Gadfly's Muse

Proverbs 16 & 17: Truth Not Easily Loved.... (At First!)

Image: "Firm Reference For Navigation," 2009, Battery Point Lighthouse.  Photographer: Stephen Van Devender

Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.

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I came of age attending a small Methodist church in Glendale (unincorporated), Ms.  My pastor, Bro. Ernest Swartz, was very important to me during the very tough teenage years and probably did more than anyone else to keep me from going crazy.  So, I have a great affection for the old Wesleyan Evangelicalism of that day.  I still honor Wesley for his contributions and insistence on "heart knowledge that leads to servant obedience."

However my constant text was an old, now dilapidated, Scofield Bible.  I was one of those bible-thumping, rapture hoping, revival loving young men who snarled at any idea of actual "predestination" or "election."  The idea of God's sovereign decree governing "what so ever comes to pass" made no sense to me.  What I learned much later in life was that the real reason those things didn't make sense to me had far more to do with my pride and argumentative spirit than it did with what was actually taught by the King James verses themselves rather than Scofield's notes in my Bible.  It was not an easy thing for me to embrace.  It came down to the dawning realization that the overwhelming evidence in Scripture pointed toward the sovereignty of God being the controlling factor in all of history.  Not every verse is as easy nor as clear as others, but the inclusive testimony of Scripture, as I understand it, is that the Reformed insistence on God's sovereignty in election and predestination is essential to its Gospel proclamation.

But... I still recognize that it is a truth not easily loved... at first.  I came to love it when I repented of my pride and gave myself over to it, but not before.

Proverbs 16 today, along with multitudes of other scriptures, illustrate the Scriptures' clear teaching and also how, for many, it is not easily loved.

Take for example: Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.  Now substitute "dice" for "lot" in order to fit modern vocabulary and we see that there is nothing that is truly "chance."  God controls every throw of the dice even though it is man who tosses it.  There is not one truly random event in all of nature nor in all of history.  That makes God one BIG God.  Everything that happens in this world, including those things that flow from the "free" will of man, are not only foreknown by God but determined by Him.  That takes some attitude adjustment on our part.

This last point is fully expressed in Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.  Here we have a significant mystery... that is it is a mystery to us but not to God.  A man's "heart" empowers and formulates his "plans."  In other words, each person chooses how they are going to go about life and what things they are going to accomplish.  But here we see the mysterious power of God surrounding the man such that the man's life is directed along the paths God has laid out for him.  At no point along that journey was the man doing things against his will.  Rather, at each point as the individual had to adjust to circumstances, he choose to act, do or say as God had decreed that He so do.  Thus man's free will and God's sovereignty was fully present.  Each decision that the individual made flowed from his "heart", that is, his human nature.  Confronted with the truth of God manifested in the free offer of the Gospel of Christ, a man who has not been given a new heart to love God will act and choose as his old fallen heart dictates.  He will not choose God, nor, until he is born again, can he.  Thus his will is free to act and choose as his heart dictates.  A changed heart will act one way, an unchanged heart will act differently.  That which ties it altogether is the sovereign power of God.  Only He can change a heart.

This then brings Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. into play.  The progress of our individual history, governed by God, is a journey of "testing", of being put into God's refining furnace, such that the end result is that the nature of our heart will be revealed.  Judgment starts in this life.  Our daily walk determines the testimony of our lives and bears witness to the state of our heart.  Whether we are dominated by a heart of essential evil or whether we have submissive hearts of flesh that love God and His laws, will be clearly established by the conduct of our lives.  God will so determine our steps that the final verdict on each of us will be undeniably clear.  We will have no excuse for our sin... we will have no claim on eternal reward except by grace.  

Thus we see in Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. that all of history is unto the end of God's sovereign intent to glorify Himself in His Grace and in His Judgment.  Both are related to each other.  God is glorified in both and both are necessary to the fullness of His manifested glory.  If we love the Lord and our desire is that He glorify Himself then we begin to love these things.  When we embrace the truth that He is in charge... of all things... then we can rest in His purposes.

He is an amazing, electing, pre-destinating God... and He is worthy to be loved as such.

 

Proverbs 14-15: Every Day - Coram Deo

Image: "Relentless," 2009, Near  Crescent City, California.  Photographer: Stephen Van Devender

Proverbs 14:15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

Proverbs 15:8–9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

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As the old saying goes: "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't."  To the degree that I have remembered that I have done well.  To the degree that I have disregarded it?  Well, several painful memories of various transactions come to mind.  Like another old saying, "ignorance can be fixed, stupidity is permanent," some lessons have to be relearned often.

