Proverbs 10:15 - Wealth and its security

Proverbs 10:15

The rich person’s wealth is his fortress,

The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

Message: Wealth and its security 

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Finally, in this proverb, I see a different theme: wealth. I guess there was sort of a though of riches and being poor in verse 4 but it speaks more of working discipline. But the rest of the verses so far in chapter 10 just seem to be more common in their themes of righteous living in general. This one feels different. 

The contrast clearly is wealth and what it brings rather than being poor. And yet this verse is more of a proclamation it would seem or an observation than something to emulate. It is almost a matter of fact statement. "The rich person’s wealth is his fortress." The rich person's wealth is important to them, his fortress: A fortress is a fortified building or complex designed for military defense. So the rich person counts on their wealth to protect them, per se. 

In contrast, the poor person, with their poverty is their ruin: "The ruin of the poor is their poverty." In looking at other translations, I don't see much of a difference in words. Instead of ruin there is destruction. Instead of fortress it is the fortified or strong city. 

Cambridge commentary says it well I think: 

We have here an instance of the candour and sobriety of the moral teaching of this Book. Wealth has its advantages and poverty its drawbacks, and the fact is honestly stated. There is nothing of the unreality which represents poverty as in itself desirable, or wealth as in itself to be avoided.

Yes, that's it. And yet, ruin/destruction versus strong/fortified/fortress - seems to give rise to the idea that wealth is better. I see both with problems, but it does seem, based upon my observation that those with wealth have more of a peace about them. And perhaps they can engage in more activities, ministry activities one would hope, though it seems at times it gives opportunity for more relaxation and entertainment. 

At 57 years old, the idea of retirement is coming up more. I spoke of this with a friend yesterday at lunch as we wondered how many more years. I felt like I had at least 10 good more years of working left in me and probably more. I can stay at my current job probably another 5 years and that would be somewhat normal and okay. And yet, I could leave right now and just adjust my lifestyle a little and probably be fine financially. But, in a way I am enjoying things the way they are and so maybe I should stay put. I don't feel a big draw to do anything else. But it isn't that I have more wealth to store up but I just have more of a desire to stay working or staying busy. Sort of an interesting idea right now for me. 

And yet I don't want to be absorbed in work, but rather having a need to minister. At some point, my dad will pass and he has done a very good job with his job and managing it and either I will end up with that or it will end up more in the hands of my kids for their kids. That could end up making life even easier. I have the will to complete still and that is mostly dividing my wealth to good causes once I pass. I need to get that done. But, I still feel that great desire to help those in need. I like it and see that they have the need. I am concerned about those that are working hard and yet having trouble making it. Like Francis in Uganda, James and Joyce, Tonny and Alice. Even Daniel to a point and there are many more that I am not helping regularly. There is Geoffrey in Canada who now hasn't seen his wife Esther in 4 years. There is Benjamin, the pastor in Nigeria. I know he is need of funds for his ministry and orphanage. Jean Claude is doing well. I don't see a big need for him. He doesn't seem to be focused on wealth and it might sort of upset his world if there was an influx. Even Harris in India. Obviously, he needs a job and I am hopeful for that job. After that occurs, he seems eager to do what with it - maybe just support his mom. Kiran is another person in Pakistan. She is taking all she has to help orphans. Again, with so little, is there much of a focus on those that have so little or are the needs greater there. I mean, recently we had things to give away. I took them to Joy Junction with the thought they would help homeless. They were taken to a thrift store to be sold. I could end up buying back my things. Hmm. 

I look at all of these people, in their developing countries and see there standard of living is so different. And yet as I interact with them and they request funds from me at times, though some don't, I can't help but compare my surrounding with theirs. For some, it seems extra money is needed, and yet there almost feels a danger to having more money. Without, they seem to have this great dependency on God. The pastors- James and Tonny are so focused on ministry in their lives. Maybe I am concerned about the depth of their faith, and maybe it seems that some have a tendency to not have depth because of their poor condition. And so while many seem to need a little bit more to help them out. Again, maybe having too much is a problem. 

It is similar to what I see often with people that I hear win a large amount of money, like a lottery and how that impacts their lives. As a kid, I remember a show in 1983-1984 that had a short run. It was called Lottery! - "A lottery representative and his IRS partner meet various winners across the country to present the prizes and change their lives." Money impacts people and changes things. Even as I converse with Harris and see how his life can be lived in such a high moral manner. Why? Well, one he is single, but also he has little money. So again, does wealth or adding riches really help these people. At times, I even feel like God with them because I do have somewhat the means to help them and yet I wonder if it would be helpful. What would that wealth bring to them: I feel problems and a change of priorities. 

