Goodness Without God

Proverbs 12:10:

10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

The lesson here is pretty obvious, good natured people are also good to nature. This supports a fact I've heard before that abuse against humans (homicide, sexual assault, neglect) often coincides with abuse against animals. Allowing ourselves to mistreat our animals can distort our understand of cruelty to the point where we are no longer able to show mercy. Our goodness, without God's righteousness, is not very good.

Can't Fool Everyone Everytime

Proverbs 12:8-9:

8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.

I once heard a saying that the worker who tries to look qualified, probably isn't. If you are good at something, you don't need to convince others of it. In fact, the world often recognizes and praises prudence. And even if your hard work goes unrecognized, it's better to be accomplished, than pretend to be what you're not and have nothing.

Two Kinds of Lives

Proverbs 12:5-7:

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

If there was ever a theme to Proverbs, it's that the wise/righteous are good for themselves and others. And that the unwise/wicked are bad for themselves and others. One seeks to improve the world. The other seeks to take it down with themselves. For that reason the first group is able to hold their life together.

Stark Disparity in Marriages

Proverbs 12:4:

4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

This seems to support something I heard and repeated before: marriage itself isn't a blessing or a curse. Good marriages make a person better. Bad marriages rot you from the inside. Heavy stuff about what is seen as the happiest day of someone's life. This is why premarital counseling can be so helpful, if only to discovery what kind of spouses you might be.

From Learning to Stability

Proverbs 12:1-3:

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

A clear series of consequences is laid out. We are called to love knowledge and to accept discipline when presented with it. Then we will find favor with God, something we undervalue regularly. This favor and support will help us stay firm when storms arrive.

Eternal Importance of Family

Proverbs 11:29-31:

29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

With the holiday season upon us, for most that means more time with family. For many that means more conflict. The Bible is clear about how wise children treat and learn from our family, specifically our parents. We should be positive influences, not drains on them. We should produce life saving fruit. The benefits of which can be seen while we are alive, and even more once we are dead.

Seek Nourishing Goodness

Proverbs 11:27-28:

27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

It is no surprise that you get what you search for. God rightly delivers satisfaction to those who seek good and there is plenty of evil to be found. However, these two contrasting goals do not have similar results. If your trust in things, they will not bring happiness. Only seeking goodness will allow us to thrive as we were made to do.

Trade Not Haggle

Proverbs 11:26:

26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

In the same way work is praised and laziness is shamed, the result is that blessings are on the person who is willing to sell. Hoarding will result in community condemnation, but mutually beneficial exchange is what sustains a community. As a self-proclaimed proponent of the benefits of the free market, I'm glad to read Proverbs figured this out thousands of years before Adam Smith.

Give Until It Hurts

Proverbs 11:24-25:

24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

There are practical benefits to being kind. The same is true for being generous. I'm not convinced this is a guarantee that giving will see a one to one return. Instead, I think it is talking about the personal feeling or even social benefits of giving. Here we see a high standard for giving. We are encouraged to give until we not only can't get what we want, but what we need. If we only suffer want, we are being stingy. As tough as that sounds to uphold, we must trust in the promise of satisfaction.

Desire Inner Beauty

Proverbs 11:22-23:

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

A beautiful face on a wicked person is like dressing up a pig. What a clear explanation. Yet so much energy is exerted to clean up the outside, when it is the inside is what determines our outcome. Our desire for good, not the appearance of good, will end in goodness.

Promise for Our Children

Proverbs 11:21:

21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

Not only is our own salvation important, so are our children. This goes right along with the Biblical role of parents and generational education. There are fewer promises that are so encouraging. That God's covenant with us can extend to our children. However it also shows the long last impacts of our life. How a parents' actions can be seen in their children and their children's children.

We are All Abominations

Proverbs 11:20:

20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.

The word abomination brings us specific ideas in many Americans heads. The word is more famously used in Leviticus 20:13 to describe homosexuality, a very politically and culturally charged offense. It's important to note that without Christ we are all deceivers, we are all  unrighteous, we are all abominations when held to the perfect standard of God.

Benefits of Kindness

Proverbs 11:17-19:

17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.

The practical benefits of wisdom and righteousness have yet to be described so clearly. Goodness results in the return of goodness and visa versa. Though wickedness can have what appear to be rewards, they are nothing compared to what is offered, life.

Honor or Riches, Honor vs. Riches, or Honor and Riches

Proverbs 11:16:

16 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.

