Wednesday, December 31, 2008

January 1

Jan 1 - Today from Proverbs 1 we look at verses 1-4
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young."

The wisest man who ever lived knew that his wisdom was a gift from the Creator, and that he had a responsibility to use this gift to help others. Being inspired by the Spirit, Solomon purposefully took the time to compile what he felt to be some of the most comprehensive of the three thousand proverbs he spoke (1 Kings 4:32). He begins the book by spelling out these purposes.
To begin, we see that wisdom and discipline are paired together (also in verse 7). They both require effort. Anything worthwhile achieving in this world takes effort. One of the antitheses of wisdom is simplicity. When the proverbs speak of a simple person (i.e. verse 4), it is reference to a person without moral direction; that is, a person who drifts in the flow of the world system. The Bible teaches that man is born with a sinful nature and if left to follow his own natural inclinations, he will gravitate toward evil behavior. It takes effort to resist that natural flow toward evil. For the believer, the Bible is our source of moral principle. Keeping of the moral law does not in any way get a person into heaven. That was never the purpose of moral law. What the learning and observance of moral law does do is keeps a person, and/or an institution, and/or a society, orderly and functional in the way God intended life to be. The essence of sin causes pain and misery. The essence of moral living causes peaceable and productive living. A moral lifestyle is not natural, it takes effort.
Wisdom has much to do with morality. Wisdom is learning and applying the principles of life from God's perspective. This indeed takes discipline. Romans 12:2 teaches that the natural mind is conformed to the patterns of this world. It takes little or no effort to conform to what is natural. We are called to transform our behavior by renewing our minds to see life from God's perspective. The terms 'transform' and 'renew' clearly speak of discipline and effort.
King Solomon also tells us that the rewards are worth the effort. Even nature tells us that if one puts quality effort in at the front end for the right reasons, the results are quality satisfaction. Take any worthwhile achievement in life, and the formula works. For years I was a wood worker and cabinet builder. If I wanted to create a quality piece, I had to put quality effort and thought in at the front end of the project. I had to choose the best wood, glue and fasteners for the particular uniqueness of the project I was working on. I had to take time to draw up a workable plan, and to think through the steps and procedures several times before I ever picked up a tool. I had to try to anticipate any and every challenge the project might create, and how I would meet or solve the particular challenge. I learned tricks of the trade from other woodworkers. I read books on woodworking. I gained practical experience over the years that would help me to be better prepared and more efficient as I took on new projects. I did all of this so that when the project was complete, it would be beautiful, functional and enduring. There was always great pleasure in a job well done. The rewards were worth the effort.
Living a moral life is no different. I looked up 'moral' in the dictionary and found one of the definitions to say, "based on likelihood rather than evidence." When I undertook to build a custom cabinet, there was no evidence to work from. Everything depended upon likelihood. All of my choices of materials, my planning of procedures, my experience and disciplines were no evidence that I would turn out a fine piece. But the likelihood was that I would end up with a beautiful, functional and enduring piece because of the clear and disciplined boundaries in which I worked. Accomplished people put great effort into building a cabinet, playing a round of golf, baking a pie, playing a piece on the piano, repairing a damaged heart, painting a picture, learning a new move on a skateboard, writing a policy . . . or whatever their area of skill might be. Shouldn’t we then put forth effort and discipline in building moral character so that we can see quality and satisfying results in the lives of our children, of our grandchildren, of our community in years to come?
Moral living won't get us to heaven. Only the blood of Jesus can accomplish that. But moral living will bring some of heaven to the world in which we live. I think that's worth the effort.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

December 31

Dec 31 - Today from Proverbs 31 we look at verse 13
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."

As is my custom when looking at this portion of Proverbs 31, I couple today's verse with that of Ephesians 5:31, 32, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." Although the principles of Proverbs 31:10-31 hold true in the development of a wife of noble character, for our studies purposes I choose to view them as great principles of ministry for the church.
The principle for the ministering church in today's verse is this: The church is constantly looking for opportunities in the 'raw materials' around her, and eagerly working to see them transformed into useful products. This activity clearly takes an attribute that we call an 'outward focus'. As we contemplate the elements of the analogy between the Proverbs and Ephesians passages, we can conclude that the wool and the flax were not simply lying on a counter in the home. The wife either harvested the raw materials herself, or she purchased them in the marketplace. In either case, she had to go outside of the home to find the materials. There was commitment and effort involved.
When Jesus set the example in ministry for His disciples, He did not spend all of His time in the synagogues and the temple. He taught and preached in those places, and occasionally ministered. The majority of His ministry was out in the streets and neighborhoods. He was constantly making a effort to find the raw materials from which He would build His church. Even His living parable of making His disciples 'fishers of men' reveals this principle (Luke 5:1-10 & John 21:1-14). He did not stand on the bow of the boat and command the fish to jump in the boat. He had the weary disciples cast their nets into the waters and then go through the physically taxing process of hauling in the catch. So important was this lesson that He gave the living illustration twice -- once early on in His ministry before His resurrection, and once after to confirm its message.
The wife of noble character lives out this principle in her household. Her ministry not only honors her husband (verses 12 & 23), and cares for her household (verses 15 & 27), but it benefits the community (verses 20 & 24). She busies herself in the community, seeking and selecting the raw materials that have potential, and works with her hands (verses 17 & 19), to turn them into useful products. This is a picture of a healthy and vital church. The church is called to do more than to look after the members of her household. She is to be active in the community, looking for opportunities to take unused or unrefined resources and turn them into assets which add value to the community. The church is to be clever in her ministry. And, the church is to be eager to do it. That means ministry is not pushed down on the priority list. It is a witness to the world of the wisdom, compassion and care of the Husband, our Lord Jesus Christ. It gives the church credibility and favor in the community, and it gives credibility to her message. When the church looses her 'outward focus' and places ministry far down on the priority list, the church becomes dysfunctional. No matter how nicely they decorate the boat, the fish are not going to jump in. She needs to mend her nets, listen for His instruction, eagerly throw them out into the waters, and see what God will do.
There is plenty of flax and wool out there in the community waiting to be transformed. May Christ’s bride recommit herself to the task of developing the potential around her. May the Church honor Christ in the coming New Year.

Monday, December 29, 2008

December 30

Dec 30 - Today from Proverbs 30 we look at verses 2 and 3
"I am the most ignorant of men: I do not have a man’s understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One."

If we read this with a Western mindset, we see a man lamenting his own buffoonery. He is frustrated because of his inferior intellect. But this was not written with a Western mindset. It was written by an Eastern scholar, a learned man of great understanding. How then can he make such a statement? Is he being sarcastic? Is he being pretentiously humble? No, he is being very honest. Much more honest than most of us most of the time. He is a man that has weighed the secrets of his own heart and has come up desperately wanting. Who truly knows a man’s heart but the man himself? If the world around you could look into the deep secrets of your thoughts and intents, how would you measure up to the person you present to the world? It is a very scary thought, isn’t it? The Lord declares in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" As our Teacher looks deeply into is own heart, he comes forth honestly about the state of his heart. Coming to grips with a deceitful heart without cure puts a man on a path of searching – how can he ever know truth when he is beset with deceit in his very deepest being? He gives an answer in verse 5, "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." There is no deceit in God’s word – but the truth is often hidden. Man seldom, if ever, truly prizes that which is lying around in abundance. But that which comes by way of focused effort becomes a valued and cherished possession. God reveals His truth, but He often allows us to struggle to find it.
The first truth God reveals to us is that of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s final word to man. He is the complete fulfillment and expressed will of the Father’s heart. This revelation comes not with words of human wisdom, but through the wonder of the cross (1 Cor. 1:17). Through Christ comes the Spirit of Truth. It is by His Spirit that we are able to mature in wisdom (understanding life the way God meant it to be). There is a cure for the heart, but it is not found within ourselves. It is found in Christ Jesus. There is a place where we can gain knowledge of the Holy One, but it is not in our own understanding. It is in His revelation. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14. In order to gain understanding of the Holy One, we must first be honest about the state of our own heart. Once we are truthful about its condition, its sets us on a spiritual quest, an earnest and diligent searching. A quest that can only be truly reached when we end up at the cross where the Living Word intersected time and eternity. There He invites us to experience it as well. Apart from the revelation of the Spirit, it is just more foolishness.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

December 29

Dec 29 – Today from Proverbs 29 we look at verse 7
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."