For me, with more wealth, what would I do with it. Right, do a lot of home improvement. Probably could easily spend about $50,000 on this house and doing all sorts of improvements inside and out. I suppose that's what I stare at, my fortress and improving it. Which brings me back to the verse -- The rich person’s wealth is his fortress. So is that it? My home. That's my wealth. I mean, it is the first thing I think about to spend money on. Things for the home. 

Perhaps this destruction is what is going on in Nigeria and the scamming of people international. With those folks, part of the blame seems to be their leaders and government that provide so little with the money that is given them. They have little so they invest in themselves. As Daniel mentions in Abuja. The workers get so little. Even at my job - the workers get little. The management gets a lot. There is so much inequity. Can it even be fixed and to what degree?

To have wealth is to have security. There is great tendency to many more problems with out wealth. 

Prayer: O God, this idea of wealth is a tough one. All these people you have placed in my life is an honor for me to know. I have helped some, based upon your leading and so many have needs. I struggle with this and whether to keep helping and wonder if how I am helping is most appropriate and correct. It makes me wonder about me and my work and what I am working for to accumulate. What is the reason and what does it achieve? O God, I need your help. I thank you for these verses and the opportunity to study them and meditate on them. There is richness in their meanings and lots to consider. 

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Judges 20 - At War with Benjamin

Judges 20

And the Lord struck Benjamin before Israel, so that the sons of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day, all who draw the sword.

Message: At War with Benjamin

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 19 was messy. It started with the Danites wanting their own land. Then idolatry and then a Levite and his concubine getting into problems with some unwholesome men. This resulted in the concubine's death and body parts distributed all over the land.   

Chapter 20 begins with a a large group of people gathering as one to the lord at mitzpah. There are 400,000 men there, and the leaders are standing among them. They are in the land of Benjamin. The Israelites ask about the wickedness that has occurred and the Levite responds and explains the situation of his concubine being raped and then him cutting her up and sending her parts to 12 places.  The people of Israel agree to go up against Gibeah. So the gathered of about 10% of the men to go against the people of Gibeah. They ask for the worthless man that came against a Levite, in order to put them to death and remove the wickedness from this area. But the people of Benjamin disagreed, and instead chose to wage war against the sons of Israel, though the odds were not in their favor. 

3 times it mentions the people came together as one. The atrocity of sin mentioned in the last chapter stirred the sons of Israel to now come together - as one. 

The sons of Israel, ask the Lord, who should battle in the Lord, says Judah. The sons of Israel go to battle, but after each day, they asked the Lord if they shall continue for their our losses of life. But each day the Lord says to continue, and then after the second day, he says they will now conquer. It took a while, but Israel set an ambush and eventually 25,000 of the tribe of Benjamin were slain. 

It is unfortunate that the tribe of Benjamin has now turned completely against God. 

Summary: The sin of Gibeah is addressed, but at a heavy cost and a loss of many men on both sides, but mostly in the tribe of Benjamin. 

Promise: The Lord at times does drastic things to rid His people of sin. 

Prayer: Lord, you will eradicate and deal with sin. Either you deal with sin with me personally or you do among your called ones, but you also do it among people at large. Sin is not tolerated. Sin is something people continue to choose. I do pray for Your mercy Lord and that it would continue and you would continue to pull your remnant close to You. Bring many to salvation, but it is hard that so many continue to abandon You and find solutions outside of You God. 

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Proverbs 10:14 - Experienced help wanted

Proverbs 10:14

Wise men store up knowledge,

But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand

Message: Experienced help wanted

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: For the wise man, knowledge is stored up and retrieved for later use. Scripture memory is an example of this. We memorize scripture so that we can access it at times and repeat it to remind us of the promises of God. It can encourage myself and others as well. As I hire people, the thing we are looking for in people is experience and people that have knowledge that they have retained after working on different vehicles over a period of time. But this applies to many different disciplines. We pay a premium of people who can think at a high level and possess this type of knowledge. This is knowledge retained and helps a person to be wise. Knowledge is a treasure. This is what we look for in teachers, in any profession. People have this knowledge train others that do not have the knowledge. 

