B is for Blameless and B is for Beer

There a lot of good and bad B words in Proverbs but BLAMELESS represents a high ideal for all of us, and BEER, well BEER does have its detractors.

One is either BLAMELESS or what?  Blameful?  Blameish?  Blamable maybe.  How about guilty?
Yes, I think we are either BLAMELESS or guilty.  You may notice that the passage today is a continuation of yesterday's section about ADULTERY, but after describing the terrible things that happen to its participants, these lines are a breath of relief for those who refrain.  The "upright" will not become refugees, and the BLAMELESS get to keep their place!

20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous. 

For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it; 
Proverbs 2:20,21

"Oh Lord, I know I am guilty of offending you, but having been forgiven in Jesus' name, I know you now see me, as BLAMELESS!"

BEER certainly has many different effects on people, but one of them is to cause much brawling.  How many bar fights would break out if there was no beer in the bar?  Well I suppose there might be some if the tap ran out early, but the cause there too could be traced back to beer.

There are happy drunks and funny drunks and sweet drunks and sleepy drunks, among the rowdy fighting drunks, but the one thing they all have in common is that they are not being themselves.  They have rejected themselves and allowed another "spirit", as it were, to lead them where they would not otherwise go.  And as the Proverb says, that place is generally "astray".

Notice that being led astray is not quite the same as being ambushed and kidnapped!  It is far more subtle, and takes much more discretion and sensitivity to be avoided.

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1

"Again Father, we need your WISDOM so as to be led straight, and not astray."




By the way...MILLERWRITES copy is COPYRIGHTED. Why cut and paste when you can simply copy the link?

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting May 2nd on Proverbs 2:7,8

"Thirty days hath September, 

April, June and November

All the rest have 31

Except February which has 28

Except during leap year when it has 29"

NO I DID NOT WRITE THIS "POEM"!  (Talk about free verse!)

Why didn't somebody just point out that the four months that do NOT have 31 days (except February, and everyone knows all about February The Exceptional) come every other month except that there is no 30 day month between July and August?  The silly poem mixes up the order just to hide the fact that the real 30 day months come in two orderly pairs: April/June and September/November.  Can somebody please write a non-silly poem for us that will make this clear, and stick in our minds, but without gooping them up with exceptions (and please just leave February out of it!)?

And to make matters (far) worse, MILLERWRITES has decided to make a Proverbs Pull-A-Part Plan that decimates that fine collection of wisdom in the book of Proverbs, by spreading commentary on each chapter out over 7 months (the good 31 day months)!  Oh don't ask me to explain my system.  You can try to decipher what I said about it at the top of any P31P posts from January or March if you like, or just follow along this month and figure it out.  All Bible passages are from the NIV, and are copied here from Biblegateway.com

So today I will offer my amateur comments on verses 7-8.  Today's inspired verses are in red, and my comments....are not (either red, or inspired).




REMEMBER: My comments may be oh so mesmerizing, but you will get more benefit today just from reading the chapter itself!

PROVERBS 2

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding —
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 

7) Can uprightness and blamelessness be discerned through the witness of success or failure?  This verse would suggest as much.  But then it says that "He holds success...", which may imply that the true success of a person's life may come after a time.  In fact, it may only appear in a certain indiscernible, or even invisible form that only an all knowing God (and the smiling soul deep inside a person) can recognize.  Anyway, choosing to be anything but upright and blameless is an obvious mistake.  We must follow God's ways, or hurt.

8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

8) More wonderful promises along the same lines for the upright among us.
Phrases like "Guarding the course", and "protecting the way" sure make it sound like we have an active, personal, and involved God.  What a comfort!

I might be quick to add that his guarding and protecting doesn't necessarily result in an absolutely care free life!  (I always have had a firm grasp of the obvious!)  But God does make sure that we are given a way out of temptation, for example, and that we are never tried beyond what we can bear, while His spirit is given free reign within.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.


12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.


16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.


20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.




By the way...MILLERWRITES copy is COPYRIGHTED. Why cut and paste when you can simply copy the link?

