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.

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 1-4.

There is a meme which says, “Wisdom comes from experience, and experience comes from making mistakes.”  There is a lot of truth to that.  However, the Book of Proverbs tells us that there is another, less painful, way to acquire wisdom.  In fact, the Book of Proverbs was written to help us acquire wisdom without making many of the mistakes we might otherwise require to do so.  The book starts by telling us the essence of wisdom and where it comes from.  True wisdom comes from fear of God.  Its essence is twofold.  First, wisdom is disciplined.  Second, wisdom is avoiding evil, in particular avoiding those who do evil.

Further, the Book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom is freely available to all who seek it.  The writer not only says that wisdom is freely available to those who seek it, it calls out to everyone who passes by.  Truly, we have no excuse for doing foolish things, wisdom was right there warning us against them if only we had listened.  Once again there is a twofold method to find wisdom.  Seek knowledge of God and His commands, and choose to do what is right, just, and fair.  Knowledge of God and His commands will show us what actions are right, just, and fair.  And doing what is right, just, and fair is never foolish.