Jesus revealed one of the great paradoxes of His day when He revealed that the self-righteous are not righteous at all. They are, in fact, wicked. This was also true in the day of Hezekiah, when these proverbs were collected, and now in our own day when we meditate upon them.
The self-righteous in Jesus’ day meticulously studied and kept the written law code without ever seeming to realize what was at the heart of the law. Jesus peals back the hypocrisy of the self-righteous in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He begins several points by saying, "You have heard that it was said . . ." This refers to the teachings of the self-righteous experts in the law. He then continues, "But I tell you . . ." Jesus then peals back the letter of the law to reveal the spirit of the law. Later in His ministry he is confronted by an expert in the law who asked what he might do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Jesus answered, "What is written in the law?" The expert gave an excellent answer, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus confirmed the excellence of the answer. But it wasn’t enough of an answer to satisfy the expert. He wanted to know just exactly what qualified one as his neighbor. Then Jesus tells one of the most popular stories in the New Testament – the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus was, in essence, saying that anyone in your path who is suffering injustice is your neighbor. It has very little, if anything, to do with their pedigree or their geographical location. Loving your neighbor is having mercy on those who in your path have experienced misfortune.
The self-righteous avoid, ignore, and look down on the unfortunate sinners and rabble. If you want their attention, you must improve your pedigree and move into their neighborhood. You have to become like them. If you do not, they show no concern for your station in life. This is wicked. Jesus says to the self-righteous in Matthew 23:15, "Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." Becoming one of them (the self-righteous) is not the goal God has for you.
Do you want to be converted to true righteousness? Then you must emulate the true Shepherd. He did not avoid the socially disenfranchised – He went to them. He did not ignore the condemned and the crippled – He forgave and healed them. He did not look down on the prostitutes and the tax collectors – he cleansed and forgave them. He actually cared about them.
In God’s eyes, we are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. The self-righteous is no more deserving than is the prostitute, or the leper, or the tax collector, or the homosexual, or the AIDS victim, or the abortionist, or the kid who stole your car stereo, or . . . well, you fill it in. God’s mercy extends to all through Christ Jesus. If you are in Christ, then you are called to be an agent of His mercy and to seek to bring justice (equity), to those less fortunate souls who lie within your path of ability. Don’t fret about running out of resources. You are a channel of an endless source of mercy. As you let it flow out, He lets it flow in. That is a picture of living water, it is water that flows.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

December 28

Dec 28 - Today from Proverbs 28 we look at verse 25
"A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper."

Proverbs for the king and those who dealt with the king. This was the purpose for which Hezekiah's aids collected the proverbs of chapters 25-31. Today they remain just as relevant for leaders and those who aspire to leadership. Leadership in God's economy is servanthood. Great leaders are to be great servants. Think of the greatest leader of all. . . the Lord Jesus.
There was a clever man who tirelessly labored to secure a fiefdom in the midst of a kingdom. He desired nothing more than complete security for himself for the years he was given on this earth. He would achieve this by control over a select group who would do his bidding. He was clever in that those who served him within his fiefdom were convinced that they were better off with him than they were on their own - and in some ways they were. He offered certain benefits, but even then, the underlying motive was to benefit himself by keeping his vassals true to himself. He is a greedy man.
The KJV of this verse uses the term 'proud heart' in place of 'greedy man'. In this instance 'proud' literally means 'room in every direction'. Room only for himself. Every motive, even of those acts that may appear to be charitable or sensitive, is to serve self-interests. What we have just described in the story of the clever man is a model of the world system. From the suzerain systems of the ancient East to the feudal systems of medieval Europe to the tribal systems of Africa and the near East to the corporate systems of the modern West - greedy men seek to dominate their fiefdoms through whatever means possible. It is the chief result of pride and sin. Unfortunately, the church too is riddled with leaders and would-be leaders with proud hearts - men who seek control to push their own agenda. They are often difficult to identify, because their actions can appear to be righteous, but the discerning can detect them through the scrutiny of the primary indicator - a servant's heart.
The church is to be uniquely different from the world system. Our Law Code is founded in one word; LOVE. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said that all of the law and prophets hang on this single great concept. In the proud man's heart there is room in every direction only for his rule and his way. In the believer's life there is to be room only for Christ's rule. Many who appear to thrive in the world system are in fact poor and wretched creatures who are in bondage to the very system upon which they rely - they just don't know it. But, unless they have their eyes opened in this life and see the big picture of God's plan, they will one day stand before God and suddenly understand their predicament, and will join those who are doomed to eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. They are not to be envied, but rather to be pitied. The rewards of the world system are found only within the system, and will one day pass away. The rewards of serving God and serving our fellow man under His guidance are eternal. That is true prosperity!
"The greedy man stirs up dissension." That is the nature of pride and sin. The servant of the Lord is a peacemaker - not through surrender to the enemies of God, but through surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God." (Matthew 5:9).

Friday, December 26, 2008

December 27

Dec 27 – Today from Proverbs 27 we look at verse 21
"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives." (NIV)

"As the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise." (KJV)

Application of carefully regulated heat by the attending smith refines the quality of a precious metal. The crucible and the furnace spoken of here are tools of the craftsman. I believe this proverb has as much to say for the one giving the praise as it does to the one receiving it.
For the one receiving: Precious metal is tested in the crucible. Every metal has its own melting point. When heated to that point, the refiner can gauge the purity of the metal by observing. Every man is tested when being praised. Does he show humility by giving God glory for his ability? Is he inspired to be worthy of the praise given by being even more diligent? Does he strive to develop and maintain integrity in his endeavors so that those who give the praise are not disappointed? If a man given praise consistently displays these traits, he is a man of wisdom. He understands the ‘testing’ of praise.
For the one giving: Praise is to be used as a tool of refining. Praise should be carefully applied to encourage and to inspire others to develop their potential good. When used casually or recklessly, it can do just the opposite and encourage others to pride and eventually to disappointment. Praise is meant to be a means, not an end. If the recipient begins to believe unwarranted praise, he will develop a false sense of having achieved excellence, and will no longer be motivated toward excellence.
There is a delicate balance between praise and encouragement. The apostle Paul was very good at finding this balance. Along with a word of praise he would often give an indicator of why it was praiseworthy. The indicator then becomes the focus and motivator – not the praise. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 is a prime example; "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." Here Paul praises the believers for their good works and their endurance, but the indicators are that which inspire them – faith, love, and hope, none of which emanate from self. He praises them for their ability to develop and apply that which God provides.
Every parent, every mentor, every leader needs to strive to learn and apply this balance, much as a skilled metallurgist strives to learn the delicate application of heat to his crucible. In doing so, praise can indeed be useful in refining the character of those we influence.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

December 26

Dec 26 – Today from Proverbs 26 we look at verse 2
"Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest."

The curse spoken of in this proverb is not some incantation executed by a sorcerer in a demonic ritual. The closest definition from the original Hebrew means 'vilification'. It is the act of one verbally speaking ill of another, with a particular emphasis on demeaning the character of that person. It is the opposite of verbally praising someone. The apostle James writes in chapter 3 verses 9 and 10; "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
This proverb does not address the one who curses so much as the one who is cursed. Every living being is susceptible to being cursed, no matter how nice they are. It is the human condition. People misunderstand one's motives, people disagree with one's processes, people see one in the way of their ambitious goals, people disagree with one's views - so people resort to character assassination in order to gain an edge in persuading others to side with them. People are good at cursing others. A person who is committed to grow in wisdom from above is a person who genuinely fears the Lord. If a person is walking in integrity of character, that person's focus is on their relationship with the Lord and has their confidence in the Lord. It may be unsettling to be the recipient of an unfounded curse, but it should not have an impacting effect on one's character whose confidence is in the Lord. The response of a mature believer is to either ignore an unfounded curse, or to bless the one who has pronounced the curse. The subtle warning in this proverb is for a disciple to keep an undeserved curse just that - undeserved. If one becomes offended by an undeserved curse and effects a retaliation, one has come under the power of that curse because they have relinquished their confidence in the Lord and taken matters of justice, or what's worse, revenge into their own hands. In effect, they have damaged the character of Christ in them, and allowed that which was dead in Christ (the carnal nature), to resurrect and take control. It is a matter of spiritual discipline to live the reality of Galatians 2:20; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
A fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow is a presence, perhaps even an irritant. But if they are not allowed to land, sooner or later they will move on. If we will not allow an undeserved curse to land by maintaining integrity of character, sooner or later it will fade away. If you are the recent recipient of a curse - someone attempted to vilify you, tried to damage your good character - how should you respond? The answer that comes to you from the light of God's Word in a private meditation must be put into practice in order for it to bear fruit. So, what is your answer? How are you going to respond? God gives grace to all who are willing and are bold enough to take an obedient step of faith. Try it.
One final thought. Is there such thing as a 'deserved' curse? Perhaps not, but there may be unappealing areas in our lives of which we are not aware. I once heard this 'proverb' from a wise man; "If someone calls me a jackass, I usually just walk away and don't let it bother me. But if three people call me a jackass, I go to the mirror and take a good look at myself." If fairly honest or unbiased people are speaking 'perceived' curses about you, perhaps it is a sign that you need to go to the mirror of God's Word and take an honest look at yourself in that area. Just a thought.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

December 25

Dec 25 - Today from Proverbs 25 we look at verse 25
"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."

