Dec 3- Today from Proverbs 3 we look at verse 13
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding."
Wisdom is a treasure that must be sought after. God gives it freely, but only to the diligent seeker. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Who does God give generously to? The diligent seeker. James 1:6 & 7 goes on to teach that the petitioner must not be double-minded in his pursuit of wisdom, for the double-minded will not receive what God promises. That bears looking into. Just what does it mean to be double-minded?
Earlier in today's chapter of Proverbs is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible; verse 5. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." One who claims to be trusting in the Lord's promises while placing that promise in the context of one's own understanding is a double-minded person. God's promises are to be placed in the context of the totality of His Word. It is not genuine faith until we have heard from God as to how we are to approach or pursue any matter. We receive His promise only by following His instruction in appropriating the promise - not merely by claiming it "in Jesus' Name". "In Jesus' Name" means in His character. For example, one believer cannot sue another "in Jesus Name" because that is totally out of the character of Christ. In staying within context with God's Word, we can prove this from 1 Corinthians chapter six. One cannot refuse to pay taxes "in Jesus' Name". In staying within context with God's Word, we can prove this from Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. These letters were written to believers who were being persecuted by the pagan authorities to whom they paid their taxes. These are just a couple of illustrations of a solid concept: We cannot claim God's promises when we try to achieve them in our own understanding. This is double-mindedness, and in doing so we will not receive what God has to offer in the situation. Not 'can not', but 'will not' - in such situations our will is already settled by our own understanding, there is no further pursuit of God's will.
In order to find wisdom, we must let go of our own way and seek God's way. We seek it in His Word, we seek it from mature believers reputed for their wisdom, and we seek it in the character of Jesus Christ. A few years ago believers all over this land were wearing WWJD (What would Jesus do?), bracelets. It was a public display of a thoughtful slogan, but it didn't seem to affect the character of the church all that much. But, that is a very good way to pursue wisdom. If you want to know what Jesus would do, read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and Galatians 5:22, 23. There you will find the true character of Christ. If you ask God anything while displaying that character, you will be in a position to receive it because you won't be asking for the wrong thing. Wisdom is solidly based in love. Love puts the best interest of other first. If you ask God to curse your enemy, He will not answer that prayer. If you ask God to bless your enemy, you have His full attention - but does He have yours? Are you now willing to be a blessing? Wisdom will show you how.
"Blessed is the man that finds wisdom." The church simply must learn that we are blessed of God in order that we might be a blessing. Wisdom is discovering life the way God meant it to be. Our wisdom is meant to facilitate our service to others. . . not to stay a rung or two above them on the 'ladder of life'.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
December 2
Dec 2 – Today from Proverbs 2 we look at verse 15
"Whose (the wicked – verse 12) paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways."
Crooked paths. Why would this be such a disdainful picture for the student? What exactly are the ‘straight paths’ that the wicked leave (verse 13)? Let’s first consider the obvious – particularly for the culture in which this was written. In the culture of that day, the overwhelming majority of transportation was by foot. People moved from place to place by walking paths. The straight path got you to your destination faster. The crooked path required more time and more energy. The straight path allowed you to see much farther ahead. The crooked path blocked your view at the very next turn. The straight path allowed little opportunity for ne’er-do-wells to lie in wait to ambush you. The crooked path provided many opportunities for them to hide and lie in wait. It is obvious that the wicked – those with malicious intent – would want travelers to choose the crooked paths. It much better suited their purposes than did the straight.
The only other place we find this Hebrew word for ‘crooked’ in the Bible is in Isaiah 59:8. Here we get a little better insight into the preferred path of the wicked. "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace." Isaiah is speaking for God against Israel – particularly against their leaders. God provided a straight path for the nation when He gave them a strong moral code through His law. This code protected the rights of all and was encapsulated in the Great Commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself." This provides all of the benefits of the straight path. The leaders turned them into crooked paths by corrupting justice for their own self-serving purposes. If you were to read the rest of this chapter, God goes into detail as to how they had distorted His ways. This is, in fact, the literal translation for the word ‘crooked’ in both verses – distorted. The wicked do not obliterate the path. This would deprive them the opportunity to lie in wait for their victims. Rather, they distort the path, providing clever twists and turns in it whereby they can hide and attack the unsuspecting traveler who wanders onto it. It is a great analogy, and one that bears sober contemplation.