Initially this verse seems to praise both graciousness and violence. That disconnection from the rest of scripture (and common sense) caused me to take a second look. I've narrowed it down to three possible meanings: 1) violent is meant to imply aggression so that a bold man gains riches 2) it is meant to show that because graciousness is more desirable than violence, then honor must be more desirable than riches 3) finally it could simply mean that as surely as a violent man gains, a gracious woman gains.

Promising the Unknowable

Proverbs 11:15:

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

Several chapters (and months) ago we described how to rectify unwise debt decisions. Here is how it begins. Proverbs makes an important distinction between friend and stranger. Helping others is certainly encouraged, but making promises you can't keep, or in this example supporting promises others can't keep, is not encouraged.

Safety in Numbers

Proverbs 11:14:

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

If the wise are one of the main sources of wisdom, think how much more a group of the wise can offer. Direction is a necessity, and the more wise advisors the better.

Slanderous Gossip

Proverbs 11:12-13:

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Gossip about others simply reveals how little you know. Often the wisest person is the quietest, humblest, person. If you are spreading inappropriate information, even correct inappropriate information, it shows you can't be trusted. I've come to realize that anytime you gossip with someone, you are telling that person never to share anything private with you. Don't forget, communities don't quickly forget.

The Upright Raise Up

Proverbs 11:9-11:

9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

We seen before that there are positive spillovers to righteousness, now we see there are negative spillovers to the wicked. This intuitively makes sense. Hard work, honesty, self-control, empathy, etc are all important for communities to flourish. Here we see the practicality of God's law.

Wealth Without Life

Proverbs 11:4-8:

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.

Although God appreciates honest business and following him can have real tangible benefits, practically and relationally, human profits do not have long term significance. As the saying goes, you can't take it with you. Those who follow God's law (or more accurately admit they cannot), are delivered. Those who rebel, take themselves into trouble and misout on God's wealth.

Humility Prevents the Fall

Proverbs 11:2-3:

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Like so much of our modern idioms, there is a Biblical source. Faith in ourselves will fail us. A person made righteous by Christ finds their strength in humility and freely admits it. That kind of honest integrity helps the wise produce wisdom to avoid the treachery of the miserable.

Honest Business

Proverbs 11:1:

1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

The balance here is a scale for measuring. A rigged scale, one meant to swindle, is hated by God. Good business, on the other hand, is loved by God.  For someone who thinks a lot about business and virtue, I'm glad to see God delighting in honest business interactions.

The Wise Produce Wisdom

Proverbs 10:31-32:

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

We've heard that the wise desire wisdom. Here we see that the wise also produce it. They are able to determine what is right and apply it. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true.

Godly Steadiness

Proverbs 10:27-30:

27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

Religion can be seen as a refuge for the uncertain. But here we see that God is the only place where certainty can be found. His rich promises are our protective tower. Without it his followers would surely be destroyed. So perhaps the stereotype is true. Followers of God are unstable. But the hope of stability brings a uniquely Christian joy.

Bothersome Laziness

Proverbs 10:26:

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

The unique claim of Christianity is that it is not your work that gains you salvation, but that of Christ. However, that certainly doesn't free Christians from hard work. In verse we see that not only is hard work beneficial when appropriate, it helps those around us. When we don't work hard, we irritate everyone we come in contact with.

The Joke is on the Wicked

Proverbs 10:23-25:

23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

For those who don't submit to the authority of God, rebellion is amusing. Scripture is clear in its warnings, what they most fear will come true. The good news is that those who find true wisdom pleasurable with get what they most desire. No matter how large the storm, their foundation is firm. The same cannot be said for those outside the fold. Hopefully this bring both believers and non-believers closer to Him.

No Negative Side Effects

Proverbs 10:22:

22 The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

We've heard that first part before. Wealth may not be the goal of wisdom, but it is a often a side effect. One side effect you won't see is a feeling of loss. Not that followers of God don't feel loss. It's our bad choices, not God's work, that bring sorrow.

Diverging Values of Speech

Proverbs 10:18-21:

18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Not only is the expression of hatred condemned, but also hiding it. Not only do your words matter, but so do your thoughts. An abundance of speech can't cover it up, true wisdom (or prudence) can be seen in only a few words. We've all heard people do a lot of talking without saying anything of real value. Real words are as rare and as valuable as precious metal, sinful words aren't worth anyone's time. The words of the wise are remembered (the book of Proverbs is one example), but the words of the miserable exist to create more misery.

