Proverbs 10: 22-32

It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.
The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
The hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked perishes.
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,
But ruin to the workers of iniquity.
The righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. Look at verse 28. The Hebrew word for prospect (NIV translation) is tohelet, meaning"expectation." As a believer pursuing righteousness, or "rightness with God," is joy our expectation? Read Nehemiah 8:10. When we pursue God, is it joyful? Reflect on the fullness of Christ and the emptiness of not knowing Him. How do these things impact our perspective or approach to a non-believing person?
   
2. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Today's lesson starts with a big question--do we expect joy in our pursuit of righteousness?

As a new Christian, we think that finding God is the greatest joy of our lives, and that joy is going to carry us through everything. But, sometimes we mistake joy for happiness, and when we run into challenges and circumstances that we weren't expecting, we lose some of that joy. Plus, when we're trying to do everything right, forgetting Who is in control, sometimes the road is everything but joyful! As God teaches us and disciplines us--as B was saying the other day--we can definitely forget what that joy of knowing Him is about.

The non-believing person may not understand why a believer pursues righteousness. Sometimes, we come off as being perfectionists instead of those trying to pursue a right relationship with God. So, the Christian is misunderstood. And, if things don't go well, and we lose our perspective on our joy, the non-believer looks at us kind of hypocritically.

And how does the Christian view a non-believer? We can sometimes be judgmental, especially if they don't understand us or scoff at us. Yet we know that God wants all to be saved, that none should perish. We know God commands us to love one another. In our pursuit of wisdom, do we embrace the bigger God picture that these folks do not share that hope that we have?

Verse 28 says the expectation of the wicked perishes. What's interesting is that the word used here for expectation means something different than the word used in talking about the hope of the righteous. The expectation (of the wicked) means "a cord, as in an attachment; thing that I long for." [Strong's] What the wicked expect hangs as if by a cord. So temporal.

"I've got the world on a string
I'm sitting on a rainbow
Got the string around my finger
What a world, what a life - I'm in love"

The non-believer has it all on a string. And when it get tangles or breaks.... ???

When we have a life in Christ and pursue Godly wisdom, we learn through God's Word that we have a hope, and that is something that cannot be taken away. When Christ is our hope, we learn to lean on Him more through the rough times; to seek Him more in our pursuit of wisdom; to know Him more that the hope of Heaven is something we live with daily. The non-believer cannot appreciate this perspective without his or her heart coming to terms with knowing the one true God. Our eternal hope, however, does not dangle by a line and will not be snatched from us.

"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'"

--Nehemiah 10:8 (NIV)

What spoke to me today? Verse 22: "It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it." In the pursuit of wisdom, it is easy to be misled into thinking that you have uncovered something yourself. You put in the work. You made the connections. You have become wise.

No, it is the blessing of the Lord! If the Lord desires that you should prosper, then it is His doing! Only God can bring you such blessing without pain or toil, grief or hurt. When we are on that road to righteousness and come to that fork, where wisdom cries discernment for us, it is God alone who sets us on the path of blessing. Closing with The Message paraphrase of my verse today:

"God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God."

Photo: http://rookery2.viary.com/storagev12/1039500/1039826_a8e9_625x1000.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 11: 1-11

1. Why might disgrace follow pride? God says that He hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). Read Philippians 2: 1-11. Reflect on that passage and explain why God might detest pride.
2. Reread verse 3. What is integrity and why do you think it guides the upright? This verse also talks about the duplicity of the unfaithful. Read Matthew 27: 3-5 and Acts 1: 15-20. Do you think Judas was unfaithful? Wicked? Explain the relevance of Proverbs 11:3 to Judas' demise.
   
3. 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 10: 12-21

Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.
On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
The rich man's wealth is his fortress,
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,
But he who ignores reproof goes astray.
He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. Read verse 18. Rewrite in your own words.
2. Verse 21 examines the speech of a righteous person. Do you consider your words 'nourishing'?
   
3. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

A rewrite of verse 18: Your mouth will give up your heart and brand you stupid.

The wellspring of our lives--our hearts (4:23, NIV)--can hold hatred as well as virtue. What we don't necessarily think about is that what lives in our hearts comes out through our lips. If we harbor hatred for someone, our words are going to reflect that. And if we try to hide our feelings, then our words lie. The mouth that spreads "whisperings, defamations and evil reports" [Strong's] reflects upon one's very heart and person, branding them a fool. What we say will always do us in. [I think I like that rephrasing better--LOL!]

Nourishing lips don't sink ships! Verse 21 says that our mouths are not always evil, but can actually be used to feed others--to bring them to pasture, as to graze, tend sheep. "The lips of the righteous"--so critical to see the difference between that and what fools are. We need to be tight with wisdom before we choose to open our mouths. Our hearts need to be close to the Lord, so that the water from our spring would be fresh, clean and worthy of sharing with others.

Out of the boat, Peter was not in a position to teach others about God's Word. But, by the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, our Lord saw Peter fit to take His Word forth, even writing his words down into part of the Bible.

"The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

--John 21: 17-19

The call to righteousness...following wisdom!

The proverb that most spoke to me today was verse 15: "The rich man's wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty."

Here's how the King James has it: "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty."

