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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 168

Jun17

Day 168.  Reading Proverbs 25-26

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
What truth about God stays in your mind?
 

Proverbs 25.

The following four chapters of Proverbs (137 in all) are by Solomon, but the caption says that they were copied into the book by “the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.  This would be 200 years later!  It was during a time of revival in Judah.

Solomon’s wise advice in verses 6-7 about not putting yourself forward in the king’s presence reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 14:8-10 and James’s words in James 4:6b and 10.

  • Solomon: “Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.”
  • Jesus: “Do not sit down in a place of honor, let someone more distinguished than you be invited, and he who invited you both will say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and you will begin with shame to take the lower place.  Instead, go and sit in the lowest place. so when your host comes, he may say, ‘Friend, move up higher.’  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
  • James: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Solomon’s admonition to “Argue your case with your neighbor himself,” is expanded by Jesus in Matthew 18:15. “If your brother has anything against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him.”

Solomon’s words about being kind to your enemies, feeding them, and giving them water are “seconded” by Jesus in Matthew 5:43-48.  And, the king’s words about the kindness of feeding and giving drink to enemies as “heaping coals on your enemies head, and the Lord rewarding you,” are picked up by Paul in Romans 12:20.

It looks like Jesus, James, and Paul did some reading in the Proverbs now and then.  We should, too!

Don’t you love good news from people you haven’t heard from in a while? 

  • “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
  • “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

What was the last good news you got from a distant relative or friend?

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Proverbs 26,

Verses 4 and 5 are a conundrum!  Think about Solomon’s words.  What do YOU think he’s trying to say?

  • “ANSWER NOT A FOOL ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY, lest you be like him yourself.”
  • “ANSWER A FOOL ACCORDING TO HIS FOLLY, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

Then, in verses 6-12, Solomon continues on and on comparing what awful things are like the mouth, or words, of a fool!  (actually, some of them are funny)

After fools, he rants on sluggards, or the lazy. (Verses 13-16)

Then, busy-bodies, jokesters, gossipers, and liars.  Whew!  Get it all out, Solomon!!

And he’s fair:

  • “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”
  • “As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”

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(From the example of Jesus and the writers of the NT letters, I find I need to take some of the wisdom from Proverbs for myself – think on them, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply them to my life and my heart.)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 164

Jun13

Day 164.  Reading 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5

Read Today’s Scriptures.

What truth about God stays in your mind?

1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5.

The Temple that King David had imagined, planned, and provided for, and that King Solomon had built … was finished.  A fantastic monument for the LORD GOD of Heaven, glorious and magnificent, only awaiting the breath of God Himself!

Solomon gathered all of Israel for the dedication. The priests were consecrated and sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted. Then, they brought up the Ark of the Covenant from Zion, the City of David. They placed it in the Most Holy Place in the Temple, under the wings of the cherubim.

And when they came out … a cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not minister, for the GLORY of the LORD filled the house of the LORD!

King Solomon then blesses the LORD God of Heaven.

  • Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with His hand has fulfilled what He promised with His mouth to David, my father, saying… ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that My Name might be there. But I chose David to be over my people, Israel.’  Now it was in the heart of David, my father, to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. (But the LORD said, you shall not build the house, but your son shall build the house for my name.)  NOW, THE LORD HAS FULFILLED HIS PROMISE.”

Then Solomon spread out his hands toward heaven and prayed a lengthy prayer to the LORD, filled with praise, humility, contrition, and confidence in God.

  • “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.”  “Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David, my father (that he would not lack a man to sit before you on the throne of Israel). 

Solomon pleads that God when He hears prayer offered from that place, would hear it and forgive.

  • If a person sins against his neighbor and comes before the altar…
  • When the people of Israel are defeated because they have sinned…
  • When there is no rain because the people have sinned…
  • If there is a famine, pestilence, blight, mildew, locus, or enemy at the gates because they have sinned and they come before this place with repentance…
  • When a foreigner comes to pray before this place…
  • If your people go to battle and pray for help…
  • If they sin against You, and you send enemies to take them captive, and they turn to you….
  • If your people repent with all their mind and hearts…

“Then, O God, hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their plea and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and for all their transgressions that they have committed against You, grant them compassion.”

