Proverbs 28 & 29 - Confession of Sin is a Win-Win!

LINK: Proverbs 28 & Proverbs 29 
(Read over the next two days)

BACKGROUND

I am doing Proverbs 28 & 29 together since they have so much in common. They have several antithetical verses. As a reminder antithetical parallelism is a form of Hebrew poetry. They are verses of contrast in which the second line is introduced by “but.” Eighteen verses of contrast are in Proverbs 28, and 12 are in Proverbs 29. Rulers, kings, and other people in power are mentioned frequently. Five of the six references in Proverbs to the Law are in these two chapters. Other frequent subjects are the poor and poverty, and the wicked contrasted with the righteous.

REFLECTION on Proverbs 28:13

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

I had a group of guy friends who met every week for two years in their early twenties to confess every sin they had committed the previous week. Now that is radical accountability. Needless to say, they are all in their fifties now and are still a very close-knit group who has stayed close to the Lord too.

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, they tried to hide from God. We often try to do that too, but hiding sin does not pay off. Solomon’s own father, David, was a living example of someone who tried to hide his sin after he slept with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51). Sin sapped David of all strength (Psalm 32:3-4), and it drains us too!

Confession is a far better way to deal with sin. It is good for the entire person: body, soul, and spirit. It results in God’s mercy and forgiveness (Psalms 34:5; 51:1-12). We prosper when we are pardoned! We experience true peace! We add even more to the blessing when we confess our sins to one another (James 5:16) because they can pray for us! We can also experience love and compassion from others who can bear our burdens (Galatians 6:2, Colossians 3:13), and sharpen us toward maturity in Christ by holding us accountable (Proverbs 27:17).

Remember . . .

Confession of sin is a win-win!

APPLICATION

Confession is a very important part of any personal prayer time. I pray regularly through a series of Morning Affirmations in the book Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa. I love the “Examination” and “Identity in Christ” sections of those affirmations. God’s love and forgiveness do free us! I will close our prayer time with those sections from the book.

Also, if you have never tried it, maybe that friend we talked about in yesterday’s application would be willing to try a radical accountability experiment like my guy friends did back in their twenties. It is never too late to start!

PRAYER

Try reading this prayer from Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship (pp. 4-5) out loud as a verbal affirmation:

Examination 

Holy Spirit, search my heart and reveal to me any unconfessed sin you find in me: 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; 

Test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

And lead me in the way everlasting. 

(Psalm 139:23-24) 

Lord, I thank you for the forgiveness you promised when you said: 

Come now, let us reason together: 

Though your sins are like scarlet, 

They shall be as white as snow; 

Though they are red as crimson, 

They shall be like wool. 

(Isaiah 1:18) 

My Identity in Christ 

I rejoice, Lord Jesus, in the identity I have in You: 

I have been crucified with You and it is no longer I who live, but You who live in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in You, the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Yourself up for me. (Galatians 2:20) 

I have forgiveness from the penalty of sin because You died for me: 

But You, O God, demonstrate Your own love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 

I have freedom from the power of sin because I died with You: 

In You, O Christ, I was circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by Your circumcision, having been buried with You in baptism and raised with You through faith in the working of God, who raised You from the dead. (Colossians 2:11-12)

I have fulfillment for this day because You live in me: 

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always You, Jesus Christ, will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live in You, Jesus Christ, means everything and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21) 

By faith, I will allow You, O Christ, to manifest Your life through me: 

Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in You and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of You. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

You can download all of the Morning Affirmations in a document or audio version I created. 

Proverbs 27 - On Relating and True Friendship

LINK: Proverbs 27

BACKGROUND

This chapter is a continuation of the more than 100 proverbs of Solomon collected by Hezekiah’s men 250 years after Solomon wrote them. Sixteen out of 27 verses deal with relationships with people. It contains sage advice against boasting, not being provoked by a fool, genuinely loving and challenging our friends toward growth, attitude toward material possessions, commitment to family, being a quarrelsome wife, working well at one’s job, the true heart reflected in our words, accepting praise modestly, foolishness, and the importance of caring for one’s resources and working hard. The warning about uncertainty in Proverbs 27:1 is repeated in James 4:13-16.

This chapter contains many “Homilies in Similes” which are mini-sermons and the form of a comparison using the words like and as. This is called “emblematic parallelism.” The Hebrew word for proverb comes from a root meaning “to be like.”

Also, 27:5 is one of only 19 “better . . . than” verses in the entire book of Proverbs.

