The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 14th on Proverbs 14:6-10

               March 14th?     Read Proverbs 14!

[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, like most months have 31 days, 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 14

1 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.


6) Uh-oh.  I don't know if I was really a mocker per se, but when I was in high school earth science class, the teacher did one day, happen to say "Miller, if you ain't the class ass, I don't know who is!"  That was terrible!  A priest, using such language in the middle of his lecture, AND audaciously interrupting my sound effects too!  OK, so I wasn't very discerning.  There may be a good time for such shenanigans, but goofing off in class makes the knowledge come a little harder than it needs to.


7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.


7) Uh-oh.  Did I goof off so much that my friends only found me useful for things that did not require knowledge?  Now I find it much more important to share the benefits of the knowledge I have gained over the years.  I (we) must not seriously play the fool.


8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.


8) Uh-oh.  Not really, but I have a pattern going here!  I think quite often of my "ways" these days.  There are indeed good ways and bad ways; to think, to live, to laugh, to love, to earn, to spend.  God's spirit clarifies which are which, to any who are open to His moving.


The distinction given here between the "wisdom of the prudent" and the "folly of fools" is in their relative quest for truth.  Thinking about our ways seriously, with that openness to God's voice, leads us into truth.  Falling for deception, as in simply accepting the spin presented to us, is a great folly we must avoid (simply by thinking things through).


9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.


9) I know a man who shot a goose out of season.  It was a sudden impulse kind of shot, but he felt so bad for breaking the law he went and turned himself in.  Most guys would mock such a man.  It is too easy to dismiss the trivial nature of the offense, and make excuses.  To rationalize, and justify oneself.  I remember being so impressed with the character and integrity demonstrated that the story, the whole story, was never far from my mind when I was in his presence.  Would that I could honor my Lord so well by honoring the truth so well.


10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.


10) This truth rings so true in my heart.  This is one of the most basic concepts of all time...because it is only partially true!  Yes.  Your heart is only fully accessible to you.  Neither your Mom or Dad, your husband or wife, your closest lover, nor your dearest and nearest children will ever grasp what you feel, what you are going through, or where you stand.  A lonely thought?  Maybe.  But also a great comfort!  To those who have tried and tried and tried to share and connect with someone regarding the most personal issues of their nature, the comfort is in the fact that GOD longs to have that kind of intimate relationship with them.  Only He, but yes He, can fully know your heart's "own bitterness", and only He, but yes He, can truly share its joy!!  Perhaps I'll get to elaborate on this idea with another proverb's prompting some day.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.

15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16 The wise fear the LORD and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find[a] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.

26 Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and for their children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[b]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 14:22 Or show
Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 10th on Proverbs 10:5-9

March 10th?     Read Proverbs 10!

[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, like most months have 31 days, 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, Proverbs 10:5-9, are in red

                                          (and my questionable comments are in blue).

Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
but righteousness delivers from death.

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

4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.


5) Or... He who endures on those roofing jobs all summer is a good husband,
but he who watches Oprah when it's not even raining is a disgrace!


"Make hay while the sun shines" is a modern equivalent to this ancient idea, but it leaves out the hard indictment of character that Solomon includes.  If we rebuke our sons without building into them just the right amount of shame, over shameful decisions, will they grow and adapt to the truth?  If there is not even enough  pain given to empower a little righteous blushing, then why bother with correction at all?  Motivation for right decision making must ultimately come from within.


6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a]


The footnote says that this second part might be translated differently, as it was in verse 11b below (which we will read together on May 10th).  Either way, whether I get a violent punch to the mouth, or if my mouth is shut tight to conceal the gritted teeth of violence, I think I'd rather have my head crowned with blessings!  And you?


7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,[b]
but the name of the wicked will rot.


What an honor it would be to have one's name used as a blessing!  As in, "Now that you have your Doctorate in basket weaving, may your creativity and design outshine even the great MILLERWEAVES!"


8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.


It seems old Sol was up too late when he wrote chapter 10; he uses part b of this proverb in verse 10 as well!  Perhaps it was a common refrain used to finish many ideas.  We have those as well.  Tag lines we call them, but most of ours are sophomoric and not fit for real proverbial usage.  


