Don’t Be a Prince

(Proverbs 28:2 KJV)  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

A “land” (776) is “prolonged” (endures NASB) (748) by the force of a few spiritual people.  This makes me think of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah.  If there had just been a few people who were righteous, the city could have been saved in spite of the population.  Is it possible that a few believers can keep America from going down the drain?

Someone once said, and it has been often repeated, that if God does not punish America then He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.  Who are the “princes” (8269) of our country and what direction are they leading?  Are the “princes” of entertainment leading us toward righteousness or “transgression” (6588)?  Are the “princes” of education leading us toward truth or delusion?  Are the “princes” of politics leading us toward the rule of law or the tyranny of the elites?  Are the “princes” of the church leading us toward God or toward ego?

So?  Be salt.  Be light.  Be that one in the crowd who has not bent your knee to Baal.  It may not be pleasant but it is necessary. 

Forsaken Friends

(Proverbs 27:10 KJV)  Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Friendship.  How do you define it?  When does someone cross the line from being an acquaintance to being a friend?  These are questions I have trouble answering.  I feel at times that I “forsake” (5800a) people who were once “friends” (7453). 

I have one friend, going through a hard time, who told me not to come by any more.  How long do I respect that wish?  I have another that has gradually drifted away because we don’t have much in common any more.  I am an introvert.  I don’t need to be with people.  This is telling me that I need to be what I am called to be, not what I feel like.  I hate phones.  I need to make calls in spite of that.  There is a whole world of action I need to take.

So?  Check to see if it is an issue for you.  Someone might need you. 

Creative Couch Potatoes

(Proverbs 26:13 KJV)  The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

We see here some hints of the lazy character.  First, The lazy man builds his life on rumor and fear.  I think it can be assumed that there is no lion.  This couch potato has simply heard rumors of a lion or remembers a time when there was a lion and the mere thought of the possibility fills him with dread; and gives him excuses.

Second, the lazy man can be very creative.  How many of us would think of this one.  “I can’t mow the lawn because there is a lion in the back yard.”  “I can’t clean the garage because there is a bear and her cubs hiding in the boxes.” 

So?  Do we make excuses?  I am not overcome by fear but simple dread can cause me to put things off.  And I can be very creative in my logic.  Am I the only one? 

Response Not Repartee

(Proverbs 25:8 KJV)  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

It is hard to find the balance between standing up and being counted and waiting for the right moment.  I would imagine that we tend to err one way or the other based on our personalities.  The point being made here is to wait for the right moment.  If you speak out and are hammered for it, you know you messed up.  If you remain silent you often don’t know.  You don’t get any feedback.

When I remain quiet I sometimes torture myself with comments I could have made.  The problem is that they are imagination, not reality.  One other place that comes to mind recommends responding instead of being aggressive.

(1 Peter 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

So?  Be ready to answer questions.  Keep a good attitude.  Be very leery of going on the attack.

Seeds for the Just War Theory

(Proverbs 24:17 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

How is a Bible believing Christian to deal with the reality of war and violence in our world?  Currently terrorism is much on our minds.  Earlier in this chapter we find reference to war.

(Proverbs 24:6 KJV)  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

That makes it clear that war may at times be necessary.  Verse 17 would be part of the ideas of Just War Theory. 

Christians are sometimes compelled to fight but we cannot do so with hatred in our hearts.  We have enemies but we must still want the best for them.  Pagans do not understand that concept.  The idea of limited war is a modern concept.  It was demonstrated at the end of World War II where the United States set about rebuilding its previous enemies.  To some it seems impossible to love our enemies but that is our standard.

So?  Whether it is day to day contact with those who hate us or a world war, we are expected to act at a higher level that non-believers.  No one ever said it would be easy.

Be Glad

(Proverbs 23:25 KJV)  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

The family is under attack in contemporary America.  Easy divorce.  Government checks to pregnant women instead of marriage.  Gay marriage.  Domestic partnerships.  Sit coms that mock fathers and make children the dispensers of wisdom.  Need I go on.

And we are smiling and nodding as we listen to our spiritual headphones.  We seem to be blanking it out.  Here we see the family in all its glory.  Mothers and fathers are to rejoice in their children, not focus on developing their career paths.  There is a rightness about family.  It is the Biblical way.

So?  Don’t rush out and get married because it is a good thing.  That is twice true if you are already married.  Don’t swallow the screeds about it being a trap and a dead end street.  Family will never be replaced by social media or sports bars. 