Before I had read the background chapters in our study, I had glossed over 'rich' and 'poor' thinking that these verses referred to money. Now, I understand that these adjectives refer to wisdom, and it's good to be rich! Our wealth, our sufficiency, that of which we want to be filled is our "strong city." The Hebrew translation suggests 'city' refers to flooring or building--the base, that upon which we walk, yes?

The verses in chapter 9 are still fresh with me--Wisdom crying out from the high places in the city. She, who built her own house, carving its 7 perfect pillars--she wants to be my strong city in which I build my house. As a king, Solomon did a lot of building in Jerusalem. (He was responsible for building the Temple.) So, his use of building references goes along with part of his work at the time. Thankfully, writing while wisdom was still active in him, his creation of this proverbial strong city, drawn up in parallel to Jerusalem or another city of the day, is powerful and illustrative.

We build our faith on the foundation that is Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:11), and we step forward and speak our faith through the revelation of wisdom that comes from God's Word. Brings to mind lyrics from a great old hymn:

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?"

Photo: www.bibleplaces.com/areag.htm

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 10: 22-32

1. Look at verse 28. The Hebrew word for prospect is tohelet, meaning"expectation." As a believer pursuing righteousness, or "rightness with God," is joy our expectation? Read Nehemiah 8:10. When we pursue God, is it joyful? Reflect on the fullness of Christ and the emptiness of not knowing Him. How do these things impact our perspective or approach to a non-believing person?
   
2. 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 10: 1-11

Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

The proverbs of Solomon
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
Ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger,
But He will reject the craving of the wicked.
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.
He who walks in integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
He who winks the eye causes trouble,
And a babbling fool will be ruined.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. Did you realize that God had something to say about laziness? Reread verses 4 and 5.
   
2. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why?

Here we are! The proverbs of Solomon!! I am so grateful for the almost month-long journey into the lead-up of these wise sayings. The nine chapters of background truly set the stage for understanding.

As we read in our background chapters, Solomon does compare the sluggard with the ant, so no surprise to see some proverbs about laziness. "Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." In the KJV, 'slack' is used for 'negligent,' and the Hebrew for slack means not just remissness and slothful but extends to include treachery and deceit. [Strong's]

When we get sloppy with our actions, the results are not good. When we're in those situations, do we ever find excuses that have nothing to do with ourselves? That would be the deceit. Can sloppiness lead to danger? Man, we've got to be careful.

Verse 5 talks about sleeping during the harvest. Again, back to the ants of 6:8, we know that the wise, hard-working ants will have food to sustain them, so long as they work to gather it. You earn the privilege to eat when you work the fields. Likewise, we are not privileged to eat that for which we did not work.

"But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest."

--Leviticus 4 & 5

Thinking again about wisdom, if we do not do the work to seek wisdom, receive understanding, apply wisdom, we might as well be sleeping during a time when wisdom might serve us best.

Although the message is not new, 10:3 spoke to me. Look at it in the King James--

"The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked."

We've talked about this before. Once you have tasted wisdom and witnessed the blessing, you don't want to pass up another dinner invitation! God knows that when we are on that road to righteousness that we want to stay on it. But we can't do that without consistently being fed by Him, by His Word and His direction. This first part of the proverb is a wonderful promise to us, that our souls--our inmost being--will not be famished if we have righteousness as our goal for living.

But, turning to the second part, God will cast away what He cannot tolerate to be near--"the substance of the wicked." Notice, the phrasing does not run parallel to the first part of the proverb. We don't read that God casts away the soul of the wicked. It's the substance. In Hebrew, this word substance implies one's desire, and it's not a healthy desire, obviously. It's desire "in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication, of falling." [Strong's] Remember chapter 1?

"...for their [the sinner's] feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.

--Proverbs 1:16

The wicked are not cautious, but speedy. They are without wisdom, so they are quick to discover sin. BUT... even with such foolishness, God does not expel the soul of the sinner from Himself. Our Savior and amazing grace stand in the gap, preventing that kind of demise, at least for a time. Wisdom continues to call, and we need to be alert not to babble and miss the life-saving blessing she offers.

Photo: http://community.acsevents.org/images/content/pagebuilder/41283.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 10: 12-21

1. Read verse 18. Rewrite in your own words.
2. Verse 21 examines the speech of a righteous person. Do you consider your words 'nourishing'?
   
3. 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 9: 13-18

The woman of folly is boisterous,
She is naive and knows nothing.
She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,
Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
"Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,"
And to him who lacks understanding she says,
"Stolen water is sweet;
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. Compare and contrast wisdom and folly using verses 1-6 and verses 13-18?
   
2. Often a person's true character is seen when adversity strikes. How do you deal with adversity? Read Matthew 7: 24-27 and Proverbs 10:25.

I have to admit wanting to do this post before yesterday's! The side-by-side descriptions between verses 1-6 and 13-18 are so much fun to take apart.

Folly is "boisterous" (vs 13), but Wisdom is not quiet. Remember Proverbs 1:20--Wisdom shouts in the streets. 'Boisterous', however, has a different vibe than shouting; it implies rowdiness, clamoring for attention, which is what Folly or Foolishness tries to accomplish.

Folly sits at her doorway (vs 14). Wisdom has been busily preparing a meal. This almost reads like a "Mary and Martha" situation, except for the focus. Folly is not sitting at the foot of Jesus, waiting to receive His every word. Wisdom is not being busy without cause. Plus, Wisdom doesn't remain at her home; she ventures out into to city to proclaim her invitation (8:2-4). Folly, meantime, is content to yell at passersby, regardless of if they are paying attention to her or not.

