Cross Fit

(Pro 31:17 KJV) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Could this be an old fashioned reference to an exercise program?  Somehow I doubt it.  At the same time this woman was involved in activities that made her stronger.  It would do us good to remember that when it comes to physical strength, use it or lose it.  I have known some people who seem to stay fit with no effort.  It is possible just like some people can eat all they want and never gain weight.  It is not the standard principle that God used to make the world.  

So?  We need to consciously find ways to strengthen ourselves.  This would apply to physical strength but also to mental and spiritual strength.  One reason I write this daily devotional is to set up a situation where I am forced to wrestle with truth on a regular basis.  Growth or atrophy.

A Mass of Individuals

(Pro 30:27 KJV)  The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

This verse is part of a selection of five verses in a series of selections.  Each of the verses in this section seems to be emphasizing the importance of the small things in life.  They are small things that become large when applied.  Here is the idea of the power of achieving a goal when we work together.  

The key to working together is more than a leader.  For us it requires the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I have heard stories of revival services where it would be like visible waves moving over the people as, row by row, they would lean forward.  It could only be seen from the front so it wasn’t like “the wave” that used to be attempted at baseball games.  There have been moves of the Spirit down through history that have changed the course of society.  I think of the Great Awakenings that have happened in America.  You might look at the Reformation or the growth of Christianity in modern China.

So?  Each of us needs to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We need revival in America.  We need revival in the world.  It won’t happen by waiting for the next Billy Graham.  It will happen when all of us little people start being obedient. 

Beware the Snare

(Pro 29:8 KJV)  Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

What is it that these people scorn?  It could probably be summed up in wisdom.  Keep in mind that wisdom and knowledge begin with the fear of the Lord.  When you read the headlines and watch what is happening in your neighborhood you have to ask yourself if the people being highlighted are speaking from a fear of the Lord or from pagan arrogance.  

The picture of cities in flames should be familiar to you by now.  Are there people of wisdom speaking out?  In a few cases, but most of the rhetoric we hear is coming from those who have an agenda of hatred for the things of God.

So?  Recognize what you are seeing.  The majority of people with a microphone are out to destroy your freedom to worship, read the Bible and educate your children.  We need to know what is right and speak up when the line is crossed. 

Princely Leaders

(Pro 28:16 KJV) The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

If you have both translations you will see that the NASB uses “leader” (5057) while the KJV says “prince”.  Part of this reflects the cultural background but there are points to be made for both.  The Hebrew word has the idea of one who stands above the crowd.  In the days of Solomon people were big believers in class and blood lines.  There was a belief that some people were better than others, just by birth.  For that reason a leader would most likely be a member of the nobility.  You see this in many countries where officers in the military must be from the upper crust.  The NCO’s may run the army but they still have to salute the officers.

The Bible acknowledges kings and nobles but you will notice that many of the leaders were more common people.  David may have come from a wealthy family but he was the youngest son and thought of as a shepherd.

Leaders come in all flavors.  This verse makes it clear that some of them are missing the mark.

So?  If you are ever tasked with leadership, and most of us will at some time, make sure that you look at it as a place of service, not a place to oppress. 

Goat Leaders

(Pro 27:26 KJV)  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

Do “goats” (6260) get a bum rap?  If it helps, this is the only place in Proverbs that the Hebrew word is used.  As I was looking at where it shows up in the Old Testament I came across an interesting statement,

(Isa 14:9 KJV)  Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones (6260) of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

What got my attention was that the NASB translates it “leaders”.  This is a reminder that just because someone is rich, powerful, elected or a quiet string puller, it does not mean that they are on the side of the angels.  Proverbs is full of good things to say about kings and nobles but also points out their feet of clay.

So?  Don’t be too impressed by the powerful if you tend to think that way.  Think of them as goats in sheep’s clothing. 

