Make-Up

(Pro 31:30 KJV)  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

It is always a risk to assume things about people.  The “beauty” (3308) part is often obvious because we can see what a person looks like.  Even there we need to keep in mind the ability of modern technology to transform.  I remember a teacher I worked with.  If she was in a hurry getting to work she was average at best.  When she dolled herself up and was on the prowl, Wow!  She became a heart stopper.  Unfortunately her personality was even worse than average.  Beauty did not make up for that if you spent more than a few minutes with her.

I think that most celebrities could go out in public without fear of being recognized if they would simply skip the make-up.  So much of our lives is make believe.

So?  Of course we should be genuine.  We also want to be neat and clean.  I think the big thing here is that we need to be slow to form opinions about people on short acquaintance. 

Fertility

(Pro 30:16 KJV)  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

As I thank God each day for my grandchildren I think of friends who have been denied the joy.  I don’t think it was planned that way but sometimes babies just don’t happen.  I think we all know women who have experienced the “barren” (6115) “womb” (7358).  There are times when it is a result of sin.  A woman can become unable to conceive from sinful sexual practices which would include diseases contacted and abortions performed.  We should not assume that but it is a reality.  Some women wait until it is too late.  But it is also common that some women cannot get pregnant.  We are to mourn with them.

After years of hearing about the dangers of overpopulation the melody has changed.  The mantra now is that we are doomed by population decline.  Some are predicting the end of mankind.  As Christians we need to step back, take a deep breath, try not to laugh at them and go on with life.  Think Providence.  God is in charge.  He can close a womb.  He can open a womb.  As in so many areas that our betters try to micro-manage our lives, we need to ignore them and listen to God.

So?  Pray and trust.  Rejoice in the God of creation and our salvation.  Get ready for eternity.

Comfort Zone

(Pro 29:15 KJV)  The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

One of the discomforts you should experience on a regular basis is reading something in the Word of God that clashes with what you hear from the culture around you.  We are so used to listening to pastors and teachers who are more concerned with being accepted by the academy that being in step with God.  It can be obvious, or should be obvious, when you hear from the pulpit that the Bible is not totally correct and then they set out to inform you of the sophisticated understanding.  They do this with the divinity of Christ, the physical resurrection and the sinful nature to name but a few.

They also will get you to believe that Dr. Phil knows more than Dr. Luke.  I say that knowing little of what Dr. Phil teaches but I know what Luke has to say.  One speaks from the view of TV ratings and the other speaks from the mouth of God.  This is important in the ways in which we raise our children.

So?  Dealing with a child’s self-esteem is not as vital as dealing with their sinful nature.  Get ready for a battle or just compromise and weep later. 

It Is All in the Details

(Pro 28:27 KJV)  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

This is one of those places where a principle is presented that does not seem logical.  That is because it is an intersection between economics and morality.  In our modern thinking the two don’t go together.  As believers we need to get back to the concept of providence and providential.  When God gets involved He brings about results that you might not predict.  I don’t think I have ever played roulette.  I understand that the highest risk bet it to place your bet on a single number.  You have a 1% chance of winning.  Try to understand that God would have a 100% chance of winning and He could do it without violating any of the laws of nature that He put in place.

A simpler example is bowling.  A pro can on occasion achieve a perfect game.  That means that every ball he throws goes where he wants it to and when that happens the odds of all the pins going down is very high.  A slight variation in his grip or the finish on the lane can change the result.  God can compensate for that.

So?  God wants us to be generous to the genuine poor.  If we don’t know whether they deserve it then we are to err on the side of giving.  Let God work out the details. 

No Dessert Today

(Pro 27:7 KJV)  The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

I am not sure who first used the phrase “you say that like it is a bad thing” but it comes to mind as I read this phrase “sated (7649) man (5315)”.  The NASB really falls down here.  The KJV is much better with “full soul”.  In both translations it seems like a negative thing but I am not so sure.  

Notice that the man with the full soul is not even interested in the honey.  He has what he needs.  There is a time for honey and a time for no honey.  This is the kind of satisfaction that you feel after a great meal when the waitress comes up and says, “Got room for dessert, Honey?”  (When they start to call you “Honey” you know you are getting old.)  The one who is full will reply, “No, I don’t have any room.”  You could probably eat it.  It might look good.  The desire is tamped down so you are not tempted.

