Proverbs 20:1-15

Proverbs 20:1-15

Sometimes conflict comes to us, but not as often as we pretend. In the midst of conflict, we like to present ourselves as innocent victims, but how often is that the case? Solomon gives us three proverbs about conflict in verses 1 to 3.

In verse 1 we see the horrible effects of drunkenness. To be a mocker is more than to insult our fellows. The mocker is mocking the things of God. The mocker or scoffer is picking a fight with the Almighty. The brawler is merely in a fight with his friends. How many times do we hear about people getting drunk and having a fight? It accomplishes nothing but is so costly. How much more is the cost of fighting with God?

Picking a fight with the king is a shortcut to misery. Not living in a monarchy, the application isn't so clear, but this may help. Have you ever seen the videos of people escalating an argument with a peace officer? It never happens that the officer responds to aggression by saying, "I give up; go on your way." Picking a fight with authority never goes well, as the song says, “When I fight authority, authority always wins.”

So why do we pick fights we can't win? On very rare occasions it is because an important principle is at stake. Generally we get into conflict because our ego has been bruised and our pride moves us to attempt to make a point. Verse 3 gives a different perspective on the conflict. Our English translations often fail to catch an important nuance of the verse. While we generally see this as advice to avoid conflict, which is true, there is also the advice to stop or interrupt the disagreement. Conflicts or disagreements are inevitable, but our ongoing continued participation is entirely our choice. We see here it is an honor to walk away. That word "honor" means “glory” or "splendor." While our pride wants to fight on, in reality it is a mark of glory to take a rest or Sabbath from the fight. This is truly an inversion of our fallen nature. But any fool can pick and keep on fighting.

“Lord, give me a mind and a heart committed to peace. " AMEN 

Proverbs 19:15-29

Proverbs 19:15-29

It is tempting to read the Proverbs as individual wise sayings, but they were collected and set down in such a way that we can notice general themes. It is as if one proverb reminds Solomon of another dealing with the same issue but from a different perspective.

One such theme is that of being a lifelong learner. Often the appetite to learn new things, which is more common in our younger years, begins to fade. We become set in our ways and are convinced we know what we need to know, and we stop learning, engaging, or exploring. For example, the second line of verse 16 warns that the one who is careless or contemptuous of his way will be ruined. We are never too old to learn the way of the Lord more fully.

Verse 18 gives the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of the Lord. It even tells us that when we are lax about the training or discipleship of our son, we are actually desiring his death. While we might not say, “I want my child to ruin their life and die," when we do not do the hard work of spiritual formation, we are saying, "I would rather my son die morally, spiritually, and physically than be inconvenienced by engagement."

Verse 20 is about the early foundation of lifelong learning. The early foundation gives a great advantage so that you avoid the trouble of “stupid early, stupid late." 

Verse 22 is a bit of an enigma. The best understanding is that the character trait we most want to see in a man is that he has a character that is kind, merciful, beautiful, etc. The word used here can express almost all of the great virtues. But these virtues are actually expressed in actions of benevolence, help in tragedy, and even correction of error. But the second part of the verse seems to be an odd contrast. The point Solomon is getting at is that it is better to be a poor man unable to offer tangible practical help but would like to than to have the means to express tangibly these virtues but be unwilling to do so even after making a promise. Many people would love the reputation of being a great-hearted, philanthropic person; they just don't want to live it out.

“Lord, help me to develop the desire to serve and the willingness to serve. AMEN."

Proverbs 19:1-14

Proverbs 19:1-14

In response to a tragic turn of events, people will sometimes say, “There's a reason for everything," implying that there was a secret council that caused this tragic turn. That may be, but there is the truth that sometimes the reason for tragedy is that people can be stupid. That is the message of verse 2. The NIV gets the concept of this verse well with "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge." This text includes the Hebrew word "Naphash," which means "soul," "vitality," or "appetite." Put another way, it is not good to have a wonderful and glorious plan without the knowledge or the cunning to see it through. We all have stories of great plans and failed follow-through. Knowing what to do and how to do it are equally critical. The absence of either will lead to sin. Here are the classical words for sin: “to miss the mark” and “to bear the blame." Verse 3 is related in that poor planning for the great plan results in ruin, literally “perverts his way." Creative sorts sometimes struggle with getting input. Their plans go off the rails, and then they blame God. Their grandiose plans become a dumpster fire, and they accuse God, “Why did this happen, God?” The answer may be, “Because you were too stupid to listen to good advice. ”.

As one reads verses 13 to 14, one might wonder if these words are autobiographical for Solomon. The word "ruin" or "destruction" in the first line of verse 13 carries the implication of an “evil that is rushed after or into." Did Solomon see the stupidity of Rehoboam before he wrecked Israel? Did the brawling or contentious wife bother Solomon like water torture? He would leave his son a palace and great wealth, just as he had received them from David. But the circumspect wife who is a gift from God may have been absent. Is there a link to this in our story? Perhaps Solomon looked back at his rash plan to marry, by which he ended up with 900 women and now has a foolhardy son, but he still doesn't have a wife that is filled with righteousness and godly counsel. 

“Lord, give me wisdom to keep close to me those who are righteous and wise and to seek from them wise counsel. AMEN."

Proverbs 18:14-24

Proverbs 18:14-24

One is apt to wonder if Solomon was a lonely man. Beyond all the regal trappings, the multitude of officials and courtiers was he emotionally isolated? Some of his sayings seem to speak wistfully of good times and experiences as if they were observed but not experienced. Then there are the sad realities that he may have had to carry.

Verse 14 reminds us of ‘the facts of four.' A man can go 40 days without food, four days without water, and 4 minutes without air but will not last four seconds without hope.

We tend to think of verse 16 from the perspective of the lesser man bringing the gift. But what about the greater man who receives the gift? Did Solomon ever want to be approached by someone who didn't come to him with a gift or a bribe and an agenda?

Verse 17 is fundamental to all matters legal. But beyond the legal system, it ought to be part of our daily discernment. As a judge, Solomon would have seen the claims and cases of a plaintiff fall apart under cross-examination. The context of verses 18-19 is interesting. The second part of the proverb is typically translated “and decides between the mighty” or “keeps strong opponents apart." The word "decide" literally means "divide." There is more than a judicial rendering, but an end of a connection. Perhaps two parties that were once friends from now on are never going to speak to each other. This gives us a fuller meaning to verse 19. The word ‘offended’ in the first line can be translated as ‘rebellion’ or 'rebel.' The picture here is not a difference of minor opinion or even a heated argument; this is a picture of warfare. The contention has advanced to the point of open warfare. The harsh words are like iron bars on a castle; they can be removed, but the building must be torn down. Verse 24 seems to be forlorn and may have been Solomon's self-reflection. How does a man of many friends come to destruction (NASB)?  Maybe because his standard for friendship was too low. His friends didn't share what mattered most to Solomon. But there is a friend, literally a lover, who is closer than a brother. Was Jonathan on Solomon's mind, or perhaps Jesus?

“Lord, never allow me to lose my commitment to having quality people in my life. AMEN”

Proverbs 18:1-13

Proverbs 18:1-13

There's a myth that seems to cross all cultural and historic lines. The myth of the lone self-sufficient hero. There is something in our fallen nature that seems to want to be or to idealize the loner. Generally, those who try to be the lone ranger sort don't do so for altruistic reasons. The first three verses of this chapter are descriptive of the motives, the nature, and the end of the self-proclaimed isolationist. In verse one he is only concerned with his own agenda and will hear no other opinion. In verse two he is so convinced that he is right that all he can do is talk about his great plans and capacity. In verse 3 he leaves a legacy of scorn, and at his passing people will not recall his great selfish accomplishments as much as the reprehensible life. The poem “Invictus” is perhaps a good example of such a hopeless life.

