Proverbs 11:22 - Inner Value

Proverbs 11:22

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,

so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 

Message: Inner Value

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: Interesting verse comparing something that is beautiful with something that is bad and then something that is not beautiful with something that is elegant. The basic idea is these two items combined are two characteristics that don't belong together. Gold in a pig. Beauty lacking discretion. And the two comparisons are two things people all enjoy - riches and beauty. Yet it seems wasteful to add riches to a pig and it should seem wasteful to have beauty added to someone that lacks discretion. 

A pig is an unclean animal. It is an animal by Jewish dietary laws that is not eaten. Gold as a precious metal metaphor represents wealth or something of value or something that is desirable. Thus, that which we desire is placed in something we don't. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company corrupts good character." Also 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked." Both of these have similar ideas of not mixing value or what we want with what is not valuable. But also here is adding value to something that won't be appreciated. On the flip side we like taking things that appear to be worthless and converting them to value, such as repairing something used rather than replacing it, such as a car or anything. It is great to take something that is used up and giving it more life, but the problem here is being corrupted. 

To lack discretion is to not think before one speaks. This is a person that needs to be careful with their speech. It is a person that needs to be cautious about what they say, especially as it relates to others. We are to value inner beauty. In Proverbs, "Charm is deceitful." Words are more important than looks. What we hear, more important than what we see as far as looks. As I have been reading through the books of Joshua and the Judges, people like Saul and Adonijah were described first about their looks. Their character was not of the importance that stood out but rather their looks and those individuals did not end up leading well. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy. Your ways are the best ways and here is the reminder that there is more than meets the eye and we should be more focused on inner beauty and inner value and how we speak and conduct ourselves instead of focusing on what simply is pleasing to our eye or even our pocketbook. Redefine this in our lives. Thank you for helping me see the importance of this in my life. Keep showing me. I thank you for the beauty of my wife but it only means something because of how wonderful she is as a person. This is when the beauty really stands out in her because of how caring and loving she is to me and others. Her playful ways. Her discretion to be careful about what she wears and how she presents herself. I am so thankful for her and how you have trained her to be Godly. Help me always to value this and not get so caught up in looks and beauty. 

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

I Samuel 18:17-30 - Saul Becomes David's Enemy

I Samuel 18:17-30

then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David's enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines went out [to battle], and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed. (verse 28-29)

Message: Saul Becomes David's Enemy

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: This section has the title that 'Saul Becomes David's Enemy.' It seems to me that Saul hasn't liked David very much from the beginning. At first, Saul learns of David after Samuel anoints him and puts him in his court to play the harp, most likely to kind of keep his eye on him. The the Philistines start a conflict with Israel, Saul puts together an army but with Goliath's demand no one is defending Israel until David steps in and slays Goliath. David isn't looking for credit but Saul is looking for it and has to share the limelight with David and this bothers him. But Saul is still king. Jonathan takes a liking to David and they build a special bond. Then there is that verse about an evil spirit coming to Saul (18:10). 

Now for defeating Goliath, the victor was promised Saul's daughter 17:25 based upon the men of Israel hearing this from King Saul. Well that day has now come with 18:17 but Saul once again throws in a caveat. He makes a promise and then he later adds to it and once again he gives David his daughter Merab but then says Davis is to "be a valiant man for me and fight the Lord's battles."  That's Saul for you - make a promise and then adjust it. But David in 18:18 doesn't seem to want the daughter of Saul so instead Merab goes to another man. 

"Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David" (verse 20). Saul sets it up. He demands that David bring him 100 foreskins of Philistines he has killed in battle. Saul makes this demand with the idea that David will fail and die in the process. For this in verse 26, "it pleased David to become the king's son-in-law." What does David do? He and his men go and strike down not 100, but 200 men and bring their foreskins to Saul. That's crazy and intense. Foreskins. "So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife." 

And today's highlighted verse, Saul now sees what David can accomplish and he "was more afraid of David." In verse 30, "David behaves more wisely than all the servants of Saul." 

Saul's heart is hardened. He doesn't just stop and accept David, but instead continues to plot against him. I suppose this happens at times in life. No matter the evidence, people still are stubborn and refuse to go along or believe. 

Summary: A daughter is promised to David after Goliath victory, but David wants a different daughter. Saul tries to get David to fail but he is even more victorious and gets Michal and Saul becomes more bothered by David. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "The promise of the Lord’s presence with His people is the greatest assurance we can have."

Prayer: God, you are a great God and thank you for the presence you have in people, in underdogs like David and yet make their name great. They trust in You. I want to trust in You, no matter what comes. I want to be a man of my word and give you glory. Help me to do that as I talk to people even if they don't listen. You are my King. I praise You and thank You for the great work that You have done. Give me wisdom and grace. 

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

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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Proverbs 10:5 - Seize the day

Proverbs 10:5 - He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who sets shamefully. 

Message: Seize the day

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: At first glance, work vs not working or even sleeping is the virtue/vice comparison with this Proverb. I did a quick look at different translations and everyone seems to agree with the phrase of gathering; only the New Living Translation is "harvests." The Amplified is always interesting for it often expands on the verse. It states, "He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully." Here there is the result of each action - one who takes advantage of opportunities versus one who ignores the opportunity. This is the interesting thing about sleep. When one is asleep there are out of it. They are not coherent nor able to see what is going on. It is not that they are simply ignorant or avoiding the situation, but rather there is complete abandonment of the opportunity. 