Take the example of living Coram Deo, "in the presence of the Lord."  I don't know of any Christian who does not agree that this is how we should live.  The problem is... we don't practice it very often.

In these two chapters in Proverbs, the idea of living Coram Deo, appears to underlie many if not all the verses.  Take for example: Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.  How often, as we go about our daily business, are we attuned to this idea.  God is there... everywhere... and He is watching.  We may not "practice" the Presence of God but that doesn't mean He is not present.  Our God never slumbers nor sleeps... (Psalm 121:4)  He is not detached from the everyday life on this planet nor is He hampered by the magnitude of the task.  He "keeps watch" on the evil and the good.. that means "on everybody."  

If this really sank into our consciousness, what changes might it work in us?  It certainly might help us avoid evil and repudiate temptation, but how much more might it awaken us to God honoring possibilities?  For example, take Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.   Here is a specific example of how practicing Coram Deo works, which results in the living God becoming so much more real to us.  If, as in this saying, we are confronted with someone less fortunate, we would be alert to the Presence of God in it.  If we "oppress" or "deny help where we could extend it" in this situation we ignore that truth that we are insulting our God.  Jesus spoke of this when He told those people who would be on His left hand at the last day that they had deprived Him of food and water and clothing when they had withheld it from the poor.  On the other hand, living Coram Deo, helps us see God as the one Whom we would actually honor if we show forth mercy.  Jesus said the exact same thing about those who would be on His right hand in the day of judgment.

Now this is just one possible scenario where living Coram Deo makes a difference.   But the actual range is much wider.  It is a whole person, whole existence life.  Take another example: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  As I mentioned above, avoiding stupid ideas can be a full time, quite challenging task.  If something appears "right to a man" then it not only has some appeal but it also seems feasible... appropriate.  Here is where social conditioning and habits play a large role.  The powerful incentive to go down a road that "seems right" can sometimes only be opposed by a complete turning to God and seeking His counsel.  If we are not living in His Presence then our basic attitude is that He is far away and that we are on our own.  Usually that doesn't turn out very well.  If we practice the Presence of God then our lives should be less prone to stupid mistakes... even some which are "the way of death."

Also practicing the Presence of God powerfully diminishes hypocrisy in our lives.  Think about Proverbs 15:8–9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.    Notice here that for a person who participates in worship of the living God but whose life is characterized as "wicked", that church service, that prayer, that hymn sung, that tithe given, the sermon heard - are all counted as "abominations" to God.  That ought to get our attention pretty quick.

When we practice the Presence of God though our inner life more an more brings forth the fruit of a coherent outer life that reflects His Presence.  How could we sit in worship, practicing the Presence of God and commit acts which God counted as abominable?  We couldn't... they wouldn't be hypocritical.  BUT, we cannot just practice His Presence in worship.  In order to be able to practice His Presence in worship we have to be conditioned to it in every day life.  I guarantee that without the habit of practicing His Presence outside of church, when we get inside it our mind will wander... we won't "connect" with the activities and it will all be just "motions" we go through.

God help us to live in constant heightened awareness of His Presence, every day, every minute, so that we will be a testimony to His glory and we will be lead in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Proverbs 12-13: Quality of Life - Worth Thinking About....

Image: "Social Distancing Does Not Apply," 2009, Crescent City California Beach Scene, Photographer: Stephen Van Devender

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

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These chapters lean toward the idea or the experience of "life quality" and, as do most proverbs, they highlight how far removed it is from that life given over to secular wisdom.  The general theme is that "young men" (basically any naive person) are sure to fall prey to the traps of wrong thinking so prevalent in the culture around them.  What is needed is an entirely different framework for thinking about life, about what's important in life and what is possible in life.  They prove the author to be a clever observer of human nature.

Take Proverbs 12:9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. for example.  We are all familiar with people who are quick to take offense.  Whether from a deep seated insecurity or just plain ill-temper, these folks are quick to put their "dukes", verbal or otherwise.  This makes them very hard to befriend and not someone people will want to employ or patronize.  They "honor themselves", always resenting any perceived disrespect.  This personality trait works against their present contentment and even prosperity.  In their lives they "lack bread", either actual or emotional.  Yet the person who is at peace in his own skin will not react or over-react to every little ping that comes their way.  They will be "easy to get along with" and that will make their own lives a lot more pleasant.  They bear a "slight" rather than take a chance on losing their "servant", the peace of their own soul.

Notice how strange this thought can be to those conditioned to having an "attitude."  Their own resentful demeanor works against their own soul.

