Proverbs Reading Challenge – Chapter 21

Posted on February 17, 2020 by dkoop

I hope that your Monday is going well.  Thanks for reading along together through the book of Proverbs!

Proverbs often compares the lifestyles of the wicked and the righteous, and makes a strong case for living by God’s pattern. The advantages of righteous living and the disadvantages of wicked living are pointed out. The kind of person we decide to be will affect every area of our lives.

21:1 While The Lord and the king are the two administrators of justice, there can be no doubt about who is the dominant power. The Lord is over every king. This verse does not teach that everything the king does is wise or good, and still less does it teach that the king has no need of counselors. Rather, it asserts that the king is simply another of The Lord’s tools for dispensing justice as he sees fit.

21:2 Most people feel that their actions and patterns of life are perfectly acceptable. God, however, looks into the heart and judges thoughts and motives. The Lord’s power of discernment goes beyond unmasking those who fool others; he even knows who has fooled themselves.

21:3  “Sacrifice” is referring to religious activity at the Temple.  Some people think they can fool others through their religion or balance out their wrong doing.

*Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. If our personal and business dealings are not characterized by justice, no amount of generosity when the offering plate is passed will make up for it

21:4. In describing the “haughty eyes” and “proud heart” as the “lamp of the wicked” this verse is saying that the devious are sure of themselves and think that their ways can guide them through life.

21:5–7 The “haste” of v. 5 is the desire to gain wealth without the sacrifice of honest labor. Two specific means to easy money, fraud and violence, are mentioned in v. 6 and v. 7.

21:8 Verse 8 aptly summarizes all that has been said on recognizing honest and dishonest people. It is the simple difference between those who are open and honest and those who try to hide what they are really up to.

21:9 & 19 These verses say that any living conditions like the corner of a roof 21:9, or in the desert, 19, are preferable to living with a quarrelsome woman

21:10 Evil people even hurt their neighbors.

21:11–12 It is usually better to learn from the mistakes of others than from our own. We can do this by listening to their advice. Take counsel from others instead of plunging ahead and learning the hard way.

13 We should work to meet the needs of the poor and protect their rights — we may be in need of such services ourselves someday.

21:14–15 Verse 14 is an observational proverb; that is, it does not necessarily approve of every case of giving a gift or bribe.   Even today the terms of out-of-court settlements are often kept secret, and the reference to secrecy need not imply bribery. At the same time, the practice of giving bribes to prevent justice cannot be excluded from this verse. Verse 14 should be read in context with v. 15, which asserts that justice is essential if society is to function and evildoers are to be held in check. Taken together the verses state that a person should avoid litigation if possible and that a gift may be the means of doing so; on the other hand, a person should beware of bribery or criminals will be free to pervert the justice system.

21:16  Someone who has gone off the right path comes to an untimely death.

21:17–18  In v. 17 those who show restraint in the amount of time and money they invest in pleasure will have the means to attain them. In v. 18 the point is that the wicked or unfaithful are always going to be punished for what they have done.

21:20 This proverb is about saving for the future. Easy credit has many people living on the edge of bankruptcy. The desire to keep up and to accumulate more pushes them to spend every penny they earn, and they stretch their credit to the limit. But anyone who spends all he has is spending more than he can afford. A wise person puts money aside for when he or she may have less. God approves of foresight and restraint. God’s people need to examine their life-styles to see whether their spending is God-pleasing or merely self-pleasing.

21:21  The point is that those who seek to do what is right not only find that but also find life (be it long life, eternal life, or the inner life of emotional heath) and honor in the community as well.

21:22 This verse is often taken to mean that “brains is better than brawn,” The wise man is secure and prosperous without an army to surround him, but against him even the greatest human opposition is insecure. The fruit of wisdom is a life of victory.

21:23–24  Each is clear enough on its own, but side by side they throw light on each other. The “mocker” is recognized precisely for his obnoxious mouth, and the refusal to control his tongue (v. 23) comes directly from arrogance (v. 24). On the other hand, just as those who show humility in their language avoid trouble, but not the mocker they will get into trouble.

21:25–26 These verses revisit the theme of the prosperity of the wise/righteous over against the poverty of the lazy/wicked. A person might think that those who work hard would want to hoard what they struggled to obtain, but in God’s economy the two virtues of self-reliance and compassion for others must be linked. Also looking back to 21:17, the lazy man’s life is portrayed as one of constantly wanting.

