I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 29-31.

The final three chapters of the Book of Proverbs consists of the conclusion of the proverbs of Solomon collected by King Hezekiah, the sayings of Agur (about whom we know nothing aside from these sayings, and who might not be an actual person), and the sayings of King Lemuel (about whom we also know nothing other than what is said here).

In the group of collected proverbs attributed to Solomon, there is a theme that tells us that the stability and well-being of a society and nation depends upon the people, and their government, being godly, righteous, and just.  When a society and/or its government become dominated by the wicked, justice disappears and the society will become unstable and fall.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 25-28.

Today’s passage resumes being a listing of individual proverbs.  In this case we are told that they are a collection of proverbs from Solomon which were collected by King Hezekiah.  There is one proverb which appears to me to have multiple applications.

Just because you’ve seen something,
don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

The first application of this is that we should not be in a hurry to report negative information about others that we have observed.  This addresses specifically telling the court, or the government, but really it applies to telling anyone else.  It contains the hint that perhaps what we have seen is not as it appears; that perhaps there is more information of which we are unaware which changes the meaning of what we saw.  We should apply this both to spying on our neighbors for the government and to spreading gossip about them (please note that there are other places in the Bible where we are told to testify against those we know have committed crimes).  The full wording of this seems to imply having seen something which leads us to sue our neighbor.

There are so many proverbs in here that I would like to highlight, but you can read them directly for yourself.  However, I think it worth pointing out that there are two themes which this passage addresses in multiple proverbs.  The writer warns us repeatedly about being cautious in our interactions with fools.  Interactions with fools can lead us to becoming foolish ourselves, but failing to interact with them at all may lead them, and others, to believe that foolishness is wisdom.  The writer also warns us repeatedly against being lazy.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 22-24.

Today’s passage contains the end of the section of single verse proverbs before changing over to a different format, almost as if the next section was written by a different writer.  Before I touch on the proverbs from the section ending (and some from the new section), I want to talk about an important piece of advice the new section begins with.   The writer advises us listen to the words of the wise and apply ourselves to instruction.  We should keep these sayings in our hearts and ready on our lips.  This advice applies not just to the proverbs, but to verses from the entire Bible.  We should seek to memorize many aspects of the Bible.  I was reminded of this the other night when the verse, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” was what a friend needed to hear.  It was not that they did not know it, rather my saying it was an affirmation of their belief that it applied to the situation.

I could go on and on about these proverbs, but I want to focus on just a few today.  The writer tells us that humility and fear of the Lord leads to wealth.  An important aspect of that humility comes from the knowledge that no matter what divides us, no matter what you might think makes you better (or worse) than another, all of us have one thing in common: the Lord made us.  If you think you are worth more than others, you need to remember that they were important enough to God for Him to send His Son to dies on the cross.  If you think you are worth less than others, remember, God made you for a purpose, for His purpose, and that purpose is important to Him.  Finally, when you think about that wealth, remember that God does not value things the same way humans normally do and we should strive to learn to value what God values.  The writer tells us that the generous will be blessed, and that blessing is that they have helped others.  Feeding the poor does not cause us to receive blessings, rather doing so is a blessing in and of itself

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 18-21.

As I wrote about yesterday’s passage, today’s passage also consists of individual proverbs strung together which makes it hard to write a blog entry about.  However, some of today’s proverbs continue the theme about the importance of watching what you say.  Today, the proverbs put more emphasis on not talking too much.  Whereas yesterday’s put more emphasis on being careful in what you say.  Although both contain references to both.  Really, today’s focus comes down to the fact that, no matter how carefully you try to choose your words wisely, if you say too much you will say something which you should not have said.  It also warns against hanging out with people who gossip and talk constantly.  In both cases, if you spend too much time with such people you will say something to them which when told to someone else will put you in a bad light and such people will, sooner or later, tell those things to someone else.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 9-13.

Today’s passage continues the theme that Wisdom offers itself to all who will listen.  It does not take wealth, or special privilege to learn wisdom.  Of course, the same is true of Folly.  Foolishness offers itself to any who will take it.  Folly offers guilty pleasures but hides their true cost.  We live in an age where many speak of “privilege”, but the proverb writer reminds us that it does not take privilege to be wise and those born to privilege can be just as foolish as those born at a disadvantage.  More importantly, those born at a disadvantage can reap the benefits of wisdom if they so choose.  If you choose a life of self-discipline, good judgment, and wisdom you will reap the benefits they bring, no matter how much at a disadvantage you started out in life.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 14-17.

Today’s passage contains a collection of pithy sayings which sum up wisdom.  Of course, that makes it hard to write a blog entry on it.  However, there are a couple of things which the sayings repeat in different ways.  One of those is the importance and value of choosing your words carefully.  Wisely spoken words can accomplish much to make your life better, but foolish statements will come back to haunt you.  The wise use few words, meaning that even a fool can appear wise if they limit what they say.  In fact, if a fool keeps quiet perhaps it is because they are learning wisdom.  The wise speak sparingly because in their humility they realize that they have nothing useful to say.  Closely related to that, the wise choose both their words and actions with care.  They do not rush in before they understand the situation.  Which leads us to the advice on controlling your temper.  Allowing anger to control your words and/or your actions will cause you to say or do foolish things.

Another set of thoughts contained within today’s passage to which, while related to the previous paragraph, I cannot easily transition follows.  If you look for trouble, or reasons to be unhappy, you will find them, but if you seek good and happiness you will find that instead.  Related to that, those who seek understanding and self-control will be better off and happier than those who seek wealth and power.  Which leads that trading time with those you love, and who love you, for wealth and power obtained by spending time with those you despise and who despise you is a loser’s game.  The advantages of wealth and power gained dishonestly are not worth the loss in self-respect and integrity.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Proverbs 5-8.

Today’s proverbs start out with a warning against adultery, but the entire passage contains warnings against all forms of immorality and sexual promiscuity.  Part of its warning against adultery is based on fear of a jealous husband, but there is a lot more to it than that.  Truly infidelity, adultery, immorality result from a lack of self-control and discipline.  Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they result from the failure to value self-control and discipline.

A few days ago I was at an activity where many of those there were into polyamory.  One of the people there was discussing how they wanted a relationship, but had been unable to find someone to have it with.  One of the others said that their problem was that most of the people they associated with were into polyamory.  The person said they were unsure they could handle that sort of relationship.  The others then encouraged them to give it a try and if they could not handle it give it up.  Others spoke of the relative merits of polyamory.  I regret that I could think of no way to encourage her to be patient and wait for the right person.  Today’s proverbs remind me that I failed to share God’s wisdom in that situation and I deeply regret that.