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. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Mark 16:14-15 - Commissioning the Disciples

Mark 16:14-15
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Message: Commissioning the Disciples

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has risen from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, after being crucified on Friday following his arrest and seemingly conviction for rightfully being King of the Jews. The news of his resurrection was given first to 3 women and then he appeared for the first time to Mary Magdalene, followed by 2 of the disciples, however after hearing from these individuals, people are not believing that Jesus has in fact raised from the dead.

Between verse 13 and 14 is another appearance of Jesus to his disciples - Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining. Jesus is appearing to them in the evening now of Sunday, the first day of the week. The disciples are now known as the eleven as Judas, the 12th, has killed himself following him betraying Jesus. But, it is said that Thomas is not even with them at this time, but still the group is referred to as the Eleven. They were reclining at the table and eating when He appeared to them.

and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. Jesus confronts their unbelief, their stubbornness in not believing despite His appearance to others. It is a situation that remains true to this day as many will not believe unless they see Him or have some sort of visible proof. They are not willing to take the Words of other witnesses. But, this is important for us today as well for we are believing now based upon the testimony of others. However, his focus is not on the evidence, but rather the condition of their hearts. They begin with a hardness of heart so that the evidence does not even matter, whatever the evidence may be. This is the problem with a hardened heart as it makes a decision even before the evidence is presented.

Yet despite this unbelief, it is them that he tasks to go into all the world and preach. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." On the surface this seems surprising. Today, wouldn't we look for the most qualified individuals prior to giving them this task. All to often this is how we choose people today, based upon their resume's and past performances, but Jesus then commissions these men that throughout His ministry have shown over and over that they are not the most qualified. Could this be because man's position is not what is important, but God's position and His mission will always save lives. So Jesus gives them the task despite their hardness of heart. He rebukes them, but then commissions them. One note is that Mark is always careful to show the failures of the disciples. He is often more interested in how people responded to Jesus rather than Jesus' message itself.

Summary - After speaking to Mary Magdalene and others on the road (perhaps disciples) he comes back to his original disciples (less Judas who is deceased) and reproaches them for their unbelief and for not even looking at the evidence, but first having a hardness of heart. Yet despite this denial of Him, He tasks them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. They are still the one's that He will use.

Promise: Past failures do not mean that we cannot be used of God today.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for using the undeserved. You show me continually that You can work through any person. Help me to not be so caught up in qualifications that I miss the work that You are doing. Help my unbelief and thinking a certain way before the evidence is presented. Help me to have an open-mind.

Mark 8:32b-33 - Peter Corrects Jesus

Mark 8:32b-33
32b And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 

Message: Peter Corrects Jesus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ - the promised Messiah. He ordered the disciples to not tell anyone about it. Jesus provides more information about himself on the journey they are taking, remarking that he has a mission of suffering, rejecting, death, and resurrection. These things must happen in their time. Jesus has a greater purpose. In the meantime, keep listening to his message and seeing that he is different, radically different.After this is said, though, Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. 

Peter rebukes Jesus, but Peter, in front of the disciples rebukes Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Thus, to resist Jesus' teaching is to act as a disciple of Satan, and this is true regardless of whether the person making the objection understands what he is saying. Peter was correct that Jesus was the Messiah, but wrong about what that would mean. Some say Jesus' response was harsh, but obviously Jesus thought it was necessary. And today, as people make errors and paint a Jesus that fits their ideals rather than the Jesus that is presented in the Bible, we should be just as harsh. 

I tend to not be harsh, only because maybe I don't understand it well and so as I see preachers harsh toward different sects of Christianity, I think it is sometimes too tough. But, maybe they see themselves acting in this same way as Jesus rebuking Peter. For example, we are not just justified by faith, but justified by faith alone. Jesus is of the same nature as the Father, not simply a similar nature. Sometimes we are a little careless with out use of words. I think we are lazy at times and don't make things a big deal. But, we do need to be precise. 

Summary - After Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ - the Jewish Messiah - Jesus states his mission of suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. Peter rebukes Jesus over this, wanting to correct him. But Jesus sees that Peter misunderstands and exhibits tough love in rebuking Peter, calling him out as Satan because his words are motivated by man's interests instead of God's.   

Promise: We must be careful to be precise in our understanding of doctrine and capture all of the nuances of the Bible. If we don't know, it should not be a problem to state this.  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as you confirm truth to me, I pray that I would accept that truth into my life. There are multiple views that I hear each day, but I want to be guided by Your Spirit so that you are defining my beliefs. Direct me on this path, so that I walk the straight and narrow, but also help me to know when I need to extend grace to people and when I need to be tough in upholding truth. I know you have given me a specific type of personality. May I continue to have wisdom in navigating all that is in this world today.