The Smiles of Hatred

(Pro 26:26 KJV)  Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

“Hatred” (8135) has many faces and many outlets.  I have a stereotype picture in my mind of a snarling man with teeth showing and eyes aflame.  As is often the case, while a stereotype may reflect an actual reality it usually gives a false perception because it leaves out many other realities.  This verse points out to us that people who hate are capable of covering it up.  I would suggest that they do it very well and in most cases.

If you are a genuine follower of Jesus Christ then you need to understand that you are surrounded by people who hate you and your savior.  I use the term “genuine follower of Jesus Christ” because so many of our convenient labels, such as “Christian”, have be coopted by the people who also hate us.  The world does not hate the “Christian” who rejects the divinity of Christ, physical resurrection of Christ, inspiration of scripture and other foundations taught by the Bible.  Those people are no danger to their lord, Satan.

So?  Don’t assume.  At the same time we are called to love those who hate.  It is part of the package.  It is something we can only do through the grace of God and the support of the Holy Spirit.  

Wake-Up Call

(Pro 25:25 KJV)  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Keep in mind that being doused with cold water is not always accepted with shouts of joy.  This is true even when the dousing is needed and deserved.  I remember one time my future wife and I were at a restaurant with some rowdy teen agers.  They were being obnoxious in a way that only teen agers and old men who wear gold medallions on a bare chest can be.  They would not listen to any constructive criticism.  They were not tuned in to our opinions.  So my future wife reached over, picked up the coke in front of one young man and dumped it over his head.  That got his attention.  

Sometimes we need our attention got.  Once we are over the shock we can join the target in Proverbs and be refreshed, but it takes a moment.

So?  I would venture that God is trying to get your attention on something.  Don’t make Him dump a glass of cold over your smugness. 

Difficult Questions

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

As I worship in study this morning I came across this verse and it brought to mind discussion I have heard, read or been a part of in recent days.  Many of us feel like the forces of evil are moving in our country, that the protections we have known for years are being stripped away.  We are watching the government close down churches and tell people if they can worship or not.  Some local governments have even come for them in their homes.  We see laws being passed that would make it illegal to preach Biblical truth about things like homosexuality.  At times it seems like the only answer involves violence.

Yet we have the command of Jesus to turn the other cheek.  We see the call to leave vengeance up to the Lord.  Some would like to paint Christianity as totally pacifistic.  This is a debate that goes back to the early years of the church.  On the other side you have verses like this.  One reason it stood out to me is that you have almost the same comments at Proverbs 20:18.

So?  There are principles and there are rules.  There is a difference between vengeance and taking up the sword against evil.  All of this requires us to be diligently seeking to know how God would have us act.  Obedience and trust make restless bedfellows sometimes. 

Don’t Look Now

(Pro 23:28 KJV)  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

“Lieth in wait” (lurks NASB) (693) sounds pretty sneaky, doesn’t it?  The reason it sound sneaky is because it is.  Here it is talking about adultery and sexual sin if you take it literally.  We should start by taking it literally but we should not stop there.  There is a principle here that needs to be heralded from the roof tops.  Sin is out to get you.  Satan wants to drag you down.  Evil is very good at hiding itself.  Have you ever seen pictures of famous movie stars without their make-up?  It is like a totally different person.  Back when I was still trying to ignore the evil of Disney I enjoyed Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean.  What always amazed me was I could never pick him out of lineup without the make-up.

So?  Be alert.  They say that a predator in a parking lot looks for people who are not paying attention.  They are looking for a score not a fight.  If you stay alert maybe the lurking evil will move on to an easier target. 

The Spoiler

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

Many of the conversations I have come around to the state of our country.  Most of the people I talk to feel like our liberty is being curtailed and an oppressive government is taking over.  We watch the way in which big business is falling in line and shake heads.  We keep saying, “Why doesn’t someone do something?”  We wonder if the only answer to such people will be violence.  