Here are thoughts from various commentaries I enjoy: 

Joseph Benson (1748-1821) - a prominent Methodist preacher in England: a wise son acts wisely for his parents; he gains reputation to himself, his family, and education. But he that sleepeth in harvest causeth shame — Both to himself for his folly, and to his parents, and will bear the shame of it when he is old: will afterward lament his negligence and folly. -- Observations: There is an idea here of regret. The person will look back realizing he could have done better. Also, the impact of one's actions has an impact on not only the person's reputation, but a person's family. 

Matthew Henry (1662-1714) - nonconformist minister in England: Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Observations: As the amplified Bible mentions opportunities so here Henry does as well. There is something before a person to take. There is an opportunity and yet it is ignored. 

Albert Barnes (1798-1870) - American Presbyterian minister and abolitionist: The son is called upon to enter upon the labors of others, and reap where they have sown. To sleep when the plenteous harvest lies ready for the sickle is the most extreme laziness. Observations: As I think about opportunities, I realize the abundant of opportunities that are present in this country. In comparison, as I converse with those in India and Africa and those 3rd world or developmental countries, they lack opportunities. While there is plenty of good and solid education, there are few outcomes of actual good work. As such, one thing important about this verse is whether there are opportunities even to take advantage of with a person. 

John Gill (1697-1771) - English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian: In the time of health and youth, persons should be active and industrious in their several callings and stations, and provide against a time of sickness and old age; and that they should lose no opportunities, neither in a natural nor spiritual way, of doing or receiving good. Observations: The proverbs extolls or calls attention to a son. Gill makes mention that the son is living at a time in their life when they can be active and industrious in comparison to older age which often is chronicled by sickness. Again, don't lose out on any opportunities. 

In the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges published from 1878-1918 who had a primary editor in John Perowne (1823-1904), an Anglican bishop: we render literally, a son that doeth wisely … that doeth shamefully. Observations: The mention of the word shamefully is called to my attention. Shame is a painful emotion that infers that a person is bad, not that they have simply done bad things. In shame, we often hide rather than confront before us what is done. The sleeping son not only laments and has regret but in this regret is that feeling of shame, that he blew it and he only has himself to blame. 

In this verse is a stark contrast - one who gathers versus one who sleeps. This is a black and white comparison. One is either actively doing good and seizing the day or one is simply asleep. I remember in 1989, when I was 21, there was a film "Dead Poets Society," where the English teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, famously says: "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." Later, this line was voted as the 95th greatest movie quote by the American Film Institute. In that movie, I sensed this calling to go beyond the rote and normal education and expand on all that is before us and available to us. In the movie, one of the characters was pigeon-holed by his father or expected to achieve in a certain way - to be a doctor. While there was nothing wrong with that, the son had a desire for the arts and yet for the father, this type of career did not hold the same worth. I think often of a dental hygienist I had who was Muslim and for their 3 kids, they had 2 options - go into the medical field or be an engineer. One son started engaging in a sports activity and was getting into it and his family pulled him out of it for the concern that it was detract from one of those two primary goals. But I digress a little as this verse simply talks about making the most of the opportunities before us, generally speaking versus not, even though at times children are often limited by their parents to take advantage of only certain or specific opportunities.  

Prayer: God, you are good and holy and the wisdom that comes through these verses is wisdom I need and need to be reminded of in my life. Specifically here in these verses I contemplate the opportunities that are before me every day and seizing those opportunities and making the most of them - help me O God to put away my slumber, my life of ease that I gravitate towards so often, and instead embrace those opportunities. There are people in my path to be with, spend time with, conversations to be had. There is work to be done that has been assigned to me, that I have an opportunity each day to do to the fullest. There is so much. I know I have been given so much. And I still pray for those that are struggling with opportunities and don't have the same availability and those that find it hard to achieve even the basic necessities of life. Expand their understanding and their opportunities. Thank you for their hard work and that great example. Be our strength O God. 

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

Proverbs 10:1 - The wise and foolish son

Proverbs 10:1 

The proverbs of Solomon, a wise son makes a father glad. But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. 

Message: The wise and foolish son

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: This is a a book that I have wanted to study for a long time, but specifically this section which begins here in verse 1 of Chapter 10 - "The proverbs of Solomon." This section spans from 10:1 to 22:16 and is 375 separate verses on various subjects. Each verse can in a way stand alone. People have said that with 31 chapters in Proverbs, one can read a chapter a day. Maybe that is a good practice and yet within those 31 chapters are so many different messages to ponder and every time I set out on the goal to read a chapter a day I get hung up with all of the different ideas in each chapter. So I wonder instead of studying each one, could I with 375 verses do one a day, taking over a year to complete? In looking at these 375 verses, what will follow is observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.  

The first verse of these proverbs begin with the son. As I read the previous 9 chapters of Proverbs, the son seems to be the focal subject. Chapters 2-7 begin with the phrase, "My son..." and much of the subject matter is a warning of the son to not go astray and often the warning is to stay far away from one's neighbors wife (yet this son does not seem to be married). 

This first proverb expresses the most fundamental relationship and one that is present throughout history - a child's relationship to their father and mother. Note: while this book focuses on the name 'son' in its writings, I don't think the application is only to a son. The male gender is often used as the default term, especially in these ancient times. 

