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.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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