Proverbs for the king and those who dealt with the king. This was the purpose for which Hezekiah's aids collected the proverbs of chapters 25-31. Today they remain just as relevant for leaders and those who aspire to leadership. Leadership in God's economy is servanthood. Great leaders are to be great servants. Think of the greatest leader of all. . . the Lord Jesus.
We all enjoy hearing good news. In the midst of the realities of a fallen world and all of the pain and corruption caused by the fracturing effects of sin (self-serving ways), good news is indeed as refreshing as a glass of cold water to a parched thirst in a dry and weary place. Good news from a distant land intensifies the refreshing. In the beginning of the war in Iraq we experienced the incredible ability to follow battlefield events in real-time as we had TV reporters imbedded with the troops and broadcasting the war in Iraq live from multiple locations. Even today, we get updated reports of events as they happen.
In contrast, in the days in which the proverbs were written, communications came by way of runners. There was no 'real-time' news of events. As the battles raged, the peoples of the nations involved would wait with great anticipation to see the figure of a runner on the horizon. Kings and leaders would often try to anticipate what the news would be in accordance with the number of runners or the character of the runners. If the news was favorable, the military leaders would usually send a favored runner, as the runner would often be rewarded. If the news were unfavorable, the runner chosen would be of lesser importance - perhaps even expendable if the news were bad enough. We can see the cultural reality of this in 2 Samuel 18 were the battlefield news of the death of Absalom, David's rebellious son, was to be delivered to king David in Jerusalem. Commander Joab knew how the news would affect David, so he sent a Cushite to run. A favored runner, Ahimaz, thought David would be delighted with the victory over the rebel, and desperately sought to be the runner. Joab says, "My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward." Ahimaz thought he had some 'fresh water', but Joab knew that the water was tainted with bitterness.
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7). Great leaders are great servants. As believers in Christ, we are chosen and called to be a Royal Priesthood (2 Peter 2:9). We are to be runners for Christ the King, and our message is to be in the spirit of the priesthood; to intercede for sinful man on behalf of a gracious God. We live in a world of 'weary souls'. Weary from trying to please self, weary from trying to please others, weary from trying to please God. It's maddening. We have the best news possible; that God made peace with us through Jesus Christ. "Peace on earth, good will toward men." That is our message. We bring it from a distant land - from the home of the Father. It is a matter of perspective. It is really the lost who are in the distant land, and we bring the news to them from the heart of God; "God loves you and offers you immunity from your sin through the death of His own Son." Only this time there is no bitterness in the Father's heart, for the Son lives! He was resurrected and lives to restore all who will believe on His Name. Indeed, "Our God reigns!"
Today we celebrate the first coming of Messiah, Jesus Christ. The world celebrates Christmas, but they do not celebrate Christ. It is a great opportunity for the Church. We must stop bearing an attitude of 'serve us', and develop the attitude of 'service'. He came to redeem - and to set an example unto the redeemed. Let us faithfully carry His message through our service.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

December 24

Dec 24 - Today from Proverbs 24 we look at verses 23-25
"To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessings will come upon him."

God never instituted or condoned vigilantism. The right to judge civil matters is a matter of civil authority, and civil authority is ordained of God. (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13, 14). In our modern culture there are many levels of civil authority; the most basic being the family unit and perhaps the broadest being the United Nations. Each civil unit is to have an ordained authority to 'punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.' (1 Peter 2:14). Vigilantism itself is lawlessness and stands to be judged by proper authorities. For example, when a child takes 'justice' into his own hands in the family unit, it is the parent's responsibility to correct the matter. If his action was retribution against a sibling, and the sibling indeed was guilty of violating household principles ('Thou shalt not take thy brother's seat when he rises to go to the bathroom.'), the sibling who made the initial violation needs to be properly corrected. BUT, the child who practiced vigilantism needs also to be corrected. If not, civil order will deteriorate into chaos. Every household with multiple children understands this concept well.
The cultural model of this type of authority in Bible times is known as a Suzerain Covenant of Human Obligation. The suzerain was a powerful king of a region who wielded authority over lesser kings ('kings' in the earliest days were generally rulers over cities and outlying villages). The lesser kings were referred to as vassals. The suzerain king would extend a treaty to his vassal kings that stated; (1) his supreme authority (greater army, more allies, better resources, etc.), (2) a history of or an offer of benefits for their alliance (usually protection from other suzerains or alliances), and (3) his demands (a law code). If the vassal king agreed to the terms, he would accept the treaty on behalf of his people. If he refused the terms, it was at the great peril of his people. If a vassal king bent or ignored certain stipulations of the treaty in order to favor one of his subjects and the suzerain king found out, the entire vassal kingdom would usually suffer. Suzerains had to be brutal in order to sustain their position. Justice was in the form of an 'iron fist' (i.e. the Roman Empire). This is the point the Teacher is making. When a vassal civil authority showed 'partiality in judging' he was placing all of the people at risk. Should such actions be uncovered the 'peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.' Nations in that day were people groups and were allied together through treaties.
Integrity in leadership is extremely important in God's economy. Leaders are to serve justly. There is to be no partiality in justice. Even God's mercy comes through the exacting demands of His justice. "The wages of sin is death." declares Romans 6:23. No wiggle room there. In order for justice to be served, a life must be taken. The only way one can justly die in another's place is if he is perfectly innocent. Enter the unblemished Lamb, born on Christmas Day, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was without sin and He took our sin upon Himself at Calvary's cross. Justice was served. Now, if we believe it, we are beneficiaries of the rest of Romans 6:23, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." A free gift to us, but at an unspeakable cost to Himself. There is to be no partiality in justice. There is mercy, but there is always a cost to mercy. Civil authorities are to execute justice - even judgment. But as individuals, we are to extend mercy. The cost of mercy? We must die to self; self rights, self satisfaction, self importance, self pity - all of it. We are to live for Christ.
Those who have been given responsibility in any civil arena of leadership are obligated to God and to those they serve to be without partiality and to serve justly - including dealing with 'vigilantes'; those who would take judgment into their own hands. If not, they endanger many innocent people. However, as individuals we are to be agents of God's mercy. If not, we become vigilantes and stand to be judged.
"Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (James 2:13).

Monday, December 22, 2008

December 23

Dec 23 – Today from Proverbs 23 we look at verses 31 & 32
"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."

This proverb is not a statement against drinking wine. Wine was, in fact, considered a sign of God’s blessing in the Old Testament. Jesus turned water into wine as His first miracle. Wisdom sets her table with wine. Paul instructed Timothy to take a little wine for the sake of his stomach. There is no Biblical prohibition for drinking wine, but there is strong admonition against drunkenness. The line of delineation between the two is found in purpose and in moderation.
Wine is not meant for use as an end to itself. Its purpose is not for ‘getting drunk’. The Teacher highlights this purpose in the previous verse. He calls it "lingering over wine" and "sampling mixed bowls of wine." Here, there is no other element in purpose save that of drinking wine. Perhaps the student could make the argument of desiring to be a ‘wine connoisseur’. Such a connoisseur studies the color of the wine, the effervescence, the smoothness of the body – all the things described in verse 31. "Be careful," warns the Teacher. A true connoisseur simply develops a discriminating taste. He understands that fine wine is meant to complement fine food. He does not ply his skill simply to drink wine.
Besides complementing a meal, wine taken in moderation has proven to show some benefits to good health – particularly in keeping arteries pliable and clean. Even modern medical studies will back this up. I don’t know what ailed Timothy’s digestive system, but apparently Paul thought a moderate amount of wine would prove to be helpful there as well. None of this is to condone drunkenness.
About the only passage of scripture that implies license for drunkenness is for the purpose of alleviating pain. In Proverbs 31 King Lemuel’s mother taught him that drunkenness was not for people who carried responsibilities of leadership. She said "Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish." Even today we sedate those who are in extreme anguish and are dying. But, unless you are in a situation that requires the drastic measure of sedation, you have no Biblical license to get drunk.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

December 22

Dec 22 - Today from Proverbs 22 we look at verse 3
"A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." (NIV)
"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." (TLB)

With a quick check in the Oxford dictionary I came up with this definition for prudent: 'careful to avoid undesired consequences'. The American Heritage dictionary offers this additional insight to the definition: 'careful for one's own interests'. Neither dictionary attached any moral aspects to the definition. When I looked it up in the Hebrew Concordance, it came out about the same - no moral implications. Even evil people can be prudent, and often are. But their prudence is contained within a limited sphere of this lifetime. Our prudence must be based on a much further outlook. We are citizens of heaven and what we do in this lifetime will bear eternal consequences. That is a very difficult concept to keep in view on a day to day basis. That is why practicing daily devotions is such an important discipline. God's Word gives proper perspective to life.
With the definitions given above, we can see that personal prudence is based upon personal values. Even the 'simple' have base values. If the prudent man and the simple man were walking together down a road and they saw a semi bearing down on them, I think it would be safe to say that both would jump in the ditch. They both value their lives. I think this proverb goes beyond the obvious common values and speaks to the subtler things that threaten them. This is where the prudent and the simple are separated. I used The Living Bible paraphrase of the verse because I think it reveals an interesting insight when it says, 'the simpleton goes blindly on'. The simpleton isn't necessarily stupid, he is blinded by his own shortsightedness. His main interests are only immediate. He doesn't avoid undesired long-term consequences because he does not see that far down the road. The prudent does. Why is that? Because the prudent values long-term interests. He studies them out to see how they might be enhanced, threatened or affected by the choices he makes today. By getting as much good information as possible, he can then anticipate that which might affect his interests and act accordingly. He lives beyond the end of his nose. The more one learns, the farther one can anticipate. Interests and values are closely related. The more we value something, the higher our interest should be. Now we have come full circle, back to the value of daily devotions. If we value the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me," then we should make an effort to protect that primary interest in our life. The command isn't an egocentric demand from a tyrannical God. It is a statement of instruction from a loving Father. It's like a parent saying to a child, "You shall not play in the middle of the street." That parent isn't trying to control the life of the child; he or she is trying to protect the child from an immanent danger that the youngster is too young and inexperienced to anticipate.
In light of eternity and of life as God intended, we are all too young and inexperienced. The best investment of time we can make to protect our eternal interests is to spend it with the eternal One. He will teach us how to look far ahead. He sent His Holy Spirit to illuminate the path beyond our own understanding. He will reveal the dangers that lie ahead, and He will be our Shelter in times of trouble. When a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for help (Mark 10:47), Jesus stopped and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "I want to see." Jesus immediately opened his eyes, and Bartimaeus followed Jesus along the road.
This is my testimony. I hope it is yours. One of my highest values and interests in life is to continue to follow Jesus along life’s road. Even when I am unable to anticipate the dangers ahead, He has. By following Him, I can at least look prudent.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

