Self Control and Walls

"A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

Proverbs 25:28

 Walls were important for cities in the ancient world. Walls were built around the entire city, even the largest cities. Walls provided protection from the attacks of enemies. The pride of a city was its walls. A city that was without walls was in a very vulnerable position. Every enemy could walk in the city without much of a fight. They could plunder and kill as they liked. Without walls, there was no defence against an attacking force. Such a city was a disgrace--like Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah. Walls are important to a city as self control is to people.

We need self control. Without it we are defenceless against the assaults of the devil. Every temptation that comes our way will ruin us even more. How many people are ruined by a lack of self control! Drunkenness ruins lives and families. Not controlling the impulse to buy leads to debt and bankruptcy. Sexual desire unchecked destroys and plunders thousands. Much more could be said of a failure to control anger, appetite for food or sleep, our words, and so on. In our fallen condition man is not born with self control. As such sin has mastery over us. We are under the power of sin. We are defenceless against sin. We have no self control. We are a city in ruins and in disgrace. We need God to come down and fix us up.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is self control. Gal 5:23. The Spirit is given to us when we are born again. He gives us the power to exercise self control in all things. His infinite power helps us to defeat sin and temptation. His power working in us is like a wall that protects us from giving in to the desires of the flesh. When we live in dependence on God's power and follow the truth of His Word, we will be able to defend ourselves against the desires of the flesh. So if you lack self control, cry out to the One who can help you. He can give you the strength to control your passions, lusts, appetites, and thoughts. Then we can train ourselves for godliness. 1Tim 4:7.

To put the proverb another way, a man with self control is like a city surrounded by a strong wall with a defeated enemy lying outside the walls.

-Brad

The Credits

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you would know that most of the posts are expositions of verses from Proverbs. Most of my blog posts come out of my morning devotions as I work verse by verse though the Bible. Well, on November 4 I finished Proverbs. I started on February 18th of this year. Studying through Proverbs was a great blessing to me and yet I feel there is so much more I could have learned from the book. I hope you have enjoyed the proverbs I have written about and that you also have been blessed by this book. I also hope that these posts have interested you in studying Proverbs some more on your own. I want to share with you a few resources that have helped me to  better understand  the book of Proverbs.

The first book is by Dan Phillips called God's Wisdom in Proverbs. This is an amazing book. He goes through different themes found in Proverbs such as parenting and marriage. He explains how to understand the book and the importance of the fear of the Lord in Proverbs. He even explains how to teach or preach the book of Proverbs. This is man is a skilled expositor. This book would help your study immensely.

The second book is by John Kitchen. It is a commentary on Proverbs in the Mentor series commentaries. This book is a gem. He goes verse by verse through the entire book, which is rare among Proverb's commentaries. There is a good blend of scholarly explanation plus devotional application. He explains the Hebrew to help understand the text but also takes the truth which is taught and applies it to our every day life. This is not a high and dry theological work. This book was my go-to-book on Proverbs. It was a great help to me.

Lastly I used Matthew Henry's commentary once in a while. On a rare occasion I turned to Matthew Poole's commentary. These were at times helpful. John Macarthur's study notes were also useful at times.

I will be working through the next wisdom book which is Ecclesiastes. So this book will be the focus of the blog for the next while. May God bless His word to our souls. To God, who alone is wise, be the glory.

-Brad

How To Find a Wife (or a Husband)

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."

Proverbs 31:10

The counsel I am going to give now is the counsel I wish I had when I went out looking for a wife. In spite of my errors and stumbling, God gave me a great wife. All I can do is praise His grace. This passage of scripture describes the excellent wife. My wife wrote more about the characteristics of this woman in this post. But in this post I want to give some advice on how to find this kind of wife. What I say about finding this excellent wife could also be said about finding the excellent husband. So ladies, don't tune out, just apply the principles to finding a godly man.

The first truth we learn is that finding an excellent wife is hard. It is not easy to find a wise wife. She is a rare women. Now here in these verse this wise woman is a perfect wife. No one will find her since no woman is perfect. But we are not looking for perfection but progression. Is this woman born again and is she growing in godliness? If you look for perfection, you will be a single man all your life. Yet a godly, but still sinful, woman is hard to find. Most women are foolish. Some are only average. Just because a woman goes to church or is baptized does not make her a wise lady. A real godly young woman is a rare treasure. If such a woman is hard to find, this means it will take effort and time to find her. Physical beauty is seen almost right away. Inner beauty takes time to come to the surface. You will need to take time to get to know her. You need to talk about faith, repentance, conversion, and salvation with her. Find out how her spiritual health is. Study the scriptures together. It is a good idea to ask her pastor or elders how they view this woman. Hopefully they would have had more time to study her and could give you an unbiased opinion.

Proverbs 19:14 says "House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." Your search for a wise and prudent wife is bound to fail unless God blesses your desires. God can sovereignly lead you a wise woman. So pray! Ask God to guide your search. Pray that you may have wisdom and discernment to recognize a wise woman. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22

The second truth we learn from our text is that it is worth all the time and effort to find a wise woman. An excellent, wise wife is more valuable than jewels or any bank account. She will be a crown to her husband, but a foolish wife brings rottenness to his bones. See Proverbs 12:4. A wise man will want a wise wife. She will be an encouragement to his spiritual life. She will help raise their children in the fear of the Lord. They will be able to serve the Lord together. Their house will be filled with grace and love. A foolish wife will destroy her husband. "It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman." Proverbs 21:19. You don't want to choose a wife based only on outward appearance. You will live to regret it when her ugly heart comes out. Money can't buy you a godly wife. It takes a work of grace in her heart to make such a wife and it takes the sovereignty of God to lead her to you. When you find a wise wife, realize how valuable she is. Protect her. Love her. Care for her. Praise God for her.

-Brad-

Little Creatures, Big Truths

"Four things on the earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badger are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hand, yet it is in king's palaces.

Proverbs 30:24-28

 The creation around us is full of wonderful illustrations of Divine truth. The One who made the world is the same who wrote His word for us in the Bible. So it is natural that God should use His creatures to reinforce the truth of His word. Guided by the Scriptures, we can observe the creatures around us to learn wisdom. This is what Agur did. He is the author of this chapter. In the verses we are looking at, Agur points to four small, weak animals that teach us some wise lessons. These animals are ants, rock badgers, locusts, and lizards.