Now let's think about Proverbs 13:7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.  When we first read these statements we stop in our tracks and mutter "What?"  And that's exactly what a proverb is intended to do... to get our attention and then make us consider what it is saying.  I would submit that as soon as we stop and think about this one its truth becomes clear almost immediately.   Our response is... "Oh, of course..." and we move on.  But let's just go through it anyway.

The writer here is simply saying that personal property, especially wealth, do not, in and of themselves, guarantee a "good life."  If a man achieves great wealth, accumulates billions of dollars, but it requires so great a focus that it eats up his entire existence gaining it and keeping it, then that person is really not "rich" at all.  He doesn't own the wealth, the wealth owns him.  It is not uncommon to read of movie stars or entertainers who "have it all" and yet they die a solitary and miserable death at their own hands.  They were wealthy but they were not "rich."  In contrast it is entirely possible for a family to scrape by in life, one step ahead of the tax collector, who have disciplined themselves to live without most if not all the conveniences their neighbors possess, and yet be quite content.. even happy ... in their life.  Jealousy is not automatic... it is a trait we choose.  A person who is happy for their neighbor's earthly prosperity even when it is absent from their own life, may be richer than that neighbor.  Now I am not suggesting that anyone should choose poverty if there is a godly way to avoid it.  The whole point rather is to redefine "success."  Success is the accumulation of wealth that does not rust, nor which any robber can take away from us.  The Puritans taught us much about this idea and no one has improved on their message.  We must count ourselves "blessed" in the things our God has given us to enjoy... and be at peace with our neighbors... this is where the true "riches" of ordinary human life can be found.

The other sayings listed above basically build on this same theme.  We are called to look away from the false portraits painted by worldly focus.  The "beautiful people" held up to us in advertising do not really exist.  The hidden enclaves of powerful wealthy men and women, secured by iron gates and patrolled by a cadre of private guards, do not, in and of themselves, provide the kind of security and peace that satisfy the soul.  We may wonder what it is like to live there... but we must remember that whatever humble home we possess can really be our palace.  It's all a matter of perspective.

 

 

Proverbs 11: "I Live In The REAL World" & Other Such Foolishness

Image: "Stark Reality," 2020, Severna Park, Md

Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

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"Don't even go there!  I don't buy all that 'God-talk'.  I live in the 'real world' and I don't have time for mind games."

I doubt any sincere Christian who has earnestly sought to speak of their faith to others has failed to hear words like the above at some point.  Paul tells us that the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God, is "foolishness" to ears of people who have no grounding in faith.  And, to tell you the truth, it's no wonder!  Step back for a moment and think how strange the teachings of God are!  Let's just look at the verses above and consider them in this light.

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."  I can only speak of my own 3/4 century of experience in American culture but as far as I can tell, the prevailing reality is that "riches DO profit."  As a matter of fact Americans pretty much define success in terms of accumulated wealth.  We abhor the idea of "doing without" as my mother used to call it when we didn't have money to get something.  So, when the Gospel is brought to a typical, unchurched American, the mere idea that "righteousness" takes precedence over "riches/money" will cause him or her to look at your funny.  

But that's because it is foreign to the average American to think that he/she has any "day of wrath" to worry about.  The average American assumes that he/she is OK... that they really aren't all that bad... if there IS a God, then of course they will be welcomed by Him and if there IS NOT a God, then they haven't lost anything.  This is a very rational way of thinking in their minds... but it is deadly.  We Christians must remember that we have to shake people up sometime before what we say can make sense.  Nothing is more surprising to the average American than someone who takes the idea of an Angry God ( Heb 10:30-31)seriously... sometimes we have to build on that.

Well, what about Proverbs 11:10 - When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.  Now, talk about strange!  This Proverb ties the prosperity & happiness of "the city", the community/social order, to the welcome presence of righteousness.  It says that God, in some manner, promotes the welfare of a people who generally honor His law and who hold in high regard those who sincerely love God's law from the heart.  They will positively encourage good and righteous ethical behavior and they will punish, even to death, the practice of wickedness.  In a nation that is governed by ruthless politicians and whose economy is dominated by huge businesses that get rich off exploitation of the people who buy their products, this sounds stupid. 

God says differently.  God says that His blessings on a social order is promoted when His people who sincerely exhibit and encourage righteousness are held in respect (Gen. 12:3).  For this to be true there must be an all powerful God Who actually is concerned with the history of individuals and nations.  This can be a tough sell to hard-nosed men and women who live in a dog-eat-dog competitive world.  But it is true... and we must not only proclaim it, we must believe it and demonstrate it in our lives.

And then there is Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise."