The strikingly different verse is 17: "Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." Spoken like Folly, all right! The adulteress is back. Reading this makes me wonder why folks would choose stolen water and secret bread over a specially prepared meal with the prospect of life and understanding. Makes me want to clean out my ears, because I have obviously missed the finer invitation of Wisdom at certain points in my life.

Those who hear the voice of Folly catch the "sweet" and "pleasant," but because they lack wisdom, and they do not realize where they are headed--"the dead are there...in the depths of Sheol." (vs 18)

Our thought question authors ask us to think about how we deal with adversity. The passage we just read doesn't specifically deal with adversity, but if we think about the blessings of wisdom, it certainly would help us to be wise when life's situations challenge us.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

--Matthew 7:24-27

Do you remember what we read about Wisdom's house the other day? Wisdom built her house and carved out its seven pillars (seven, the Biblical number of perfection). Solid foundation? You bet! I'm reminded, too, of the post from the other day in which Wisdom takes a stand at the decision points of our lives--standing firm, not swaying. On the rock! We remain strong when we stay with wisdom.

If we do not hear Wisdom calling, if we do not act upon Wisdom's invitation, then we are left to the ways of Folly, and will be "like a foolish man." Says Proverbs 10:25, which we'll visit in a few short days, ^"When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation."

On Sunday...The beginning of the wise sayings of Solomon!

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 10: 1-11

1. Did you realize that God had something to say about laziness? Reread verses 4 and 5.
   
2. What proverb in today's passage spoke to you and why? (This will be a daily question.)
   

* * *

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 9: 7-12

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,

And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. Where does wisdom come from? (Read James 3: 13-17)
   
2. Verse 9 tells us of the importance of instruction. How do you personally receive correction or discipline? Throughout this book we will see the benefits of correctly receiving "rebukes." Read Proverbs 10: 17; 12:1; 13:13 and 15:32?

Starting with the first thought question, since it's very familiar territory now, wisdom begins with the "fear of the Lord" (vs 10), with the blessing of long days and years. Our thought question authors ask us to read James 3, entitled in the NASB "Wisdom from Above":

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy."

--James 3: 13-17

James corroborates the "fear of the Lord" and adds some rich adjectives to help us recognize it even better--pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy (vs 17). Wow...humbling.

Verse 9: "Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning." Once you have an understanding of what wisdom adds to your life, you want to continue to learn more. It all comes back to honoring God, and God is honored when we grow in our relationship with Him through understanding and demonstrating His Word.

Our thought question authors throw a couple of proverbs out there (early!) for us to consider:

"He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray." (10:17)

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." (12:1)

"The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded." (13:13)

"He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding." (15:32)

Although all of these verses align themselves with what 9:9 is saying, you almost get a bit thrown when you go back to 9:7. I needed to take a deep breath and break it down a bit. Is reproof important? Absolutely! If we do not receive discipline, we cannot hope to fully understand the right way to do things. We are not always going to receive wisdom and understanding perfectly. In fact, as I said the other day, hindsight is 20/20 most of the time (at least for me!).



So reproof is important, but what we need to clarify is from whom the discipline comes. The lover of wisdom receiving wisdom from God will gain. The fool who hates wisdom is not going to receive wisdom from anyone (although God may deem discipline necessary at some point in time, at His discretion, and God may also change the heart of the scoffer, again, at His discretion).

We may desperately want to steer someone onto the path of righteousness, but we're learning here that the scoffer is not one who will listen. We are being told it is a wasted effort. We are being told that it is not our job. Our job is to make sure that we are close to wisdom, and in doing so, God will advise us as to what we are to do--which all ties into today's last verse, "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself." (vs 12)

Here's another take on why we need to be that way:

"It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them.[!!!] It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom."

--from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

It is when we walk in wisdom that we can accept Godly reproof from another in love. We recognize that wisdom when we hear it, as clearly as we understand the words James has used in describing the fear of the Lord. And, once we have that wisdom, we can offer Godly reproof to another who joins us in that walk. Words from Ephesians come to mind, closing us out:

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

--Ephesians 4: 14 & 15

Photo: http://themasterstable.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/hindsight-rear-view-future-past-road-mirror.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 9: 13-18

1. Compare and contrast wisdom and folly using verses 1-6 and verses 13-18?
   
2. Often a person's true character is seen when adversity strikes. How do you deal with adversity? Read Matthew 7: 24-27 and Proverbs 10:25.
   

* * *

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 9: 1-6

Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table;
She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the tops of the heights of the city:
"Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!"
To him who lacks understanding she says,
"Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
"Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding."

Today's Thought Questions:

1. What's Wisdom doing?
2. How would you define the simple?

Just a few posts ago, we were reading about the preparations the adulteress was making for a would-be guest. Wisdom is also making preparations, although the scene is quite a bit different. She has built her home and it is supported by seven carved timber pillars. She is planning a dinner with a specially set table, and specially prepared food and drink. Then she and her maidens take to the streets, though their purpose for doing so is not at all what the adulteress had in mind.


"From the tops of the heights" they broadcast their dinner invitation to "the naive," "lacking understanding," "the simple." The Hebrew definitions seem far-apart, yet from our study so far, we know why they are paired--"the silly"; "the seducible." The Message paraphrase of verse 4 reads as such: "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?..." I think Wisdom's table could be quite full, as those she is calling are many!

