Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today Proverbs 20-21. After the reading, I’ll have some comments for you. I’m calling today’s episode “Avoiding Strife.”  

Comments on Proverbs 20-21

Just a few comments today. Most of the verses, or proverbs, speak for themselves. They just need to be rolled over in our minds and made a part of who we are.

Comments on Proverbs 20

My wife, the lovely lady LeeAnn, has been in the car business for several years now, and God has blessed her. She is the director for the internet sales department at her dealership, and every month she’s almost always the top sales person because she treats her clients openly and honestly. Verse 14 of Proverbs 20 makes me think of the sales process that so many people seem to want to go through. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.” It’s the give and take of, not just the car business, but any financial transaction where negotiating is involved. The buyer points out the problems with the merchandise, the seller extolls the virtues. If the process is done properly, both parties are winners. The buyer comes away feeling like he’s gotten a good deal, and the seller makes a reasonable profit. 

And Verse 24 says, “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?” That last part is better translated, “How can a man understand his *own* way?” It’s true. Our lives are in God’s hand. He knows where He wants us and what He wants us to do and be. We sometimes think we are planning and running our lives. And to a certain extent we are, since we do have the freedom to choose. But God’s ultimate, overarching plan for creation will be accomplished. Doesn’t it seem foolish to think that we can challenge God? Doesn’t it seem wiser to acknowledge His lordship and follow Him one step at a time, and allow ourselves to be in harmony with His plan? If our plan is in conflict with His, all our planning will be for nothing. There’s an old Jewish proverb, non-Biblical and somewhat cynical that says, “Man makes his plan, and God laughs.” I would much rather give myself to Him and have the assurance that my life will have meant something when I stand before Him at the judgement. I’ve told you many times that my ultimate goal is to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Thoughts on Proverbs 21

I’m sure you noticed Solomon’s comments about living with a disagreeable woman. In some circles this is fodder for the fallacy that the Bible is anti-woman. I disagree, and here’s why.

Proverbs was written by Solomon, a man who was a king with not only great wisdom and great wealth, but he also had a large amount of concubines. (And yet he is still credited with having wisdom. Haha!) I’m sure that he was well acquainted with what it was like to live with easy-to-get-along with women and some who were not so much.

The purpose of this book is what? To impart wisdom. Why? Because with wisdom comes many things, one of which is peace. 

Solomon was writing from a man’s perspective, so he talked about marital peace from that vantage point. So he wrote about living with a quarrelsome woman, and the disruption of peace that causes.

One could just say, “Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling mate.” Do I hear an amen from the women? Haha. I thought so. This scripture doesn’t give men the right to be quarrelsome. And it doesn’t denigrate women. 

How do I know that the Bible is not anti-woman? There are many reasons, but Ephesians 5:25 comes to mind. Paul said, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.” The way Christ loved the church is the epitome of love! Husbands are to put the welfare of their wives above their own. 

One more example. After His resurrection, Jesus could have chosen anyone to be the first He appeared to. It could have been Peter. It could have been John. He could have given Pontius Pilate a heart attack by appearing to him! No. Jesus appeared first to Mary when she went to His tomb on that Resurrection morning. Jesus appeared first to a woman. 

No. The Bible is not anti-woman. Not in the least. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 20 NASB, Ch. 21 GWT

Support

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00
He’s still credited with having wisdom.

This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m happy you’re with me today. Our reading is Proverbs 20 and 21. And after reading I’ll have some comments for you. Today’s episode is called avoiding strife. The shownotes page for today’s episode is a Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 239. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s begin.

0:45
Proverbs chapter 20. Wine is a mocker strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by It is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion. He who provoked him to anger forfeits his own life. keeping away from strife is an honor for a man that any fool will quarrel. The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing. A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. Many a man proclaims His own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity, How blessed are his sons after him. A king who sits on the throne of justice disperses all evil with his eyes. Who can say I have cleansed my heart I am pure from my sin. Differing weights and differing measures. Both of them are abominable to the Lord. It is by his deeds that OLED distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right, the hearing ear and the seeing eye the Lord has made both of them. Do not love sleep or you will become poor, open your eyes and you will be satisfied with food. Bad bad, says the buyer. But when he goes his way then he boasts there is gold and an abundance of jewels, but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger and for foreigners hold him in pledge. Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel, prepare plans by consultation and to make war by wise guidance. He who goes about as a slanderer reveal secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip. He who curses his father or his mother, his lab will go out in time of darkness. And inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say I will repay evil, wait for the Lord and He will save you. Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord and a false scale is not good. Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord. How then can man understand his way? It is a trap for a man to say rationally it is holy. And after the vows to make inquiry. A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over him. The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord searching all the innermost parts of his being. Loyalty and truth preserve the king and he upholds his throne by righteousness. The glory of young men is their strength and the honor of old man is their gray hair. stripes that wound scour away evil and strokes reached the innermost parts.

