Proverbial Post 11; Proverbs 31

May the mumbling commence!

Well, the last chapter of Proverbs (Chapter 30) came a day late in the chronological Bible that I am reading (at least in my view).  Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated seven years of wedded bliss.  I truly believe that I’ve been living in a dream world for these last seven years.  Sometimes, I fear that I will wake up alone someday.  I do not know what I would do without my wife.  She makes me a better person, a better Christian, and a better minister.  We sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

Anita (my wife) is not sure she likes the description of the wife of noble character from Proverbs 31.  Does being a wife of noble character mean getting little sleep?  Early to rise (Verse 15) and late to bed (Verse 18) is this wife.  Sometimes near sleepless nights are necessary, but they are not the rule.  I know that Anita has had short nights because of ministry and because of her role as mother and wife and daughter.

Anita may deny it, but I think she fits the bill of Proverbs 31 better than she thinks.  I saw it in the way she worked so hard this past week – preparing a sermon and being there for me and our son Micah (early in the morning when she is not at her best).  Read some verses from chapter 31:

            A wife of noble character who can find?

                        She is worth far more than rubies.

            Her husband has full confidence in her

                        and lacks nothing of value.

            She brings good not harm,

                        all the days of her life. (Verses 10-12)

            She watches over the affairs of her household

                        and does not eat the bread of idleness.

            Her children arise and call her blessed;

                        her husband also, and he praises her:

            Many women do noble things,

                        but you surpass them all.”

            Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

                        but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

            Give her the reward she has earned,

                        and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  (Verses 27-31)

I have found her – a wife of noble character.  I praise you, Anita.  You surpass all other women in my life.  Yes, even my mother.  (Sorry, Mom I love you.  It is a near tie!)  I have full confidence in my wife.  I love her.  I praise the Lord that He has put her in my life.

Happy Anniversary, DEAR.

Enough mumbling for today…

Peace Out

Proverbial Post 10; Proverbs 25-27

May the mumbling commence!

Honesty is the best policy.  But, it’s a hard policy to follow when you are speaking to those you love and to yourself.  Honesty hurts, but it is the kind of hurt that leads to healing.  It’s the honesty policy spoken of in Proverbs 28-30.  Read some verses from chapter 28:

            He who conceals his sins does not prosper,

                        but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Verse 13)

            He who robs his father or mother

                        and says, “It’s not wrong” –

                        he is partner to him who destroys. (Verse 24)

Concealing sin or even denying that it happened or that what was done was even sin results in destruction – of relationships, of people, and of property.  When we call sin a sin and when we confess the sin, it opens wounds to be cleansed so that they can heal without further damage or infection.

Sometimes the infection of concealing and denying sin results in blindness to the true view of the world through the eyes of the Lord.  As Proverbs 29: 18 states, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.”  Sometimes the infection results in pride.  Read about pride in Proverbs 29: 23, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.”

And there are other ways that hidden sin affects us and others.  Read about them from some verses of chapter 30:

            There are those who curse their fathers

                        and do not bless their mothers;

            those who are pure in their own eyes

                        and yet are not cleansed of their filth;

            those whose eyes are haughty,

                        whose glances are so disdainful;

those whose teeth are swords

those whose jaws are set with knives

to devour the poor from the earth,

            the needy from among mankind. (Verses 11-14)

If you have played the fool and exalted yourself,

            or if you have planned evil,

            clap your hand over your mouth!

For as churning the milk produces butter,

            and as twisting the nose produces blood,

            so stirring up anger produces strife. (Verses 32-33)

Hidden sin often leads to denied sin.  Denied sin leads to going to the wrong source to cleanse our wounds.  We will think that we are clean; we will not realize our filth.  It will affect our relationships with others.  We will see their sins clearly and be haughty.  We will be haughty because we deny our own sinfulness.  In fact, we will distain others.  We may begin to convince ourselves that we have a unique relationship with God.

We will exalt ourselves and fall into evil.  We will even plan evil and deny its base nature.  Anger will be stirred up and strife will result…

No, it is much better to confess our sins, open the wounds, and allow the Great Physician to heal us without any infections.  Then, we will be truly clean.  Let’s be honest with ourselves and honest with the ones that we love.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Proverbial Post 9; Prov. 24-27

May the mumbling commence!