Ants

Ants are very small insects. We can easily crush them. Yet they survive many troubles and dangers. Ants teach us to work hard. They are used as examples of diligence and hard work in Proverbs 6 6-8. But they also work smart by planning for the future. In summer when there is lots of food, they gather food to store it for the winter when food is scarce. God has put in these little creatures the wisdom to prepare for the future. Ants are a rebuke to the sluggard. Ants are a rebuke to those who live only in the moment without any thought for the future. Ants don't have brains like us, yet they are wiser than some people. We should do our work heartily as unto the Lord. Like ants, we need to consider future needs and problems and prepare for them.

Rock badgers

Rock badgers are a small gopher-like creature. Here is a link to some info and pictures of rock badgers. They don't have much of a defense against predators. But they are wise enough to recognize their weakness and seek their safety in something else. They live in the rocks and cliffs. There among the cracks and heights, they are safe from many of their enemies. We are weak too. We are no match for our foes. Our only safety is in the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He is our rock, our fortress, our strong tower. "For God alone, my soul waits in silence; from Him alone comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." Psalm 62:1-2. We need to turn to God for our salvation and daily look to Him to protect and strengthen us.

Locusts 

One little locust is not a problem. But when they gather together in great masses, these insects are a great terror. They can ruin a country in a short time as they eat all the green vegetation. Together they are more destructive than an army of soldiers. Yet this army of locusts has no leaders. They march together side by side as they cause desolation in their wake. How can they work together for a single purpose without a leader? God has put this ability inside their little heads. The church does have a leader, Jesus Christ. He has also provided elders to lead his people. Shouldn't we be able, with leaders, to work together with one purpose to accomplish the healing work that God has given us? Locusts can work together without a leader. Surely we can cooperate together to bring the gospel to sinners with leaders. Too often Christians let petty differences divide them. Christians are too often divided, distracted, and given to infighting and so the work of Christ suffers. Learn from the locust to work together to accomplish the Great Commission.

Lizards

Some lizards can fit in the palm of your hand. They are powerless to escape from your grasp. Yet these humble little animals can find a way to get into the palaces of kings. There they live in the presence of great and powerful men and women. How do they do this? They use their ability to walk on walls and slip though tight spots to enter areas that the average person cannot enter. I have seen these kinds of lizards in Cuba. They are swift and agile. They use this to their advantage. Perhaps this example from the lizard illustrates another proverb: Proverbs 22:28 says "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." I think the truth is no matter how weak and small you are, use your gifts and abilities to do the very best work possible. Often when we aim for high quality work, we will rise above others and be recognized by great men. Surely it is always true that when we are faithful to use our gifts to the glory of God, He will be pleased and tell us, "Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master." Matthew 25:23.

-Brad-

An Excellent Wife

'An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.'

-Proverbs 31:10

As women, we often compare ourselves to the Proverbs 31 woman and can become discouraged because we know we fall short. What woman on this earth is an excellent wife? What wife does her husband good and not harm all the days of her life? What wife is so hard working as is portrayed in Proverbs 31? What wife opens her mouth with wisdom at all times and is kind at all times? What wife is not at times anxious or worried about the future? We all are. We all fall short of the Proverbs 31 woman. We are all sinful human beings, and the woman described in Proverbs 31 is perfect.

This should not discourage us, however. Instead, we can look at this text as an example of what we can strive for--what we can ask Christ to work in us so that we can better glorify Him in our roles as wives, mothers, and women in general.

We have to remember that an excellent wife is a gift from the Lord. We are not excellent wives on our own. 'House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.' Proverbs 19:14.

So, let's take a look at what some of the virtues of an excellent wife are.

An excellent wife has her husband's best interests at heart. He does not need to worry when he is away from home that she will dishonor him or waste his estate. She does not abuse the confidence that he has in her, but seeks to make herself more worthy of it. She is not like the wife described in Proverbs 21:9, 'It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife', or see also Proverbs 25:24.

Instead, she builds up her household and does not tear it down (Proverbs 14:1). In other words, she does good to her household--her husband and children (Titus 2:4). Some ways in which she does good to her household include being hardworking. She works with willing hands (Proverbs 31:13), rises while it is yet night (v. 15) to prepare her household for the day ahead. She uses her physical strength (v. 17) and her lamp does not go out at night (v. 18). That doesn't mean she doesn't sleep, but she will work into the night if needed to get the things done that need to get done. She does not eat the bread of idleness (v. 27).

Another way that she does good to her household is that she is kind (v. 26.) Kindness is on her tongue. Though she may need to discipline or rebuke, she does so with kindness. Her words are wise (Ephesians 4:29) and she is careful with her words, not using them to slander others (Titus 2:3).

An excellent wife is also prepared--prepared for the snow, by having her family well-dressed (v. 21). In fact, she laughs at the time to come (v. 25). There is no worry about the future because she is prepared and also because she trusts in the Lord.

An excellent wife also uses the gifts and talents that she has been given for the good of her household. (v. 18 ,19, 22) In fact, she even uses them to better her household financially (v. 24). 

Not only to her own household but also to others does she do good. She reaches out to the needy and opens her hand to the poor (v. 20). We can assume that if she is helping others that she has already attended to the needs of her household. It is also an outpouring of her heart--it shows that she has a heart of compassion, mercy, and kindness.

All these things are a result of a woman who fears the Lord. An excellent wife is wise and wisdom is from fearing the Lord. Proverbs 9:10, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.' (Also see: Proverbs 1:7, 15:33, Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10)
For more on the fear of the Lord, you can always refer back to this post written by Brad.

Having seen what an excellent wife is, we can strive to become more and more like that. We can ask the Spirit to work in our hearts to give us greater wisdom, kindness, and love--to help us to fight against the sins that we struggle with in our roles, so that we may not revile the Word of God (Titus 2:5).

~fenna

You Need the Vision

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."

Proverbs 29:18

"You need a vision for the future." That was what we were told some years ago at a conference. The speaker told us how we need to have a plan for the future. We need to make goals and work towards accomplishing them. Don't wander aimlessly in life. Now that is all fine and dandy, but he used the proverb we are looking at today to back this up. The problem is this proverb has nothing to do with making plans and goals for the future. This might be clear from the translation I used here, but the King James Version which the speaker used says the proverb like this, "Where there is no vision the people perish." This speaker's problem in interpretating this proverb was a failure to understand the Biblical meaning of vision and to study closely the second line of the proverb as it sheds light on the meaning of the text. This proverb really speaks about the result of a lack of God's word and the result of hearing and obeying God's word.