Then Solomon got up from his prayer and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice:

  • “The LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers, may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Him to walk in all his ways and to keep His commandments, statutes, and rules he commanded our fathers.  Let your heart, therefore, be wholly true to the LORD our God.”

After that, there were tons more sacrifices and offerings.  After eight days, the people went home to their houses, joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, his servant, and to Israel, his people.

(More tomorrow on Solomon’s prayer and dedication and God’s well-known promise of forgiveness and healing. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

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(Oh, the mountain-top experiences! How we all wish we could stay there. Filled with the joy of the LORD, praises, goodwill, and full tummies. 

There will be more good things about Solomon, but eventually, as he goes against the laws for a king, we will see him falter. God is faithful, but sin will show its ugly head in his own son’s reign. 

Message to me?  Stay alert, be on guard, for my heart tends to sin, pride, greed, and wishes for glory.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 161

Jun10

Day 161.  Reading Proverbs 22 – 24.

Read Today’s Scriptures.

WHAT truths have you learned about God, His Word, everyday living, or God’s Sovereignty from Solomon’s proverbs so far?

Proverbs 22.

Insights to ponder—

  • Your good name is better than getting rich.
  • God makes both the rich AND the poor.
  • One who borrows is a slave to the one who lends (so watch out about too much debt on your credit card!)
  • Don’t be friends with an angry person because you’ll learn to be angry, too. (The same goes for one who swears, tells off-color jokes, is malicious, rude, or mean, etc.)
  • (Humor) An excuse for not going to work for the lazy person is, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the street!”
  • Train your kids in God’s ways and His Word.
  • Don’t be afraid to spank your kids when they act foolishly.

Then Solomon says, “I’ve written for you 30 sayings (chapters) of counsel and knowledge.”  Why did he write this book? “So your trust will be in the LORD.”

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Proverbs 23.

There are some interesting pieces of advice from King Solomon in this chapter about dining with wealthy, powerful, or influential people. 

  • Use restraint in eating their delicacies (they may be trying to bribe you).
  • Don’t assume they are “treating” you because they like you, for they are probably inwardly calculating how to trap/use you.
  • “Eat and drink!” your host may say, but desist. You’ll end up vomiting if you eat/drink too much (and how will that look?).

Solomon also expands on the relationship between parents and children.

  • Don’t be afraid to spank your children as a part of their discipline.  They won’t die, though their yells may sound like it.
  • Children should listen to and respect their fathers and mothers when they are old.
  • Children, be wise and righteous so your parents will be glad and rejoice over you.

Then Solomon writes seven vivid (humorous if it weren’t so sad) verses about what happens to a person when they get DRUNK.  (Do we really want to look, act, and feel that way???)

  • Wounds without cause, red eyes, it’s smooth going down but with a serpent’s sting at the end.
  • Seeing strange things, speaking vile words, staggering, dizzy, numb.
  • And when they awake? Proof of addiction.  “I must have another drink!

(I wonder if Solomon observed this or experienced it.)

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Proverbs 24.

Solomon built his own palace and the Temple of God. He watched, read the plans his father drew up, and organized the building materials. (TOMORROW, WE WILL SEGUAY TO 1 KINGS AND 2 CHRONICLES FOR A FEW DAYS TO READ ABOUT THAT GREAT WORK.)

Meanwhile, in this chapter, he speaks of other building projects.

  • Verse 27.  He advises getting your fields in order (fences, plowing, and planting) first and then building your house.
  • Verses 3-4.  Solomon compares spiritual education to building your house.  “Wisdom is a house built, and by understanding, it is established; and by knowledge, the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”  
  • Knowledge = the facts of God’s truth,
  • Understanding = the meaning of the truth,
  • Wisdom = the application of the truth.

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I love verses 13-14. “Eat honey, for it is good. The drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Wisdom is like honey to your soul. If you find it, there will be a future and a hope.”

This reminds me of the words of Solomon’s father, David, in Psalm 19, speaking of the wisdom (all the law) of the Lord. “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”

(Do I seek for that sweetness of God’s Word and truth?

Do I desire His wisdom, understanding, and knowledge like a taste of honey? 