How then does one avoid wandering onto this path? By pursuing wisdom. This is exactly what verse twelve says at the beginning of the discourse we are looking at today, "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men." In the following chapter we read two very familiar verses, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5 &6). The wicked would love for us to lean on our own understanding. It will draw us onto their crooked paths every time. Wisdom is trusting in the Lord even beyond our understanding. This is the way of the straight path.
"Whose (the wicked – verse 12) paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways."
Crooked paths. Why would this be such a disdainful picture for the student? What exactly are the ‘straight paths’ that the wicked leave (verse 13)? Let’s first consider the obvious – particularly for the culture in which this was written. In the culture of that day, the overwhelming majority of transportation was by foot. People moved from place to place by walking paths. The straight path got you to your destination faster. The crooked path required more time and more energy. The straight path allowed you to see much farther ahead. The crooked path blocked your view at the very next turn. The straight path allowed little opportunity for ne’er-do-wells to lie in wait to ambush you. The crooked path provided many opportunities for them to hide and lie in wait. It is obvious that the wicked – those with malicious intent – would want travelers to choose the crooked paths. It much better suited their purposes than did the straight.
The only other place we find this Hebrew word for ‘crooked’ in the Bible is in Isaiah 59:8. Here we get a little better insight into the preferred path of the wicked. "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace." Isaiah is speaking for God against Israel – particularly against their leaders. God provided a straight path for the nation when He gave them a strong moral code through His law. This code protected the rights of all and was encapsulated in the Great Commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself." This provides all of the benefits of the straight path. The leaders turned them into crooked paths by corrupting justice for their own self-serving purposes. If you were to read the rest of this chapter, God goes into detail as to how they had distorted His ways. This is, in fact, the literal translation for the word ‘crooked’ in both verses – distorted. The wicked do not obliterate the path. This would deprive them the opportunity to lie in wait for their victims. Rather, they distort the path, providing clever twists and turns in it whereby they can hide and attack the unsuspecting traveler who wanders onto it. It is a great analogy, and one that bears sober contemplation.
How then does one avoid wandering onto this path? By pursuing wisdom. This is exactly what verse twelve says at the beginning of the discourse we are looking at today, "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men." In the following chapter we read two very familiar verses, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5 &6). The wicked would love for us to lean on our own understanding. It will draw us onto their crooked paths every time. Wisdom is trusting in the Lord even beyond our understanding. This is the way of the straight path.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
December 1
Dec 1 – Today from Proverbs 1 we look at verse 22
"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"
The book of Proverbs reveals that there are basically four types of people in the world. Chapter one calls children (of all ages), to strive to become wise. This is the first type of person. Today’s verse reveals the other three types; the simple, the foolish and the mocker (or scorner – KJV). Wisdom (personified) calls out to each of them, revealing the basic characteristics that make them the way that they are. They are characteristics of choice – they have no excuse.
The simple love simple ways. Fighting against social currents is too exhausting. Developing abilities to excel and make things happen is too bothersome. It is easier just to stay in the flow of the mainstream and accept whatever comes your way in life. Generally speaking, the simple are only harmful to themselves.
Fools hate knowledge. We must go back to verse seven to get a clearer understanding of what this means. Verse seven teaches, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Fools may casually assent to the possibility of God, but they do not revere God. They don’t take Him serious. Fools look to take from life what they can, and trust only in their own devices. Life is a game to them, and each fool has their own rules and outcomes as to what determines a winner. Fools cause greater harm than do the simple. Generally speaking, they are not malicious – the harm they cause is a by-product of their own self-serving ways.
The mockers are the power-mongers. They are not satisfied to gain from life merely by means of their own devices and self-rule. They seek to extend their rule to include others, and to impose the rules of their game upon others. They mock God by becoming a god. They mock the purposes of God for man by imposing their purposes for man upon men. Mockers bear malice in their hearts toward any who would seek to infringe upon their self-made fiefdoms or to unseat them all together. The mockers in the world inflict the greatest damage upon mankind. They become wife-beaters and child-abusers. They become corporate powers who step on the ‘little people’ in order to advance their personal goals in life. They become political manipulators who work the systems to increase their power base. They become dictators who oppress entire nations. They become terrorists who will not tolerate anyone who stands in the way of their goals. If you carefully read the book of Proverbs, it mirrors the teaching of the Bible in that the mockers are to be sought out and brought to justice by the proper governing authorities (the Bible does not support vigilantism). When the mockers are properly struck, the simple ( e.g. Proverbs 19:25, "Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence.") – and even the foolish – take note and learn that it is unwise to ‘graduate’ to become a mocker.