The word vision refers to the means by which God often revealed His word to His prophets in the Old Testament. 1 Samuel 3:1 says "And the Word of The LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision." The book of Nahum is called "The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh." Nahum1:1. There are other places where prophets are given visions by God.  To have God's word is a great blessing. For God to remove His word is a great curse. In fact the absence of prophets and God's word was part of God's judgement of Israel. In Amos 8:11-12, God said He would send a famine of the word of the LORD. In Micah 3:6-7 God promised that there would be no visions and no answer from God as a judgement on the false prophets of that day. See also Ezekiel 7:26 and Psalm 74:9 for some other example of a lack of God's word in judgement.

The result of an absence of the word of God is that people are unrestrained. Without God's word to govern what they believe and how they are to live, truth and morality is left to each individual. This is what we see in the times of the Judges, which was a time when the word of God was rare. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25. Moral chaos reigned. Israel had turned to idols from worshipping God and God in judgement took away His word which led to a greater plunge into darkness. It was only God's grace that saved them when God sent His word through Samuel to lead the people back to Him. We can see this principle at work in our days. People in our country have rejected the Bible. They want to remove anything to do with Christianity. Other countries have banned the word of God and the results are disastrous. Without God's word as the objective standard on truth and morality, people believe whatever they want to believe and people live however they want to live. And who can object? Or consider how this plays out in churches. When people do not conform the practise of the church to the scriptures, the church becomes whatever people want it to be. Then the church ceases to be the church of Christ.

How blessed are the people who have God's law and put it into practise. The law here refers to all of God's word not specially to the Mosaic law. It is not the having of God's word that brings blessing, but the obedience to its commands. Neglecting God's word is the same as rejecting it.  The Bible is a great treasure. It reveals to us what is true and false. It teaches us what is right and wrong. God, though His word, directs us to Christ as the only way of salvation for lost sinners.  We need faithful preaching which seeks to explain what God's word means and how it applies. We need Christians to do the hard work of searching and studying the scriptures on their own. We need to examine every part of our lives and beliefs to see if they conform to the word of God. "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:20. We need to stop allowing the culture and traditions to define our practice and doctrine. The Bible must be central in all things. When it is, how happy and blessed we shall be.
     Reader, do you prize the word of God more than your bank account? Do you delight in its truth more than your favorite food or hobby?

Sola Scriptura forever! 

Brad

A Tale of Two Ways

In the kingdom of Cardia, there was two cities that were separated by a mountainous wilderness. Between the two cities there was in ancient times a road built. This road was difficult, but the safest and surest way to get to the other city. But a certain deceitful fellow come one day to the beginning of the road. There he set up a booth where he sold for very cheap maps and compasses. These were to be sold so people could find their own way though the wilderness to reach the other city. Those who passed by the booth were promised that by using the maps and compasses they would reach the city faster. They would have more adventure and ease on their way. They would have none of the difficulty that would be found on the other way. The problem was that all the compasses were defective in some way. The maps were filled with many errors so that they could be of no value in reaching the destination. This deceitful fellow's ploy worked very well. Soon the old path was almost forgotten and grown over with plants and shrubs. Those who took what this fellow sold, soon found that it did not deliver what was promised. Everyone who used the maps and compasses became hopelessly lost. Many were dashed to pieces from falling over cliffs. Some were eaten by wild beasts. Some had the unfortunate demise of being eaten by a large dragon. None of those who used these defective instruments ever reached the intended destination. The king of this kingdom on hearing of this deception, sent his son to drive out this deceiver. He then sent out his servants to seek those who were lost and tell them the way back to the path and to give them a reliable map. Some listened to these servants and by and by came back to the path and reached the far off city. As long as they followed the map and stayed on the path, their journey went well. Others refused to listen and continued on their doomed quest.

This story while failing to illustrate all of the truth, does explain the truth contained in this proverb. "Whoever trusts in his own mind(or heart)is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." Proverbs 28:26. How many songs on the radio can you think of that tell you to trust your heart? This is the wisdom of the world. Trusting your heart is foolish. Like a defective map or compass, it will always lead astray. Your heart is evil and crooked. It will lead you into danger and doom. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 Nothing is more deceitful than your heart, why would you let it guide you?

 God's Word teaches us the right way, the way of wisdom. If we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding then He will make our paths straight. Keep to the old paths found in God's Word. It is the best way. It will bring us to the heavenly city. It is the safest way and the way filled with true joy. This path is opened up to us by the righteousness and death of Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life.

-Brad-

My Graduation Text.

"Know well the condition of your flocks, give attention to your herds."

Proverbs 27:23

Many long ages ago I graduated from high school. I went to a Christian school, so when I graduated I was asked to choose a text for the graduation ceremony. Well, this proverb was the text I chose. I chose it because it fit well with my chosen profession; dairy farming.  It may have not been the best text to graduate with, but it does teach us much about how God desires us to work in our professions.

While the text is directed to those who work with animals, the principle can be applied to every job and activity. Colossians 3:23 says, "What ever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men." This proverbs helps us understand how we can work heartily as we serve Jesus Christ so that He is pleased. Let us examine the text as it relates to caring for animals.

I have a book which takes the principle in this proverb and applies it to dairy farming. The book would explain this text very well. It is important when we care for animals to observe what is going on in the herd. We are to look at the group as well as the individual. Our sight, smell, and hearing are all to be constantly used to monitor what is going on among the animals. Our observation should then lead to asking why? Why is this happening or occurring? When we know why, then we can find a solution to the problem. For example: We need to examine the cow's coat, how she walks, and how she stands. Her eyes will tell you about her health. Is she chewing her cud?  How is her breathing? We should be aware of when she calved or when she was bred. Is the cow fat or thin? When we understand how the animals are doing, we can take care of them better. This takes time, effort, and care. But it is important, "for riches do not last forever." (Verse 24a). If we neglect to take care of our animals, they will be in poor condition. Shoddy management ruins the herd or flock. The performance of the herd will decrease and eventually the farm will not profit us. Wealth in the days of ancient Israel was in livestock. So this wealth needed wise and careful management, otherwise a farmer would become poorer and poorer without even enough food to feed his family.

Most people don't work with animals. But the truth in this proverb still applies. Paying close attention to the details will help you do your work well. If you are a parent, it is important to understand your children. Know their differences. Watch carefully their behavior so you can instruct, rebuke, or correct. If you are a carpenter, make sure your work is quality work. Measure twice and cut once. Think about how this proverb can apply to the responsibilities that God has given you.