The single largest conceptual barrier I have encountered in talking to non-Christians is that there is some OTHER kind of life possible to them than the one they know.  Yet what this verse and many others teach, is that such is very much the case.  The "fruit" of the righteous becomes a means by which people taste of a "tree of life."  Much could be said about this but there is no space.  Let's just focus on this:  When a righteous person is used by God to "win souls", those who have been won discover that this new life becomes not only possible but real.... and they taste it and see that it is good!

Only someone who has entered into the new life can really testify to this truth.  It is, on the whole, opaque to those who have not been born again.  However the "fruit of the righteous" is the living witness of this new life.  The person who has it lives it and they are recognizably "different" than other people.  So they become like a "tree of life" planted in the garden of the community.  Those in whom the Spirit is working will be drawn to them by the witness of their new life and, at some point, an opportunity will arise and God will use that person for an eternally valuable work.

These are just a few elementary examples of how the Christian message sounds so foolish to pagan ears... there really is no middle ground between us and them.... there is nothing we have in common other than the fact we can say that we once were like them.  What we are called to do is to believe and live the gospel, to hunger for righteousness and to bear fruit to that righteousness.   God will fill in the blanks.

 

Proverbs 9 & 10: Of The Wickedness of Blather... And Other Stuff

Image: "The Sound of Silence", 2009, Beach Scene near Crescent City, Ca - Photographer: Stephen Van Devender

Proverbs 9:8–9  Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

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"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt!"

It is the prerogative of age to ruefully review one's previous life.  When I do so I have to admit that, more often than I like, the truth of the above epigram proved it self fairly often.  Sometimes thoughts in our heads and passions in our heart build up some kind of steam pressure in us and we just have to speak.  

I've known people, a fair number of relatives among them, who always have to have the last word in some kind of heated interchange... it stopped being a "sharing of ideas" well before the end and rather became a verbal chess match.  It becomes less important to speak intelligently in reply than it is just to say something.  It's a common enough pattern to suggest that is part of our fallen man DNA.  

Solomon here says: "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking!"  We all should wear a T-shirt with that emblazoned on it... backwards so that when we see our reflection we will remind ourselves.

This prompts me to pause and consider just how subtle and ingrained sin patterns really are in our psyche.  Take for example Proverbs 8:9 & 10:8.  Each of these sayings have to do with listening.  "Rebuke a wise man and he will love you!" (8:9)  "The wise in heart will receive commands..." (9:8)  Now here is the very opposite of "having to have the last word!"  

Our, at least speaking for myself... perhaps you're different, first impulse if someone says something we don't like hearing, like "you're wrong in this!" is to become defensive.  "Oh yeah!  Well, who do you think you are!  That jerk deserved to get put into his place and I did it!  If you had been there you would have done the same thing!"  

When this happens, as it all too often does, it's really no longer we who are speaking... it is pride within us.  We hear something like this and instead of quietly considering it to see if there is a measure of truth in it we become combative.  Now, it is possible that the speaker is wrong and we really weren't wrong in what we did or said.  A moment of quiet reflection might reveal that.  But the spontaneous burst of words, even if it later proves to be correct, certainly does mean that sin is not absent.  We may not have erred in the original action but you can be pretty sure we erred when we defensively blasted out against the friend who spoke to us.

Proverbs 10:9 talks about "walking with integrity."  Certainly this applies to other things than just our ordinary conversation.  Integrity is a whole person attribute and is reflected in all our dealings.  But thinking about today's subject consider the reputation we gain by lashing out with our tongues.  Think of people you know whom you would describe as "prickly."  What goes into that characteristic?  Is it not a quick, sharp tongue that is swift to go on the offensive in any verbal encounter?

Now consider that attribute of "gentleness."  The scriptures certainly list this as being an aspect of "integrity."  "Gentleness" cannot coexist with "prickliness."  When we are describing an overall personality trait one will be dominant... more readily displayed.  Which characteristic does the Lord encourage... or, more strongly, which does He require... in us?  It's pretty straight forward.

So what we are exhorted to do is develop a reputation for wisdom in such a manner that our speech, even in a multitude of words, works for edification and not destruction.  "The lips of the righteous feed many!" (10:21)  That is what we want to develop and it means developing a quiet spirit in our speaking as well as other things.  This is the manner in which we become "secure" in our walk (10:9) such that our mouths "bring forth wisdom" and speak "what is acceptable." (10:31,32)  

Perhaps a word to the wise might come from our own conscience ... perhaps we ought to listen quietly to what it says.

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 8: Common Grace & Wisdom - For Whom Does The Bell Toll?