The virtue here is "a wise son makes a father glad" and the vice is attributed to the mother, "a foolish son is a grief to his mother." And yet just as a son also means a daughter, a father can also mean the mother. It is significant though that a father and mother are assumed to both to be a part of a child's life. While this verse is one subject - the actions of a child, contrasting two actions, it seems this verse is a culmination as well of all that this book is speaking about. In order to understand wisdom as well as foolishness a person needs to read the previous chapters. As such, this book, the Bible and its collections of writings are a group of writings that are written for us to make them all a part of our lives. Yes, we highlight and call attention to certain verses over others. But all are meant to be a part of our lives. And I think this verse therefore is a summary verse and understanding its meanings requires us to read on and think about what has already been stated. 

The other thing I see in this verse is our actions are meant to not simply be individualistic, but impacting others. We are relational beings. Yes, there is value in the individual but life is not simply about one person but rather a people. This verse shows the impact a child's actions has on their parents, producing gladness while foolishness produces grief. It is clear that gladness is our goal. It is what we are after. 

This idea of relational creatures and that we are not meant to do things alone and be alone and only please ourselves is a big one. A friend was telling me that so much of today's life is individualistic. People are so concerned of individual's feelings and rights. In the media, we have more and more contests that are focused on individual success rather than a team (e.g. Survivor, American Idol, The Voice, The Floor). Our phones are focused on our own self interest and self enjoyment. So much of life is now focused on individual attainment. But what is significant about this verse is the individual effects others (parents). I think our lives are meant to be relational, affecting others. 

In thinking of this word, wisdom, I read from commentaries that it encompasses a prudent person or one that shows care for the future. There is also an element of virtue. Virtue displays a life of high morals or choosing right over wrong consistently. And then wisdom is defined as a godly person. To be godly I think is to exemplify and be like the One that created us and made us and purposed us to live. As such, we pursue to follow God's commands and conform our thoughts and actions to the standard that God sets for us. As such these attributes are interchangeable. The desire for high morals is spoken of in the Bible. God wants a people that will be faithful to Him and glorify Him. 

Thus, this idea of a wise son makes a father glad shows that a child of God is also meant to make their heavenly father proud. I will never forget when Tyson, my oldest, was playing basketball in a church league (Upwards) in mid-school I believe and he struggled making baskets, but there was one day he went down the court, made a basket and immediately looked back at me in the stands. He wants to make me glad. There was another time with Tyson back at our house on Moon Street in which I got really mad at the kids and he went and quickly drew a picture of us at the Lobos football game we had attended. I was mad and angry over something the kids had done and he wanted to bring to mind a game we had gone to and the good time we had there. He wanted me to be glad. It took a while in my life before I felt that my dad was glad with me and still I struggle at times with it. 

The idea that a foolish son is a grief to his mother is because I think in this instance, the emotion of grief is actually more common to women. My wife is definitely quicker to tears. Grief is anguish or distress and there are occurrences of this in our lives because of the actions of our children. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this verse and all that an be gleaned from it. Thank you for making us relational beings, in need of each other and that our behavior affects others. I thank you for my children who have made me glad many times and in so many ways.  

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

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 - To Study or Not to Study

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12
11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

Message: To Study or Not to Study

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is Solomon. The book was likely written towards the end of Solomon's reign, approximately 935 B.C. It is a book of perspective whereby the speaker reveals the depression that inevitably results from seeking happiness in worldly things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning. He accepts that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God and advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.

What the Lord is Saying:

Words of the Wise
This passage comes near the close of the book of Ecclesiastes. It seems to summarize what has been said to this point by the Preacher, emphasizing that the the words of wise men or the inspired words that are coming from Almighty God are like goads. For us today, a goad is a spiked stick or a board in which nails were embedded with their points exposed encouraging an animal such as a cow or ox to keep moving by the animal feeling a sharp pain. Thus, the words of the wise are seen as a goad. Wise words sometimes hurt and are partly unwelcome as we traverse through life, on our own, left to our devices. But, we need to be poked and reminded of our purpose. As seen in Psalm 23:1 (The Lord is my shepherd), the ancient Hebrews often referred to God as their "shepherd." Thus, these are words given by one Shepherd -- the Lord God.

Reminders are sometimes corrections that sting a little. We traverse through life often with an expectation of how things are to go and wise words at times assault us a little, prodding us or reminding us. I notice this often in my life as I often get corrected at work. I make a point that I think is appropriate and come to find out there is a rule that contradicts my point. Getting corrected continually is sort of tough. It hurts to the psyche, but it is necessary and I shouldn't resist it, though I do.

Excessive Reading
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. Here is a warning to be careful about how much time we spend studying and seeking information. We need to be people of action, not just study. I even see this as an application to pray for I notice my own tendency to spend a lot of time in study and gaining knowledge and not enough time praying or taking what I have learned and praying. Again, as has been talked about, I need that gentle prodding and reminder. The reason I study is to see how the Lord wants me to live. That is my purpose.

Promise: Seek Wisdom. Seek Godly wisdom, but also be a person of action not simply study. Welcome the wisdom from God, even it means getting corrected or reminded of what I need to do.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this insight that I need, though I may not always want or desire. Getting corrected is a humbling experience. Help me to read what I need to read, but also be a person of action. Thank you for the wisdom of your Book. Thank you that it is what I need each and every day.

Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant

Proverbs 6:6-11

⁶ Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise,
⁷ Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler,
⁸ Prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.
⁹ How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
¹⁰ “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”—
¹¹ Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man.