 I wish all elders/pastors would consider this proverb. When  I chose this verse for grad, I was told that this was a verse for pastors. That is true although, not in the primary understanding but in its application. If we had more elders who cared about God's flock like some farmers care about their cows, our churches would be much healthier and more effective. The effects would be felt in our country and around the world. We need elders who care about the sheep. Elders needs to take time to know the members. They need to know their struggles, their hurts, their spiritual maturity, their gifts, and anything else that may help them to shepherd their souls. Ignorance about the members of the church will hinder the elder take care of God's people. You can't help or heal what you don't know. We need elders that know how to correctly handle God's word. The teaching and preaching of the Bible especially requires an attention and care to details. No sloppy work in this area please. We need to have elders who live out this proverb in their ministry. God, please give us these kind of shepherds.

-Brad

Love Warns

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."

Proverbs 27:5-6

Warning!
This is a brief rabbit trail before I write about the proverb quoted above.

It is important when we read Proverbs that we don't think that the book just teaches us good morals. Proverbs gives us an expansion on the law of God. We see in Proverbs how we are to love our neighbor and love the Lord. As we read Proverbs, we will more often than not, see ourselves as the fool rather than the wise man. What is said of a fool and his folly could be said of us. Yet if we fear the Lord, we will turn to Him in repentance rather than run from Him. Also consider as we read Proverbs that Jesus Christ is the great wise man. Amazingly He acted in wisdom in every action, every word, every thought, every look, and in every situation. The righteousness He won for us who are not righteous in any way was not easily won. Living a life of wisdom is impossible for us sinners. Studying Proverbs should make that clear to us. Yet we can ever be filled with worship and thanksgiving, when we consider that Jesus Christ was wise in all things for our sakes.

My wife was walking one day on a trail in the mountains. I was behind her as I am so much older and slower than her. Suddenly I look up and see a mountain lion about to pounce on her from a large rock above her. I also see a bear coming though the trees to attack her. What is the loving thing to do? I would warn her loudly that she should get out of the way. Then the lion would pounce on the bear instead of my wife. This sounds like one of my wife's nightmares. But this nightmarish fictional story does help to illustrate the proverbs I want to write about.

Love compels us to warn people. We love people so we warn them about dangers. We warn our kids about crossing the roads or the boiling pot of soup. We warn about bad stores and bad merchandise. We warn others about con artists. We warn about diseases. We warn people because we don't want them to suffer harm. We don't want them to be hurt. We want them to avoid dangers. Warnings about the dangers of the world we can see are generally acceptable and appreciated. When we are warned we know that the person warning us cares about our well-being. But what about the dangers of sin?

Sin is dangerous too. Sin can have very terrible short term and long term consequences. Sin can have eternal consequences. Sin is far more dangerous than any wild animal or deadly poison. If we believe this, than wouldn't we want people to be warned about sin? Why are we often so quiet about the sins of others? If we really loved them, wouldn't we tell them the danger their sin is leading them into? The reason we don't is that our faith is weak and our love is weak. We don't really clearly see by faith the deadly effects of sin. Our love is weak towards others. We need to pray for greater faith and greater love.

True love will warn another about sin in their lives even if it hurts them. Rebukes wound us. They hurt our pride. We love our sin and are reluctant to give it up. But a true friend will rebuke anyway, even if it may result in losing a friend. The loving thing to do is to warn them about their sin because we know the danger of sin. We desire their spiritual health. A kind rebuke is indeed evidence of a good friend.

Let us warn others of their sin with humility and kindness and let us accept with graciousness the rebukes of others.

Brad

Learning from Barf Eating Dogs

"Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."

Proverbs 26:11

 

   Some proverbs use comparisons to teach a truth. This proverb paints a very disgusting picture that teaches us some very important lessons. Who knew barf eating dogs could teach us some weighty theology; a theology that is not understood by many people--even some Christians? So, please read on.

 

 Dogs were dirty, dangerous, and disgusting animals in ancient Israel. They were not the cute, friendly, and loyal dogs we know today. Israelite dogs were not man's best friend. This understanding makes the proverb a little more repulsive. Dogs often get sick in the stomach. This is understandable considering the disgusting things that dogs can eat. So in order to relieve his sore stomach, he vomits out the food. Fido now feels better. So what does he do? Find some thing better to eat? No! He eats up his vomit even though it was the cause of his sore stomach. How bizarre and gross! Yet this is similar to when a fool goes back to his sin.

 

The sinner eats sin like bread. The sin causes his conscience to be troubled. Or he suffers the painful consequences of his sin. As a results he leaves off his sin for a while. He resolves to be a better person. He may attend church, start reading the Bible or take up prayer. Yet after the bad effects of his sin wear off, he desires again to be satisfied with that sin. So he returns to a sinful life again. This is as strange and disgusting as the picture painted above with the dog returning to his vomit.

 

Why do sinners return to their sin and the dog return to its vomit? It is what they do by nature. Dogs eat their vomit by instinct. It is part of their nature as a dog. Change the dog into a man and he will not eat his barf, we can be sure of that. So it is with the sinner. He sins because he has a sin nature. He loves sin. Sin in reality is even more vile than vomit. Sin is a horrible and hideous act. It is a deepest darkness. Sin is a disease that destroys us. Yet sinners love to sin even though it wounds their conscience and wrecks their lives. Think of the alcoholic who continues in his drunkenness or the gambler in the casino.  While many try to reform themselves in various ways, yet they cannot change their nature. Peter in 2 Peter 2:22 quotes this proverb as an illustration of false teachers who turn away from the truth and from godliness. These people were apostates. They knew the truth. They had been influenced by the truth. But they were not converted by the truth and so, since their nature did not change, they rejected the truth and returned to their vomit of sin. They were still sinners who wanted to sin. We see this apostasy described in John 15:6 and Hebrews 6 and 10.

 

 We need God to change us. We need God to give us a new heart that has a different attitude toward sin. We need God to cause us to be born again. When He does this, we will begin to hate our sin. We will begin to see sin as God sees it. We will consider it like vomit. Now this doesn't mean a Christian will not sin or return to commit some awful sin. We still have our flesh that desires to do evil. But the Christian won't continue in sin. He will repent and turn from his sin. He may jump in the mud and mire like a pig for a time, but since he isn't a pig, he won't stay in the pigsty. Thanks be to God who doesn't leave us in the mud of sin, but brings us out of it. Thanks be to God whose grace and love in Christ Jesus is so great towards us who often find ourselves back in the mire of our sin.
 

-Brad

A Short Manual on How and Why We Must Love Our Enemies

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away His anger from him."