December 21

Dec 21 - Today from Proverbs 21 we look at verse 15
"When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."

Our God is a just God. Many fail to believe this because He is all-powerful, and there is so much injustice in this world. It doesn't make sense. That's because the times are not yet complete. We live in a world system corrupted by sin. Injustice reigns where rebellion against God continues. Wisdom, strength and wealth are not meant to be substitutes for justice. However, when yielded to God's direction and purposes they become instruments of His justice.
Wisdom is understanding life the way God meant it to be. Without understanding God's original purposes for man, there can be no justice. Strength involves authority and enforcement. When coupled with wisdom, justice moves from the realm of possible to probable. Wealth is influence and ability. When joined with wisdom and strength, together they all form a reliable system of justice. When these resources are implemented for God's purposes, justice becomes a joy for those who seek to live life the way God intends, but become a terror for those who desire to live in self-serving rebellion.
Why? Because God's original purpose for man was to live in a vital relationship with God and to serve his fellow man. For those seeking to live in such harmony, justice is a guiding friend. For those seeking to live out self-serving and rebellious ways, justice is an oppressive and unrelenting enemy.
This proverb does not speak of two kinds of justice, rather it speaks of two kinds of hearts. Justice is an attribute of God and thus is eternal. Although injustice seems to reign in this world for a time - it will not always be so. One day the Lord will return to firmly establish justice - forever. On that day terror will surely strike in the hearts of the rebellious. There will be no hiding or escape, only final judgment. Everlasting joy will be the reward of the righteous - those who love and practice justice because their hearts were changed when they accepted Jesus' gift of life.
As servants of God and of our fellow man we need not wait for that day. "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." (Hebrews 3:15). We can, and must, begin to practice justice today. Justice is not getting even, or even seeking to get my 'fair share'. God promised to provide my needs. Justice is seeking to bring equity into the lives of my fellow man.
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." -Jeremiah 9:23, 24

Friday, December 19, 2008

December 20

Dec 20 - Today from Proverbs 20 we look at verse 23
"The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him."

We tend to be quite confident as consumers in modern America. So confident, in fact, that we hardly think about being cheated by manufacturers. Consumer products must be clearly marked as to content, weight and volume and are regulated by state and federal agencies. When you buy a two-pound can of coffee, you don't have to go home and weigh it to see if you've been cheated. When you buy a gallon of gas (or 20), you don't have to worry if you've been shorted. We can tend to read right over this Proverb and never give it a second thought. But let's stop anyway. Is there a common principle here for us? A couple of principles come to mind.
Have you ever heard the term 'double standard'? That’s using one standard for a favored person or group, and another standard for the rest. Double standards do not please God. Being on staff in various public institutions, I have learned the importance of the term 'precedent'. It is a very frustrating term for people who desire 'favored status'. Public institutions should develop and maintain policy for the good of all the people. When an exception is made for any reason, how does one explain it to the next person who seeks exception? 'Profiling' can easily lead to use of a double standard. Prejudice is an ugly form of the double standard. Double standard can apply in personal, business, political and even spiritual life. We must be very careful in pandering to people who might curry 'favored status' with us whether it is because of their wealth, their position or their social status. 'God does not show favoritism' (Acts 10:34), and His children shouldn't either.
The other principle that comes to mind is that of issues. Have you ever heard the term 'weighting the issue'? It is a common every day practice with all of us - and it is the enemy of objectivity. It is difficult, if not impossible, to get the news 'fair and balanced' these days. People of influence can’t help but have opinions and agendas - including corporate network and publishing organization executives. Issues of the day become ‘weighted’ through their opinions and agendas. That is why they are considered 'powerful' people. Children and teenagers can be experts at weighting issues in order to tip them in their favor. "But all of my friends are going!" Parents try to throw in a counterbalance' "If your friends jumped off a bridge would you follow them?" In all fairness to the network executives and the kids, we are all experts in weighting issues. We desire a matter to go our way, so we give it an extra little appeal in whatever manner we can. We can even weight issues to 'help God' by exaggerating a testimony. There have been 'faith healers' that have been caught using audience plants by investigative reporters. Their excuse; 'We are building the faith of those who truly need real healing'. They were weighting the issue, and endangered their testimony and probably the faith of some poor souls whose objectivity was obscured by misdirected desire.
This little verse in Proverbs warns us that God frowns heavily upon use of double standards and of weighting the issues. They don't come with labels regulated by government agencies. We must be sensitive to His Spirit not to entertain the use of them in our own lives, and seek wisdom not to be manipulated by others who do use them.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 19

Dec 19 – Today from Proverbs 19 we look at verse 21
"Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

This proverb touches on the mystery of God and eternity. A mystery is an immutable truth that cannot be explained or fully understood. It requires an element of faith.
Man was created in and relates to the time/space continuum. Our human reasoning is bound by it. God exists in eternity. Time is contained in eternity, but eternity is not contained in time – it transcends time. Our past is called ‘history’. Our future is unknown. There is no past or future in eternity – they are terms of time. Eternity is omnipresent, and we will never fully understand it for as long as we are bound by time. In Isaiah 55:8 & 9 God said it this way, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than you ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." As the heavens transcend the earth, even so God’s ways transcend man’s ways.
Man goes busily about making his plans – taking lessons and experience from the past and plotting into an uncertain future. It’s the best he can do. Whether it be for good or for evil, he moves forward, making his impact in the world. Some influence a few, some influence nations. Six billion people, all making their plans. In spite of the magnitude of all of this individual and ambitious busyness, man will never overrule God’s purpose. His purpose transcends man’s activity.
So, what does this all mean for the believer? God created man with a free will, and we have complete freedom to exercise that will in the time/space continuum. God does not control or overrule it in time, He transcends it in eternity. When we choose to surrender our will to Him, and trust in the transcendency of His power and purpose – we benefit. We can take comfort in that whatever the circumstances, His purposes will prevail. We have authority to pray for the entrance and prevailing rule of His eternal Kingdom into the temporal circumstances of this world as He has instructed us to pray saying, "Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9, 10). We have the Blessed Hope, knowing that whatever is too great for us to bear can be given over to Him who bears all things for us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). We have peace even in the midst of great turmoil knowing that Gods expressed purpose for time has already been settled and there is no power in heaven or earth that can alter it, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36). We are the redeemed, the children of the eternal God through Christ Jesus, and in Christ, we have already prevailed, "In Him you were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." (Ephesians 1:11)
Take heart believers. Though evil may seem overwhelming for the moment, God will work out His eternal purpose through it. "He is able to work all things to good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). Jesus came from eternity and broke into time through the incarnation, the mystery of Christmas. He will break into time once more to see time to its final end. "He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when times will have reached their fulfillment." (Ephesians 1:9, 10).
From Genesis to Revelation, God works through the plans of man to fulfill His purpose for man. Good plans, bad plans. Successful plans, failed plans. Righteous plans, evil plans. Grand plans, small plans. His wonder and power transcend them all, and in the end of time it will come out exactly as He purposed.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

December 18

Dec 18 - Today from Proverbs 18 we look at verse 1
"An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment."