Of the four types of people on earth, only one brings good rather than harm to the innocent, and that is the wise. No wonder the Teacher would have us pursue wisdom – it glorifies the Father.
"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"
The book of Proverbs reveals that there are basically four types of people in the world. Chapter one calls children (of all ages), to strive to become wise. This is the first type of person. Today’s verse reveals the other three types; the simple, the foolish and the mocker (or scorner – KJV). Wisdom (personified) calls out to each of them, revealing the basic characteristics that make them the way that they are. They are characteristics of choice – they have no excuse.
The simple love simple ways. Fighting against social currents is too exhausting. Developing abilities to excel and make things happen is too bothersome. It is easier just to stay in the flow of the mainstream and accept whatever comes your way in life. Generally speaking, the simple are only harmful to themselves.
Fools hate knowledge. We must go back to verse seven to get a clearer understanding of what this means. Verse seven teaches, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Fools may casually assent to the possibility of God, but they do not revere God. They don’t take Him serious. Fools look to take from life what they can, and trust only in their own devices. Life is a game to them, and each fool has their own rules and outcomes as to what determines a winner. Fools cause greater harm than do the simple. Generally speaking, they are not malicious – the harm they cause is a by-product of their own self-serving ways.
The mockers are the power-mongers. They are not satisfied to gain from life merely by means of their own devices and self-rule. They seek to extend their rule to include others, and to impose the rules of their game upon others. They mock God by becoming a god. They mock the purposes of God for man by imposing their purposes for man upon men. Mockers bear malice in their hearts toward any who would seek to infringe upon their self-made fiefdoms or to unseat them all together. The mockers in the world inflict the greatest damage upon mankind. They become wife-beaters and child-abusers. They become corporate powers who step on the ‘little people’ in order to advance their personal goals in life. They become political manipulators who work the systems to increase their power base. They become dictators who oppress entire nations. They become terrorists who will not tolerate anyone who stands in the way of their goals. If you carefully read the book of Proverbs, it mirrors the teaching of the Bible in that the mockers are to be sought out and brought to justice by the proper governing authorities (the Bible does not support vigilantism). When the mockers are properly struck, the simple ( e.g. Proverbs 19:25, "Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence.") – and even the foolish – take note and learn that it is unwise to ‘graduate’ to become a mocker.
Of the four types of people on earth, only one brings good rather than harm to the innocent, and that is the wise. No wonder the Teacher would have us pursue wisdom – it glorifies the Father.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
November 30
Nov 30 - Today from Proverbs 30 we look at verses 21-23
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes a king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
"Three things . . . four" was a poetic literary tool of the day to inform the student that the list of illustrations was not complete, but was assembled to serve as examples. As is common with Eastern philosophy, thought is conveyed by illustrations and the learned were to extract the concepts. Here we are given four illustrations. The student is challenged to look for the common denominator within the illustrations and develop the multi-dimensional concepts contained therein. The first common element found in the examples is already stated; they 'cause the earth to tremble'. Even this is an illustration. It brings to mind an earthquake - an uncontrollable situation that makes it difficult to keep your feet under you. Thus the four illustrations before us reveal a multi-dimensional concept of uncontrollable situations that make it difficult for those involved to maintain stability in life.
Wisdom is understanding life the way God meant it to be. Thus, we begin from the premise that stability in life comes by living out God’s purpose for us in life. God purposed that man was to live in a serving community, and was to worship God alone. The second common element we see in the illustrations is promotion. Social instability comes when people are promoted to places of greater honor, authority, or influence, and are not emotionally or spiritually mature enough to handle their newfound positions in accordance with God's purposes. Their self-centered shortcomings are now going to cause instability in the lives of those affected by their influence. Because they do not possess a servant-heart, it is certain that they will abuse their authority or influence in ways that will cause 'the earth to tremble' for those who live in proximity to them.
By carefully thinking through the four illustrations, how well do you think that the main character in each illustration will display a humble heart before God and set themselves to properly serving their fellow man?
The lesson for the student? If through God's providence, you should find yourself promoted to a position of greater influence or authority, remember that there is responsibility attached to that position. The first responsibility is to God - to live humbly in His presence and to consider your position as an office of His service. He is to lead. The second responsibility is to those who are affected by your position. You are responsible to see that their world is not shaken by any self-serving attitude, but rather that they find stability in your service to them.