Some of the verses are “antithetical parallelism” where one line is the opposite or contrasts the other and often uses the word “but.” Most of the antithetical parallelism occurs in Proverbs 10-15, but there are a few in this and upcoming chapters.

REFLECTIONS on Friendship

I love this chapter because 16 out of 27 of the verses are about relating with people, and I love to relate with people! Often, I fall so short in this area, and Proverbs has been a constant reminder to continue to depend on God as I relate to others.

I particularly love the verses that relate to friendship:

Better is open rebuke 

Than love that is concealed 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend 

But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 

(27:5-6) 

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, 

So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. 

(27:9)

These two verses get to the heart of friendship: honesty even when it hurts and sweet counsel. Rebuke is mentioned frequently in Proverbs as a helpful kind of verbal correction (27:23, 25, 30; 3:11; 9:8 [twice]; 13:1; 15:31; 17:10; 19:25; 25:12; 27:5; 30:6). So God approves of it! Sadly, I do not think we practice it enough in our friendships. I think we feel like it is our role to always make our friends “feel better” about themselves and not interfere in their “stuff.” Sometimes God does call us to just listen and bear their burdens, but sometimes true friendship involves rebuke! Rebuke can feel like an enemy is wounding us, but they really are a genuine expression of true friendship because it shows that our friend cares about us and our growth toward Christ-likeness. It is a way that God uses friends to sharpen us:

Iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens another 

(27:17)

When iron is rubbed against another piece of iron it shapes and sharpens it. Similarly people can help each other improve by their discussions, criticisms, suggestions, and ideas. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

I am grateful that I have friends who love me enough to speak the truth into my life, even when that truth hurts because they want to see me grow and mature. I can process things with them when I am going through tough things and need prayerful, honest counsel about tough situations. Sometimes, their honesty has hurt, but I know that they love me and will pray for me so that I might grow to be more like Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION

Do you have honest and open friends who help you to become more like Jesus? If you do not, begin to pray that He will lead you to this kind of relationship.

Here are a few timeless principles from Many Aspire, Few Attain by Walt Henrichsen:

11. Accept rebuke 

“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:6).

Some people never make it because they can't take rebuke; they aren’t teachable. I don’t mind God rebuking me, but the fact of the matter is that God uses other people in his correction of me. Solomon said, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul” (Prov. 15:32). If you refuse to take instruction, you are despising and destroying yourself. Why? Because the rebuke God brings into your life is for your own good.

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Prov 9:8). Don't rebuke the foolish because not only is it a waste of time, but they will hate you for it. But if you rebuke the wise, they will love you.

Once, when a buddy and I were doing Bible study together, his application was to pray that God would send someone into his life to rebuke him at least once a week. What a challenge! How do you feel about praying this for your own life? Remember, the older you get, the harder this will be to accept. 

2023 Update: I don't think I would pray that every week, but only when I actually have done something that needs to be pointed out. I disagree with this paragraph and even removed a whole paragraph because it is very punitive and not grace-oriented. I love the author of this, but he was a product of his time.

All that said, I do believe that rebuke is a good thing when we need it! I love this book on the subject: Caring Enough to Confront by David Augsburger

PRAYER

Lord, would You please provide us with faithful friends who can sharpen us to be more like Jesus? We ask this in His name. Amen.

Proverbs 25 & 26 - Wisdom and Warnings

LINK: Proverbs 25  & Proverbs 26 
(Read over the next two days)

BACKGROUND 

The proverbs between Proverbs 25-29 were proverbs of Solomon collected by Hezekiah's men 250 years after Solomon wrote them (2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32; and Isaiah 36-39). How timeless they are!

Many verses in Proverbs 25-26 make comparisons using "like" or "as". Proverbs 25 contains 12 and Proverbs 26 contains 13. They are "Homilies (mini-sermons) in Similes." 

Many of the sayings in Proverbs 25 are particularly applicable to leaders. Proverbs 26 deals with fools, sluggards, and lips!

REFLECTION

I see a key repeated word throughout Proverbs -- heart! It is mentioned 69 times! Wisdom begins in the heart and ends with actions from the heart. 

APPLICATION 

Is your relationship with God a relationship of the heart or one of duty, going through the motions, or just going with the flow of Christian culture?  I have seen many who I knew when I was young who did not settle their issues of the heart, and in middle age, they have burned out, become bitter, and bagged their faith.  