Payment for Services Rendered

Proverbs 10:16-17:

16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

This sums up several things Proverbs has already mentioned about the cause and effect of our life. The salary received by submission to God is a long life. Sin only brings more sin (the opposite is true too). How do we gain this "righteous life"? It's not by being faultless. It is submitting to the teaching of the wise. If you don't, you not only hurt yourself, you hurt those who are near you.

Fortress of Knowledge

Proverbs 10:15:

15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

If you can store up knowledge like a savings account, then you can rely on it like a strong castle. If you are poor, in finances or understanding, it is much more difficult to weather hard times.

Storing Up Useful Knowledge

Proverbs 10:13-14:

13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

You can't tell a person of wisdom and a person of folly apart by the amount they talk. Instead it is the content that shows real understanding. Even better, real wisdom brings more knowledge. Even worse, real foolishness brings real ruin.

Your Words Matter

Proverbs 10:11-12:

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

We've seen the benefits a child's submission has on their parents, but here we see the benefits spill over the entire community (no wonder they remember). The words of a Godly servant brings life, others bring abuse. Godly love (that is not self love) helps relationships, the opposite divides them.

Carefree Godliness

Proverbs 10:9-10:

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

The laws of God are a lot like the law of nature. Ignore it and bad things will come. He created the world, so following his commands helps you navigate it. Often scripture is seen as oppressive, but here we see that Godly integrity leads to a carefree lifestyle. Security in God is true security.

Community Memory

Proverbs 10:6-8:

6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

I've mentioned the practical blessings that wisdom (wealth and long life) and submission brings. There are also benefits in community respect. The life you live determines how you are remembered. The last verse hints at what a "righteous" looks like. Heading good commands.

When to Work

Proverbs 10:5:

5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

Work hard when the time is right. This isn't condemning rest or praising hard work for work's sake. It lays out when to work, during harvest. This is important when you realize what happens when you don't. The family relationship here is also not arbitrary because of how our effort impacts those closest to us.

Rewarded Diligence

Proverbs 10:4:

4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

The path to wealth is full of hard work. There are no get-rich-quick schemes. This is not so much a call for Christian capitalists as much as it is a description of the world. Though I believe it is an indictment against those able to work who don't. The Bible is full of verses calling us to help the needy. There is a clear distinction between sloth and need.

Encouraging a Good Appetite

Proverbs 10:3:

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

The wisest thing you can do is to earnestly ask for Godly wisdom. Here is the promise that the LORD (capital letters imply God's personal name, Yahweh or Jehovah) will never let a soul go hungry. On the flip side, he promises to hinder immoral desires.

Unprofitable Profit

Proverbs 10:2:

2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

As appealing as ill-gotten wealth can be, it does not satisfy. Recent economic events can attest to that. Only real righteousness brings our greatest profit.

External Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 10:1:

1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Here begins a new section of the book of Proverbs consisting of wise sayings from Solomon, a man famous for his God given wisdom. The first one here shows how our pursuit of wisdom has a direct impact not only our ourselves, but those around us. Wise children make their loved ones happy, foolish children bring them sadness. It seems obvious, but how often do we take others into account when we think about our own learning and discipline?

The Opposing Message

Proverbs 9:13-18:

13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

The first part of this chapter we've seen wisdom, personified as a women setting a feast for all who are hungry. Here we see the opposite of wisdom, folly. Like wisdom, foolishness is in the center of town, calling out for followers. Both seek the simple, which suggests the wise will not fall for folly's trap. The difference between the two calls is in their message. Wisdom offers a feast, folly suggests stealing one. And where wisdom offers life, here the opposing message only delivers death.

Righteous Admit Unrighteousness

Proverbs 9:7-12:

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Advice only helps if it is received. The scoffer (or one who ridicules others) arrogantly ignores suggestion. Sadly this response is not uncommon. Here (again), God's logic seems backward to us. The righteous man isn't the one who has it all together, it's the one who admits he doesn't. How do we find this strong humility? Understand God's greatness, or as it is put here, fearing God. The humble receive God's gifts, the proud deny their need for it. These words are helpful in our daily interactions with others, but also our daily interactions with God.

Only for the Simple

Proverbs 9:1-6:

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,
5 "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

The house is sturdy, the feast is plenty, and the call has been made. The importance of wisdom has been belabored in the Proverbs, but yet there are many who don't come. At first glance it seems they aren't invited. Wisdom's helpers only call out to the simple. Then I'm reminded of the theme throughout the Bible. God pursues the poor, the needy, the enslaved. Not because they are in the most need, but because they are the most willing. A tax collector knows his sin, a pharisee does not. Wisdom calls out to the simple because the proud won't accept.

