The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting July 9th on Proverbs 9:7-9

Got 31 days in the month?  

God's got 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs! 

What a coincidence!

For each date then, again this month, you will find commentary on a few verses from the corresponding chapter. There are 7 months in the year with 31 days, so I divided each chapter into 7 parts and spread them out so that each verse will be reviewed on the date related to its chapter by the same number name.  No, I am not deliberately trying to make this explanation complicated! (But, if you can explain my system any better than I have tried to do in the past three 31-day months, there is probably a proverb proclaiming your wisdom, and you will be recognized here for your high achievement!).

Below this introduction you will find the whole chapter representing today's date, with this month's verses highlighted in red, and my amateur comments for today low lighted in blue. Enjoy!

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,
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.

7) This sad truth is what makes honest debate and real societal progress so difficult.  There are two types of people in this world.  The wicked /mocker and the not-so-much (we are all born sinners, but some choose to practice and exercise the tendency more than others).  The trouble is that the mocker will not stand correction, and the wicked respond to rebuke with assault and battery!  The "corrector" then is faced with the challenge of deciding how to proceed without joining in the "mocker's" ways.  A fair debate requires both sides to follow the same rules of engagement, but the mocker, by definition, can freely mock such standards of conduct, and thereby shut down all hope of growth.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.

8) I believe here that the proverb is not really teaching that we should not rebuke a mocker; but that we should expect only vitriol in response.  On the other hand, a great comfort is given to those who must rebuke the wise, for they will only appreciate your words of warning and respond with actual love!

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

9) This verse speaks as much about the wise only getting wiser in the same way we are taught about any other good seed a person may sow.  Just as saving money creates wealth, and laughing much creates health.  The benefits promised here are available to all.  Listening well, and having a teachable spirit have their own, built-in, rewards.

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.





[Anyone willing to author an explanation of my system, let me know, and if it makes more sense than my attempts (how could it not?) I will use it in October.]


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

The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting March 29th on Proverbs 29:5-8

                   March 29th?     Read Proverbs 29!

[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 29

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

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

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

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

5 Those who flatter their neighbors
are spreading nets for their feet.

5) So using flattery has a purpose.  And specifically, the purpose of gaining something from the flatteree and likely something the flatteree does not necessarily want to part with, but will slide over to the flatterer after enough buttering up.  Watch out for over-the-top compliments.  You probably already know the truth of what flavorable comments you deserve so be careful to dismiss the extra mushy bonus butter.

6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

6) Unexpected opposites are indicated again in this proverb.  If you were asked for the opposite of being 'snared', would you say 'shouting for joy and being glad'?  But these are signs indicative of something very basic being very appreciated: Freedom!  Which is, of course, the very opposite of snaredom.  Many times in scripture sinfulness is likened to being enslaved, and our salvation in Jesus is essentially being freed from that bondage.  As an example:

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.  (Ooops. Somebody left out the appropriate exclamation points.  Allow me.) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.

7) Solomon is not talking about our modern "social justice":  A utopian vision of equalizing the standard of living of all by using the police power of the state to redistribute wealth.  His idea here (I think) is more about the individual righteous person speaking up when the equal rights of his poor neighbor are being abused.  The wicked would be the ones taking wicked advantage, and using the system, the unjust system, for their own benefit.  

Think of "The Good Samaritan" that Jesus told us about.  The wicked were the armed robbers, and they guys who ignored the beaten man and walked on.  The righteous Samaritan cared about real time justice--food, shelter, medical treatment.  The actual articles needed in the moment by the man whose life was unjustly waylaid on the road.  See Luke 10: 25-37 
8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.

8) Who wants to be in an angry city?  Mockers, that's who.  People who can't get their way through reasoned arguments, through polite discussion or even through majority rule AND who lack humility, grace and tolerance finally turn to the mockery device as a last resort.  We call it protest around here and even embrace the very mocking title of "occupy" to "stir up a city".  No the wise turn away anger.  They already paid for all those cars and store windows and capital buildings once and are loathe to do it again.

9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.

12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever.

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 A servant pampered from youth
will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23 Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the LORD that one gets justice.

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
Footnotes:
Proverbs 29:4 Or who give

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