LORD, oh, help me to long for Your word and to “devour” it constantly.)

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Solomon also writes about our responsibility to help others in physical or spiritual distress.

  • Proverbs 24:11-12.  “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?”

Many prophets in the Old Testament warn about the responsibility of being a watchman and telling others about approaching disaster.  Jesus’ brother, Jude, urges this too.

  • Jude 22-23, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

Salvation should not mean complacency. Love for our Lord and others (friend or enemy) should always guide us.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 159 & 160

Jun9

Sunday and Monday studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 159. Reading Proverbs 16 – 18.

Day 160.  Reading Proverbs 19 – 21

Read Today’s Scriptures.
What insight or joy do you receive?
 
Day 159 – Proverbs 16.

God is sovereign in all things. Did you see that in this chapter?

  • Verse 1. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
  • Verse 4. “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” (Think Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, or Cyrus) 
  • Verse 9. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
  • Verse 33. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.’

I can trust God’s perfect will and way for my good and His glory!

And a few proverbs that you’ve probably heard quoted:

  • Verse 7. “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
  • Verse 18. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  

(Has that ever happened to you?  I’m guilty of pride, and often, I find myself on the ground with muck on my face!!)

  • Verse 24. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” 

(Try this today when you want to lash out and see the joy it brings to the other person AND yourself!)

  • Verse 31. (I love this one!) “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

(My life is only righteous through the Lord Jesus Christ, but I’m glad that even Solomon did not find grey hair disgusting!)

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Proverbs 17.

  • Here’s another of the “better” proverbs. Verse 1. “BETTER is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” (also 15:17)
  • I love this one, being a great-grandma of six. Verse 6. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
  • A proverb against GOSSIP!  Verse 9. “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

(Oh, LORD, gossip is so tempting, so self-exulting, so delicious, and we can hide its malicious intent by saying we are “sharing a prayer need.”  Father, keep me from such heinous foolishness today!!)

  • Verse 17. “A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

(I’ve always wondered what the second part of this proverb meant.  Well, you can lean on a friend through thick and thin, but it is a brother, a relative, who will stand with you in true trouble.  “Blood is thicker than water,” they say.  I’m so thankful that Jesus is both a friend AND brother to the believer.)

  • Want to seem wise?  According to verse 28, just keep your mouth closed. 

Yes, it can be difficult at times. But why open it and prove your foolishness?  (Me?  Yep, I have deeply regretted a word (or many more) spoken when I should have kept silent.)

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Proverbs 18.

This chapter has many of the points (truths) from the previous chapters. (Don’t you wish Solomon would have grouped all the similar ones together?  Ah, but then, would we search the verses so carefully?)

A FOOL AND HIS MOUTH

  • Verse 6-7 “A fool’s LIPS walk into a fight, and his MOUTH invites a beating.”  “A fools’ MOUTH is his ruin, and his LIPS are a snare to his soul.” 

GOSSIP

  • Verse 8. “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels, they go down into the inner parts of the body.”

PRIDE

  • Verse 12.  “Before destruction, a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

FRIENDS/BROTHERS

  • Verse 24. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” 

This reminds me again of our Lord Jesus Christ’s words in John 15:12-17. 

  • “This is my commandment, that you love one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. YOU ARE MY FRIENDS if you do what I command you (love one another). No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.   You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.  These things I command you will love one another.”

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Day 160 – Proverbs 19-21.
 

Lots more wisdom in these three chapters, many repeated with a few different words. 

  • Verse 3. “When A MAN’s (own) folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against THE LORD!” 

 Have you ever seen this?  Have you ever blamed God for your own foolishness?  I can recall this in my own life, oh, fool that I am!

Wives, who wants them? Who can do without them?

  • Verse 13b. “a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.” Yikes!!
  • Verse 21:9. “It is BETTER to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife!”
  • Verse 21:19. “It is BETTER to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.”

However…

  • Verse 19:14, “House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”  YAY!

And, on the OTHER hand…

  • Verse 20:6, “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a FAITHFUL MAN who can find?”

On keeping silent…

  • Verse 21:23. “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”  Amen!

