Burunche’s Blog

”The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’

As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.

This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.’

Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food, an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress.

Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise: the ants are not a strong species, yet they store up their food in the summer; the rock badgers (coneys or hyraxes) are not a mighty species, yet they make their homes in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.

There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk: a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything; a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.

If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”

”The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’” The human race is generally divided into givers and takers. Those demanding things are never satisfied, just like the examples given in these verses. Proverbs 15:15 tells us, “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. …”  People are generally as happy or unhappy as they choose to be. It was Blaise Pascal who said that “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

“As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.” WOOF! If you ever had any doubts regarding God’s requirements for children to care for their parents and to obey them, this verse ought to silence all doubt. Why is God so concerned about parents? Parents are the ones who have given us life, and parents need our help when they grow old and frail. Are there some parents who are parents in name only? Yes, unfortunately. Honoring such people may pose extreme challenges; how can you honor someone who might have abused you? Only God can give us wisdom in such thorny situations, but God will give us answers if we ask Him.

“There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.”  All four of these events are totally unpredictable. Only God knows how eagles fly, or snakes writhe on rocks, or how ships pass through the waves or how a courtship might proceed.

“This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.’” Whether male or female, those committing adultery must have seared consciouses. Such people view those with whom they have sex in much the same fashion that someone else would view a delicious meal: consume it, wipe your mouth, and move on to the next target.  

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise: the ants are not a strong species, yet they store up their food in the summer; the rock badgers (coneys or hyraxes) are not a mighty species, yet they make their homes in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.” God really has a sense of humor, and it’s well-displayed in these verses. Ants, rock badgers, locusts, and lizards-none of these creatures are particularly big or strong; yet, God allows them to live ordered lives in protected circumstances.

Why should we care about any of these animals or insects? If God has provided for little creatures such as these, trust that He can and will also provide for you as well. Luke 12:29-34 tells us, “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

“There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk: a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything; a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.” These verses need no explanation; however, the mental images they conjure up are funny. If the writer only compared the king to a lion, that would be a compliment; however, comparing the king to a rooster or a he-goat? Hmmm.

“If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”  There’s a saying that “It’s better to allow people to wonder if you are foolish than to open your mouth and to remove all doubt!” Once anger is released, terrible things may happen and you have no control over the results. Far better to put your hand over your mouth and be quiet!

APPLICATION: On one hand, these verses appear disjointed and unrelated; however, God is trying to counsel us to be wise, to trust Him, and to restrain our emotions. There’s a term therapists use for those who bundle up emotions, only to dump them all at once. The term is “gunny-sacking.” In an earlier age, gunny sacks were burlap sacks used to hold grain of various kinds. They generally held about 50 kg. When we don’t deal with problems as they arise but stuff our emotions down, sooner or later something will happen that will cause us to open the sack full of emotions and dump it on an unsuspecting person who might not deserve any of our anger. It’s far better to take our problems to God and allow Him to sort them out as they arise than to treasure up our hurt feelings. Corrie Ten Boom used to tell the young women working with her to bring up any problems as soon as they arose, in other words, to keep short accounts so that small problems would not become big ones. May God help us to keep short accounts!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for the lessons You have left for us in nature of the care you take for all kinds of creatures. Help us to trust You at all times. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Words of Agur

“The words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth. There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.”

“The words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.”  Ever deal with a know-it-all? No matter what the subject, this fellow is an expert, just ask him and he’ll tell you! We don’t know who Agur son of Jakeh is, but he is obviously a person of insight and perspicacity who has been driven beyond all tolerance of foolishness. Someone has gotten on Agur’s last nerve and he is reacting.

Look at the questions Agur asks: “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!”  Agur knows that God is the only One who can do these things, but look at the question about the name of God’s Son. Somehow Jesus has revealed himself to Agur, whether or not Agur knows Jesus by that name.

It’s a big mistake to assume that Jesus doesn’t appear in the Scriptures until the New Testament. There is Abraham’s contact with Melchizedek, King of Salem-where has Melchizedek come from? When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace, a fourth figure joins them and King Nebuchadnezzar himself says, “the form of that fourth man is like that of a Son of God.” Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, there are examples of Jesus appearing to various prophets.