So?  I think that point for us is to make sure that we have a steady diet of the word and the presence of God so that the things life throws at us are on a level we can say “no” to. 

Who, Me?

(Pro 26:14 KJV)  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

I am afraid that this morning I identified as “slothful” (sluggard NASB) (6102).  I kept waking up.  I kept being uncomfortable.  Aches and pains are part of getting older and the best cure is to get up and start moving.  But I still laid there.  I did not want to get up and move.  I had no deadlines.  There was no hurry.  So I laid there and wasted time.

I wonder if one of the issues with sluggards is that they have nothing calling them to make a difference.  I had the call of worship, but what about after that.  My rational was that I could get up later and get everything done I needed to do.  The issue is that my sloth tends to cut down on the options that God can offer me later in the day.  It is like the kid who can’t go to the movies with his friends because he still has the dishes to do.

So?  One important issue in getting on with what needs to be done is in the area of keeping options open for the future.  Something I need to think about.

More Than Troubled

(Pro 25:20 KJV)  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

As I pointed out a few years ago the English word “heavy" (troubled NASB) (7451a) means “evil”.  That is the correct translation and a correct translation helps us understand what is going on here.  At first this seems confusing.  We have been told that we can use music to calm a person down.  I know that singing to an upset baby can help to settle them down and bring on sleep.  That is not what this is talking about.

Music is not a cure for evil.  In itself music as a genre is neutral but can be used for good or evil.  It can manipulate or be an expression.  It is only temporary.  If a person is dealing with evil in their hearts they may calm down with the right music but what they really need is the grace of God to work in their hearts.

So?  Don’t write off music but realize that the issues of life are deeper than a simple fix. 

Rewards Poster

(Pro 24:20 KJV)  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

How important is a “reward” (319) to you?  We need to get beyond our response to this idea in our atmosphere of current marketing techniques.  My memory tells me that one store has what they call a “Rewards Card”.  I am not sure what you have to do to get the rewards but I usually find that the cost is more than the benefit.  

The word used here means “end”.  It is often used in prophecy to refer to when it all comes together at the climax of time.  In this case it has to do with the final pay off.  Think both temporal and eternal.  Here the emphasis is on the expectations of those living in rebellion and sin.  In verse 14 the emphasis is on those who live upright lives.  Each has a reward.

So?  We tend to focus on what is happening today.  We forget our history and put the promises of God on a back burner.  That can be really dangerous or just a mark of trusting and moving on to other issues. 

A Redeemer Reminder

(Pro 23:11 KJV)  For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

It is easy to breeze over this verse but pause a moment to think about the concept of “redeemer” (1350).  Today I am thinking of how this is expanded and explained in the New Testament.  Think of the job description of Jesus.  We think of Him as our redeemer.  That goes beyond His death on the cross.  It goes to that part of the Apostles creed that mentions how He sits at the right hand of God the Father.

(Rom 8:34 KJV)  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

We also see the idea referring to the Holy Spirit.

(Joh 16:7 KJV)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Here the Greek word for “comforter” has the idea included of advocate.

So?  One of the things that we tend to forget is that God has promised to be with us all along the way.  People may mess with us.  Satan may attack.  The economy may fall apart and they may again start arresting Christians.  He will be with us.

When Comes the Pay Off

(Pro 22:6 KJV)  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This is one of those verses that are often quoted but rarely lived up to.  It is also one of those areas that we cannot see the relevant facts.  I think of a pastor I knew.  He was an awesome communicator of the word.  He seemed to drip with wisdom.  His children are not people I would want my children to have anything to do with.  We see this kind of thing all around us.  My grandfather was a Pilgrim Holiness preacher and evangelist.  He was so “called” that he refused to hear the cries of his children.  I am sure that everywhere he went he was praised and looked up to.  His children were a mess.  There are things in people’s lives that we just can’t see.

I have trouble with this because I can see all kinds of things in my life but my children have turned out better than I would have any right to hope for.  Did I do a better job?  Obviously.  Is that to my credit as an awesome, perfect parent.  You don’t have to know me to shake your head vigorously.  Yet there is still that promise that if we are faithful in our training we will see results.