Wisdom offers an enticing invitation, yet what she will fill our souls with is far more satisfying than where the enticing invitation of the adulteress leads. Again, I enjoy the wording of The Message paraphrase today, verse 6, "Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning." Love how this goes back to the poverty that is our heart when it is not filled with wisdom, and that the end result is life and life with meaning when we choose Wisdom!

I'm going to beat Kelli to bringing in the NT today! In studying the King James, verse 5, I was absolutely struck with NT thoughts:

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

Our Lord Jesus invites His disciples to a meal.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'"

--Matthew 26: 26-28

How about that invitation? Really, pretty much the same, if you think about it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1) Wisdom will keep our hearts from troubled paths. Believe in God, of course! Jesus adds, "believe also in Me." Part of showing reverence to God is by recognizing the work of His Son on our behalf, and believing in Him. Jesus invites us to "meal" that gives us eternal fulfillment!

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

--John 10:10

Photo: http://www.quambyhomestead.com.au/banquet%20table.jpg

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 9: 7-12

1. Where does wisdom come from? (Read James 3: 13-17)
   
2. Verse 9 tells us of the importance of instruction. How do you personally receive correction or discipline? Throughout this book we will see the benefits of correctly receiving "rebukes." Read Proverbs 10: 17; 12:1; 13:13 and 15:32?
   

* * *

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 8: 22-36

"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
"From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
"When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
"Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was brought forth;
While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.
"When He established the heavens, I was there,
When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,
When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the water would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.
"Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed are they who keep my ways.
"Heed instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
"Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
"For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the LORD.
"But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death."

Today's Thought Questions:

1. When was wisdom created? Why do you think this is significant?
2. Reread verses 35-36. Can you be a Christian and not possess wisdom?

In this beautiful passage, Wisdom explains that she was with God in all of His creation, even before God started to create! Wisdom was not an afterthought of God. The passage calls Wisdom "a master workman" (vs 30), working with God in the crafting of creation.

Reading through, you can see how the entire creation was made to honor God and to demonstrate wisdom in action. Wisdom was required to make water come from springs; to settle the mountains in their positions; and, to determine the boundaries of the oceans. Catch the deep wording of verse 29: "When He set for the sea its boundary so that the water would not transgress His command." The seas obey Him! Born through Wisdom, the creation obeys, showing the fear of the Lord in its reverence of the God who created it!

Wisdom rejoiced at the creation. My S.B. makes particular note of verse 31, that Wisdom rejoiced especially at the creation of mankind, the only created entity capable of knowing wisdom. The personified Wisdom reminds the reader that she is to be sought, followed and not neglected; that we are blessed when we listen, watch, and wait. (vs 34)

There is more to come about acquiring wisdom. If you're like me, you are wondering if things get any more concrete. Will we learn how to listen with a discerning ear? Will we discover what to watch for, so that we can discern God's laying a message before us? The actual proverbs themselves are supposed to be those sayings of wisdom--but even in and of themselves, they are not the end. I have enjoyed looking at Wisdom personified and certainly appreciate what her beauty is.

The last two sobering verses answer our second thought question of the day. Can you be a Christian and not possess wisdom?

"For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death." (vs. 35 & 36)

Are Christians without sin? No! Can a Christian not possess wisdom? Yes--asked and answered with question 1, here. I like the difference between the first part of verse 36 and the second. When we sin against God, we injure ourselves. We're walking wounded; something is wrong. But injury implies that we can be treated, healed. It is here we can see the grace of God at work, helping us find the path to wisdom and thus to righteousness and life (vs 35).

But, if we continue on in our sin, leading the life--as suggested by 36b--of hating wisdom, then we claim we love death, and will thus find ourselves there--certainly spiritually, and, eventually, in every way else.

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 9: 1-6

1. What's Wisdom doing?
2. How would you define the simple?
   

* * *

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 8: 12-21

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And I find knowledge and discretion.
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
"Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
"By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
"By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
"I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
"Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
"My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.
"I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

Today's Thought Question:

1. Wisdom is speaking to us in today's passages. What understanding do you receive from what she says?

Wisdom dwells with prudence. (vs 12) This brings a new dimension to Wisdom's character, but what is prudence? The dictionary offers up caution, provision and carefulness, and this fits with the rest of verse 12 that says wisdom "finds knowledge and discretion." Again, not just knowledge for the sake of acquiring facts, but knowledge to be used with discretion in how we live.

Originally, prudence stems from a root word meaning foresight (seeing what comes before). We sometimes joke (sometimes not!) that hindsight is 20/20. We have learned from what we have experienced. But, if we had wisdom going into whatever we're doing, we might not need the "benefits" of hindsight!

Here's another neat tidbit. When looking at background on the Hebrew word for prudence, I read this: "In its etymological sense of seeing beforehand (contraction of "providence"), "prudence" does not occur in the NT. [Strong's] Hadn't thought about providence being linked to prudence, but isn't that just what it means?! When we say, "God in His providence..." we're talking about God's foresight in His unveiling, revealing, unfolding of events. Wisdom dwells with prudence!

Wisdom is not just sound thoughts and understanding, but counsel and power. (vs 14) When we seek counsel, we seek advice. We are looking to engage with someone who can guide us in what we are doing. Wisdom is counsel. No surprise that one of the other names for the Holy Spirit is "counselor." (John 14: 16) And Who is our "Wonderful Counselor" in Isaiah 9 :6? Wisdom is also power, and though power can mean force, by implication, it also means valor or victory [Strong's].

