The Boardwalk Principle

(Pro 31:9 KJV) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

It is important that we notice the modifying term “righteously” (6664).  This is a concept that does not fit into the recipe of modern culture.  It is like adding cayenne as you make a creme brulee.  Righteousness is a concept that brings our modern world to a screaming halt.  It says “No”, which is not the big problem, although it is problem enough.  What is rabidly rejected is, “Because God said so.” 

Take for instance the current sexual revolution.  In most sectors it is still frowned upon to cheat on your spouse.  Adultery is still considered wrong, unless of course, she deserves it.  Everything else is a go.  God says, “Not so fast.”  The secular forces keep running into this. 

So?  If you are going to play a board game you need to know the rules.  In life, God is the one who makes the rules.  You can kick and scream all you want it doesn’t change the fact that landing on Boardwalk with hotels will probably wipe you out. 

A Curse Caused

(Pro 30:11 KJV)  There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

One of the joys of my life is having the “kind” (1755) of kids that are willing to spend time with their parents.  KJV uses “generation”.  We do not embarrass them, at least not yet.  It is one of the things that I think can be passed down and taught.  I have two living brothers and they have a lot more children than I do.  One thing I notice is that they get together a lot and enjoy being family.

Part of that is because of geography, they live close together.  Part is the decision of the children.  A large part is the atmosphere created by the parents.  It is an atmosphere that started years ago and remains in force.

So?  It is possible to have the generations enjoying each other.  Let it start with you. 

Target Practice

(Pro 29:22 KJV) An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

I don’t see any qualifiers on “angry” (639).  We don’t see the source of it.  We have no idea if it is righteous or not.  Having said that we see how it is interpreted.  It is sin.

How do we know that this anger is sin?  Look at the target of the anger.  It is stirring things up.  It seems that it is multiplied in other behaviors.  This is not the anger at injustice that makes you go on long walks and ponder on how you can work on a problem in your city.  This is not the emotion that drives you to read your Bible more carefully to seek truth.  This is a self centered lashing out for personal gratification.

So?  What is the result of our response?  When I get angry on the spur of the moment I tend to want to justify myself or win some points.  That is certainly not in the category of righteous.

A Difference of One

(Pro 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.

One “man” (120) [adam] can make a difference.  It would do us well to remember that.  History is full of individuals who have been the pivot point of a nations destiny.  While there are many vying for positions of power and influence they seem to be part of the sin of the land, the problem rather than the solution.

The one supreme example of the exception would be Jesus.  While He lived few knew who He was or what He was doing.  He certainly made a difference.  Through the Bible you see others like Moses or the apostle Paul.  Today we have people hailing Barak Obama or Donald Trump.  History will need to be the judge of people alive today.  We know that if George Washington had been like most modern politicians the United States would have been stillborn.  

So?  I am not going to turn the country around.  I might, however, have influence in my neighborhood, church or workplace.  I definitely will leave a mark on my family.  Sobering. 

Historically Politically Correct

(Pro 27:12 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

There are times when I wish I could go back and get into the mind of an ancient Jew so that I could read a verse in Hebrew and feel the assumptions of that culture.  If you are looking at the KJV you will see that the word “man” is in italics.  That means it is not in the Hebrew.  This is a common occurrence as you read through the Bible.  The translators assume the word and put it in.  Without that assumption this becomes “the prudent sees evil...”  In our modern, politically correct, virtue signaling culture some people are very sensitive to this system of “patriarchal oppression”.  They would be glad to know that the original did not include it.

So?  The Bible seems to clearly infer that God is not feminine.  He is called Father, not Mother.  Jesus was the Son, not the daughter.  At the same time it is clear that the principles are applied to all, not just one group.  I guess that includes me and you. 

Fool Dogs

(Pro 26:11 KJV) As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Why does a dog “vomit” (6892)?  I would imagine there are a number of reasons.  One is that it ate too much and the body is relieving the pressure.  I think when dogs eat grass it can lead to a purging.  However you want to look at it the reason has to do with the dog’s body being smarter than the dog.  Yet the dog goes for it again.

This does not say much for the fool.  You may have noticed that they keep coming back to the same arguments and positions.  It does not matter how many times you bring them the facts.  They continue on their way to death.

So?  Dogs vomiting is not an eternal issue.  Fools refusing to respond to the truth of God is. 

Word Alert

(Pro 25:11 KJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Good timing can be everything.  Think of the medications people take.  Usually there are timing requirements.  Some are to be taken at bedtime, others when you rise.  The one I take is supposed to be taken with food.  One I used to take prohibited grapefruit.  Our words and actions can be the same way.  Here the focus is on what we say.