21:27 The kind of worship (“sacrifice”) described in this proverb is no better than a bribe. How do people try to bribe God? They may go to church, tithe, or volunteer, not because of their love and devotion to God, but because they hope God will bless them in return. But God has made it very clear that he desires obedience and love more than religious ritual (see Prov 21:3; 1 Samuel 15:22). God does not want our sacrifices of time, energy, and money alone; he wants our hearts — our complete love and devotion. We may be able to bribe people (Prov 21:14), but we cannot bribe God.

21:28–29 Verse 28 promises destruction for false witnesses and social disgrace (or exile) for those who side with them. The setting is the law court and the warning to jurors is that they will be held accountable if they allow false testimony to stand. Verse 29 then says that the wicked can lie with a brazen face, much as English says that one can be a “bald-faced” liar. The just man, however, can see through the charade. The teaching of both verses is to be perceptive and diligent about disallowing perjury in court.

21:30–31 Just as a trained, prepared army can be defeated if God wills it, so also all efforts at success in life (the goal of wisdom) without God are vain. All knowledge is hollow without God.  All our preparation for any task is useless without God. But even with God’s help we still must do our part and prepare. His control of the outcome does not negate our responsibilities. God may want you to produce a great book, but you must learn to write. God may want to use you in foreign missions, but you must learn the language. God will accomplish his purposes, and he will be able to use you if you have done your part by being well prepared.

Have a great day!  Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

 

Sources:
Life Application Bible Notes
New American Commentary

 

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Proverbs Reading Challenge – Chapter 20

Posted on February 16, 2020 by dkoop

Good evening, we are 2/3rds through the book of Proverbs.  More great insights are ahead!

20:1 This is referring to wine or beer in excess.  In excess it leads to fights and disrespectful actions.

20:2–3 These verses are much like (19:11–12) The point again is that the wise person knows how to avoid quarrels, especially with the a king or government leader. *A person who is truly confident of his or her strength does not need to parade it. A truly brave person does not look for chances to prove it. A resourceful woman can find a way out of a fight. A man of wisdom will avoid retaliating. Foolish people find it impossible to avoid strife. Men and women of character can. What kind of person are you?

20:4 You’ve heard similar warnings: if you don’t study, you’ll fail the test; if you don’t save, you won’t have money when you need it. God wants us to anticipate future needs and prepare for them. We can’t expect him to come to our rescue when we cause our own problems through lack of planning and action. He provides for us, but he also expects us to be responsible.

20:5 To say that a person’s purposes are “deep” does not mean that they are necessarily profound, but like a well whose waters are far beneath the surface of the ground so that a bucket with a long rope is needed to draw water to the surface.  In other words a person’s real motives are “deep” in that they are difficult to extract; so a person one must be wary of the pretenses of others.

20:6–7, and 9   These verses make the point that true loyalty and character are rare commodities.  Verse 9 reminds us of the truth that we are all sinful.  Verse 7, is optimistic: some people do conduct themselves with integrity and leave behind a solid family heritage.

20:8 Verse 8 calls attention to the importance of moral insight in government. It represents the standard to which a king or government leader should aspire.

20:10  A crafty merchant could use weights that were lighter or heavier than their stated amounts as it worked to their advantage. Verse 10, a fairly common proverb on God’s hatred of corrupt practices, takes on new meaning in this context. False weights and measures are not what they seem. So this proverb goes beyond an isolated type of fraud and speaks of God’s ability to recognize and his hatred of all fraud.

20:11  Conduct is the best proof of character in a child. Certainly no child who says, “I am well behaved” will find his or her words taken at face value. People will evaluate the child by how he or she behaves. The implication is that appearances and words can be deceiving; behavior is a better criterion of judgment.

20:12   People ought to use the senses God gave them. They should look deeply and listen closely rather than make superficial evaluations. Since God made the eyes and ears, he is the judge of what they do.

20:13 The number of hours one sleeps per day is not the point here. Love of sleep refers to laziness, but one can be lazy and still sleep very little.

20:14 People will say what is to their advantage at the moment. Their words should not always be taken at face value. Here again the text draws on the distinction between appearances and reality.

20:15 The rarest and finest treasure is a person who has sound judgment and can give good advice.

20:16 The Israelites were not to hold the cloak of a debtor as collateral on a loan (Exod 22:26–27). In an ironic tone this verse says one should go ahead and take the garment of someone who has fallen into financial trouble by putting up security for a stranger—especially if he did it for an alluring woman. The message is that one should be wary of dealing with people who lack good judgment.