Verse 13 brings back chapter 1. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." So if the fear of the Lord is "a state of mind in which one's own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds and goals are exchanged for God's," then we are to have a state of mind in which we hate evil with everything. 'Hate' carries with it a range of actions and emotions--to trouble or anger; causing grief, sorrow or pain. In the Hebrew, the definition means enemy or foe. [Strong's]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7) So to further refine where we began with chapter 1, the beginning of knowledge is learning to hate evil, and thus revere the Lord and His ways.

Verse 17: "I love those who love me." So simple! Wisdom will love those who love her. If we do not love Wisdom, if we are not interested in diligently seeking her, how can we hope to gain any benefits from a relationship with her? (Gosh, it gets easier to write about this personified Wisdom every time we talk about her.)

One of those benefits? "To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." (vs 21) Wisdom is not talking about making us rich through endowments, not in a monetary sense, anyway. (Although, I'm sure there are some who will benefit from wise financial decision-making. But to what will they apply their wealth?) Our treasuries (or stores, storehouses) will be filled with substance (KJV)--the substance for which we keep a love relationship with Wisdom. That variable will be something different for each of us, but it will be extreme value ("better than gold, even pure gold...choicest silver")

A king like Solomon recognized the value of wisdom before he had it. Those who "reign...decree justice...judge rightly" are those with whom Wisdom abides. Fair to say that when Wisdom leaves, justice and righteousness leave, too--which was surely also the case in Solomon's reign. If we are wondering about those in earthly rule and whether Wisdom is with them, consider the "fear of the Lord."

The Bible says we need to submit "...to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13: 1&2) But, without Wisdom, we would be wise to pray that they seek her for their sake.

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

--I Timothy 2: 1-4

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 8: 22-36

1. When was wisdom created? Why do you think this is significant?
2. Reread verses 35-36. Can you be a Christian and not possess wisdom?
   

* * *

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 8: 1-11

The Commendation of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
"To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
"O naive ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, understand wisdom.
"Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
"For my mouth will utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
"All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
"They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
"Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
"For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. What words does wisdom speak?
   
2. Reread verse 6. To what or whom do you listen? Read Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3. Reflect on the importance of listening more and speaking less.

Chapter 8 opens with the similar refrain found in chapter 1: Is wisdom calling out? In comparison to the dark, sneaky ways of the sultry, persuasive adulteress, wisdom is calling out to be heard, to be seen. Where is she seen? My favorite phrase in the passage--"Where the paths meet, she takes her stand." (8:2b) Wisdom is standing at the point where we have to make a choice between right paths and wrong paths. That she takes a "stand" implies that she is fixed, solid. Wisdom doesn't waver.

She calls to the naive and foolish, as we talked about last week. Whereas the lips of the adulteress ooze flattery, the lips of wisdom reveal right things (vs 6), utter truth (vs 7), righteousness (vs 8), straightforwardness (vs 9). The adulteress may flash her gems, jewels and precious metals to entice, but wisdom says that her instruction and knowledge are better than those. Indeed, "all desirable things cannot compare." (vs 11)

Something else I found interesting in reading the King James translation. Verse 5: "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart." Picking up from yesterday's finish about the importance of the heart in receiving wisdom, I found the phrasing to be a bit stronger and more meaningful. The Hebrew word for understanding used here means "to separate mentally, to distinguish." [Strong's] The heart is the center of it all, and we need wisdom to dwell there to separate all the things she brings from all the foolishness that lies outside.

Verse 6: "Listen...." Before we can have wisdom, we have to listen for it. Our study authors invite us to look at Ecclesiastes in considering listening:

"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words."

--Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3

This passage specifically refers to approaching God, but it's just as wise to follow such an approach in a relationship with anybody. "Draw near to listen." That is a very active instruction. When you are reading God's Word or in prayer, do you do so in the middle of a party or with the ballgame on the radio? Are you reading and cooking; hearing a radio broadcast and driving? We all may do some of these things. But, if we really want to listen, getting close means cutting out the distractions and being silent before Him.

Being "more ready to hear," as is used in the KJV, implies to "hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.) [Strong's] It's not to hear for the sake of hearing. It's listening for the sake of wisdom--to make the wise choice, to take the right path.

Hearing also means not talking or thinking about talking. Not hasty. Not impulsive. This can be a little challenging if we are hearing that we need some discipline! We might be barking back in defense a little bit. Not the time! "For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few." Who's in charge again?! When righteousness means right-by-Him, then we need truly to hold our tongue and listen.



Photo: http://www.ingramsonline.com/January_2006/woods.jpg

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Question:

Proverbs 8: 12-21

1. Wisdom is speaking to us in today's passages. What understanding do you receive from what she says?

* * *

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 7: 24-27

²¹With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her flattering lips she seduces him.