Legal Theft

(Proverbs 22:23 KJV)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

In the NASB you have to go to the marginal reading to get the parallel that the KJV has out in the open.  The KJV says that God will “spoil” (6906) those who “spoil” the poor.  The NASB uses two words in English, “take” and “rob”, to convey the same idea. 

There are many ways to rob people.  Some are legal.  You can write a contract that takes advantage of the unwary.  You can establish schools that don’t teach.  You can offer welfare programs that weaken instead of strengthen.  You can promise and then squirm out on a technicality.

As God’s children we are not allowed to take that route.  If people are struggling we are to be supportive not a big sucking sound on their lives.  Jesus expressed it in the positive and the negative.  The negative seems more in tune with this verse.

(Matthew 25:45 KJV)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

So?  Go forth and do good.  Do it because God has worked a miracle in your life and you want to glorify Him, not because you are keeping score. 

Life Is Not a Stage

(Proverbs 21:27 KJV)  The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

One of the hard realities for cultural Christians to accept is that living a moral and upright life in public does not by itself make you pleasing to God.  Here we have an example of this misunderstanding.  It would seem that it is possible for a “wicked” (7563) person to do something that would be classified as a “sacrifice” (2077) and do it with the right intention.  This could be anything from mowing their lawn to risking their life.  They can do it for the best of intentions.  It is still labeled an “abomination” (8441).  Why?

It is an abomination because it is done as a substitute for being submissive to the will of God.  It is unacceptable because it tries to substitute good works for a right heart.  It takes a requirement and perverts it by giving it priority over an even greater requirement.  It is not enough to do good things, make sacrifices.  They are required but they are only acceptable from a regenerate heart.

So?  God is not interested in plays and novels.  He is interested in real lives.  He demands that we get our hearts right with Him.  Until that happens you are on a stage with toy swords and borrowed words. 

Stop Whining

(Proverbs 20:1 KJV)  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

I read through Proverbs every month.  When you do something this way it is easy to get in a rut and go through the motions.  One of the things I do to make the reading fresh is to start reading at a different part of the chapter each month.  Since it is January I am beginning in the first verse.  It is amazing how often there are just little reminders about things we should already know.  This verse is one of them.

I don’t drink.  Maybe you do.  I do not believe you will be cast into the depths of hell for having a glass of wine with dinner.  Both of us have a simple, clear message here.  Watch out for the dangers of alcohol. 

So?  Do I need this?  Not today.  Hopefully, never.  Do you?  This is a simple word from your maker not this blogger. 

Shama on You

(Proverbs 19:27 KJV)  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

The Hebrew word for “listening” (8085) is shama.  It is a significant word because it is used to describe possibly the most important verse revealed in the Old Testament.  It is called, strangely, the Shama.

(Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV)  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

In a world of pagan, polytheistic cultures the ancient Jews needed to be reminded of this every day.  We are again surrounded by culture that has revived the many forms of paganism and now has the power of the printing press, TV, radio and the internet.

The KJV and the NASB phrase it differently but the message is clear:  Stop listening to the slop that drives you away from God.  Instead, listen to what God is trying to tell you.  Keep in mind that the remote has an off button as well as a way to channel surf.

So?  We really are responsible for the intellectual and spiritual food we consume.  It really does make a difference what you hear. 

Sanctuary or Babble

(Proverbs 18:10 KJV)  The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

As I looked into the Hebrew I came across a verse that is familiar to us and uses two of the key words from this verse.  The result is a curse instead of a blessing.

(Genesis 11:4 NAS77)  And they said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

This is the “Tower” (4026) of Babel.  This is the reason for building it.  It was to give them a “name” (8034).  They were concerned about their own importance.  We are to be different.  We are to put our trust in the name of the Lord.  We are not to put our efforts into building a name for ourselves.

So?  What is my motivation?  Am I doing what I do to make a name for myself or am I doing things to lift up the name of Jesus?  Others may not know, but we do.  I would prefer a strong tower to a lot of confusion. 

Mock Fights

(Proverbs 17:5 KJV)  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

I believe there is a group that “mocks” (3932) the “poor” (7326) and gets away with it.  That group is the poor itself.  I see it every day at school.  Students will make fun of other students for some of the same characteristics that they show themselves.  Sometimes it will be cleanliness, calling someone else “dirty.”  Sometimes it will be racial features such as “nappy-headed.”  Some will mock those who are serious about school, “school-boy,” or showing thrift “shop at Pic and Save.”

There is an attitude of superiority that we can fall into.  I find myself looking down my nose at people who use certain translations or follow certain theological persuasions.  I might have a bit of condensation toward someone struggling with a habit that doesn’t bother me.  At the same time I have plenty of excuses for my failings.