20:17  The verse compares the initial sweetness of the con artist’s gain and his final mouth full of gravel.  Thieves may not always be caught immediately but they ultimately come to ruin.

20:18 The importance of seeking sound advice is repeated (v. 15). To enter into something as serious as a war without carefully considering the matter is the ultimate in bad judgment.

20:19 This verse advises the reader not to share plans and ideas with those who talk too much.  A person must discern whether another is worthy of trust.

20:20 The law provides for the execution of those who curse parents (Exod 21:17; Lev 20:9), although some doubt how frequently this was carried out. This verse  is not legal but is a curse, and it expresses complete disdain for those curse parents.

20:21 Easy money does not encourage financial responsibility. The quickly gained money  here is not necessarily dishonestly gained, but the point is that those who have aquired wealth slowly know better how to keep it.

 20:22 The first principle of justice is not to seek vengeance for yourself but to commit the grievance to God.

20:23 Compare 20:10. This is meant to assure the reader that God does see those occasions when someone has cheated another person.  *”Differing weights” refers to the loaded scales a merchant might use in order to cheat the customers. Dishonesty is a difficult sin to avoid. It is easy to cheat if we think no one else is looking. But dishonesty affects the very core of a person. It makes him untrustworthy and untrusting. It eventually makes him unable to know himself or relate to others. Don’t take dishonesty lightly. Even the smallest portion of dishonesty contains enough of the poison of deceit to kill your spiritual life. If there is any dishonesty in your life, tell God about it now.

20:24 Human discernment is severely limited. In the final analysis we do not understand all that is going on around us or happening to us, and we are guided through life in ways we do not recognize. Trusting in God is best.

20:25 Compare Eccl 5:4–6. To make a vow and then seek to retract it is to invite God’s judgment.  A vow is called a trap because many would use it to make themselves look good publicly. This is a sham that does not deceive God (Matt 6:16–18).

20:26 Compare 20:8. It is not in the king’s interest of his country to treat criminals gently.

20:27   The point is that the life that men and women have from God shines within them like a burning lamp before his eyes. People are, as it were, illuminated from within before his eyes. That being the case, they cannot hide their plans, attitudes, and thoughts from God.

20:28. The king (or government) is urged to promote a positive atmosphere of mutual loyalty and respect in order to insure the stability of a nation.

20:29  Young men tend to rely upon their strength. Older men have learned the importance of wisdom and restraint, as depicted by their gray hair.

20:30  The New Living Translations says it best:  30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.  This points me to Jesus Christ; He took our punishment on the cross.  THANK YOU JESUS!!

Giving praise to Jesus, Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

Sources:
Life Application Bible Notes
New American Commentary

 

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Proverbs Reading Challenge- Chapter 19

Posted on February 15, 2020 by dkoop

Proverbs 19 –  The Poor, The Liar, The Bad Wife,  The Lazy and The Mocker

Hello, hope your having a great day!  There’s something here for all of us.

(19:1). A blameless life is far more valuable than wealth, but most people don’t act as if they believe this. Afraid of not getting everything they want, they will pay any price to increase their wealth — cheating on their taxes, stealing from stores or employers, withholding tithes, refusing to give. But when we know and love God, we realize that a lower standard of living — or even poverty — is a small price to pay for personal integrity. Do your actions show that you sacrifice your integrity to increase your wealth? What changes do you need to make in order to get your priorities straight?

(19:2–3).  We often move hastily through life, rushing quickly into the unknown. Many people marry without knowing what to expect of their partner or of married life. Others try illicit sex or drugs without considering the consequences. Some plunge into jobs without evaluating whether they are suitable to that line of work. Don’t rush into the unknown. Be sure you understand what you’re getting into and where you want to go before you take the first step. And if it still seems unknown, be sure you are following God.

(19:4) The Poor – many verses deal with the subject of the poor in this chapter.    They include 19:1 , 19:22; 19:4 and 19:7a, . Also 19:17, kindness to the poor is kindness to the Lord, its a strong response the above verses.  These interrelationships among the verses have two functions. First, they help to tie the whole chapter together; and second, by randomly repeating certain points, they reinforce the points in the reader’s mind.

(19:5) & (19:6) The rich man has considerable influence over people and can also bribe false witnesses, although punishment for perjury, whether it be divine or human punishment, is certain.