²⁴Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
²⁵Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths.
²⁶For many are the victims she has cast down,
And numerous are all her slain.
²⁷Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. How serious are the consequences of adultery?
2. Read and reread verse 21. (Yes, we're going back to yesterday's verses.) We see example upon example in Scripture of women persuading men to do things they should not do. Words are powerful and we need to have a thorough understanding of their potential impact on those who receive them. Read the following passages and see if you can find a common denominator in these situations:

• Genesis 3: 6-13
• Judges 16: 4-22
• I Kings 21: 7-16
• Job 2: 9-10
  

The consequences of adultery are about as severe as you can imagine. Those engaged in it are "victims" who are "slain," taking steps down "to Sheol" and "the chambers of death." The other words we might hope to grasp are the numbers--"many" and "numerous." You would think just talking about death would be enough. But, no, apparently many, numerous people have fallen prey to the wiles of the harlot.

The second thought question has us digging around in the Word a bit, which is great. The Bible is full of wisdom about the tongue and the troubles with it. What about the persuasive tongue?
Little root fun, here. Persuasion means "to urge through" and contains the word suasion, which means the act of persuading by appealing to one's sense of morality, from the root word for sweet. Wow....does that scream adulteress or what? Where's your level of morality, you simple one who lacks teaching and understanding in wisdom??

On to our verses:

• Genesis 3: 6-13....Eve. Now, you could argue that the Serpent was the one who was persuasive here first. That would be true, but Eve was lacking in wisdom, as she directly disobeys God's command about the tree. She listens to the wrong source, does what he says, then (verse 6, NIV) "gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." The passage doesn't say that Eve said anything to Adam. But, what looked good enough to her must have looked good enough to Adam, and he merely follows without so much as a "What is this?" Had he not seen the fruit on the tree before?
  

• Judges 16: 4-22....Delilah. Unlike Eve, Delilah has to speak, and she is the epitome of the sweet talker, per our definition of persuasion. She has to try several times to convince Samson to give up the source of his strength. Finally, she gets to the real issue (verse 15)--..."How can you say, 'I love you,' when your heart is not with me? You have deceived me these three times and have not told me where your great strength is."
  

Samson needed Proverbs 7: 25a, "Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways...." She
needed to get right to his heart in order to persuade him. And she succeeds. "So he told her
all that was in his heart" including the source of his strength. The Philistines seized him,
gouged out his eyes, and left him in shackles (not too many steps away from yesterday's
"stocks") in prison.

• I Kings 21: 7-16....Jezebel. Woo! Conniver of the greatest sort and lead promoter of Baalism. Not a nice gal. Her husband, King Ahab, is depressed over not being able to obtain some special land (which the current owner will not give up because God told him not to!). Jezebel, wanting to do everything to make her hubby happy--NOT! Take 2: ....Wanting to do everything to control her husband's kingdom, keeps her mission alive by using his good name in an intricate plot that kills the landowner, leaving the land to Ahab.
  

  Jezebel his wife said to him, "Do you now reign over Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be joyful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." (verse 7)

• Job 2: 9-10....Job's wife.

"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!' But he
said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good
from God and not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." From my S.B.,
"Her argument in effect was 'let go of your piety and curse God; then He will end your life
for blaspheming,' (i.e., death under these conditions would be preferable to living). She
added temptation to affliction because she advised him to sin."

There's a lot here, folks! I think there's a reason God tells us to hold our tongue sometimes; it sparks a world of trouble. We may not be Jezebel. But even if we're closer to Job's wife, just commiserating and giving advice, we need to do so with wisdom! It's not easy to give sound advice, but that's why the acquisition of wisdom is so important.

God didn't say we weren't to guide others through our words. Sometimes, we really do need to speak up! Save some folks from their sinful ways. But, unless we are sure of where our wisdom comes, we might do well to look to the lamp and the light, and keep our hearts from swaying. Leading folks to sin is not something we want to do, lest we truly be fools.

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 8: 1-11

1. What words does wisdom speak?
   
2. Reread verse 6. To what or whom do you listen? Read Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3. Reflect on the importance of listening more and speaking less. [Look at that!! Guidance on when to speak...just what we need next :-) ]
   

* * *

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 7: 6-23

For at the window of my house

I looked out through my lattice,
And I saw among the naive,
And discerned among the youths
A young man lacking sense,
Passing through the street near her corner;
And he takes the way to her house,
In the twilight, in the evening,
In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
She is boisterous and rebellious,
Her feet do not remain at home;
She is now in the streets, now in the squares,
And lurks by every corner.
So she seizes him and kisses him
And with a brazen face she says to him:
"I was due to offer peace offerings;
Today I have paid my vows.
"Therefore I have come out to meet you,
To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.
"I have spread my couch with coverings,
With colored linens of Egypt.
"I have sprinkled my bed
With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
"Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with caresses.
"For my husband is not at home,
He has gone on a long journey;
He has taken a bag of money with him,
At the full moon he will come home."
With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her flattering lips she seduces him.
Suddenly he follows her
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Until an arrow pierces through his liver;
As a bird hastens to the snare,
So he does not know that it will cost him his life.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. The writer places before us a scenario of an adulteress and a young man. Describe the two people. What things about their character do you think led them into this particular area of sin? What can you learn from this?
2. Verse 7 states that the young man lacked judgment. Do you think this justified or excused his behavior?

No surprise that the naive man, lacking in judgment, is the one so easily swayed by the adulteress. Just to get thought question #2 out of the way at the start, knowing what we know about God's wisdom in these first 7 chapters, how can lack of judgment excuse his behavior? On no level whatsoever did he think it could be wrong? Did you notice that there were more than just one standing out there in the dark? (vs 7) Did any of them engage in similar behavior?