Go in for voluntary heart surgery today!  Talk with God and get to the heart of the matter with Him. I pray you will bind your heart with His heart. 

PRAYER

Lord, draw our hearts to You and help us to guard our hearts with all diligence so that our lives will overflow for You and Your glory. Amen. 

Proverbs 23 & 24 - Thirty Sayings of the Wise and Alcoholism

LINK: Proverbs 23 & Proverbs 24
            (Read over the next two days) 

BACKGROUND

I am doing the background for two chapters today because they are part of a section from Proverbs 22:17 - 24:22 called "thirty sayings of the wise." This section is different in style from the section from 10:1-22:16 in that there are at least 20 instances in which two verses express a complete thought, rather than one (22:17-18, 20-21; 23:1-2). Seven verses have three lines rather than the normal two lines (22:29; 23:5, 29, 31; 24:14, 27, 31), and two verses each have four lines (23:7; 24:12). You will also notice "my son" occurs five times (13:15, 19, 26; 24:13, 21) whereas it occurs only once in 10:1-22:16.

Many of the sayings start with the warning "do not" (22:22, 24, 26, 28; 23:3-4, 6, 9-10, 13, 17, 20, 22-23, 31, 24:1, 15, 17, 19, 21, 28-29). Also, each of the 30 sayings in this section includes a reason for the warning or other advice.

It is thought that this section was written by other wise men and not Solomon, perhaps compiled in his lifetime or later.

In the "sayings of the wise" in Proverbs 23:1 - 24:22, there are warnings about gluttony, materialism, stealing, sluggards, the envy of sinners, wickedness, drunkenness, and conduct around stingy, foolish, drunken, or gluttonous men. They also include instruction on the discipline of children, obedience to and honoring parents, wisdom, and defense of the persecuted.

Proverbs 24:23-34 includes six "additional sayings of the wise." These discuss justice and injustice in courts, honesty, priorities, false witnessing, revenge, and laziness (24:30-34 is similar to 6:6-11).

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

Proverbs 23:29-35 in GOD'S WORD Translation says:

29 Who has trouble?
Who has misery?
Who has quarrels?
Who has a complaint?
Who has wounds for no reason?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who drink glass after glass of wine
and mix it with everything.
31 Do not look at wine
because it is red,
because it sparkles in the cup,
because it goes down smoothly.
32 Later it bites like a snake
and strikes like a poisonous snake.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mouth will say embarrassing things.
34 You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea
or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying,
35 “They strike me, but I feel no pain.
They beat me, but I’m not aware of it.
Whenever I wake up, I’m going to look for another drink.”

I read these words with such an ache in my heart. It comes at the end of a week where I have reflected somberly on my brother's untimely, alcohol-related death in July 2008. His memorial service was held on the same day the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team won Olympic Gold in Beijing. Since he once played on the US team, there was a special message from the team on the sad occasion of his memorial. My brother traveled the world, shook the hands of many foreign dignitaries (including Fidel Castro), and made it to the pinnacle of his sport, yet his life ended married to the bottle and all alone.

I have reflected upon his death because of the many reminders of alcohol's ravaging effects throughout this past week:

SUNDAY: Dennis Rodman, former NBA All-Star, was confronted by his teammates on the show, Celebrity Apprentice, about his drinking problem after drinking glass after glass of vodka cranberry throughout the challenge and behaving very badly. Apparently, it is the second time he has been confronted about it on national television.

WEDNESDAY: I read Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era about Ulysses S. Grant. He was a great general who rose to become the President of the United States but had a binge drinking problem.

THURSDAY: I read about Edgar Allen Poe in an American Literature class I facilitate with high school students. He was found in a gutter with alcohol on his breath and died four days later, utterly alone at the age of 40. Apparently, he struggled with alcohol throughout his life.

All four of these men excelled in their fields of volleyball, basketball, the military, and literature; but each of them had a problem with alcohol that marred their potential as human beings. How very tragic!

Alcohol abuse is so rampant, and few of us are left untouched by its ravaging effects. This proverb speaks the truth about its dangers.

APPLICATION

Maybe you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol. I have two family members who have been greatly helped by Alcoholics Anonymous. Go to their website to find out how to get help or how to help someone else struggling with alcoholism.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to be a light to someone who struggles with this terrible addiction. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Proverbs 22 - Are You a Slave to Your Lender?