So?  Sometimes the results don’t come until after we are dead.  That means the promise is real even if the product does not appear on our schedule.  Be faithful.  God always is. 

Topics of Conversation

(Pro 21:20 KJV)  There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

It seems that everyone is worried about the economy.  In one sense that is nothing new.  I remember reading a book 35 years ago that forecast all the doomsday scenarios that you are hearing today.  In another sense it is looking more iffy all the time.  As believers there are certain things that we should bring to the discussion.

We need to keep in mind that our starting point is prayer and trust.  It is not a place we come to when everything else fails.  It should be a daily discipline to remind ourselves of who God is and what He promises.  It should be part of our regular prayer life.  It is like the gas in your car.  If you wait until you run out it is too late.

The second is good stewardship.  The point being made in this verse is that we are to be savers not spenders.  Today people stockpile precious medals.  They did it in those days too but they also made sure that they had a supply of oil on hand.  It was used for everything from cooking to anointing.  Yes, God loves a cheerful giver but I also think He thinks highly of a careful spender.

So?  There will be discussions.  It happens every time you go out to shop.  You have something to share that the next shopper may not have considered.  Share it.

2+2=5

(Pro 20:10 KJV)  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

Are you familiar with the mathematical problem that goes 2+2=5?  I believe it comes from the book 1984.  I am in the first few chapters of the book and have not come across it yet but the central concept of Communism is that truth is whatever the government tells you it is.  In this verse the question is brought up in regard to honesty in business.  If you are reading 1984 or are into certain government proclamations then the point needs to be extended to the rest of life.

Truth is truth.  Truth does not change.  It does not vary based on what special group is the target of the action.  Bible believing Christians cannot allow themselves to be brainwashed into believing that certain people are more deserving than others just because the government and popular opinion says so.

So?  We serve a God who is not considerate of face, or as it is interpreted, is not partial.  Give a fair deal.  It makes a difference in eternity. 

Poor Thinking

(Pro 19:7 KJV)  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

Keeping our mind engaged is always vital if you are going to follow Jesus and serve the living God.  This is true in regard to the “poor” (7326).  On the surface it seems obvious.  After all, we are constantly asked to donate and help those less fortunate than ourselves.  You will notice that this verse does not take that approach.  While it doesn’t say the attitude of the people that know him is a good thing, it also does not condemn them.

If you do a simple search on this Hebrew word for poor you find that both sides of the coin are dealt with.  In some cases they are poor because they are lazy.  At other places it does not seem to be their fault.  As so many teachings of the Bible it must be applied with the individual in mind and the circumstances considered.

So?  If you are at the lower end of the economic scale try to keep your attitude in check.  If you are higher up, the same.

Wicked and Attitude

(Pro 18:3 KJV)  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

We are here looking at one of the basic differences between the Christian world view and that of your garden variety pagan.  We are not allowed to get carried away against people who differ from us.  Here the difference has to do with behavior.  It isn’t about superficial things like skin color or extrovert/introvert.  

You don’t need to go very far to find someone who is living in blatant sin.  We are to disagree with them.  We are to witness to them.  The one thing that Christians cannot do is have “contempt” (937).  This is expressed many ways in the Bible from God telling us that vengeance is His prerogative to Jesus answering about the greatest commandment with the call to love our neighbor as our self.  

So?  This is not a call to retire from public life.  It is a call to speak up without lashing out.

Grander Than Children

(Pro 17:6 KJV)  Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

I was 70 when my first grandchild appeared on the scene.  I am not saying that I had given up but I was approaching being resigned to my fate.  I must say it has been worth the wait but I am not sure I have the energy to keep it up.  Chasing toddlers around the couch wears an old man out.  There are times when naps are important for all members of the family.

My heart goes out to friends who have no grandchildren.  It is a hole they may never really be aware of.  At other times my heart goes out to friends who do have grandchildren.  I see the disaster looming on the horizon as they are not raised the way their parents were raised.  I am still rejoicing to be with my children’s children.  I am pleased at what I see.  For instance, I went by to return the cat I had been watching when they were out of town for two weeks.  My granddaughter had been having one of those days and was spending the rest of the day in her room.  I did not see her because it was more important to teach her consequences than to indulge an old man.  I was glad to see that the next generation was being raised right.

