Read Proverbs
24-25 & 2
Corinthians 5
To discover:
As you read consider what
lessons strike you most forcefully.
To ponder:
Some lessons from
Proverbs 24: Do not want to be among the wicked as they plan violence and
trouble. It is through wisdom that a house is built (or project completed) and
filled with treasures. The wise succeed both through gaining power and seeking
advice. Fools should remain silent when wisdom is sought. Those who plot evil
and mock others become known as schemers and are detested. If you give up when
things get hard, you are small of strength. Rescue those being wrongly led away
to death, or perhaps those who through foolishness and sin are bringing it on
themselves; you may say you knew nothing about it, but God weighs our motives,
and will repay everyone according to what they do (or don’t do). Enjoy honey,
but know that wisdom is sweet too, and so to be desired: It gives hope, no
doubt for a flourishing life and for life everlasting. Don’t seek to steal from
the righteous. Here there is acknowledgement that the righteous may “fall” into
trouble numerous times (“seven” suggests this). The point is that they will always
recover, ultimately rising to life; but the wicked will not when their calamity
strikes, no doubt because it will result from judgement. The righteous,
however, are those who don’t gloat when their enemy falls. Indeed, if they do,
in disapproval God will stop displaying his anger to their enemy. Do not worry
or envy the wicked, as they have no real hope. Likewise, do not join officials
who rebel against God or the king (rulers), as God and the state will destroy
(or punish) such people. Those who show partiality in courts will be cursed by
all peoples, but those who show justice will receive blessing. Like a kiss,
honest speech is an act of love. Sort out work that will bring an income,
before focusing on building your home. Don’t testify in court against your
neighbour unless justified; and don’t desire to pay them back if they’ve done
something bad to you. Observing the unkempt results of laziness teaches us that
without diligent hard work poverty will come suddenly and destructively like a
robber.
Lessons from Proverbs 25. We return
now to Solomon’s proverbs, and read they were compiled under Hezekiah, two
hundred years later - around 700BC: God’s excellence is seen in often
concealing things, as he knows what we need to know, and much we will never fathom.
However, the excellence of kings is seen in seeking to understand things, and
especially the cases brought before them. Nevertheless, the disposition or
attitude of their heart can no more be fathomed that the extremity of the
heavens and sea. If the wicked are removed from government (or any
organisation) it can be shaped upon righteousness and so be precious. Don’t
claim a place amongst the great or famous with a king or ruler, as you may be
humbled by not being given that place. Better for them to exalt you if they so
choose. Don’t be hasty in reporting what you’ve heard in court as you will be
shamed if your neighbour shows you were wrong. Also, don’t betray someone
else’s confidence in charging your neighbour with wrongdoing, as you will then
be disgraced for being unfaithful. The rulings or rebukes of a wise judge are
precious, pleasing and beautiful. A trustworthy messenger refreshes his master
with the reliability of his message, as the master knows he can rely on it.
Those who boast of giving gifts they don’t give bring disappointment like
clouds without rain in a dry land like Israel .
With patience one can persuade a ruler, and gentle speech can wield much power
to defeat others. So you can achieve much with righteousness. Just as eating
too much of a good thing can make someone sick, don’t visit your neighbour so
often for them to end up hating you because you annoy them. To give false
testimony against a neighbour is like physically attacking them. Relying on
unfaithful people is like trying to use a broken limb: They will give way and
never achieve what you hope of them. To be joyful around those who are low is
like taking their coat on a cold day making them shiver, or pouring vinegar
into a wound, making it sting: It makes a bad situation worse. If your enemy is
in need, help him as this will bring him to a wholehearted repentance and God
will reward you. Just as unexpected rain is unwelcome, so is sly or mischievous
speech, bringing horror or anger from those who hear it. Good news from another
land refreshes one’s soul, especially when one is faced with bad news at home.
Righteous people (especially rulers in context) who allow the wicked to
dominate are like a polluted well: You think they will bring what is good and
beneficial, but in reality their actions taste bad and are even poisonous. Just
as too much honey can give you indigestion and make you feel unwell, so it is
not honourable to seek out things too deep to understand: This is no doubt
because that is detrimental, perhaps causing you to struggle in faith. Those
who lack self-control are like a breached city in the sense that all manner of
temptation and sin can flood into their life to their destruction.
Praying it
home:
Praise God for
whatever he has most brought home to you. Pray that he would help you live
according to that wisdom.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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