LINK: Proverbs 22

BACKGROUND

This chapter continues with more proverbs about:

• A good reputation (22:1)
• Money: attitude and actions toward the poor (22:2, 7, 9. 16, 22). (Did you know that a generous man is literally "A good eye" while a stingy man is "an evil eye"?)
• Contrast between the prudent ("shrewd in a good sense") and naive (22:3, 27:12, 14:16)
• Fear of the LORD (22:4)
• Wickedness (22:5, 8)
• Child Training (22:6, 15)
• Mocking and strife (22:10)
• Speech (22:11, 12)
• Laziness (22:13)
• Adultery (22:14)

Enjoy the wisdom of Proverbs today!

REFLECTION on Proverbs 22:7 (written in 2008)

A rich person rules poor people, 
and a borrower is a slave to a lender.

We live in tenuous financial times. We have seen a slew of foreclosures and bankruptcies with this latest economic downturn. My state, Oregon, is ranked number 9 of all the states in foreclosures. People are losing their jobs, and they cannot make their house payments. Times are very hard. 

Regarding debt:

In 2007, the average balance for those carrying a balance rose 30.4 percent, to $7,300. Meanwhile, the median balance -- meaning half owe more and half owe less -- for those carrying a balance rose 25.0 percent, to $3,000. These increases followed slower changes over the preceding three years, when the median increased 9.1 percent and the average climbed 16.7 percent. (Source: Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, February 2009)

The average American with a credit file is responsible for $16,635 in debt, excluding mortgages, according to Experian.  (Source: U.S. News and World Report, "The End of Credit Card Consumerism," August 2008)

It used to be a Christian principle to stay out of debt (except for a mortgage), but we, as believers, have gone far from this Biblical principle. Many of us have become the lender's slaves.

(Before I go on though, let me preface my remarks by saying that medical problems can send ANYONE into a sea of unavoidable debt. I worked in hospital admitting for several years, and I saw families wiped out because of a single accident or illness. My father spent 61 days in intensive care in 1985 and racked up a $350,000 bill. My parents had insurance that covered 100% of it, but many do not have insurance through no fault of their own. I did learn a valuable lesson: always carry insurance if you can!)

What I am talking about here is buying things you cannot afford and putting them on credit. The following skit illustrates this. It is funny but sadly true of many people: 

While this skit speaks about consumer debt, we can also be enslaved to our mortgage when we buy a house that is outside of our price range. The bank often qualifies people far beyond what they can realistically afford.

When we are in debt, we are enslaved and are not living in freedom.

Thankfully, I have seen many friends come out of this kind of bondage into financial freedom. Most have used Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. He has free online software to help you track "Every Dollar." 

I cannot begin to describe how much less stressed and FREE they feel after taking this brave step.

Do you need to take a step out of bondage into freedom?

APPLICATION

If you have become a lender's slave, check out the Total Money Makeover.

If you want to teach your kids how to manage their money before you release them into the world. Go to the above link and click on the "Kids, Teens, and Money" link on the left side. I did Dave Ramsey's high school curriculum in my home with a group of middle and high school students, and it was excellent! 

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to walk wisely with our money. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

About Child Training: Proverbs 22:6

While not part of my main reflection this morning, I thought this commentary on child training might be interesting for some of you:

This is perhaps the best-known verse in Proverbs on child training. The other verses on child-rearing (13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:17) are all on discipline. The Hebrew word for train (ḥānaḵ) means to dedicate. It is used of
dedicating a house (Deut. 20:5), the temple (1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5), and an image (Dan. 3:2). The noun ḥănukkâh speaks of the dedication of an altar (Num.7:10; 2 Chron. 7:9) and of the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:27). Only in Proverbs 22:6 is the verb translated “train.” Ḥānaḵ seems to include the idea of setting aside, narrowing, or hedging in. The word is sometimes used in the sense of “start.” Child training involves “narrowing” a child’s conduct away from evil and toward godliness and starting him in the right direction. Gleason L. Archer points out that this Hebrew verb is similar to the Egyptian ḥ-n-k, which means “to give to the gods” or “to set up something for divine service.” He suggests that in verse 6 this gives “the following range of possible meanings: ‘Dedicate the child to God,’ ‘Prepare the child for his future responsibilities,’ ‘Exercise or train the child for adulthood.’” (Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. p. 252)

Proverbs 21 - What's Your Hurry?