In Luke 12:42-46, Jesus gives His own illustration of servants who have been promoted to positions of responsibility. The faithful and wise manager will give his fellow servants their food allowance at the proper time, thus assuming responsibility of the Master's goods. They will be duly rewarded. The unfaithful will become impatient and distracted and will abuse their position and use the Master's goods for their own pleasures. On that day, it won't be good for them. He ends the illustration with this concluding thought found in verse 48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." When Providence promotes us, Providence also gives us greater responsibility. Responsible to draw near to God and learn from Him, and responsible to our fellow man to serve him as God would have us serve.
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes a king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."
"Three things . . . four" was a poetic literary tool of the day to inform the student that the list of illustrations was not complete, but was assembled to serve as examples. As is common with Eastern philosophy, thought is conveyed by illustrations and the learned were to extract the concepts. Here we are given four illustrations. The student is challenged to look for the common denominator within the illustrations and develop the multi-dimensional concepts contained therein. The first common element found in the examples is already stated; they 'cause the earth to tremble'. Even this is an illustration. It brings to mind an earthquake - an uncontrollable situation that makes it difficult to keep your feet under you. Thus the four illustrations before us reveal a multi-dimensional concept of uncontrollable situations that make it difficult for those involved to maintain stability in life.
Wisdom is understanding life the way God meant it to be. Thus, we begin from the premise that stability in life comes by living out God’s purpose for us in life. God purposed that man was to live in a serving community, and was to worship God alone. The second common element we see in the illustrations is promotion. Social instability comes when people are promoted to places of greater honor, authority, or influence, and are not emotionally or spiritually mature enough to handle their newfound positions in accordance with God's purposes. Their self-centered shortcomings are now going to cause instability in the lives of those affected by their influence. Because they do not possess a servant-heart, it is certain that they will abuse their authority or influence in ways that will cause 'the earth to tremble' for those who live in proximity to them.
By carefully thinking through the four illustrations, how well do you think that the main character in each illustration will display a humble heart before God and set themselves to properly serving their fellow man?
The lesson for the student? If through God's providence, you should find yourself promoted to a position of greater influence or authority, remember that there is responsibility attached to that position. The first responsibility is to God - to live humbly in His presence and to consider your position as an office of His service. He is to lead. The second responsibility is to those who are affected by your position. You are responsible to see that their world is not shaken by any self-serving attitude, but rather that they find stability in your service to them.
In Luke 12:42-46, Jesus gives His own illustration of servants who have been promoted to positions of responsibility. The faithful and wise manager will give his fellow servants their food allowance at the proper time, thus assuming responsibility of the Master's goods. They will be duly rewarded. The unfaithful will become impatient and distracted and will abuse their position and use the Master's goods for their own pleasures. On that day, it won't be good for them. He ends the illustration with this concluding thought found in verse 48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." When Providence promotes us, Providence also gives us greater responsibility. Responsible to draw near to God and learn from Him, and responsible to our fellow man to serve him as God would have us serve.
Friday, November 28, 2008
November 29
Nov 29 – Today from Proverbs 29 we look at verse 3
"A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth."
The surface lesson of this proverb is quite clear. Every parent in pursuit of wisdom rejoices when they see their children growing to follow this same path of light. Parents of substance endow their children based on their sense of values. To see their children squander that endowment on self-serving pleasures, which only tend to consume, brings just the opposite – concern and grief.
The deeper lesson of course, is to see ourselves as the child in this proverb, and to see God as our Father (the first petition in the Lord’s model prayer). This focus gives dimension to all of life. If God is our Father, what is it that He desires of us? With what gifts and values has He endowed us? What behavior brings Him joy? What behavior brings Him concern and grief? Why should I care? All of these question – and more – deserve our sober consideration when we pray, "Our Father who art in heaven."