Message: Go to the Ant

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: As I've learned elsewhere, I have things to learn, even from the ant. In verse 6, I am told to look to the ant, o lazy one, and observe her walking about and then be wise. Take notice of the smallest creature on the earth and realize there is much to be learned from this creature. I continue to find it interesting that the ant's life span is about 30-45 days and yet with no leader each ant has the inborn train of preparing her food in the summer and gathering what the ant will need for the harvest. So, they are gathering for other ants that will live on after them. How can one look at this and say this is all birthed by chance?

Verse 9 begins with 2 words - How long - describing the strange idleness of man. Granted, sleeping and playing and sitting in front of a TV I think all are examples of being a sluggard. Just being out of bed is not enough to escape the sluggard tag on our lives. But, for me, the time I spend staring at a screen, seeking to be entertain by it when there are other things I could be doing. I was at my parents last night and noticed the books by my Mom's nightstand and noticed once again the books of great Christian writers she was taking the time to go through. She is not a sluggard but she is spending time equipping herself in a better way, desiring to bring glory to God. It is a beautiful picture. I look at the house and things I could do and there are many. Help me Lord to not constantly go toward the tube but engage in activities of meaning with my family and friends.

Promise: Be careful about continual acts of putting off to tomorrow what could be done today.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for examples that you provide with even the smallest of your creatures. You are a good God and a kind God and thank you for your Word that encourages us and reminds us in the ways in which we are to live. Lord, train me to surround me with only good sources of information in my life.

Proverbs 10:4-5 - The Diligent Hand of the Prudent Son

Proverbs 10:4-5
4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.

Message: The Diligent Hand of the Prudent Son

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Even there were not any verse or chapter divisions in the original manuscripts, the beginning of this chapter says -- A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. Solomon in Proverbs is primarily speaking to a son or his children to discuss things to think about, mostly regarding behavior. The reality is that left to our natural state, we have a tendency to live lives of complete selfishness. We do not naturally please others. For example, a child has to learn to share. For some it is easier than others. I see this in myself often, my selfishness takes over in so many areas. Yes, I work hard, but often I think that hard work then merits a meeting of my expectations.

These two proverbs contrast the hard working with the lazy. This is a common theme. I have learned in life that it is not just about working hard but working hard in a wise manner. After college I worked in a credit union as a teller for just about 6 months. In that job, I worked quickly but not always carefully. I enjoyed being faster than everyone else, but along the way I wasn't always the most accurate. My next year was spent volunteering in radio and doing temp jobs. In those jobs I sometimes didn't have big time requirements and could work at my own pace. Then, I got a job in retail. It wasn't just working hard that was important, but being wise in that work and working with a smile on my face, which has always been a challenge. In this process, I went back to school and then went to work at an accounting office. I worked hard, but not hard enough. My boss was similar to my boss now, expecting me to get the job done and not being focused on my time. I took a few afternoons off to watch Lobo basketball and didn't come in like he did on the weekends and he let me go. That was a wake up call for I spent another couple of months looking for work while having a wife at home and a new child. I then worked in Santa Fe and had different demands placed on me and I responded, thought it was still a challenge. That was a good job, but I still felt inadequate many times and I wasn't sure I was working well. I then took a job back in Albuquerque with a friend being the resident accountant for a small business. That was a job I didn't have much confidence in and I let others decide how I would work rather, though they looked to me for advice often.

I think overall I have learned to be diligent as verse 4 speaks.

And now I look at my children and I must admit their idleness makes em bothered. I think they spend too much time in entertainment and recreation mode. But, I also need to remember myself and what I had to learn and I need to give them time to learn as well.

Promise: Different seasons of life dictate often how often we spent quality time with the Lord and quality time working, but it is always important to be diligent and work in a wise manner.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the experiences that I have had. Some have been hard to go through, but through them you have taught much about myself. Forgive me for continually thinking of myself as deserving something because I simply work hard. You have gifted me in a certain way to be a certain person and this is who I am. And remind me that I am simply behaving in a way that is consistent with my make-up. Help me to be patient with my wife and children. I need your help Lord, I often act in way that I am not proud of. I want to instead bring glory to Your Name.

Proverbs 26:11-12 - Fools and Their Folly

Proverbs 26:11-12

¹¹ Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.
¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Message: Fools and Their Folly

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: The imagery that is used in verse 11 is compelling especially considering the time when it was written. Dogs were considered an unclean animal at the time, not the cute companion animals they are today. When one is sick, they vomit and no one wants to ever return to vomiting. It is something that we have no desire to go back and do again. The fool is thus compared to one that is unclean returning to something that is unclean. The problem then with a fool is he doesn't recognize that his behavior is wrong and so he returns to it again. What's tragic is we are training a generation of fools because we are training people over and over to have no knowledge of what is right and wrong. Many therefore are returning to behavior that is foolish, but now society is going it normal behavior. But more directly this verse is focused on the person who is unwilling to receive any correction and prefers to repeat the same behavior over and over.

The fool is then, in verse 12, likened to one that is wise in his own eyes (as also mentioned in Proverbs 3:7).  This is on the heels of verse 11 and the notion to stay clear of one who is unwilling to receive any correction. Thus, a person that is wise in their own eyes. This means they are unwilling to take any direction from anyone else, like God, or the advice of anyone else. Wisdom is to trust in God. Folly is to not trust in God, thus trust only in self. Jesus came to call sinners. The turning point of any person is recognizing that in themselves they are a sinner. But, most are unwilling to see their sin or to see that it is serious.