Accepting commands with humility is something God honors.  As Christ came to serve (even washing the disciples feet), we are called to do the same.  But what "chattering fool" will even notice that a command was given?


9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.


9) If nobody else does, God always knows what's going on.  As Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites in Numbers 32:23 when warning them about not breaking the promise they made to their brother Israelites: "...you will be sinning against the LORD and you may be sure that your sin will find you out."

10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous is life,
but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
and spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
without painful toil for it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are sluggards to those who send them.

27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 9th on Proverbs 9:4

March 9th?     Read Proverbs 9!

[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, like most months have 31 days, 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, Proverbs 8:6-11, are in red

                                          and my questionable comments are in blue.

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,


4) Wow!  Yesterday I had six verses to comment on, and today's dose is only one!  I divided each chapter roughly into sevenths so I could comment on a section each day of each of the seven 31 day months. Now that I look at my system again, I think I would have kept verses 3 and 4 of chapter 9 together or maybe 4, 5 and 6 but...I am no Solomon, and even he suggested they divide a baby in an inopportune manner!  (1 Kings 3:16-28)

So here we have wisdom calling from the highest point of the city.  She is ever inviting.  Always open.  The perfect hostess, wisdom is willing and able to minister to every need freely.  There is no problem great or small that wisdom can not help ameliorate, if not eliminate.  But few of us partake!  If you needed money would you not accept an offer from a millionaire?  Why do we decline God's wisdom simply because it is offered by...God?  There is no other equivalent source for smarts available.  Whatever good ideas you might find in the world are merely the detritus; the broken off parts and castaway talus of God's perfect vision of applied truth.  Following is God's offer, and a better deal can not be had anywhere:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5
And from James 3:17, we have this additional good news regarding God's beneficent gift: the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.


There.  I wrote almost as much on one verse today, as I did on six yesterday!

5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 8th on Proverbs 8:6-11

March 8th? Read Proverbs 8!

[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, like most months have 31 days, 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, Proverbs 8:6-11, are in red

and my questionable comments are in blue.

Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Call

1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right. 


6) Claiming authority for yourself, testifying about yourself like this, seldom works.  Apparently Solomon never read Proverbs 27:2 as you did back on January 27th!  Remember that one?  "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips."  Well maybe he had some bad feedback from this verse and learned a hard lesson by the time he got around to writing chapter 27.  I get a lot more out of the Bible when I remember that the people involved in the stories and in the writing were real people just like me.  They lived and learned and triumphed and failed and laughed and cried.  The only difference is they never had pizza!


7 My mouth speaks what is true, 
for my lips detest wickedness. 


7) On the other hand (I have at least two.), Solomon's self adulating testimony would not be expected to stand alone, but his words were backed up by the observation and experience of those surrounding him.  If his claims were not true enough the rest of his word and his writings would have been quickly disparaged and dismissed.  Instead, the validity of each proverb has been tested time and again for centuries and stands secure.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.


8) It should be enough to declare your words are "just".  What higher standard could there be?  But Solomon actually belittles his claim I think, when he compares his level of truthfulness to the cultural norm: the common mode of most men everywhere (and perhaps in every time) when it comes to speech is "crooked and perverse".  We so often say things that are so stupid, and/or so offensive!  And not just in some politically incorrect way that "offends" simply by taking a counter view, but we offend Jesus Christ who said that He actually is THE TRUTH, by making blatantly false assertions that dare to contradict His just words.


9 To the discerning all of them are right; 
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.


9) Drat!  We must be "discerning" to separate truth from fiction?  I knew there was a catch!  But where do we get the discernment?  Jesus, at the last supper, gave this promise:  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:26

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold, 


10) VALUE instruction and knowledge as much as you do money!  And men are renowned for reading the instructions after we discover left over parts!  It will be too late after we are dead, or when we see our lives in shambles, to go back and fix it.

Uncut rubies at www.skorks.com

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.