“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Some scholars want to criticize the Bible, claiming inaccuracies and cultural inconsistencies; yet, the Bible has stood the test of time while much of this scholarship has not. God has a way of revealing the foolishness of people! I Corinthians 13 tells us that “our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect, but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will fade away.” One day, Jesus will reveal Himself in all His glory, and all our assumptions and theories will evaporate-poof!  

“Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.” This is a prayer that all of us should be praying daily. Either we will be seeking God’s will for our lives or we will be chasing wealth;We can only focus on one thing at a time.

“Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.”  Few things are nastier than a tattle-tale. How can you be sure you have gotten the correct information? Why inform on someone in the first place? True, if a servant is really a criminal, you need to warn the master or mistress; however, otherwise, leave things alone. There’s a lot to be said for MYOB. (Mind Your Own Business)

“There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth. There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.”  Watch out for anyone who will abuse animals because it’s only a short shot from there to abusing children, women, and vulnerable people of both sexes. Those willing to mistreat their parents also fall into this category. Amazingly enough, such monsters will pretend to be righteous people.

Currently, we are watching an evolving situation. An acquaintance had a beloved cat that was as dear to her as a child. Suddenly, this lady’s boyfriend became annoyed with the cat and killed it. Now this lady has not only lost a beloved pet, but she has realized that a man she might have married is vicious and dangerous. We are horrified at this loss and are urging this lady to get out of that relationship immediately before this man chooses to attack her.

APPLICATION: I am blown away every time I read the verses that say, “What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!”  I want to shout out, “HIS NAME IS JESUS! FOR HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS!” Until the end of time, we will never know exactly what these ancient writers were seeing as they recorded these gems of wisdom.

“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” I cannot count the number of times we have taken refuge in God, begging Him to protect us and to deliver us. I have done some remarkably stupid things in my life, exposing myself to danger unnecessarily; God has always protected me. But what happens if God does not protect us physically? We live in an area that might easily be overrun by attackers. We must trust that the same God who has called us to be here will take care of us, even if we are forced to lay down our lives for our faith.

My advice as you read these verses: Ask God to quicken the verses He has for you today. You will know because suddenly those verses will make sense while everything else will recede into the background. And you can always pray the prayer from Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I might behold wonderful things out of Your Law.” You have a Heavenly Father who wants to give you His wisdom.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to see  wonderful things in Your Word. Thank You that You always have something special for each of us every day. We praise You! We bless Your glorious Name! We laud and magnify You! For You are holy and Your Word is Holy! In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus! Amen.

“When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.”

“When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall… Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law… An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression…A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor… An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.”

Do you know your mission in life and do you have a vision for it? We work in a hospital whose mission and vision statements say the following: Our Mission: To make Christ known through the delivery of quality health services. Our Vision: Creating healthy communities for a more productive life. Personally, my husband and I are Jesus followers. Matthew 20:28 says that “The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Our purpose is to serve those around us, making Christ known to them in the process. For many of our poor patients, their mission and vision are simple: survival!

One of our friends has a sign that reads “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re likely to wind up somewhere else.” The verses I have lumped together describe those without a vision or a mission, apart from wickedness and rebellion. God hates rebellion. Satan and one third of the angels fell from heaven to earth when they rebelled, and Satan has been inflaming passions ever since. One of Satan’s most effective tools is anger. Someone who loses their temper readily opens themselves up to all kinds of manipulation and other problems. Get such an individual angry at someone or something and a savvy schemer may steer that individual in any direction by carefully feeding the anger.

Appealing to someone’s pride is another sure-fire way of manipulation, provided that person is proud and not humble. Appeal to the pride of a humble person, and they will simply laugh at you, for they are already laughing at themselves. A proud angry person has little or no sense of humor.

“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.” Few things are more soothing than the attentions of a well-behaved adult son or daughter. One of my stepsisters, a gifted nurse, succeeded in nursing my beloved stepmother through the last several months of her life in her home. Without Lori’s attentions, my stepmom would have languished all those months in a nursing home and would not have received such dedicated care.

“A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.” Here the cultural gap might be opening up at our feet. It’s quite likely that there were large numbers of servants willing to receive verbal correction; however, there might have been a few who required a beating. The difference probably stemmed from the circumstances of servanthood; some poor families would arrange for children to become servants in a wealthy household so that someone else would feed and clothe them. Other servants might have started out as prisoners of war. Many servants accepted their fates and did well. Nathan the leper received healing because an Israelite slave girl told him of a prophet in Israel.

”A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.”  You reap what you sow. Ally yourself with thieves and you too will receive the same punishment. An ally of thieves cannot be trusted, no matter what kind of oaths he swears.

“The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” This verse is one of those God has used repeatedly in my life. When you do the right thing and trust in God, God will justify you and protect you, although you may go through severe trials before it’s over. In the 1950’s Walt Disney produced a series of TV programs about Davy Crockett, a dashing figure on the American frontier. Crockett is quoted as having said, “Be sure you’re right, and then go ahead.” Whether or not Crockett actually said this is not the point. I internalized that phrase as a youngster and have never forgotten it. You can either listen to people or to God. Listen to people and you will wind up confused. Listen to God and be at peace. But beware! Listening to God can result in a great deal of suffering before things are over. On the other hand, as long as you have God’s peace in your heart, you can survive. Listening to people only exposes you to conflicting opinions that will tear you apart emotionally and mentally.

APPLICATION: Once more, reading this part of Proverbs feels like sitting by a sage grandparent who is giving life-saving advice. Many of us may never have enjoyed such an experience. Perhaps you didn’t know your grandparents or you grew up at a distance. Perhaps your grandparents weren’t very wise; it happens. No matter. God is giving us His Word for our lives. And remember that it’s still true. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re likely to wind up somewhere else!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us feel lost without a vision or a mission. Please guide us and show us Your mission and vision for our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Flourishing of the Righteous

“A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.

The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.”

“A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”  For several years, we worked under one supervisor who knew better than anybody else. For him, it was “My way or the highway;” in other words, you either agreed with him or you could leave. We watched in horror as he nearly ran that institution into the ground. Blessedly, others protested and God removed him, but he left still protesting that his ways were all correct and that he was a victim. He failed to realize he was his own worst enemy.

“A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.” Nobody with a lick of sense will have anything to do with prostitutes. Not only will such a person squander his wealth, but he can also contract HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B or C, and a host of other sexually transmitted diseases, many of which might not even have yet been identified. Parents of such individuals can only watch in horror as their son destroys himself, and they might even find themselves raising their grandchildren.

“By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it… If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked… A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.” Leaders who can be bought will sell out to the highest bidder, leaving their nations in dire straits. In some countries, leaders have allowed foreigners to take over land and industries, collapsing local businesses. Any leader willing to listen to lies will encourage officials to be wicked. God favors leaders who treat the poor fairly.

“A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” If something sounds too good to be true, it generally is. Accept someone’s flattering statements and the next thing you know, that person will be demanding all sorts of favors.

“An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.”  The same people willing to flatter you are also watching you closely to see if you mess up. Once you’ve sinned, the same people who were praising you will be reporting you and spoiling your reputation. Even when evil people appear to succeed, their sins will eventually catch up with them.

“The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.” Once more, God is reminding us of His concern for the poor. We are God’s hands and feet to help those around us.  

“Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.” Few things are more seductive or destructive than sarcastic criticism. All the time people are laughing at the quick wit exhibited, they are also wondering how true those sentiments are. Personally, I have weathered several bouts of unrest among hospital staff; most of them began with rebels muttering vicious but witty complaints. Sadly, these upheavals generated a great deal of heat but very little light or truth and the only lasting effect was discouragement of those trying to be righteous leaders.

“If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution… A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.” Somehow, the more foolish people are, the more they like to spew forth verbiage without any discernible logic. The general idea seems to be to overwhelm people with words. It is far better to remain quiet and allow people to wonder if you are foolish than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!   

“Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.” Wicked people cluster together because they cannot stand being around the upright. Why? Upright people put the wicked under conviction just by their righteous behavior.

“The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.” When influential people become impressed with themselves, they forget that God is the One who controls their lives and they may mistreat the poor, feeling they are somehow superior. But it is God who has given all people life and it is God who controls their destiny.