I admit I don’t get out much.  There must be masses of people that think all this is just wonderful.  The worst dictatorship in the world can’t survive without the support of a sizable part of the population.  It could be that it is only the people I know that are unhappy.  Either way, the path of violence is not one we should be taking.  Although the context here is God warning us against becoming oppressors, His follow through applies to all.  God will deal with the evil people.  He may do it through the courts.  He may raise up people of violence.  It may be pestilence or natural disaster.  We might not even be aware of it when it happens, but God says to trust Him when it comes to vengeance.

So?  I don’t like it.  I don’t understand it.  At the same time we follow a savior who told us to turn the other cheek. 

Planned Behavior

(Pro 21:5 KJV)  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

In this section of Proverbs we see a discussion of the many ways in which people try to live their lives and get ahead.  We have arrogance and pride.  We have lies and violence.  In the midst of that is the recommendation to being “diligent” (2742a).  

For the past several months I have been looking for the actual behaviors that will lead to wisdom and the righteous life.  It is amazing how much of Proverbs is praise for wisdom and clever little observations and how rare the clear standards are.  I think that diligence may be one of those standards.  It speaks of being faithful in applying yourself to the tasks of the day.  It reminds us to stop and look ahead so that we can do a bit of planning.  It means you don’t stop work just because it is 5:00 and you can.  Diligence is the behavior that has you get to an appointment a few minutes early to make sure everything is in order.  I remember faculty meetings when I was teaching when the principal would walk in a minute late and then begin to get set up.  It is no wonder that the teachers were late all the time.

So?  A path to wisdom is not paved with good intentions but due diligence.  Something to act on for the day.  You have probably already done enough thinking. 

Basic Thanksgiving

(Pro 20:12 KJV)  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

I think that Solomon was having his morning devotions when he wrote this.  He was going over all the things that he had to be thankful for.  It suddenly occurred to him, or the Holy Spirit whispered in his ear, that he was overlooking some of the basic stuff.  

I often do the same thing, so this morning I asked the Lord to remind me of some of the blessings I tend to overlook.  I regularly thank Him for His grace, for Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross, my overworked guardian angel and such as that.  Today He reminded me of such mundane things as electricity, inexpensive steel and weaving.  What would life be like without such basics?  I guess the answer would look a lot like the stone age.

So?  Rejoice in the bounty God has given us.  If you are having a hard time with that try to start a fire with no modern devices. 

Nuance Your Anger

(Pro 19:11 KJV)  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

I was wondering if “discretion” (7922) was the same as discernment.  The answer seems to be “no.”  Discernment is a bit deeper and I think focuses on the difference between good and evil.  A good synonym for “discretion” is “understanding.”  This comes from a thoughtful person growing by their experiences.  Toddlers are not known for their patience.  I have seen my granddaughter melt down over a button hole.  I have seen people punch walls.  Some people learn eventually because of the pain.  Others can watch another person make a fool of themselves and have an “aha” moment.

We are called to pause, consider and usually take the gentle path.  It is called wisdom.

So?  If you need to get angry, and at times you do, tomorrow will usually be soon enough.  A righteous, nuanced anger will be much more effective than blowing off steam.

Name that Loon

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

One of the blogs I visit fairly regularly has a feature that involves taking the birth announcements from the local paper and sharing what people are naming their children.  He does not focus on what have been considered common names in the past such as John or Samantha.  He does not comment on obvious ethnic names such as Jose or Ingrid.  What he does is lift out the names that have obviously been manufactured by parents needing a bit of creativity in their lives.  There doesn’t seem to be any thought about the handle the kid will have do deal with the rest of his life.

He also makes some comments about the marriage relationships in these namings.  It is amazing how often there is no father on record.  That does not come as a surprise.  On the other hand, when I find someone named Zedekiah or Ezekiel I have a strong suspicion they have parents who attend a church that uses the King James Bible.  If I were forced to make a choice based on names of whom to trust, I would throw my vote with Obadiah rather than a handle that only God knows how to pronounce.