God’s Sovereignty…

  • Verse 19:21. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
  • Verses 21:30-31. “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

The lazy sluggard …

  • Verse 19:15. “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.”
  • Verse 19:24. “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.”
  • Verse 20:4. “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.”
  • Verse 20:13. “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.”
  • Verse 21:15. “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hand refuses to labor.”

Then, there are several proverbs concerning “a king.”  I wonder if Solomon is describing himself and his own rule…

  • Verse 19:12. “A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
  • Verse 20:2. “The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.”
  • Verse 20:8.  “A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.”
  • Verse 20:26. “A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.”  OH MY!!
  • Verse 20:28.  “Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love, his throne is upheld.”
  • Vere 21:1. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 158

Jun7

Day 158.  Reading Proverbs 13 – 15

Read Today’s chapters.

Pithy, sharp, and true truths, which stood out to you?

Proverbs 13.

Four times in this chapter, Solomon says that when “whoever” (not the righteous or wise and not the foolish) but whoever does a particular thing (good or bad), that person experiences a matching result. Then, in the second part of the verse, the opposite is shown.

Check out Verses 3, 13, 20, and the familiar, 24

  • verse 3 – WHOEVER guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
  • verse 13 – WHOEVER despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
  • verse 20 – WHOEVER walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
  • verse 24 – WHOEVER spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

ANY OF SOLOMON’S READERS, then and now, can fall into these traps of 1) not guarding our speech, 2) despising (being offended by) the Word, 3) congregating with fools, and 4) not disciplining our children.

I am a “whoever,” and you are a “whoever,” too.   May we heed Solomon’s wise warnings.

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Proverbs 14.

There are several familiar quotations in Chapter 14.

When my husband and I ran a horse-boarding business, verse 4 became a humorous, oft-quoted saying between us.  Twice daily, we had to clean out and carry away the muck of nine horse stalls.  We would remind ourselves…

  • “Where there are no oxen (horses), the manger is clean, but abundant crops (our earnings) come by the strength of oxen (boarding horses).”  In essence, “dirty” stalls equaled money.

And verse 12 is often quoted when we share the Gospel of Christ with people who think they don’t need the Lord Jesus to get to heaven. They can manage okay on their own good works…

  • “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

And in patriotic meetings or on holidays, we quote verse 34.

  • “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

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Proverbs 15.

  • “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  and  “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”

Have you seen this happen?  Have you ever heeded this good advice of a ‘soft answer’ and being ‘slow to anger’ in a situation?  What happened?

LORD, help me remember these “better” truths when I wish I had more “stuff.”

  • “BETTER is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”  and  “BETTER is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 

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LORD, I love how these pithy and even humorous proverbs convict us when we let the truths sink in. YOUR WORD, is truly “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.”

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 157

Jun6

Day 157.  Reading Proverbs 10 – 12.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
Which proverbs made you “think”?

Proverbs 10.

The Proverbs of Solomon. The proverbs in chapters 10-15 usually offer contrasts or opposites. Look for them.  There are a few familiar phrases, such as “love covers all offenses,” reminding us of 1 Peter 4:8.

Although I have to remember that these proverbs are “general truths” and not theology or promises, I enjoyed all that this chapter says about the “righteous.” (those who fear the LORD)

  • 3. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry…
  • 6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous…
  • 7. The memory of the righteous is a blessing…
  • 11. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life…
  • 20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver…
  • 24. The desire of the righteous will be granted…
  • 28. The hope of the righteous brings joy…
  • 30. The righteous will never be removed…
  • 31. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom
  • 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable..

All of these are contrasted to that of the foolish, wicked, and slothful.  It’s true that the righteous often prosper, but not always.  They are frequently mocked and persecuted horribly.

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Proverbs 11.

There are more contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, perverse, cruel, and foolish in this chapter: common truths that often play out today.  Solomon also writes about money and wealth, as well as greed and dishonesty, pride and humility in this chapter, ending with, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall.” (29).  (Says the wealthiest man of his time!)

Humorously, right in the middle of the chapter, is this proverb (22): “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.”  He also writes about a gracious woman getting honor” in verse 16.  (Most of chapter 31 is honoring the “virtuous woman.”)

I love the truths about generosity in verses 24-25.