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 28th on Proverbs 28:5-8

                    March 28th?     Read Proverbs 28!

[Please note: The first two paragraphs below are repeated each day for new readers. My amateur comments are offered below each of today's verses from Proverbs.]

Have you ever noticed that, as most months have 31 days, so the Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters? Fascinating right? Well, it is at least interesting, and coincidentally beneficial to those who would like to read a portion of thought provoking scripture every day of the month. You might like to read the calendar coordinated chapter from Proverbs every day this month (I've included the whole chapter below!) and then see if my comments on a few of those verses line up with your own observations. My plan is to go through the year, writing my response to about one seventh of each chapter's verses every day, during each of the 7 months that have 31 days.  Clear as mud? That's what I thought.

I hope you check in, and leave a comment. Especially if I say something really off base and need to be corrected, because, as we will learn this month on the 27th, Proverbs 27:5 says

                                "Better is open rebuke than hidden love." 

                                          Today's inspired verses, 5-8, are highlighted in red

                                                (and my questionable comments are in blue).

Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.


5) Interesting that they do not even 'understand' what is right, although, if this makes any sense, I think they understand that what they do IS evil.  It all starts with what one does or does not SEEK.  Other than the Lord, most people seek themselves.  Not in a navel-centered ethereal quest kind of way, but in a purely self-centered, self-ish, self-aggrandizing, self-deluding disastrous form.


The second half of this proverb is very striking!  It does not read like your basic proverbial rule of thumb.  This is an assertive statement making a bold claim with no quivery qualifiers included.  And the promise!
Simply seek the LORD, and your understanding of what is right WILL be fully vested.
6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.


6) Notice that this does say all the poor are blameless, and all the rich are perverse; but that it is better to be a blameless poor person than a perverse rich guy

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.


7) 'Companion of gluttons' seems to be a general enough phrase to include all kinds of fools, any one of which would be full of father disgracing members.
8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.


8) This too seems like quite the promise.  "Hang in there poor, I (God) will make sure that whatever you do have will not long be kept from you.


9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge in the grave;
let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good—
yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

24 Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.

25 The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 20th on Proverbs 20:6-10

                                                 March 20th?     Read Proverbs 20!

[Please note: The first two paragraphs below are repeated each day for new readers. My amateur comments are offered below each of today's verses from Proverbs.]

Have you ever noticed that, as most months have 31 days,so  the Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters? Fascinating right? Well, it is at least interesting, and coincidentally beneficial to those who would like to read a portion of thought provoking scripture every day of the month. You might like to read the calendar coordinated chapter from Proverbs every day this month (I've included the whole chapter below!) and then see if my comments on a few of those verses line up with your own observations. My plan is to go through the year, writing my response to about one seventh of each chapter's verses every day, during each of the 7 months that have 31 days.  Clear as mud? That's what I thought.

I hope you check in, and leave a comment. Especially if I say something really off base and need to be corrected, because, as we will learn this month on the 27th, Proverbs 27:5 says

                                "Better is open rebuke than hidden love." 

                                  Today's inspired verses, 6-10, are highlighted in red

                                          (and my questionable comments are in blue).

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.

3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.

4 Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.

6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?


6) "Sure it's hard Solly, but somewhere in your collection of 700 brides, there must be ONE!"  Ok, so Solomon probably has a point.  So many people prove to be unfaithful when the tough challenges arrive.  I'll admit that I came close to giving up a couple of times, but thank God, He gave me strength!  "Help me now Lord, to stay close to you, and to finish well."

7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.


7) Often when I hear of some incredibly stupid thing someone does; stupid enough to be mentioned on the news, I think about what their poor kids will have to endure.  They will forever be the son or daughter of that guy who ____________!  In carpentry we say "Measure twice, cut once."  How about in life we say "Think twice; cut it out!"   (OK, I'll leave proverb writing to Solomon.)

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.


8) There is something about having the power to examine freely.  A king can simply force a subject to answer all the questions he has.  Without the procedures and guidelines we have in place to protect a defendant, a wise king, without torture, can get to the truth of a matter.


But then again, perhaps the proverb is more about "the look"!  My wife could wield it well enough, but now my daughter has one too!  Yipes!  