Selfish people are lonely people. They may function in the midst of an abundance of other people, but even so, they live a lonely life. Selfish people are constantly seeking recognition - on their own terms. People like that have few friends. When one pursues selfish ends, there is no natural flow of quid quo pro in life.
Friendliness is an attitude that carries its own rewards. True friendliness has no ulterior motive; it is simply displayed from an inner contentedness in life. Friendly people seldom have anything to prove, and they often have lots to offer. They are people who have learned that 'it's better to be kind than to be right'. They are people who have learned that 'when you smile, the world smiles with you'. They are people who discovered how very little one can truly accomplish in this life by themselves.
I am of the conviction that true friendliness is an attribute of unconditional love. You give without expecting any return. In Luke 10:25-37, an expert in the law inquired of Jesus how he might secure eternal life. Jesus asked him what was written in the law. He replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your strength and with all you mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself." The man gave the right answer but viewed it from the wrong perspective. Because he was an expert in the law, he seemed pretty confident that he was okay in the first department. But he wasn't quite sure about the requirement of the second. "Who is my neighbor?" he asked the Lord Jesus. The text reveals that the man "wanted to justify himself." In other words, the man wanted to know exactly how to fulfill this command that he might save himself. Here we see the attitude of an unfriendly man. He did not ask how he might see others get eternal life. His interest was not for others, but for his own ends. If he had to love his neighbor in order to get to heaven, he wanted to know the definition of his neighbor so he could clearly pursue his selfish end.
Well, you know the rest of the story. Jesus told one of the most popular parables of all times in the story of The Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan is the example of a truly friendly person. He gave without expecting any return. He helped a person in a time of need just because the person needed help. Jesus revealed a great paradox to the expert in the law. We are not to attempt to identify our neighbors that we might pursue our own selfish ends in loving them; we are to be the neighbor who seeks to make the world of those around us a little better place to live. When walking down the sidewalk or hallway and you pass by a stranger, instead of looking down or away, look in their eye, smile, and give them a friendly greeting. Don't expect one back - just do it because the world needs a friendlier climate. When driving home in the rush hour and you see someone who needs a break to get into the proper lane, make a little room and wave them in with a smile. When someone who you know is struggling with an issue in life and their name comes to your mind, pick up the phone and give them a call, or get on line and send them a note, or pick up a friendly little card and drop it in the mail. We encounter little opportunities each day to be friendly - to make someone's day just a little better. When friendliness becomes a pattern of life, you will make a wonderful discovery; it's called the law of reciprocity. It begins to come back to you from the most unexpected places. In your efforts to make the lives of others a little nicer and warmer, you will discover your own life getting nicer and warmer. Friendliness carries its own rewards.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

December 17

Dec 17 - Today from Proverbs 17 we look at verses 8 & 23
"A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds."
"A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice."


At first read, it appears that verse 8 is condoning and even encouraging bribery. Then upon reading verse 23, it appears that bribery is a tool of subterfuge and deception. Proverbs are often observations of life, valuable for the believer to know. Thus we cannot isolate verse 17 and make a Biblical doctrine that might state, "Whoever becomes proficient in the use of bribery will find success in life." That would be a mistake. In Exodus 23, God is giving His people direct commands. In verse eight He clearly states, "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." There is no Biblical doctrine condoning the use of bribes.
So what is verse 8 teaching us? It is teaching the same thing as verse 23 and Exodus 23:8. "Do not accept a bribe. A bribe is a charm to the one who GIVES it." Charm can be deceptive. It is often something in a person's character that is intentionally delightful, so that it covers the faults of the one who possesses it. "It blinds those who see." A person who lacks charm in their personality can achieve the same ends by using a bribe. The bribe becomes the charm that blinds people to the true character - or at least makes the true character of the giver of less significance.
People who receive bribes often feel that they are the ones who prosper. God is telling us not to fall for such deception. The people who receive bribes are exchanging something of great value for something of temporary pleasure. They are selling their integrity. It is the person who gives the bribe who walks away with added value. He not only has advanced his ambitious goals in life, he now has power over the person bribed. The person bribed lies exposed before the briber as a sell-out, and will never again have the strength of integrity to take a stand for convictions. This person has actually lost value in the transaction. The focus on verse 8 is not to be on the one giving the bribe, but on the one who is tempted to take a bribe. I read it to say something like, "Don't take a bribe - it only benefits the one who GIVES it. You will be helping him succeed in his deceptive means to a goal while you end up compromising your integrity."
God does not condone the use of bribery, it perverts justice. But it seems He is somewhat impressed with how well the 'people of this world' learn how the system works, and then apply themselves to working it for their benefit. Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-15. The master in the parable actually commended the dishonest manager (v. 8) for his shrewdness in bribing the master's debtors. But it was only a passing admiration for a corrupt person who shrewdly used a corrupt system to induce people who were more powerful than himself. They corrupted themselves while helping the doomed manager to achieve his goal. Don't miss an important part of the lesson here; in the end the shrewd manager lost his position in the master's household. Jesus then lamented, "The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light." As followers of Christ, we are not to be of their kind. We are to be the people of light. We are to use our gifts and abilities to achieve His goals, not our own. We are to 'bribe' (if I may use that term), the poor, the sojourner, and the disenfranchised that they might listen to the message of hope that we have. The people of this world (system) use their charm to effect self-centered, self-serving goals in this life. The people of light are to use their 'charm' to effect the entrance and expansion of the Kingdom of God. The people of this world use their charm to pervert justice and to destroy the integrity of others. The people of light are to use their 'charm' to establish justice and to restore integrity. Sometimes I wonder when Jesus looks down at His church -- particularly His church of means and prosperity -- if He still does not lament.
Wisdom does not take bribes, nor does it seek to use bribes to pervert justice. Wisdom uses its resources to bring hope and to restore integrity in a lost and broken world.

Monday, December 15, 2008

December 16

Dec 16 – Today from Proverbs 16 we look at verse 3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (NIV)

A-h-h-h-h. If there were only a sure-fire formula for success, one could patent it and become a multi-millionaire overnight. But alas, there is no such thing in this world of infinite uncertainties – or is there? Can we take this ‘promise’ at face value?
There is another promise, this in the New Testament, spoken by the Lord Jesus Himself. He said, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:14). It would seem that Christians have been given a ‘Master Card’ with no limit in spending.
The truth is that both of the verses under consideration here are fully reliable. As with all scripture, they must be understood within the context of the whole of scripture. Any attempt to isolate them and interpret them within the context of the world system will eventually leave the student greatly disappointed.
Can we commit a self-serving work to the Lord? No. It’s a contradiction in itself. Can we commit a work to the Lord that has not first been brought to Him for consideration? We might ‘dedicate’ a work to the Lord in such a manner, but we could never ‘commit’ it to Him without His consideration. It just doesn’t work that way. Can we commit a work to the Lord that does not meet with His approval? Pure foolishness. In our proverb, the Teacher is instructing the student of wisdom to consider your plans before God before you execute them. The disciple who is confident that his plan has the approval of God can also be confident that God will be faithful to see it succeed.
The same principle holds true with Jesus’ promise to His disciples in John 14:14. To ask in His Name means to ask in the context of His authority, His character, and thus His approval. Simply to attach the phrase "in the name of Jesus" to a petition without considering His will and His character is an act of futility. It’s not a magic phrase – even for His disciples. It is a challenge for His disciples to abide in Him and to seek to discern His will and to live in His character. Disciples who live in such a manner can be confident that when they ask for His provision He will indeed comply as they seek to carry out and fulfill His purposes.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

December 15

Dec 15 – Today from Proverbs 15 we look at verse10
"Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."

The path before us is the path of righteousness (verse 14). To many in our modern culture, stern discipline doesn’t fit well into the concept of God’s love. Today’s gurus tout the popular liberal banner of "True Love is Tolerance". Morality is relevant only to the fabrication of one’s own reality. They claim that ‘God’ comes to us in many forms and gives us many choices as to how we will worship Him. Because this wonderful universal God is so lovingly tolerant with the diversity in which man sees and worships Him, tolerance becomes a virtue that is high on the values list. Much higher than the narrow definition of morality as defined by the Christian community which patterns their moral code after the antiquated laws observed by the ancient cultures of the Bible. They teach that God loves those who are sincere in their pursuit of Him, no matter what path they have chosen. If all of mankind would just adopt this wonderful virtue of tolerance, we would all get along and we would all find our own way to God – He would make sure of that because He loves us so much. This is the old cult of ‘Universalism’ dressed in a new garb. It sounds so nice – but it defiantly flies in the face of God’s Word.
Stern discipline is a very real aspect of God’s love. We see it in the pattern of our own family life. A loving parent instructs their child in ways of proper behavior. As the child embraces and applies the parent’s instruction, there is peace and harmony in the home. If the child rejects the parent’s instruction and displays behavior that disrupts family life, the parent disciplines the child. Not because they hate, or even dislike the child, but because they love the child. They want to see their child grow to be an asset to the community, not a liability. They desire to see their child walk a path that will enhance the child’s character and bring honor to the family name. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11).
Discipline is administered as a means of correction. Its motivation is to be that of love, not destruction. It is the attitude of the recipient of discipline who determines whether the discipline is corrective or destructive. Verse 12 in today’s chapter states that "a mocker resents correction." The mocker creates his own reality and pursues his own path in life. He mocks the moral code of God’s Word, and refuses to be corrected by it. The Teacher soberly warns that such an attitude will end in death. That’s where the ‘broad path’ of Universalism leads (Matthew 7:13). God is love, but He is not tolerant with those who reject His instruction and resent His correction.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

December 14

Dec 14 - Today from Proverbs 14 we look at verse 27
"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death."