One of the problems I have right now with one of my employees is this person sits in their office and rarely gets out of the office to see what is going on outside of her world. She expects people to come to her. She is guarded over what she is willing to do. She restricts all that she wants to do. She is gaining knowledge my guess in some areas of her life - dieting, nutrition, exercise, raising kids -- but her work as our employee is quite limited. She does not apply herself well. And in the process she has little experience and knowledge in how to do things. Yet, she collects a large paycheck. The system protects her. I am in the process of providing her a letter of expectations in hopes that it will spur on to greater efforts. 

The contrasting idea in this verse is the "mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand." This is the person that does not gain through experience. The King James Version says it is near destruction. It is like a house getting ready to fall. This is a person that often doesn't think before speaking and simply let spews of their mouth whatever they are feeling at the time. People say things an then express some sort of apology following for what they said, hoping that the apology makes null and void what was said. People act impulsively and then regret for it often brings destruction on themselves as well as those near. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and your ways are great. Help me to remember always the importance of being consistent in my life to continue to be motivated, diligent in all of my activities in life - to gain experience wherever I go and be a help to those in need. Guard my tongue from quick words and saying things improperly. Guard my heart. 

 

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Judges 17-19 - Israel Becomes Sodom

Judges 17-19

All who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen from the day when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, take counsel and speak up!” (19:30)

Message: Israel Becomes Sodom

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Judges 17 - Micah of Ephraim is on the scene with his mother with 1100 pieces of silver taken from her now back with him. Mother appreciates this. She dedicates the silver to the Lord but then has her son make a graven image. 200 pieces were taken for the image to be made by the silversmith. Micah made his son the priest with the idols. Note: no king at this time in Israel and "every man did what was right in his own eyes." Once again, people need a king to help them know what to do. A Levite from Judah came to stay with them. Micah promises 10 pieces of silver annually if he will stay. Micah believes with the Levite with him the Lord will prosper him. 

Judges 18 - The Danites, sons of Dan, are seeking an inheritance for themselves. They send out 5 men and came to Micah to lodge there. They recognize the Levite and question him. They ask the Levite if their way is to be prosperous by the Lord and he confirms this. They came to Laish and the Sidonians had no ruler. They believe this is the land to possess. So 600 men of war from Danites set out. They came to the house of Micah. The five men who were spies make a remark about the graven images being present. With the 600 men standing by they took the graven image from Micah. The priest is alarmed but goes with them as they say that is better to be with many rather than just one. But then those in the house of Micah overtook the sons of Dan. Micah and the men are bothered, wondering why the priest and the images have been taken from him. They arrive in Laish and burn the city, now calling the name of the city Dan. They set up the graven image. 

Judges 19 - once again, the chapter begins with a reminder that Israel has no king.  A Levite takes a concubine from Judah. Four months later, she leaves him. The Levite goes back to get the concubine. The father convinces him to stay another day as he is preparing to leave each morning. This goes on for six days and then he leaves. He and the concubine head to Jebus. But these are not Israelites so they go on to Gibran but no one took them in. They end up in a remote area of Ephraim. An older man offers to house them. But then some worthless fellows show up at the man’s house, and want to have sex with the Levite. The owner tries to dissuade these men from this wicked act. The concubine comes out, and the man raped her repeatedly. He tries to have the concubine go with him, but she does not move from lying at the threshold of the door. Ends up cutting her into 12 pieces And sending those pieces throughout the territory of Israel.

Kind of an unsettling set of chapters here. Idolatry is a common theme and also sodomy. All is done without a leader this stressing the importance of good leadership. But even the Levite does not conduct himself in an honoring way. Chapter 17 and 18 mention idolatry and yet people try to speak in a way that the Lord God approves by invoking his name. Overall I continue to see the impacts of allowing the Canaanites and the worlds ways to impact those called by God. We can clearly be impacted by the ways of the world if we are not careful. And we try to cover ourselves by invoking his name. 

I think we dance with danger but we can’t help but getting impacted by it. No matter who we are as even the Leviticus priest was callous. We must continue to surround ourselves with good people - good teaching - daily discipline in God’s word. God needs to be present in every part of our life. 

I am sitting in a doctors office patient room right now. On the wall is a vision statement of the practice and mission statement and 4 core values. The statements seem like common sense in a way. And yet they align everyone. Thus it seems important that they probably have this posted to remind themselves and their patients of these goals. They want to be accountable. This is who they are and want to be. 

In the same way I need to align myself with environment that extol my Christian beliefs. And I need daily reminders to stay on course. 