  • “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.  Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered.”

This truth is reinforced in Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-9.

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Proverbs 12.

This chapter holds more contrasts between good and evil, knowledge and stupidity, the righteous and the wicked, pride and humility, hard work and sloth, prudence and foolishness, and much about the power of the mouth and lips and what/how they speak.

Also, two other kinds of women!

  • 4.  An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

.On speech,

  • 17-19. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
  • 22. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD…
  • 25. “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

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Many of these proverbs convict me, especially about women and my speech.  Father, remind me from Your Word how to be a gracious woman and an excellent wife.  And may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 156

Jun5

Day 156.  Reading Proverbs 7 – 9.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
Name some things you have learned about Wisdom.
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Proverbs 7.

Solomon continues with his warnings about the Adulteress. He knows his son (and perhaps he, himself) needs to be repeatedly told of her sly ways.

But first, he extols the virtues of the other woman, Wisdom. “Keep my WORDS, treasure up my COMMANDMENTS, keep my TEACHING as the “apple (pupil) of your eye,” and write them on your heart.”

Let your “sister” and “intimate friend,” Wisdom, “keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

  • This reminds me of David’s Psalm 119:11, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Then follows a scene that has happened many times. A young man is lured to the house, the arms, and the bed of either an adulterous wife or a prostitute. She is wily; she knows what he wants; she tells him what he wants to hear. She’s ritually “clean,” and her husband is far away.  Oh my!

And the fellow listens and follows “as an OX goes to the slaughter, or as a STAG is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver, as a BIRD rushes into a snare.  He does not know that it will cost him his life.”

  • James 1:14-15 says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
  • James 1:5 also says, “If any of you LACK wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

“O sons! Listen to me.  Let not your heart turn aside to her ways.”

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Proverbs 8.

Now Solomon praises the “other path,” that of Wisdom (sometimes personified as Christ).  Unlike the Adulteress, Wisdom’s call is faithful and righteous.

  • On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads, she takes her stand; besides the gates in front of the town, at the entrance or the portals, she cries aloud, “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.  O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. HEAR, for I will speak noble things, and from MY lips will come what is right, for the words of MY mouth are righteous.”

And then Wisdom’s worth.

  • “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield is better than choice silver.

Christ used His eternal Wisdom in creation.

  • “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His work, the first of His acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 
  • “When He established the heavens, I was there; when He drew a circle on the face of the deep… when He made firm the skies above… when He established the fountains of the deep… when He assigned to the sea its limit… when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him, like a master workman.
  • “I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.”

Blessed are those who keep my ways.

Blessed is the one who listens to me

Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.

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Proverbs 9.

Solid truth: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

The pleasant, abundant, long-lasting ways of Wisdom are contrasted now with the ways of “Folly.”

  • The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows NOTHING.
  • She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat in the highest places of the town and calls to those who pass by.  “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
  • But the listener does not know that the DEAD are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

And so, Solomon ends his warnings there.  Does his son(s) hear and respond?  Does he “get” Wisdom? Does he learn to fear the LORD above all?

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Do I heed the sweet words of Wisdom?  Do I shun the blatant, off-key untruths of Folly? 

O, LORD, the Holy One, please keep me on the narrow way. May I not be tricked and seduced by my own desires but seek You and Your face always!   

“Remind me constantly to keep Your Word in my heart as a guardrail against Folly.” 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 155

Jun4

Day 155.  Reading Proverbs 4 – 6.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
What truth about God’s instruction stays in your mind?

Remember:  The Book of Proverbs contains Biblical theology, helpful hints, funny illustrations, wise sayings … and a few contradictions. The verses are meant to be general truths, not promises to “claim” in particular life situations.  God wants us to live godly and gain discernment. How?  In “fearing (reverencing, obeying, loving) the LORD.”

Proverbs 4.

Solomon continues to instruct his son in the benefits of loving, cleaving to, prizing, and seeking “wisdom.” He tells his son how to do that.

  • take heed to your wise father’s words
  • don’t enter or walk in the path of the wicked, but keep to the path of righteousness
  • keep your heart with vigilance
  • put away crooked speech and devious talk
  • keep your eyes looking forward, watch your feet, and don’t swerve to the right or left.