LINK: Proverbs 21

BACKGROUND

Proverbs 21 begins and ends with references to the Lord. The king's life (and, by extension, our lives) is in His hands (21:1-2), and it is useless to fight against Him (21:30). In between, the wicked are referred to eight times (21:4, 7, 10, 12 [twice], 18, 27, 29) and described as arrogant, prideful, desiring evil, unjust, hypocritical, violent, lying, and devious. Also, diligence associated with wealth is contrasted with laziness associated with poverty (21:5, 25-26). There are also two "better . . . than" references to a quarrelsome wife who makes a home unpleasant in 21:9 and 19. It is full of wonderful verses to ponder and apply. I hope you can linger long and slowly over them today.

REFLECTION on Proverbs 21:5

The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity, 

but everyone who is [always] in a hurry ends up in poverty.

(GOD'S WORD® Translation)

Just yesterday, I wrote on a card:

God's Word for today: SLOW

I felt like He was telling me to do everything more slowly and deliberately. So, I forced myself to slow down. At the end of it, I felt rested and very connected with Him. It has carried over into today. I think I want to make this my word for life!

Today's verse and yesterday's word reminded me of a Contemplative Advent Retreat I attended in early December 2005 called "Making Room for the Beloved." In the introductory session, our leader, Esther Elizabeth, spoke of her addiction to running. She went for some time making us think she was the "shoe to pavement" kind of runner, but we quickly learned she was a "runner whose mind never stops thinking; whose body seldom stops moving . . . the kind who multitasks throughout the day . . . a rat on a wheel kind of runner." 

She then went on to discuss how running is an epidemic in our culture. This retreat was a Pre-Christmas protest against that kind of running and said NO to the craziness of the Season as we stopped and reflected upon our Beloved to make room for Him much like Mary made room in her womb for the coming of the Christ child.

During our three days, we were even encouraged to walk slowly, and this was hard! Before this, I never realized how much I hurried when I walked. 

Amid this realization, God led me to Proverbs 19:2a which is very similar to Proverbs 21:5:

It is not good for a person to be without knowledge, 

And he who hurries with his footsteps sins.

The GOD'S WORD translation says it this way: 

A person without knowledge is no good. 
A person in a hurry makes mistakes.

And I was making so many mistakes as the stress in my life got out of control. I was suffering, and my family was suffering. My life had become too hurried in the previous six months. Before that, I had a pretty balanced life, but outside pressures made me slip out of that balance. I had been pushed into impossible deadlines for a leadership curriculum I was writing. Instead of saying no to the insane pace, I caved (because my other sin of choice is people-pleasing) and worked fifteen-hour days to get it done and almost that many in implementing the leadership class. It was crazy. It was running. I was dying. It was not the SLOW and easy pace of hearing God's voice and responding to it. I was reacting to everything.

During that retreat, God revealed to me that it was sin and foolishness to live this kind of hurried life, and it was leaving me in poverty, not materially, but spiritually. So, a few months later, after my obligations were concluded, I left the hurried ministry behind, and I have not looked back! Now, I do not have the outside pressure of impossible deadlines and more work than I can handle. It is much less hurried these days.

APPLICATION

Are you always in a hurry? Most of us are trying to squeeze more out of our day by doing things just a little bit faster. Try to be more deliberate in your day today by slowing down and hearing God's "still, small voice" whisper to You as you go along with your daily tasks.

Here is also an article that I love called TYRANNY OF THE URGENT

This post could not be more perfectly timed as we prepare this Advent season to "Make Room for the Beloved" Christ Child. Let's make it one where we stop long enough to hear God's voice!

PRAYER

Lord, teach us not to hurry but to follow the example of Jesus who lived deliberately throughout all His days here on earth. It is in His name we pray. Amen.

Proverbs 20 - More Wise Sayings

LINK: Proverbs 20  

BACKGROUND 

Remember that 16:1 - 22:16 are comparisons (synonymous parallelism) or completions (synthetic parallelism) with only a few contrasts (antithetic parallelism characterized by the word but) on a variety of subjects. 

REFLECTION

Random thoughts on a few verses:

 Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome -- 

a staggering drunk is not much fun.

(Proverbs 20:1, The Message)

And tequila must make you downright scary! I was in Mexico last week, on our way back from dinner one night, we passed a woman who was so drunk she threatened others with murder! They were so scared that they made sure they locked the door when they got back to their room!  This woman was funny when she was sober. She was mean when she was drunk. So sad. :(  Thankfully the women she threatened were wise enough to not get in a quarrel with her (20:3).  For more about drunkenness, see 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:4-5. 

Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, 

I am pure from my sin"?