Jesus taught volumes about the principle involved in this proverb. One of the most pointed and popular teachings is that of the prodigal son found in Luke chapter 15:11-31. As a Middle East Rabbi, Jesus was a Metaphorical Theologian. Our Western culture is much more acclimated to the style of Conceptual Theology. The basic difference is that where Conceptual Theology begins with an idea and then uses occasional illustrations to better define the idea, Metaphorical Theology begins with an illustration and then draws out the deeper ideas from that illustration. In the West, the concept is primary and the illustration is secondary. In the East the metaphor is primary and the conceptual interpretation is secondary. Without this understanding, we will never fully appreciate the Proverbs – or Jesus’ parables. Jesus was not using illustrations as an attempt to teach simple lessons. He was a Theological Rabbi and was a Master at what He did. In the story of the prodigal, Jesus was revealing the station of every person on the face of the earth, and of the heart of a loving Father. The lost son needed to be found. He was not found when he realized his state of poverty and hopelessness and turned toward his Father’s estate to become a common servant in order to survive. That was only an awakening to the riches of the Father. He was found only when the loving Father received him back and restored full sonship out of the abundant mercy and grace of His heart. The forsaken Father did not disown the son and turn His back on him. His eye was ever on the horizon, waiting for His lost son to be found. Only the Father could find this foolish son who squandered his endowment. The Father was concerned and grieved at His son’s actions – but He never shut the door on him. It is my story. I hope it is your story. We never found God by trying to restore that which we squandered. Impossible. He found us by restoring us to His family. The parable only teaches the aspect of being found. We must study the whole of the scriptures to understand the profound truth that He was only able to restore us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. This parable exemplifies the love of a concerned and grieved Father for a lost and wayward son. The cross of Jesus tells the rest of the story.
"A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth."
The surface lesson of this proverb is quite clear. Every parent in pursuit of wisdom rejoices when they see their children growing to follow this same path of light. Parents of substance endow their children based on their sense of values. To see their children squander that endowment on self-serving pleasures, which only tend to consume, brings just the opposite – concern and grief.
The deeper lesson of course, is to see ourselves as the child in this proverb, and to see God as our Father (the first petition in the Lord’s model prayer). This focus gives dimension to all of life. If God is our Father, what is it that He desires of us? With what gifts and values has He endowed us? What behavior brings Him joy? What behavior brings Him concern and grief? Why should I care? All of these question – and more – deserve our sober consideration when we pray, "Our Father who art in heaven."
Jesus taught volumes about the principle involved in this proverb. One of the most pointed and popular teachings is that of the prodigal son found in Luke chapter 15:11-31. As a Middle East Rabbi, Jesus was a Metaphorical Theologian. Our Western culture is much more acclimated to the style of Conceptual Theology. The basic difference is that where Conceptual Theology begins with an idea and then uses occasional illustrations to better define the idea, Metaphorical Theology begins with an illustration and then draws out the deeper ideas from that illustration. In the West, the concept is primary and the illustration is secondary. In the East the metaphor is primary and the conceptual interpretation is secondary. Without this understanding, we will never fully appreciate the Proverbs – or Jesus’ parables. Jesus was not using illustrations as an attempt to teach simple lessons. He was a Theological Rabbi and was a Master at what He did. In the story of the prodigal, Jesus was revealing the station of every person on the face of the earth, and of the heart of a loving Father. The lost son needed to be found. He was not found when he realized his state of poverty and hopelessness and turned toward his Father’s estate to become a common servant in order to survive. That was only an awakening to the riches of the Father. He was found only when the loving Father received him back and restored full sonship out of the abundant mercy and grace of His heart. The forsaken Father did not disown the son and turn His back on him. His eye was ever on the horizon, waiting for His lost son to be found. Only the Father could find this foolish son who squandered his endowment. The Father was concerned and grieved at His son’s actions – but He never shut the door on him. It is my story. I hope it is your story. We never found God by trying to restore that which we squandered. Impossible. He found us by restoring us to His family. The parable only teaches the aspect of being found. We must study the whole of the scriptures to understand the profound truth that He was only able to restore us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. This parable exemplifies the love of a concerned and grieved Father for a lost and wayward son. The cross of Jesus tells the rest of the story.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
November 28
Nov 28 - Today from Proverbs 28 we look at verse 6
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverted."
I am not a Hebrew scholar, but as I look at the terms the Teacher uses in this verse, I can see a possible play on words. The term poor is derived from a term which literally means slacken or dangling. Put into the context of the verse it would portray a person who is weakened through lack. The word blameless speaks of completeness and integrity and could better be translated uprightness (KJV). Thus by using the word-picture of literal translation, the first statement brings to mind a picture of a slack rope dangling straight up and down from some sort of fixture.