Remember what 'naive' meant from chapter 1? An open door. This young lad's head had no idea that taking the step into this woman's neighborhood would be good or bad. She even tells him that she's married. Doesn't stop him? What teaching had this poor boy received?!

I'm not going to pull any statistics showing how many times this kind of situation actually happens. I'm really scared at what I might find. What we don't hear in this narrative is what this boy is thinking. Sadly, today, the "brazenness" of the adulteress (vs 13) can sometimes be seen in both parties engaging in this type of behavior. This is all very misunderstood...but excusable? Justified--as in the end justifies the means?

This is written like the scene of a movie. You can see the danger and she's coming forward. Then, the unsuspecting guy walks over. You've seen this happen before and you start saying to yourself, "Dude! DUDE! Don't go there!!" You know how this is going to play out before she says anything--because you can see what she looks like. Then she speaks, and you're just shaking your head, "Dude... this is not going to end well." And, it doesn't, not that he knows it. (vs 23)

Some important notes from my S.B. to help figure out what the adulteress is talking about in verse 14. "According to the law of peace offerings (Lev 7:11-18), the meat left over after the sacrifice was to be eaten before the end of the day. She appears very religious in making the invitation that the man join her because she had made her offering and is bringing home the meat that must be eaten." What's that common proverb? The way to a man's heart is through his stomach?!

Strong metaphors at the end, again, talking about ensnared animals. This time, though, there is no "fight" to escape the sin, because there is no evidence of any understanding that there is sin involved. Look at verse 22: "Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool...." That last phrase in the King James reads, "or as a fool to the correction of the stocks" as they did in Colonial American times.

Now if this passage still seems remote, substitute that sin that lurks behind the corner in your life for adultery. What speaks to you in ways that make you drop your senses and follow?



Photo: http://www.theresumerighter.com/media/openDoor.jpg

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 7: 24-27

1. How serious are the consequences of adultery?
2. Read and reread verse 21. (Yes, we're going back to yesterday's verses.) We see example upon example in Scripture of women persuading men to do things they should not do. Words are powerful and we need to have a thorough understanding of their potential impact on those who receive them. Read the following passages and see if you can find a common denominator in these situations:

• Genesis 3: 6-13
• Judges 16: 4-22
• I Kings 21: 7-16
• Job 2: 9-10
  

* * *

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 7: 1-5

The Wiles of the Harlot

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"
And call understanding your intimate friend;
That they may keep you from an adulteress,
From the foreigner who flatters with her words.

Today's Thought Verses:

Before reading this chapter, ask God to speak to you uniquely and specifically regarding these verses. If Solomon wrote the following verses, or all of the verses in Proverbs regarding adultery, two things about him will give us added insight into this topic:

1. God promised Solomon that he would be given wisdom and discernment unlike any other man before him or any man to come. (Read I Kings 3: 10-12 and I Kings 4: 29-34.)
2. Solomon's downfall was women. (Read I Kings 11: 1-8.)

Don't you feel as though you could almost repeat this invocation to your children? Praise God when you know you can!

Verse 2, "[Keep] my teaching as the apple of your eye." We use that expression today to refer to someone very special or cherished. Where does the expression come from?

"The eyeball, or globe of the eye, with pupil in center, called 'apple' from its round shape. Its great value and careful protection by the eyelids automatically closing when there is the least possibility of danger made it the emblem of that which was most precious and jealously protected. [Used in the Proverbs passage, refers] perhaps specially to the pupil, probably from “the little image one sees of himself when looking into another’s pupil.”"

--International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

This description is what parents hope to see when looking into the eye of their child. Not themselves, but the Godly instruction that they have passed along! It's as if God Himself were staring into our eye and looking to see an image of Himself in the reflection of how we live. What a marvelous expression!

Verse 4 continues Solomon's personification of wisdom. Call her your "sister." If you have a sister, you know that God really thought about that relationship; it's that special! "...Understanding your intimate friend," meaning a friend you know through-and-through [like a sister! I have 3; I'm a little knowledgeable here.].

At first, I was a bit put off by this personification. Wisdom (capital W) is not part of the Trinity or a disciple or anybody like that. The Bible talks about love up and down, but it's not personified like wisdom is. It comes across a little like a Greek or Roman god, actually. But, the idea is that we should embrace God's wisdom with the intention of having a relationship with Him. We need to keep wisdom in our hearts as if the most cherished person we know on earth--meditating, praying, pondering as we live. Maybe it clicked when Solomon said, "Sister." [LOL!]

Verse 5 is the introduction of the adulteress to chapter 7, described here as a "foreigner." The word can also mean stranger or alien, and all point to the fact that her "talk" is not part of God's Word, and is therefore foreign or outside the realm of Godliness. Makes me think about how many times the Bible uses the expression "cast out" or words likewise. Adam and Eve, out of Eden; Jesus casting out demons; "the ruler of this world will be cast out." (John 12:31) Sin must always be outside the presence of God.

Our study authors also gave us some additional Scripture to read for more background in understanding Solomon and the emphasis on adultery in his writing.

The passage in I Kings 3 explains how Solomon is unique among the wise. God blessed him with ability that was never before seen until he was granted this in his prayerful request. We will never see another individual with such ability in the remaining days of earth either. That one man would have such blessing is a phenomenal thought in itself. (Makes you wonder who else might be blessed with a different attribute and the same magnitude).