 (Proverbs 20:9, NASB95) 

There is nothing that separates me from the woman I am describing above and myself. That is why I can have compassion and love for her and can keep myself from feeling superior to her or prideful. We are all in the same boat when it comes to sin. Hers may be drunkenness, and mine are a host of other things!  This is never far from my mind when encountering other people (Romans 3:9-12, 23; 1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20).

A wise king winnows out the wicked [from among the good]

 and brings the threshing wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
(Proverbs 20:26, The Amplified Bible)

After careful scrutiny, a wise leader 
   makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

(Proverbs 20:26, The Message)

The Message says "leader" in place of king. That makes it more relatable since we do not have kings or queens in America.  We are all called to be leaders at some point in our lives. I have been in leadership for quite a while, but it was only in the last ten years that I have learned that I can be selective in who I lead! I can set standards (but not legalistic ones) to challenge the group; and if they do not want to have that kind of challenge (and some people are not in a place for it, and that is not a bad thing), they can find another group that is more fitting to what they are looking for. I am done trying to conform to others when God has given me a clear calling (again not being rigid or legalistic with it though). I used to be too flexible of a leader. I would bend myself like a pretzel to make everyone happy resulting in no one being happy and me being stressed out. 

A few years ago, I had a woman who did not like that I had a study where people prepared beforehand. The other women in the study had been with me for three years at that point, and that is why they were there. So, I was not going to change it so this other woman could feel better. I told her that she could find another study then, and she was shocked. She ended up staying and ended up loving the rich discussion that resulted from everyone coming prepared. 

Recently, we knew that a person we were leading was not ready to be led in the direction we were going. Instead of getting frustrated, we were proactive and loving and let the person go. They were not necessarily a "wicked" person like the ones described in Proverbs 20:26, just not ready to go where we were going. That person needed some personal care and healing, and that is what is happening for them now.  No sense in asking a person with a major injury to run a marathon, right?  It was a win-win to deal with this situation before we were too far in, and the group we are leading noticed an immediate difference without their presence. 

APPLICATION 

Journal about the proverbs that are hitting your heart today! I had fun doing that in this post. 

PRAYER

Thank You for teaching us through Proverbs. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Proverbs 16-19: Walking Wisely

LINKS: Proverbs 16, Proverbs 17. Proverbs 18,  Proverbs 19 
(read over the next four days)

BACKGROUND

Solomon wrote 3,000 verses (1 Kings 4:32). The book of Proverbs is only a small number of them.

Note that the word "LORD" (Yahweh) is used eleven times in Proverbs 16. In fact, this word is used more than 75 times in the entire book, as opposed to the word translated as "God" which appears only seven times. Yahweh is the Hebrew word for God when referring to his dealings with His chosen people whereas "God" is used more in His dealings with mankind in general. Yahweh is more intimate. The book of Proverbs was written primarily for the family of God. Proverbs 16:1-22:16 contain counsel for God's people to live godly and righteous lives in an ungodly world. Intimacy with Yahweh is the key to all righteous living.

Most of the verses in this section are either...

Comparisons in synonymous parallelism - a line strengthens, develops, reinforces, or repeats the line before it.

OR

Completions in synthetic parallelism - a line goes further than just repeating or reinforcing but by providing more information on the line before it.

As opposed to the more common lines found in other parts of Proverbs known as

Contrasts in antithetic parallelism - a line contrasts the message or the point of the line before it. (See Proverbs 10:1)

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

In these proverbs, Solomon gives us God's perspective on a variety of subjects such as our heart, home, speech, conduct, money, relationships, etc. Meditate deeply on them over the next few days and ask God to help you to walk in wisdom especially as you head into the holidays if you are reading according to the BBC schedule. We all could use more wisdom during this time of year!

PRAYER

LORD, help us to be careful how we walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of our time, because the days are evil. LORD, teach us not to be foolish, but to understand what Your will is for us (Ephesians 5:15-17). In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Proverbs 15 - Cause and Effect

LINK: Proverbs 15

BACKGROUND (written in 2008)

I was listening in on my kids' co-op class today while I was meditating on Proverbs 15. The instructor was teaching cause and effect, and I looked down at this chapter, and it was practically all about cause and effect!!! I made a list of good causes/effects versus bad causes/effects. It was interesting to look at it this way.