Proverbs 24:17-18

 

Have you an enemy? Have you someone in your life who is out to get you? Or maybe there is someone who ignores, mistreats, or slanders you? How do we act towards such a person? The Bible gives us clear guidelines for dealing with those who mistreat us. Romans 12:17-21 teaches us to not repay evil for evil, to promote peace, to not avenge ourselves but to trust God to deal with the person as is fitting, and to do good to them. We are to overcome evil with good. Matthew 5:43-48 calls us to love our enemies, to pray for them, and to do good for them. God is not only concerned with our outward actions to our enemies, but with our heart attitude toward them. These verses from Proverbs drive that truth home. We are not to even be happy about the fall of our enemy. There should be no secret thrill when we see our enemy stumble. We should never take pleasure in the misfortune and difficulty that comes to others. It displeases the LORD very much to see us gloating over the calamity that falls upon one we dislike.

 

This proverb also gives us a warning about such secret pleasure in the trouble of our enemy. By such a mean spirit, we bring on ourselves God's displeasure and discipline. God will now direct His anger toward us. The Lord sees not only our actions but also all that passes in our hearts. He requires us to love our enemies and to feel compassion for them even when they stumble. What a high standard that God has called us to! Who can ever live up to this? We all can confess that we have not loved our enemies very well. We can all remember times when we secretly rejoiced to see someone we didn't like in some trouble or difficulty. How we all need God's forgiveness! In fact it is only those who are children of God that can begin to love their enemies. It is only those with a new heart and the Spirit dwelling inside them that can show this love. This kind of love comes from God because this is how God loves.

 

God's love and compassion are so very great. We see His love shining in a blazing brilliance when we understand His love to His enemies. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the LORD God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?" Ezekiel 18:23. It is not His delight to bring judgement. He does good to His enemies. He gives them many good things to enjoy. "He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." Matthew 5:45. God gives evil people good food to enjoy, friendships, talents, comforts, laughter, and many other gifts. He does this even though they never thank Him or praise Him. The truth is, they often mock His laws and people. They insult and hate His person. They would kill Him if they could. But God continues to give good gifts. He even warns them of their sin through His word and their conscience. He is patient with them, giving them time to repent even when they reject His gospel. His love is so great that He died for those who were His enemies. "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." Romans 5:10. All of us who are Christians were once enemies of God. But in His infinite grace and love, He paid our debts, changed our hearts, and adopted us into the family of God. Such magnificent love should motivate us to love our enemies.



 -Brad-



Scoffers and Church Discipline

"Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease."

Proverbs 22:10

 

What is the scoffer like and why is this drastic solution given to the problem of the scoffer? To help us answer these questions, we'll briefly look at how a scoffer is described in Proverbs. Scoffers are those who delight in sin. They like scoffing or mocking the truth. Proverbs 1:22. To rebuke or correct a scoffer is useless and in fact, he might turn on you and do you harm. Proverbs 9:7-8. A scoffer may seek wisdom, but his search is in vain for his heart is not in the right condition. Proverbs 14:6. Scoffers don't like to be rebuked and reject correction. Proverbs 13:1, 15:12. Scoffer don't learn from beatings or any form of physical punishment. The only benefit to beating a scoffer is that others may learn from their punishment. Proverbs 21:11, 20:25, 29.  Scoffers are proud and arrogant which is to say, there is no fear of God in their hearts and lives. Proverbs 21:24. Scoffers can destroy a city with their arrogant and stubborn behavior. Proverbs 29:8. This is how Proverbs presents the scoffer.

 

The only way to deal with this type of person when he is in the company of the godly is to drive him out. Don't let him continue to be in your presence. As long as he is there, there is only misery and trouble. No other solution will do. Talking, instructing, rebuking, or correcting him are useless. Punishment is useless. He needs to leave, now!

 

If you listen well to God's wisdom here, you will find that a lot of trouble will leave with the scoffer. The scoffer produces strife, division, discord, quarreling, abuse, disgrace, and shame. If he goes so will all these problems. So many problems could be avoided if we would listen to what God says

here.

 

While this proverb doesn't speak of church discipline, it certainly relates to it and anticipates it. Titus 3:10-11 says, "As for a person who stirs up divisions, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." The person described in Titus is the person who is called the scoffer in Proverbs. Church disciple is needed for the individual in sin and for the church. Warning someone in sin with love is needed so that they will leave their sin and return to God in repentance. These people are in serious danger and need to be warned. If they refuse to listen to the warning of the church, then they must leave. Their presence will infect the whole church with trouble. "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened." 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. So many church problems can be avoided if we correctly, quickly, and lovingly remove such people from our congregations. One bad apple can ruin a whole church and bring great shame to christians and to Jesus Christ. Removing such a person from our midst will also warn others in the church. Some may wake up from their simple and foolish lives. They will see that sin is serious in the eyes of the church and of God. They may turn from their sin. Church discipline is painful, but it will have a very sanctifying influence in the church.

 

-Brad-

Don't be a Hedonistic Epicure.

"Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich."

Proverbs 21:17

 

Are you an epicure? Do you live a hedonistic lifestyle? Do you even know what these words mean? An epicure is one who is devoted to pleasure, particularly the pleasure of eating food. Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure as the chief purpose in life. This belief and practice is warned against in this proverb. Devoting your life to pleasure in a luxurious and self indulgent lifestyle will have grave consequences.

 

It is not pleasure that is the problem. It is when pleasure becomes our idol. We live to seek and find pleasure. It is our chief goal. We love pleasure more than God. We seek pleasure in food, alcohol, leisure, shopping, sex, and entertainment simply to obtain pleasure rather than to use these things to honour God. A hedonistic lifestyle makes our selfish desire the god. Seeking pleasure is done to satisfy the god Self. In the unregenerate heart and world this is normal.  But even Christians can slip into this practice. From time to time, we seek pleasure before God's will and kingdom. It may become a pattern of life which becomes normal. Jesus warns us about the pleasures of this world in the parable of the sower. In that parable the thorns that choked out the seed are "the care and riches and pleasures of life." Luke 8:14  This warning from Proverbs is especially important for us who live in a wealthy culture that is devoted to whatever makes us happy.

 

Wine and oil are used to represent a hedonistic lifestyle. Wine or oil are not bad in and of themselves. This we can see from verse 20 of chapter 21. There we learn that a wise man has in his house precious treasure and oil. Through self control and the wise management of his wealth he has prospered. So having wine and oil can be a sign of wisdom and blessing. It is the over indulgence and lack of self control in the use of these two items that is the problem. Using wine and oil to find joy and pleasure is wrong. I think we understand why wine is mentioned here, but what about oil. Oil had various purpose. It was used as a food. Oil was used as a cosmetic to keep the skin and hair looking good. Perfumes and incense were made of oil as well. These uses give us an idea why oil is included here. Wine and oil would be often be used in abundance at parties and feasts.

