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.

I want to write about all of the things touched on in today’s passage, but you can read them for yourself.  Instead I will focus on just a couple of them.  First, in several different ways the passage tells us that wisdom leads to self-control.  The wise control their anger and work to calm that of others.  Only fools try to work people up and get them agitated.  But the self-control of the wise is not just over their temper; they also control their tongue and avoid bragging and lying.  Only a fool says every thought which comes to his mind; the wise think before they speak or act.

Despite the constant emphasis on being truthful throughout the Book, it reminds us that only with God’s help will we succeed in avoiding lies.  I love how Agur asks two things of God: to avoid lying and to provide him only with enough for his needs.  He does not find it necessary to explain the first, but does explain the latter.  If we become rich we may forget God and turn from Him.  On the other hand if we are poor we may give in to temptation and steal, thus dishonoring God.  Yes, I ask God to give me enough to meet my needs and to help those who struggle.

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.

I think perhaps my favorite part of the Book of Proverbs is Chapter 26 verses 4 and 5.

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.

There are so many wise instructions in this passage that if I try to touch on them all, there would be no point in you reading what I write.  You could just read the passage.  However, I will touch on a couple of things.  Again and again this Book emphasizes that we should not envy sinners or hangout with the wicked.  The wicked have no future.  Further, evil people stir up trouble and violence.  If you hang out with them you will get caught in it.

Today’s passage also reminds us to seek justice.  Do not look the other way when people are unjustly punished.  Speak up.  Other people may believe you if you later claim that you did not know, but God will know better.  If you rob the poor or exploit the needy God will pay you back.  Of course, if you give to the poor and help the needy, God will pay you back there as well.  Related to this, the writer tells us to get the truth and never sell it.  In this context I realize that he means seek out what is true about a situation and tell others what you have found.  Do not allow anyone to convince you to keep such truth silent, whether with bribes or threats.

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.

I love reading Proverbs, but dislike trying to figure out what to write about them.  Today’s passage continues to remind us of the importance of choosing our words with care.  It extends that care to our actions as well.  The wise think and plan before they act.  The writer also reminds us that enthusiastically pursuing a project without knowing what you are doing benefits no one.  Hurrying leads to mistakes.  Take the time to do the project right.

The writer also revisits another theme from yesterday: the wise embrace correction and discipline while the foolish reject it.  He expands on this theme in two directions.  Offer discipline and correction to wise people in order for them to get better and wiser, but punish the foolish to change the behavior of others.  Speak in private to those who take correction to heart.  Punish in public those who do not respond to such discipline.  The writer also tells us that the wise seek correction and advice. 

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.

I feel like I keep saying this, but there is not really a theme which runs through today’s passage.  It is a collection of wise sayings which each contains useful understanding.  However, there are several ideas which are repeatedly addressed.  The writer tells us that those who fear the Lord do right and those who do right fear the Lord while those who do wrong despise God.  The writer makes clear that this idea is two-sided.  Fear of the Lord will lead you to do right, but doing right will also lead you to fear the Lord.  I think we often overlook his point that those who do wrong eventually come to despise God.  Many people who despise God, who despise Christianity, do so because they do not wish to admit that their actions are wrong.  Those who love and fear God admit when they do wrong and seek reconciliation.

The writer repeatedly makes two related points.  I never realized that the writer was connecting them before today.  First, the wise choose their words and actions with careful thought about their consequences.  Second, the wise take their time in reaching a conclusion about events.  They do not immediately reach conclusions based on what they are told, or even based on what they have seen.  They wait until they can be sure they know all of the relevant facts.  Fools quickly believe that what supports their preconceived notions and do not ask more questions.  Then they pass that on as unquestioned fact.  The wise speak only of what they know and cautiously point out areas where their knowledge is incomplete.

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 starts with a personification of both wisdom and folly.  Both offer themselves to any who wish.  Wisdom offers using good judgment and accepting correction.  Folly offers hiding your actions from others and never admitting to doing wrong.  When the wise are corrected they change their behavior.  The fool denies having done wrong and strikes back at the one who offered advice. The rest of today’s passage consists of individual proverbs which do not have a common theme, except to distinguish wise actions from foolish actions.  However, there are several ideas which come up again and again.  One of those I already touched on.  The wise listen to criticism and seek to change their behaviors in light of it, even when the criticism is unwarranted.  The fool strikes back at those who criticize them, even when the criticism offers them an opportunity to avoid trouble.  The writer also includes multiple proverbs which warn us to limit what we say to that which is true, good, and helpful.  The fool speaks about that which they know little and babbles on revealing their ignorance.  The wise choose their words carefully, makes sure they have based their comments in facts, and shuts up when they have nothing more useful to say.  

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.

The Book of Proverbs was composed to teach wisdom and discipline.  Wisdom tells us to do what is just, right, and fair.  Those who are simple-minded will gain insight by studying these sayings, and those who think they are too wise for such guidance are greater fools than the most simple-minded.  Wisdom does more for us than any amount of wealth.  Yet, we so often ignore what it tells us.  There is a saying, “Common sense isn’t common.”  While that is unfortunately true, it does not have to be.  Anyone can be wise, they just have to seek wisdom.  If you want to be wise, seek out wisdom, then do what it says to do.

The proverb writer starts with some ideas which are intertwined with each other.  Do not be enticed by the pleasures people tell you are to be had by doing wrong.  Rather trust in God and do good.  Every time you do the wise thing, the right thing, you will gain a better understanding of what is right and wise.  Conversely, every time you choose to do what you know is wrong you will find it harder to know, let alone do, the right thing.  When you suffer because you did wrong (whether that suffering comes as punishment from some earthly authority,, or is the natural result of your foolish choice), accept the suffering and learn from it.