Summary: once again people did right in their own eyes , idolatry occurred as did sodomy and murder. 

Promise: be consistent with spiritual disciplines. 

Prayer: O Father - you provide me with so many different ways in which I can each day confirm in my life what is most important. Thank you for instilling in me a desire to get in the word and studying for understanding and application. Thank you for helping me be healthy and strong and taking care of myself. You have made me the way you have for a purpose and I have a responsibility to live at a high level in my life. In so many ways, my wife is easy. I see people experiencing challenges in their lives and struggles. I noticed in my life when things are hard and makes everything in life a little bit more difficult. I’m blessed and I thank you God for blessing me. Help me to not be so selfish as I know there’s a continual tendency in me train me to be more of a giving person and helping others.

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Proverbs 10:13 - Not knowing can hurt

Proverbs 10:13

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,

But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

Message: Not knowing can hurt

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Still thinking about verse 12 as it was convicting to me. A lot was said to me personally, from that verse. I am shocked at what a person of hate I can be at times (my inside voice) as I sit as judge and jury over many. 

Verse 13 now at first glance is a verse that I think we used in raising kids to justify spanking. Spanking is an interesting idea. For the rod, we called the TLC but I don't think we did a good job with it in that way. Instead, it was a device that inflicted pain that was just not our hand. Maybe it got the point across, but I am not sure. I think our youngest got the brunt of it growing up. I despise a lot of my parenting in those days - as I focused too much on respect and behavior, had little grace and didn't engage in enough humor. It remains a huge regret in my life. Like the previous verse, I felt like my hatred was too great toward behavior that I did not like in others. 

This verse contrasts the discerning with those who lack understanding. Discerning is to show good judgment and understanding. The King James Version uses the word understanding in both phrases, comparing one who has understanding to one who is void of understanding. The one with understanding merits wisdom, while the other who is void of understanding receives reproof or even rebuke or some sort of unwanted attention befalls him. 

The manner in which we can conclude a persons understanding is through their actions or behavior. When our children act improperly toward one another it was concluded that they liked understanding and showing respect and therefore needed a TLC/rod. It is somewhat similar to the riding whip for a horse or a choke collar with a dog. They are to encourage correct behavior and yet in the process they come with some sort of pain.    

Wisdom is the ideal here. Wisdom is taking information and then understanding and placing it into action in a way is appropriate for differing situations, having good understanding of what is right and wrong, knowing the decision to make in even strenuous conditions. It is learning from the past. It is doing the right thing. 

In my role of manager, I believe I am expected to be a person that has a lot of wisdom. I have a lot of experience in many different areas and can see the big picture of it all and can therefore make recommendations on how things are to work. 

We need to expect correction when we don't know. 

Prayer: O God, forgive me first of all for improperly exercising the rod toward my children. I know in your grace you cover me. And I am thankful those occurrences were not often. Lord, help the pain that people receive when people act foolishly move those individuals to right living. Lord, we need to be people that make good decisions, act wisely, and glorify You God. Again, help me to accept correction. Thank you for teaching me your statutes. 

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Judges 16:23-31 - Samson Victorious

Judges 16:23-31

Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

Message: Samson Victorious

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Following Samson's capture by the Philistines, his eyes were gouged out or put out and thus he lost his sight. The Philistines want to make sure that even if he recovers his strength he will not be effective. Following his capture, his captors celebrate. Verse 20 makes mention that "the Lord departed from him." To his captors they saw it as their doing, but from God's perspective, his capture was of the Lord, His discipline. Thus, two things are going on, God's sovereignty on display through the free will of man. But I wonder if this description of the Lord departing him is the idea from Samuel based upon what he sees. Or perhaps the phrase departed refers to His strength. 

In verse 23, the Philistines then pay homage to their god - Dagon, a prosperity god. They followed this by having Samson come out to them and amuse them. They mocked his strength by having him stand between two pillars. 

But as they are amused by him, he does something as a prelude to showing his strength. He leans against the pillars of the house or temple. And then he calls on the Lord to give him strength. He understands that His strength comes from the Lord. His focus though is on avenging himself and yet he is willing to die in the process. “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it." The temple falls and the Philistines fall and Samson falls. But hopefully God is glorified. Samson dies and the conclusion is he was involved in judging Israel for 20 years. 

Summary: The Philistines ridicule Samson but Samson implores God's strength one last time and bring the temple down.

