Eve's prudence was her complete reliance upon God for her wisdom. She never stopped to ask God if what the serpent was saying was reliable. She measured the serpent's words according to what she thought sounded right. If she had only asked! If she had only taken Proverbs 8:35 to heart--

"For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD."

Do you, wife, take these words before you take your husband?

Photo: http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/OPL/jennydon130%5B1%5D.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 19: 20-29

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).

Proverbs 19: 1-9

On Life and Conduct

¹Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
²Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries his footsteps errs.
³The foolishness of man ruins his way,
And his heart rages against the LORD.
⁴Wealth adds many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.
⁵A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will not escape.
⁶Many will seek the favor of a generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
⁷All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
⁸He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good.
⁹A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will perish.

Today's Thought Question:

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

It's almost as if there's a hiccup in verse 7--an extra line. It's an interesting verse to pursue today, regardless of that.

"All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone."

This is a sad but true realization. Wealth adds. The demands of those in poverty become wearisome to hear, even by one's brothers. Proverbs 14:20 echoes the thought--"The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many."

In the Old Testament, God was the protector of the poor. He rescued the Israelites from their bondage by the Egyptians and said He would continue to provide for them, so long as they were obedient. [And they pushed God to the limit many times!] Jesus acknowledged that there will always be those in poverty. "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me," He says in Mark 14:7.



Poverty is a difficult thing to understand. I have a friend who started a mission for the poor in the Richmond area last year. She has seen many blessed through the ministry's efforts. But, when she speaks of the ministry, she will tell you as many stories about folks who "aren't satisfied" with what the ministry offers. Folks who are looking for specific items or services that are not available. She scratches her head, looking at the generous donations of food and clothing yet hearing the complaints of the "have-nots."

I can see why the grumblings of the have-nots might get to the heart of those who are trying to serve. That's frustrating. I can also see how when some take steps out of their poverty that they might become enemies of those still there. Verse 1 of this chapter is worth noting here: "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool."

Solomon may have painted a picture of reality, but what do we learn from this, and what do we do with this? Worth considering is the broader picture of richness and poverty, as illustrated through Jesus.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich."

--II Corinthians 8:9

Jesus gave up everything when He came to Earth. He had all wisdom, all power, all ability, the fullness of God, yet, when He came, He "did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." (Phil. 2: 6) He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. For our sake, He became poor! Because He took those steps, we have the opportunity--through faith and obedience, grace and mercy--to step out of our poverty and become rich.

When we look at those on that road, do we ever grumble as a "have-not"? Do we make other Christians our enemies--out of jealousy--because they are more well-off? Are there others around us to help us out of our poverty, in their serving the Lord?

And what happens when we are abandoned...left in our poverty? Our Lord knows about that, too. Leaving you, again, with thoughts from Matthew Henry:

"Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Praises that our God remains the protector of the poor!



Photo: http://www.agoravox.com/IMG/jpg/povertyUS.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 19: 10-19

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 18: 17-24

¹⁷The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.
¹⁸The cast lot puts an end to strife
And decides between the mighty ones.
¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
²⁰With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
²²He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the LORD.
²³The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly.
²⁴A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Today's Thought Question:

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

There are lots of fun choices to look at today, but I'm going to spend time with verse 17:

"The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him."

My S.B. says, See verse 13. Well, verse 13 is the one I referenced in my added comment yesterday, "He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him." Perhaps I have more of a problem with this issue than I realized--LOL!



I can't help but think of countless kids at the beginning of their countless arguments--usually sibling directed. First one to Mom or Dad has the chance to come through clean. But, wise parents don't let the first plea stand, do they? Experience tells them that there is more to the story than they have heard. They talk to the sibling, who shares--but not without rebuttal from the first! (Ah, siblings.)

"The first speech in a court case is always convincing—until the cross-examination starts!" (The Message)

Life would be much easier if the first words were also the only words needed! But, we know that human beings aren't only not perfect, but we have a tendency to sin! Even if sibling #1 isn't lying, sibling #1 may be guarding his or her pride. Wisdom will uncover the sins, whatever they be.