CAUSE...........................................................................................EFFECT

Gentle answer......................................................................Turns away wrath
but
Harsh word..............................................................................Stirs up anger


Foolish mouth.............................................................................Gushes folly
but
Wise tongue...................................................................Commends knowledge


Deceitful tongue...................................................................Crushes the spirit
but
Healing tongue...........................................................................Tree of life

Prudent...............................................................................Heeds correction

but

Fool..........................................................................Spurns father's discipline

Righteous house.......................................................................Great treasure

but

Wicked house..................................................................Income brings trouble

Wise lips...........................................................................Spreads knowledge
but
Fools heart..............................................................Does not spread knowledge

You get the idea. You see the pattern. Which pattern do you choose?

APPLICATION

Make a list for the rest of the chapter (15:8 - 33). Pray about any patterns of behavior that are not pleasing to God.

PRAYER

Lord, please make us be wise and prudent in the path we take. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Proverbs 14 - Are You FAT?

LINK: Proverbs 14

BACKGROUND

These proverbs of Solomon are in the section (Proverbs 10-22) comprised mainly of "authentic" proverbs -- proverbs where there is a contrast introduced by the word but. They are written in short couplets and give wisdom for living on a wide variety of topics.

I did a study on the word "scoffer" this morning (In fact, I got carried away.):

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,

But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 

Proverbs 14:6

Here is an excellent summary of this word:

Fools scorn and mock at sin (Prov 14:9) and judgment (Prov 19:28). The scorner (Qal participial form) himself may be described as proud and haughty (Prov 21:24), incorrigible (Prov 9:7), resistant to all reproof (Prov 9:8; 15:12), and hating any rebuke (Prov 13:1). Wisdom and knowledge easily elude him (Prov 14:6).

So despicable is the scorner that he may be labelled as odious to all men (Prov 24:9). Therefore he must be avoided (Ps 1:1) by all who would live godly lives. . . One good way to remove contention from a group is to eject the scorner, and then “strife and reproach will cease” (Prov 22:10). A prepared judgment awaits all such scorners (Prov 19:29), for their trademark of life has been “to delight” in their scorning (Prov 1:22). They shall be brought to nothing and consumed (Isa 29:20).

That the particular type of wickedness of the scorner is pride is suggested by Prov 3:34. Here the scorner is contrasted with the humble. In this verse, the LXX (This is an abbreviation for the Septuagint which is the Greek version of the Old Testament.) renders “scorner” by “proud” which is followed in the NT Jas 4:6 and I Pet 5:5. Cf. Prov 21:24. Dahood points out a parallel of this word with “evil” in the Karatepe I inscription (Psalms, I, in Anchor Bible, p. 2).

Among the various mockers and scorners are wine (Prov 20:1), the proud (Ps 119:51), the king of Samaria’s henchmen (Hos 7:5), and Job’s friends (16:20). (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, p. 479)
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Isn't it interesting that Job calls his friends scoffers?

REFLECTION

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We read quite a bit about scoffers in Proverbs. A scoffer refuses to listen to and profit from a rebuke (13:1). They may seek it, but it may be in the wrong place or once they seek it, they do not listen to it. Contrasted with this, we have a person who has understanding (discerning). This person acquires knowledge easily because he or she is teachable and open to rebuke. They seek out the wise to grow in wisdom and understanding.

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One thing I look for when discipling is a F.A.T. woman:

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Faithful

Available

Teachable

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The teachability component is what we are getting at in this scoffer verse. Many women say they want to grow, but I find some who are not really willing to be open to changing and growing in an "iron sharpening iron" sort of way (Proverbs 27:17). I am not necessarily talking about open rebuke or confrontation either! I am also talking about me being challenged the other way too (my concept of discipleship is a "walking alongside" not an "over and above" sort of approach).

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I found a gem in a dear friend I have been meeting with since 2001. She is so teachable! Very early on in our discipling relationship, she called me up and said, "You know, I called up a woman and made peace with her because of what you said." 

I replied, "Did I confront you on that? Did I say something to you about it? I do not remember saying anything." 

She said, "Oh no, I just felt convicted as you spoke about a situation you were going through, and I needed to do something about it, and I did. Thank you."

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WOW! I had no idea she was even having a problem, but "knowledge comes easily to the discerning" (Proverbs 14:6 NIV), and she was open to the Holy Spirit's prompting and acted upon that prompting to make things right with another woman.

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This friend is a FAT woman!

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Sadly though, I think most of us (me included) have a bit of the scoffer inside of us. Pride is a nasty disease!

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But don't you want to be FAT?