Think about the verbal expectations we are presented with.  We are to witness.  We are to rebuke and encourage.  Timing is very important.  That is why the “fitly” of the KJV and the “right” (5921) “circumstances” (655) of the NASB are so important to remember. 

So?  Since you may only get one good chance to say what needs to be said, be alert.

Safety Not First

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

I think the NASB does a better job with “victory” (8668) rather than the “safety” of the KJV.  There is a sense in which winning can lead to staying safe but that is not always true for the warrior in the front lines.  The safety is a relative thing.  Their job is to protect the safety of the others and sacrifice themselves if necessary.

I guess this should remind us that there may be casualties in our spiritual battles.  If we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and operate by the principles of God we can be assured of final victory.  Sometimes it doesn’t look that way but it is the focus of the promise.

So?  Keep the God’s eye vision in place.  God is still God and will remain on the throne. 

A Rod for a Rolex

(Pro 23:14 KJV) Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Yes, this is talking about corporal punishment.  It is talking about spanking.  It is approving it as a way of dealing with defiant children.  Yes, this goes against modern theories of child rearing.  If you advocate this you will be rejected by most of your peers and possibly face court action. 

Deal with it.  The reality is that much of what the Bible advocates goes against what is politically correct today.  You don’t need to do a lot of reading to begin to sense the conflict. 

So?  Ultimately you must decide whether you are going to follow the Creator of the universe and His owner’s manual or the guy trying to tell you he is willing to sell you a real Rolex for $100. 

The First Half of the Formula

(Pro 22:22 KJV) Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

The most common pattern in Proverbs is for each verse to stand alone.  There are a few places where a longer section holds together.  Here we need to look at the next verse in order to get the full impact.

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

This is one of those cases where we are told the consequences of ignoring what we are told.  We need to remember that if we take advantage of the disadvantaged then the counsel for the other side will be God Himself.

So?  You may get away with playing it fast and loose for the day, week, year or even a lifetime.  You need to remember that eventually you will meet the Judge. 

Mouth Watch

(Pro 21:23 KJV) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Watching your mouth protects the “soul” (5315) from the many “troubles” (6869a) that are waiting.  Our spiritual side represented by the soul is always tied in with our temporal side.  These troubles fit in that category.  In looking at the word the most terrifying trouble is found in childbirth.  To multiply the problem it is a first child.  These are things that we must go through but wish could be dealt with more gently.

The implication is that we will see trouble in our lives.  Try to avoid people who tell you that life will be a bed of roses or if you have problems it is because you don’t have enough faith.  If you have trouble with that think of David, a man after God’s own heart, being chased from his palace by his son.  Or think of Jesus in the Garden wishing there was another way to save mankind.  Then you have Paul asking that the thorn of flesh be removed.  If you got problems, you also got good company.

So?  Rejoice because there are ways to reduce the suffering. 

Like a Sparrow

(Pro 20:28 KJV) Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

In America we do not have hereditary monarchs today.  In the time of Solomon this would have been an assurance that God cared about the king.  The king was sustained by “mercy” (righteousness NASB) (2617a) [chesed].  This is the only place this word is translated this way in the NASB.  Most common is “lovingkindness”.  That is a concept I love.  It wraps up all the love and grace of God and reminds us that God extends his lovingkindness toward us. 

Here it applies to the king.  In modern politics it might refer to a president or prime minister.  If you want to stretch it a little bit it refers to each one of us.  We are upheld by His almighty hand.

So?  You can think of it as grace.  You can imagine the Holy Spirit at work.  God has His eye on us, each and every one. 

Wisdom Is Not Catch and Release

(Pro 19:8 KJV) He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

It is one thing to “get” (7069) something.  It is a totally different thing to “keep” (8104) it.  We tend to forget this.  Remember your first paycheck?  I don’t either but I can imagine how I would have had a change of emotional state when I moved from the moment I got the check to the understanding that I had already lost 25% before I could cash it.  And then when you move down the road to how quickly it was spent.  When we are young we are not too good at being stewards of our wealth.  Sometimes we never learn.

We are used to acquiring.  We go to college and can’t measure our knowledge but we can keep track of our classes and grades.  We cram for a test and forget it all after the crisis.  We are good at that part.  Where we fail is in the maintaining what is gained.  A key part of our understanding of the Hebrew for “get” is that it involves guarding.  That involves vigilance and care more than a loaded AR.

