For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    If you truly fear the Lord you will live a godly life. Striving to lead a godly life causes one to avoid behaviors which shorten your life and to engage in behaviors which extend it. The wicked do the opposite. I feel like when I write these things about the proverbs that what I am writing is just restating what the writer said. Then I realize that in the past I had read these as “magical” formulas. If you did as God desired, He would magically extend your life and if you were wicked He would magically shorten your life. The proverb writer is not writing about anything magical, or even miraculous. It is just the way the world works.

    We need not fear when enemies surround us. They may trust in their wealth, but I will trust in God. No matter how wealthy someone is, they will die. Their wealth will not buy them an escape from the grave. Our only hope to escape from the grave is God. He is capable, and willing, to ransom from the grave those who please Him. Those with great wealth may build monuments to their name, but in time even those will fade away.
    There is no reason to be dismayed when the wicked grow wealthy. Their time will come. Sooner or later they will die. They will take none of their wealth with them.

    I don’t think I ever noticed the connection between Jesus warning against the religious leaders’ actions and the widow’s donations before. Jesus warned His disciples to be wary of the religious leaders because they did things for show, to appear righteous, but out of the public eye they were willing to cheat those who could not fight back (in particular, widows). Then Jesus used one of those whom the religious leaders would cheat as an example of generous giving.
    Jesus tells us that we should be wary of those who put on a show of their righteousness and generosity. They are likely doing so to cover up their corruption and deceit. On the other hand He commends those who have little, but are willing to give what little they have in order to further God’s Kingdom. Is what we give to the Lord’s work out of our surplus? Or, are we willing to tighten our belts to further the Lord’s work and/or help others? There is nothing wrong in giving out of our surplus, but those we should commend and look up to are those who sacrifice in order to do God’s work.

    The vow of the Nazirite is described in today’s passage. I am somewhat surprised that more attention is not paid to this vow. What is described here is not actually a specific vow. Rather it is a type of vow. Those who take this vow have determined to make some specific dedication to God. The passage does not say what type of thing would inspire someone to take a Nazirite vow. However, the accounts we have of people who lived by such vows suggest that it was likely some kind of act in service of God. For example, John the Baptist lived his whole life under like someone who had taken a Nazirite vow. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem he was accompanying two men who had completed such a vow. Those who take such vows are making a very public statement that they are willing to sacrifice in order to serve God.

    I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

    Those who fear the Lord will do things which improve their health and extend their lives. On the other hand, those who indulge in wicked activities will destroy their health and shorten their lives. Righteous people hope for things, and then work for those things, that bring happiness to many people. Those who use evil means to attempt to fulfill their hopes will have their hopes dashed by the results of their actions.

    Let everyone listen to what the psalmist has to say today. If we place our faith in God, we need not fear when troubles rise against us. God will come to our rescue and our life will not end in the grave. I will not be dismayed when the wicked gain wealth and power. In the end they will die, just like everyone else. When they do, they will leave behind their material wealth and worldly power. None of that will do them any good when they stand before God on that day. No matter how much wealth, or how many things one acquires in this life, they will be of no use when death comes calling. None of our material possessions will be there for us when God calls us to account for our lives. Then the only thing that will count will be what we have done to bring glory to His name.

    Jesus warned His disciples against falling for religious leaders who give every appearance of righteousness in public but cheat widows and the powerless when they think no one is watching. However, this warning is not just against falling for their pretense. It is also a warning against becoming like them. Jesus then gives His disciples, and us, a lesson on giving. It is our natural tendency to honour those who give large amounts, but Jesus tells us it is not how much we give. Rather, the question is, have we given to the point where we have to rely on God to meet our needs? If we just give to God out of what is left over after we pay our bills, we have not really given anything. This passage reminds me of the importance of giving to God first and counting on Him to supply my needs.

    The passage discusses the vow of the Nazirite. Those who take such a vow are dedicating themselves to do something in service of God. It is not clear to me whether they take the vow of the Nazirite as a form of preparation for the act which they are vowing to do, or if they undertake the rights of being a Nazirite while they are undertaking the act. It would seem to me more likely to be the former. As I read this it seems to me to suggest the importance of setting ourselves aside into a special state as we prepare to undertake a task which God has placed before us. The vow of the Nazirite as described seems to me to be a perfect ritual to bring one into focus on allowing the Holy Spirit to direct one in fulfilling a task which one has undertook in service of God.