In looking through the King James, I think there's a different focus.

"He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him."

The KJV uses 'cause' which can also be translated "pleading or striving." Neighbour can refer to a lot of different people--associate, brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover. And this person comes and "searcheth him," meaning to examine him intimately, to sound, try or seek out. [All references from Strong's.]

There are definitely times when I have striven to express my ideas, my thoughts, my position. Sometimes, I am even the first to speak--especially in instances in which I feel so strongly about something. It is rare that such moments occur in a vacuum! No, there is always a work associate, a friend, a hubby, sister.

What I find interesting in the verbs at the end is that they are not so much accusing as they are examining. When God searches my heart, I don't think He puts me under a grueling cross-examination. (Though He may be asking me to examine the cross!) Those whose voices follow mine, depending on their relationship with me, I would expect them (want them?) to sound me out, search me deeply, make sure that whatever I am thinking, speaking, offering is coming from the perspective of wisdom.

And what if they aren't my friends? Ooh! Opportunity for growth....

"It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Photo: http://blog.kir.com/archives/images/gavel.JPG

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 19: 1-9

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).

Proverbs 18: 9-16

⁹He also who is slack in his work
Is brother to him who destroys.
¹⁰The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.
¹¹A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.
¹³He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.
¹⁴The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
¹⁵The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
¹⁶A man's gift makes room for him
And brings him before great men.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Verse 16: "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."


Gifts are given for many reasons. We give gifts of hospitality or welcome when we first meet people. Housewarming gifts as a blessing for one's new home. Gifts for special occasions to special people in our lives. Gifts can open the door to new relationships. Solomon says here that gifts can pave the way to meeting people of influence.

There's a fine line between gifts and bribes, reflecting back a day or two. Some of the cross-references mention the passages on bribes looked at the other day. But there are two Old Testament stories that highlight gifts given under stressful circumstances with the goal of restoring relationships.

Genesis 32 & 33 brings us the story of an estranged Jacob who is seeking restoration with his brother, Esau. Despite his fear, Jacob pulls out all the stops, arranging for an elaborate gift presentation for his brother.

"After this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; and you shall say, 'Behold, your servant Jacob also is behind us.'" For he said, "I will appease him with the present that goes before me. Then afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me."

--Genesis 32: 19 & 20

Esau was surprised by the gift that he laid his eyes upon, but it paled to seeing his brother, whom he greeted with great love and affection. Esau tried to decline the gift, but his brother said, 'No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.' Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty.' Thus he urged him and he took it." (Genesis 33: 10&11)

Solomon's father, David, was on the receiving end of a gift that had a few repercussions. David was looking to take care of his shearers by asking a wealthy man named Nabal--who also had shearers--if all the men might not be able to share in the same blessings of provision. All the men were getting along and there was no competition or ill-will.

Nabal, whose name means fool, would have no such part in sharing the wealth. David was prepared to go after Nabal with swords! Intervening was Nabal's wife, Abigail.

^"Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread and two jugs of wine and five sheep already prepared and five measures of roasted grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. ...She fell at his feet and said, 'On me alone, my lord, be the blame. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant.... Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who accompany my lord.'"

--I Samuel 25: 18, 24 & 27

With her gift, Abigail stopped David in his tracks. David did not go after Nabal (though God would make his heart as stone and take his life 10 days later). Indeed, David went after Abigail--with a proposal of marriage, following Nabal's passing. She became his wife.

There were others who came, bearing gifts, knowing that they were in the presence of greatness.

It's not easy to cross paths with "greatness." The experts will tell you to make yourself a standout. Do something different to get noticed. Not sure sending champagne before a job interview is what Solomon is suggesting, however.

More often than not, I'm thinking, the greatest gift to give is the one that we have within ourselves. It's the most genuine. Was David won over by all the stuff, or was he won over by Abigail's grace and humility...that gentle vessel, inner beauty quality? Esau didn't need all the stuff Jacob sent. To have his brother back was enough. Did the gifts "make room"? They certainly set the stage. But, the gift of our hearts is what truly great men will recognize.

"Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls."

--Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Photo: http://dvice.com/pics/gift_uberguide_gifts.jpg; http://www.treloar.org.uk/shop/images/ELLEIMAGE1.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 18: 17-24

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).

Proverbs 18: 1-8

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
²A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
³When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes scorn.
⁴The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
⁵To show partiality to the wicked is not good,
Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
⁶A fool's lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
⁷A fool's mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
⁸The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Have you noticed that Solomon devotes a lot of attention to the words, mouth and lips of the wise and the foolish? It all goes back to his earlier foundation statement: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV) From this spring flows everything that our hearts contain, thus our mouth, lips and words all reflect the nature of our hearts--wise or foolish.

A fool's mouth is his ruin (vs 7) and calls for blows (vs 6), and his lips bring strife (vs 6) and are the snare of his soul (vs 7). And what does verse 8 follow up with?

"The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body."

On the surface, this reads like a good thing. We've been reading how it is better to restrain from too many words or boisterous pronouncements of our minds. Dainty morsels make me think of sweet little treats. Treats you might share over tea with a good friend, in whispers....Hm....Wait a minute! That may not be such a good thing.

As I've been doing for the past few posts, I'm driven to share with you how some other translations and paraphrases present this verse.

"Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart." (NLT)

Ah ha! Rumors, gossip. Today, we'd call that 'juicy' morsels, not dainty. ('Dainty' actually comes from a root that's tied in with dignity!) Though I don't find the word choice in the NLT or NASB to be quite fitting, what happens is what's important. Gossip sinks! And it sinks straight to our heart, which is just where it doesn't need to be. When are hearts are tainted by gossip and rumor, how can we possibly produce anything from our hearts that isn't messed up? Can we possibly love others as God has loved us with such evil poisoning our hearts?

"Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?" (The Message)

"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." (KJV)

The King James choice of words is more to my liking, getting to the meat of what Solomon is saying. The "words," in the Hebrew meaning murmurings, grumblings, rebelliousness, are spoken by "talebearers." This word has such a fascinating breakdown. It comes from a word that means "to roll to pieces." I just think this describes gossip so perfectly. You start out with something, and as you roll and massage it, it starts to spread, break apart, and spin out and away to small bits. The Hebrew word for merchant also comes from this root--men that carry tales. [Cool!]

So, what starts as rebellious grumblings rolled out into bits becomes as a wound--something burned in, causing us rankling. Think a festering sore! It comes from a root word meaning dragon or serpent. Serpent!?!! Say no more!

And these festering wounds are not surface wounds. They are the deepest, innermost kind of wounds--right to the heart! The KJV uses 'belly,' and the Hebrew words go even deeper in description, suggesting womb ("as they be born," says Strong's.)

I'm feeling rather convicted. Tea, anyone? Perhaps not.

Photos: http://breadsite.org; https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zIxW-S12P_VbeKrI7kAv12Bn0jn4trkowRpfMMVLVQRY5SH1LjHpfNGStsl4_7YQoNgJ_36hz33bpoLKmcWJooOHkTPbUyarn4KqFF9Y1e7MxE8teEPmC7ULmbtb6rmJ-NNPDkPNtyA/s400/10-30-2007.NH_30candy.G1J28UKGG.1.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 18: 9-16

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).

Proverbs 17: 22-28

²²A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
²³A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom
To pervert the ways of justice.
²⁴Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
²⁵A foolish son is a grief to his father
And bitterness to her who bore him.
²⁶It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
²⁷He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Verse 26: "It is also not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness."

This is one of those verses I might need to pull up as I talk with my daughter about why when one in the class gets into trouble, the whole class ends up being punished. Solomon is saying that it truly isn't good! But, that's what often happens.

Whether taking the easy route of discipline--as to somehow draw more attention to the offender--or to teach everyone a lesson--whether he or she needs one on the subject, to punish the ones who are right does not make any sense. When our children come home, confused, questioning, because they were punished for something they didn't do, how do we explain to them that they did nothing wrong? And, most of the time, we are not present when such things happen, so we can only guess based on our past experience and logic.