Wisdom of Salvation

Proverbs 8:32-36:

32 "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."

Wisdom, who is speaking here, is more than just practical benefits and prudence in decision making. It is the gateway to salvation. Realization of our helplessness and acceptance of the grace offered in Christ is not only the wisest decision, it leads to Godly wisdom. All who desire it, gain it.

Joyful Creation

Proverbs 8:30-31:

30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

Remembering that the speaker here is wisdom personified, it's interesting to see it's interaction with God. Before the world there was God, and the concept of wisdom. God in his wisdom joyfully created the universe. Delighting in the natural world, and his most prized creation, man. All too often Christians focus on how the world has been a series of failures (and it has). But it's important to remember what glory and excitement it was created under (and will one day return to).

UnWordly Wisdom

Proverbs 8:22-29:

22 "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

In the midst of talking about wisdom, I'd forgotten the context. It's not a human idea, it predates us. Godly wisdom existed with God before creation. Before there were rivers, mountains, and fields. Before the sky, the ocean, and the earth, there was God's wisdom. And it has been offered to us through the Bible. I recently got the chance to watch the movie The Book of Eli, staring Denzel Washington. Though the movie itself wasn't that great, the world it created was intriguing. Post-apocalyptic world where the Bible was blamed for humanity's self-destruction. It shows a world without authority, political or Biblical. Men do as they see fit, which as you might guess, doesn't function well.

The Gospel of Real Wealth

Proverbs 8:18-21:

18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

There has already references to wisdom's practical benefits, for example a long life. Here wealth is also shown to correlate with wisdom. It may seem odd to suggest following God could lead to financial success, especially with verses asking followers of Jesus to sell all our possessions and give the money to the poor. However, it does make sense when we remember earlier in Proverbs where wisdom in loaning and paying back were offered. Let me also clearly say the two, wisdom and wealth are NOT always correlated. But the good news is that wisdom itself is a gift, one worth more than gold or silver.

Receiving Wisdom

Proverbs 8:17:

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

The first post of this blog was about my search for wisdom. This verse is comforting. If you earnestly search for it, wisdom will search for you. This is a great depiction of human/God relations. When we think we have most pursued God, it's only because he has mostly pursued us. Hopefully I'm not only searching for wisdom, I'm receiving it.

Effective Political Leaders

Proverbs 8:14-16:

14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.

Wisdom has specific characteristics. Here they are applied to those in authority. Though it does not necessarily say secular leaders must be believers, they should be measured by good advice, wisdom, insight and persistence. Though not in authority submit to the wisdom of the God of Israel, effective ones mimic it.

Wisdom's Associates

Proverbs 8:12-13:

12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Here there is a nice list of wisdom characteristics that come with wisdom: prudent, knowledgeable, use of discretion, fear (reverence for his power), and a strong dislike for all that is ungodly. There is also a list of unwise characteristics: prideful, arrogant, and dishonest speech. Seems obvious when listed, but they don't seem so clear in our actions.

Real Wisdom is Precious

Proverbs 8:7-11:

7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Biblical wisdom can be trusted. Personified as a woman here, she self describes as always correct, for those that understand. That second part is important when you consider the past and present sins of the church. Wisdom, not the presumption of wisdom, is more valuable than gold and silver.

Truth from the Rooftops

Proverbs 8:1-6:

1 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,

It is good to see wisdom and understanding shouting from the front door. I've been in and out of town for the last month and haven't gotten around to reading and reflecting. Spending time in conferences learning wisdom from the world has shown me that it's full of foolishness and wisdom. God's truth is infused in even the most secular of  good lessons. Foolishness can be found in many places too, but here we see truthfulness in the center of the town square. Prudence, or reasoned discipline, seems to be one of the highest virtues.

Wisdom Avoid Paths to Death

Proverbs 7:24-27:

24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

The closing is just like the opening, the closing of this story suggests the best way to avoid giving into temptation is to avoid the places where you are tempted. Even the strong fall victim to temptation. This is why Jesus had to die. Avoid temptation, embrace Jesus, avoid the abyss.

Sin's Sales Pitch

Proverbs 7:10-23:

10 And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him,
14 "I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home."

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.

Yesterday we saw how unwise actions can lead to immoral actions. Here is that progression. Walking leads to meeting which now leads to adultery. At first the sales pitch seems appealing, but like an farm animal to the slaughter house, this young man does not know what he is getting himself into. This will cost him his life. Whether that verse means he loses his mortal lifestyle (marriage, family, social status) or his eternal life (separation from God), the penalties are real.