Promise: Let us pray for ourselves that we would not repeat our folly.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that I am teachable and not stubborn in what I know, especially as I get older. I'm 49 now and concerned that as I get older, I get that feeling more and more that I am right and am not as teachable, but keep molding me and shaping me as you are the potter and I am the clay. And help my family to be responsive in the same way to being taught.

Proverbs 9:13-18 - Meet Woman Folly

Proverbs 9:13-18

¹³ The woman of folly is boisterous,She is naive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,
¹⁵ Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
¹⁶ “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks understanding she says,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet;
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Message: Meet Woman Folly

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Throughout Proverbs wisdom is personified as a lady calling out to society to sit at her feet and listen to her righteous words. But, the Woman of Folly, as noted here in verse 13 is also mentioned and she presents an antagonist perspective.

This woman or this person or perspective is first of all loud. She is boisterous. And yet in the loudness she is naive and knows nothing. The loud voice is not necessarily the correct voice. The one who is loud is not necessarily the one who is right. She is simply loud. She shows a lack of experience and really knows nothing.

Second, she is lazy and simply looking for an opportunity to pounce on someone. She sits at the doorway of her house looking for someone that will be lured away. She is idle. She is focused on one thing and that is calling to those who pass by. More specifically, her audience is those who are making their paths straight. I can't help but go back to Proverbs 3;5-6 which says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. The one that is seeking to put their trust in the Lord, who has set themselves as a goal to not lean on their own understanding, but in all their ways acknowledge Him and therefore, He is making their paths straight. And this is the one that Woman Folly is calling to and sitting and waiting for. It is those that have the intent and desire to be men and women of God. 

But she is really focused on those who lack understanding (v. 4, 16). The problem with the Christian often is they have a little bit of knowledge, but if they do not plant themselves in the Word of God, yield to it and get trained by it, they are lazy or naive and lack understanding. Many a Christian has no idea what to do when someone comes to their door to question their faith or makes a remark. They are set in the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ, but that setting is a little watery. It is a setting where they can move about. The goal is for us to be firmly fixed in place. Otherwise, we are easily given into the world and its ways. 

One of the things that makes sin so attractive is the fact that it is often hidden or done in secret or off the beaten track. There is a conquest in doing it for we are people of adventure and there is something special about getting away with something and that something then giving us a fix of enjoyment. 

Proverbs 5:15 says to Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. This is referring to intercourse or sex and the admonition to drink only from what is yours or has been given to you. And then here in 9:17 is the idea that Stolen waters are sweet. Adulterous intercourse is sweet. Human nature is corrupt and human nature is attracted to that which is unlawful. We struggle with being content and accepting the gift God has given us. Instead we want more. 

I have struggled with this. It is so easy in this day and age to get enticed away. If we give those sites or show our eyes, if we allow our senses to sit at their feet, we get lured away, and for a moment, a brief moment, there is a thrill and intensity. We have stolen a glance. We have garnered the forbidden fruit. We have turned to our God and said, "No sir, I'm in charge." We have denied the commandments and we feel superior in that moment. I have been there. I go there at times. It is wrong. I know it, but for whatever reason -- sickness, anger, feeling lonely, hungry, feeling tired and yet not sleeping -- in that moment of weakness I fall into bed with the woman of folly. I hate it. As Paul says, "I do what I don't want to do" but I do it anyway.  

In scripture, meat and wine are offered to the follower of God. Here the woman of folly offers bread and water. Both can meet a need, but meat and wine are more pleasurable and more powerful and longer lasting. This is what God is telling us. Seek My ways and listen to My commandments. Do what I tell you to do and you will receive more enjoyment. You think you have all that you need right now. You are in a habit, but know this, come to the Living Water and you will never thirst again. If I submit and surrender to him, then I am rich and full and complete.

This is a very powerful set of verses. In verse 18 is these words - But he does not know that the dead are there. The lure of the woman brings us in, to experience the pleasure and yet everyone in that place is basically dead. And even more her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Her guests, that is, the woman of folly, other companions, the others she has lured in, are empty. The danger is that we just jump from one pleasure to another pleasure. We are always in this state of needing to feed our senses and our desires, programmed now to think that this is the meaning of life. 

I think of Romans 1, when we give it an open door in our life, that is sin, when we stop honoring God and stop giving him thanks, then God says, "Go at it." He gives man over to it. And man is engulfed in it. This is the abhorrence of what is occurring everywhere. The Christian is as much a problem as those that clearly attack the Christian and try to silence him. 

Promise: Sin is seductive. 

My Prayer: O God, heal us. Bring us back to the joy of our salvation. Get me back on the straight and narrow path. Forgive me for thinking that I am God and I know better. You are everything and we need. Poor into the lives of my family and bring them to a true and complete knowledge of you.

Proverbs 8:1-11 - Lady Wisdom

Proverbs 8:1-11
¹ Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?
² On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³ Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
⁵ “O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom.
⁶ “Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
⁷ “For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
⁹ “They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰ “Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold.
¹¹ “For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.

Message: Lady Wisdom

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Proverbs 1-9 is primarily a teaching from a father to a son to stay clear of violence and adultery. But adultery doesn't just mean sexual infidelity but it refers also to trading God for other seemingly needed joys. It is taking matters into our own hands. We are to avoid evil and live righteously.

These verses in chapter 8 present Lady wisdom who will guide us into truth. Lady wisdom is bold and proclaims her message at the gates of the town (v.3). Give us understanding Lord.

There really isn't much to this passage. Its basically 11 verses of "Listen up!"

