Category: Proverbs

Reading

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SAA Notes

The epilogue of Proverbs is on the subject of the wife of noble character. This is to parallel the contrast in the prologue of wisdom and the foolish wife. Our deeds, our living reveals whether our faith is real or counterfeit.

SJA Notes

“The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:”

Here is a king learning from his mother, his mum.

Lemuel’s mum tells him to be careful with drinking. A king needs his wits about him, because what is important are the rights of those afflicted.

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Because this is what a godly mum does. She continues to encourage and exhort her children even once they have stepped out into their own separate lives.

Lemuel opens with his mother’s wisdom because, it seems pretty clear, she was an EXCELLENT WIFE.

Growing up, in his formative years, Lemuel sees his mum being an excellent wife.

Lemuel sees that his mum is far more precious than jewels. To his dad, but also to the kids – To the family as a whole.

Lemuel sees that his mum is GOOD for his dad, all their days!

Lemul’s mum is diligent and hard-working, perceptive and savvy.

But deeper, she is other-centered and full of God’s grace and mercy.

“She opens her hand to the poor and reached out her hands to the needy.”

Lemuel sees that in all of this his mother feared the Lord – True religion in practice!

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

* Father God,

Thank You for this last passage in Proverbs. Thank You for this wisdom, real and important for us today.

Reminder us each day that the fear of You is worth more than appearance, more than what people think of us.

Amen.

Reading

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SAA Notes

These proverbs come in paragraphs, not in single verses. Verses 7-9 are often quoted. They give a realistic if pessimistic view of human nature, of the limits of a Christian’s morality or actual spirituality.

SJA Notes

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Here we are confronted with the hard and deep truth that every word of God PROVES true.

Not just is true (which is absolutely the case), but that it PROVES true.

God’s word is rock solid. We don’t need to worry that it is frail or that some of its foundations are wobbly.

We don’t need to fret about defending any perceptions of weakness or foibles.

Because God’s word _proves_ itself true, as the truth.

This is a strong and wonderful hope to rest in, and to wrestle with.

God’s word is available for those around us to read and argue with. It is easily (at least in some countries) obtainable and consumable and very public.

God’s people are not a cult, secretive and obscure.

We follow a God who has given us His word – A Word which has been at the forefront of history throughout all generations, pushing technology, promoting social justice, building and strengthening the fabric of societies through time.

And for us, His people, God’s word proves true!

We read in 2 Corinthians chapter 1,

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” [Jesus]

As God’s word become flesh, Jesus is where all God’s promises find their agreement, their acceptance, their YES!

Jesus proved Himself true in His life here, His death on the cross, His resurrection on the third day, His ascension into heaven, and He continues to prove Himself true as He intercedes for us at the Father’s side.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

* Father God,

Thank You for Jesus, You the son, who shows us the depth of Your word proving itself true.

Thank You for continuing to keep Your promises to us.

Thank You for Your Spirit who works within us now, refining us.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Verse 10 is unfortunately so very true – people of integrity and fairness arouse the hate and anger of those who are bloodyminded. Jesus Himself is the supreme example.

SJA Notes

“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.”

Today’s passage has much to speak of both the righteous and the wicked.

And in this verse above is a coin-truth, one that we can see quite clearly throughout history and in our world today.

Justice is a vital heart-thread running through the life of God’s people.

God Himself loves justice. One place we can read of this is Isaiah chapter 61,

“For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong;”

And God calls His people to be the same, in Micah chapter 6 we read,

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

And so with justice being so very dear to God’s people it follows that _injustice_ is to be a stench to us.

Then the other side of the coin is that God’s people will endure much hatred from wicked folk.

We Jesus speaking of this in John chapter 15,

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

And in 2 Timothy chapter 3 we read Paul saying,

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Those who love wickedness will actively work against us, God’s people.

But we have a God who has won the victory over death, the devil and sin. What else have we to do but praise and trust Him today!

* Father God,

Thank You for Your justice. Please help us stand in Your strength against injustice.

Thank You for Your Spirit living in us. Please help us as we are persecuted for Your sake.

And Lord God, please save those around us.

Amen.