11) Proverbs 3:15 repeats this same exclamatory line about wisdom and rubies (as we will see on May 8th).  Psalms 19 and 119 respectively say that God's decrees and His law are better than "much pure gold" and "thousands of pieces of silver and gold".  Yet we spend our 8-10 hours per day chasing minor amounts of crunchy green paper.  Lord, help me to get my priorities straight.






I can't wait till we get to August 8th and October 8th.  The verses we cover then (22-31) regarding wisdom's role in the creation of earth's foundations and the "fountains of the deep" which we know get broken up in Genesis 7 to start the flood, are very interesting to this geologist!  But you don't have to wait.  I hope you read the rest of today's chapter below!


12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Footnotes:
Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
Proverbs 8:22 Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work
Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 4th on Proverbs 4:5-9

March 4th? Read Proverbs 4!

[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, like most months have 31 days, 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." 

Proverbs 4:5-9


Proverbs 4
(My comments are in blue)


Get Wisdom at Any Cost 


1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
5) Emphasis by repetition.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
6) Here is another "if/then" promise.  Wisdom is good for you, and worth the struggle to attain.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
7) More of the same truth is repeated here.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
8) And more positive promises attached!
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
9) The garland referred to here is like the prize earned at the Olympic games after years of training and dedicated practice.  The only thing better might be....a "glorious crown", and that too follows from cherishing and embracing wisdom!


10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.


18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.


20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level

The Proverbs 31 Project, Commenting March 2nd on Proverbs 2:4-6

March 2nd?   Read Proverbs 2


[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, like most months have 31 days, 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 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."   

Proverbs 2:4-6


4  and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,


4)  If you don't look over the previous verses (see below) you may miss the antecedent of the impersonal pronoun "it" in verse 4.  The object of our intense looking and undistracted searching should be this vital collection of transcendent goods:  Wisdom, Understanding and Insight!  In a word; TRUTH.


5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.


5) Mathew 7 speaks to this, but a bit differently.  


⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.


Yes, God will make sure we find the whole truth if we but look for it.  But the "it" can not be found just ANY where.  The knowledge of God is not hidden in your navel, a refracting crystal or in the works of Jihad.  As silver will be found in a silver mine, and a hidden treasure only where X marks the spot, so we must look diligently and reasonably through the portals of wisdom, understanding and insight which are all revealed through the gift of His Word. 


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


6) God isn't counting on any of us to have what it takes to do anything for ourselves!  He repeatedly tells us in the Bible that He does it all for us.  Ephesians 2:8, 9 holds the classic back-handed compliment, as it were: 


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.


All we can do (and it is challenge enough to our pride) is receive.








[All Bible passages are from the NIV, and today's chapter is copied here from www.Biblegateway.com for your convenience.]

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

 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.^[a]
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.

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 1st on Proverbs 1:5-7

March 1st?  Read Proverbs 1


[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, like most months have 31 days, 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 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?

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."  

Proverbs 1:5-7


5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance--


5)  So we are back in the introductory chapter one, where Solomon is making his case for writing this collection of wisdom.  Here he is simply recommending learning and guidance.  By definition, only a fool would deny the benefits of this objective.  Life is full of dark avenues and bothersome obstacles, and it is only through wisdom and discernment that they can be avoided.


6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.


6)  What good is it to have "the wise" around at all, if nobody can understand a thing they say?  So how do we begin to get it?




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

The first launch from Cape Canaveral       www.nasa.gov

7) And here is the kicker!  Yes, it is good to listen and learn and discern and get good guidance; to understand tricky proverbs, clever parables, and even sneaky riddles.  But all of that without "the fear of the Lord" just makes for a well informed fool!  God must be at the center of every worthwhile effort.  Rocket scientists (yes, they are really out there (pardon the pun)), long before they calculate their machine's power, and friction's drag, its fuel formulas and its planned trajectory and cargo capacity, they had better put first things first.  If I might rephrase verse 7 and hang it over their laboratory door, it might read like this:  The fear of GRAVITY is the beginning of rocket science, but fools despise its nature and effects.


Only with God and His Word as our foundation, only looking to Him always, can we ever find true satisfaction and peace.