So?  I find it helps me establish some priorities if I ask myself if I will take care of something once I have it.  My lack of attention to maintenance is one reason I am in no hurry to get a new car.  My spiritual life is a little higher on the list. 

Target Lips

(Pro 18:20 KJV) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

What we say makes a difference.  How we say it makes a difference.  What we really mean makes a difference.  Communication is important.  I think that is the main point underlying this verse.  The focus seems to be on our own lives but I think the principle can be outward mobile also.

So?  Let the products of our mouths be vitamins and minerals, not just empty calories.

Look Out for the Lips

(Pro 17:4 KJV) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

The ways in which the thinking of the world and modern psychology have invaded the church is pervasive and clever.  Proverbs tells us time and again that evil exists.  The constant reminder also clues us in that it is very common.  The fact that Jesus said the gate to eternal life is narrow should be another indication.  The world is full of evil people.

At the same time we are told to demonstrate the love of God in all our behavior.  Even when it comes to our witnessing and defense of our faith, I Peter 3:15 tells us to do it with “gentleness and reverence”, or as the KJV has it “meekness and fear”.  That has been manipulated by the world to get us to think that we should accept the evil in people and ignore it instead of confronting it.  As a result we see our pulpits being filled with heretics and our worship being redesigned to please non-believers instead of glorify God.

So?  Be alert.  We are surrounded by slick liars and perverted tongues.  Walk in righteousness and don’t be fooled. 

Monopoly Understanding

(Pro 16:22 KJV) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

It would seem that some people have  “understanding” (7922) and some don’t.  That makes me wonder how each group arrive at that conclusion.  Is it a matter of choice?  Is it a matter of chance?  Is it predestination? 

I believe that it is available to all.  Think of it as a game like Monopoly.  Each person starts out with a certain amount of wealth.  From there it depends on how you respond to the choices put before you.  In a game there is the element of chance.  It is possible to make all the “right” choices and have the role of the dice put you on Boardwalk every round after someone else buys it.  The difference between the money of Monopoly and the understanding of the Bible is that God looks at how we get it as much as how much we have.

So?  I believe understanding is available to all.  I believe that each person will have what he needs if he is seeking first the kingdom of God. 

Certain of Uncertainty

(Pro 15:16 KJV) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Many people who look at this see a contrast between much and “little” (4592).  That is really not what is being contrasted.  The difference between the two lives is the focus of your trust.  Do you trust in God or do you trust in your own influence?  Proverbs makes provision for wealthy people being happy and secure, but only if their priority is living a righteous life as God expects.

We face a lot of uncertainty.  We have prophets of doom who have a long list of catastrophes that we are facing.  It could be a financial collapse.  We have a long line of diseases that have drawn headlines.  Divorce might threaten.  The list is as varied as there are people and concerns. 

So?  Something will threaten.  We need to take precautions.  Most of all we need to develop our trust in the Lord. 

Mouth Proud

(Pro 14:3 KJV) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

In this verse the NASB has “back” (2415), yet its most frequent translation is “pride”, just like the KJV has here.  I often think that the problem with translators is pride.  They can’t leave well enough alone.  They have to leave their mark.  We have two cats in the house at the moment.  They seem to follow each other around remarking their territory.  I guess they figure the other will come by next time and admit defeat.  It ain’t gonna happen.

So often we get that way in our pride.  I have to fight it in all kinds of petty things.  My wife thinks the silverware should be arranged a certain way.  It makes no sense to me but I gave up on it years ago.  It would be great if I could learn that in other areas.

So?  Mouth and pride seem to go together.  In order to get victory over one we need to work on the other.  Take your pick. 

Sanctifying the Fall

(Pro 13:11 KJV) Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

I need verses like this to balance the account of the Fall.  Adam was cursed with work.  Because of sin he would be condemned to earn his living by the sweat of his brow.  I liked to use that when people wanted me to dig ditches.  Work was the result of sin.  It worked for me but it doesn’t work for God.

Here we can see that “labor” (3027) is something that produces good things.  It may be hard, but then it is supposed to be.  As the old German proverb was translated by Nike, “No pain, no gain.”  I guess it goes back further than the Germans.

Jesus has sanctified it.  Now work is a virtue, not a punishment.

So?  I doubt if I need to tell you to get a job.  I am retired so I don’t need that advice.  What I do need to hear is that getting out and working in the yard has a value on its own.  I need to be reminded that when I mop the floors it is glorious to do a good job.  I don’t have to like it. 