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?


9) Um, that would be Jesus.

10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the LORD detests them both.


10) All forms of dishonesty, all aberrations from the truth, all differences with THE TRUTH (Jesus Christ) will be held accountable in the court of God.

11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the LORD has made them both.

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.

20 If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.

23 The LORD detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.

24 A person’s steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand their own way?

25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 The human spirit is[a] the lamp of the LORD
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.

30 Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting January 19th on Proverbs 19:1-5

January 19;  Proverbs 19  Verses 1-5

[Please note: The first two paragraphs below are repeated each day for new readers.  My amateur comments are offered below the verses from Proverbs.]

Christians looking for a simple way to review the Bible regularly, have long been convenienced by the fact that the book of Proverbs has 31 chapters, the same number as most of our months.  Each chapter includes multiple bite-sized verses (uhm, proverbs) and can be read through simply in one sitting, one appropriately numbered chapter per day through the month.  A person might read through the Proverbs a chapter a day during any month, but why mess with your head (reading an extra chapter on one, two, or three days!) like that when there are 7 months every year perfectly suited for the endeavor?

My idea here is to reprint about 1/7 of the verses from each day's chapter throughout this year, every time a 31 day month pops up, and then offer a few comments from The Barking Owl.  So in January, we will get through the first few verses of every chapter and then in March, the next group, and so on, until December comes around and we can finally get to the last set of verses in each chapter and complete the book's reading.  If you are smarter than I am (is there any doubt?), you will read the whole chapter every day, every 31 day month, and then you will have read the whole book 7 times this year!  By then you are guaranteed to at least be wiser than The Barking Owl , though no one will ever match the wisdom of Solomon!

[All Bible passages are from the NIV, and are copied from www.Biblegateway.com]

Proverbs 19

¹ Better the poor whose walk is blameless
   than a fool whose lips are perverse.

 ² Desire without knowledge is not good—
   how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

 ³ A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
   yet their heart rages against the LORD.

 ⁴ Wealth attracts many friends,
   but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

 ⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,
   and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

1) What kind of person would choose to be perverse, instead of choosing to be blameless?  I think the sad answer is that it would simply require that the person be a human person.  Romans 3:23 tells us  

" for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

It is going against the stream to be the one who would rather be poor and blameless, than perverse.  And the 'stream' is more than the culture at large.  We each are born with a stream of original sin.  A bend of pride, or a leaning of self-authority, that moves us away from submission to our Creator, and toward the falls of rebellion.  But the small voice of God speaks gently to our spirits, and we either choose to listen, and swim upstream, or quench the voice and go with the flow.

2) Sometimes it has taken years before I learned that a certain attitude, or interest, or taste was not good for me.  A simple dose of new knowledge makes a big difference in what I might then desire.  Solomon likens this truth to our desire to get someplace fast.  I know that once in a while I think I know the way somewhere so I don't stop to check a map before I go.  Then, when I'm muddling back and forth on some mysterious country roads, I realize that my haste has produced waste.  (Hey, I like that: haste produces waste!  Think it will catch on?)

3) This idea that people have of blaming God when things go wrong is so common!  The conclusion is never arrived at through careful judgement, but is leaped upon in a 'rage' as Sol says.  Such easy anger is often used as a smokescreen.  If we let the dust settle after a calamity, we might see the footprints of our own involvement leading to the point of ruin.


4) A sad commentary indeed.  What kind of friendship is it that depends on "what's in it for me"?  Solomon, we are told, was the richest man ever.  I imagine he had either millions, or zero, friends.


5) The ultimate application of this verse is revealed at our day of judgement.  The lies we have told ourselves about the need for salvation, about the sum of our good deeds earning a place in heaven, about the dream that we only face annihilation at worse and automatic entry into God's home just because "I never KILLED anybody!" are endless.  We are told many lies yes, and those liars "will not go free", but believing a lie, and living by it, is the same as being the one who "pours out lies".


Simply accept Jesus' offer of forgiveness of the sin you must confess, and His covering of righteousness will make you blameless!