[All Bible passages are from the NIV, and today's chapter is copied here from www.Biblegateway.com for your convenience.]

Proverbs 1

Purpose and Theme

 ¹ The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

 ² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]
   knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

 ⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
   but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

   

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

 ⁸ Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction 
   and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 
⁹ They are a garland to grace your head 
   and a chain to adorn your neck.

 ¹⁰ My son, if sinful men entice you,
   do not give in to them.
¹¹ If they say, “Come along with us;
   let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
   let’s ambush some harmless soul;
¹² let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
   and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
¹³ we will get all sorts of valuable things
   and fill our houses with plunder;
¹⁴ cast lots with us;
   we will all share the loot”—
¹⁵ my son, do not go along with them,
   do not set foot on their paths;
¹⁶ for their feet rush into evil,
   they are swift to shed blood.
¹⁷ How useless to spread a net
   where every bird can see it!
¹⁸ These men lie in wait for their own blood;
   they ambush only themselves!
¹⁹ Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
   it takes away the life of those who get it.

Wisdom’s Rebuke

 ²⁰ Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, 
   she raises her voice in the public square; 
²¹ on top of the wall^[d] she cries out, 
   at the city gate she makes her speech:

 ²² “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
   How long will mockers delight in mockery
   and fools hate knowledge?
²³ Repent at my rebuke!
   Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
   I will make known to you my teachings.
²⁴ But since you refuse to listen when I call
   and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
²⁵ since you disregard all my advice
   and do not accept my rebuke,
²⁶ I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
   I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
²⁷ when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
   when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
   when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

 ²⁸ “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
   they will look for me but will not find me,
²⁹ since they hated knowledge
   and did not choose to fear the LORD.
³⁰ Since they would not accept my advice
   and spurned my rebuke,
³¹ they will eat the fruit of their ways
   and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
³² For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
   and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
³³ but whoever listens to me will live in safety
   and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

The Proverbs 31 Project; Commenting January 29th on Proverbs 29:1-4

January 29;  Proverbs 29  Verses 1-4


[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 29


1 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
   will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.


1) God "hardened Pharoah's heart" through a similar natural process.  He spoke truth to it, and it resisted; He spoke truth a bit louder, and it (Pharoah) resisted;  He corrected Pharoah again, and he stubbornly refused to listen.  Each time we deny the truth our hearts and minds become more resistant, more stiff-necked, more brittle.  And we too can be suddenly destroyed.  


There will come a point when the remedy offered now through the cross will no longer be available.  "...people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,"  Heb 9:27


2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
   when the wicked rule, the people groan.


2) Our political system is designed so that great fluctuations do not wreak havoc with our day to day lives.  Though we are often frustrated with the slow pace of governmental adjustments, we have seen in recent years that big changes pushed through in a hurry on many fronts, is much worse.  The point of this verse, and our reality demonstrates the same, is that the policies set by our leaders is vital: it will effect our very lives, and we will either rejoice or groan.


3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
   but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.


3) A father wants his children to do better than he did.  He knows his own mistakes and detours,  and, after a certain point, can only wish his sons would avoid the same.  Parents know that their children will thrive if they make good investments of their talents and their resources, rather than waste it all on the repeated short term fixes that so many vices offer.


4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
   but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.


If there is one overriding theme to Proverbs it is simply this:  There is a right way and a wrong way.  Too often we are told the lie that every way is OK.  That all of the religions of the world are equally valid, as if opposite ideas could both be true!  Does every opinion have the same inherent value?  No!  We each have the same and equal RIGHT to have whatever opinion we settle on, but then the real evaluation of each opinion begins.  A favorite color can not be debated, but an idea about which one better matches the sky certainly can be.  Which claims in a debate on economics are better supported by historical data?  While one may prefer the ideals behind capitalism or socialism, their applications both have a record that can be studied.


If you were to make the bold claim that "everybody is right", then, referring finally to verse 4 above, you would have to concede that a king may or may not impose justice, according to his own whims.  And that those who use bribery to get what they want are just as deserving and equal and justified as those who can not afford to pay the bribes, but suffer oh so sadly in the torn down streets.