Proverbs 5.

Next, Solomon warns his son (and all sons and daughters) about the danger of Adultery.

The “forbidden woman” has lips that drip honey and are smoother than oil … but the end of involvement with her is as bitter as wormwood.  SHE does not watch the path.  HER feet wander and follow the way of death.

The son is given ways to resist her temptation —

  • keep your way FAR from her
  • do not go near the door of her house

Solomon reminds him of the TRUE WAY, the way God planned from the beginning.  Keep to the wife of his youth and rejoice in her, be satisfied in her, delight in her.

‘For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.”

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Proverbs 6.

Solomon gives his son wise words on practical living.

  • if you find yourself caught in snares of your own making, stop, go to the person, confess, and plead mercy. Do it before the sun sets, and you go to bed.
  • Look to the creatures of God’s creation – you might learn some things.  The ants do their work without being told. They labor all summer and put away for the future.  Then, in winter, they have no worries.  So, don’t be a late-sleeping, afternoon-napping sluggard!
  • Don’t be a bragging blow-hard, tricking people, winking at them, waggy fingers.  His end is quick and sure.

Then Solomon lists seven “detestable” things that the LORD hates.  HATES!  Yikes! This is serious. We should read and contemplate our own lives…

  1. haughty eyes (pride)
  2. a lying tongue,
  3. hands that shed innocent blood,
  4. a heart that devises wicked plans,
  5. feet that make haste to run to evil,
  6. a false witness who breathes out lies,
  7. one who sows discord among brothers (a trouble-maker)

This reminds me of the children’s rhyme.

Be careful, little eyes, what you see,

little tongue what you say,

little hands what you do,

little feet where you go,

little heart, what you plan …

for there’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love, so be careful, little ones, what you do.

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Then, again, Solomon cautions his son about Adultery and the Adulteress. KEEP HIS WORDS!  The commandment, the teaching, and the discipline (the Word of God) lead to safety away from the “evil woman.”

Then Solomon describes how the prostitute woos, tricks, lures, and captures her victims through her beauty, her eyelashes, and her smooth tongue.

BEWARE!  BEWARE!  “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?”  Can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”   He who commits adultery lacks sense. He destroys himself!  Dishonor and disgrace are his wages.

(And more tomorrow.)

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I wonder when Solomon wrote these words. Probably early in his life.  For eventually he would have a thousand wives and concubines.  He became foolish and did not take his own words seriously.  He forsook the command, the teaching, and the discipline of the LORD in Moses’ books of the law.

Oh, my heart, be not like Solomon!  O LORD, keep me in Your word and make my heart tender to obey You. For heeding Your teaching will keep me safe from my sinful ways!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 154

Jun3

Day 154.  Reading Proverbs 1 – 3.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
What truth about God stays in your mind?

Everyone loves reading the Book of Proverbs. It contains Biblical theology, helpful hints, funny illustrations, wise sayings, truth … and a few contradictions.

The verses are meant to be general truths, not ones to “claim” in particular life situations.

(Example: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22:6), is certainly great advice for parenting, and it will help to keep a child on the “straight and narrow” to teach him the principals of God.  But it is not an absolute guarantee or promise of what WILL happen.)

Proverbs 1.

This chapter announces —

  • the author – Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.
  • the purpose – to become wise in godly living and learn discernment.  (Remember Solomon’s great gift of WISDOM from God.)
  • the theme – “The fear of the LORD.”

He speaks as a wise father to a son about many things in this chapter: Caution about sinners enticing him to sin and mischief.  The example is vivid. “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without reason…”  “we’ll find precious goods…”  “Throw in your lot with us: we will all have one purse.”

The wise father sternly advises against these miscreants. “Do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths.”

Then, “wisdom” speaks in the first person, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple.”  And there are dire results for ignoring or rejecting “wisdom” as well as rewards. “Whoever listens to me will dwell secure, and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

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Proverbs 2.

Notice the “IF” and “THEN” statements in these words from Solomon to his son.

  • IF you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…
  • IF you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding…
  • IF you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures…
  • THEN you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
  • THEN you will understand righteousness and justice and equity.

Verses10-22 gives all the blessings and protections of possessing this wisdom.