The term rich is derived from a word that means accumulate. The word perverted literally means knot. Placed in the context of the verse it means distorted. Thus by using the word-picture of literal translation, the second statement brings to mind a picture of a rope which has accumulated knots and lies distorted from its original state. (It is interesting that Jesus drove out the perverted moneychangers from the temple with a whip made of knotted cords.)
This matches perfectly with the narrative of the Bible. God created man upright and useful for service to God and to his fellow man. Sin distorted God's original purposes and intent for man, and man became perverted by accumulating for himself.
This proverb speaks of values. Certainly not world values. When in the world is it ever better to be poor than to be rich? And who is it better for? As believers, we are to constantly remind ourselves: Our purpose and goal in life is not to live comfortably, but usefully. The straight up and down slack rope is much more readily useful to God and to others than is the rope lying all knotted up. There is no sin or shame in being rich, only in accumulating riches strictly for one's own comfort and enjoyment. Such a person is of little use to God and to His kingdom. One can be rich in goods without being an accumulator of goods. They can live in integrity and be ready for use when God leads. They do not 'own' their goods, they are 'God's stewards' of the goods in their possession. They seek to use their abilities and their resources to see God's justice (moral equity) prevail in a perverted world. But, there are very few of them.
If you have a concordance available, I invite you to look up the word rich, and then all of the passages in the gospels that contain the word. These are passages in which Jesus addresses the rich. I count twelve passages, and none have anything to say about the rich being blessed of God or useful to God. That was their choice, not God's.
In one of these passages Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 19:23)
The disciples were astonished. The intertestamental Jews of Jesus day had perverted the gospel to where the people believed that only the rich would enter the kingdom of heaven. "Who then can be saved?" they asked.
Jesus as much as replied, "I said it is hard, not impossible. With God all things are possible." Even to take the knots out of the rich and restore them to usefulness. Take Zacchaeus for instance. . .
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverted."
I am not a Hebrew scholar, but as I look at the terms the Teacher uses in this verse, I can see a possible play on words. The term poor is derived from a term which literally means slacken or dangling. Put into the context of the verse it would portray a person who is weakened through lack. The word blameless speaks of completeness and integrity and could better be translated uprightness (KJV). Thus by using the word-picture of literal translation, the first statement brings to mind a picture of a slack rope dangling straight up and down from some sort of fixture.
The term rich is derived from a word that means accumulate. The word perverted literally means knot. Placed in the context of the verse it means distorted. Thus by using the word-picture of literal translation, the second statement brings to mind a picture of a rope which has accumulated knots and lies distorted from its original state. (It is interesting that Jesus drove out the perverted moneychangers from the temple with a whip made of knotted cords.)
This matches perfectly with the narrative of the Bible. God created man upright and useful for service to God and to his fellow man. Sin distorted God's original purposes and intent for man, and man became perverted by accumulating for himself.
This proverb speaks of values. Certainly not world values. When in the world is it ever better to be poor than to be rich? And who is it better for? As believers, we are to constantly remind ourselves: Our purpose and goal in life is not to live comfortably, but usefully. The straight up and down slack rope is much more readily useful to God and to others than is the rope lying all knotted up. There is no sin or shame in being rich, only in accumulating riches strictly for one's own comfort and enjoyment. Such a person is of little use to God and to His kingdom. One can be rich in goods without being an accumulator of goods. They can live in integrity and be ready for use when God leads. They do not 'own' their goods, they are 'God's stewards' of the goods in their possession. They seek to use their abilities and their resources to see God's justice (moral equity) prevail in a perverted world. But, there are very few of them.
If you have a concordance available, I invite you to look up the word rich, and then all of the passages in the gospels that contain the word. These are passages in which Jesus addresses the rich. I count twelve passages, and none have anything to say about the rich being blessed of God or useful to God. That was their choice, not God's.
In one of these passages Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 19:23)
The disciples were astonished. The intertestamental Jews of Jesus day had perverted the gospel to where the people believed that only the rich would enter the kingdom of heaven. "Who then can be saved?" they asked.
Jesus as much as replied, "I said it is hard, not impossible. With God all things are possible." Even to take the knots out of the rich and restore them to usefulness. Take Zacchaeus for instance. . .
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
November 27
Nov 27 – Today from Proverbs 27 we look at verse 15
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day."