How are we to treat our enemies?  How are we to treat those who attempt to make our lives miserable?  These questions are relevant at the personal, communal, and national levels.  What does the book of Proverbs speak about this subject?  Read some verses below:

            Do not gloat when your enemy falls;

                        when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

            or the Lord will see and disapprove

                        and turn his wrath away from him. (Prov. 24:17-18)

                                                                                                                                         

Note: We are not supposed to gloat over the failure of our enemies.  It is not that we wish that they would be excused from the punishment that their sins deserve.  We are human.  Jesus was both human and God in nature.  Jesus wanted his enemies to be free of their punishment.  It is a good thing to strive for, but it is not the message of Proverbs.  Read another quote:

            Do not say, “I’ll do to him as he has done to me;

                        I’ll pay him back for what he did.” (Prov. 24:29)

So much for the thought, “Don’t get mad get even.”  Much in our society pushes this thought on us.  This thought is foreign to Proverbs.  Do not return evil for evil.  Read another quote:

            If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

                        if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

            In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

                        and the Lord will reward you.  (Prov. 25:21-22)

Confound and confuse the enemy.  Do not speak in the only language that he can understand.  Serve him.  Give him food to eat when he is hungry.  Give him water to eat when he is thirsty.  Sustain your enemy – but not for a nicety.  Sustain him so that burning coals will be on his head.  The Lord’s reward will be in this tact for you (and possibly your enemy).  There is no way of defeating an enemy than making him a friend and ally.  But before we get to far into this train of thought, let’s look at another quote from Proverbs:

            Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

                        but an enemy multiplies his kisses. (27:6)

The wisdom of Proverbs asks us to serve our enemies, but it doesn’t ask us to trust them – even when it seems we have transformed  them into friends.  The wisdom of Proverbs tells us not to gloat over our enemies fall – but not at the expense of justice.  The wisdom of Proverbs tells us not to return evil for evil.  The wisdom of Proverbs tells us to feed and give drink to our enemies – not for a nicety but for heaping burning coals on his head.

Let’s keep these concepts and attitudes in our hearts and minds as we relate to those who make our lives miserable.  If we do, there will be a reward from the Lord.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out 

Proverbial Post 8; Proverbs 22-23

May the mumbling commence!

Now that we’ve been reading from Proverbs for a little over a week, we can start asking the question – What is the purpose that drives these seemingly random bits of wisdom?  The answer lies in Proverbs 22:5 “So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.”

So, where else do we put our trust?  As I read from Proverbs 22-23, I began to think about the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor in the US.  I began to think about the near extinction of the middle class.  These thoughts made some of the wisdom of these chapters stand out.  Read from the beginning and the end of chapter 23:

            When you sit to dine with a ruler,

                        note well what is before you,

            and put a knife to your throat

                        if you are given to gluttony.

            Do not crave his delicacies,

                        for that food is deceptive.

            Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

                        have the wisdom to show restraint.

             Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

                        for they will surely sprout wings

                        and fly off like an eagle. (Verses 1-5)

            Who had woe?  Who has sorrow?

                        Who has strife?  Who has complaints?

                        Who has needless bruises?  Who has bloodshot eyes?

            Those who linger over wine,

                        who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

            Do not gaze at wine when it is red,

                        when it sparkles in the cup,

                        when it goes down smoothly.

            In the end it bites like a snake

                        and poisons like a viper.

            Your eyes will see strange sights

                        and your mind imagine confusing things.

            You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,

                        lying on top of the rigging.

            “They hit me,” you will say, “but I am not hurt!

                        They beat me, but I didn’t feel it!

            When will I wake up

                        so I can find another drink?” (Verses 29-35)

In the first passage, we see that the rich trust in their wealth to provide for them – not a good thing because eventually it will sprout wings a leave them high and dry.  In the second passage, the poor often drown their worries in alcohol.  Or they drown it in another cheap drug or spirit.  

Neither is a great place to put trust.  So, who is at fault for the widening gap between the rich and the poor in this country?  Fault can easily be found anywhere.  But who has more power for change?  Sometimes I wonder.  Read from Proverbs chapter 22:

            Rich and poor have this in common:

                        the Lord is the Maker of them all. (Verse 2)  

Only the Lord has the power for change!