 

The warning in this proverb is that those who pursue this idol of pleasure will became poor. This lifestyle will result in poverty. And poverty will result in the end of their hedonistic lifestyle, since they have no money to buy what gives them pleasure. Isn't this what we see in our culture. So many people are in debt or are bankrupt because they bought all they wanted without restraint. The pleasure of sin is fleeting. They are as a mist that disappears quickly. When the mist of pleasure is gone, we are left with the consequences that are often tragic. And we have not even talked about the judgment to come after death for the sins of the love of pleasure. Take heed to this warning from God. Don't be a lover of pleasure but a lover of God. 2 Tim 3:4. Learn from Solomon: the pursuit of pleasure is vanity. Eccles 2:1-2

 

Seeking pleasure for the goal of pleasure will not bring us true pleasure. True pleasure is found in seeking and loving God, righteousness and wisdom. David says this in Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." The way of holiness is a way of true joy. God wants us to have true joy and pleasure. It is found in Him alone. Though Jesus Christ we can enjoy the fellowship with God that will result in true joy and pleasure. Don't live like a Hedonistic Epicure.

 

-Brad-

Proverbs and My Birthday

"The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their grey hair."

Proverbs 20:29

 

 This last week I celebrated my thirtieth birthday. So, it is quite providential that the proverb above was before me in the morning devotions. This proverb deals with the different stages in life and their unique benefits.

 

Youth is a time of strength and energy. The mind is clear and able to study and think well. The body is in good health. The young don't have the aches and pains that the aged do. Young people often feel invincible. Now as with many proverbs, this one contains generalizations. Not all young people have good health and are full of energy. But normally this stage of life has these things as it's glory. But young people often don't have the wisdom to guide this energy and passion. This belongs to the aged.

 

 The crowning characteristic of old people is their life experience. Grey hair represents the many years they have lived. Over the years they have learned many truths about life. They have learned from experience what works and what doesn't. They have seen the fads come and go. They have gained wisdom though-out the years. While his body is now weak, his mind is full of insight into life. He may not see well with his eyes, but he can see the truth much better. Again this is not always true. How sad it is to see an old person who has not learned much from his many years. I know of old people who are old and yet fools.  

 

It is implied in this proverb that the wisdom and insight of the aged is superior to the strength of the young man. This is seen in the word "but" that separates the two phrases. We do nothing to gain the strength of youth, but we do have to learn life's lesson if we wish to gain the wisdom of the aged.

 

We learn, from applying this proverb, that each period in our life has its benefits and we need each age group. The young men need the wisdom of the aged. They need to listen to them. They need to sit at their feet drinking in their wisdom. They should show respect to those who have weathered the storms of life. Also, the youth should use this time of energy and health to serve the Lord. Don't waste this time on the empty and vain things of this world. This is no time to have your fun or sow your wild oats. God has blessed you with strength, young person; don't waste it. Use this time to gain wisdom from God. Your strength will disappear and if you have no wisdom to help you through your years of old age, how difficult and sad will it be for you.

 

The old people need to learn from this proverb to use what they have learned to help others grow in wisdom and knowledge. You have spent years of toil and energy to gain insight and understanding. Now is not the time to live for self. There is no retirement in the Bible. Don't spend all your time in travel and drinking coffee in Tim Hortons. Invest into the Church what God has blessed you with. We need the wise old people to help us young people to use our strength in wisdom. Read Titus 2:1-8 for how older women and men can teach those who are younger. All the benefits that come with each age group are gifts from God and are to be used in His service and His glory.

 

 

I hope that my next thirty years are used to be spent in the service of the Lord. I hope in my next thirty years to seek and find much wisdom. I hope in my next thirty years to know the Lord Jesus Christ in greater and deeper ways.

Brad

Alcohol and the Church

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise."

Proverbs 20:1

 

This verse begins a series of proverbs at the end of this book about the abuse of alcohol. I would like to briefly look at what Proverbs says about intoxicating drink, and what is the Biblical view of drinking alcohol. In the days of the writing of the Bible, everyone drank wine, but it was mixed with a good percentage of water. Proverbs is concerned with wine and other alcoholic beverages that were unmixed. In the verse quoted above, wine and other alcohol is compared to the results they produce. Being under the influence of alcohol leads one to fights, loud and foolish words, and indiscreet behavior. Drunkenness is for fools not the wise. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns not to even be a companion to drunkards. Their evil influence will corrupt good judgement. If we follow their ways, it will lead to poverty. Later on in Proverbs 23:29-35 we are given a very detailed picture of the ill effects of over drinking. We learn that drunkenness brings sorrow, relational strife, inner strife, physical problems, and general trouble. Alcoholic drinks are seductive. The end result of drunkenness is pain and suffering like the poison of a snake. Alcohol clouds our thinking, blurs our vision, and staggers our steps. Yet even though this is the case, those addicted to alcohol will not learn from these painful consequences and return to the bottle again.

   

In Proverbs 31:4-7, we are taught that kings and by implication all those in authority, should stay away from wine. Wine clouds our thinking and reactions. Wine is not good for those in authority for they might forget the laws and abuse those under them. This is good reminder for church elders. Wine may have its place for some people in some situations, it should be avoided by leader who need to be self controlled and sober. This is a very brief summary of what Proverbs teaches about alcoholic drink and their effects.

 

There are two unbiblical approaches to alcohol that I have observed among Christians. The first approach is to ban drinking altogether. Drinking any alcohol is considered a sin. I have even come across churches that won't allow people to be members of the church unless they promise never to drink alcohol. This approach to alcohol is understandable when we see the devastating destruction that is caused by the abuse of alcohol. The problem is that this goes beyond the rules of Scripture. God never says we can't drink alcohol. In Psalm 104:14-16 it says that God causes food to grow so man can have food and wine to gladden his heart and oil to make his face shine. Now if a person wants to abstain from alcohol, they have the freedom to do so. But they do not have the right to impose their rule on any one else.

 

The second unbiblical approach to alcohol that I have seen is a casual approach to drinking. Drinking alcohol is a normal part of their lives. Parties and social evenings are always accompanied by some form of alcohol. The warnings of scripture about alcohol are not taken seriously. In fact it is considered uncool not to drink along with them. Often these Christians don't get very drunk, but maybe just a little tipsy. It seems to me that this casual approach to drinking leads to a casual approach to drunkenness in others. They may solemnly shake their heads when they hear of someone who was drunk but it isn't a serious concern--in fact they may even find it humorous. They stand motionless while others drink themselves silly. I knew of some people who after professing their commitment to follow Jesus Christ, they then went out to celebrate by getting drunk. Or when a group of boys went out to celebrate the birth of the Saviour by drinking in excess. I have heard countless stories of drunken parties, where animals are abused, sexual immorality is rampant, and all manner of sin is embraced.  Yet no one seems to do a whole lot about this. These people seem to be on the other side of the scale of those who forbid all drinking. This kind of  behavior is a shame and a disgrace to the name of Christ.