The next five verses, while ancient, seem to be most applicable to the age of social media. The theme of “our words” is developed between the positive in verse 4 and several examples of negative use of words in verses 5-8. In verse 4 what comes out of our mouths is, for the most part, reflective of the depth of our hearts or souls. The words of wisdom are like a fresh-flowing, refreshing, and life-giving stream that comes from an artesian spring. In verse 5 we see the typical response of the wicked is to support the wrong side. As a society, we seem to be in a hurry to share or post our opinions. Such people are fools, and verses 6-7 describe what they do to themselves. We all know that those who talk too much are foolish. Everyone admits that. However, we are all susceptible to being shaped and influenced by this sort of blather. In verse 8 we see that rumors, innuendos, and gossip have a tendency to be gobbled up. We love to hear it, and, more than we would like to admit, we are shaped by it. So in addition to what we say, we need to be careful of what we hear. 

“Help me, Lord, that all my words will be a life-giving blessing to those who hear them. AMEN."

Proverbs 17:15-28

Proverbs 17:15-28

Perhaps you have noticed that there are some people who are always in the midst of conflict. These folks enjoy the conflict for their own perverse reasons. Conflict is a part of life and maybe unavoidable. But there are some people who love a fight: such a person loves sin (verse 19). The person who loves conflict has found that in some way they can manipulate people by conflict to their advantage. What is the sin they love? Perhaps it is a financial gain; it could be the psychological power to control. In this context it is classically pride. The second half of the proverb doesn't make much sense to us because of culture. The raised door, exalted gate, or high wall, as this word is translated, is about ostentatious intimidation. For us, the picture might be the regal trappings and attire of executive privilege for a CEO. More than a few business leaders have used their executive suite environment to bully their way and will in the company. Anytime someone uses appearance to get their way, they set themselves up for destruction.

There is more than one kind of fool. The nuanced difference is presented for us in verse 21. The word "fool" appears in both halves of the proverb, but they're entirely different words. In the first half, the fool is "Keseel," and in short, it means "fat, dumb, and silly." It means a person who is lazy of mind and body and is lacking the self-discipline to expand their capacity. They are content with cynical mocking humor to respond to the challenges of life. Since people are not born this way, how does one beget or bring forth this kind of fool? This is a picture of a spoiled grown-up child. 

The fool in the second half is “Nabal.” This is not a mentally deficient person; in fact, they may have a high IQ. But when it comes to ethics, morals, and especially virtues or piety, they are without any understanding. They like any sense of righteousness or even right and wrong. It is only and always about them and their desires. Such a son leaves a hollow place in a parent's heart.

“Lord, protect me from both kinds of foolishness. “AMEN

Proverbs 17:1-14

Proverbs 17:1-14

Sometimes the depth of the Proverbs is lost on us because we may not grasp the cultural background of the original context. Such may be the case with the first proverb of this passage. In some translations, there is a footnote that reflects a literal translation, “a house full of sacrifices with (of) strife.” We live in a day of almost constant feasting. The caloric intake in our nation and the epidemic of obesity indicate we feast almost all the time. In the world of the Bible, most people had a more subsistence diet. Feasting occurred rarely, and even what they called a feast would seem meager to us. In that time, feasting was, for most people, reserved for the sacred feast, where the sacrifices were central to the meal. This gives us the context to understand this passage. We might expand or paraphrase this proverb this way: “It is better to have a small, humble religious meal with hearts that are content and peaceful than to be part of a great religious mealtime production and show while in conflict with God and others.” This has special application for our day, where we have received the idea that big churches with big productions and big personalities are inherently superior to less grandiose congregations. We must be careful of the outward trappings that are appealing but may not reflect an inner righteousness.

Verse 3 is an occasion for us to think of things a little deeper and a little more carefully. We look at the end results of the refined gold or silver and admire and appreciate their beauty. We say we want the same thing in our hearts; agreed! But have we considered the refining process from the perspective of the raw ore? Every part of the process of refining silver or gold into the finished metal would be what we call unpleasant. From pulverizing to a blast furnace to chemical treatment, every step is harsh. If the ore could speak, it would, no doubt, plead to stop the process at every step. Do we want to be genuinely pure and good and have a righteous heart? Be prepared for refining. It is painful but so worth it.

“Lord, grant that my sincere worship expresses a pure heart. “AMEN