Image: "Heart of Wisdom," 2017, Severna Park, Md

Proverbs 8:4  “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Proverbs 8:22–23 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

Proverbs 8:35–36 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

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Proverbs 8 is a powerfully provocative chapter when we step back and try to get the big picture in our head.  In it we see "Wisdom" personified, "calling out" to men and women everywhere.  We also see "Her" as being uniquely "possessed" by the LORD at the beginning of all time and creation and we can only conclude that "She" is metaphorically characterized as an attribute of our Christ.  "She" is the Logos... the wisdom of God and the power of God through Whom all things were created and from Whom all things derive their purpose. (John 1:1-4)

So, right away, we see there is a lot to ponder in this chapter.  "Wisdom", especially in the Old Testament, when applied to mankind, always is seen in a practical light but is far more than just useful or utilitarian.  Wisdom is definitely the "art of living well" but it is first and foremost an all encompassing human condition that finds expression in "living well."  "Wisdom" has much in common with the Biblical use of the word "light."  It certainly shows us the way we are to walk but it does so by first illuminating our hearts and minds to the truth of the world around us.  

So, think of "Wisdom" as a bell that has rung out over God's creation from the beginning of time.  "Wisdom" is not something that man adds to the world about Him... it is the powerful reality of the world itself when understood as the testimony of creation.  Nature proclaims it's Creator... it embodies a testimony to the beautifully crafted order that is "wisdom from on high."  The providential governing of all creation wherein each part plays its role and order triumphs over chaos is God's immediate Presence in the world.  That very order is His witness and points man's eyes and hearts to the beautiful wisdom which it embodies.

Therefore "Wisdom" cries out from the "top of the high hill" (vs2) and stands in hearing distance of all mankind (vs. 3).  The theological term for this is "common grace."  It is God's tolling bell calling to all mankind and summoning them to recognize Himself as their Creator and Lord.  God's "wisdom" (vs. 4) is extended outward to the "sons of men" and calls on them to "understand" (vs. 5).  

There is no place on earth where the "Wisdom" of God in nature does not speak but that doesn't mean that Her voice is heard.  What "She" proclaims is plain enough (vs. 9) but only to those who understand... to those who find knowledge.  Thus the beauty of creation lies under a veil in one sense.  Sin dominated eyes cannot see it and sin corrupted minds cannot understand it and sin blemished hearts cannot love it, not in the fullness of Her message.

Yes there are some who respond to common grace more than others.  Through insights gained by human studies, growth in scientific knowledge and philosophy, it is possible for kings to reign by wisdom and rulers to decree a measure of justice (vs. 15 &16).  We can read the works of non-Christian thinkers and find nuggets worth keeping.  What we must always remember though is that even among the "wisest" of such secular sources their ultimate insights and conclusions will fail.  The only lens through which common grace in nature can be rightly studied for insight into ultimate truth is that of special revelation, the Scriptures, understood by a regenerated mind.

Paul said that his gospel was foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews... and that was inspired special revelation.  How much more hidden is natural revelation to the rebellious hearts of unregenerate mankind?  

So, Wisdom through the testimony of creation and Her message is proclaimed in the hearing of all men.  But only those with eyes to see and ears to hear will profit from what is clearly present in the world about us (Rom. 1:19-20).  It is the privilege and duty of God's people, as a nation of priests and kings, to proclaim the truth of both natural revelation and special revelation.  They are not equal... special revelation has first place in all things... but by it the man of God is equipped for every good work, even the priestly task of interpreting God's natural revelation to those who cannot understand it themselves.

 

 

 

Proverbs 7: Among the Simple, Devoid of Understanding

Image: "Proverbs 7 Woman," 2020, Severna Park, Md

Proverbs 7:7  And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,

Proverbs 7:22–23 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 23 Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.
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It doesn't require much study to find that women were generally regarded with suspicion throughout ancient history.  Perhaps some women would say that not much has changed.  On the whole, as in Proverbs 31, women, as women, were held in higher esteem in the Judeo-Christian tradition than in other cultures.  But still, virtuous women were valued highly but, let's face it, as "weaker vessels."  On the other extreme when evil was present in a woman it was seen as even more scary.  Remember Jezebel... her husband was no prize but she comes across in the story as the more vile of the two.  Other examples are available.

So, as here in Proverbs 7, the adulterous woman is depicted as the very gateway to Hell itself.  The youth who is captured by her "charms" is portrayed as a fool... a simpleton... a young man without sense.  She is a willful deceiver. 

She presents herself as having just come from the temple after paying her vows (vs. 14).  Here is "works righteousness" depicted par excellence.  It's like a Roman Catholic going to confession and believing that he now has a clean slate and he can sin some more.  She sells herself as something other than vile, perhaps even virtuous.  She appeals to his ego telling him she came just to find him. (vs. 15 -Yeah, right!) And she assures him of safety since her husband is off on a business trip.

