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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 159

Jun7

   Day 159—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.

 Day 159 – Proverbs 16 – 18. (More of Solomon’s words of wisdom)

Chapter 16 shows God’s sovereignty in many of its proverbs. 

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.”    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. 

Look to God first in your ways and plans, and he will bless you.

Verse 3 – “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”   Verse 7 – “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”    Verse 20 – “Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

Sweetness in gracious speech.

Verse 21 – “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Verse 24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

“Gray hair is a crown of glory…“

Verse 31a

Chapter 17 contains some very familiar sayings.

Verse 1 – “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting and strive.”

“Grandchildren are a crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

Verse 7

Verse 9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

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

Verse 22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Good words are described, and bad words are illustrated by the fool in Chapter 18.

‘The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”    “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a breathing.”   “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”    “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”   “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”    “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Verses, 4, 6 – 8, 13, 21)

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

Verse 22

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 157

Jun5

   Day 157—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.  

 Day 157 – Proverbs 10 – 12. (General Proverbs by Solomon)

Today, we leave the specific advice of a wise father to his son in this book and look at Solomon’s more general proverbs. 

Chapter 10. If you underline or take notes, observe how many of them talk about the mouth and what we say.  For instance, in 10:11, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence,”  and 10:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.”

10:1 is a segue from a father’s wise advice to the plain and pithy remaining proverbs of section two.  It says, “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”  

Remember, these proverbs are examples of general common sense. They are probabilities, not promises. They are often true, but not always. They are general rules on how to live in a way that honors God and others.

10:4-5: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

Chapter 11 contrasts the righteous and upright with the wicked, the generous and stingy, the industrious and the slothful. There are very good truths here, but remember, it doesn’t mean they are promises or prophecies.

11:1:  “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.”

11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.”

11:24-25: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Chapter 12 contains more contrasts in discipline, humility, mercy, truth-telling, and other matters of the heart. Many of these are familiar and have been memorized.

12:1: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

12:4: “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

12:9-10: “Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. Whosoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

12:20, 35:  “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”  “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

12:28: “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 156

Jun4

   Day 156—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible: PROVERBS.

 Day 156 – Proverbs 7 – 9 (a father continues to instruct his son on pitfalls and wisdom)

Chapter 7 begins, sounding like an instruction from Deuteronomy. “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of hour heart.” 

The father says this will keep the young man from sin, specifically the adulteress. The rest of the chapter describes all her temptations, from her silky smooth words, attire, perfumed and soft linens, and couch.  Her husband is away on a long trip, she says. 

If he yields to her he will be as an ox going to slaughter, as a stag with an arrow through it, or a bird caught in a snare. “He does not know that it will cost him his life.”

Chapter 8 compares the perfections, graces, and delights of WISDOM’s path. “Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth… all the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him, who understands.  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.”

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me….. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.”   “…but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Chapter 9 compares the WAY of wisdom with the WAY of folly. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. By me, your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”

COMPARE THIS (FOLLY)…….”The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.  She sits at the door of her house… calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way.”   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”    “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”   “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol (the grave).”

TO THIS (WISDOM)……. “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.”   “She has sent out her young women to call, ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.’ To him who lacks sense, she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.’  Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”