The reading for day 46 was Proverbs 7:1-20:30.
7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman: 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words.
In the NASB verse 5 says, "That they may keep you from an adulteress, from the foreigner who flatters with her words." Every Christian man alive today should keep these verses in his memory for protection against temptation. Seek wisdom! Gain understanding! Don't be led astray! 7:11 (She [is] loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 7:12 Now [is she] without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
Even though the street corners in every city aren't filled with harlots, every nook and cranny of the internet, television, books, and movies has one hiding, just waiting for you to open the doorway. We must gaurd our hearts with the word of God! 7:27 Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
One of the big themes of Proverbs is "the fear of the Lord." We all know the verse that says, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10), but there are some other passages that speak of what the fear of the Lord is as well. 8:13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
14:26 In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
14:27 The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
What do you think...should we fear God? If I missed any in this passage or there are any others from other passages you would like to add...please feel free to do so : )
11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
This is not political jargon :) In the NASB this verse says, "The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered." So give freely to those in need. Most of us have more than we need even if we don't want to admit it, and we could have more to give if we took better care of what we are given. Just a thought...
12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
It seems that, in our age of electronic media and awesome special effects in movies, we have gotten this backwards. We have given millions of dollars and awards to men of perverse minds for giving us entertainment. How can a movie like Saw or Sin City come from anything other than a perverse mind? Yet we give them our attention wholeheartedly...I bet even some Christians like these movies. I hope that we can get back to despising those of perverse minds.
13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
I have seen a lot of parents who, according to scripture, hate their children. I want people to know that I love my children.
14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
How many of us live in this sin every day?
14:30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known. 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people. 14:35 The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
Verse 34, I think, refers not to the conduct of a nation as a whole, but to the conduct of its leaders. I know that it can easily be applied to the whole, but I think it is equally as likely that it is speaking of leaders, and those who are in our national spotlight. When they sin, everyone knows about it and it makes the whole nation look bad (Bill Clinton). Am I way off base here?
16:4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
What does it mean when we say that God is sovereign?
16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
18:22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
I love this verse. I found a wife (a good thing), which means I have God's favor in my life. What an awesome thing to know that God loves me. 19:14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.
God gave her to me. What a wonderful God He is!
Does God want us to give to the poor? I think He does. 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Is this what Jesus refers to when he says, "Let him who has ears to hear...?" What do you think?
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