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Proverbs 3.

This chapter contains some very well known and loved verses and blessings.

  • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight (direct) your paths.”
  • “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.”  (See also Malachi 5:10-11 about this.)
  • “Blessed us the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious that jewels, and NOTHING you desire can compare with her.”

There even a few “commandment.”

  • Do not be afraid…
  • Do not withhold good…
  • Do not plan evil…
  • Do not contend with a man…
  • Do not envy a man…

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 151

May31

Day 151.  Reading 1 Kings 3-4.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
What do you see of God’s heart in these chapters?
1 Kings 3.

What??  Marry the daughter of Pharaoh!!  Where God had delivered His people from slavery??? Seriously??  Bad boy, Solomon!  What was he thinking?  Political alliances and stature in the world, that’s what.

Note verse 3.  “Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David, his father …  ONLY (except), he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.” Already, you see Solomon’s heart dividing, using those pagan places to “worship God.”

God is SO gracious to him (and to us). He came to Solomon in a dream, and asked what He could give to the new king.

  • Wow, what would I ask of God if given that opportunity?  Search your heart with me, and let’s see our priorities. What is important to us?

Solomon lists the kindnesses and love God had shown to his father, how David had walked in God’s ways, and how God had chosen

Solomon to rule. (Was he stalling, thinking of what he wanted?)  And then he thinks of his inexperience and the hugeness of his responsibility to God’s chosen people.

“Give your servant an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?”  (In my mind, he should have asked to discern between good and evil IN HIS OWN HEART!)

But God was pleased that he hadn’t asked for a long life, riches, or victory over enemies.  And God gave him a “wise and discerning mind like none other.”  God also gave him what he didn’t ask for: riches and honor greater than any other king.

“And if you will walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

Right after that, Solomon went to the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, offered sacrifices to God, and gave a feast to the people.  His heart is right NOW. Will he continue on?

  • As if to confirm to the people (and maybe Solomon himself) a situation arose that tested and highlighted the extensive WISDOM God had given him.  Two prostitutes (living together, perhaps even with others) came to Solomon, both claiming the baby boy they brought was THEIRS.  They’d both given birth, but in the night, one baby got suffocated when one of them rolled over onto him.

How do you tell the true mother?

  • Solomon quickly identified her by exposing the women’s hearts.  “Get a sword and cut the baby in half. Give a half to each woman.”  YIKES!  The un-mother agreed (the boy wasn’t hers, after all.)  But the true mother cried out to keep him alive, even if it meant giving him away. Solomon saw her love and settled the dilemma.

“And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.”

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1 Kings 4.

This chapter is loaded with statistics and praise for King Solomon.  It gives a glowing overview of his kingdom and rule. (The next chapter begins the construction of the Temple,)

Much like David, Solomon appointed high officials, including the priests, secretaries, recorder, army commanders, other officers, governors over other lands, people in charge of the palace, and the … forced labor.  He also appointed leaders around the country who would provide his food for himself and his palace, month by month.  Judah and Israel ate and drank and were happy.

  • “Solomon ruled (eventually) over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.  They brought tribute and served him all his days.”

He had peace on all sides around him. And Judah and Israel lived in safety from Dan to Beersheba (north to south), with every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.

Ah-oh! Wait!  “Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen!!!

  • Didn’t we read in Deuteronomy 17:16 God’s rules and cautions about future kings… “He must not acquire many horses for himself or return to Egypt to acquire many horses.”  And… don’t we also read there in verse 17, “He shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.  NOR shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold ….”

And again, this chapter tells of Solomon’s wisdom (in ruling others, it seems).  “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand of the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of the people of the East and all Egypt.

“Solomon also spoke 3,000 proverbs!   He wrote 1,005 songs. (We will read some of these soon.)

People of all nations and kings of the earth came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

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  • Oh, LORD, how easy it is to turn from loving and serving YOU to loving the things you give us.  Help me not to value “stuff” more than my relationship with You. Solomon had everything in abundance … and it did turn his heart away.  In Ecclesiastes, he said (late in his life) that all he experienced, and possessed,  and was honored for … was vanity … futility.  ONLY YOU are worth my adoration!