            The rich rule over the poor,

                        and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Verse 7)

            He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth

                        and he who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty. (Verse 16)

            Do not exploit the poor because they are poor     

                        and do not crush the needy in court,        

            for the Lord will take up their case                       

                        and will plunder those who plunder them. (Verses 22-23)

But, in a human sense, the rich have power to exercise over the poor; and the rich must pay someone to keep their status. These things end in a poverty – poverty of the Lord!

Remember: Trust in the Lord.  This trust is the bottom line in Proverbs.

Enough mumbling for today…  

Peace Out

Proverbial Post 7; Proverbs 19-21

May the mumbling commence!

Hear some proverbs of today:  “He who dies with the most toys wins.”  “He who wins the lottery has many friends.”  “Money talks, and bull*$@! Walks.”  Indeed the way that we use our money speaks volumes about us.  What does our use of money say about us to the Lord?  How should we use our wealth wisely?  Let’s take a look at Proverbs 19-21 to find the answers.  Read a couple of proverbs from chapter 19:

            Wealth brings many friends,

                        But a poor man’s friend deserts him. (Verse 4)

            Many curry favor with a ruler,

                        And everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts. (Verse 6)

As the Beatles songs says, “Can’t buy me love.”  But money can buy companionship – the caliber of which will desert you when the gifts stop coming.  So, how can we live and use our money that will grow love?  Wisdom is not shown in how much money one has but in how one uses the money that one has.  Let’s look at another verse, this time from chapter 20:

            An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning

                        Will not be blessed at the end. (Verse 21)

This proverb makes me think of an eighties movie called Brewster’s Millions.  The main character was played by Richard Pryor.  Pryor’s character learns early in the movie that a rich multi-millionaire relative had died and left him money, but there was a catch (isn’t there always).  Pryor’s character had a choice: Walk away free and clear with a million dollars or take a million dollars and spend it in a month but have nothing to show for it but the clothes on his back.  If he was successful with the latter, Pryor’s character would inherit the entire amount.  Failure to complete the task would result in no further money.

Pryor’s character took the challenge.  Talk about the American Dream!  He had an engraved invitation for conspicuous consumption and dreadful waste.  With much trial, he succeeded.  By the time he was through with the trial, he had grown sick of wasting money on frivolous things.  That was the point of the departed wealthy relative.  It is a point that Proverbs tries to make.  Read some quotes from Proverbs 20 and 21:

            Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

                        Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. (20:1)

            He who loves pleasure will become poor;

                        Whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. (21:17)

            In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,

                        But a foolish man devours all he has. (21:20)

            The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him,

                        Because his hands refuse to work.

            All day long he craves for more,

                        But the righteous give without sparing. (21:-25-26)

Rich foods and the drugs of our choice decay our sense of righteousness and lead us astray.  We will become drunk with the wrong spirits.  We will be slaves to our appetites.  This way leads to the poor house.  Even worse than that – it leads to death.

Let’s set aside out conspicuous consumptions and be content with our needs being met.  Then, we will open the way to give without sparing.  And we will work diligently to maintain a righteous relationship with everyone – even those poor in our sight.

Enough mumbling for today…

Peace Out   

Proverbial Post 6; Proverbs 16-18

May the mumbling commence!

As summer begins and the school year ends, the questions for recent graduates are almost always the same.  What are your plans for the future?  Anytime when we close one chapter in our book of life, we need to plan for the next chapter.  What does the wise Teacher of Proverbs have to say about planning?  I was thinking of this very subject as I read Proverbs 16-18.

Let’s begin our search in chapter sixteen.  Read several verses from it:

            There is a way that seems right to a man,

But in the end it leads to death. (Verse 25)

            The lot is cast into the lap,

                        But its every decision is from the Lord. (Verse 33)

To man belong the plans of the heart,

                        But from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. (Verse 1)

            In his heart a man plans his course,

                        But the Lord determines his steps. (Verse 9)

            When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,

                        He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. (Verse 7)

Though it may seem like a great plan to us, we should look carefully at it through the discerning eyes of the Lord.  Otherwise failure and death may be around the corner.  Instead, let’s cast our lot with the Lord.  In what ways do we cast our lots today?  When we decide to live our life of faith in a particular community, we cast our lot with God.  We trust that every decision of the church community that falls into our laps will have come from the Lord.  That is the reason it is so vital to be an active member.  Casting our lot with a congregation (and at times a denomination) helps to guide our plans for the future.