The wilderness had suddenly turned into a foreboding vastness of danger. Danger from wild animals. Danger from heat exhaustion. Danger from starvation. Just a couple of hours ago all was well. Now fear gripped his heart. Yes, he was foolish. It was his own fault. He had set his pack way too close to the edge of the ravine. He tripped on a root -- or something -- and splayed out onto the dusty ground, face down. As he went down, he pushed the pack over the edge. It fell into the rushing torrent far below. He got up on his hands and knees and watched it bob in the churning waters until it disappeared around a bend. In it was his compass, his maps, his shelter, his food, his camp stove -- everything he depended on for survival in the wilderness. The only thing to do now was to carefully make his way down into the canyon and follow the river as best he could. Maybe the pack would get caught on an overhanging branch or something. Fear gripped his heart as he walked the ridge looking for a place to descend.
He stopped to rest and scanned the terrain. Wait! What was that? He happened to glance up on the ridge and he caught a glimpse of a reflection -- something glinting in the sun. He walked into a small clearing where he could get a better view. It was a small ranger station, and the sun was reflecting off the windshield of a . . . a CAR! A U.S. Forest Ranger's car! He quickly identified some landmarks and set his course for the station. He would be safe now.
The little illustration above gives us a good sense of what 'fear' means in the Proverb of today. No, it is not the fear the man felt for his future when he lost his pack. That is not how we are to fear God. It was the fear the man held for the Forest Ranger at the moment of discovery. A total trust and regard for an authority which represented safety, provision, and sound instruction. This fear was a powerful force. A force which turned the man from a frantic search for his lost pack in a deep ravine to a trek up a dominant ridge -- totally in the opposite direction.
"The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life." A fountain is not still water, it is not a trickle. It is a force. The fear of the Lord is a force in life. When our eyes are opened to the reality of God's authority, His safety, His provision and His sound instruction -- we gladly end our pursuit of the small self-contained pack of what we thought might be our hope. Instead, we turn our efforts in pursuit of God.
Sometimes those things we perceive to be critical setbacks in life are God's providential ways of getting us free of self-sufficiency. Sometimes He needs to separate us from temporary things. Things that we believe to be the essence of life in order to get us to scan the greater terrain. These can be turning moments in life - turning us to discovery, fear and dependence on the One who is Life.
Where are you today? What bobbing pack are you chasing after down the torrent of life? Why not take a moment and scan the terrain. You may discover something far more sustaining than what you believe that temporary pack contains. He is right up there on the ridge - in all likelihood He is in the opposite direction of your current pursuit. What He offers is so much more than our limited self-contained packs. He offers LIFE, and life abundant. Know God and understand His infinite wisdom and ability. Continually fear God, and your dangerous pursuits of the trivial will cease. It is a force that turns.

Friday, December 12, 2008

December 13

Dec 13 – Today from Proverbs13 we look at verse 21
"Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous." (NIV)
"Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous , good shall be repaid." (KJV)

It is curious that the two translations we use today equate misfortune and evil. Our post-modern culture readily acknowledges misfortune, but rejects the thought of evil. They are, in fact, interchangeable when evil does not refer to a characteristic or an entity. In the original Hebrew the term is translated from a word that simply means bad. Upon closer examination, the root of the word means to spoil by breaking to pieces. It is to see something with great potential, made good for nothing. That is why Satan is evil. That is why fallen man is evil. That is why misfortune is so heartbreaking. That is why a couple of our American Presidents declared dictator-led and oppressive regimes to be evil. Things with great potential, made good for nothing. It is a sad and most undesirable condition.
"Misfortune pursues the sinner." This is a spiritual truth. A sinner may find ways to maneuver and dodge and put off being overtaken – but misfortune is a tenacious pursuer. One little slip, one relaxed moment, one miscalculation, and the sinner is doomed to receive his just payment. He is not a victim. He earned his misfortune. "The wages of sin is death," writes Paul in Romans 6:23. A wage is indeed something earned. Sinners may look like they are prospering. Sinners may at times even feel that they are prospering. But if they are not already, they had better be watching over their shoulder. There is something tireless and dreadful that is pursuing them, and they will never have the strength or ability to escape it. Its final blow is indeed death – eternal separation from God and His grace. There is no ‘hell on earth’ that can begin to compare with this death. But even before that final blow, misfortune can hit time and time again. Why anyone would want to live life with misfortune in pursuit is beyond me . . . or is it? I once lived that way. The deception of the temporal pleasures of life and the notion that I was an exception to the rule kept me merrily running ahead of misfortune, thinking that sooner or later I would win. According to Romans 6:23, I had already lost. It was only a matter of time.
Thank God, there is a second part to Romans 6:23. "But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." It is the only escape. I earned death, but could never earn life. It had to be a gift – something not earned, or even deserved. It is found only in Christ Jesus, the One who purchased the gift with His own life. The potential God created in me that sin made good for nothing (evil) was restored in Christ (righteousness). He is my righteousness. He has restored value and purpose to our lives. And as we continually pursue that purpose, He will prosper us. That means He will provide all we need to fulfill His purpose in and through us. When we give of His love and grace to others, in any form, He replenishes us. We will never run out as long as we follow His lead. He gives and gives and gives again. The reward of the righteous is not the goal of the righteous, it is the well of resources from which the righteous bestow God’s blessing. Whenever we give in His Name, He repays that we might give again.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

December 12

Dec 12 – Today from Proverbs 12 we look at verse 23
"A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly." (NIV)
"A prudent man concealeth knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness." (KJV)

At first read, this proverb appears to contradict common sense. Isn’t it a good thing for the prudent to introduce their knowledge into the public pool of thought? Why would it be wise to keep knowledge to one’s self? The answer, I believe, lies in the contrast of the statements presented. The second statement in the proverb more clearly introduces the issue that the method of introducing one’s ideas into the public pool of thought is as critical as the content.
A proclamation is a public declaration in the strongest of terms. In the original Hebrew the word proclaimeth reveals the sense of actually accosting a person with a pronouncement. If one is a dictator or a potentate one can indeed successfully foist their will upon the public through proclamations because it is backed by threat. But even then, men who seek liberty begin to contend in their hearts against such oppression. God created man with a free will and a free mind. God created man to live in community. God created diversity in mankind. All of this points to the fact that in God’s plan, He meant for man to develop an exchange of ideas in order for man to socially advance. In the center of this community called mankind was to be its Creator. He gave man value and purpose, and He would dwell in their midst to guide the entire process. It’s a wonderful picture. A picture that was fractured by the introduction of sin. Wisdom is to understand that picture of God’s original intention for man, and to seek ways to communicate those purposes for man in an amiable fashion.
Proclamations do not make for a good venue for the exchange of ideas. Proclamations carry a sense of authority, someone attempting to foist their agenda. The intended recipients of a proclamation have no venue or format to provide the input of their own views. This is quite critical, particularly if the proclamation is to directly affect change in the recipient’s life. People like to be involved in the process of change. Even if they must endure some hardship to bring about needed change, they need to ‘buy in’ to it. Without the opportunity to dialogue, this needed element is lost and the potential for conflict is greatly increased. The party who initiated the proclamation loses favor in the sight of those who must endure it. Even if the ‘fool’ who makes the proclamation has no authority to back it, people tire of being around such know-it-alls. Fools carries the attitude that there is no need for them to listen to other points of view – they have already stated their case! The reason their proclamations are so often just foolishness is because they are unwilling to consider the views of others, thus failing to add to their own knowledge.
The prudent, on the other hand, keeps their knowledge concealed. The Hebrew term concealeth here portrays the picture of a covering of clothing. It gives one the sense of mystery, appealing to man’s sense of curiosity. Rather than foisting one’s knowledge on another, it is more prudent to entice the other to draw it out. This stimulates the exchange of ideas. Jesus was a Master of this technique when conversing with people (i.e. the Samaritan woman at the well, Nicodemus, His disciples in various situations). Knowledge was hidden in Christ. He knew how to whet the appetite of his audience so that they would draw the knowledge out. We still dialogue with Him in this manner today. In order to mature in our faith, we must dialogue with Him. His Word holds an untold wealth of knowledge. It is ours for the ‘digging’.
If we want to introduce the knowledge of the gospel into the public arena of thought, we will never succeed simply by blanket proclamation. We must follow the lead of the Master, and engage people where they are at. We must draw them into an exchange of ideas, a dialogue. We must keep our knowledge concealed and then uncover it as it is requested and required. In this manner we can give the intended recipients an opportunity to weigh its truth and validity against that which they already hold to be true. If they reject it, at least you can part on an amiable basis instead of in a conflicted relationship. Who knows, you may have other opportunities, as long as the bridge is intact.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

December 11

Dec 11 - Today from Proverbs 11 we look at verse 16
"A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth."

