Tuesday 31 January 2012
The wisdom of Solomon
Solomon takes the law and through the wisdom of God, re-presents it in Proverbs after distinguishing between universal laws and cultural laws. He bypasses the cultural laws, and expands on the universal laws. Through the wisdom of God, Solomon was a type of Christ. He saw the Gentiles being converted to the wisdom of God through adhering to God’s universal laws while not being required to stumble through the cultural laws. Whereas, Moses birthed a nation that would be governed by God’s written laws in every area of their life, Solomon saw an entire world that would be governed by God’s universal laws.
Proverbs 10:3
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. (Proverbs 10:3)
It appears to me that Solomon is going way beyond literal food here although it is certainly included. Covetousness is deadly. What is that we want? If the Lord is with us, we will get it. If he isn’t, we’re better off without even if we do eventually get it through much frustration, stress and even deception. It’s easy to think if we want it, God wants it for us too. However, we need to genuinely evaluate whether this desire for something is either from God or not, appropriate or not. Do we want a frustrated, difficult life or do we want to bear the yoke of Him who is easy? When a crisis comes, it is your relationship with God that will get you through it.
It appears to me that Solomon is going way beyond literal food here although it is certainly included. Covetousness is deadly. What is that we want? If the Lord is with us, we will get it. If he isn’t, we’re better off without even if we do eventually get it through much frustration, stress and even deception. It’s easy to think if we want it, God wants it for us too. However, we need to genuinely evaluate whether this desire for something is either from God or not, appropriate or not. Do we want a frustrated, difficult life or do we want to bear the yoke of Him who is easy? When a crisis comes, it is your relationship with God that will get you through it.
Monday 30 January 2012
Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 10:2)
This proverb can be related back to the tenth commandment. You shall not covet. Righteousness has to be broken down into concrete examples to actually have meaning. Here is a concrete example of righteousness. To gain something through the wrong way is to be unrighteous, and as long as we continue to have that thing, it will be a testimony against us that we are in fact, unrighteous. However, a right way of thinking and living will generally protect us from premature death, but having lots of things will never give us the wisdom needed to avoid premature death.
This proverb can be related back to the tenth commandment. You shall not covet. Righteousness has to be broken down into concrete examples to actually have meaning. Here is a concrete example of righteousness. To gain something through the wrong way is to be unrighteous, and as long as we continue to have that thing, it will be a testimony against us that we are in fact, unrighteous. However, a right way of thinking and living will generally protect us from premature death, but having lots of things will never give us the wisdom needed to avoid premature death.
Sunday 29 January 2012
Proverbs 10:1
I’d like to try to stimulate some discussion on Proverbs. I will begin with chapter 10, verse 1 because in many ways this is the first proverb. The previous nine chapters are introductory.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)
What do our father and mother think of our choices and who we are in life? This is usually a good reflection of where we are at because they usually, simply want what they think is best for us. This is unlike the many other people who have self-interested opinions as to what we should or shouldn’t do.
Also, how do we feel about our own children? Our feelings towards our children are often accurate indicators of the degree of discipline or lack of discipline that we are putting into them. We need to take full responsibility for the way our children behave. We are not to be all defeated and say to ourselves that there is nothing we can do. We are to rise up and believe that it is simply a discipline problem that we can successfully, lovingly install into them. Why settle for grief, when we can have joy?
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)
What do our father and mother think of our choices and who we are in life? This is usually a good reflection of where we are at because they usually, simply want what they think is best for us. This is unlike the many other people who have self-interested opinions as to what we should or shouldn’t do.
Also, how do we feel about our own children? Our feelings towards our children are often accurate indicators of the degree of discipline or lack of discipline that we are putting into them. We need to take full responsibility for the way our children behave. We are not to be all defeated and say to ourselves that there is nothing we can do. We are to rise up and believe that it is simply a discipline problem that we can successfully, lovingly install into them. Why settle for grief, when we can have joy?
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