(19:7a) In a legal setting even if the poor man’s case is just and the rich man has abused the legal system to get an advantage over him, the poor man is still at a loss. His friends abandon him in this context this may especially refer to friends who are unwilling to stand up for him at the gate and risk angering the rich.  Verse 17 (19:17), reminds us all the reason to do the right thing.

(19:8). This proverb encourages those who really care about themselves to seek wisdom.

(19:9). Repetition, repetition, repetition, this verse is almost exactly like (19:5).  God wants us to really get this!  Lying=very bad.

(19:10).   It is not right for a fool to be rich or one who is a slave to sin, to oppress God’s free-people.

(19:11–12)  The wise person who is also patient knows how to avoid quarrels and quarrelsome people and stays out of trouble with the government or “king” as well.

(19:13–14) Happiness is impossible without harmony in the home, and the wife is the anchor of that harmony. Proverbs 31:10–31 is a description of the biblical ideal of the good wife.

Proverbs 19:13 requires special attention. It is often taken to mean only that a nagging wife is like a continual dripping. First of all, the modern reader should beware of not simplifying this description too much. This is not the “leaky faucet” that is irritating and may deprive one of sleep but is only a minor household problem and is easily repaired. In a similar context in Prov 27:15 and in the verb form in Eccl 10:18, the word describes a leaking roof. A leaking roof is an irritation, but it is more than that. It can cause severe damage to a house, be expensive to repair, and can make a building unfit to live in. Second, a “quarrelsome wife” is more than a nagging wife. The Hebrew word implies antisocial behavior that stirs up discord and even prompts lawsuits. Such a woman no doubt does nag her husband (21:9; 25:24), but she is equally able to create quarrels with those outside of the home (neighbors, people in the market, etc.). Third, 19:14, which parallels 19:13, states that the exact opposite to the quarrelsome wife is not strictly the submissive wife but the “prudent” wife, implying someone who is adept in all kinds of circumstances and knows how to deal with people. In short, she is the highly capable woman of Prov 31 who is an asset rather than a loss to her husband. The quarrelsome woman destroys her house.

(19:15  and 19:24)   Laziness is assaulted on two fronts: one, it brings a person to ruin (19:15 ), it is laughably absurd (19:24), and it is irrational.   A person cannot expect prosperity or success without putting forth effort.

(19:16 ). The instructions we are told to obey are those found in God’s Word — both the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and other passages of instruction. To obey what God teaches in the Bible is self-preserving. To disobey is self-destructive.

(19:17). Here God identifies with the poor as Jesus does in Matthew 25:31-46. As our Creator, God values all of us, whether we are poor or rich. When we help the poor, we honor both the Creator and his creation. God accepts our help as if we had offered it directly to him.

( 19:18–19) These verses deal with those who have fallen into trouble, a son or someone else. In both cases the wrongdoer should suffer the consequences of his actions. This not only does the wrongdoer some good, but it also makes life easier for the parent or friend.

(19:20–21). A humble spirit, ready to listen to good advice and to acknowledge God’s purposes, these qualities should direct a person’s life.

(19:22 ).  Poverty is preferable to loss of integrity.

(19:23 ). Those who fear the Lord are “untouched by trouble” because of their healthy habits, their beneficial life-style, and sometimes through God’s direct intervention. Nevertheless, the fear of the Lord does not always protect us from trouble in this life: evil things still happen to people who love God. This verse is not a universal promise, but a general guideline. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen when faithful believers will be under God’s protection forever.

(19:25). There is a great difference between the person who learns from criticism and the person who refuses to accept correction. How we respond to criticism determines whether or not we grow in wisdom. The next time someone criticizes you, listen carefully to all that is said. You might learn something.

(19:25 , 26, 27, 28 and 19:29)  The mocker is one who has no regard for authority or moral integrity. As such, mockers receive many beatings and serve as negative examples for others (v. 25). In fact, it was for such people that beatings were invented (v. 29).

To mistreat parents is the typical act of the mocker because it is a rejection of the most basic form of respect for authority (v. 26). “Shame and disgrace” or “absolutely disgraceful” best describes this behavior.

Verse 27  “Stop listening to instruction, my son” is meant to be sarcastic.  It is addressed to a mocker, who has no respect for parents or traditional teaching.

As the mocker has no respect for parents, even so he has no regard for truth or the law (v. 28).

Until tomorrow, Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

 

Sources:
Classic Bible Commentary
Life Application Bible Notes
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary
New American Commentary
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Proverbs Reading Challenge – Chapter 18

Posted on February 14, 2020 by dkoop

Happy Valentines Day!  I hope you’re having a good one.   God is the source of love, He loves you!  Our relationship with Him our most important relationship today and everyday.