So?  There is a time to rebuke and reprove.  That is not mocking.  There is also a time for support and acceptance.  We each need to examine our hearts and motives because you had better believe that God is. 

Body Language

(Proverbs 16:30 KJV)  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Two words are translated “winks”.  Both are used in this verse.  The first, “shutteth” (winks NASB) (6095) is only used here.  The second, “moving” (compress NASB) (7169) is a little more common.  Both deal with body language.

You can lie without saying a word.  You can be a part of “evil” (7463a) without taking a step.  It involves giving signals in our physical actions that don’t communicate truth.  It can be as simple as remaining impassive when others propose evil.  It can involve a look, a nod of the head or gestures. 

So?  Let your body movements advance righteousness.  It isn’t enough to be able to say, “I didn’t do anything.”  Maybe you should have. 

Hidden Abominations

(Proverbs 15:26 KJV)  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

The KJV says “thoughts” (4284) and the NASB says “plans.”  Other translations use “devices” and “designs”.  There are different types and forms of sin.  Some sin is a momentary flash of weakness.  When faced with a choice we give in to temptation and do the wrong thing.  That is not what is being talked about here.  These are those deep seated plots that we have running through out minds just looking for a way to be expressed.  This is an attitude of self centered rebellion against the things of God.

This hatred for the things of God is obvious in our movies, books, schools and government.  It is all around us.  But even more is hidden in the hearts of mankind.  We need to make sure that we have gone to the cross and sought the cleansing of the blood of Jesus.

So?  We need to continually do an attitude check to see if the evil of the world has made any inroads into out hearts and minds.  Reflect, repent, move on.

Honor Your Telemarketer

(Proverbs 14:20 KJV)  The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

This verse is one of the key differences between a truly Christian society and a non-Christian society.  As followers of Jesus, we are not allowed to discriminate purely on the basis of a person’s wealth.  What is being described here is the common behavior of human beings.  We tend to look down on the “poor” (7326) and kiss up to the “rich” (6223).

The concept in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” means that we cannot accept that as the basis of our culture.  We show whether we are Christian or not by how we treat the cashier at the fast food joint, the checker at the grocery store, the clerk in the department store or any one else that is providing a service to us. 

So?  Charity begins at home.  Christian character begins when you contact another human.  Eternal destiny is molded by simple little events like yelling at the telemarketer.  Did I just say that?  Ouch. 

The Good, the Bad, the Disgusting

(Proverbs 13:5 KJV)  A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

“Righteous”, good.

“Lying” (falsehood NASB) (8267), bad.

“Wicked” (7563), disgusting.

We have the good, the bad and the disgusting.  It really isn’t three things, it is two.  We are looking at things from the viewpoint of God.  That is the only viewpoint that really matters.

As humans in a fallen society we tend to see things through the eyes of our culture.  We tend to look at celebrities, be they movie stars or Christian authors, as people to emulate.  We tend to overlook the hypocrisy and deceit that often go along with them.  We accept people who lie and act like it doesn’t matter.  We see people committing adultery and look the other way.  We vote for people who have no time for God in their lives.

God is not amused.

So?  Everything we think or do should run through the filter of righteousness.  Every choice and decision needs to be put on the balance of eternity.  Disgusting is not cute. 

Brute Is More Than a Cologne

(Proverbs 12:1 KJV)  Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

What does it mean to be “brutish” (stupid NASB) (1198)?  The root meaning of the word is not lack of smarts, it is being a brute.  I would assume that this is talking about farm animals, but would certainly include most living in the wild. 

In what ways are people like animals?  I think of the unrestrained sexuality we are seeing today.  Most animals have limited times in which they can reproduce based on the female’s cycle.  During that time it is pretty much “anything goes.”  It is just like our culture today.  Do what feels good and don’t pay any attention to the consequences.  We act like we cannot help ourselves, that we have “needs”.  How stupid.

Part of being made in the image of God is that we have a moral sense.  That means that moral behavior is expected of us.  Look through Proverbs and you will find many references to sexual behavior, guidance in business, pointers of farming and a plethora of other topics.  How we behave makes a difference.

So?  The devil did not make you do it.  You made you do it.  Accept that and you are on the road to repentance and restoration.

Wicked Withholding

(Proverbs 11:18 KJV)  The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Do you remember getting your first pay check?  I don’t, but I can imagine my shock when I realized how much I lost to taxes.  It is a hard thing to explain to kids who have never had a job.  All those big sucking sounds are hidden until payday.  You filled out the forms for withholding, registered for social security and might even be old enough to have voted for the latest school bonds.  You didn’t understand until the check was in your hand.

