Proverbs 31: Not a Trophy Wife, Just a Trophy
How many of my female readers dread this chapter of Proverbs because it feels like the world demands we strive for the perfections we see here? And how many of my male readers get depressed because they don’t have a Proverbs 31 woman? Well, it’s not quite as bad as any of you might think. And it’s more about the character of King Lemuel than it is about some “perfect” woman anyway.
In verse 1, in the Complete Jewish Bible, we read…
Mishlei (Pro) 31:1 CJB
[1] The words of King L’mu’el, the prophecy with which his mother disciplined him:
https://bible.com/bible/1275/pro.31.1.CJB
See, this mama wanted her son to be a valiant king, worthy of the blessings she is getting ready to give him. She begins with telling him what not to do. In verses 2-7, she warns him not to sacrifice his strength to women, and tells him to stay away from anything that can destroy kings. She also warns him to avoid strong liquor because it isn’t meant for kings and could make them forget even the decrees they made as laws. In verses 8 and 9, the Queen Mama goes from don’t’s to do’s as she tells him to speak for those who can’t, be an advocate and righteous judge, and to defend the poor and needy.
So what has this mama created in her son? She’s created, in Hebrew, a chayil or “valiant warrior.” This word (Strong’s H2428) is used for Boaz in Ruth 2:1…
Ruth 2:1 BSB
[1] Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/rut.2.1.BSB
The same word is used to describe Ruth in chapter 3, verse 11…
Ruth 3:11 BSB
[11] And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/rut.3.11.BSB
Note the noble character description for both. And here is the meat of Proverbs Chapter 31. Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem of the letters in the Hebrew aleph-bet (alphabet). (The chapter link is for the KJV because it shows the acrostic letters.) Basically, it’s a kingly mnemonic to help Lemuel remember these necessary virtues for the type of the woman who should sit by his side and be his queen. This woman will be his crown as is mentioned in Proverbs 12:4a: ”A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown.” And by using the whole aleph-bet (aleph to tav), the mother is giving her son a behavior roadmap for his whole marriage and his whole life.
And verse 10 begins with that word chayil (actually eshet chayil for the woman) again…
Proverbs 31:10 BSB
[10] A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.31.10.BSB
Here, I have to share from the word study of chayil at Bible Hub:
Moral Excellence and Noble Character
The Book of Ruth elevates the term beyond the battlefield: Boaz calls Ruth “a woman of noble character” (Ruth 3:11). Proverbs 31:10-31 culminates in the praise of “a wife of noble character” whose industrious life blesses family and community. Here chayil accents virtue, diligence, generosity and God-fearing devotion. Strength is measured not by force but by steadfast righteousness.
This not a list of things to do, or even things to be, it’s a character list of traits that will radiate from a heart that is right with God. Though God also knows our human form and that even a virtuous woman needs support and strength from a virtuous man to be at her best. Lemuel’s mom taught him to be that. We know from reading that this type of man trusts his wife and notices those virtues in her. He gives her praise to her face and speaks highly of her to others at the gate. He is the perfect husbandman who cares for his “vine” and helps her to blossom. He enables her to be in business for herself (she sells a field), be creative (she works the spindle), and gives her the servants she needs to take care of her home and family. He does not look only at her appearance as he would a “trophy wife” who’s used more for display than intrinsic value. To him, and to the dreams of his mama, she is truly a trophy.
Sometimes, especially in this world of disobedience to The Lord and His ways, it may seem impossible for either husbands or wives to be of noble character. Maybe we haven’t been raised that way. Maybe we’ve lived our lives as survivors and don’t even know where to begin. Maybe we’ve been married to someone who didn’t bring out the best in us–or maybe even crushed our best. Or maybe someone reading this is single and doesn’t have someone in their life to bring anything out for.
Wherever you are in this, I have hope for you. We all have a virtuous and valiant character for our ishi (husband) because the Bible says in Isaiah 54: 5,10…
Isaiah 54:5, 10 BSB
[5] For your husband is your Maker — the Lord of Hosts is His name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
[10] Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/isa.54.5-10.BSB
May you see Yahveh Almighty as one worthy of being a trophy for. And if you are an unmarried man, may you learn to imitate God’s valiant and noble behaviors to attract your own trophy. If you’re an unmarried woman, may you be that trophy for God, and may He send you the noble man He has chosen to bring out the Proverbs 31 woman in you.
One final note: I’ve learned tonight that it is a Jewish tradition after the lighting of Sabbath candles for the man to sing “Eshet Chayil” (singing Proverbs 31:10-31) to his wife. He is not singing it as a checklist of chores but rather a praise at the end of the week for his warrior partner. I found a version of it in English with lyrics…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 30: The Gatherer
This is one of my favorite chapters in Proverbs. I’m always amazed at how smart this Agur is about the honor and glory due to God, even though he calls himself too stupid to know these things.
Proverbs Chapter 30 is filled with an abundance of great advice and good to read on the 30th of every month (except February when you read all the final chapters on the 28th, of course) to remind yourself of its wise life applications. It’s overflowing with spiritual life hacks we can all use, and they are gathered into this one chapter by a guy called Agur.
Note: In doing a little study on Agur and the audience he’s writing to named Ithiel and Ucal, it’s possible these are not names at all. They may actually just represent their positions. Agur means gatherer (hence the title of the post and the image), he’s the son of Jakeh which means obedient one, Ithiel means with God, and Ucal means I am consumed. Young’s Literal Translation picks up on this, and its verse 1 reads…
Proverbs 30:1 YLT98
[1] Words of a Gatherer, son of an obedient one, the declaration, an affirmation of the man: — I have wearied myself [for] God, I have wearied myself [for] God, and am consumed.
https://bible.com/bible/821/pro.30.1.YLT98
So this gatherer, if he is a real person, is probably like some folks we know or have known in our lives. They are not big or important in the world, or even in the church. They sit quietly and observe, and they pray, A LOT. They may not preach, but if you have a biblical or spiritual question, they are dependable to either know it or study to find out. They quietly gather wisdom from studying God’s Word and through prayer, and many can sense God’s Holy Spirit around them. Especially if they’ve been praying. It’s as if they don’t ever actually leave prayer behind but keep it constant, and you can be sure they’ve tarried on their spiritual knees until they’ve gotten an audience with The Almighty. Like Abraham, even the angels talk about the lawful heart of that one.
Many Bible versions have verse 3 saying that this gatherer does not know The Holy One. But YLT (Young’s) says the opposite and it matches the next two verses about God’s omnipresence much better…
Proverbs 30:3-5 YLT98
[3] Nor have I learned wisdom, Yet the knowledge of Holy Ones I know. [4] Who went up to heaven, and cometh down? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound waters in a garment? Who established all ends of the earth? What [is] His name? and what His son's name? Surely thou knowest! [5] Every saying of God [is] tried, A shield He [is] to those trusting in Him.
https://bible.com/bible/821/pro.30.3-5.YLT98
This gatherer even seems a bit prophetic in speaking of a generation of godless people (like the ones uplifted and celebrated by current society). Verses 11-14 in the Christian Standard Bible read…
Proverbs 30:11-14 CSB
[11] There is a generation that curses its father and does not bless its mother. [12] There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth. [13] There is a generation — how haughty its eyes and pretentious its looks. [14] There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind.
https://bible.com/bible/1713/pro.30.11-14.CSB
I love studying different versions of the Bible and often look up words in Strong’s to compare deeper meanings. Many translations have the last verse of this next set being all about a young man with a girlfriend, but I prefer YLT and even The Message Bible (MSG) as they make more sense to me. Here’s The Message version…
Proverbs 30:18-19 MSG
[18-19] Three things amaze me, no, four things I’ll never understand— how an eagle flies so high in the sky, how a snake glides over a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, why adolescents act the way they do. * * *
https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.30.18-19.MSG
And I’ll close with Agur’s commentary on wise creatures from YLT where it says spiders, using their hands, take hold of King’s palaces instead of saying how people can catch lizards but they enter King’s palaces…
Proverbs 30:24-28 YLT98
[24] Four [are] little ones of earth, And they are made wiser than the wise: [25] The ants [are] a people not strong, And they prepare in summer their food, [26] Conies [are] a people not strong, And they place in a rock their house, [27] A king there is not to the locust, And it goeth out — each one shouting, [28] A spider with two hands taketh hold, And is in the palaces of a king.
https://bible.com/bible/821/pro.30.24-28.YLT98
I hope you readers are among those many people standing with baskets to fill from the farm and that you’ve enjoyed this gathering of wisdom. And I just have to add one more thing; some interesting info I found about conies at Bible Hub…
Conies are mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, where they are noted for their wisdom and ability to thrive in rocky environments.
The mention of conies in Scripture serves as a reminder of God’s creation and the wisdom inherent in nature. It underscores the biblical theme that strength is not solely physical but can also be found in wise decision-making and reliance on God’s provision. The cony’s ability to find refuge in the rocks can be seen as an allegory for believers finding refuge in the Lord, who is often described as a rock and fortress in the Psalms. Read the full info: https://biblehub.com/topical/c/conies.htm
Share this post on:
🎵Proverbs 29: No End in Sight
Imagine if you will, a runner. He came to win the race. He’s practiced, he’s ready, and he’s dressed to run. But when he gets to the track, er tracks(?), no direction is clear. Instead of the track knowing and showing the finish line, it just keeps asking, “Finished?”
Proverbs Chapter 29 includes the well-known verse…
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
[18] Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.29.18.KJV
Various translations render the word vision as things like revelation, prophecy, divine guidance, or prophetic vision. And the word perish is replaced with “cast off restraint,” “run wild,” or “lose self-control.” I like the way it reads in The Message Bible: “They stumble all over themselves.” Because without God’s help and guidance, and the finish lines He has laid out in His Word, you’ll get lost in chaos and confusion. With no end in sight, how can you even know what direction to run?
It works the same in all of life. We start, when kids are little, asking “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And we don’t ask that because we think they really know or have their college path already decided. We ask because we want to know what excites them, so we can steer them toward a finish they will be happy with.
Human races, on the track or otherwise, often involve competition and include winners and losers. But there are some of us in this world that don’t like competition. For me, even winning at something is difficult because I feel bad for anyone who doesn’t win. That’s why I like God’s race where everyone who crosses the finish line gets the prize. Paul the Apostle states it this way…
Philippians 3:14 WEBUS
[14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
https://bible.com/bible/206/php.3.14.WEBUS
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 WEBUS
[25] Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,
https://bible.com/bible/206/1co.9.25-26.WEBUS
2 Timothy 4:7 WEBUS
[7] I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
https://bible.com/bible/206/2ti.4.7.WEBUS
In case you have never read it, there’s a great poem about winning races called “The Race” and it even has its own website at https://theracepoem.com/ plus a lot of other places online. It’s a poem filled with heartache and victory, and it’s absolutely worth reading.
And this is the perfect place to end with a song I once thought I’d sing on an album. It’s called “This Race I Have Begun,” and it’s written and sung by Bobbie Shoemake…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 28: Fearful or Formidable
As soon as I started reading Proverbs Chapter 28, the first verse reminded me of a verse in The Torah (in Leviticus) about people being afraid of the sound of a skittering leaf. And another in Joshua supports the part of the verse about boldness. I’ll post all three together…
Proverbs 28:1 WEBUS
[1] The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.28.1.WEBUS
Leviticus 26:36 WEBUS
[36] “‘As for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword. They will fall when no one pursues.
https://bible.com/bible/206/lev.26.36.WEBUS
Joshua 1:9 WEBUS
[9] Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
https://bible.com/bible/206/jos.1.9.WEBUS
There are more verses with similar messages, and they all point to the same basic idea: Life without The Lord is also without strength, promise, hope, or real peace. Life with The Lord includes these things and so much more. And while many pursue their own temporary pleasures, when that season passes, they’re left with an emptiness that echoes so loud, it creates heart-pounding fear. In writing about the difference without and with God, Paul said this to the converted (Messianic) Hebrews…
Hebrews 11:24-26 BSB
[24] By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. [25] He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. [26] He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.11.24-26.BSB
And if you want to do an even deeper dive into this first verse, I’ve just learned tonight how many fantastic study tools are available at the Bible Hub website. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/28-1.htm will take you to multiple translations of verse 1, and when you scroll down, you’ll find commentaries, teaching points, Bible study questions, and more. But be careful because all the study info includes sources to even more study info, and you could be reading for a long time if you love God’s Word. The link I provide with each post at the top has a lot of study on the whole chapter as well.
The rest of this chapter talks about riches, power, and poverty. It’s all good advice, and its messages have proven true in the test of time, especially where it speaks of how leadership (good and bad) affects a community. Like verse 4 that says (my paraphrase) those who leave lawfulness behind end up praising the wicked, but the law abiding end up in arguments with the wicked. Yes, it is normal to find contention with those who refuse to give God the honor He deserves. And it’s much better to stand boldly for God’s ways than to end up like the person in verse 9…
Proverbs 28:9 WEBUS
[9] He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.28.9.WEBUS
While I spent a good portion of time following verses and word studies, I also spent my fair share of time playing with different filters on the prompt for today’s picture. So now, just for fun, I’ll end with the adorable image I got using the knitting filter.
Share this post on:
🎵Proverbs 27: Promise of Provision
It was a cold January day on the 27th of the month. I started the year doing the daily Proverbs study, and until that day, I didn’t know how valuable it would become to me. On weekdays, I read it at the bus stop on the way home from work. Other than the crisp breeze from the ocean in the early evenings, my study time was a little escape from the bustle of busy Santa Monica streets and people.
Proverbs Chapter 27 was the day’s reading, and it started with a fitting verse…
Proverbs 27:1 WEBUS
[1] Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.27.1.WEBUS
And I sure did not know I would lose my job that day just because I did my job as instructed. I loved my job as a law office receptionist and only had problems with one person there. She got upset when I wouldn’t lie and tell a caller she wasn’t there unless she went down the stairs and out the door. But that didn’t cause me to lose my job. It was an event the day before my firing that did that. The attorneys and paralegals were prepping for a major trial, and I was told that absolutely no one could disturb them unless it was a medical emergency. Well, one long-time and very rich client decided those rules did not apply to her. What’s an obedient Christian girl supposed to do?
I told her over and over that I was told I couldn’t even buzz the back office to see if they’d take a call. They never told me this one woman would’ve been an exception, so in trying to keep her business, they put the blame on me. Her solution was to tell them to either fire me or lose her as a client. Guess what they chose. The hiring manager told me I had done nothing wrong, so he was paying me through the end of the week. Apparently, he’d had to let others go for the same reason, so he decided I was the last one he’d hire for them, and he promised to give me a glowing review. But that didn’t change the fact that I needed a new job and a paycheck to pay the rent. And quickly.
As I sat at the bus stop reading that chapter, most of it felt just like meaningless words until I got to the end. In verse 27, I read…
Proverbs 27:27 WEBUS
[27] There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.27.27.WEBUS
Even though I didn’t have servant girls, or understand the verses that came before about being a good steward of flocks, I grabbed this verse as a promise of God’s provision. Though still hurting from the unfairness of my experience, I believed God would make up for it and fix things. And boy did He!
That was a Tuesday. I went job hunting on Wednesday and Thursday with no success. I learned at one job that I was perfect for them, but they had already met their quota of non-Affirmative-Action hires, so they couldn’t hire me. I had one more paid day to get a job without losing money. And a storm was brewing that night that threatened to send me on my job interviews looking like a drowned rat because of the bus being my only transportation. I’ll never forget Friday morning in the kitchen where my roommate had a tiny television on the counter (I didn’t watch TV at all in those days), and it was on the weather report. The broadcasters talked of their surprise at how this storm made a big circle around the valley and was leaving us untouched and dry for the day. And I wondered if God would do something like that just for me.
I had an interview at an office to do collections for outstanding phone bills. They hired me on the spot and told me to start Monday morning. Not even one day without a paycheck! It’s one of those testimonies that God brings back when I’m struggling–and every time I read Proverbs 27.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 26: Fools, Slackers, Meddlers, Gossips, and Liars
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
We often see the quote, “Hurt people hurt people,” but I’ve never fully agreed with that. From my own experiences, and what I’ve seen in others who experienced hurt, hurt people often become extremely empathetic to the pain of others. They would never cause it intentionally. But a fool doesn’t function that way.
In Psalm 14:1, we read…
Psalms 14:1a WEBUS
[1] The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
https://bible.com/bible/206/psa.14.1.WEBUS
Today’s reading in Proverbs Chapter 26 deals a lot with fools in addition to other types of people who tend to regularly hurt other people. The chapter begins with a sort of what’s wrong with this picture statement…
Proverbs 26:1 WEBUS
[1] Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.26.1.WEBUS
Though the little kids immediately run to play under the snowing tree in the summertime, the adults are likely confused by this oddity. Snow is a winter thing with maybe a few surprise downpours at the end of fall and beginning of spring. But by the time summer and lemonade show up, it’s definitely not right to have snow–even over only one tree. And it’s not right to give honor and preference to a foolish person, especially with what is likely in their hearts. Verse 8 even tells us what we are like if we’re the one who offers honor to a fool…
Proverbs 26:8 WEBUS
[8] As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.26.8.WEBUS
It makes sense. What good would a rock tied into a sling do when you need to throw it. Like those old, dangerous toys called “Klick-Klacks” or “Clackers,” (there’s an interesting article about that toy at A Woman’s World magazine online) it’s a recipe for disaster. And it would certainly not help you with hunting–or killing giant Philistines. We must not assign improper honor based on our feelings. Like saying, “God bless you” to a person who would only dig deeper into their sins if they only had blessings and no struggles to make them stop and look at their conditions. It’s not loving to honor and uplift someone who’s stuck in foolishness and needs a jolt of reality to repent and be set free.
Verses 3-12 have so much more to say about fools than I can put here. It’s almost a blog post already created for April 1st. 😁 Verse 11 is the saddest one as it says that a fool never learns…
Proverbs 26:11 WEBUS
[11] As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.26.11.WEBUS
Verses 13-16 switch subjects and talk about slackers, or sluggards in the World English Bible. And since verse 16 says the slacker is wise in his own eyes, I’m guessing the teacher is showing the slacker is just another type of fool. He then switches subjects again and begins talking about meddlers who (again foolishly) meddle in others’ business and how it’s like grabbing a dog by the ears. We know what happens there. I’m not sure if the joker in verses 18-19 is the same meddler from verse 17, but saying he was only joking doesn’t fix his offenses either way.
As the chapter finishes out with verses 20-28, the subject turns to gossip. It seems this gossip is a contentious liar who hates those he makes into his victims. He is somehow able to convince people to listen (silver-covered lips speaking dainty morsels in verses 22-23), but when things turn on the listener, that one will become even more of a victim because the hateful gossip will convince him it’s all his fault. I see this manipulation as the gossip being yet another type of fool: an arrogant one. But back in verse 20, we get the wisdom that if we just don’t allow the words of the gossip to spread, the quarrels will die like a fire with no fuel.
So this chapter didn’t have a lot of happy blessings to hand out unless you consider warnings that protect you from being victimized as its own type of blessing. I do. And I’m thankful for wisdom that works hand-in-hand with discernment to protect us. Sadly, we often let our feelings get in the way of both discernment and wisdom, but that’s where walking with God helps us get through the hard places in this life, even if we brought them on ourselves. But, there is one huge piece of good news in this chapter, so I’ll end with what it says in verse 2…
Proverbs 26:2 WEBUS
[2] Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.26.2.WEBUS
It seems out of place in this chapter, but it’s a statement of faith to undo the lies and harms of the subjects in all the other verses. Resist even the accusations of foolish ramblings and know their manipulative curses will not be able to stand against you and rest in your life.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 25: Apples of Gold
This is another of those chapters where I’ve added all sorts of colorful highlights in my Bible app. Proverbs Chapter 25 is still a collection of wisdom from Solomon and copied for publishing by the men of Hezekiah, King of Judah. The chapter starts with the verse about God hiding things and giving kings the glory to search them out. Sort of like an Easter egg hunt but with far more valuable treasure.
I find this chapter to have a more conversational tone. Rather than a list of “these types of people get these types of rewards,” it sounds like the writers are reasoning with the readers. For…
Proverbs 25:6-7 WEBUS
[6] Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; [7] for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.25.6-7.WEBUS
It has sensible directions like where it tells people to be careful about taking their neighbor to court if the neighbor has dirt on them he can bring to the judge and leave the accuser embarrassed. And then it becomes a bit poetic with the verse that inspired today’s image…
Proverbs 25:11 WEBUS
[11] A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.25.11.WEBUS
I had too much fun creating the image. Most versions say “settings of silver” and one says ”pictures” while another says “baskets.” I went with both the setting (bowl) and the frame (with the picture of a bowl). And then had the AI place it in something like my idea of a dream kitchen. I love the yellow gingham curtains. On a personal note, I came home from a trip one year to find that hubby had painted my kitchen walls with 2 shades of lemon yellow. The top part is more of a chiffon while the bottom is summer lemon, and I’m totally blessed by that loving gesture.
But I digress. The point of the beauty in that image is about how fitting the right words at the right time can be. The unspoken message here is to be a good listener, so you will know what words are needed most and exactly when to speak them. Since home decor means enough to people that examples of it fill magazines and TV shows, we could say the right words are like a beautiful kitchen, or whatever room means the most to us. And though I rarely read those types of magazines or watch the shows, I’ve certainly lingered on pictures of rooms with dreamy decor on sites that sell home improvement products.
And that actually leads me to a book I’ve enjoyed reading (though haven’t finished yet) called “Bold and Broken.” It’s written by identical twin brothers from a former home improvement TV series, and it’s filled with testimonies of words spoken in just the right scenarios. Again, I’ll use my Amazon link for tracking, and if you read it yourself, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
The full title is “Bold and Broken: Becoming the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth” by David and Jason Benham. Find it at Amazon at https://amzn.to/40V00GA and I recommend at least viewing the page to see some of the great encouragements in the book’s description. It does say there’s an updated version as of 2025 which might be why I couldn’t find a Kindle version on this page, but I feel better giving the link to the one I’ve actually read.
The rest of the chapter is loaded with great advice, like using patience to convince a ruler because speaking softly can break him down. Or the admonition to not stay too long in your neighbor’s house and end up with an enemy. And then we get this…
Proverbs 25:21-22 WEBUS
[21] If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink; [22] for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.25.21-22.WEBUS
I always thought those coals of fire were a painful thing, but apparently they are a warm thing. This is literally saying to do good for the needs of your enemy, and God Himself will reward you. This is not always easy, but it’s a good word anyway. And it’s a good place to wrap this up.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 24: A Little Slumber
There’s a lot of wisdom in Proverbs Chapter 24. As I’ve gone through this month, I realize that in all the years of reading daily Proverbs, what has worked in my days has been only one, or maybe 2-3, verses. That’s why it’s a bit difficult to try and do a post about a whole chapter. I’ve ended up focusing on sections of verses, but I was feeling a little guilty for not doing a complete chapter study until today. Having listened to someone else’s summary and seeing how it’s kinda disjointed to try and cover it all, it made me realize that it’s okay. Especially since I’ve linked to the entire chapter in each post, and I recommend a full reading in case what stands out to you is different than what mattered to me for the day
So, today, the final 11 “sayings of the wise” run through verse 22. When you click the Bible Hub link to read in the Berean Standard Bible, the sayings are clearly marked, and it makes for some nice study. I don’t post as much from there to avoid copyright issues. Anyway, the remaining verses are considered more sayings to the wise and I want to focus on the final 5 verses. In The World English Bible (public domain, copyright free) it reads…
Proverbs 24:30-34 WEBUS
[30] I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
[31] Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
[32] Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
[33] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
[34] so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.24.30-34.WEBUS
Yes, it’s common sense to know that neglected fields and homes will be taken over by weeds and will fall apart. So why is this considered wisdom? I’m thinking it’s because the message is to consider the not-so-tangible items in our lives that need to be maintained. If you don’t work on relationships, you may one day find miles between you and wonder how it happened. And if you don’t cultivate a relationship with The Lord, you may one day wake up like King David did once and felt like the heavens were brassed over.
As a teenager, I had some serious surgeries that required long recovery times in the hospital. That may not be the same now as they’ve changed how quickly they want people to get moving, but back then, I had one stay of 8 days in the bed. During that time I was on a clear liquid diet, and I’m not sure they even gave me nutrition by IV. But I really didn’t know what I was missing because I wasn’t having to be physically active or upright. On the 8th day, when it was time to remove stitches, I learned what I’d been missing. I felt fine sitting on the edge of the bed. I felt strong standing at the side of it. But when I took the first step forward, I passed out immediately. They caught me and revived me, but I was shocked that I felt strong but truly was not.
Later, after becoming a follower of YahShua (Jesus Christ), I read these verses and connected them to my teenage experience. Just because you feel fine, and maybe even strong, if you’re not keeping yourself nourished in God’s Word and with His Holy Spirit, you may not know how weak you are until you need to move forward. King David says, “Taste and see that The Lord is good,” and YahShua said to pray for Daily Bread. In another proverb, there’s a verse about the slacker who won’t even put a spoon in his bowl and bring it to his mouth.
Let’s fall in love with the meat and gravy of God’s precious words and earnestly dig into that dish for taste and nourishment. Let’s not end up feeling like the thorns and thistles trapped us in bondage while we made everything else more important than God’s wisdom. God provides what we need to be strong if we seek and search with all our hearts. He will fill us up when we receive from His hand.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 23: Buying Truth
This reading is filled with familiar wisdom, like “money sprouts wings and flies away,” and “spare the rod, spoil the child,” and that whole story from verse 29 to verse 35 about the drunk who ends up on top of a ship’s mast wondering how he got there. And then he starts wondering when he can do it again just because he survived. I’m not sure if the dad here knew a real person this happened to, but he’s certainly making sure to add the right amount of drama to dissuade him. Read all of Proverbs Chapter 23 if you want to know all this father’s advice.
If you’ve been reading in the Berean Standard Bible that I’ve been giving links to, you’ve seen how they subtitled the 30 wise sayings promised in Proverbs 22. Today, you’ll read sayings 7 through 19. I want to focus on saying number 17, which includes verses 22-25 with my emphasis on verse 23…
Proverbs 23:22-25 WEBUS
[22] Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. [23] Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. [24] The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. [25] Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice!
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.23.22-25.WEBUS
So the dad starts out telling the child not to labor to be rich since it flies away, and he describes the inner thoughts of a greedy rich man who invites someone to eat heartily but then worries about the cost. And then he tells his son to buy stuff and not sell it. Well, if he’s not actively trying to make money, how is he supposed to buy anything? And I think that’s the point. While the value of truth, discipline, and understanding are greater than gold or silver, the cost cannot be measured in monetary value. Their intrinsic value costs something from your heart, which is why selling it after you’ve purchased it would be a bad idea.
There’s a New Testament Bible story where Peter and John are walking by the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and one of the beggars asks for money. Peter says…
Acts 3:6-7 KJV
[6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [7] And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
https://bible.com/bible/1/act.3.6-7.KJV
(And what happened next is a direct result of Peter buying the truth and then giving it away as needed.)
Acts 3:8-10 KJV
[8] And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God: [10] and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
https://bible.com/bible/1/act.3.8-10.KJV
It was great advice in Proverbs and in the New Testament, and it’s still great advice now. Though ”the world” (people living without God or His Word) tries to silence truth to avoid a painful conscience, those of us who know God’s truth need to keep sharing it. Like bright light that may hurt the eyes for a moment when they’ve been in the dark, the momentary pain is small compared to the blessings of light and truth.
🎶 And I’ll close with a couple of videos on the silver and gold topic. The first, by George Beverly Shea is called “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and it puts to music the idea of having The Truth (since Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life), than silver or gold. The second is the song called “Silver and Gold” by Dolly Parton, and I found it with lyrics. I searched for hours for the Acts 3 song by Michael Card, and I never found it. If any of my readers find it, please comment with a link. Thanks.
Share this post on:
🎵Proverbs 22: Self-Pottering Much?
I’m keeping this one short to allow readers to just enjoy the many wacky images in the collage. You can read all of Proverbs Chapter 22 at Bible Hub in the Berean Standard Bible (or change to a different version once you’re there) by clicking on the highlighted words.
My focus is on verse 2…
Proverbs 22:2 WEBUS
[2] The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.22.2.WEBUS
And I want to add the verse from Isaiah 64:8…
Isaiah 64:8 WEBUS
[8] But now, Yahweh, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter. We all are the work of your hand.
https://bible.com/bible/206/isa.64.8.WEBUS
I chose these to follow up on the Potter topic from yesterday about letting God remake our hearts. And the reason He can remake them is because He knows the original mold and how it was intended to come out. So when we see Him as our Creator, Maker, Father, etc., we can trust that we are, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made as He designed.
But so often, we think we know best. Like a teenager who thinks they know everything about life, and parents know nothing, we all have our moments where we are certain our own way is better. An abundance of the Proverbs were written to warn people to avoid that kind of thinking.
Back in 2024, I wanted to see what Wombo would do with a prompt about a clay vessel trying to create itself. That’s where I came up with the term self-pottering to describe the effort of trying to make our lives perfect on our own and without God’s assistance or guidance. The crazy results in the collage, and especially the facial expressions, show the failure well. And for that reason, we want to pray for God’s perfect will above all else. That goes perfectly with the song Have Thine Own Way, Lord…
Pray with me for my desire to avoid self-pottering (and the anxieties that come with it) and keep the final verse active in my life:
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me
Christ only always, living in me! May it be your prayer, too.
Share this post on:
🎵Proverbs 21: When God Weighs Hearts
Do you suppose that most people who misbehave think they are doing anything wrong? It seems to me that even those who know they are doing something evil (like taking revenge on someone) only do so because they somehow feel justified. Proverbs Chapter 21 begins with talking about the King’s heart being in God’s hands and following His direction. Then it goes to other men and says…
Proverbs 21:2 WEBUS
[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.21.2.WEBUS
The juxtaposition of the two types makes sense because the wise king who’s writing most of these proverbial instructions is trying to lead people by God’s direction. Even if he later fails and begins his own ways of doing right in his eyes instead of God’s, it doesn’t change the wisdom that real leadership works best when it’s in God’s hands. And it doesn’t change the wisdom that God weighs the heart and motives underlying the thoughts and behaviors.
But because of Calvary, we now know that God doesn’t stop with weighing hearts. He doesn’t see a pain-hardened heart with a jagged rock in the middle of it and just give up and throw it away. Instead, He offers the one suffering from a heavy heart an opportunity to let Him remake it into a tender heart of flesh.
Until putting this post together, I’d been reading all those verses showing the differences between righteous people and fools with a bit of judgment toward those who make foolish decisions and then pay foolish prices. It may be how it’s written, but I want to take this moment to look at every one of those differently; followed by a but it doesn’t have to stay this way thought process. Because, with the mercy and grace found in the holy blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary for you and me, we are no longer destined to be stuck in unrighteousness. We don’t have to be a king to put our hearts in the capable hands of The King of Kings and let Him direct us like He directs the rivers and oceans.
Verse 7 tells us…
Proverbs 21:7 WEBUS
[7] The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.21.7.WEBUS
So we know they refuse to do right because they already think they are doing right. And when being driven away causes the pain of rejection, the stone in the heart gets a little harder and sharper, and the person makes even more wrong decisions that bring even more rejection. It becomes a cycle that threatens to trap the heart in heaviness forever. But God looks deeper than others can see, or we can see about ourselves. We may feel burdened by the idea of God weighing our hearts when He may just be checking what needs to be done to fix things. Using the pottery metaphor, He’s finding out how much water to add to make the clay pliable again and soften it enough to pull the rock away like in the image above.
The Psalmist says…
Psalms 51:10 WEBUS
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
https://bible.com/bible/206/psa.51.10.WEBUS
And we can sing with the Maranatha singers, Change My Heart, Oh God and know that He will do it.
Share this post on:
🎶Proverbs 20: Fruit of the Wisdom Tree
Many years ago, my first foray into the World Wide Web was via a little device called WebTV. It hooked up to a television in ways similar to what boxes like Roku and Fire TV do now. It was super slow (as were most web interfaces back then) because of using a dial-up connection, but I learned so much from using it that I can truly say it changed my life.
One of the things I learned was how to subscribe to newsletters, and eventually how to write my own. A favorite series was by a woman in Georgia who went by the name “GA Girl” and who taught perspectives in biblical understanding that I still carry with me. (I tried to see if there was any hint of her still being online, but couldn’t find anything.)
So, with all the good fruit of wisdom I’m finding in Proverbs Chapter 20 today, my mind goes back to one of GA Girl’s lessons; the fruit of The Spirit. It was from her that I learned about the power of the word fruit being singular. I’d always thought of those sweet things like love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, gentleness, meekness, self-control, and kindness as being individual fruits you may or may not display. Maybe someone was very gentle but not very meek. Maybe someone overflowing with goodness didn’t have much self-control. Each fruit could stand on its own and be either abundant or lacking, right?
So, with nine different traits, why is it listed as the fruit (singular) of The Spirit? What I learned from that old lesson was that it’s about One God with one single personality. He is the tree, and He bears the fruit that represents that personality. If we are filled with His Holy Spirit, every aspect of that fruit will flow from Him and through us. So we can all be loving, and joyful, and gentle, and good, and meek, etc. We can all be long-suffering when we must, and we can all exercise self-control with the help and wisdom of The Lord. Those traits are all fruit of His Spirit, so they should all be fruit of our lives when we yield to His Spirit. And I find that truly exciting, especially for the fruit that doesn’t change so easily to me in my own fleshly behaviors. It’s amazing that God knows our forms yet chooses to pour His form through our lives anyway.
This chapter had some great examples of what it looks like to have that fruit of God active, both in The Lord and in human lives. Here are some of the verses that jumped out at me as examples. My notes are in parentheses following the verses…
Proverbs 20:5, 7-8, 10-11, 15, 27, 29 WEBUS
[5] Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Fruit of understanding.)
[7] A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. (Fruit of integrity, natural morals.)
[8] A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. (Fruit of righteous judgment in leadership.)
[10] Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. (Here is a lack of the fruit of honesty and integrity.)
[11] Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. (This shows that we can know people by their fruit.)
[15] There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. (Fruit of wisdom.)
[27] The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts. (Fruit of meekness will allow us to be humble and let God search and heal us. )
[29] The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair. (Fruit of long life and strength as given by God.)
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.20.5-29.WEBUS
I pray this little nugget informs and blesses you all as it did me when I learned it. If so, to forth and bear good fruit from the wisdom tree.
And now an update for the future of this blog. I’ve just spent many unplanned hours trying to find old stuff from my newsletter and the GA Girl website at the Way Back Machine (archive.org) only to find out that some links there can lead outside the archive to old domains that may or may not be safe. If you look anything up there, just be careful. To prevent causing my readers any issues, I’m going to create some PDF documents direct from the archives but with all links and scripts stripped away. It’s perfect into for My Cyberspace Journey but that’s not for this post because I’m way past my bedtime now. So Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath Peace) to all, and goodnight.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this until after the fact, but here’s a video of I Shall Not Be Moved to go with the tree image…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 19: The Day After the Day Before
It’s easy to see the devastation and loss in this image. What the man once prided himself in is now worthless after the destruction of a tornado. His family is safe, but you can tell they are scared. And is the father trying to comfort them as they share in that loss? Is he looking at them as a gift that God allowed him to keep? Or, like the first man in the garden, is he just looking for someone to blame?
Proverbs Chapter 19 begins with the statement that a poor person who walks with integrity is better than a rich fool. Then it continues in verse 3 about that fool blaming God for his troubles. The Amplified Bible states it this way ..
Proverbs 19:1 AMP
[1] Better is a poor man who walks in his Integrity than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.
https://bible.com/bible/1588/pro.19.1.AMP
Proverbs 19:3 AMP
[3] The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];Then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].
https://bible.com/bible/1588/pro.19.3.AMP
So what happened the day before this terrible storm? As The family gathered around the dinner table, the television, or shared a hug before climbing into their comfy beds, did they stop to look up at the sky then? Did they think about God and all that He had provided for them and give Him the praise He’s worthy of? Or was it just another blessed day they took for granted?
Sometimes, I think it’s good that my sister and I grew up in a harder life situation where even ground beef for a skillet meal was seen as a benefit and something we should be grateful for. Though we didn’t have a regular church or religion, we had Bibles and we had at least an inkling of God as our Provider. When an earthquake damaged our apartment, we slept on the floor at our grandparents’ house; though it was only in adulthood that I looked back and saw all the provisions we had to be grateful for. Still , I never recall hearing all the blame and anger against The Almighty that seems to permeate the atmosphere these days.
Surely, the rich and wise King Solomon based verse 6 on his own kingly experiences. It says,…
Proverbs 19:6 WEBUS
[6] Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.19.6.WEBUS
And they treat God the same way. They entreat His favor and offer Him friendship as long as He’s willing to pour out gifts on them. But even in that, it’s a shallow friendship. Though it doesn’t have to be that way. Each of us can look at what we have gained and lost in this life and offer praise to The Great Provider. We can know that nothing is guaranteed (and, yes that can stir up fear if we dwell on it) and just trust that Abba Yahveh has been there before us and nothing surprises Him. If we spend the day before with a grateful heart, we will have more resilience and strength if the day after the day before (today) brings something unexpected.
And this is a great place for the song, “Count Your Blessings.”
Share this post on:
Proverbs 18: Finding Good “God” Things
(©All Rights Reserved)
You can see Proverbs Chapter 18 right in the picture, so it seemed like the perfect image for this post. And, yes, I know hubby doesn’t exactly have a “Wow, I’ve really found something good” look, but in the original image, it’s obvious he’s in a lot of pain. So, the skin softening and background decor make it a little better. I tried the facial expression changer, and a fake smile definitely did not work for him. Lol 😆.
Anyway, the verse you see on this wonderful gift of shirts hubby got for us on our last anniversary is from 18:22 and reads…
Proverbs 18:22 WEBUS
[22] Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.22.WEBUS
As I opened my Bible app to read today’s chapter, I was shocked at how colorful it was from highlights I’d left with previous readings. I read in multiple versions, and most had a variety of colorful highlights already. A few examples of my highlights (which I will quote from the WEBUS version because it’s copyright-free and a bit easier to understand than King James Version but I’ve linked to both of them) are:
Blue highlights for verses that make me sad like…
Proverbs 18:2 WEBUS
[2] A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.2.WEBUS
That makes me sad because I’m a natural teacher, so a person who doesn’t have any desire to understand is also one who rejects teaching. Plus, I know what they’re missing out on by not having any willingness to at least investigate for themselves, especially with God’s Word.
I highlight in green for the verses I see as urging me or others to go forward and do something. Like these 2 verses that instruct how to hide and seek…
Proverbs 18:10 WEBUS
[10] Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.10.WEBUS
And
Proverbs 18:15 WEBUS
[15] The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.15.WEBUS
I use red highlights for warnings…
Proverbs 18:3 WEBUS
[3] When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.3.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:21 WEBUS
[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.21.WEBUS
And I do a lot of turquoise highlights for encouraging Scriptures. That’s a little harder with so many verses in Proverbs including both the good results of good behavior and the bad consequences of bad behaviors all in the same verses. But here are a few…
Proverbs 18:4 WEBUS
[4] The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.4.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:16 WEBUS
[16] A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.16.WEBUS
Proverbs 18:20 WEBUS
[20] A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.18.20.WEBUS
And then I have a variety of yellow and orange and tan to remind me to study more or focus on certain verses. In The Bible App by YouVersion, when you highlight verses, they share to your community stream (if you allow that in settings), so it’s a great way to share what has affected you in your current studies. I often end up highlighting a verse I see highlighted by a friend because it may be in a version I haven’t read or they combined the verse with one that makes me consider it differently. I love that living aspect of God’s Word and highly recommend reading it for yourself to see how God speaks “good” to you from His love letter of the ages.
I’ll close with a video of a song I’ve never heard before called “Happy the Home When God is There” from 1846. This singer says, “Happy our home” and I liked it best for voices and the key on lyric videos.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 17: What Does John 3:17 Have to do With St. Patrick? Finding the Refiner’s Fire in the Mud of Slemish Mountain
For six years on Slemish Mountain, Patrick was a slave in isolation from his home and family after being kidnapped at only 16 years of age. His journey didn’t begin in a cathedral but rather in a pit; in the furnace of refinement. Proverbs 17:3 describes it this way…
Proverbs 17:3 WEBUS
[3] The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.17.3.WEBUS
From a Pit of Mud to the Reflection of Christ
In Patrick’s Confessio, the raw Latin he uses to describe himself says, “Ego eram sicut lapis qui iacet in luto profundo.” The literal translation reads, “I was just like a stone which lies in mud deep.” But it was from that stone in the mud that The Refiner (who Patrick referred to as “Qui potens est” or “Who powerful is” in English) began His work.
The image I asked Gemini to create is of a silversmith carefully watching the refining process going on inside a kiln on an Irish hillside. There is a story about a woman going to a silversmith to learn about the process and better understand the Scriptures about these crucible moments we must sometimes walk through in this life. The author is unknown, but it’s a powerful story…
“The Refiner’s Fire
There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ‘He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ (Malachi 3:3)
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled at her and answered, ‘Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’”
I love what this woman learns from the silversmith. She sees the loving personality of a Master Creator who doesn’t put us through the fire without a purpose and doesn’t leave us in the fire without a plan. Without even realizing it, she sees Exodus 12:42 in action. In Hebrew, it reads… “Leil shimurim hu l’Adonai” with the literal translation: “Night of vigils/safekeeping it [is] unto-the-Lord.” Like a silversmith, God never looked away but rather He kept a vigil throughout the night, never leaving His people unwatched, so He could bring them out safely. In the Complete Jewish Bible, it says ..
Sh'mot (Exo) 12:42 CJB
[42] This was a night when Adonai kept vigil to bring them out of the land of Egypt, and this same night continues to be a night when Adonai keeps vigil for all the people of Isra’el through all their generations.
https://bible.com/bible/1275/exo.12.42.CJB
For Patrick, the “heat” of refinement while he lived in slavery wasn’t a punishment. It was the necessary environment to burn away the dross of his sin and reveal the “silver” of his soul when touched by salvation. As I put this post together, I realized the date of 3/17 and how St Patrick’s life and these Scriptures about the refiner’s fire line up with John 3:17.
John 3:17 CSB
[17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
https://bible.com/bible/1713/jhn.3.17.CSB
While The Refiner sits by the forge, watching the surface of the metal, ensuring the heat is perfect—enough to purify, but never to destroy, we know the kiln is not a place of condemnation. The Silversmith doesn’t put the metal in the fire because He hates the silver; He does it because He loves the silver and hates the dross that hides what it is meant to be. He will know the work is finished when He can see His own image in us and our behaviors.
Whether you are in the forge, or you are still stuck in the mud and mire, remember that The Watchman is still keeping vigil over His chosen and called people. It may seem difficult to get loose from our bondage and sin, but once we have tasted the grace of salvation and been set free, it will all be worth it. As it says in the lyrics of the old hymn, when nothing else could help, love lifted me. Then, we may even feel like Patrick (and so many apostles after him); we must spread the good news.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 16: There is a Fountain
Figuring out how to distill the many wonderful teachings in the Proverbs is proving a bit more difficult than I thought it would be. It’s one thing to read them everyday and let them speak to wherever you are in your season of life. But it’s totally different to try and share the whole point when so many points are being made. So, start with reading Proverbs Chapter 16 in full at Bible Hub or your favorite Bible website or app. What jumps out to you that seems perfectly timed to what you might be going through at this moment.
For me, I kept focusing on the values of wisdom and humility being worth more than silver or gold. And then, I grabbed verse 22 and a big promise because it works multiple ways, and makes a nice visual. It says…
Proverbs 16:22a WEBUS
[22a] Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.16.22.WEBUS
Our own understanding can spring up into life. And, God’s understanding of our weaknesses and need of salvation springs up into eternal life. He desires life for every person He created, but He desires our best life. So by seeking His wisdom, we can receive more than silver or gold will ever be able to buy.
This chapter also includes the oft quoted (and often misquoted) verse about “pride going before a fall.” You’ll see that it’s actually arrogance that goes before a fall and pride leading to destruction. You can get up from a fall. You might be battered and bruised, but you can get up. But if you suffer destruction, there is very little hope of recovery without a total rebuild. Of course, God specializes in mercy that allows for total rebuilds, so a little hope is still hope.
Proverbs 16:18 WEBUS
[18] Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.16.18.WEBUS
I guess the big lesson in all of today’s proverbial statements is to stay humble before God and let Him be the one to pour out His choice of blessings on you. With all of creation and salvation being His idea, it’s a more likely scenario that He can come up with blessings greater than you or I could even think to ask for. Here’s one promise on that ..
Proverbs 16:20 WEBUS
[20] He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.16.20.WEBUS
And now for some music by one of my the favorite worship bands, Selah.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 15: The Eyes of March
Well, I said I may have a few days in this year where I couldn’t write much, so this is the first of those. I still recommend a full reading of this chapter on the 15th of every month. A link to the Bible Hub website can help you do that, and I also recommend a download of the Bible app from YouVersion. That website will take you to the app page, so you can choose the one that works for your device.
Bible Hub: Proverbs Chapter 15.
YouVersion app install page.
So, I’m keeping the focus today on verse 3…
Proverbs 15:3 WEBUS
[3] Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.15.3.WEBUS
And, in case you don’t know, my title is a word play on “The Ides of March” when Julius Caesar was killed on March 15th in 44 BC by a group of conspirators, including one whom he thought was a friend. Or at least someone who valued the position he’d been awarded by Caesar. Read a short coverage of the history at https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/ancient-history/marcus-junius-brutus/ and then think about what you know of changes to the Roman empire just 77 years later when they crucified The Messiah.
Since we know that God’s eyes are everywhere, and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we know He was watching all the events that surrounded The Ides and making sure the scene was set in the land of Israel, and in the Roman empire, for what needed to transpire for His purposes. We can trust that He always watches and prepares, and even more that He always plans to work things for the good.
I tried to find this song on video with lyrics, but I could not. I found the clearest and loudest one I could though, since most of them seemed to be played from record players and weren’t the easiest to hear.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 14: SEEMS Right vs IS Right
Whenever I’ve read verse 12 in Proverbs Chapter 14, I’ve always thought about it in terms I could relate to; my way of life before committing to walk with The Lord. It reads…
Proverbs 14:12 WEBUS
[12] There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.12.WEBUS
When I wasn’t living FOR God, I was not purposely living against Him. And I imagine there are many people out there who really think their ways are right, but they have no idea what kind of path they’re on. Of course, when God calls their attention to it, they will need to decide if they will accept or reject Him, but until their eyes are opened to see the end of their road, how can they know? That’s where believers come in.
We see these fruits, like a woman tearing down her family and her home, or a mocker refusing to take responsibility for his own behaviors and never trying to make things right by atoning for bad decisions. We get frustrated with these people because their destructive behaviors often hurt us or those we love. And it’s hard to feel compassion and love in our hearts for them. Even worse if they are arrogant as they pull the strings of destruction and act like they enjoy it.
But if those fruits of destruction are not waking up those who are causing them, should we just let them keep walking toward eternal death? No, we are given open eyes to see the paths when they cannot see for themselves. But, we are not given these eyes to condemn them, so we can feel better about ourselves. And we are not seeing those fruits, so we can take them away to make people feel better on their walk toward death. Instead, we see the truth, the way things really are, so we can warn them. And by our own testimonies, we can show them a better way.
We’re told in verse 25…
Proverbs 14:25 WEBUS
[25] A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.25.WEBUS
Again, it may not be easy when we share the truth because, even if we’re not judging, those stuck in their own ideas of what SEEMS right may feel judged and be angry with us. But it doesn’t mean they haven’t heard what we’ve shared. Verse 33 says ..
Proverbs 14:33 WEBUS
[33] Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.14.33.WEBUS
Somewhere, deep inside, they know the truth that can set them free. In the best case scenario, we will share The Lord with them, and that inward part will be stirred to wake them up to salvation. And the icing on the cake is to be with them as they let go of their sins and accept The Lord.
But if you don’t see any change right away, don’t give up sharing, building, or praying. Remember, the enemy of our souls comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10), so with the strength of YahShua (Jesus) who came to bring abundant life, we can do the opposite. We can restore, bring life, and rebuild. That IS wisdom, and that is The Way that IS right.
And now, here’s a song by one of my favorite Cowboy Christian artists. It perfectly supports the message to never stop ministering to the lost with the line, “Everything you thought I never heard, I hung on to every single word.” It’s called Daddy, I Met a Friend of Yours Today…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 13: You Are What Your Soul Eats
How do you feed a hungry soul? (Hah, you thought I was gonna say “man” there, didn’t you? 😁 And now you’re humming the TV dinner tune, right? 🎶 Okay, maybe that’s just me.)
But, seriously, for all we’ve talked about hungering and thirsting for The Lord, we haven’t really discussed the care and feeding of that hunger and thirst. Solomon got it in a few verses of Proverbs Chapter 13. Like…
Proverbs 13:2-3, 19, 25 WEBUS
[2] By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
[3] He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
[19] Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
[25] The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.13.2-25.WEBUS
But there’s so much more depth to it, especially when you learn the meaning of the word soul in Scripture. The Bible Project guys do an amazing teaching on this subject. Watch the video from YouTube here on the blog, or go to their site where you can find all 6 videos in the Shema series plus read the transcripts or download them in PDF. The site is at https://bibleproject.com/videos/nephesh-soul/ and here’s the video…
Once you’ve learned the meaning of the word soul (Hebrew nephesh), go back to those four verses above and read them again. Spoiler: the word represents the complete essence of life in its fullest form. So when you read Psalm 42:1-2, you’ll see it as something like, As the desperately thirsty deer pants for the water, my whole life longs for You, Lord God. It desperately thirsts to be satisfied by The Living God. When can I come before Your Holy Presence again? And when you seek with that kind of longing and get filled up by The Lord Himself, you will wonder how you ever wanted anything less than that. And you will have just an inkling of how God feels and why He pursues us. The Got Questions site has a great article on the question “Does God Pursue Us?”
And now, enjoy this video of the song As the Deer…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 12: Life on Planet Earth
I didn’t ask Wombo to create an actual working maze, so if you can solve it, I’d be surprised, but go ahead and try if you like. I did ask for a few portals that could get folks through dead-end walls, though.
So why a maze? Because it’s a great representation of life with how we navigate through it, run into walls, find good and bad along the way, and sometimes feel like there’s nowhere else to go. Plus, Proverbs Chapter 12 begins with the statement that, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge.” And what could take more discipline than a maze?
I always laugh when I read the second half of verse 1 in the modern translations. While the King James Version (KJV) calls the person who hates discipline “brutish,” many of the more recent texts say the person who hates correction is “stupid.” That wasn’t something I was supposed to call people according to my raising, so seeing it in a Bible totally shocked me the first time. I like the way the New Living Translation (NLT) says it better. Verse 1 reads…
Proverbs 12:1 NLT
[1] To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.12.1.NLT
This chapter has another set of comparisons in all facets of life on Earth. Each one could prove the two points made in verse one. For example, the disciplined people who have learned and gained knowledge would be more apt to be good or godly. That means they’ll be approved by God, and they’ll have deep roots. The opposite personalities will plan wickedness that never brings stability and is not approved by God. The list continues with the godly using words that save lives, winning admiration, making just plans, and having strong family ties. The wicked give treacherous advice, use murderous words, and have a warped mind that is despised.
Like the maze, life is filled with common sense choices and foolish choices. We will make (or should make) the ones that get us to where we want to go. It won’t always be perfect even with wise choices, and foolish choices are not always the impossible-to-escape ends of the roads we walk. Without God, there would be no hope for those who make foolish choices, but because of His grace, we are given ways to escape and, often, start over. Verse 20 says that deceit fills the hearts of those who plan evil, but joy fills the hearts of those planning peace. I consider that joy one of those sparkling portals along with words of encouragement mentioned in verse 25.
And sometimes, no matter what decisions we make, we get tumbled by something as simple as a common cold. I asked myself if I’m dealing with this now because of the lack of sleep from doing these late-night blogs, or because I went somewhere and got exposed but didn’t clean my nose well enough when I got home, or just what. But maybe it wasn’t anything I did or did not do, and it’s just my body being human. Hubby had it for almost 2 weeks, so I know I could’ve gotten it from him even with being careful. I’ll be pulling out all the stops (vitamins, Oscillococcinum, Zicam, copper, sunshine, coconut oil coating my nose, and Day/Night cold relief) and trying to get through it. I’ll gladly take prayer, and I’ll hold on to the hope in the last verse of this chapter…
Proverbs 12:28 WEBUS
[28] In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.12.28.WEBUS
And now an old Sunday School favorite about wise and foolish builders…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 11: But It’s Not Fair
What’s wrong with this picture? Shouldn’t the gray rocks be heavier? Maybe it’s the mix of worthless rocks within the colored gems that has them weighing more. Whatever the cause, scales out of balance are something most of us know go against justice. The seller whose wares are not paid for honestly, or the buyer who pays and finds later he’s been a victim of lies, can both shout, “But it’s not fair!”
But God loves balance and justice. He gave Solomon wisdom that supports balance and justice, so Solomon begins Proverbs Chapter 11 with the statement that God hates dishonest scales but takes delight in accurate weights. He then goes on to describe more either/or statements that show the fruit of being in balance vs out of balance.
This chapter has enough in it to break it down for as many studies as there are verses (31), so I know I’ll be marking it to go back and study more. For tonight, though, I’m going to leave you with the Bible Project site to read, and I’m posting another video from Bryce Crawford because of his verse by verse breakdown. Plus I love his comments on verse 14 about preachers needing preachers and mentors needing mentors because of the safety in multitudes of counselors. He mentions that if you only surround yourself with those who look up to you, you won’t have caring people to hold you accountable and protect you from falling. Here’s that video…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 10: Either, Or…
The conjunction of choice and consequence is a connection far too many people ignore these days. Everyone wants the freedom to choose, but they want to be able to choose without consequences. That’s impossible since the word “consequence” means “with sequence” or “with what follows.” All of Earth demonstrates the concept of reaping (harvesting) what we plant, and it doesn’t take the wisdom of Solomon to understand the basics of getting back what we put in.
But Solomon does give us perspective here in Proverbs Chapter 10 by contrasting the consequences of choices made for or against God’s ways. He shows by example that people can either walk the wise path or the otherwise path with its potholes and crookedness. One will leave you weary, and one will leave you energized because the finish line brings joy and peace. Click the link above to read the full chapter at the Bible Project website where you can also find podcasts and great animated videos with simple Bible teaching.
Wisdom is Solomon’s stock in trade, and he tells you in verses 8 & 9 why it’s so important for him to share that wisdom.
Proverbs 10:8-9 WEBUS
[8] The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall. [9] He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.10.8-9.WEBUS
When you read the chapter for yourself, mentally arrange the items in 2 columns. Either you choose the crooked road or you choose the straight path. Either you choose the curses, or you choose the blessings. Read the results you desire first, and then look at the steps to take to get those results. If you’re already living with results you don’t want, now you’ve got a roadmap of steps to change that. Your goal is verse 22…
Proverbs 10:22 WEBUS
[22] Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.10.22.WEBUS
And writing this brought my mind back to an old song about people who are sick and tired of the cost of the crooked road, and they want to live with love forever. All they have to do is say, “I do.”
For further study, I was really impressed with the grasp this young man has on Scripture and his presentation, so I want to share his verse by verse study of Proverbs Chapter 10. His name is Bryce Crawford and his ministry is called “Jesus in the Street.”
Share this post on:
Proverbs 9: Folly’s Fatal Feast vs Wisdom’s Wonderful Welcome
When you’re hungry, even the bitter may taste sweet, so it’s the perfect opportunity for the enemy of your soul to show up with what looks like a tasty feast but is instead poisonous. Use discernment and not just eyesight to examine what you allow your mind and soul (and body) to consume.
Lady Wisdom is here for another visit in Proverbs Chapter 9. This time, in verses 1-6, we see her building a strong house and then preparing a tasty and nourishing feast. She invites whosoever will to join her for a meal. There is so much to offer that she’s sent others out with invitations, and even those who are simple-minded and lacking judgment are welcome to attend. Beyond sustenance, those who feast with her can leave their folly behind to live and walk in understanding.
In verses 7-9, Solomon breaks into a short lesson (maybe a quick rant) about the troubles you’ll have if you try to correct a mocker. Instead, he says, look for wise and righteous people to teach if you don’t want the stress of being hated for your message. While it is true we can see more pleasant fruit by looking for wise and open personalities to instruct in yet more wisdom, this was also written before the shed blood of Christ who told His disciples they would be hated by all for the message. We don’t want to strive with those who have made up their minds to resist God no matter what, but keeping the feast available may still change a life.
Verses 10-12 speak again about walking in the (proper) fear of The Lord and knowledge of The Holy One. While it gives promises, it also says the main benefits are to you alone. But, hey, an advantage is an advantage, right? And if we each get our own benefits, then those we teach do, too.
Finally, in verses 13-19, we are introduced to the woman named Folly. Like the brazen seductress in previous chapters, she’s looking for victims. She shows up in the high places (which could even represent the church) with her own “feast” and begins calling out to those walking straight paths. See, she wants to destroy what is right. From there, she also calls out to those who lack judgment, but instead of promising deliverance, she starts spinning webs of lies. She tells them her stolen water is sweeter, and she neglects to tell them the truth about her guests who died from eating her poisons. And the chapter ends there.
Now, before I end this, I have to share one of the cute images I ended up with when I used the same prompts as for the picture above, but chose the “knitting” filter instead. It’s just fun and cute.
And, now, here’s a song about the feast prepared for us by Jesus, the one guaranteed to satisfy us.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 8: Choosing Life Over Death
If there were ever a secular song that echoed the message of Lady Wisdom in the Proverbs, I’d say it was I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick (1977). The lyrics talk about the singer’s desire to be wanted, needed, and loved. They go on to describe the desperate situation of the object of their desire and how that person was lonely and crying but the singer wants to make all that better for them.
Listen to a similar cry from Lady Wisdom in Proverbs Chapter 8…
Proverbs 8:1-2, 4, 10, 14, 17-19, 21, 32-35 WEBUS
[1] Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
[2] On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
[4] “I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
[10] Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
[14] Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
[17] I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
[18] With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
[21] that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
[32] “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it! (Emphasis mine.)
[34] Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
[35] For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.8.1-35.WEBUS
Today, our seeker is standing at another crossroads like yesterday. The darkness isn’t hiding its final end, and with the door to the house of light open, the man can clearly see his two choices. I’m thinking he’s walked away from the temptress of chapter 7 and is now at least willing to listen to the possibilities of another way. Maybe he’s where some of us have been in our lives, standing at the end of a church service while the music team plays and sings the invitation song, Just As I Am. Our heart squeezes in our chest while stress turns our hands cold and clammy. We want so desperately to take that first step toward the altar, but fear and pride seem to paralyze us. We might be thinking: “What if God won’t accept me as I am? What if these people condemn me? What if all that happiness I’m seeing on these people’s faces isn’t real?”
Yes, most Christians began their walk with moments just like that. Even the song of invitation, written back in 1835, includes a lyric line that says, “Many a conflict, many a doubt. Fightings and fears within — without.” (The story behind the hymn is fascinating and has similar testimonies.) But we overcame those conflicts, doubts, and fears because something (or, more accurately, Someone) was calling us to trust God and give Him a chance to prove Himself. And when we finally took that first step out from our seat, the rest of the steps became almost a running pace to a place of sorrow and repentance. Then the fruit of that moment took us face to face with a flood of love and peace greater than we ever thought possible. Now, on the other side of that decision, most will tell you they are still glad they made it to the altar.
Proverbs 8 ends with the promise from Lady Wisdom in verse 35 followed by her strong warning in verse 36. Together, they read…
Proverbs 8:35-36 CSB
[35] “For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,
[36] but the one who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
https://bible.com/bible/1713/pro.8.35-36.CSB
And here is a beautiful rendition of Just As I Am by “Sounds Like Reign” and recorded in a farm silo…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 7: Signs At the Crossroads of Temptation
You’d think it would be an easy decision to choose the correct door, right? I mean, dark and stormy versus light and sunny seems like a clear choice even without the warning signs. Read the warnings and story of caution from Solomon to his children in Proverbs 7, then ask yourself whether you would be wiser than the young man lacking judgment in the story. I hope we all would be stronger, but as I read about the way the woman works to deceive him, I can see the abundance of those deceits and lies in our present world. Sadly, the signs are usually more like what the AI had on them before I edited, a bunch of gibberish that’s almost impossible to comprehend. (The guy in the picture has it really easy now that I used my Photo Studio Pro app to give him the right signs. 😁) But we have The Holy Spirit to give us signs now. We’re promised that we will all find Him and know Him if we seek Him with our whole heart.
Jeremiah 31:34 BSB
[34] No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
https://bible.com/bible/3034/jer.31.34.BSB
Hebrews 8:11 BSB
[11] No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/heb.8.11.BSB
Solomon knows the decision is not easy no matter who you are or how much wisdom you have access to. It’s the wisdom you commit to and hide in your heart that will help the most. So Solomon begs his children to grab the wisdom he’s making available to them and hold on for dear life. He tells them a cautionary tale of a young man who refused to listen to wisdom and walked into a death trap.
It’s an old story, you know. As old as the garden in creation. Temptation snags the one who’s not prepared or paying attention. And usually those things are lacking because of one of three things: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. Those 3 are the foundational traps that caught Eve at the tree of “the knowledge of good and evil” not paying attention (to the right things) and unprepared. (See Genesis 3:1-6.) Examining the tree for what it might bring her made her forget the warnings from her husband and her God. She saw its beauty, she desired to taste it, and she wanted it to make her wise. And we know how all those desires ended.
But here’s the good thing: the enemy (ha satan) tried the same three temptations on YahShua (Jesus). But even after 40 days of fasting, The Lord was fully aware of the deceit and lies, and He did not give in. Instead, He had an answer for each of the temptations thrown at Him. He kept the victory by using Scripture, and so can we. He was tempted in EVERY WAY we can be tempted and walked away victorious, so we could face the same things and find the strength we need in Him.
For the lust of the flesh, use...
Deuteronomy 8:3 BSB (or Matthew 4:4 or Luke 4:4)
[3] He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/deu.8.3.BSB
For the lust of the eyes, use...
Deuteronomy 6:13 CSB (or Luke 4:8)
[13] Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.
https://bible.com/bible/1713/deu.6.13.CSB
And, for the pride of life, use...
Luke 4:12 BSB (or Deut 6:16)
[12] But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
https://bible.com/bible/3034/luk.4.12.BSB
Finally, the Apostle Paul gives us great advice when he tells us the right things on which to focus our minds…
Philippians 4:8 WEBUS
[8] Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
https://bible.com/bible/206/php.4.8.WEBUS
And that’s a good place to end with a video I found with the help of Google’s Gemini AI. I’ve never heard it before, but the a capella harmonies, the lyrics, and the visuals are all beautiful. It’s called The Wayside Cross by C. L. St. John…
Share this post on:
Proverbs 6: The Fable We Forget to Remember
Most of us know the Aesop’s fable about The Grasshopper and The Ant. (If you don’t, you can click the title to read it at the US Library of Congress website.) I’m guessing Aesop got his fable from the wisdom of Proverbs 6. And it makes as much sense now as during either of those eras.
We begin as infants to exert at least some control in our lives. A baby learns the exact cries to get what it needs, be it food, a diaper change, or just some affection. The small child pulls away with a declaration of “I can do it myself,” and the teen shouts accusations about parents who don’t know anything before they slam the door to be alone in their room. And, though every behavior we use may not be the best way to get the control we desire, the desire is built in by God. When governed by His Holy Spirit, it’s part of the fruit we grow in Him.
Without God, though, the demand for self control may come out as a petulant tantrum or some other form of manipulation. The grasshoppers in the picture above use their decision-making skills to play while others work, and they refuse to look at the big picture that includes the coming season and how that play won’t prepare them at all. That’s why the father in this chapter is directing his children to pay attention to the ant, and he even points out how the ant is in control because it’s doing the right thing even without a boss (commander or overseer).
We all want control, but we often forget to remember the responsibility that comes with that control. And we forget to remember what happened to the grasshopper when winter arrived. It’s well-said in “Spider Man” with the quote: “With great power comes great responsibility.” (And FYI, as I looked up the origin of the quote, I found an article with its roots back to the original comics in case you want to read it.)
A great hymn about working like the ant is To The Work, To The Work (Toiling On) by Fannie J Crosby…
And a hymn that inspires the work and also focuses on the short time to do it is called “Work for the Night is Coming” by Anna Louisa Walker Coghill…
Now the father turns the children’s attention to The Creator and how even God doesn’t just put up with foolishness. We don’t like to think of God as being a hater, but in context, we see there is a time for love and a time for hate. The wise father gives the children a list of 6 things The Lord hates and a 7th that is totally detestable to Him. Here are verses 17-19 from The Amplified Bible…
17 A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others],
a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.
He ends his message with another plea for the kids to listen and hold on to his wisdom, and this time he adds that they should listen to their mother as well. He says the commands are lamps and lights for them. All of God’s wisdom is a lamp and light for His children today, too.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 5: All About Spam, Scams, and Clickbait
What do spam, scams, and clickbait have in common? They are all shiny wrappers around hidden nastiness that will lead to unwanted ends. They are all lures on a fisherman’s hook trying to catch something to fillet for dinner. And the fish rarely realize it until it’s too late. The woman in Proverbs 5 is one of those fishermen.
Read Proverbs 5 at Bible Hub at https://biblehub.com/proverbs/5.htm.
Have you ever wondered how they know all the viruses and scams out there so they can protect us? There are actually people who make themselves vulnerable to attack, so they can write protections for the rest of us who are not knowledgeable of what’s out there. We can be thankful that even in the free antivirus software, people are taking time to seek out what might bring harm to the rest of us to protect not only us but everyone else we connect to. And so goes the story of the father in Proverbs who desperately wants to protect his sons from becoming victims of the enemy of their souls.
I have ADHD but I prefer to call it OLS for “Oh look, SHINY!” Boy can I get distracted by shiny, pretty, sparkly, and otherwise noticeable things. They take away my time, my ability to focus, and even my moments that could be spent with people who matter more than the distractions. Sometimes, the guilt and regret of making bad decisions can hang on me for a long time after there’s no turning back and something important got lost in the chaos. Maybe it was a friend I forgot to call back. Maybe just a bill I forgot to pay that resulted in a late fee or a mark on my credit. Whatever it was, the promise for something that seemed sweet (like the honey and oil from the forbidden woman in verse 3) or shiny turned bitter and ugly in the end.
Whether you click on the bait that never satisfies, or the virus-laden page or email, or you fall for the seductions of the enemy, the price is always one of loss you didn’t intend. Verse 12 blames it on the person hating to be disciplined and not listening to teachers or mentors. And verse 11 talks about the groaning at the end of a wasted life. These things are written about adultery, so the lyrics from the song Careless Whisper are perfect for seeing the sadness that results from listening to one whisper of bad advice. Of course, that song ends in hopelessness with the singer in the outro trying to talk himself out of being responsible for the hurt that drove the rejected person away, so I’m not going to link to the video, but you can click the title to read the lyrics at Genius where there seemed to be fewer pop-ups than some other lyric sites.
Now, if you’ll indulge my wondering mind for a moment, I want to share something that came to me as I worked on this. I realized that Solomon, the father giving all this advice here, was himself the son of an illicit affair. Whether his mother seduced the king like the scenario in this chapter of Proverbs isn’t certain, but from the context in ll Samuel 11:4, it would appear that she was a law keeper who was purifying herself according to the law of Moses, and King David is the one at fault. Had he been with his men in battle (maybe even with Bathsheba’s husband Uriah since he was one of the King’s “Mighty Men”), he may not have been there to see her bathing. Plus, he could’ve turned away, and he could’ve left her alone since he knew she belonged to someone else.
But whomever was at fault, it doesn’t change the dynamic that Solomon likely grew up with. Behind castle walls, a dysfunctional family, scarred by deceit and death, fought their private battles. And the kids saw it all. Solomon may have witnessed his mother crying over her losses. Being taken by David did not change Bathsheba’s status as a widow. He may also have been bullied by his jealous brothers when the infighting over who would be king was brutally active. Solomon was a victim of adults making decisions he wasn’t there for and couldn’t fix, so I think what he saw in all that dysfunction drove him to vehemently warn his children away from the same costly behaviors.
Solomon had all the reason in the world to just give up and play the victim card. After all, he spent his whole life in a place where “the sword would never depart” (as prophesied by Nathan the prophet). In today’s overtly sensitive society, it wouldn’t be a stretch to give him a blanket, a teddy bear, and some hot chocolate and then excuse him from all his responsibilities so he could process his pain. But back then, being a victim was like being a bleeding chicken where the rest of the flock pecks the weak bird to death. So Solomon reframed the situation and decided to learn from it and teach others from his experiences. He could write a book on how childhood trauma can create the greatest wisdom. Well, I guess he did write it. (Grin.)
Next time you read anything written by or about Solomon, think of him in terms of a survivor of a dysfunctional family and childhood. Note how that changes how you see and share his wisdom, especially if you have any experience as a survivor yourself. We can comfort each other in our pain, but we need balance to keep from being buried in that pain and paralyzed by it. As you think on these things, go to the comments and put one trial and one bit of wisdom that came from it for you. Like, “Life gave me lemons, so I reframed that and made lemonade.” I want to hear your thoughts on this. In the meantime, this song is the ultimate reframe from Christ where He reframed His death as a sacrifice, and you get to reframe your sin into salvation if you accept it. It’s called He Paid a Debt.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 4: A Straight Path in a Crooked World
(CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Choosing the Father’s Way in the Midst of Chaos
Proverbs Chapter 4 is a full message from a dad and a little bit of a message from a grandfather. The dad is telling his sons how he was once in their place, a child loved by his parents who cared enough to teach him. Now he’s passing that teaching to the children he loves.
I love how AI created this image with all those roads and people on them. Though there are more people on the straight road than is probably reality, it perfectly illustrates the culture we live in now, one defined by choice paralysis. I just learned that term while studying this chapter, and it truly bridges the gap from simple biblical advice to the cacophony of answers we must slog through in our current world. Every day, we are bombarded with “new ways” to be healthy, get smarter, and spend our time so as not to get bored. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of directions we could take, all with their own marketing hype to create–or play on–our FOMO (fear of missing out) issues.
This chapter has great advice about walking in wisdom and its promise of a long life. Verse 13 reminds these children (and us) to hold on to these instructions and not let go, and to guard them because they bring life. It’s as if good instruction and wisdom are a life raft in a raging sea. (Spoiler: They are.) Verses 14-17 are filled with strong warning about avoiding the paths of evil because of who they’ll meet on it. Verses 18 and 19 directly compare the path of the righteous with the way of the wicked, and I love the description for the righteous path in the Berean Study Bible.
Proverbs 4:18-19 BSB
[18] The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. [19] But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.4.18-19.BSB
Finally, Proverbs 4:26-27 offers simple clarity. Instead of urging us to explore every road until we find what makes us comfortable; it tells us to “Carefully consider the path of your feet.” Just as the father in the picture points toward the one straight road, God’s Word directs us to walk straight forward without turning to the right or left so we can keep our feet away from evil. That’s discernment, and it’s even more necessary today when media and makeup can distort the truth to make evil look good, and good look evil. Thankfully, good and evil are not defined by behaviors so much as by whether God is the focus or not. The word “evil” actually means “minus God,” and that explains how in the days of Noah, men’s thoughts were continuously evil (or continuously not on God). It didn’t have to mean everyone had a criminal mind, just that they all had minds focused on everything but God. And that’s why it even got into the church–both then and now.
As I read this chapter, I was reminded of an old song by Charley Pride called “This Highway Leads to Glory.” I like it best by Wilma Burgess but couldn’t find either with lyrics, so enjoy this one by a youth group in Hong Kong…
Let’s Consider These Things Together:
Ephesians 4:14 CSB says
[14] Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
https://bible.com/bible/1713/eph.4.14.CSB
What is one road you can see being laid out today to distract people (including in the church) from God’s truth? Drop me a comment below—let’s encourage each other to keep our feet on the straight path!
Share this post on:
Proverbs 3: Leaning on The Lord
This chapter of Proverbs sends me in so many different directions. It’s amazing wisdom that has me ever more convinced how much better the world would be if everyone would read and adhere to its moral compass. Read the full chapter in the Berean Standard Bible at Bible Hub… https://biblehub.com/bsb/proverbs/3.htm
The verses represented by the image are my favorite from this chapter, verses 5 and 6. They read…
Proverbs 3:5-6 BSB
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
https://bible.com/bible/3034/pro.3.5-6.BSB
Leaning is an action word (verb) that visually shows the best way to be quiet in God’s Presence and wisdom. It’s those moments of pure trust that can strengthen us for the tasks we must face in this life. A Sabbath-type rest in the arms of our Abba Father and Creator. This behavior reminds me of a beautiful hymn called “Sheltered in the Arms of God.”
Of course, this Scripture isn’t only about leaning into God, it’s about trusting Him so much that we feel safe to stop leaning on our own thoughts and ways. We are able to stand still and see the salvation of The Lord as He either fights for us or strengthens us for a battle ahead.
So, I’ll admit that I’m not always good at trusting and waiting for God. As a first-born child, I am a natural fixer. PTSD from childhood traumatic events also pushes me to control things for self-preservation and trying to protect myself and/or others from possible troubles ahead. Those types of thoughts and behaviors actually cause me to lean away from Yahveh like a child trying to prove they can do a thing on their own. But the anxiety is not worth it. It’s far better just letting God lead me on straight paths.
And here, I must pause for a little comic relief. One of my top 10 favorite movies of all time is While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock. In it, there’s a very funny scene all about leaning. Maybe it’s not about leaning on The Lord, but the description of leaning here is applicable, and plus, it should make you laugh.
I’ll end this with just those 2 verses in a bit of haiku, and then a video of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Verse 5
Trust God completely!
Never lean on your own thoughts…
Or understanding.
Verse 6
In all of your ways,
Know God and lean on His ways.
He will guide your paths.
P.S. Save this month’s blogs for a revisit in future months, so you can read the chapters and devotions at the beginning of the correct days. I tend to write late at night, so the day is passed by the time the post is seen. Because there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, they make great reading for every month of the year. In those months with only 30 days, I generally read both chapters 30 and 31. Either way, you’ll be amazed how often the wisdom from the chapter matching the date you’re reading will end up being exactly what you needed to see or know for that day.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 2: The Shadow on Your Path
Proverbs Chapter 1 is all about the purpose of wisdom, and how wisdom can set you up on a right path. Yesterday, I talked about how the right kind of fear of God would open doors to that wisdom. Today, in Proverbs Chapter 2, we’ll read about some of the obstacles found on that path. Visit https://www.bible.com/bible/1713/PRO.2.CSB to read the chapter in the Christian Standard Bible. You can change the version once you’re there if you like.
So what is wisdom worth? Is it all about being smarter? Knowing all the rules? Awareness? Having all the answers? Maybe a little of those, but I believe the best aspect of wisdom is discernment. The definition of that word from Merriam-Webster is “the quality of being able to grasp what is obscure.” A couple synonyms there are insight and perception. Most people either want those things or want to know someone with them, so they can find the answers to obscure questions that escape their grasp. But here in this chapter, the father is assuring his son that if he seeks wisdom like he would seek gold and silver, he will have that grasp when he needs it.
Verses 7 and 8 describe how God stores up success for those on the path of The Lord. They go on to say how God is a shield of protection who will guard that path of justice and protect that way for His followers. Verse 10 says you’ll have discretion for protection and understanding for a guard over you. Or, as the EasyEnglish Bible says, “you will know the right thing to do, and that will keep you safe.” And the reasons for needing all this protection are highlighted in verses 12 through 19 with the warnings to avoid evil people who abandon right paths and especially the forbidden woman who flatters young men to drag them into her house of death.
Now that we are about 3000 years beyond the writing of these words of wisdom, we can take a simple walk through history to see how correct these instructions were and still are. Those who follow the path of the cross of Jesus Christ know how valuable His wisdom is, was, and always will be. He is the shadow on the old paths before Calvary since Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:4b that, “they all drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.” And His cross is the shadow on our paths now as we follow Him and seek to walk in His ways. Don’t try to be good all on your own. Walk in the shadow of the cross and let it be the shadow on your path of life.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 1: The Fear of God Opens Doors
As promised, I’m beginning March with the book of Proverbs, Chapter 1. Visit https://bible.com/bible/206/pro.1.1-33.WEBUS to read all 33 verses of the first chapter.
Chapter One breaks down into 3 main themes: purpose, warnings, and a plea to seek wisdom. This is all about a father on earth trying to direct his son in ways that will bless him and give him a long life, but the wisdom here can just as easily be as teaching from our Heavenly Father trying to give us blessings and a long life. Truthfully, if the whole world would live by the wisdom in the book of Proverbs, everyone would be happier and more blessed.
So, as I was reading this in multiple versions this morning, one verse jumped out at me; the first half of verse 7 as shown in the image. Maybe one of the translations added a word, or maybe my mind conceived it, but I suddenly realized the verse could read: “The fear of The LORD is ONLY the beginning of knowledge.”
See, it’s not about living in constant fear of Him, but it’s about starting with a fear of His power and ability that will get your attention. After that, you can learn to respect and honor Him which will lead you to His mercy and grace… And love.
So many of the messages out there get the proverbial cart before the horse, and the message of grace falls on ears that are not yet listening. It’s like preparing a feast for someone who’s not even a little bit hungry. Of course, God prepares a daily feast in the creations that surround us to whet our appetites toward learning more about Him, but it takes real hunger and thirst to desire the meal for ourselves. We cannot understand the purpose, the warnings, or the pleas of Lady Wisdom without first acknowledging all that God is, so we can desire Him and desire to please Him.
Oh, but once we’ve gotten to that place–on our knees before a holy God who we know as The Creator–and we know what He has done and what He can do, there we find the beginning of the answers we formerly sought here and there but not with any depth or desperation. Now, we WANT to know more about The Lord, and we WANT to know what pleases Him. We graduate from bowing before Him because He deserves it and move to bowing before Him because we are so overwhelmed by our love for Him. He becomes every answer, every piece of knowledge, and every bit of wisdom we could ever seek or desire And now, the fear that got things started has surpassed what was ONLY the beginning and has become our purposeful desire to learn of Him, walk with Him, and do what pleases Him every moment of every day.
Share this post on:
Rearrange Your Path
Following the Light by Flickr User Nathaniel Eldridge, CC License = Attribution, Noncommercial
Click image to open a new tab/window to view the original image and to access the user’s full photo stream at Flickr.
Have you ever gotten lost? Have you been so lost that it felt like you were going in circles, stuck in an endless loop of hopeless twists and turns that never get you where you wanted to go? I’ve been there on foot, and I’ve been there in a vehicle–at night, in a bad neighborhood. Getting lost is no fun. Being lost from God is no fun either, but God in His mercy allows us to rearrange our paths. As author Allison Gappa Bottke puts it, God Allows U-Turns.
If your path is filled with the chaos of uncharted turns and bumps and misdirections that keep ending you in places of frustration and hopelessness, make a change and rearrange. (I just couldn’t help but to make that rhyme. 🙂 ) To illustrate some rearrangement, I’m going to rearrange some verses from Proverbs Chapter 4. Using the New King James’ Version, I’ll list them in no particular order as bullet points. See what the verses in the following order might tell you about your own path of life.
- Ponder the path of your feet.
- Let your eyes look straight ahead
- Do not turn to the right or the left.
- Remove your foot from evil.
- Do not enter the path of the wicked.
- Do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on. - The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble. - But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
And from Isaiah 30:21…
- Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
There’s plenty more in Proverbs 4, so I recommend reading all of it. As a matter of fact, I find a lot of inspiration in the idea of reading the entire chapter of Proverbs on whatever day of the month it is. So, since this post was started on December 4th, I took a visit to Proverbs 4, and all those verses about paths are what jumped out at me. With a little rearrangement, I love the wisdom and promise that’s presented.
To continue with the message about your path, here’s a little bit from some of lessons I’ve gleaned as I’ve walked before Yahveh Almighty.
Many paths will visualize before you on your life’s journey, but only one path will lead you where you want to be in the end. It begins with a narrow gate, so no one but you can fit to walk through it. You don’t get through on the coat tails of a preacher or a parent; or even a friend or loved one. You get through it by using a key of mercy and grace provided when you walk through the blood of your Savior, Yeshua.
Once you’ve chosen to walk through the narrow gate, you’ll be on a straight path. It’s not as narrow as the gate, so you’ll have friends to encourage you and walk with you. Fellowship with them and make it a joyful walk. God will light that path for you, and His Holy Spirit is always there to comfort you on your journey. Trust Him to guide you. Seek His wisdom and understanding because the way that seems right to man doesn’t have the promise of God’s way. Look carefully, watch your step, train your eyes on the prize, and listen for that still, small voice that tells you the way to walk.
And here’s one bit of caution… Take heed of anyone who tries to lead you off the path onto another path. God’s path is always the straight one. Because God’s path is straight, even if it looks like it’s a long way off, the end should always be a clear vision ahead of you. Without that vision, you can be turned away and perish, so keep your eyes trained on the goal, and keep pressing forward. Don’t give up, and you’ll cross the finish line and receive your reward.
If you are on a path that doesn’t have a promise of eternal life at the end, ponder your steps and seek God. If you are still breathing in and out, it’s not too late to rearrange your path and follow God.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 2 – Treasure Hunt for Wisdom
Can you recall meeting people who would not let you get to know them? Maybe you tried to show interest in them and show that you cared, so you could create a safe place for them to be themselves. But no matter what you did, it seemed they were all locked up inside themselves. Maybe it was fear, maybe pride, or maybe a little of both, but whatever it was, it was frustrating.
For a person like me who will share just about everything about herself, it’s even harder to deal with someone who is closed up. But thankfully, God is not that way! It thrills me that He says in so many places in His word that He wants me to get to know Him. He says things like, “They that seek me will find me.” Of course, that verse is incomplete. It actually says, in paraphrase from Jeremiah 29:13, “Those that seek me with all their hearts will find me.”
Here’s what today’s reading from Proverbs 2 (talking about seeking God’s wisdom) has to say…
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (KJV)
God wants us to know more about Him. He wants to share the treasures of His wisdom. But He doesn’t want to give those treasures away to just anyone. He wants to give them to those who desire them and will value them. They are as valuable as silver and gold, so God doesn’t want to just dump them out on those who are satisfied with fool’s gold.
Oh, but if we are seekers, He wants to share with us in abundance. In James 1:5, we’re even told that if we lack wisdom, all we have to do is ask God and He will give it to us liberally. And in James 4:8, we’re reminded that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. His presence is an awesome treasure, and this verse amplifies Deuteronomy 4:7 that says, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? (KJV)”
Doesn’t that just make you want to run to Him and learn more about Him? I know it does me. I’m thankful He’s not a god who is, like the song says, “watching us from a distance.” He is near. His wisdom is near. He simply wants us to seek Him. And when we do, the rest of this chapter talks about how we will fall in love with His wisdom and knowledge and how it will protect us from being led down paths that could be impossible to return from. I cannot fully put into words how much I value His presence and His wisdom, but I welcome you to join me as a fellow treasure hunter, and to rejoice with me for all the wonderful gifts we will find as we seek Him.
Share this post on:
Proverbs 1 – When Wisdom Comes Calling
From https://www.youversion.com/bible/1/pro.1.kjv (Using KJV for quotes because it’s public domain)…
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
GOD’S WAY JUST WORKS–IT REALLY DOES
The Message Bible calls the Proverbs “A Manual for Living.” And it can be that for anyone who is willing to apply it. Wisdom in this book is in the feminine which is also the way much of Scripture related to the Holy Spirit is written. You could say it’s the “mothering” side of Our Creator. While Daddy is making the rules, Mom is explaining to us why it is in our best interest to follow them. It’s a picture of the wholeness of God’s love for us if ever I’ve seen one.
So what about those harsh-sounding warnings of laughter in the face of our trials? I used to think that was so cruel to even think God would laugh at me and mock when my fear came upon me. It was even worse to think He would not be there for me when I called upon Him. But through much study, I’ve found this is referring to the spirit of wisdom. In a brief thought, it is simply saying, “Because you didn’t listen to wisdom to keep yourself out of a big mess, you’re gonna be laying there crying, ‘I don’t know what to do, now,’ and you won’t be able to find the right answer.”
God’s mercy is new every morning, and He gets us out of a lot of self-inflicted bondage, but He’s not in the business of going around plucking us out of every entanglement we get ourselves into. If we’ve learned the fire is hot and we stick a hand in it anyway, He’s not going to stop it from burning us. If we knew from the wisdom in the depths of our souls that getting involved with the good-looker that has caught our attention, and then we end up brokenhearted like others who followed the same trail before we did, Wisdom will say, “What made you think that the same thing would not happen to you?”
So, today, let’s heed what this passage brings to us. Let’s put God in the proper place in our lives, on His throne and above us as Lord of our whole lives, and then listen when He speaks. Whether He speaks through our hearts, through His written word, or through others He brings on our paths to lead us, let’s have the fear (respect) that will cause us to listen to His wisdom like a child listens to his nurturing mother. When we do that, we have the promise that ends this chapter. As Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message, “First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.”
Share this post on:
31 Days of Thoughts on 31 Days of Proverbs
This is just a short introduction. In an effort to get myself writing and blogging every day, I am going to use a variety of tools. I plan to use different tools each month to go with my prismatic personality. I figure that if I change it up at least once per month, I’ll be less apt to get bored with my subject matter and more apt to keep pushing myself forward.
So, for the month of January 2013, I will write my thoughts on the study of the book of Proverbs. I have often gone back to the idea of reading the Proverb for the day for each day of the month. For months with 31 days, it works perfectly. For months with 30 days, I just read 2 chapters at the end. I cannot tell you how many times the reading for the day has been perfect for whatever I was going through on that day. Now, as I move forward, I will have the opportunity to share exactly how that is working for my current day.
As you can tell, I’m jumping off a day late, so later this afternoon, you should see two posts from me. I hope to stay on top of them for the rest of the month. If you’d like to read the subject matter ahead of time, go to the You Version website at https://www.youversion.com/bible/97/pro.1.msg (I’ll likely do most of my studying using “The Message Bible” and the NLT translation, so I’ve linked to “The Message” here), and pick your favorite Bible version to read from. Read the entire chapters of Proverbs 1 and 2, and then come back and see what I’ve gleaned from them in my personal life. Wednesday is my new designated writing day, so I’m excited to have a little extra to share for that anyway. Now, I must go to sleep to rest my writer’s mind since I’m still actually working on Tuesday the 1st. I was going to go ahead and write my first Proverb post before going to sleep, but I’m afraid it won’t have the same meaning if I don’t first get some rest.
Talk to you tomorrow,
~Crystal
Share this post on:
My Latest Flickr Photos
Others’ Posts I’ve Liked
Crystal Writes A Blog 
Love Covers A Multitude of Sin
Today’s reading from Genesis 9:18 through Genesis 10:32 is a bit longer, and it is so because it’s another chapter that covers a bunch of genealogy. This time, it’s the genealogies from the sons of Noah from whom the entire earth was repopulated after the flood. But before it gets into the genealogies, this chapter tells a story of excess, drunkenness, and disrespectful behavior.
Noah was a farmer, so after getting off the boat, he planted a vineyard. From the fruit of his labors, he drank a bit too much wine (it is easy to go overboard when you have gone without something for a very long time) and passed out in his tent. I’m guessing his robes came undone, or the wine made him warm, and he stripped them off, but for whatever reason, he was laying there completely naked. What happened next changed the future of many people groups.
Noah’s youngest son, Ham, happened by his father’s tent. Instead of backing out and respecting him, he ran to tell his brothers all about it. Now remember, the sons who entered the ark were married men and their wives, so this was a full-grown married man running off to make fun of his father to other full-grown married men. I think there is likely much more to the story, but here’s what I see: The states of mind before the flood were not only lacking any direction toward God, but they were so selfish, they were immature. Learning to care for others instead of just yourself takes time and maturity, so selfish people often act childish by being demanding, having temper tantrums, and/or being just plain silly. I think Ham came on board with the mindset of those who had just been destroyed. Maybe all but Noah boarded that way, but I believe Ham “missed the boat” mentally and emotionally when he did not learn a lesson by watching the end result of that evil behavior. And that childish behavior caused problems from his son, Canaan, on down the line because Ham did not create a legacy of maturity and obedience that could be taught through the generations.
As with all of God’s stories though, there is always some good news to find. In this case, it was the two older brothers who walked backward with a blanket and covered their father’s nakedness instead of making fun of him. Were they mature because they were older, or had they matured as a result of the last year and the lesson learned from the destruction of mankind? It’s hard to tell, but in a literal way, they fulfilled Proverbs 10:12 where it says, “Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions” (Amplified Bible). The immature son disrespected his father, and hated him enough to try to stir things up against him in the hearts of his brothers. But his brothers loved their father and chose instead to cover his transgressions. I also like the way this is stated in 1 Peter 4:8 (Amp)….”Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].”
We have a Savior who feels love toward us, so when given the choice to mock our sins and put them on public display for punishment, He chose instead to cover us–with His own body and blood. He took the public display, the mocking, and the punishment on Himself. And because mercy and love is more powerful than punishment and hate, we have the promise that His love covers our sins, not only unto the third and fourth generation (as it is with those who hate God), but unto thousands of generations of those that love God and keep His commandments. (See Exodus 20:6).
Share this post on:
October 10, 2013 Posted by Crystal A Murray (aka CrystalWriter) | Bible Study, Nonfiction, Torah Commentary | Bible, Bible study, Canaan, Complete Jewish Bible, cover, covering, covers, crystalwriter, disrespect, drunkenness, Genesis, Genesis 10, Genesis 9, God, God is Love, Ham, immaturity, Lord, love, love covering, love covers a multitude of sin, love covers sin, love has mercy, maturity, mercy, nakedness, Noah, Old Testament, Proverbs, punishment, Savior, Scripture, sin, Torah, Torah commentary, Torah Portions, Torah Reading, wine, Word, Word of God, Word of the Lord, Yahveh, Yahweh | Leave a comment