The writer graphically likens the young man to a poor, dumb ox, not knowing what's happening to him as he is led to the slaughtering pen.  "He did not know it would cost his life." (vs. 23)  She lead him to her houses which was "the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death." (vs. 27)

Ok... straight-forward application - stay away from prostitutes because if you give yourself over to wanton pleasure you will pay for it big time.  That's the simple, off the top, message - but like the commercial says: "Wait, there's more."

This proverbial story, or parable, points to a deeper issue, not with the woman but with the young man.  He was a "simpleton", a man "devoid of understanding."  In this case he was a man who did not know his own weaknesses and was not morally prepared to deal with temptations aimed at those weaknesses.  What we should see here is Satan as an expert archer, aiming his arrows at exactly the most vulnerable parts of our spiritual armor. 

This woman was Satan's arrow.  It's not about her... it's about what is happening through her.  The same point could be used, and has been used, when Satan uses men as his instruments - the NT warns against this often.  

What this young man needed... and what we need... is to recognize that each one of us walk around with weak spots in our character and flesh.  Never doubt that Satan knows those weaknesses even better than we do.  He does not tempt us where we are strong.  I used to comment that "Satan never tempts me with Brussel Sprouts."  Brussel Sprouts are OK... I will eat them... I don't care for them much.  That's not where Satan is going to drag me down.  He's got plenty more vulnerable targets on which to take aim.

We would not be very wise, perhaps even "devoid of understanding" ourselves, if we just read this parable as an admonishment to guard against sexual temptation.  That is indeed an often used arrow in Satan's quiver but not everyone is equally vulnerable to it.  We should be aware that the same subtle enticements that we see expressed by this woman will surround temptations in other directions.  Satan will make it see easy... he will assure us that it is safe... we will have a great time... pleasure or fame or excitement is there for the taking... it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity.

We may not know exactly how it will come but we need to know our weaknesses and we might as well be prepared because temptation will certainly whisper to us out of the shadows appealing to those very vulnerabilities.

One of the benefits of meditation and prayer with our Holy God is the opportunity to ask Him to show us our inner faults.  A wise person will seek out this knowledge because that person will know that it is absolutely required for his spiritual strength.  

Thank God that He has made a way such that sin will not have dominion over us... the enticements of the lurking harlot in the shadows can be resisted and.... they must.

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 5 & 6: "Stupid Is As Stupid Does"

Image: "A Mere Diversion," 2020, Severna Park, Md

Proverbs 5:8–9 Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, 9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths.

Proverbs 6:1–2 My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

Proverbs 6:16–19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

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It's easy to imagine Forrest Gump's mom repeating all the teachings of these chapters and the specific verses quoted above to her son.  "Talk about stupid... let me tell you some things that are really stupid!" She would then go on to talk about the range of possible stupidities that may tempt a person.

This is the fundamental teaching of these verses:  "These things are stupid!  They lead to destruction and death!  They are short term solutions that bring long term bad consequences.  Don't even go there."  

When we look at the subjects taken up they range from "fornication" (essentially sex with a prostitute), incurring financial obligations that result in debt, indolence, wickedness and falsity in character, 7 things that are an abomination to the LORD and "adultery" (sex with another man's wife.)  If we stop and think about it these things pretty much describe the general tone and character of our entire cultural situation.  I am tempted to say that the 7 things God hates are pretty much descriptive of any ordinary politician.

But, God says, these things are stupid.  They do not bring profit or long term prosperity (whether spiritual or physical), but rather they are Siren songs that lure the foolhardy traveler to their doom.

The question that we face is simply this:  "Do we really believe this!"

Clement of Alexander allegorically applied verses from these chapters to the general secular society of his day.  He specifically spoke of the allure of a prostitute (Chapter 5) and spoke of how "she" draws the unsuspecting into her bedchamber and then gives him over to her companions who lie in wait.  He is robbed not only of his dignity but of his goods... he is stripped of any remaining shreds of nobility and will have to wear the rags of shame.  That is an awful thought.

Yet, how do we view the general allure of the society in which we live?  Does it not advertise pleasure?  Is there not a dependence of credit to get goods and services that we do not have sufficient funds to purchase outright?  Do we think of debt as a gun aimed at our head which can be used against us at any time?  Are we tolerant of slothfulness and actually tend to promote it through mistaken "charity" or aid?  Do we really shun wicked people as chapter 6 describes them?  I know that few of us associate with outright criminals but most often the character traits listed in 6:16-19 are fundamental to people we simply honor as "good business men" or accepted as "the way to get ahead."