Let’s dive in to Proverbs 18:

(18:1) To be “unfriendly” is selfish.  Selfishness may be common but it defies common sense.

(18:2) The fool doesn’t want to learn from anyone but loves to talk about he/she thinks.

(18:3) The NLT says it best, 3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

(18:4). The opinions of the wise are deep (i.e., rich with meaning) and refreshing, like a flowing spring.

(18:5–8) Verses  6–7 are connected (lips, mouth, mouth, lips). Are you constantly quarrelling?  Watch the words you say.  Verse 5 refers official proceedings, whether they are court cases or community decisions, it’s not wise to take the side of an evil person (v. 5). The odds of such happening are reduced by the fact that caustic and selfish people expose themselves by their words (vv. 6–7). On the other hand, many have a perverse attraction to malicious gossip (v. 8).

*It is as hard to refuse to listen to gossip as it is to turn down a delicious dessert. Taking just one morsel of either one creates a taste for more. You can resist rumors the same way a determined dieter resists candy — never even open the box. If you don’t nibble on the first bite of gossip, you can’t take the second and the third

(18:9–12)  Several proverbs on personal security stand together. First, Proverbs teaches that laziness leads to personal calamity (v. 9). Second, The Lord is the only real source of security (v. 10). Third, wealth does offer some protection, but the danger of wealth is that it gives the illusion of greater security than it can provide (v. 11). Fourth, the very time when a person feels most secure (and is most arrogant) is when disaster is likely to occur (v. 12).  *In imagining that their wealth is their strongest defense, rich people are sadly mistaken. Money cannot provide safety — there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. But God never loses his power. He is always dependable. Where do you look for security and safety — uncertain wealth or God who is always faithful?

(18:13–14)  To “answer before listening” (v. 13) implies an arrogant (and rude) spirit. It indicates that a person is unwilling to be instructed or, in the case of interpersonal dealings, that they prejudiced and unwilling to hear differing opinions. Verse 14 points out that a person’s attitude, for good or bad, is the single most important factor in confronting adversity.

(18:15–19) In these concise statements, (verse 15 and verse 17) there are three basic principles for making sound decisions: (1) get the facts before answering; (2) be open to new ideas; (3) make sure you hear both sides of the story before judging. All three principles center around seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice — judging before getting the facts.

18:16  makes an observation without making moral judgment. Gifts to public officials may or may not have been acceptable for a given set of circumstances, but the intelligent juror would have need at least to know of the practice. Verse 18 speaks of a practice that was widely practiced and highly regarded in ancient Israel, the casting of lots to settle disputed matters. The intent is to give the controversy over to God. Finally, v. 19 warns that controversies must be justly and rightly settled if the life of the community is to continue to function smoothly. The wise jurist will not leave a dispute unresolved, for fear that greater troubles follow.

(18:20–21)  The Power of Words, Verse 20 states that people have a sense of self-satisfaction about their own words. To put it another way, they enjoy airing their own opinions. But the tongue can be dangerous. The purpose of these verses is to warn against being too much in love with your own words. You should recognize the power of words and use them with restraint. Voicing your own views, here described as eating the fruit of the tongue, can be an addictive habit, but should be evaluated according the its results.

(18:22) This verse states that it is good to be married. Today’s emphasis on individual freedom is misguided. Strong individuals are important, but so are strong marriages. God created marriage for our enjoyment and he pronounced it good. This is one of many passages in the Bible that show marriage as a joyful and good creation of God (Genesis 2:21-25; Proverbs 5:15-19; John 2:1-11).

(18:23) This verse does not condone insulting the poor; it is simply recording an unfortunate fact of life. It is wrong for rich people to treat the less fortunate with contempt and arrogance, and God will judge such actions severely (see Prov 14:31).

(18:24) Loneliness is everywhere — many people feel cut off and alienated from others. Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation. We all need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed — in good times and bad. It is better to have one such friend than dozens of superficial acquaintances. Instead of wishing you could find a true friend, seek to become one. There are people who need your friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you, and then take on the challenge of being a true friend.

Need some good caring friends? Why not try participating in a Connect Group at Upwards Church?

Until tomorrow, Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church

Sources:
Classic Bible Commentary
J  Vernon McGee’s Through the Bible
Life Application Bible Notes
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary
New American Commentary
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