So?  Enjoy them when you can.  Support your children as they step up to the plate in preparing the future.  Blessings. 

Focused Pride

(Pro 16:18 KJV)  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

I think that we sometimes get proud for all the right reasons.  They are right because they are Biblical in isolation.  We are to be holy.  We are to live upright lives.  We are to be moral and honest.  And we are.  That is something to celebrate and be glad in.  So where is the problem?

We start to turn our focus away from the reality that we are nothing without the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We have nothing to say if all we can say is “live long and prosper.”  That is a wonderful thought but it misses that fact that God is the one holding the universe together.  In our pride we get real good at mouthing that and still believing in our hearts that it is because of something we have done.  

I recently was doing an organ recital with another old guy.  We were looking at how hard some have it and how blessed we are.  I shared that the temptation is to believe that I am healthier because I am more righteous.  That may be true because God gives us living patterns for a reason but it is pride to assume it is really from our discipline and effort.

So?  Rejoice in what God does for us and through us.  It might be a good idea to write a note to yourself that you could read every morning to remind you that it is all because of Him. 

More Than Rodney

(Pro 15:33 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

I am reminded that I tend to get too casual about my attitude toward God.  We are quick to point out that “fear” (3374) can mean reverence, awe and respect.  We get comfortable with that and forget how Isaiah responded when he saw the Lord seated on His throne.  He figured he was going to die.  Maybe it would be better if we could catch a little of that side of awe.  Perhaps instead of standing overlooking the Grand Canyon and being awed by its beauty we need to step up to the edge, lean over and look straight down.  That brings different meaning to awesome.

So?  Don’t make God do His Rodney Dangerfield impersonation.  He demands respect. 

Yes, Another Decision

(Pro 14:8 KJV)  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Do you really want to “understand” (995)?  We often say we do but the problem is not ability.  The problem is desire.  It is so much easier to just drift.  I was recently praying for the children of friends and one of the thoughts that came to my mind was how so many people today want to be comfortable and think that will happen if they keep their heads down and stay off the radar.  I am sure there is a time for that.  I am aware I cannot know what is going on in their hearts and minds.  I also know how the human heart works.

God seems to tell us He will direct our paths.  The problem is being willing to listen.  I am sure you have had people ask you for advice and then they ignore everything you told them.  I guess they don’t want to listen.

So?  As so often happens, the ball is in our court.

A Time for Hate

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

Again we see the Bible condemning lies.  It is so easy to rationalize stretching the truth.  We are surrounded by deception and a culture that is moving toward evil.  We keep seeing the boundaries of righteousness pushed back and mocked.  Think of the perversions being pushed in schools and entertainment.  Who would have thought?

I guess we should be thinking.  We should be watching.  We should be holding truth up as a measuring stick and proclaiming it with out last breath.

So?  We need to move beyond being uncomfortable.  We need to stop being silent.  When we see something that is not right we need to speak the truth by speaking. 

Victims Unaware

(Pro 12:10 KJV)  A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

How many times have you been approached to help with a struggle that someone else is going through?  Sometimes it seems daily.  It is a great marketing technique.  In this day of internet advertising and algorithms we are the prey of many people who want to take advantage of our kindness and generosity.  Be aware that many of these appeals are fronts for totally different operations.  I can remember when the Red Cross used a tragedy to raise money and very little of what was raised went to the presented need.  

Have you ever observed that the people who are the first to ask for help are often the least deserving?  This puts a responsibility on us.  We are to care and give.  That is obvious.  We are to do so with our baloney meters going full blast.  I only have so much extra income.  If I give it out I want to make sure that I am actually helping someone not just making life easy for a shyster.

So?  Give with your brain engaged.  Don’t support evil. 

Payoffs

(Pro 11:31 KJV)  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about being “recompensed” (rewarded NASB) (7999a) at the end of life or even tomorrow.  I would venture to guess that the average person who rejects Jesus would be in the same situation.  Maybe he should be thinking about such things.  It does not do much good to come to Jesus to gain eternal life if you are not also willing to repent of your sins and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  I would imagine it would also not do much good just wanting to avoid Hell.