Believe it or not, we are going to draw a doctrinal position from this proverb. It relates to one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite subjects – law verses grace. The law takes on the role of the quarrelsome, or more properly, contentious (KJV) wife. The root of the Hebrew word for contentious in this verse actually means to rule by judgement. In the analogy presented, the wife is unceasingly contesting the statements and decisions of the husband. He is never good enough to ultimately satisfy her. After a sustained amount of time, it becomes maddening. Like the constant dripping of water on a rainy day, it soon becomes the overwhelming focus of the senses and emotions. The more one tries to shut it out, the more pronounced it becomes. So it is with the law. By seeking to use the law as a means to save ourselves, it becomes a contentious wife. Every decision, every action is scrutinized under her ever watchful eye. No matter how hard we try, it seems we are never good enough to satisfy her. Soon the law becomes our taskmaster, the overwhelming focus of our senses and emotions. We seem to no longer be able to sense the other things all around us that God made for our enjoyment – just the constant contending of the law. Drip – drip – drip. Our strength is no match for her. We cannot divorce the law, because divorce itself is breaking the law. How then can we be freed from her?
Paul uses this very analogy in Romans chapter seven to answer this question. The solution; one of the two in the marriage must die. The law cannot die, for it is righteous and eternal. The only other alternative is you (and I). Paul gives the illustration that by law, a married woman is bound to her husband for life. Only through the death of her husband is she free to marry another. Then he reveals the wonderful spiritual truth of the analogy, "You also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death." (Romans 7:4&5) Paul is saying that the fault was never in the law, it was in our sinful nature. We remained in bondage to the law because we could never satisfy the law (drip – drip – drip). Only by putting the old nature to death could we be freed from bondage to the law. Paul goes on to say, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit (grace), and not in the old way of the written code (law)." (verse 6, parenthesis mine). In Christ we died to the law – having no way to satisfy its demands. He satisfied them for us. Now, instead of being bound by law, we are free in His grace. The fruit of the Spirit is not a set of new laws to be kept, it is the result of an abiding relationship with Christ. The deathly fruit of the law is the result of the weakness of our flesh (old nature). The ability to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is the result of dying to self and appropriating His power at work in us through Jesus Christ our Lord. By His grace, we are freed from the ‘constant dripping’, and free to enjoy Him forever. The law is satisfied.
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day."
Believe it or not, we are going to draw a doctrinal position from this proverb. It relates to one of the Apostle Paul’s favorite subjects – law verses grace. The law takes on the role of the quarrelsome, or more properly, contentious (KJV) wife. The root of the Hebrew word for contentious in this verse actually means to rule by judgement. In the analogy presented, the wife is unceasingly contesting the statements and decisions of the husband. He is never good enough to ultimately satisfy her. After a sustained amount of time, it becomes maddening. Like the constant dripping of water on a rainy day, it soon becomes the overwhelming focus of the senses and emotions. The more one tries to shut it out, the more pronounced it becomes. So it is with the law. By seeking to use the law as a means to save ourselves, it becomes a contentious wife. Every decision, every action is scrutinized under her ever watchful eye. No matter how hard we try, it seems we are never good enough to satisfy her. Soon the law becomes our taskmaster, the overwhelming focus of our senses and emotions. We seem to no longer be able to sense the other things all around us that God made for our enjoyment – just the constant contending of the law. Drip – drip – drip. Our strength is no match for her. We cannot divorce the law, because divorce itself is breaking the law. How then can we be freed from her?
Paul uses this very analogy in Romans chapter seven to answer this question. The solution; one of the two in the marriage must die. The law cannot die, for it is righteous and eternal. The only other alternative is you (and I). Paul gives the illustration that by law, a married woman is bound to her husband for life. Only through the death of her husband is she free to marry another. Then he reveals the wonderful spiritual truth of the analogy, "You also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death." (Romans 7:4&5) Paul is saying that the fault was never in the law, it was in our sinful nature. We remained in bondage to the law because we could never satisfy the law (drip – drip – drip). Only by putting the old nature to death could we be freed from bondage to the law. Paul goes on to say, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit (grace), and not in the old way of the written code (law)." (verse 6, parenthesis mine). In Christ we died to the law – having no way to satisfy its demands. He satisfied them for us. Now, instead of being bound by law, we are free in His grace. The fruit of the Spirit is not a set of new laws to be kept, it is the result of an abiding relationship with Christ. The deathly fruit of the law is the result of the weakness of our flesh (old nature). The ability to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is the result of dying to self and appropriating His power at work in us through Jesus Christ our Lord. By His grace, we are freed from the ‘constant dripping’, and free to enjoy Him forever. The law is satisfied.
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