Unwise Actions Lead to Immoral Actions

Proverbs 7:6-9:

6 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house
9 in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.

This is how an unwise, though not immoral, action can lead to a road of destruction. Here we see a young man walking by a street corner near the house of a well known temptress and at night no less. If you look for trouble you will find it. It is much harder, and more honorable, to avoid it.

Wisdom as a Old Friend

Proverbs 7:1-5:

1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight your intimate friend,
5to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

Once again we are reminded that wisdom helps us to live well. It also suggested that God's commandments are not something distant and unfamiliar, but are instead like a close relative or old friend. This is in stark contrast to the deception of sin which is embodied here as a smooth-talking woman.

Long-Term Consequences of Adultery

Proverbs 6:27-35:

27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

The previous verses said there are dire consequences to extra-marital sex and here they are described in detail. Even someone who steal for hunger, which is understandable, is still subject to the law. That said, the punishment for a want (compared to a need) will be even worse. Adultery hurts all parties involved. The man, the woman, and their spouses. This one time act will have lasting effects that have little hope of being redeemed. This helps to explain the special emphasis in Proverbs, and throughout the Bible, for the sin of sexual relations outside of marriage.

Wisdom and Folly Begin in the Heart

Proverbs 6:24-26:

24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.

We are commanded to bind God's teachings in our heart, because that's where we first stray from them. Temptation is never what it advertises itself to be. The price of a prostitute is small in comparison to the long term pain that comes from adultery.

The Lamp, Light, and Path

Proverbs 6:20-23:

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Here the Biblical role of parents is reiterated and so is the idea of generational education. If we take our parent's (or those we give authority to) teachings to heart, they will lead us, keep us safe, and remind us of our path in the morning. The image of the lamp perfectly describes the process. The command is the device, the actual teaching is the light, and the daily discipline is the revealed path.

Several Things God Hates

Proverbs 6:16-19:

16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

When God lists six things He hates and one that he strongly dislikes, it's important to take notice. Not only is the content important, but the presentation is also noteworthy. These passages create a poetic image of the wicked persons that Proverbs mentioned earlier.

Double Speak

Proverbs 6:12-15:

12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

This isn't the first time (here and here) there has been a warning against the deception of the wicked. We've all experienced and practiced this kind of double speak. You say one thing with your words, but another with your body language. But as we've mentioned before, these kinds of actions do not go without punishment.

Wisdom from the Ant

Proverbs 6:6-11:

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Sometimes God's social hierarchy can be astonishingly backward compared to ours. Here wisdom is gained not from scripture, not from our elders, but from a lowly ant. The intense work ethic of an ant is not because it is directed by some corporate boss or central government, but but because it is necessary for survival. A nap here and there although not sinful themselves, can lead to full fledged slothfulness. The result of which is poverty.

I wonder how the wealth and social safety net of the United States has impacted these verses. Perhaps they have softened the blow of slothful sin, much like epidural for painful child birth. I assume that's a good thing, but i'm not positive.

Rectifying Unwise Debt Decisions

Proverbs 6:1-5*:

1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—
3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.
4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.
5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

So far Proverbs has discussed where to get wisdom, the spiritual benefits, and the practical benefits. Here we see a specific situation where an unwise decision is discussed. On my other blog, mostly about my personal thoughts and ideas of the world, I've discussed how I think it isn't a good idea to loan money to friends. Instead I suggest giving the money away, without any expectation of repayment. It's good to see that I wasn't too far off. Here are told that guaranteeing another's debt is not a good idea, especially when we have been called to fulfill all out financial obligations. If we have already done so, we should not be proud, but admit our mistake to our those who were involved, without hesitation.

*Normally I used the English Standard Translation, but I felt that in these specific verses The New Living Translation was more clear.

God and Santa Claus

Proverbs 5:21-23:

21 For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.

22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

23 He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Here we are reminded that God is all seeing. Not in the way Santa Claus is, comparing you to the other children between Thanksgiving and Christmas. God holds us to the standard of perfection, anything less is beneath him. Luckily he is willing to live the life we were supposed to live, in form of Jesus. Like Santa, God's desire for our purity is for our benefit. Sinning is not freedom, it's slavery. It's not life, it's death. And of course, by following him, we get a pretty sweet gift.

Committed and Infatuated

Proverbs 5:11-20:

15 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19 lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.
20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

Continuing the theme of marital faithfulness from this chapter, the warning of infidelity is strong. Conservative Christians, myself included, can sometimes be guilty of taking the romance out of Biblical marriage. Commitment to your spouse, although included in these verses, is paralleled with the enjoyment of your spouse. Infatuation it seems, is not to avoided, just appropriately directed to our partner.

Regretting Regret

Proverbs 5:11-14:

11 and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed,
12 and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.
14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation."

Something we are all familiar with is regret. There is a gap between what we are and what we want to be. That sinking feeling in your stomach when you realize things haven't panned out as planned is one of the worst feelings. Luckily how to avoid this is described: listen and follow the words of those we trust. If there isn't anyone you can submit to their rebuke when (not if) needed, find one.

High Price of Immorality

Proverbs 5:1-6:

7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless,
10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,

Not only is it wise to be weary of being influenced by those in complete insubordination to God, but in some instances the temptation is so strong we shouldn't even be in the neighborhood. It could cost us our honor, our life, or our money.

Temptation's Letdown

Proverbs 5:1-6:

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol;
6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.

In a culture inundated by sex, the temptation of lust is all too familiar. Attractive women are used to sell everything from jeans to hamburgers, all with the promise of satisfaction. That satisfaction will not come. What seemed like a refreshing drink will in reality leave you feeling sour. And it is not only the sinful man that misunderstands what path with bring him joy. Often the tempters are wardering thoughtlessly into their own destruction.

Do Not Be Distracted

Proverbs 4:20-27:

20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Focus. In one word that's what this passage in calling for. Over and over again Proverbs has given good advice for daily living. However, there will be little long term change if we are easily distracted. We should think hard about the decisions we make, use the wisdom given to us in scripture, and stay the course set out before us.

Misery Loves Company

Proverbs 4:16-19:

16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

Rebellion against God is addictive. After being warned against the influence of the wicked, it's more clear why. Like an older brother taking joy in teasing his little sister, there are some who rest better when they make others falter. What those outside of God's exposing light don't understand, is that they are falling the most.

Hold to the Unobstructed Path

Proverbs 4:10-15:

10 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Again, wisdom is associated with long life. A parallel between the right and wrong path is made. The path of wisdom illuminates any obstructions, allowing the traveler to run. Wisdom reveals any troubles we may encounter, helping us to avoid them and excel. We aren't commanded to be weary on a dangerous path, instead we should avoid it always. Not sure how to take this advice and to humbly serve those cast out by society. After all Jesus spent most of his time with tax cheats and prostitutes. Perhaps this is an example of staying aware of who is doing the influencing.

The Wise Desire Wisdom

Proverbs 4:5-9:

5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."

Garland has been described before as wisdom from parents. Now it is described as a gift from wisdom herself. This helps to affirm the recent connection made between parents and generational wisdom. Here we are asked to trust in the value of wisdom, to cherish it and receive her benefits. The initial piece of wisdom needed is the desire to be wise.

Generational Education

Proverbs 4:1-4:

1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.

Earlier, both here and here, wisdom's source has been directly from God, the Bible. However, in everyday life scripture is rarely our source for guidance. This does not mean practical insight and Godly wisdom are divided. Here the two come together in what we call family. From father to son, teaching is passed down through the generations. We listen and we learn from wise parents for the same reason we should from God, because they have the knowledge and our best interests in mind.

Strength in Humility

Proverbs 3:33-35:

33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

God has already mentioned that the righteous will be given the "promised land". Here the two types of people are put side by side. It seems a little unnatural to clump the wicked and the scornful (or proud, as the NIV puts it). Personal pride is something not to be celebrated. It is often surprising how backwards God's value system is compared to this world's. The humble man is wise and the proud man is foolish.

Avoid Unneeded Conflict

Proverbs 3:30-32:

30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

Something I grew up believing is that a real man is ready for a fight at any time. Whether that's a physical fight or more often an intellectual battle, a man's honor is defended in conflict. That said, these verses are very convicting. They suggest that conflict is inherently bad. Surely it is required sometimes. There are plenty of examples of God promoting both real battles and intellectual debates. Seeking out strife and glorifying violence are not respected characteristics. To create contention for the sake of contention is not wise.

Wisdom in Repaying and Giving

Proverbs 3:27-29:

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,who dwells trustingly beside you.