 

So what is a Biblical approach to alcohol? First, we need to take to heart the many warnings in the Bible concerning the abuse of alcohol. Second, we need to take seriously the exhortations of scripture to live with self-control and a sober mind. Alcohol can hinder us in resisting sin. Third, it should be our desire to please the Lord which should make us want to avoid drunkenness. We should not be asking how close to the line of intoxication can we come before we have sinned. We should keep a good distance from that line, so that there is no chance of drunkenness.

 

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

Brad

Hope In The Darkness

"Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death."

Proverbs 19:18

 

The last few weeks have seen some difficult days in the parenting of our children. This last Tuesday was a dark day for parenting. All our efforts seemed useless. We would teach the truth of God's word. We would repeatedly use physical discipline. We would present the need of the gospel and the new birth. But it seemed this was to no effect. The same crimes would be committed over and over again. We felt hopeless. What more could we do? It was ironic that this was the day when our Man to Man Bible and Coffee group was meeting to discuss parenting. The next morning during my regular devotions, I came to this verse. It was like light in a dark place. I hope it will be so for you too.

 

What is discipline? John Kitchen in his Proverbs commentary gives this definition: "The word translated 'Discipline' refers to correction of some kind that is aimed at educating the individual toward a better course." We are all born to roll down the road of sin and death. Discipline is needed to change our path to the way of grace and life. Discipline involves teaching and instruction concerning the right way and the use of physical punishment in love to reinforce this truth. Both are important and needed. Discipline when done as God has instructed us is hard work. We might feel tempted to give up and let our child go his own way. Just ignore Johnny's mischief for now. It isn't worth the trouble today. The truth is when we ignore God's instruction on the discipline of our children we are letting our children walk unhindered in the way of death. A failure to discipline is a death sentence to our children. It may lead to their physical death as they live godless lives. It will certainly, but for God's grace, bring them to complete spiritual death.

 

Discipline brings hope. Discipline can be used by God to bring spiritual life to our children. We have no promises that say if we only follow God's instructions for raising children then they will all be good Christians. We could do everything right and still one of our children could walk away from the truth. But often it is the faithful discipline of God-fearing parents that is soaked in prayers which is used by God to bring spiritual life to our children. This proverb is to encourage us to keep on disciplining our children. Even when there is no immediate results, and we are tired and weary. We need to persevere in training our children. So long as we continue in this there is hope for them.

 

-Brad-

Topsy Turvy

"It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes."

Proverbs 19:10

 

We have in this proverb two situations that just don't fit with how things should be. The first is a foolish person with great wealth who lives like a king. The second is a slave ruling over princes. Lets look at both these situation to see what is wrong in them.

The rich fool

This foolish person seems to have come upon sudden wealth. He doesn't have the wisdom to gain wealth on his own. So perhaps he won the lottery or received an inheritance. A foolish person can't manage his own bit of money.  So if a fool receives a lot more money, you can bet he will waste it for he has never learned to wisely use his wealth. He will waste it on indulging his sinful pleasure, and in the end he will meet again with poverty. This scenario is played out many times when people win the lottery. Since they are incompetent with money, they will mismanage the money they won and ruin themselves. 

The slave who is king

Generally slaves are not prepared to rule countries. They learn to take orders without hesitation, not give orders. They usually don't have to think through a plan or idea. They don't have to organize to get a project done. They are told what to do and how to do it. For a slave to rise suddenly to the rank of king would be a tragic calamity. The slave has never been trained or prepared to do that sort of work. For him to rule over men who have been trained for that position is wrong. It is likely that the slave will become a horrible despot as he is intoxicated with power. This situation is worse than the last because the rich fool will ruin himself only, but this slave king will ruin a whole country.

Application

It is important that before a person find himself with wealth, power and responsibility that he be trained and prepared for it. For example, we need to teach our children how to wisely manage money when they are young. Having been equipped with that skill, they will do much better when they are older and handling larger sums of money. Too much responsibility early on will crush us. It is good to give more and more responsibility as a person shows himself faithful in his work. A mother of one child can't imagine how a mother of five can handle all her children. But you learn to carry that responsibility a little at a time, unless you have octuplets.

This principle is also how God works as well. He trains us and prepares us so that we will be able to manage greater roles and services for Him. He knows us and what we need to do the tasks he has called us to. This we can see in the selection for elders. Ideally an elder needs to be someone who is more mature in His walk with God. A new convert or immature Christian is unprepared for the challenging work of an elder. 1 Timothy 3:6

We also see God using the principle in this proverb in the 'Parable of the Talents' in Matthew 25:14-30. There we learn that the faithful use of the gifts and responsibilities that God has given to us in this life, will bring us greater responsibilities and rewards in the life to come. God is using this life for the believer as a training ground for the life to come. If we are faithful to use well all the gifts and opportunities God has given us, God will give us more in the new heaven and the new earth. This is the principle that we find in the proverb we are looking at today. So let us be faithful servants of God so that we may produce much fruit to the glory of God.

 

-Brad-

 



Hey! Did You Hear About What Joe Did?

 Perhaps you are wondering why I continue to write about some of the proverbs. Most of these blog post come out of my morning devotions. I am working verse by verse though the book of proverbs. I make comments and observations in a notebook. Each week I select one proverb to write about in a deeper fashion. It is good for me to carefully consider the proverb and make deeper application for I am not able to do so in the time I have in morning. I also pray that what I am taught by God would benefit you as well. This is the purpose of this blog. I don't aim to be conterversial. I don't care for superficial subjects. This is not a blog of jokes and humor. We hope to proclaim the truth and call for holy living to the glory of God. We want you to know Him as we desire to know Him. My wife has been too tired to blog lately, so that's why most of the blogs are mine. That being said, let us look at another proverb.

"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body."

Proverbs 18:8

 

Imagine for a moment, you are at a friend's house. You are sitting together in the living room talking. Then someone comes around with a plate of delicious brownies or cookies. The plate come to you and you are asked if you want one. They look so good, how can you say no. Gossip is like that. We have a hard time resisting listening to gossip. Gossip is to the ears and the sinful heart what brownies are to the taste buds. Gossip appeals to our self righteous nature. When we hear what so and so did, we feel like we aren't so bad. Gossip brings pride and a smugness. Gossip can make us feel special. We may be the select few that know this about this person. We are part of the club. Gossip can inflate our ego.  
    