Low Expectations

(Pro 12:8 KJV) A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

Have you ever shared a bit of wisdom and no one seems impressed?  Then you read this and wonder what is going wrong.  You feel like this verse missed something.  This is an assurance that does not have a timetable.  History is full of great thinkers and statesmen who have proclaimed truth and been ignored or ridiculed.  William Wilberforce battled for 30 years to end slavery in the British Empire and died with only the first step taken.  Eventually he was vindicated. 

To be honest I don’t think the major portion of the population is able to recognize truth even when it bites them on the nose.  A lot of that is because they are not paying attention.  For those who are watching and listening, sin is still their guiding force. 

So?  Keep speaking the truth.  It is likely that no one will jump on board.  That doesn’t change the truth. 

Don’t Settle for Less

(Pro 11:19 KJV) As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

I noticed it again today as I was reading.  “Righteousness” (6666) keeps popping up.  The reason that keeps jumping out at me is that so many people claim that it is impossible to live a righteous life or be a righteous person.  They love to quote,

(Rom 3:10 KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

and use it as a proof text.  It does not stand alone.  If you read a few verse down you come across,

(Psa 14:5 KJV) There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

If you can’t have any righteous how do you have a generation of righteous?

So?  My concern is that people will settle for living in defeat and sin because someone likes to quote an isolated verse.  God has called us to live upright and godly lives.  It does not say perfect, it says righteous.  Go for the gold ring.

Qualities Needing Judgement

(Pro 10:20 KJV) The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Is this a principle or a law?  Is it a hope or an expectation?  Is it a measure or a goal?  It seems that we should be able to tell who the “just” (righteous NASB) {6662} are by the way they talk.  There are certain things we can look for.

We can expect the right content.  Honesty, an adherence to truth is required for righteousness.  While it would be possible to exaggerate for effect as a literary device the distortions that are common in our culture would not be acceptable. 

We can expect the right attitude.  We should have courtesy and kindness.  How we say things is often as important as what we say. 

What about vocabulary?  I tend to be very up-tight in my vocabulary but as I get older I am realizing that everyone was not raised with my restraints.  I have to accept that it is possible to use some four letter words and still be part of the family of God.

None of this means that the answers will always be what we want.  That is not the measure of righteousness. 

So.  The first application is to ourselves.  The second is to people who claim to speak God’s truth.  After that if could become a form of the kind of judgement that is condemned. 

Media Faith

(Pro 9:14 KJV) For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

The similarities between the call of wisdom and folly are striking, and frightening.  Here we are looking at folly.  How are we to tell the difference?  I think it is possible.  You might want to tune in to one of the big names in media Christianity.  Names that come to mind are Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer.  I must point out that I do not personally listen to either of them.  I think I may have been in the same room during an entire Meyer presentation but I don’t think I have heard more than clips and quotes of Osteen.  Another name that comes to mind is Franklin Graham.  Whom would you trust?

You would need to listen to each one.  I am not sure how long you would need to listen to begin to form an opinion.  It might depend on how much you read the word of God on your own.  I get the feeling that it would not take too long to begin to sense some dissonance with Osteen and Meyer.  Again, it would  depend on how much you have read yourself and how well you listen to the Holy Spirit.

So?  Always remember that Satan and his minions do not charge you in a red suit and waving pitchforks.  I believe he is called the Angel of Light.  Never turn off your powers of reason. 

Always Wise

(Pro 8:24 KJV) When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Is wisdom eternal?  Is it an attribute of God or is He so far above wisdom that such a statement is an insult?  It makes me wonder what “brought forth” (2342a) signifies.  It seems to have the idea of twisting and turning.  It implies birth in the course of great struggle.  The older commentators drew parallels to the concept of “only begotten” relating to Jesus.  If that has traction it could infer that wisdom is eternal but had to be squeezed into a form that humans could use.

It makes me wonder if the Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase would translate it “trotted out”.

So?  The point is that the principles laid down in Biblical wisdom are consistent with the nature of God and His creation.  We all benefit from making them a part of our lives. 

Self Games

(Pro 7:8 KJV) Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

I hope you are not filled with sympathy for this young man who seems to be trapped by a loose woman.  Don’t be.  He seems to have a goal and that goal is this babe who is waiting for him.  Notice that he is heading for her neighborhood.  He knows where he is headed and knows who will be waiting for him.  I imagine he felt he could deny it if he met the wrong person but it was all laid out in advance.

So?  How many times have I talked myself into believing that I am being caught by the unexpected?  Sometimes it is true.  On reflection I can look back and see how I could have done better, no, how I should have done better.  It is hard to live without playing games with ourselves. 