This is the first bit of human relationship piece of wisdom given. Proverbs has already mentioned that wisdom comes from God and that this will improve our favor with both God and man. Here is a practical example of this. The rule seems obvious, yet how often is it not obeyed. These verses are clear, if you have the resources (whether financial or otherwise) you should give it to those who it is due. I wonder if it is incorrect to apply this verse to financial contracts? Before the recession it was in style to have more debt than was usually socially acceptable and now it is becoming more common to walk away from the obligations of that debt. Perhaps the call is to simply be generous with the "good" we do in the present.

Confident Assurance

Proverbs 3:21-26:

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

This assurance of care should help us in when we lose sleep and worry about the future. Our confidence is not in our own strength or in our own foresight, it's in God's good plan. He will give us the wisdom we seek, he will protect our path, he will keep us from ruin. We have nothing to fear.

Purpose Driven Earth

Proverbs 3:19-20:

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

It was not only "good", but purposeful that God created the world. Often I'm beaten down by the sin and sadness of this world. But the earth and the heavens were created with a purpose that will be met despite man's failure.

Wisdom is Itself a Treasure

Proverbs 3:13-18:

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than old.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs has mentioned before that wisdom can bring practical benefits like favor with man and a longer life. But Godly understanding is an object worthy of pursuit all its own.

Rebellious Children

Proverbs 3:11-12:

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

So often we flee from what is good for us and chase after what is not. We see this clearly in young children. Like God, we discipline a child because we care about them. We are held to the highest standard because we are held in the highest regard.

God and Money

Proverbs 3:9-10:

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

I once heard someone say that if you want to see where someone's priorities are, look at their bank account. Do they long for nice things, financial safety, or something greater? We are to give God our best, not what is left over after life's bills are paid. The larger question for me is this: does honoring the Lord with our wealth mean giving to the church, giving to the local community, giving to the internationally needy? Perhaps this is where Godly discernment comes in.

In God We Trust

Proverbs 3:5-8:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Trusting in God means not trusting in yourself. A scary thought for a nation that prides itself on personal responsibility. This makes sense when you realize that your own intelligence, your own perception of reality often fails.

Favor with God and Man

Proverbs 3:3-4

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Commitment to caring and loyalty should be remembered, but also obvious to everyone. Following the advice in the Bible will clearly please the Lord, He is the author after all. However, life as laid out in the Bible will also help one gain favor and success in the eyes of man. Of course this is not guaranteed, but most people get ahead in life with honesty, trustworthiness, hard work, loyalty, etc.

Practical Benefit of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-2

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

There is an interesting promise here. It literally says that the wisdom that comes from listening to God's instruction will extend your the length of you life. This seems logical when you think about all the problems that can arise from making bad decisions. From accidents to your health, wisdoms has it's practical benefits.

Promised Land

Proverbs 2:20-22

20 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it,
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

The promise of land here hints at the promise we all have of eternal life. However, the Old Testament doesn't fully clarify who will be there. It is not those who keep the paths of the righteous, but those who are credited with those paths. No one is upright but Jesus Christ, it is here who pleads our way into the promised land.

Adultery and Death

Proverbs 2:16-19

16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,

17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;
18 for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed;
19 none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.

Unashamedly admit I had the opportunity to see the movie It's Complicated with my wife recently. For a romantic comedy about people in their late 50's I was impressed. One of my favorite parts of the movie was how real and painful they showed divorce to be. It impacts husbands, wives, and children for life. In these verses we are warned against the temptation of adultery. The companion of our youth, our spouse, is who we have made a commitment to. Although adultery is not on my radar much, when I am confronted with it's reality, and it's finality, it's scary. Thank God for watching out for us.

Evangelize or Avoid

Proverbs 2:11-15

11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,

12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.

One of the first warnings given in Proverbs was to beware of those who are destructive and self destructive. Here we are assured that a part of wisdom is the ability to discern how to walk correctly. Verses like this are challenging when we look at the Great Commission that calls us to go out into the world. It is discretion that helps us to comfort the lost, but avoid being corrupted by those who reject the truth.

Desirable Discernment

Proverbs 2:9-10

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

After hearing a lot about the wisdom that comes with submission to God, it's nice to hear what that wisdom will look like; an understanding of what is good and what is fair. Even better, once we are given a taste of it, wisdom itself will be it will become alluring.

Stored and Protected

Proverbs 2:6-8

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

This gives a clear distinction between human knowledge and Godly wisdom. Information can be helpful, but wisdom comes from the mouth of God. In the past this has meant through his prophets (like Solomon here) and now it means from his word, the Bible. Though this wisdom cannot be seen, it can be stored up much like a tangible good. Most comfortingly, we are given an assurance that believers will be protected. It is not by our own strength that we will survive (1 Samuel 2:9).

Gift and Task

Proverbs 2:1-5

1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

This message turns personal, from a father to son. Whether it was directly written by Solomon or simply compiled by him, it's clear these words were originally meant for those learning directly from the author. We are offered wisdom, but we must listen attentively. It is both a gift and a task. Understanding, combined here as both heart and head knowledge, should be sought after for the treasure that it is. We must first be convinced of it's value before we will seek. Only then can we gain a proper fear of God, to understand God, to better understand our role in his world.

God is Good, God is Grace

Proverbs 1:32-33

32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

In my last post I left a reminder of God's judgement. However justice cannot be understood unless we also hear grace. Whoever listens and responds to the call of Jesus Christ will rest in his security.

God is Good, God is Justice

Proverbs 1:26-31

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.

God gives mercy, but he also gives justice. It is a personality trait that cannot be ignored. No matter how uncomfortable these verses make me, they exist. If they sound judgmental, it's because they are. God is the judge. The call to repentance is public, but not accepted by all. When you life ends, it will be too late to repent. We will be judged for opposition to God's council.

But stay tuned, the chapter isn't over yet, and the most important verses come next.

Offered to All, Accepted by Few

Proverbs 1:22-25

22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

There is a clear choice that must be made, simplicity or knowledge. Luckily wisdom calls out for us, and if we except will receive what she has to offer. However, our general response is to disregard the wisdom offered us. Rarely is the situation as clear as it is described here, a women preaching wisdom in the streets. Often I miss out on real knowledge, because I am seeking facts. The difference is that facts give us information, knowledge changes our actions.

From Others, To God

Proverbs 1:20-21

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

If we are to be weary of the influence of others, then conversely we should be ready to accept wisdom from God. Wisdom, personified here as a female evangelical in a town square, is ours for the taking if we pursue it. But the streets in which she speaks are noisy, so it is in our life as well. Hard to tell truth from deception. Alone, the Bible stands as the source of real understanding and guidance.

Recognize Influence

Proverbs 1:10-19

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"—
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,
16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,
18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
19 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

This warning is clear, those who seek to gain unjustly will meet retribution. We shouldn't be angry with those described in this passage, we should pity them. But we should also be cautious of them. Even a bird is smart enough to avoid a trap when it sees it, we should do the same by avoiding people who try to entice us into this lifestyle. At first glance I find this in direct contrast to the commands and actions of Jesus in his interactions with "sinners". Jesus regularly met with thieves and prostitutes, in his earthly ministry, shouldn't he have avoided them as this passage suggests? The difference is influence. Jesus was influencing them for the best, instead them influencing him for the worst. As believers we are called to love the unlovable, but also beware of their influence on us.

Biblical Role of Parents

Proverbs 1:8-9

8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Yesterday I talked about general submission to things outside yourself. As challenging as that was, today takes it a step farther. Submission to the Bible is easy, especially when personal interpretation blocks what is hard for us to hear. The message in verse 8 & 9 is all too clear, your parents are meant to rule over you. However, I'm married, so this relationship is surely different than it was when I was 16 (Genesis 2:24). Even though I realized long ago that they were hugely flawed, I should still show them the respect their God ordained position deserves. Happily, a consequence of this honor, is that it will be visible in our own life, like a "garland" or "pendant".

Submit When Asked

Proverbs 1:7

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Sometimes Biblical language does a good job revealing our societal presuppositions. America was built on the idea that no man should have to submit to an authority outside himself. This individualism has only grown more as technology has made us more self-sufficient. Yet we are instructed that without fear, there is no wisdom. Fear in this passage is not a suspicious anxiety, but instead an idea of submission to the an awesome (as in full of awe) God. As someone who rebels against social restraints, I find this personally very convicting. I still think it is healthy to question man-made rules and regulations, but we should also investigate and submit to, God-made rules and regulations. And so we read on.

In Search of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:1-6

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

In search for Godly wisdom there is no better place to start than in the book written specifically to teach wisdom. In this introduction it is clear that wisdom is something to be attained, not something we are born with or get with age. "Instruction" is needed and this book is the teacher. Immediately the application of this wisdom is clear. In dealing with the world around us, "righteousness, justice, equity" cannot be fully understood without God and that this understanding is not just head knowledge, but also "discretion" or decision making. It also makes clear who this book is for, the young and the wise. Either way, everyone can benefit from the journey we've begun with this first post.