Promise: God uses imperfect people. 

Prayer: O God the Father, please root out the imperfect ways in me. Let your Word instead shine in my life and may I be a person that is constantly modeling you in my life and living according to your promises. Help me to stand firm before others, not backing down from the Word of God. Help people to see who you are clearly. Lord, you are real and your way is the best. May people keep seeing this. 

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Proverbs 10:12 - Loving through Unmet Expectations

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all transgressions.

The Message: Loving through unmet expectations

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Hatred and Love. They stand on opposite lines, opposite spectrums. The language here is always interesting. The choice of words. Hatred stirs up. When I think of stirs I think of chocolate milk. It is simply where my mind goes. Starting with the pure white milk and then adding chocolate powder or syrup and suddenly the white milk is no longer white and pure, but instead it is impacted completely by the dark color of chocolate. It stirs and discolors that which is pure. 

But it moves beyond this to "stirs up." I find this definition, "Stirs up" generally means to cause a strong emotion or reaction, or to disturb something, often intentionally. Stirring up starts with a substance that isn't in conflict and it stirs up conflict. This represents me so often. I am doing fine, but something comes along to stir me up and suddenly produce something very different in me that is agitated, angry, upset, in conflict. 

This verse starts with Hatred as the active agent. Hatred comes along and stirs up strife. Strife is discord or disagreement. 

Interesting. Hatred and strife are both unfavorable dispositions. I do not want to hate and I do not want to have strife in situations and yet, in this verse both work off one another. It is like in the nature of discord or disagreement hatred is the result of strife. 

NIV - Hatred stirs up Conflict

NLT - Hatred stirs up quarrels

Good news - Hatred stirs up trouble

Literal - Hatred awakens contentions

It is as if, hatred is one thing, standing alone, communicating a contempt for something, a dislike, but then everything stirs up strife. Ellicott says, "Hatred rakes up again old feuds which have slumbered." Joseph Benson says, "they imagine faults where there are none, and aggravate every small offence." 

This interesting. It is as if there is a past feeling that is dormant and in this instance it is stirred up and awakened. It was laying asleep, but now it is up again. 

Yowza. I see this all to often. I suppose I am such an emotional creature, with expectations. Especially in relationships. I have this high expectation in other people and how I think they should be acting. I project on them they way I think they should be and in the process, when they don't meet that expectation, I grow sour and disappointed. However, I don't hate them. I just loathe their decisions. Why can't they choose an alternate way. Often times, or lately it seems it comes down to work. There is something they are expected to do. Almost like a common sense that is present and instead they choose a different way. I brandish them as not meeting that expectation and strife stirs up. I have a problem. And I can't seem to get myself away from it. It just lies there and everyday it stirs up again. I hate the action, but yes, it moves beyond a hatred to then producing strife in me where now my interactions with that person is filled with strife or disagreement. I try to recognize the positive, but keep struggling with that.

The contrasting element of this verse is somewhat simple - love covers all transgressions. I don't know why in me, but I seem to focus more on the negative side of things rather than this - lover covers all sins. Love covers all troubles, vices, offenses. Love comes in the door. Ellicott says, "Love covers up and refuses to look at any wrong done to it." Joseph Benson states, "willingly forgives and forgets the injuries and offences of others, and so prevents contention and mischief." Love does the opposite of stirs up conflict, it prevents the conflict. I suppose currently I don't want to let the offense off. But I need to do that. I need to forgive. But it is hard when I feel so justified. It is almost like love becomes more real when it can look past offenses and does not raise up contention. This is when love is really real. I can love others that have different beliefs. I can love my kids when they often don't go the right way, follow God in the way they should. I need to do more of this - love when my approval hasn't been met. 

I admit Lord I struggle. 

Prayer: It has been 2 months since I did one of these Proverbs Father. My goal, as you know, was to do one a day, but that does not happen. I guess one is better than none. Father, this one is a tough one for me. I see the promise, the contrast, and yet, I admit a big struggle in feelings of justification in allowing strife to remain present rather than simply allowing love to cover it. I try to forgive but struggle in the forgetting. And then it rears its ugly head again. Help me with this Lord. That I may love no matter what. At times at work, I need to call attention to problems, but help me to not let it upset the relationships I have. Help me to pick myself up and remain positive and happy and have joy. Not only when everyone is on the same footing as me, but when there are differences. I need to accept and love and keep having joy. Give me Your strength God because I don't have it. 

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