Chapter 29, verse 18 said, “Where there is no understanding of the Word of the Lord, the people do whatever they want to, but happy is he who keeps the law.” The NIV renders it this way: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”…
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I used to listen to political talk radio and watch political TV talk shows. But I got tired of the arguing back and forth. And I noticed that no matter how logical or well-thought-out an argument was (on either side), seldom (if ever) was an opponent persuaded to listen objectively. And often, both sides ended…
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Number 25 sounded prophetical, didn’t it? It sounds like it was meant for the holocaust. Listen again to verses 11 and 12: Save those who are being led away to death. Hold back those who are about to be killed. Don’t say, “But we didn’t know anything about this.” The One who knows what you…
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Just as Solomon changed up his teaching method in chapter 22, I would like to change things up a bit for the next few readings in Proverbs. I’m sure you noticed that he began grouping his teachings, right? Well today, instead of telling you what particularly stood out to me, I would like to ask…
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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. This book is written by a man who was a king with not only great wisdom and great wealth, but a large amount of…
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Pretty much each verse we read in this book of wisdom really deserves to be meditated on. Proverbs really isn’t a book that is meant to be just read through. It’s better when taken a bit at a time and then revisited again and again. Just a few comments today. Most of the verses, or…
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Have you ever considered how powerful your words can be? For some people, words come so easily that they don’t think about the impact even a casual word can have. There were some good things to remember from today’s reading. Verse 4 of chapter 18 said, “Words from wise people are like water bubbling up…
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Have you ever known a fool? How about a person who’s wise? In your experience, are there more of the foolish or more of the wise? As I was getting my haircut last week, I looked down at the black drape that my barber had put around me to keep the hair off, and I…
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Again, in doing background study on these chapters so full of wisdom, I came upon some words by Joseph Parker in “The People’s Bible”. Here he is commenting on Proverbs 14:26. He says: “Such is the testimony of the ages. The Bible is full of illustrations of the action of this doctrine. In no book probably…
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One recurring theme I picked up in today’s reading was that of industriousness. There is much value in hard work and applying one’s self to supporting himself and his or her family. Sitting around wishing and hoping for wealth or even life’s necessities usually reaps little reward, and often leads to ruin. Yes, Jesus said…
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