Promise: Wise counsel doesn't just happen, it must be communicated. Lord, help me to communicate wise counsel at home. 

Psalm 119:97-104 - Love for God's Law

Psalm 119:97-104

⁹⁷ O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸ Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word.
¹⁰² I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Message: Love for God's Law

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I return to my study of Psalm 119, being guided by TableTalk's devotional. I have looked past at this year and realized I have only done 68 entries. It seems like more, but I have been slow through this study of the Wisdom Literature. I am just now in the month of July 2015, but I guess I continue to press on, so that is good.

O How I love your Law, it is my meditation all the day. This is true of my life. I do love God's word. It is rich to my life. When I read it and meditate on it and think of it, it is everything to me.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. Lord, I know that your law makes me wiser. CS Lewis said that even if he found out tomorrow that the Bible was not true, he would still have to live like it is. I agree. It makes sense in life to live by it.

I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. Bible teachers are good, but meditating on God's word is more important. Lord, help me to stay connected to your word and reading it. Thank you for the teachers you have placed in our lives. But, its your word that makes the biggest impact in my life. The world professes to have schools of sage instruction; but the poorest believer, enlightened by the Spirit, is wiser than this boasted wisdom.

I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. Lord, what makes me strong is being your disciple and being obedient to Your word. Sometimes I wonder if my acts of service keep decreasing. But, help me to stay connected to learning Your Word. As I read your word it makes me feel more learned than old men or the aged or ancients.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. Lord, as I read your word, my desire is to not do evil. I struggle with this daily Lord. You know I still want that emotional contact with my wife and kids. And when I don't get it, I tend to revert to my life as a single and what brought me enjoyment then. But, Lord, help me to always wait on you and you alone. I need to trust in You, no matter my circumstances.  

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. Lord, as long as I am in your word and listening to Your ordinances then I will not turn aside. Your teaching is the best teaching.  

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Lord, your words are sweeter to me than food. Keep me engrossed in Your word.  

From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Lord, Your word is what gives understanding. Help me to read it and stay connected to it. As I do, I will hate evil. It is a solid truth that understanding is obtained by diligent adherence to God's precepts.

Promise: From Table talk, I really liked this: "We live in a lawless age that disdains boundaries and restrictions. Thus, the notion of loving God’s law seems quite strange to the unbeliever. Yet it should never seem strange to us. If God by His Spirit has poured His love into our hearts (Rom. 5), then we will love whatever reflects His character. We will love His law because it shows us who He is, and He is altogether lovely. Do you love God’s law? Pray that the Lord would increase in your heart your love for His law."  

Proverbs 20:18 - Our Need for Counsel

Proverbs 20:18 - Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.

Message: Our Need for Counsel

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

As a reminder, Proverbs are generally counsel given by parents to their children.

In this case, Solomon mentions that we are prepare plans by consultation. I am seeing that this can be a good thing and it can also be a not good thing. Right now, the issue we are having with my youngest son, who is 15, is that he is taking counsel from other 15 year old's in his life, and trusting their counsel over mine or my wife's. In this vein, it is causing us unrest because the counsel he is getting is not wise counsel. It is dangerous counsel that is putting him in precarious situations that he does not recognize as being unwise.

I just wish he would not take my counsel and consider it with a greater weight than his friends. It is a hard lesson to learn. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

I think of my other son who is often not taking the counsel of anyone, but instead living in the manner that he thinks is best. 

And in this same light, I believe Solomon is saying that if you must go to war, be wise about it. Think about others and consider the advice of many, make war by wise guidance. As we engage in spiritual warfare, we need to understand that we cannot do it alone. We need help. We need to seek the Lord and we need to seek the help of others in our life. I think it is also saying to not just plunge into war. I think I need to remember this and be careful about waging war, even as I relate to my children.

Promise: Take care in choosing the company we keep, always heed wise, godly advice.

Proverbs 17:9-10 - Discerning Rebuke

Proverbs 17:9-10
He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.  A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

Message: Being wise with our words

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

He who conceals a transgression seeks love
He who conceals a sin or hides a sin or covers a sin or does not bring that sin to light -- in his brother or sister takes the course which leads to gain. We live in a world that loves to find wrong in others. It is presidential election time and the goal often is to find something in the life of a candidate to discredit him. It is to find something that will make him look bad. Right now, we have a candidate that is speaking matter of fact, but I find that what people love the most is he assaults people and he brings to light the things that they have done wrong. It is kindness and forbearance that we forgive one another and not just forgive one another, but ignore sins. Verse 9 speaks of friends and so this phrase is even more talking about our attitude towards each other. 

He who repeats a matter separate intimate friends
How often have I in my life brought up a sin from my own kids that they have done in the past and held it against them once again? Too many times. I am embarrassed at how often I have done this. I am not to catalog sins so as to add more fuel to the fire and make people feel worse. My goal should be to encourage and mention things that can build others up. I am to be kind in my speech. I am to be encouraging. O God, how poor I have been at this. How wretched I am. Help me to learn to praise more and thank people more and forgive more. Forgiveness needs to be the mark of my life. But, I should not think this covers all sins. The point here is the minor sins and minor infractions that really do not need to be brought up again and again.