4:03
Proverbs chapter 21. The king’s heart is like streams of water. Both are under the Lord’s control. He turns them in any direction he chooses. A person thinks everything he does is right. But the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the LORD than offering a sacrifice. A conceited look in an arrogant attitude, which are the lamps of wicked people, our sins. The plans of a hard working person lead to prosperity. But everyone who is always in a hurry ends up in poverty. Those who gather wealth by lying are wasting time. They’re looking for death. The violence of wicked people will drag them away since they refuse to do what is just the way of a guilty person is crooked, but the behavior of those who are pure is moral. Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman, the mind of a wicked person desires evil and has no consideration for his neighbor. When a mocker is punished, a gullible person becomes wise. And when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. A righteous person wisely considers the house of a wicked person. He throws wicked people into disasters. Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered. A gift given in secret columns anger, and a secret bribe comes great fury. When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted. But troublemakers are terrified. A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor. Whoever loves wine and expensive food will not become rich. Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people, and treacherous people will take the place of decent people. Better to live in a desert than with a quarreling and angry woman. Costly treasure and wealth are in the home of a wise person, but a fool devours them. Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness and honor. A wise man attacks the city of warriors and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. An arrogant conceited person is called a mocker. His arrogance knows no limits. The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refused to work. All day long. He feels greedy, but a righteous person gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of wicked people is disgusting, especially if they bring it with evil intent. A lying witness will die. But a person who listens to advice will continue to speak. A wicked person puts up a bold front, but a decent person’s way of life is his own security. no wisdom, no understanding, and no advice can stand up against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

7:33
Just a few comments today, most of the verses or proverbs speak for themselves. They just need to be rolled over in our minds and made a part of who we are. My wife the lovely lady Leanne has been in the car business for several years now. And God has blessed her. She’s the Director for the internet sales department at her dealership and every month she is almost always the top salesperson because she treats her clients openly and honestly. Verse 14 of Proverbs 20 makes me think of the sales process that so many people seem to want to go through. The verse says bad bad, says the buyer. But when he goes away, then he boasts, it’s all about the give and take of not just the car business, but any financial transaction where negotiations are involved. The buyer points out the problems with a merchandise and the seller extols the virtues. If the process is done, right, both parties are winners, the buyer comes away feeling like he’s gotten a good deal and the seller makes a reasonable profit. And then verse 24, says, man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, how then can man understand his way? Well, that last part is better translated, how can a man understand his own way? It’s true. Our lives are in God’s hand, right? He knows where he wants us and what He wants us to do and be and we sometimes think, probably most of the time we think that we’re planning and running our lives. And to a certain extent, I suppose we are since we do have the freedom to choose. But God’s ultimate overarching plan for creation will be accomplished. Seems to me that it’s kind of foolish to think that we can challenge God. Don’t you agree? Doesn’t it seem wiser to acknowledge His Lordship and follow him one step at a time and allow ourselves to be in harmony with his plan? If our plan is in conflict with his home, all of our planning will be for nothing. There’s an old Jewish proverb, it’s not from the Bible, and I guess you can say it’s somewhat cynical. It says a man makes his plan. And God laughs I think I’d much rather give myself to him, and have the assurance that my life will have meant something when I stand before him at the judgment. I’ve told you many times that my ultimate goal is to hear him say, Well done, good and faithful servant. Now moving to Proverbs 21. I’m sure you noticed Solomon’s comments about living with a disagreeable woman in some sort. because this is fodder for the fallacy that the Bible is anti woman. Well, of course I disagree. And here’s a few reasons. Proverbs was written by Solomon who was a man that was a king with not only great wisdom and great wealth, but he also had a large amount of concubines, and yet, he’s still credited with having wisdom. Living with so many women, I’m sure that he was well acquainted with what it was like to live with easy to get along with women. And some who were, well, let’s say not so much. The purpose of Proverbs is what? to impart wisdom. Well, why would we want to have wisdom? Well, with wisdom comes many things, one of which is peace. Well, obviously, Solomon was writing from a man’s perspective. So he talked about marital peace from that vantage point. So he wrote about living with a quarrelsome woman and the disruption of peace that causes I guess he could say, better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarrelsome mate. Do I hear an amen from the women? I thought so. This scripture doesn’t give men the right to be quarrelsome, and it doesn’t denigrate women. So how do I know that the Bible is not anti woman? There are many reasons but Ephesians 525 comes to mind. Paul said, Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. Not tell you the way Christ loved the church is the epitome of love. Husbands are to put the welfare of their wives above their own. One more example, after His resurrection, Jesus could have chosen anyone in the world to be the first person he appeared to. He could have appeared to Peter, he could have appeared to John the one that is called the disciple that he loved. He could have given Pontius Pilate a heart attack pie appearing to him. No, Jesus appeared first to Mary when she went to his tomb on that resurrection morning, Jesus appeared first to a woman. Now the Bible is not anti woman. Not in the least. You have a comment? Let me know go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 239. Tomorrow we’ll read Hosea chapters eight through 14.

12:26
On this date in church history, April 28 1839, Vernon J. Charlesworth, was born he was an English clergyman and hymn writer, he was headmaster of Charles Spurgeon, Stockwell orphanage, but he’s better remembered as the author of the hymn, a shelter in the time of storm. And on this date in church history, April 28 1960, leaders of the 100 General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church passed a resolution declaring that sexual relations within marriage without intentions of procreation are not sinful. And I think I’ll just leave that one there.

13:09
Be sure you’re subscribed to the Lifespring media newsletter, go to subscribe dot Lifespring media.com and sign up there, I’m never going to sell your email address. I’m not going to share it with anybody. And that’s my promise. Kirsty puts in the schedule for the reading for the upcoming week. So you can read ahead if you’d like and 70 questions about something you’ve read in the upcoming reading. And we always have a little something extra. Be sure you’re signed up to see what it is this week news dot Lifespring media.com.

13:43
Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father Lord, we lift up our hearts to you in praise and adoration. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Eternal One. Without you nothing exists and without you were lost. But with you. We’re more than conquerors. We’re children of the king. How good it is to be yours, Lord. Thank you, we worship you. We love you. We pray this in Jesus name, amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill out that form their.

14:23
Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 239. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And please support the show Lifespring media.com/support. Thanks to shadow San Pedro and Kirsty for their time and talent in helping to make our show better until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Join God and what he’s doing in your part of the world today. See you tomorrow. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai