Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 26-31. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
Today’s reading begins with a heavy emphasis on the fool and the burden he places on others. I continue to be struck by the sharp contrast between wisdom and folly. It’s my impression that much of our modern Western culture pursues the kind of attitudes and behaviors characterized by folly rather than wisdom. We are rewarded culturally by being fools, not by being wise. This will doubtless have consequences.
29:9 (ESV) “If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.”
Chapters 30-31 break the pattern of couplets for good, lending balance to the book which begins and ends with longer narrative portions. The last portion of chapter 31 is often used as motivation for a woman to live an exemplary life. I would propose that this is an impossible standard individually but that it fits the Church being the bride of Christ, her blessed husband.
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proverbs. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Bible Reading Challenge Week 35 Day 2
Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 21-25. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
The couplets we have been seeing for some time continue but then in chapter 23 we return to longer discussions, again returning to the folly shown in adultery, then in drunkenness. As with all folly, these are deceptive. It is the wisdom found in the person of the LORD which is reasoned and not deceptive. After a recapitulation of the nature of divine wisdom we return to brief provers, first of a “wise” person and then proverbs of Solomon collected and arranged some generations later.
The couplets we have been seeing for some time continue but then in chapter 23 we return to longer discussions, again returning to the folly shown in adultery, then in drunkenness. As with all folly, these are deceptive. It is the wisdom found in the person of the LORD which is reasoned and not deceptive. After a recapitulation of the nature of divine wisdom we return to brief provers, first of a “wise” person and then proverbs of Solomon collected and arranged some generations later.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Bible Reading Challenge Week 35 Day 1
Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 16-20. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
In our reading today I notice the delicate t ension drawn between man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty. The LORD is responsible for all. He guides every life situation. Yet at the same time people are responsible for their own attitudes and the resulting actions.
Proverbs 18:1 spoke to me. My general desire is to retreat, to isolate myself. But I see here that if I wish to love and serve my neighbor I need to go to that person. The LORD takes even introverted people like me and uses us to care for others. This is wisdom and good judgment.
What specially spoke to you? Why? Tell someone so as to encourage others in the Word of God.
In our reading today I notice the delicate t ension drawn between man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty. The LORD is responsible for all. He guides every life situation. Yet at the same time people are responsible for their own attitudes and the resulting actions.
Proverbs 18:1 spoke to me. My general desire is to retreat, to isolate myself. But I see here that if I wish to love and serve my neighbor I need to go to that person. The LORD takes even introverted people like me and uses us to care for others. This is wisdom and good judgment.
What specially spoke to you? Why? Tell someone so as to encourage others in the Word of God.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Bible Reading Challenge Week 34 Day 5
Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 11-15. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
We continue with brief proverbs, called “couplets.” Normally the second line is the key element. It either shows a contrast or expands on the idea in the first line. See how frequently two or more couplets work together. Some people have found it a fruitful practice to look for patterns in the arrangement of the Proverbs. Above all, see how the wisdom of God introduced in earlier chapters leads to righteousness and well-being. Folly leads to unrighteousness and trouble.
A challenge is in order today and as we continue through Proverbs. Pick a proverb of the day and put it to work. Meditate on it, see how it applies to life. Then tell someone about it, either here or elsewhere.
We continue with brief proverbs, called “couplets.” Normally the second line is the key element. It either shows a contrast or expands on the idea in the first line. See how frequently two or more couplets work together. Some people have found it a fruitful practice to look for patterns in the arrangement of the Proverbs. Above all, see how the wisdom of God introduced in earlier chapters leads to righteousness and well-being. Folly leads to unrighteousness and trouble.
A challenge is in order today and as we continue through Proverbs. Pick a proverb of the day and put it to work. Meditate on it, see how it applies to life. Then tell someone about it, either here or elsewhere.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Bible Reading Challenge Week 34 Day 4
Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 6-10. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
Proverbs 6 - Making ourself subject to others puts us at their mercy. So does laziness and inaction. Yet in our activity we should seek wise faithfulness before God. One of the most dangerous ways we can fall into bondage is adultery. It always causes harm. It shows a terrible lack of judgment.
Proverbs 7 - Wisdom keeps the wise from the adulteress, who seems to the example of all folly. the folly waits and watches for people to entice.
Proverbs 8 - As a contrast to the calls of folly in chapter 7, wisdom calls out in chapter 8. There is nothing secretive or deceptive. If we look at verses 22 and following we may see that wisdom is the firstborn, the one who was before creation, namely God the Son. see especially the claim in verses 35-36. Finding Jesus, God’s Son, is life.
Proverbs 9 - The call of wisdom from the high point of the city is also pointing to wisdom being God. The temple in an ancient city is always at the high place. Wisdom and folly both cry out. May we receive wisdom and live.
Proverbs 10 - Here we begin a series of very brief truisms. Notice they are not always foolproof. For instance, in verse 4 we can observe that there are some lazy rich people and diligent poor people. But the principles generally hold. That’s the nature of a proverb.
Proverbs 6 - Making ourself subject to others puts us at their mercy. So does laziness and inaction. Yet in our activity we should seek wise faithfulness before God. One of the most dangerous ways we can fall into bondage is adultery. It always causes harm. It shows a terrible lack of judgment.
Proverbs 7 - Wisdom keeps the wise from the adulteress, who seems to the example of all folly. the folly waits and watches for people to entice.
Proverbs 8 - As a contrast to the calls of folly in chapter 7, wisdom calls out in chapter 8. There is nothing secretive or deceptive. If we look at verses 22 and following we may see that wisdom is the firstborn, the one who was before creation, namely God the Son. see especially the claim in verses 35-36. Finding Jesus, God’s Son, is life.
Proverbs 9 - The call of wisdom from the high point of the city is also pointing to wisdom being God. The temple in an ancient city is always at the high place. Wisdom and folly both cry out. May we receive wisdom and live.
Proverbs 10 - Here we begin a series of very brief truisms. Notice they are not always foolproof. For instance, in verse 4 we can observe that there are some lazy rich people and diligent poor people. But the principles generally hold. That’s the nature of a proverb.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Bible Reading Challenge Week 34 Day 3
Our reading challenge for the day is Proverbs 1-5. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
Often we think of Solomon as the author of the Proverbs. While he is stated as at least the collector and arranger of large parts of Proverbs, there are ascriptions to other people as well. We should remember that a proverb is a truism. It does not necessarily indicate a promise which is certain every time. But we can look to Proverbs for great wisdom presented often in a slightly humorous way.
Proverbs 1 - By attending to wise words, especially the instruction of parents, we gain understanding and self-control. We are introduced to Wisdom, personified here, giving freely to understand the LORD but being rejected roundly.
Proverbs 2 - Pursuit of wisdom is more important than all treasures. Wisdom gives us understanding of right and wrong, letting us be the upright who inherit the promised land.
Proverbs 3 - Wisdom from God leads us to trust in Him. He will direct us in all good ways. This will protect us all our lives, giving safety and prosperity, making us a blessing to others as well.
Proverbs 4 - Wisdom leads us down the path of righteousness. The path of evil is not wise. Pursuit of wisdom is worth all we have.
Proverbs 5 - Giving our life to folly is a form of adultery and foolishness. We will always regret it.
Often we think of Solomon as the author of the Proverbs. While he is stated as at least the collector and arranger of large parts of Proverbs, there are ascriptions to other people as well. We should remember that a proverb is a truism. It does not necessarily indicate a promise which is certain every time. But we can look to Proverbs for great wisdom presented often in a slightly humorous way.
Proverbs 1 - By attending to wise words, especially the instruction of parents, we gain understanding and self-control. We are introduced to Wisdom, personified here, giving freely to understand the LORD but being rejected roundly.
Proverbs 2 - Pursuit of wisdom is more important than all treasures. Wisdom gives us understanding of right and wrong, letting us be the upright who inherit the promised land.
Proverbs 3 - Wisdom from God leads us to trust in Him. He will direct us in all good ways. This will protect us all our lives, giving safety and prosperity, making us a blessing to others as well.
Proverbs 4 - Wisdom leads us down the path of righteousness. The path of evil is not wise. Pursuit of wisdom is worth all we have.
Proverbs 5 - Giving our life to folly is a form of adultery and foolishness. We will always regret it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)