But, then, that this man would write, and his words would be captured for us to read and learn from, thousands of years later--no tuition or book money required--what does that say about what we are receiving?! I Kings 4 illustrates Solomon's tremendous capacity for knowledge on countless subjects and how well-respected leaders sought his presence.

Must quickly add, though, back to I Kings 3, that Solomon's prayer was pleasing to God, because it was not self-serving. We could spend a few weeks talking about these passages in regard to a bountiful prayer life! Another time....as this is all for naught.

The tie to adultery? Solomon! (Sigh!) Would you think that one who received the most amazing amount of knowledge and discernment ever to walk the earth would, in the sight of God, commit adultery?

"He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been."

--I Kings 11: 3 & 4

For some, that might be enough to shut the book and say, "Well, if he can't, then...." What happened? The taking of many wives was not uncommon for a king in Solomon's day, but it was completely against God's law. What makes things worse, as the passage concludes, is that Solomon had become an idol worshipper--building idols for his wives and choosing to worship them himself, too.

This is very difficult to swallow. But, Solomon's testimony in words and in life shows us that discernment is so much greater than the mere acquisition of knowledge. The heart is the key! The I Kings 11 passage cuts to the chase--"his wives turned his heart away."

His words were pure, God-given thoughts--honoring His commandments and fortifying His teaching! But had he bound the words to his heart? The flattering words of his adulteresses let them slip far, far away. Not even the teaching of his humbled, repentant father David would be kept or treasured.

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak
and blameless when You judge."

--Psalm 51: 1-4 (A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon. For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.)

* * *

Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 7: 6-23

1. The writer places before us a scenario of an adulteress and a young man. Describe the two people. What things about their character do you think led them into this particular area of sin? What can you learn from this?
2. Verse 7 states that the young man lacked judgment. Do you think this justified or excused his behavior?
   

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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 6: 20-35

My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her capture you with her eyelids.
For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread,
And an adulteress hunts for the precious life.
Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?
Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
So is the one who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
Whoever touches her will not go unpunished.
Men do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold;
He must give all the substance of his house.
The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense;
He who would destroy himself does it.
Wounds and disgrace he will find,
And his reproach will not be blotted out.
For jealousy enrages a man,
And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
He will not accept any ransom,
Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts.

Today's Thought Questions:

1. What are the promises in verse 22 if we keep the teachings of the Bible in our hearts forever?
2. Proverbs 6:23 tells us of the importance of discipline. Read Hebrews 12:11. Are you able to recognize the Lord's discipline?

What is the value of following the commandments and obeying instruction?

"When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life...." (vss 22 & 23)

Such lovely writing here! I love the thought that when I wake up in the morning, the commandments and teaching--wisdom--will talk to me! More accurately, browsing the Hebrew, 'talk' may also mean ponder or converse, pray, meditate. Sometimes, wisdom does speak right to us. Most of the time, for me, there is a lot of thinking about things. Talking out loud, even. Prayer.


The commandment, the Law, the Word of God is a lamp--'glistening' is the root of the Hebrew. Teaching is an 'illumination.' We are given these wonderful, literally shining, elements for receiving and making firm in our hearts wisdom from God. Although there are no such "bright" terms for "reproofs for discipline," there is also no question that this needs to be part of the package. We are not always going to get things right.

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

--Hebrews 12:11

There's the "bright" part--the peaceful fruit of righteousness! Training illuminates our mistakes, our imperfections. But when we have come to a state of righteousness, what great peace we find in knowing that we are truly following God's Word and way! Part of His grace, my friends....

Just when you think we are done reading about the adulteress, we have more warnings and description about her. (Spoiler alert: This chapter doesn't even close out this subject!)

We are reminded not to listen to what comes from her lips, nor be taken by her eyes. Solomon likens her to an animal on the hunt (vs 26). "One is reduced to a loaf of bread," facing "poverty" (NLT), which is not just wealth but loss of "freedom, family, purity, dignity and even his soul," says my S.B. I am quickly reminded of yesterday's post, becoming impoverished at the loss of wisdom. Verse 32 here follows up that idea--"the one who commits adultery...is lacking sense."

Again, the consequences: wounds, disgrace, his reproach or shame will not go away. And he will face the harlot's husband and take what is coming to him. "For jealousy enrages a man." Jealousy is poison! "And he will not spare in the day of vengeance." (vs 34) No matter what is offered in terms of money, it will not be enough.

Whew! When we are "friends with the world," we may realize the foolishness of our activities, our lacking sense. But, do we really understand and accept the depth of the consequences? Wounds, disgrace, shame.... And if others are involved--and there is always some "other" involved, whether it's a person or some other influence--do we understand that we are not spared from earthly conflicts or vengeance of a sort?

Feeling the need for a reminder, I wish Solomon had repeated what he opened with in this section:

"My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck." (vss. 20 & 21)

Photo: http://dmacwilliam.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/michael-somoroff-illumination.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Verses:

Proverbs 7: 1-5

Before reading this chapter, ask God to speak to you uniquely and specifically regarding these verses. If Solomon wrote the following verses, or all of the verses in Proverbs regarding adultery, two things about him will give us added insight into this topic:

1. God promised Solomon that he would be given wisdom and discernment unlike any other man before him or any man to come. (Read I Kings 3: 10-12 and I Kings 4: 29-34.)
2. Solomon's downfall was women. (Read I Kings 11: 1-8.)

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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).