A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
If a rebuke is needed, then it goes deeper, or will have more of an affect on one who has understanding.  A word is enough for the wise. If I am a person that has understanding, then rebukes or a harsh word will be more palpable. This seems like a personal characteristic at times. As I consider my children and how they respond to criticism; some seem to handle it better than others. And I think of employees that I have as well. Some accept the criticism better than others.

than a hundred blows into a fool
But a fool can't take even a hundred blows and come out unchanged. Lord, there are others that do not accept any sort of criticism. For the cypress tree, the more it is watered, the more it is withered. And even more of an issue is the person that has become so callous to correction. The horse has to have a bit and bridle in its mouth in order to be moved to change. Great lengths are necessary for some people to even hope that you can get a change out of them. 


Promise: The Bible over and over talks about our speech and its importance. I am to speak the truth in love, not seeking to crush sensitive souls but to build them up in Christ.

Proverbs 13:20 - Walking With The Wise

Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Message: Walking with the wise

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

I believe, staring in book 10, Proverbs is a book of one verse proverbs. These verse speaks to the company that wise men keep. It is to be people that are also wise. It is contrasted with fools hanging around fools. 

This reminds me especially of growing up because it is in those growing up years that there is walking alongside people. I have noticed in my life that those that I kept my company with, in different situations or circumstances, were often the ones I ended up being like. In middle school, it was a non-Christian who was living for things of the world and so the world is what I got. In high school, it was both. When I was around the Christians, it was about being a Christian and being Jesus-like, but with the non-Christian, it became skipping school and in pursuit of the pretty girl. And so this verse held true. 

There was a song by Petra that I listened to off of the Never Say Die album. It was called Chameleon. It was written by Bob Hartman.

You want the best of both worlds
You're not getting either
You seem content to ride the fence
When you know which side is greener

Some run hot, some run cold
Some run from their maker
Some run the risk of losing out
With lukewarm friends and fakers

Chameleon, you blend with your surroundings
Chameleon, no one knows where you come from
Chameleon, you change with every situation
Compromising dedication

You compromise each word you say so inoffensively
You only want to hide behind your anonymity
You struggle for acceptance and it takes you to extremes
The smile you hide your face behind is not all that it seems

Come out, come out
Come out from among them
Come out, come out
Come out and be free

There is no gray, no neutral ground
There's only black and white
And nothing in between the two
To turn a wrong into right

There is no time for your charade
You've got to make your stand
When salt has lost its savor
The world becomes so bland

I loved that song and it says it nicely. You become what you hang around. 
 
Promise: Yes, we must walk with the wise, but we also must listen to the wise and emulate their behavior.

 

Proverbs 19:13-14 - Foolish Sons and Prudent Wives

Proverbs 19:13-14 - ¹³ A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. ¹⁴ House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Message: Foolish Son and Prudent Wives

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.
 
What the Lord is Saying:

These two verses contrast the impact of a son and mother and their impact on the family and the father. "A foolish son is destruction to his father." The focus of Proverbs and the Wisdom literature is to be wise. I think of wisdom often of the ability to make the right choice. And so the fool is someone that despite all of the facts and despite the experience of others, chooses a different path, a foolish path. So, how can a foolish son be depended upon? That seems to be the contention here.  

Contentions in a wife are also given, which is constant arguing or disagreement. This marks as a drip in the family. Drips drive me crazy. There has been many times that drips have occurred in our sinks and they are quite a bother. It is nonstop.

Tabletalk from January 26 states:

A home should be a place of refuge for its residents, and when relationships are harmonious and things are going well, a home is exactly that. However, when a home is full of strife, its residents desire to flee from it far more than they hope to dwell in it. The book of Proverbs recognizes this reality, and many of its sayings capture both the joy and the sorrow that can be found in the home.

The home should be a refuge. I have always thought that. The world tends to beat us up and we should always have the family as people we can retreat to, to restore life. But, when it is full of strife and tension and you don't feel like you can speak your mind then it is no fun to be there. I have wanted a home of freedom, but sometimes I don't think I've made it that way in our home. So it take divine intervention to have a good wife. It's not the norm. 

In verse 14, it remarks that a prudent wife is not easy to come by like maybe wealth or a good house. From the Reformation Study Bible, "This proverb does not imply that the Lord is not ultimately in control of the inheritance of wealth. It emphasizes rather that the outcome of one’s choice of spouse is not so easy to predict or control. A happy marriage is indeed cause to thank God." 


Promise: The Lord and His providence is the reason people are wonderful to be around.

Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 - The Sorrow That Attends Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 - ¹⁶ I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷ And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. ¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Message: The Sorrow That Attends Knowledge

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

[Note: Many of these words are taken from Albert Barnes commentary though Barnes only did a commentary on the New Testament and Ecclesiastes was written by F.C. Cook.]

As it began in verse 1, when the book started, these are the words of the Preacher or Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew word for Preacher is Koheleth and Preacher isn't even an adequate translation. It is a person in the act of calling together an assembly of people as if with the intention of addressing them. It is the action of Wisdom personified. Vanity is a key word in Ecclesiastes as it occurs 37 times. It has these meanings:

• that which passes away more or less quickly and completely
• that which leaves either no result or no adequate result behind, and therefore
• fails to satisfy the mind of man, which naturally craves for something permanent and progressive
• it also is applied to idols, as contrasted with the Living, Eternal, and Almighty God, and thus in the Hebrew it is connected with sin. 

In this book it is applied to all works on earth, to pleasure, grandeur, wisdom, the life of man, childhood, youth, and length of days, the oblivion of the grave, wandering and unsatisfied desires, unenjoyed possessions, and anomalies in the moral government of the world.  

Leading up to verses 16-18 is the preacher seeking and searching out by wisdom all that are done under heaven (v. 12). 

