READING: Proverbs 14-15 – The Proverbs of Solomon

In chapters 1-9 we heard from Lady Wisdom and Ms. Folly. We meet each of them in 14:1. “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” Building a house (family) requires diligence and wisdom, but there are a million ways to tear a home apart through neglect, petulance, and not doing what needs to be done.

“Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” (14:4) It takes many oxen to supply grain for the billions of people on earth today. The Green agenda is destroying our energy industry by trying to rush things. Do we need to develop renewable energy? Yes, but it will not come as quickly as many believe. Meanwhile, we need to use fossil energy to feed the planet.

Yesterday we read “Fools think their own way is right.” (12:15) Today, we come to this; “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” (14:12) What seems right is what we have always believed. Remember that fools think their way is right. We need to be open to the Scriptures; it is a fool who never changes an opinion.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (14:34) Many of us grew up believing the USA is a “Christian Nation,” but the only Christian nation is the Kingdom of God.

Here is a proverb we all ought to memorize: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  (15:1) These thirteen words would go a long way toward building better relationships in families, churches, in the workplace – and even on the road, a smile when someone cuts you off is better than a loud honk.

Here is one to remember; “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (15:3). In the words of an old song, “There’s an eye watching you.” He watches to protect as well as to censure. He keeps us safe, but he grieves when we stray. He loves us always.

“A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (15:13) We all like the glad heart, but there are also times of having a broken heart. Not every day is “Blue skies and rainbows.” The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to Noah.

“The fear of the LORD is an instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor.” (15:33). I like the ERV of this verse. “Wisdom teaches you to respect the LORD. You must be humbled before you can be honored.” Humility comes before honor. Humility is difficult; remember Jesus in Gethsemane.

Paul quotes from Proverbs as does Jesus; His parables are like proverbs.

How would we cope in this world without Proverbs? How often do we read them?

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MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)   

Holy Father, my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that each of us will find verses in the Proverbs as we read through them to memorize and meditate on. This is my prayer for all who read this and for me, in the name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!