For the “wicked” (7563) judgement day will be like that.  By now, most Americans are aware of Jesus.  If nothing else they know that Santa Claus has a list he is checking.  They repeat sayings like “what goes around, comes around.”  They live for themselves.  Someday the eternal paycheck will come.

(Romans 6:23 KJV)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There are actually three things that are certain:  Death, taxes and judgement.

So?  I have made my decision.  I live with it.  I am trusting Jesus and walking in righteousness.  I assume I am not be alone on that road. 

The Key to Fear

(Proverbs 10:27 KJV)  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

My brother was good at building things.  He was at home with tools, but he tended to forget to pay attention.  One day he picked up his drill and began to change the drill bit.  This used to involve a tool called a chuck key.  It was a little device that you put in the part that holds the drill and spins. It loosens and clamps the drill bit into place.  A small, inoffensive piece of very hard metal.  Since he was in a hurry he did not unplug the drill.  No one unplugs the drill.  I found out why it is recommended.  Somehow he activated the drill while the bit was in the chuck.  The chuck spun quickly and caught his finger as he was working.  It was very bloody.  Fortunately it was a minor injury.

It put the fear of the drill in me.

What does it take to put the fear of the Lord in us?  Keep in mind that the restraints God puts on us are not for His protection.

So?  Prolong your days.  Fear the Lord.  Pay attention.  There are bigger problems in life than chuck keys. 

The Life of the Party

(Proverbs 9:13 KJV)  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

We all know “clamorous” (boisterous NASB) (1993) people.  Well, we may not know them, but we certainly notice them.  When they are in pain, they announce it to the world.  When they feel good, you can’t miss it.  When they are bored, they want you to be their entertainment.  They are loud and obvious. 

We tend to call them the life of the party.  God has less flattering descriptions.  There is a time to raise your voice.  Most times we make too much noise.

Why does God want us to be quiet?  It is almost impossible to listen when we are talking.  God wants us to listen.

So?  Let the world around you have the last word.  In fact, maybe you should let someone else have most of the words.  Listen and learn.  Focus on what you need to hear, not on what you want to say.

Remove the Bushels

(Proverbs 8:3 KJV)  She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

One of the points of struggle between the people of God and the people of Satan is the public influence of Christians and what they believe.  The media, education, government and other religions are going everything they can to silence the voice of the Bible.  If you have never run into this then you probably are not being as faithful as you should be.  You not only need to get out more, you need to be more vocal when you get out.

If you follow the news you saw a recent battle in Texas.  A mayor, who is a lesbian, demanded that local pastors turn over their sermons and personal e-mails so that they could be examined for content on the issue of homosexuality.  The purpose was to prosecute any pastor, and I assume church member, who had the faithfulness to proclaim what the Bible says about homosexuality.  There was enough public outcry that she pulled back.  She will allow things to calm down and attack again.  Count on it.

So?  Wisdom needs to be proclaimed.  It needs to be part of our conversations.  It should compel us to stand up in public meetings and declare moral values.  It should not be a light we are hiding under our bushels.  If we do not stand on moral issues we will lose the freedom to stand on salvation issues. 

Window of Wisdom

(Proverbs 7:6 KJV)  For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

We are to be observers of the world around us and see it as it is.  This takes some work and honesty on our part.  In the previous verses the looker has the benefit of the teaching of wisdom.  Obviously he was listening.  That helps him to see reality. 

In the following verses he recognizes that the people he is seeing are very shallow.  The young man he will observe is even simpler than the average.  He will also watch the young man for a brief time and know where he is going and what he will be doing.

Wisdom can give us the foundation to make observations of our world.  It can help us see things as they are.  There is a saying about how many people can learn from their own mistakes but only a few can learn from the mistakes of others.  We are expected to be in that few.

So?  Build your foundations.  You never know when you will be required to make decisions based on partial observation.  You may never know all the facts but you can know the basic principles. 

Ant, but no Grasshopper

(Proverbs 6:6 KJV)  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Here we have a hint of the fable about the ant and the grasshopper.  Aesop?  The point being made is that lazy people don’t look ahead and plan for the future.  It also seems to be telling us that if we will wake up, stop smelling the roses and think about what we see around us, life will be better.