If we are trying to teach our children to do right, but they get in trouble for something that wasn't their fault, we leave them questioning. So, if someone else does something wrong, will I get in trouble? So I if I do something wrong, will someone else get in trouble? When we devise alternative avenues for wisdom, what happens?

I understand teachers' (and parents') difficulties. Really, I do. Kids can be outright out-of-control; it's the folly in them! But, we have to remember that we are constantly teaching, and our decisions do have an impact on our children, whatever they are. If we want to teach them righteousness, then we have to follow that road all the way, allowing wisdom to keep us on the right path, so we don't veer onto the path of least resistance.

"It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest." (NLT)

This is the same verse in the New Living Translation. The wording choice of "flog leaders" is an interesting and valid picture, as it is all too easy to criticize and downright condemn those who are leading us--even when they are telling us the truth. It is so difficult to be the bearer of bad news, much less being powerless to magically change a given situation. Our leaders are not perfect people--they are people! They are sinners and make mistakes, misjudgments, poor decisions, just like any of us. Yet, we feel we are just to "flog" them with our words (or with our votes!)

"Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity." (KJV)

One more time, the same verse in the King James Version. This verse brings to mind the prince who was struck ("to give stripes, beat, give wounds" [Strong's]) for our iniquities.

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

--Isaiah 53: 4 & 5

The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, received the punishment for sin that was due to us. Was this right?

I suppose this launches an entire theological discussion in itself. Do the righteous deserve to be punished? The verse in today's passage says not. What we need to understand, however, is that other Scripture needs to be considered:

"As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one."

--Romans 3:10

Photo: http://www.cbcstudentministry.org/kevin/jesus%20on%20the%20cross.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 18: 1-8

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).

Proverbs 17: 11-21

¹¹A rebellious man seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹²Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
¹³He who returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
¹⁵He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
¹⁶Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no sense?
¹⁷A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
¹⁸A man lacking in sense pledges
And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
¹⁹He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.
²⁰He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
²¹He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

Today's Thought Question:

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

Although the focus of our Sunday message this week was different than the concept in verse 14, the visual was the same. Our pastor showed us a clay pot as a representation for us in our fragile, broken state--fashioned by our Creator to bloom where we are planted. If our clay pot represents ill-will that starts building up, we can understand what this leads to:

"The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out." (vs 14)

This sounds so simple, too. Most of us don't like to get involved in conflict at all. But, sometimes, either in our own weakness or because the issue is one we just can't lay off, we let our eyes bug out, our nostrils flare, our words heat up. We let our passion for our opinion get in the way of our wisdom that would advise a different direction.

Here's a great cross-reference from an upcoming chapter of Proverbs:

"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end, when your neighbor humiliates you?

--Proverbs 25:8

What's the word that catches my attention in the last quote? Hastily! (Although, who wants to be humiliated?!) Remember what we learned back in the first chapter of Proverbs about sinners--"For their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood." (1:16) Haste sheds blood and sheds wisdom from our speech.

Our simple move away--a step away--from God's commands and teaching lands us in sin. An seemingly miniscule crack in our pots caused by a step toward animosity or quarreling just leads to a flood of trouble.

Expanding a bit on the Hebrew expression for "letting out" of the water, it literally refers to pounding out or smiting, thereby dispersing. [Strong's] Have you noticed what happens when the beginning of strife comes out in the midst of a group? I have. I had to face the truth of something I started--a poor judgment upon a person that I let spin out of control with my words and attitude--and spread within a group of people, to the point where similar thoughts started emanating from the group. It was ugly.

God showed mercy upon me--a hastily unwise sinner--and led me to confession, extending grace and infusing the group with His thoughts and not my response to a situation that launched a firestorm of frustration and wrong thinking.

Closing this morning with some encouragement from the Apostle Paul:

"...Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you...."

--I Thessalonians 4:11

Photo: http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/03/25/gby724_4a_lg.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 17: 22-28

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).