"How are you feeling now?" asked the family physician.
A couple of weeks ago the man came in complaining of dizziness and headaches. A routine examination revealed very little. Yes, he had been under quite a bit of stress lately. The doctor prescribed some mild sedatives and told his patient to ease his stress load for a couple of weeks and then come back.
"Just great Doc," replied the man sitting on the examination table. "I guess it was just the stress."
They talked a bit, the physician exhorted his patient to keep his stress levels down and to take daily walks to help. The man promised he would and walked out of the office. Just before reaching his car he almost lost his balance as a wave of dizziness swept over him. He knew that a crashing headache would soon follow. It happened every day, sometimes now two or three times a day. But he wasn't going to tell his doctor -- he might be diagnosed with something far worse then stress.
Today we get a diagnosis of values. One needs to be very honest with one's self in order to gain a correct conclusion. The Great Physician asks us; "Which of the two people in this verse do you most seek to pattern your life after: The woman who has the respect of people, or the very rich man who uses his power and authority to make things go his way?" Just to put the diagnosis into a little more perspective, you must place yourself in the culture of the era in which the Proverbs were written. Women had no public rights. Independently, they didn't contribute to politics and justice at the city gates, they didn't teach, they didn't wheel and deal in the business world, they couldn't expand their holdings -- in fact, they were very often exploited by cunning and powerful men who reduced their worldly holdings. If they didn't marry, they didn't fare well. If they married and were widowed, they didn't fare well. Their culture did not recognize any public or political rights for a woman. Men definitely had a great advantage in that department - and they learned how to use it at an early age.
Now we can get a feel for the great contrast of these two people in today's Proverb. The woman may have respect, but she has not gained any public or political rights. It is only the people's respect for her that may get her anywhere at all. The man has great wealth. Wealth had the same effect then as it does today - power, prestige and privilege. The man gained and wields his wealth in an arena of powerful men. He may be considered ruthless, but he has much more respect in the community then the kindhearted woman can even dream of! Wealth and power gain respect. . .
Now be honest, is that your line of thinking? I mean deep down where nobody else can see or listen, would you opt to be the wealthy man? Would you be willing to sacrifice a little integrity in order to gain the power, prestige and privilege of the wealthy? Don't walk away from the Great Physician today without letting Him properly diagnose you. You may have a very serious heart condition which will one day cripple you - or worse.
Here is the truth. One day we will all stand before the Great Physician, and all of our worldly entrapments will be removed. The only thing left will be who we are. What we have will not be in the picture at all. The kindhearted woman already stands before God without any entrapments, so there will only be joy and wonder for her on that day. But the ruthless man will no longer have the adjectives of wealthy, powerful and prestigious. Those things will be removed. He will stand before God only as a ruthless man. How much joy and wonder will he experience?
A lesson in diagnostics. We must not get off the examination table until we have been completely honest with the Great Physician. And we needn't worry, He already knows the truth, and He loves us. He just wants us to know so that we can begin treatment immediately. What is the treatment? Just listen to Him, He will tell you.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

December 10

Dec 10 – Today from Proverbs 10 we look at verse 27
"The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."

To fear the Lord means to have a profound awe and respect for Him. Fearfullness is a little different. That would be as if we had lived our lives never respecting Him, dying, and then coming face to face with Him. Because of Jesus, we can look forward with joy in meeting Him as we live in respect for and awe of Him today. But how does that add length to life?
The obvious is that it adds eternal length to life. "Whoever believes in Him (Jesus), shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). The life of the wicked ends on the day they draw their last breath in time. In their ignorance and total disregard for the value of life, some boast that they ‘would rather party in hell then serve in heaven.’ They have no idea what it will be like to exist in the absence of grace - there will be no parties. Man was created for the express purpose of communing with God in a loving relationship. Although sin cruelly distorted that purpose, it never changed it. I cannot imagine what it would be like to exist in eternity without ever finding any fulfillment, only torment. If we really think about it, we should not wish such an existence on any man. How grateful I am that Jesus found me and restored me.
But, is there also a practical aspect to this proverb? I think so. The fear of the Lord calls for discipline of the flesh (the sensual life). If we were to let our senses have their way, we would rather quickly kill ourselves. In many ways we are. We overeat and stress our hearts as well as our joints. We eat the 'good-tasting' foods and clog our arteries with cholesterol. We enjoy a good uninhibited buzz and drink too much alcohol, slowly destroying our vital organs. We enjoy even more intense buzzes and take drugs that fry our brains. We light nicotine infested weeds and suck the acrid smoke into our lungs, which only serves to cut off valuable oxygen supplies to the body and greatly increases the chance of cancer and heart disease. We engage in casual sexual activities that introduce and proliferate horrific diseases. We fly on adrenaline rushes and take life-threatening risks to get them. We lust for money and the power and the pleasures it can buy and we work when we should be resting or relating. . . and this is only a partial list. How strange this thing called sin, it has the illusion of intensifying life and all the while it is taking life.
To fear the Lord is to become a disciple of the Lord. He created life, and He best knows how to sustain it - even this temporal life in the flesh. Discipline. Moderation. Self control. He gives grace for all who will submit to His offer.
Two children go out trick-or-treating on Halloween. They both come home with a large bag of candy. One child indulges his flesh and has an incredibly intense sugar feast that night and all of the next day. The other child chooses only one or two pieces and enjoys them. On the third day the first child has an empty bag, an upset stomach and some strange emotional symptoms from an overload of sugar in his system. The second child has a bag full of candy and many days to look forward to enjoying it. The analogy breaks down, but it makes a point. Discipline and moderation will add length of days. Uncontrolled indulgence will cut days short. Finding grace to moderate and discipline is a benefit of fearing God.

Monday, December 8, 2008

December 9

Dec 9 – Today from Proverbs 9 we reflect on wisdom

Here we observe the use of the literary technique of personification while looking at the concepts of wisdom and folly. Both call out the same invitation to the same audience; in verse 4 it's wisdom, and in verse 16 it's folly; "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgement.
But as you read on, you begin to see that their motives differ. Wisdom desires to instruct. Verse 9; "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning." It is the teachable person who benefits from wisdom. Learning and discipleship call for patience, perseverance, submission, and is a lifelong process.
Folly on the other hand is the way of life's short-cuts. Verse 17; "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" Why spend all the time in learning to dig and form a well when you can just steal the water? "Those poor 'disciples' of wisdom waste all that time learning how to read the topography to try to discern where the best place to dig is," says folly. "Then they spend all that effort digging and shoring up the hole with stone, and if they get lucky, they may end up with water. Even then, they are never sure if it will be sweet water. Why not just wait and see who hits a sweet well, and then when nobody's looking, just dip in! There is more water than they will ever need for themselves anyway."
People like that never learn about life. They only learn the ways of folly. Some day when it is critical that they know how to read the topography, they won't have a clue - and there won't be any nearby water they can steal.
We all start out simple and lack judgment in some area. And both wisdom and folly call out to us. The choice remains to be our own. Do we submit to a wise teacher and patiently learn the processes and lessons? Or do we get clever and look for the short-cuts in life? "Get the maximum out of life with the minimum effort," says folly. It sounds good until the day of 'suddenly' comes - when the resources we drew from and leaned upon in order to avoid developing our own resourcefulness are gone. That's when one discovers that those who chose to be the guests of folly "are in the depths of the grave" (verse 18).
You will see this theme continually, throughout the book of Proverbs. That which seems to be the easiest and most trouble-free way ends up being the way of death. One needs wisdom to discern these things, and "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. . ." (verse 10).

Sunday, December 7, 2008

December 8

Dec 8 – Today from Proverb 8 we look at verse 32
"Now then my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep to my ways."

This is the personification of wisdom speaking. When reading this verse, the Beatitudes that Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount immediately came to mind (Matthew 5:3-10). The Beatitudes were offered as keys to the kingdom of God. Proverbs were offered as keys to wisdom. Both offer the promise of blessedness to those who keep to their ways. God’s Word is seamless, and there is a very clear correlation to wisdom and kingdom living. Wisdom is understanding life the way God purposed it. In the Beatitudes, Jesus is calling the people of Israel back to the purity of God’s purposes. Volumes of inspired and inspirational material have been written on the Beatitudes. Wisdom claims them.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit . . ."
Wisdom is in keeping with a humble spirit, deeming the needs of others as a priority.
"Blessed are those who mourn . . ."
Wisdom learns more about life at a funeral service than at a festive party.
"Blessed are the meek . . ."
Wisdom surrenders all power and influence to the control of God.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . ."
Wisdom seeks to keep learning about God and His ways.
"Blessed are the merciful . . ."
Wisdom does not judge in keeping his fellow man in debt through unforgiveness.
"Blessed are the pure in heart . . ."
Wisdom seeks to purge from its heart that which dishonors God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers . . ."
Wisdom seeks to live at peace with all as far as it depends on its ability.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness . . ."
Wisdom is willing to endure anything for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

Blessed are they who pursue Wisdom, and keep to her ways.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

December 7

Dec 7 – Today from Proverbs 7 we look at verses 14 and 15
"I have fellowship offerings at home; today I have fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you."