The Preacher says in his heart that he has acquired great wisdom, more than those before him and his heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. He is making the statement that his wisdom is greater than others. He then says he has directed or applied his heart to know what is wise, but also to know what is madness and folly. Folly is a lack of good sense. It is foolish behavior or unwise conduct. Madness is irrational conduct. 

To adequately understand wisdom, the Preacher believed he must also know what is irrational conduct and unwise conduct. He was able to clearly see the difference between these two extremes. As he did this, he uncovered that this is also striving after wind. Yes, I want to be wise, but my quest is not only wisdom. 

I think the key to Ecclesiastes is recognizing the balance that must occur in life. There must be margin. For in much wisdom comes much trouble and increasing knowledge increases sorrow. 

I think the key here is we must understand our limitations. As humans, we don't possess all knowledge and there is a danger thinking that we do or can hope to attain.

Promise: It is important to realize there are limits to my understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 - Ecclesiastes and Solomon's Song

Ecclesiastes 12:14 - For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Message: Overview

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C. Song of Solomon: Solomon's authorship is stated. Solomon most likely wrote this song during the early part of his reign. This would place the date of composition around 965 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Song of Solomon, as I learned from Tom Nelson, at Denton Bible Church, is a picture of love between a husband and wife. It starts at courtship, has dating, and continues to the marriage relationship. It is a book about love, marriage, and sex. Many people have thought the Bible couldn't have a book like this, so they have made it out to be allegory, but there is really no basis for this.

Ecclesiastes often speaks of how pointless life is and in essence, shows that God is sovereign and over all and we must trust in His ways rather than our own because our ways are temporary and futile. Life can be incomprehensible and thus point us to the Lord. 

Promise: A sad face is good for the heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

Proverbs 26 - Proverbs

Proverbs 26

Message: Proverbs

Time:  It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I follow the TableTalk devotional. I like it because it gets you diving into the word and it is generally expository. I like to look at the passage, study it myself and then look to see what TableTalk has to say about it. I've been doing this now for a couple of year. However, I am very behind. It is August 2015 right now, though I am just starting January 2015. I like to stay with it, but I have lapses at times when I don't study a reading one day at a time or I skip it or I take too long on something or I skip it for a while. However, I am trying to stay consistent and just get into the daily practice. School is starting for Derek now and it will be harder to get him up, breakfast, lunch, and out the door and still get to time in the Word.

Today, I am reading January 6 and the title is Proverbs. According to TableTalk they will spend 2015 going through the Wisdom Books of Proverbs, Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Right now, it seems that each lesson is pretty much an overview of that and the thought process behind it. I am not much for jumping around, but this appears to be what this study will now be.

Unlike many of the commands in the Bible and teachings, Proverbs don't apply in any situations, but they do apply. We just need to think about it. 

Promise: Don't be wise in your own eyes.

Proverbs 10:1 - Parellelism

Proverbs 10:1 - The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

Message: Contrasting the wise and foolish son and the impact on father and mother (Parellelism)

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

According to Tabletalk on January 5, 2015: 

Hebrew poetry exhibits parallelism as its chief characteristic. We see parallelism when two or more lines of a Hebrew poem correspond closely with one another in order to make a point. There are three major types of parallelism in Hebrew poetry: synonymous parallelism, antithetic parallelism, and synthetic parallelism.

Synonymous parallelism is probably the easiest one for us to grasp. A synonymous parallel says the same thing in different ways in order to convey its teaching. Though it is not from one of the Wisdom Books, Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:13—“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”—exhibits synonymous parallelism. The prayer has us asking God for the same thing in two different ways, namely, that He would keep us from the full assault of the evil one. The parallel does not mean that the Lord is able to tempt us (see James 1:13).

Antithetic parallelism uses a contrast between two or more lines to teach us truth. Proverbs 10:1 is an example of antithetic parallelism; there, opposing behaviors of wise and foolish sons reveal to us the kind of children that please their parents.

Synthetic parallelism synthesizes two or more poetic lines. In such parallelism, successive lines build on and intensify the first line. Proverbs 6:16-19, wherein the list of things God hates expands over the course of the verses, illustrates synthetic parallelism.

Beginning in Chapter 10, there is now seldom any connection with 2 or more consecutive verses. Each verse somewhat stands alone. This is now a book of quotes going forward.  

It is understood that the son has a father and a mother.  Why isn't it the reverse? A father often will talk about his son and how proud he is of him. If he is a fool, the father says nothing, but the mother grieves. The mother's heart sinks.

Keith Simon states: 

Several words in this verse contrast with other words. ‘Wise’ contrasts with ‘foolish’. ‘Father’ contrasts with ‘mother’. ‘Joy’ contrasts with ‘pain.’ It does not matter whether you are young or old. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman. It does matter whether you are wise or foolish. If you are wise, then you respect God. ‘Respect God! This is the first lesson in wisdom. Know God! This is intelligence.’ (Proverbs 9:10) Your wisdom will help other people. For example, this verse says that wisdom will bring joy to a father. If you are foolish, then you live for your own pleasure. If you do this, then you refuse God’s wisdom. Other people will suffer because you are a fool. For example, this verse says that a fool will cause pain to his mother.

According to Scofield, "A "fool" in Scripture is never a mentally deficient person, but rather one arrogant and self-sufficient; one who orders his life as if there were no God."

Promise: Be wise and people will talk; be a fool and people will grieve.