This gives some insights into what it means to live by faith and walk in faith.  It does not mean that we refuse to plan ahead or lay aside a reserve for the winters of life.  The believer does that but ultimately trusts in God’s grace and providence to see him through.  It doesn’t matter how much you have stored in the barn if the barn burns down.  It also doesn’t matter how little you were able to put aside when God lays you on the heart of someone else.

It could be that you will be the one who is to share.

(Ephesians 4:28 KJV)  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

So?  Work hard.  Plan ahead.  Save up.  Share. 

Pre-fab Morals

(Proverbs 5:8 KJV)  Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:

By itself this verse struggles for meaning.  If you have your Bible you can look back and see that Solomon is contrasting wisdom with an adulteress.  This can be taken literally or figuratively.  The advice is the same both ways. 

Lets look at it literally for a moment.  Most of us have had an opportunity to stray in our sexual lives.  Mine have been few and far between and, because I did nothing to pursue them, they could not be proven.  I don’t think sexual promiscuity is as common as the TV would like to make us think.  But there have been times when I could have moved in that direction.  There is an old saying though, “It takes two to tango.” 

I don’t know if the “opportunities” were real because I had a moral compass that said, “Don’t go there.”  It was a very low level temptation because I had made up my mind before the event that I would be chaste.  That is what this verse is telling us.

So?  Know God’s standards.  Know what you will do or won’t do.  Then when the temptation comes your response is almost automatic.  Stay on the high road. 

Standing out

(Proverbs 4:4 KJV)  He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Do you want to “live” (2421a) ?  Is Solomon talking about our life now or an assurance of eternal life.  We know that Jesus said,

(John 14:6 KJV)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

But even their the question is, “Are we just coming unto the Father in eternity or is it in this life.” 
I think it is both.  We are taught so that we can walk in righteousness.  We are given knowledge and wisdom so we can grab hold of it and apply it.  We need to always remember that God expects us to be salt and light in this world as we prepare for eternity.

So?  Live it and apply it.  We should have something strange about us.  We should not fit in.  It is not always comfortable but it is necessary. 

The Secret Spice

(Proverbs 3:19 KJV)  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

We see that “wisdom” (2451) is creative.  It is not just knowing the past so that you can guide the future.  A knowledge of the past is key but the traditional thinking is that time did not begin until creation so there was technically no past to learn from.  I believe that the orthodox view is that creation was a one time event.  God created ex nihilo.  That means not only did the material universe not exist, neither did science or philosophy.  God made it up.

We are not capable of that level of creativity but part of being made in the image of God is that we have the ability for creative thinking.  The wisdom is there to guide that creativity into paths that are consistent with righteousness.  Science has come up with a lot of new ideas.  They need the wisdom to apply the ideas in a moral framework.  That is where we come in.

So?  Be salt and light.  You may not understand molecular physics or even how to replace a wheel bearing.  You can know the difference between right and wrong.  Speak up.  Remind people that choices are not just pragmatic but moral. 

Garbage and Pot Holes

(Proverbs 2:8 KJV)  He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

In this age of roads maintained by the government we have forgotten what it means to guard a road.  It does not just mean to have the police patrol and look out for violence and criminal behavior.  The nuance of maintenance is brought out by the KJV use of “keepeth” (5341) instead of guard.  Part of “guarding” (5341) is filling pot holes and removing trash. 

Roads tend to run down.  Garbage tends to accumulate.  This is true in the roads of “judgement” (justice NASB) (4941) as much as the highway system.  In this verse it is God who takes on the responsibility to clean up the system. 

So?  We need to target our judges and government systems with out prayers.  We need to be pleading with God to move and remove.  Ultimately it will be up to Him.  While you are at it don’t forget to write and vote.  Sometimes God works through the actions of His people. 

I Feel for You

(Proverbs 1:29 KJV)  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

We had a young man stop by the house today.  When he arrived he was all smiles and hugs.  He soon left in a huff.  What was the change agent?  He loved feelings and “hated” (8130)  “knowledge” (1847).  He would not admit it.  He did not see it.  That is part of the problem.  He left our church a year ago because he wasn’t “feeling” it.  The church he attends now makes him “feel” good.

Our concern is not that he is a feeling type of person.  That is who he is and who he has always been.  It has also been at the heart of most of the failures of his life.  He hates knowledge because facts don’t change just because you don’t feel good.  He was not happy with our conversation.  In the long run I can only hope it stirs the intelligent side of his personality without turning off the warmth he can express.

So?  Don’t turn off your emotions.  That is my problem.  At the same time understand that the facts don’t change.  God has communicated and He is not concerned about your feelings as much as your eternal destiny.