The point is that we can all fall into stupidity simply by breathing the same air as the world around us.  Like the proverbial frog in the kettle we don't sense the gradually increasing temperature of the water in which we swim.  However we must realize - this is stupid!

God wants His people to form an entirely separate culture in the world.  He wants us to be different so that we stand as a witness for a way of life that is not stupid.  He wants us to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" which means that we do not identify nor promote the evil character of the world around us.

It's simply a matter of being smart about these things.

 

Proverbs 4: Guarding Our Most Treasured Possessions

Image: "Old Stuff, 2020, Severna Park, Md

Proverbs 4:5–6 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

Proverbs 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

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Robert Leighton & Griffin Thomas, in their fine commentary on 1,2 Peter (Crossway Classic) provide the following provocative insight: "There are two things that unspiritual people take least account of but are of all things most highly prized by Christians --- their own souls and God's glory."  Probably they should put the latter first but we know what they mean.

"Unspiritual people", whether nominally Christian or confessedly secular, pay little attention to the spiritual health of their soul/heart.  They are often very diligent in promoting their physical health.  We find them on the bike trails, pumping the pedals vigorously as they sweatily burn up calories.  They faithfully attend to their teeth and are not strangers at the dentist.  They go to health professionals early and often.  "Unspiritual people" are often highly disciplined... it is the focus of their discipline that makes them "unspiritual."  They do not consider "God's Glory" nor their "own souls" in any significant light.  At the most they give only a casual thought now and then, especially if they are culturally conditioned to attend church, but these things do not govern their lives.

How foolish this is!  God's entire written revelation, from Genesis to Revelation, shouts a warning against this kind of complacency.  From the admonition to Cain telling him that sin was crouching at his door and that he should "rule over it" (Gen. 4:7) to Peter's concern for his readers that they abstain from those things which "war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11-12) and many other instances, God has told us that we have to discipline ourselves for godliness.

Now, as a certified "couch potato" at heart I can tell you that physical exercise has no allure for me.  I do it because I must.  I detest jogging and so prefer stationary bikes for cardio.  I lift weights for muscle tone.  I do that stuff but not for fun.  That same idea might condition how we think of spiritual exercises and disciplines but we must not let it.  Scriptures like the Proverbs 4 passages above tell us that spiritual exercises issue forth in life.  In other words they are the doorway out of "spiritual deadness and misery" (as Augustine famously argued) into a life of "happiness."  

Now this is not to be taken as some kind of "health and wealth" gospel.  Far from it.  Into every life some rain must fall but it is possible to find reason to rejoice in the midst of a scary storm... and spiritual exercises are the conditioning tools that enable that to happen.

The "soul" and the "heart" are tightly associated in Biblical language.  When the author of Proverbs calls us to "keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life," he is not just speaking a platitude.  He knows and we should know that if we have become spiritually flabby, if we have made excuses for sin, if we have entertained lust in our hearts and minds and perhaps even in our eyes, is we have let jealousy sink its claws into our gut and if we have been overly free with our anger, then know for certain:  when big time trials hit we may be smothered by them.  

How many lives do we know that have come apart at the seams by a crisis?  A marriage that appeared so strong and loving is shattered by lies being exposed and hypocrisy condemned.  It is not unusual for both parties to never really recover.  The one spouse shamed beyond measure in his/her guilt and the other so hurt and hardened by distrust, that they are never to completely give herself/himself over to the risk of loving again.  The same type of outcomes happen in other crises also.

The point is this:  keeping our hearts with all diligence is the only way to keep sin at bay, at least to the extent that it does not bring catastrophe.  What would Cain's life have been like if he had listened to God's instruction and guarded his heart?    We will never know but we do know what happened to him after he sinned and it wasn't pretty.  David never really recovered from his sin with Uriah and Bathsheba... the end of his reign was only a shell of his former glory.

So we need to keep our hearts with diligence.  What does that entail? Briefly:

It means a firm and loving regard for God Himself first and foremost.  It means earnestly seeking HIm and His glory so that the joy of His Person is our highest joy.  If we are delighting ourselves in God the tawdry bangles of fleshly sin will have no allure.

It means a conscious discipline of scripture and prayer.... together.  We prayerfully read scripture and we pray in accordance with Scripture.  In doing so the heavenly vista become more accessible to us.  We begin to see our world from God's perspective and His indwelling Spirit at once alerts us to danger and informs us how to avoid it.  We become wise in the world because we understand God's Ways and His Word.