  When is telling a certain fact about someone gossip? There seems to be a fine line when it comes to gossip. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and can trick us into thinking we are relating this for some noble purpose. We may share the "news" under the false disguise of making it a matter of prayer. Also gossip doesn't have to false to be gossip. The events may be true or half true. A helpful way to keep ourselves from telling gossip or listening to gossip is to ask ourselves a few questions before we speak. Is this for the good of the person who is spoken of? Is this said in love? Do we truly care for the spiritual welfare of the person? We need to consider these questions before we speak or hear gossip, for gossip can do much damage. 

The last part of this proverb speaks of how gossip can affect us and others. Gossip, like that yummy brownie, goes down inside us. It has an effect on us. The gossip we hear of a person will affect how we think, act, and talk about a particular person. Gossip will shape and mold how we view other people. We may desire to unhear the story, but it is impossible but for God's power and grace. Gossip can separate close friends. (Proverbs 16:28.) Gossip brings quarrels and fighting. (Proverbs 26:20.) Avoid gossip like a deadly plague!

Lastly, let us confess our sins of gossip before the Lord knowing that He will cleanse us from all sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Also, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

-Brad-



 



The Fear of The LORD

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight"

Proverbs 9:10

 

What does it mean to fear the LORD? This is an important question for it is the theme of Proverbs. But this expression is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. So it is important to understand what the Scriptures mean when it talks of the fear of the LORD. As we learn from the two verses quoted above, the fear of the LORD is essential for wisdom. In fact if we don't fear the LORD, we will never find wisdom or true knowledge. We will be fools till the day we die. The fear of the LORD is essential for salvation. So, we need to know what it means to fear the LORD.

 

The fear of the LORD is produced by a knowledge of God and ourselves which is revealed to us in Scripture. God has revealed His character to us on the pages of the Bible. We see God revealed as holy, almighty, all knowing, eternal, infinite, good, just and righteous. We cannot fear someone we don't know. The knowledge of God is essential to fearing Him. Scripture also reveals who we are as well in relation to this God. The Bible teaches that we are sinful and guilty before the Holy One. We are spiritually dead and unable to save ourselves. We are dependent on God for everything. Yet we hate God and will suffer the just wrath deserving to such enemies of God. This Biblical knowledge is vital to fearing God, but it is not enough.

 

The fear of the LORD is seen in running to the LORD in humility, repentance and obedience based on the knowledge of who God is and who we are. Some people, like Adam and Eve after they sinned, run from the holy, just Judge. But the true fear of the LORD results in a fear of God that leads to running to God.  The fear of God brings humility, not pride. We now compare ourselves before the infinite God. As we behold the glory of God, we shrink in our estimation of ourselves. We are but dust and ashes before the Eternal One. We see our terrible guilt before God, who is pure and good. We begin to hate our sin and leave our sin. So we run to God for grace and mercy. We come as beggars desperate for salvation. The true fear of the LORD brings forgiveness, a new heart, and a new relationship with the LORD.

 

When we truly begin to fear God, then we begin to be wise. The wisdom of Proverbs cannot be yours without the fear of God. The one who does fear God will study Proverbs to obtain skill in living in relationship with God and with people. Without a right fear of the LORD, the study of Proverbs will only make one a self-righteous moralist.

 

Lastly, we need to grow in the fear of the LORD.  The continued study and application of Scripture will lead to a greater and greater knowledge and fear of the LORD.  The fear of the LORD is learnt from the Word of God. So a study of God's Word is needed for us to deepen in our fear and reverence of God.

 

-Brad-

The Sovereignty of the Lord and the Casting of Lots

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

Proverbs 16:33

 

Nothing in this world happens by chance. Nothing is random. Nothing is out of order. The Lord is in control of everything. From major details to minor details, nothing is outside of God's control, plan and purpose. We must recognize this and learn to accept with thanksgiving and praise all the happenings of this life that come from our Father in heaven who is wise, good, and sovereign. It is a shame and a testimony to our lack of faith when we so often complain, groan, and even get angry at the difficulties that God sends our way. Trials are for our good. God has a good purpose in all that happens in our lives. The Lord is good and always does what is good, but He doesn't always do what we think is good.  We need to then live by faith; trusting in our God.

 

So this proverb is another reminder that God is in control of everything, even things we consider random, such as the lot. What is the casting of lots? It was a way of determining the will of God in a certain situation. The exact method for doing so is unknown. Maybe stones were marked and thrown down into the fold of one's robe as this proverb suggests. It would be a similar idea to when we roll a dice or flip a coin. Casting lots was done often in the Old Testament to determine God's will. We see it done to determine which tribe will inherit what piece of land in Joshua 18:10. Jonah was selected by lot as the cause of the great storm. Lots were cast to determine whether Saul or Jonathan had violated Saul's foolish curse. 1 Samuel 14. The 11 apostles cast lots to choose a new apostle to replace Judas. Acts 1:26. This is the last time we read of the casting of lots in the Bible. I think this is important when we ask the question, "Can we use the casting of lots to make decisions today?"  Soon after the lot was thrown to choose Matthias, the Spirit come down at Pentecost. After Pentecost, we don't hear about anyone casting lots to make a decision. With the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and the completion of the New Testament, the casting of lots is not needed as it was before Pentecost. When making decisions, we have the Spirit within us to help and guide us. We have the word of God to teach us the revealed will of God and to give us wise principles. We can ask the counsel of wise and godly brothers and sisters in Christ. Prayer is very important in seeking the guidance of God. Fasting is also another means we can use to seek the will of God. See how prayer and fasting was used by the church in Antioch to select missionaries. Acts 13:1-2  This is the usual and normal means that New Testament believers can go about make a decision.

 

So is there ever a time when we can cast lots as a way of determining God's will? I believe so, but it would be a rare thing. It would occur only after we have done all the ways ordained by Scripture listed above. If, after doing all that, we are still faced with options that are acceptable to God, we could cast lots. But it must be done with much prayer and seriousness. And when the lot is cast, we must accept the result as being from the Lord and do as directed. This is what Mathew Henry said about lots, "When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well decided, God must be eyed in it by prayer, that it may be disposed aright and by acquiescing in it when it is disposed; being satisfied that the hand of God is in it and that hand directed by infinite wisdom." 

 

It is a great comfort to believers that the Lord is in control of everything. We should look to this God for direction as we make decisions and look to Him for the grace and strength to go through the trials of this life.

 

-Brad-