Verses 6 through 23 of this chapter tells the sad tale of a simple young man who was ensnared by a wayward wife (adulteress). The story reveals that from the adulteress’ point of view, in spite of her seductive words, he was really just a random victim. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But part of her clever seduction was to stroke his ego a bit by telling him that she specifically came out that evening just to find him. This was a half-truth. When she said, "I looked for you and have found you," she was saying "I looked for a victim and found you." His simplicity and his ego would never allow him to hear it that way, and that was just the way she wanted it.
Before stating that she was out looking for him, she provided the reason why. She makes a reference to a cultural norm that would readily be recognized by the students of the Teacher – the fellowship offerings.
When a devout Hebrew brought their peace offering to the temple, the greatest part of the flesh was given back to the offerer to be taken home and feasted upon with friends. It was to all be eaten that same day with none left over until the morning (Lev. 7:15). This kind of meat was a rare and enjoyable treat. In the culture of the day the adulteress was, in essence, saying to the young man, "I have plenty of excellent provisions at home, and it’s too much for me to enjoy by myself. I am by law to eat it in fellowship with someone, so you immediately came to mind. So, I came looking for you and now I have found you. Oh, lucky me. Oh, lucky you!" She goes on to share that her husband isn’t there to share because he left on a long business trip, leaving her all alone. Being the simple young man that he was, he fell for it, and paid the price.
The Teacher uses this illustration to teach his students what to beware of in the art of seduction. This particular portion reveals a couple of important lessons:

1. The seducer uses convincing practical elements, (in this case, even that of a traditional ceremonial religious practice) to hide any threat the offer holds.

2. The seducer couples that with an appeal to the ego – making the victim feel special and privileged to be in such a position as to even consider the offer before him.

It’s the one-two punch of a seducer, only the pain comes much later. Verse 21 defines these seductive tactics as persuasive words and smooth talk. They can be very deadly to one who does not walk in the ways of wisdom. Life is replete with seducers, and the simple are their greatest victims.

Friday, December 5, 2008

December 6

Dec 6 - Today from Proverbs 6 we look at verses 16-19
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

One day (Matthew 15), as Jesus was walking amongst the people, teaching and healing their sick, some Pharisees and teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to straighten Him out on a few things. They could not help but acknowledge Jesus as a Rabbi and great teacher, but His disciples were not chosen from the best schools or of pedigree families. They were fishermen, commoners, and one was even a former tax collector. If Jesus was to be a Rabbi in Israel, He must properly train and discipline His own disciples. For starters, they did not ceremonially wash before they ate. What kind of example was that to the people?
I am convinced that had they come to Jesus in private with an open mind, Jesus would have addressed them much differently. But their intention was to belittle this respected Rabbi in the eyes of the people. Because they chose a public venue to challenge Him, Jesus gave them a public reprimand. He revealed their hypocrisy in just one example. Then He revealed their hearts with just one scripture as He quoted from Isaiah; "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." These learned leaders of Jerusalem were experts on the letter of the law, but had no concept of the spirit of the law. "It's not what physically goes into a man's mouth that makes him unclean," Jesus continued. "It's what spiritually comes out of his mouth that makes him unclean." It was a great opportunity for the Pharisees and teachers of the law to humble themselves and examine their own hearts. But the text reveals that they were not convicted in even the smallest way. They were offended!
His disciples, on the other hand, wanted further clarification. That's the heart of a true disciple. "Teach me Lord. I want to know you and better understand your ways." Jesus complied, and made it very clear; "The things which come out of the mouth come from the heart. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean.'" These have nothing to do with 'rules taught by men'. They have everything to do with God's order and His moral law. His moral law is meant to serve to protect human dignity and the value of every human life. The spirit of the moral law honors the fact that God has made every man in His image, and that God alone is the Supreme Judge. The Pharisees let tradition become law and lost sight of the fact that love is the perfect fulfillment of the law. If these learned leaders of Jerusalem can become self-deceived, you can be sure that we can too.
"A man who stirs up dissension among brothers." The Pharisees would be appalled to think that they were in service of the devil. Yet, in their attempt to discredit Jesus and turn the people away from Him, that is exactly what they were. That's pretty obvious to us now, here in the twenty-first century, because we know Jesus is the Messiah. Yet there is not an institution today in our modern culture that is more plagued with dissension than is the institution of the church. It appears that here are too many self-appointed leaders feeling they need to uphold traditions to the death, and yet have little or no concept of the spirit of the law. In their self-righteous, self-appointed zeal they make their case, build a following, and use whatever leverage they can acquire to right whatever situations motivate them. Soon the body is divided and the war is on. These great campaigners would never consider attacking Jesus as did the Pharisees, but they have no qualms about dividing and tearing apart Jesus' body. God hates it. One needs not to be a leader to be guilty. Any who enter in and follow dissenters share in the guilt. Dissenters have no power without followers.
God has set authority in His church for the purpose of unity. God's Word gives those who disagree with the authority proper venues of approach. Covert dissension is not one of those approaches. If the church will honor God's Word as the authority for church structure and discipline, there will be very little harmful dissension in the church. One thing is sure, stirring dissension among the brothers is odious to God because of all of the pain, discouragement and bitterness it produces amongst those for whom He loves and died. Once again, this is not an exercise for us to look for what God might hate in others. We are to look for corruption in our own hearts. Let us look into our hearts today and see if we are contributing to, or have been party to dissension in His body. When Jesus reveals any corrupt condition of our heart we can do one of two things: We can become offended, or we can humble ourselves and confess and repent. He leaves us with the choice, and He will respond accordingly.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

December 5

Dec 5 – Today from Proverbs 5 we look at verse 16
"Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?"

This question immediately follows an admonishment to the student to drink water only from his own personal resources, "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well." (verse 15). Water was (and is), a primary basic staple of life in the Mid Eastern culture, and was crucially important to family life. So important was the family water supply to their health and security, that it was actually a crime to steal water from another person's well. Thus a man was not to dip into another’s well simply to satisfy his own desire. In doing so, he threatened the well-being of another’s family. Here the water is a metaphor for intimate relations, and the admonishment is to refrain from having intimate relations with the wives of others. Where verse fifteen warns against drinking from another’s well, today’s verse warns about liberally distributing your own water around town. It’s the same call to fidelity from a different perspective. Now the student is called to place the same value on his own household. If his water supply is critical to the health and security of his own family, why would he go about distributing it as if it were of little or no value to his loved ones? Why would he threaten the well-being of his own household?
"It’s my water, am I not free to do with it as I please?" No. You have committed your water supply to the care of only one household through a sacred covenant. It is in fact, no longer yours to do with as you please. If your values do not dictate it, your covenant commitment certainly does. When a couple marries, God reveals that the two have become one flesh (Genesis 2:24), and that their bodies no longer belong to themselves alone but to one another (1 Cor. 7:4).
Although this verse applies specifically to a married person, it does not let the single person off the hook. This is not all the Bible has to say about sexual relations, it is but one discourse of many. It is meant to teach the student about the values of fidelity in the marriage covenant, life the way God purposed it. To allow the cravings of the flesh to dictate one’s actions will bear certain consequence. It not only brings harm to one’s self, but to many others – most of whom are innocent victims. These victims may bear emotional scars for years to come, and often they are children.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

December 4

Dec 4 - Today from Proverbs 4 we look at verse 8
"Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you."

The subject of this verse, of course, is wisdom (personified). Wisdom is understanding life the way God meant it to be. Chapter four is a father's lengthy and descriptive plea for his children to seek and pursue the path of wisdom early in life. In verse 18 he tells them it is like 'the first gleam of dawn'. Keep moving on that path, and it will get continually brighter in clarity and understanding.
The two thoughts in today's verse are somewhat of a play on words. In the first, the Hebrew word for 'esteem' here literally means to 'mound up'. In the positive sense, it suggests a picture of a path or a highway, where the earth is mounded up above common ground level in order to provide the traveler with a relatively smooth and passable way through what would otherwise be difficult terrain. The Hebrew word for 'exalt' here literally means to 'raise up'. Thus the play on words; we must do the work of mounding up wisdom if we want to benefit from wisdom in raising us up through the rugged and difficult terrain of life. We mound up wisdom by seeking it out, and then applying that which we find. We cannot walk the mounded path of others. We can receive wisdom from others as we mound up our own path, but each person is responsible for their own path.
The second thought does not have to do with height, but rather with weight. The Hebrew word for 'honor' here means to 'make weighty'. We use the concept in our modern vernacular when we say things like, "His word carries a lot of weight around here." That usually means that he is a person of honor. We address Judges as "your Honor" because of the weight their words carry. The Hebrew word for 'embrace' here means to 'enfold'. Think of the picture of an envelope enfolding a letter. The greater the content of the letter, the more weight the final sealed envelope will be. The envelope itself does not increase in weight, it is the contents of the letter which determines the final weight. Thus the play on words; if we will enfold wisdom into our lives, wisdom will increase our honor. We cannot stuff the wisdom of others into our envelope. We can receive wisdom from others and make it our own through application - only then does it become weighty in our own lives.
Wisdom is a great asset to any person. I pray that as parents and grandparents, we too will have the same passion to direct our offspring to seek and to love wisdom, that they may find a stable path through the difficulties of life, and to do so honorably.