So?  Names can’t be counted on in every day life but the one people label us with behind our backs can tell a lot about how they view our character.  It might also indicate what they think of our God.

Molding the Mold

(Pro 17:21 KJV)  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Being a parent is one of the most powerful positions in life.  While it is true that tyrants with absolute political power can kill and coerce, it is the parent who actually molds a personality.  There are many personality traits that we are born with.  Others are learned.  I am not sure I am in a position to determine which is which.  Are we born extroverts or is it taught?  Are we quiet my nature or is it learned?  I have two children and each was different from birth.  I have two grandchildren and the same applies, in spades.  

We influence the lives of others.  Parents have that frightening reality from conception on.  People with no children of their own touch the children of others.  We have friends and neighbors.  We work with people.  Are we moving them towards being fools?

So?  I guess the first issue is to make sure we are not fools ourselves.  Keep in mind God is actively redeeming and restoring human beings.  Maybe you can get Him to take some celestial sandpaper to you. 

Wind Alerts

(Pro 16:3 KJV)  Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

As part of my morning worship I was in Psalm 16 this morning and a verse stood out to me that is similar to this.

(Psa 16:8 KJV)  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Both verses remind us that it is important to purpose ourselves to keep the presence of God in the front of our mind and lives.  We have been having a lot of wind recently.  If you are not paying attention it is easy to have your car moved into a dangerous position.  The same is true of walking.  

So?  Be alert.  Be in tune with the things of God.  It really helps in our stability. 

Marbling

 Pro 15:30 KJV)  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

It is amazing how our current culture molds our concepts.  Today fat is something to be avoided.  We are into the slender, lean look.  People who obviously have a reason to dislike this are calling out those who do something they call “fat shaming”.  Too bad they did not live in the Middle Ages or Renaissance periods where chubby thighs were a sign of prosperity instead of gluttony.

The references in Proverbs tend to be more Renaissance than Post Modern.  Fat is good.  It is a case of fat cat as opposed to fat head.  You may not be a connoisseur but may have heard that expensive cuts of meat taste better because of the marbling.  Marbling in meat is another word for fat content.

So?  May your day be marbled with good news. 

A Voice of Faith

(Pro 14:16 KJV)  A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Caution, or fear, has a place in our lives.  It is a matter of what we fear and why we fear.  We are told repeatedly to fear the Lord.  This is the kind of fear that makes us pay attention to how fast we are driving when we know there are speed traps around.  If we are toeing the line, there is just enough fear to make sure we have nothing to fear.

Then we have the kind of concerns that are being felt about the way in which our liberties are being eroded during the Viral Panic that is sweeping the country.  I don’t fear the virus.  I do fear a government that is telling us we can’t meet for church.  I don’t fear nuclear war.  I do fear judges who interpret the law as coercion to enforce their political views.

So?  Ultimately I don’t even fear the government or judges.  I am a child of God.  If He feels that the universe will move better with me arrested for attending church, so be it.  I remember that Paul sang while he was in prison.  It doesn’t tell us about his awesome voice , just the strength of his faith. 

Soul vs Stomach

(Pro 13:25 KJV)  The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Notice the difference between the two spiritual beings here.  What are they trying to feed?  The “righteous” (6662) is concerned with his [nephesh] (5315) and the “wicked” (7563) is concerned with his “stomach” (990).  Here the KJV gets the meaning of the Hebrew.  Nephesh is the inner part of man that makes him different than the animals.  It is something of spiritual dimension.  The stomach is either literal or a designation of the inner man.  Although it can be taken in a spiritual way it is a physical reference.

So?  What motivates the believer?  We have our physical and psychological needs.  We also have our spiritual needs.  When we ignore the spiritual to satisfy the physical we run into trouble. 

Another Reminder

(Pro 12:22 KJV)  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Lies are destructive.  Lies tend to grow because once told they need to be repeated and reinforced.  Think of what lies can do to a marriage.  Think about children who observe their parents telling lies all the time.  Can a business survive on deceit?  Can a church be founded on deception?  