The Hunger Football

(Pro 6:30 KJV)  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

I sometimes wonder if I have ever been really “hungry” (7456).  I have had my stomach growl.  I have had a great appetite.  I have had my mouth water.  I don’t think I have ever been to the point talked about here.

Hunger is a political football today.  I don’t know how many times I have been urged to make a donation to feed hungry children.  We have all heard the spot ads and political chants that tell us how many children will go to bed hungry tonight in America.  In the ancient world starvation was a real problem.  People lived on the edge of it.  There are places in the world today that people are starving.  The problem is not lack of food stores.  Usually it is a political issue, caused by government policy or perpetuated by “religious” leaders.  The real problem is sin. 

So?  If you know of a hungry child then pass on some food.  It may be that the parent is lazy or just spending all their money on cigarettes and alcohol.  You may not be able to do much long term.  Don’t stop with giving food.  This is where prayer and witnessing are important.  The hunger will not go away until the real problem is dealt with. 

A Ravishing Context

(Pro 5:20 KJV) And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

This is an interesting choice of English.  The NASB has “exhilarated” (7686).  The KJV has “ravished.”  You may not have noticed but the previous verse uses the same word but in a positive context,

(Pro 5:19 KJV)  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

This is an interesting play on words.

The Hebrew has the base meaning of leading astray.  It is used in the context of getting someone drunk and having them out of contact with reality.  I guess the translators were trying to find a word that would translated in two verses with different consequences. 

So?  This is another case of something being positive in the right context and destructive when used wrong.  Think of salt, sodium chloride.  Two lethal elements combined to make a necessity of life.  God’s way of doing things is totally awesome. 

A First Step

(Pro 4:7 KJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

There is a saying that you find on motivational posters.  It goes something like, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”  That is the point here.  In order to arrive you usually have to get moving.  The only exception to that would be if you are already there.  Such is not the case for most of us in life.

We have “miles to go before we sleep,”  to paraphrase Robert Frost.  There are few areas of my life that I am totally satisfied.  I am not sure if there are any and I am not willing to stop and think about it.  The key point here is that if we don’t get moving we will never arrive, nor will we get closer. 

So?  I need to get moving on my journey toward wisdom.  Today.  Now.  I see that some have gotten a head start.  That is okay.  It is not a competition with only one prize.

Creation Wisdom

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

At first I am sure we think of wisdom as being a concept we can understand.  Wisdom is, you know, wise.  Then we see it as being different than knowledge and even understanding.  I think this verse gives us a clue to the deeper meaning of wisdom.  Here it is linked to creation. 

One of the reasons that people can believe in a Creator God is the complex coordination of the universe.  Everything works together.  Sun spots tie into rain fall.  Osmosis and diffusion are vital to life as well as chemistry and physics.  What happens a million light years away is tied in with the fungus under your toe nails.  That calls for Wisdom.  That is an understanding of how it all ties together.  It knows how the ripples of your rock skipping can effect the sex life of a frog in the pond.

So?  Understand that God did not create by caprice.  He did it by wisdom.  That applies to your creation at the moment of conception too.  Go out and enjoy the night sky knowing God was really plugged in when He made it.

Sad Truth

(Pro 2:19 KJV) None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

One of the sad truths that we need to face is that not everyone will be saved.  In fact, heaven will not be overcrowded.  It is not because God is not patient.  We can all testify to how many chances He has given us and how often we have been forgiven.  It is not that He does not reach out.  The Holy Spirit is constantly at work.  There are triggers and catalysts all around us. 

But we have that scary word “none” (3808/3605).  I don’t understand the translation.  It is a compound word combining “not” and “the whole”.  It doesn’t sound as final as it sounds if you get my meaning.  Still, it is final enough.

So?  All we can do is keep witnessing in our lives and with our mouths when we get a chance.  Oh, and make sure that we don’t drift off target.  The rest is between God and the rebel. 

A Good Question

(Pro 1:22 KJV) How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

As I read this today and came across the “How long” my thoughts went to David and his frequent question.  I know I have asked the same thing so I did a little search.  The question comes up 62 times from Exodus to Revelation.  Psalms, at 19, has the most.  You have it being asked by God the Father and God the Son.  You have it asked by the martyrs.  Don’t feel alone if you ask the question.

What struck me was an assumption that came with the question.  When asking “How long” the implication is that the answer is long past due.  Look at our verse today.  Solomon is talking to a bunch of people who are persisting in attitudes and actions that they should have grown out of long ago.

So?  I know God is looking at some of my procrastinations and habits and wondering when I am going to get moving.  I feel like I am not alone in this.