It means a new appreciation for the grace of Godly fellowship.  Christianity is not a Lone Ranger religion, it is meant to be lived and practiced in community.  When many weak parts and fitted into place with other weak parts, if properly arranged they offset each other's weaknesses and benefit from each other's strengths.  God's Church, His Covenant People, are part of His plan to help us "keep our hearts."

Much more could be said but at least this might stir some thoughts.

 

 

 

Proverbs 1-3: The Heart - A Temple for Wisdom

Image: "Like a Temple", 2019, Winterthur Gardens, De

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:28–29 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Proverbs 2:2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;

Proverbs 2:10–11 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, 11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,

Proverbs 3:3–4 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

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The study of Proverbs is both fruitful and frustrating.  By definition a proverb is a "pithy saying" that grabs your attention, forces a wry, smiling nod of assent and then somehow sinks into your memory without any real effort.  From my earliest youth I can remember sayings like "a fool and his money are soon parted", "a penny saved is a penny earned," etc.  A proverb is not generally intended to be a precise statement of absolute truth.  It is an "attention getter" like a roadway sign... it points beyond itself to something that lies beyond.  It not only invites meditation, it can sometimes be worthless without it.  The question if forces on us is "in what sense is this true?"  That is why, as we shall see as we read Proverbs, that sometimes one proverb will say exactly the opposite of another one.  Hence our reading of Proverbs must include a willingness to ponder.  That is what they are all about.

Our proverbs today are more in line with a sustained discourse than a collection of pithy sayings and so we can speak of a "topic."  That topic, of course, is the desirability and necessity of "wisdom."  Taking a fatherly tone Solomon is exhorting his "son" to seek and find wisdom because in it and through it a person is admitted into a life that is worth living.  The exhortations consist in both positive and negative aspects.  The positives point toward the "desirability" of true wisdom and the negatives are directed toward "false wisdom" which result in anything but a life worth living.

Right away we have insights into the nature of Biblical, and hence true, wisdom.  Wisdom is not an academic exercise.  It is not something that is grounded in the intellect or in how some folks define "rationality."  That is not to say that wisdom is separate from the mind or that it is irrational, far from it.  Rather Biblical wisdom is a "whole person" concept.  A person lives by wisdom through having conditioned thoughts, impulses and emotions.

The force of the proverbs teach us that we should find the "temple" of wisdom in our individual lives in our "heart" not in the bare assent to certain teachings.  

Right off the bat we see this when Solomon says that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and, in true Hebraic form, parallels this with the idea of "wisdom and instruction." (1:7).  Further on he states the absence of wisdom is rooted in the "hatred of knowledge" and results from a decision not to "choose the fear of the LORD." (1:29)  Then, nailing down the point, he says that if we apply our "heart to understanding" then in doing so we will "understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God because the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (2:1-6)

This gives us plenty to work with.  Wisdom begins with a whole person confrontation with the living God.  The entire concept of living a "life that is worth living" is completely hidden from any individual who desires to attain that goal and is not building from the prior inculcation of "the fear of the LORD" as its origin.  The NT teaches us that in order for any person to "come to God" as the source of all wisdom and to learn from His mouth, we must first "believe that He is!" (Heb. 11:6)  God is the fount of all knowledge because He is the ultimate reality.  It is from Him and in Him that all things consist.  He and He alone in His Trinitarian Reality can not only teach us but change us, in our whole being, such that it becomes possible for us to attain to any measure of true wisdom.

This confrontation with God that leads to this is a matter of the "heart," understood in Biblical terms.  When a person's heart is changed such that all things are thence understood through the prior knowledge that the God of the Bible is truth (along with all other things like love, etc.) then that person can be said to have "come to God" in the sense that Proverbs 2 and Hebrews both intend.  With that foundation a person has the groundwork of wisdom... they are wise to that extent... and then growth in wisdom is the further process of living out that truth in conformity with that truth.

In 3:1-5 Solomon really hammers this home.  We are called to "keep my commands" from the heart.  Mercy and truth are to be written on the "tablet of your heart," and our daily life is to be characterized by trusting in the LORD "with all your heart", leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledge Him in all of our "ways", the conduct of our daily walk.

Thus "wisdom" is Personified in God Himself and though personified as female, yet through "her" we will find "a tree of life" for us to take hold of and discover the happiness of "all who retain her."

Thus wisdom is the Biblical term for knowing what it means to live a life worth living. It means knowing how to live in the presence of God and the "temple" of this wisdom is firmly fixed in the heart.

What a beautiful concept.  God truly is to be praised and His Wisdom is highly to be desired.