Lying is becoming a national pastime.  There is no need to go down the list of the sources of deception.  We all know about them.  I, for one, get very frustrated with the situation.  There is little I can do about it when the liars back each other up and continue the destruction.

So?  We are called to speak the truth.  Like so much of the Christian walk, this puts us out of step with our neighbors and friends.  It is still required.  Truth is not an option.  We need to spend some time meditating on that and looking at our lives. 

Exercising Attitudes

(Pro 11:2 KJV)  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

In the KJV the word “when” is in italics.  That means the actual word is not in the Hebrew.  So my question would be, “Is this the ‘when’ that implies certainty or the ‘when’ that really means ‘if’?”  What difference does it make?  I guess I am wondering if “pride” (2088) is definitely going to hit us or just a possibility.  

I am guessing that we are dealing with possibilities.  We do not need to be proud.  By the same token there is no guarantee that we will act with humility.  It depends on how we insist on viewing ourselves and our attitudes towards other people.  As Christians we are called to have the attitude of a servant.  I don’t like that.  I don’t have an ounce of the spiritual gifts of mercy or service.  I can go through the motions but am drained in the process.

So?  Maybe we need more situations that force us into actions of humility.  Maybe we need to be embarrassed more often.  Attitudes, like muscles, respond to exercise. 

Those Pesky Verbs

(Pro 10:2 KJV)  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Notice that “profit” (3276) is a verb and not a noun.  This should point us toward an understanding that it isn’t how much is in your bank account but whether it will do you any good.  Think of the rich farmer who kept pulling down his old barns to store his ever bigger harvests.  What was said to him?

(Luk 12:20 KJV)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

It is like the difference between an award ceremony that gives you a nice certificate and the reading of your will.

So?  Live like there is no tomorrow because there may not be.  If there is, it may not make any difference if today is not invested in a Godly way. 

A Start

(Pro 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

We could be looking at the steps that some people go through as they are saved.  The move often begins with “fear” (3374) whether it is the Biblical concepts of awe and respect or a more typical quivering.  We must be humbled in some way or we won’t listen.  I think it is part of the human predicament.  Then we come to know Him and start to grow in our “understanding” (998).

It is hard to believe you will achieve eternal life if you don’t come to know God and His wisdom.  He is reaching out.  It is available.

So?  Get started or keep going.  It depends on where you are on your walk. 

Hybrid

(Pro 8:2 KJV)  She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

I used to own a motorcycle, a Honda 450 CL.  It was supposed to be a cross between a CL and the SB or CB, whichever.  Today we might use the word hybrid.  It was designed for the road but had the raised exhaust of a dirt bike.  It was far too heavy for the dirt but I didn’t know any better.  If you were serious about riding the trails and climbing the mountains you went for one type of vehicle.  If you just wanted to cruise, it was a different composition.  Much of life can be like that.

The point of wisdom is that it will apply for both off road, the “heights” (4791), and the open road, “paths” (5410b).  It isn’t a hybrid though.  It is the pure deal.  It is so versatile that it applies in all situations.  It is kind of like Frank Sinatra as opposed to AC/DC.  Everyone listened to Frank.

So?  Make the investment in the complete package.  It is called wisdom. 

What a Drag

(Pro 7:21 KJV)  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

There are many forces trying to drag us down.  When Jesus asked the demon possessing a man what his name was, the reply was, “Legion”.  That means thousands.  If there could be that many demons in one man then imagine how many there are all around us.  They can be obvious or totally hidden.  They can be up front or disguised.  They are there.

The good news is that God provides a way out of all attacks.  Take guardian angels.  I don’t know if they outnumber the demons or just have so much power that the evil is neutralized.  The point is that the protection is there.  It is expressed many ways.  John said,

(1Jn 4:4 KJV)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

In the Old Testament we get a great picture.

(2Ki 6:17 KJV)  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

So?  Trust and obey.  Stand strong and overcome the attacks of life.