I will accept that some people are scared into salvation by the images of hell.  I would also guess that most of those so scared are unscared pretty quickly and write off their profession of faith as a moment of weakness.  Sad but true.

So?  There will be rewards.  That is a promise.  Some will be in this life.  Some will be in eternity but they will be. 

Slow Atrophy

(Pro 10:17 KJV)  He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

As a teenager I sat under some of the finest preaching you could ask for.  The theology was sound.  The Bible was explained.  The pastor was a genius at communication.  That was in the day when churches still had evening services.  At it’s height this church was so enthused that you had to get to the evening service early if you wanted a seat.  It was a time of glory and gospel.  

As I look back at the kids I sat in the pew with I am discouraged at how many of them have walked away from the faith.  I am not talking about leaving the church.  There is more than one church around, or at least there used to be.  I am talking about turning your back on everything that at one time you claimed and testified to.  What happened?

I think the key is in this verse.  They did not “keepeth” (heed NASB) (8104) the truth that was being presented.  Did they listen?  Yes.  He was a good preacher.  To get the point you need to put together the “keep” of the KJV with the “heed” of the NASB.  Another good translation is to “guard”.  This is the word that you see in the Shema,

(Deu 6:4 KJV)  Hear (8104), O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

It has the idea of listening and making central to your thinking.

So?  Backsliding is not a matter of making a decision to not believe.  It is a repeated choice to keep pushing God and His teachings to a secondary place in your life.  It is like those cool bell bottoms you use to wear on a regular basis.  When fashion changed they got pushed to the back of the closet.  One day you came in and realized your mother had thrown them out. 

Have a Cookie

(Pro 9:17 KJV)  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

As I read this verse I think about how good that bit of cake was that I sneaked when no one else was looking.  It is possible that one reason it tasted so good was that the quantity was small and my taste buds were not satiated.  But there is a more spiritual dimension.  There is something in us that feels victorious when we get away with something.  Picture the feeling when you go to a yard sale and see some tarnished do-dad that you can see is made of sterling silver.  You get it for pennies.  They are happy.  You are delirious.  I imagine a thief gets the same rush.

But the thief will feel different later.  There is another verse in Proverbs that reminds us of this,

(Pro 20:17 KJV)  Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

So?  Often we know we are doing wrong and do it anyway.  Other times the awareness does not come until later.  I would guess that sometimes we only know if we have messed up at a later time.  That will be the time for confession, forgiveness and restitution.

True Stories

(Pro 8:7 KJV)  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

“Truth” (571) is under attack by our culture and the fifth column has moved into the church to undermine the faith.  I was listening to a sermon at the request of a friend.  I would not have normally bothered because the man preaching was reported to have said that the church does not believe in the inerrancy of scripture.  If you don’t believe the Bible is the truth then what do you have to preach about?  True to form he talked down the apologists of the past who had used reason and evidence to support believing in Jesus.  His attack was focused on the fact that people today are not impressed by the evidence.  They want to hear your story.

How nice.  Truth does not matter, only your experience and the warm feelings it generates.  What he failed to point out is that if you are impressed by my story today you will also be impressed by someone else’s story tomorrow.  It is what secular advertising and infomercials are counting on.  

So?  Having a story is great.  Being able to communicate it is wonderful.  Having a solid foundation underneath is even more important.  Seek truth and apply it.

Passive or Active

(Pro 7:27 LB)  If you want to find the road to hell, look for her house.

The Living Bible stood out to me this morning.  It always amazes me how casually some people take the concept of Hell.  What is even more unsettling is that some seem to be actively seeking it.  That is what this verse is about.

For some reason I was thinking about Hell a few days ago.  I think I was on the topic of literal versus figurative and the conflicting images of a lake of fire and a dark place came to me.  One of my theories is that God’s curses are passive, not necessarily active.  That means that we face tragedy when He withdraws His protection.  Think about the disasters that might have struck your life if you guardian angel was off on vacation.

So?  Even if the pictures are figuratively, Hell is a place of great misery because the presence of God has been withdrawn.  Mark it as a place to avoid. 