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I sure do! I want to be open to wisdom and not scoff at it. I want to surround myself with wise people who love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength rather than those who "play the Christian game" and are not authentic seekers of truth (Proverbs would call them "fools."). I have that in my dear friends and mentors, Ginny and Lorraine, both 80+ years young, they are a wealth of wisdom to me, and I want to be open to what they say and grow by spending time with them! (Ginny passed away in 2013 at 90 years of age and Lorraine in 2019 at 93. I miss them so much.) 

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What about you?

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APPLICATION

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Evaluate yourself on the scoffer to teachable continuum. Please talk to God about it. Surround yourself with wise people and respond to the "iron sharpening iron" effect they have on your life! Be teachable. Pray against the stronghold of pride.

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PRAYER

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Lord, make us wise and discerning. Give us godly, truth-seeking friends and mentors. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Proverbs 13 - On Wisdom and Longing

LINK: Proverbs 13

BACKGROUND

These proverbs of Solomon are in the section (Proverbs 10-22) comprised mainly of "authentic" proverbs -- proverbs where there is a contrast introduced by the word but. They are written in short couplets and give wisdom for living on a wide variety of topics.

REFLECTION (written in 2008)

I have been chewing on Proverbs 13 all week. My dear, soulmate friend, Kim, and I got together today, and I found myself drawn to praying through these verses as we prayed over a wide variety of topics.

Here are the verses that stuck out to me as I was praying:

A mocker does not listen to rebuke. (13:1) 

I really want to be open to correction. A sure sign of a fool is someone who does not admit that she needs to listen to those wiser than herself. I do not want to be that kind of fool! 

From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things. (13:2)

I want "fruitful lips" that speak positively, help others, and build them up (see also 12:14, 18)! 

He who guards his lips guards his life, 
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (13:3)

Last night in my exercise class, I didn't guard my lips, and a person shot me a dirty look. I felt pretty silly. Then, I felt convicted this morning as I meditated on this verse. Got it, God! 

The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (13:4)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (13:12) 

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul. (13: 19)

I grouped these together because they deal with longings and desires. Don't we all have them? As I prayed through them, my heart went to considering my biggest longing: developing a network of "women investors" who are making intentional investments in other women. I believe there is a gold mine of women with so much to share who just need a "gentle elbow" and a little encouragement in helping other women grow. I have had the joy of discipling women since 1980, and I have a deep longing to spread the joy!

My hope has been deferred on a few occasions, but things are looking very positive that something will be happening in January regarding this. I have been trying to carve out time to be diligent in putting together a four-week training for disciplemakers called "Discipleship Discussions." I am continuing to pray that that longing would be fulfilled very soon!

(2011 Update: The "Discipleship Discussions" went OK, but my hope was deferred in many ways, and my heart was pretty sick and disappointed. It just was not the right time.  Yet, God continued to keep it in the heart of many people at my church. Last spring, we had a group that defined core values at our elder and staff retreat, and this was a rousing topic of discussion!  I am happy to say that the women's ministry Sunday Study is going to go through Discipleship Essentials in twos and threes. That is so sweet to my soul!)

(2105 Update: I was also not the person to bring discipleship to my church. “Discipleship Discussions” was in January 2009. By August 2009, He opened wide a door that we walked through. (I say “we” because the ministry with my church did not include a partnership with my husband, and the new door He opened in August was with him. I like it so much better that way!) God has made it very clear to me that I am to establish and equip those who are intentionally reaching out to others outside the walls of the church. The "Discipleship Discussion" class was a closed door so that God could open a window more suitable for my gifts and calling.) 

One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor,  yet has great wealth. (13:7)

This verse hit me in light of a recent conversation with a financial agent who has been talking to many of the people in our town who are losing their six-figure salary jobs but have little in the way of assets because they have taken out lines of credit on their homes. He said, "They drive really nice cars, but they don't own them." I am praying this economic crisis helps us to be more fiscally wise with our resources in the future!

He who walks with the wise grows wise. (13:20)

This made me grateful for wise mentors who have given me the privilege of walking with them! I especially give thanks to my mentors, Ginny and Lorraine! (Ginny passed away in 2013 and Lorraine in 2019.)  I am also thankful for wise friends!

APPLICATION

What is your biggest longing right now?

Pray through the proverbs in this chapter that have ministered to you today. Better yet, find a friend and pray through them together!

"The opposite of ignorance in the spiritual realm is not knowledge but obedience."

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to be wise as You are all-wise. We love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.