Summer Ready

(Pro 6:8 KJV)  Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

In our modern times we can’t relate much to getting food ready in the summer.  I guess there are still some people who have gardens and do canning but most of us just rely on the grocery store.  I am not making any observations about preppers or survivalists but there is a principle that is of use here if we apply a little imagination.

Have you ever had a winter in your life?  You know the times I am talking about.  Nothing is going right.  You are struggling.  Depression is just around the corner.  How do you make it through those time?  The wise servant of Jesus “prepares” (3559) in the summers of life.  Note that this is not the autumn or fall where the harvest comes in.  This is in the time between planting and gathering.  It is the time where you fix the harnesses and gates.  It is when you work on all those projects that are necessary because you know winter is coming.

So?  Accept that life will not be a perpetual summer or spring.  Winter will come.  Have you been getting ready? 

Payoffs

(Pro 5:11 KJV)  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

Proverbs has recurring themes.  One of them is that righteous living has a payoff.  The corollary to that is that crooked living also has a payoff.  That is one of the truths being expressed here.  It is a simple point that if you live in rebellion you will die in misery.

So?  Believe it or not, actions have consequences.  You can get away with not changing your oil but eventually it will ruin the engine. 

So Inclined

(Pro 4:20 KJV)  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

I remember a choral response that was used weekly when I was younger.  That was back in the days when we had choirs.  The words, from memory were,

Hear our prayer, O Lord.
Hear our prayer, O Lord.
Incline Thine ear to us.
And grant us Thy peace.
Amen.

It is interesting that both God and man are urged to “incline” (5186) depending on the situation.  In Proverbs it seems to be usually man leaning toward God.

So?  Recently I was on the back porch with the dryer running and could tell my wife was trying to tell me something from the living room.  It wasn’t working.  The only way I could find out what she was saying was to move toward her.  God is speaking.  We need to move. 

The Other Guy

(Pro 3:17 KJV)  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Have you had a recent experience that does not resound with “peace” (7965)?  As we go through these times we tend to blame the other guy.  We get mad when people honk at us but on reflection we admit we were drifting into their lane.  It seems justified to get angry when our neighbor dumps a bunch of trash in our yard and so we should.  On examination we realize it is our trash that has blown into his yard.  We complain about elections that we didn’t have time to vote in.  

It is often our lack of wisdom that causes the problem.  It isn’t that wisdom failed us but we failed wisdom.

So?  Stay on track and expect improvements. 

The Call to Contrast

(Pro 2:14 KJV)  Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

This verse is one segment of a longer description of the type of people that surround us.  Not only are they opposed to righteousness, but they “delight” (8056) in the “doing” (6213a) of “evil” (7451b).  I know that this is hard for us to accept.  There are so many nice pagans around, or at least they seem nice.  Pay attention to the often hidden news about all the sexual perversion of human trafficking and children being used for perversion.  Note how many pillars of the community end up being exposed.  Accept that they are everywhere.

We are to be different.  These perverts hate that and hate us for it.  When they get enough power they will come out against us.  Count on it.

So?  Followers of Jesus live to a higher standard.  That does not make us popular, but then we are not called to be popular.  We are called to be upright. 

Coming to Conclusions

(Pro 1:3 KJV)  To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

If we could make this verse happen in our world it would be a radical transformation.  I think most people would agree that all these things are good.  So why don’t we have a radical transformation?  Because we can’t arrive at the same level if we insist on different measurements.  We can’t have what we want if we can’t even agree on the meanings of words.  

Compare the two translations I refer to most and notice that the scholars can’t even agree on how to express the Hebrew in English.  It is possible to come to a conclusion on the meaning but only if you make it a habit of reading widely in the Bible.  One principle of Biblical understanding is that one part illuminates another.  There is a consistency that needs to be seen before you can explain what a verse means.  

So?  I repeat myself but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.  Read and think.  Compare and think.  Study and think.  It works.