Choices

(Pro 6:25 KJV)  Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

We have all kinds of sayings that are designed to get this point across.   Two that come to mind are “beauty is only skin deep” and “don’t judge a book by its cover”.  This is another one of those truths that we know in our heads but don’t want to believe in our hearts.  We need to transfer the knowledge to our hearts.

We are so easy to deceive.  From spouses to breakfast cereal we are convinced that we have to have certain brands and packaging.  It has been pointed out that the marketing of pet foods is to please the human not the beast.  Part of the problem is awareness.  Part of that problem is not wanting to know.  

So?  Understand that reading the nutritional labels of life has consequences in the body fat of eternity.  It is a decision that only you can make for you. 

Not Agape

(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.

If you read through Proverbs on a monthly basis you come across this reminder regularly.  We need to keep in mind that God invented human sexuality.  We could have reproduced in many ways.  All you need to do to see the variety is take a class in zoology or even botany.  Picture getting pregnant because a bee landed on you.  God had more in mind for us.

Don’t you like the idea of being “ravished” (exhilarated NASB) (7686)?  My marginal readings say it literally means intoxicated.  It is more subtle than that.  The root of the word is to wander.  It means that you are so excited about each other that you forget where you are or where you are going.

So?  This is not agape love.  It is eros, as in erotic.  It was God’s idea and like all of God’s ideas there is a time and a place.  In this case within marriage.  Enjoy.  That is the word from God, not me. 

Make It Complete

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

I have been listening to some apologists on the internet.  For the most part they are a needed voice.  Each is different and has a different approach but they serve a purpose.  One point that I keep hearing is that we are saved by grace, not works.  That is true.  It is also incomplete.  All through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation you also have an emphasis like you find in this verse.  It is important that we make choices that take us in the right direction.  

God did not send Jesus to earth so He could send more people to Hell.  He also did not send Him to encourage perverted living.  God sent Jesus to pay the price.  We are called to respond in faith but also in obedience.  

So?  Pay attention.  Don’t rest on your laurels or the laurels of Jesus.  Trust but act.  The key point is not what role obedience plays but that you be obedient. 

Not So Obvious

(Pro 3:29 KJV)  Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

It would seem to me that some things are so obvious that they don’t need to be said.  This is one of them.  Who, if they are concerned enough to read the Bible, would go out and look for ways to “devise evil against” (harm NASB) (7463a) a neighbor?  And yet here it is.

Think of other things that we accept as obvious.  Think of the Ten Commandments.  Think of the Golden Rule.  What we forget is that they are obvious because our culture has accepted these Biblical standards as the norm.  Keep in mind that in the days of Proverbs most of the cultural groups around Israel were throwing their first born babies into a furnace.  They considered it normal.

So?   Get into the word to develop your sense of right and wrong.  You are not born with it. 

Dig

(Pro 2:4 KJV)  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

This is a good beginning bit of advice for Bible Study.  The part that reaches out to me today is the idea of looking for “hidden treasures” (4301).  One way in which this term is used involves things that have been stored away in vaults and secret places.  Picture yourself as the heir of a rich aunt and being forced to check every seam, every box, every book cover looking for hidden wealth.  That is the picture we have of finding wisdom.

So?  Start digging.  While it is true that some wealth is on top of the ground the biggest deposits require focused effort.

In Other Words

(Pro 1:2 KJV)  To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

I decided this month to pull my old Living Bible off the shelf and read Proverbs from its perspective.  I like the Living Bible.  I have no use for the New Living Translation, or whatever it is called.  One reason is a lack of pretense.  The Living Bible on its title page declares “Paraphrased”.  It does not make any claim to be a “translation” like so many of the modern opinion translations do.  It is called honesty.

I enjoyed reading verse 2,

(Prov 1:2 LB) He wrote them to teach his people how to live - how to act in every circumstance,

The Bible is not really written as a history book or a theology text.  It is a How To book.  It contains history and theology.  It even contains advice on health, but it is primarily God speaking to His people about how they should live.

So?  Let the Bible speak to you.  It doesn’t hurt to refer to some of the modern loose translations as long as you keep coming back to something like the KJV or NASB to get a more accurate understanding.  On to a new month.