In our hearts, we still plan our course, but the Lord controls our tongues and our steps.  Tongues hold great power over the trajectory of our lives.  I have been calling it the power of DABAR – Hebrew for the spoken word.  It is a part of the way we are created in the image of the Lord.  And our steps reveal the attitudes and intentions of our hearts.  So, the Lord’s control over our tongues and steps amounts to much more than being a GPS or a co-pilot.  When we welcome the Lord into our lives, God is the pilot, the driver, for our lives.

And when we welcome the Lord in this way, we please Him.  Our enemies will live at peace with us.  Perhaps we all can learn from this piece of wisdom next time someone comes into conflict with us.  Let the Lord guide your attitudes, words, and actions.  You will not be disappointed with the outcome.

But do not be fooled.  Welcoming the Lord in this way is not easy.  Read some verses of wisdom from Proverbs 16:

            A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,

                        But a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (Verse 24)

            A rebuke impresses a man of discernment

                        More than a hundred lashes a fool. (Verse 10)

            The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

                        But the Lord tests the heart. (Verse 3)

We cannot be lax in seeking the wisdom of God.  We must listen to rebukes from the Lord – whether them come through Scripture reading or prayer or our Christian brothers and sisters.  The Lord’s wisdom has more power to refine us than the heat of the crucible or furnace.  Talk about a high standard for purity!  The Lord’s standard far exceeds the gold standard!  So, what do we do when we fail?  (Because we will fail at times.)  Read the answer from Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe.”

Enough mumbling for today…  

Peace Out

Proverbial Post 6; Proverbs 16-18

May the mumbling commence!

As summer begins and the school year ends, the questions for recent graduates are almost always the same.  What are your plans for the future?  Anytime when we close one chapter in our book of life, we need to plan for the next chapter.  What does the wise Teacher of Proverbs have to say about planning?  I was thinking of this very subject as I read Proverbs 16-18.

Let’s begin our search in chapter sixteen.  Read several verses from it:

            There is a way that seems right to a man,

But in the end it leads to death. (Verse 25)

            The lot is cast into the lap,

                        But its every decision is from the Lord. (Verse 33)

To man belong the plans of the heart,

                        But from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. (Verse 1)

            In his heart a man plans his course,

                        But the Lord determines his steps. (Verse 9)

            When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,

                        He makes even his enemies live at peace with him. (Verse 7)

Though it may seem like a great plan to us, we should look carefully at it through the discerning eyes of the Lord.  Otherwise failure and death may be around the corner.  Instead, let’s cast our lot with the Lord.  In what ways do we cast our lots today?  When we decide to live our life of faith in a particular community, we cast our lot with God.  We trust that every decision of the church community that falls into our laps will have come from the Lord.  That is the reason it is so vital to be an active member.  Casting our lot with a congregation (and at times a denomination) helps to guide our plans for the future.

In our hearts, we still plan our course, but the Lord controls our tongues and our steps.  Tongues hold great power over the trajectory of our lives.  I have been calling it the power of DABAR – Hebrew for the spoken word.  It is a part of the way we are created in the image of the Lord.  And our steps reveal the attitudes and intentions of our hearts.  So, the Lord’s control over our tongues and steps amounts to much more than being a GPS or a co-pilot.  When we welcome the Lord into our lives, God is the pilot, the driver, for our lives.

And when we welcome the Lord in this way, we please Him.  Our enemies will live at peace with us.  Perhaps we all can learn from this piece of wisdom next time someone comes into conflict with us.  Let the Lord guide your attitudes, words, and actions.  You will not be disappointed with the outcome.

But do not be fooled.  Welcoming the Lord in this way is not easy.  Read some verses of wisdom from Proverbs 16:

            A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,

                        But a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (Verse 24)

            A rebuke impresses a man of discernment

                        More than a hundred lashes a fool. (Verse 10)

            The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

                        But the Lord tests the heart. (Verse 3)

We cannot be lax in seeking the wisdom of God.  We must listen to rebukes from the Lord – whether them come through Scripture reading or prayer or our Christian brothers and sisters.  The Lord’s wisdom has more power to refine us than the heat of the crucible or furnace.  Talk about a high standard for purity!  The Lord’s standard far exceeds the gold standard!  So, what do we do when we fail?  (Because we will fail at times.)  Read the answer from Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe.”

Enough mumbling for today…  

Peace Out