“A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.” Well-behaved children are an incredible blessing. My parents disciplined us strictly when we were very little but had to exert relatively little discipline later. We would return from visiting friends, only for their parents to compliment our parents on how well behaved we were. (Of course, our parents would ask us WHY we didn’t behave that well at home!) Whether or not you believe in corporal punishment, you must discipline kids early if you don’t want them to have problems later.

APPLICATION: These verses continue to emphasize qualities of effective leadership and social justice. God is passionately concerned about the way we treat the poor and underprivileged. God also wants us to remember the benefits of righteousness and the pitfalls of wickedness.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to continue to help the poor around us and to discipline our children and ourselves, remembering that we might be raising future leaders. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

To show partiality is not good, because a man may sin for a piece of bread.

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.”

“Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.” Friends who have recently visited one Central American country have described how the president has driven out every aid organization, including Rotary Club, the Lions, and even Mother Teresa’s group-all because he believes them to be subversive. With a single blow, this short-sighted individual has deprived the poor of much-needed help; meanwhile, he is not prepared to take up the slack.

“A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.” When Cain slaughtered Abel, God put a mark on Cain’s forehead so that nobody would kill him in reprisal. But murderers are truly burdened by the memory of what they have done. And the Law of Moses allowed for intentional murderers to be put to death. Anybody supporting such a person shares the bloodguilt.

“He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.”  Wickedness carries with it its own reward. There have been countless times when our Ghanaian friends have quietly come to us with sage advice, protecting us from making tragic mistakes.  

“The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” Dreamers and schemers-we have all known a few. One of the traits all these people share is laziness; they want to get rich quick. In the end, these people waste huge amounts of time, energy, and sometimes money in attempts to become successes overnight. When the late Colin Powell was growing up in Harlem and the South Bronx, his Jamaican immigrant parents taught him the value of hard work. While many of Powell’s contemporaries were standing around on street corners, Powell was working for a Jewish storekeeper, learning Yiddish in the process. Powell later described his classmates as people who were standing around chanting “shoulda, coulda, woulda,” boasting of what they would do someday. But that day never arrived; meanwhile, Powell went on to pursue a glittering army career, ending it as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.” Faithful people bless others as they go through their daily lives. You must be a blessing to receive blessings, and those obsessed with wealth will fail.

“To show partiality is not good, because a man may sin for a piece of bread.”  There is a saying that “Every man has his price.” While this saying might not hold true for righteous people, it is true for others. Each of us has a choice: will we prostitute ourselves or not? If we follow Jesus, we have already been bought, because Jesus has bought us at the cost of his blood. We should mark “SOLD TO JESUS!” on our foreheads and refuse all other offers.

“A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him…. Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.” God rewards the generous because He knows He can give them resources and they will pass them on to the poor. But someone grasping everything cannot hold anymore because his hands are already closed. The more you give out, the more God will give you. R. G. LeTourneau, the inventor of many huge earth moving machines and founder of LeTourneau University, began by tithing 10% of his income. Before LeTourneau died, he was tithing 90% and living on the remaining 10%.

“He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.” Faithful friends will tell you the truth, helping you to stay on course. Those who only flatter you are no friends at all. If you see your friend heading in a wrong direction, you must go to them and quietly confront them. If you fail to correct your friend, God may hold you accountable for that failure.

“He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.” There was no Social Security in Bible times, only children who were to care for their parents. Anybody willing to victimize his parents is a destroyer of society and a menace to those around him.

“A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.” You can pursue God or pursue wealth, but you cannot pursue both at the same time. Far better to draw close to God and allow Him to arrange your life for you than to obsess about money and create chaos.

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.” Consistently and persistently, the Bible advises us to seek wise counsel-why? No matter how brilliant we are, we cannot know everything and may make terrible mistakes.

“When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.” During our missionary careers, we have passed through seasons in which those supervising us were either foolish or wicked or both. The only thing to do in such circumstances is to hunker down, continue to be faithful in the work God has called you to do, and weather the storm. Eventually, God will remove the wicked.

APPLICATION:

Honesty, self-control, excellence, responsibility, respect, courteousness-all these are attributes advocated in this part of Proverbs 27. While it is difficult to select a single theme for these verses, these qualities are those most emphasized. Sadly, many people don’t want to develop these qualities; however, they demand that others should exhibit them instead.

We must live our lives to please God and not men. No matter what the culture around us is demanding, God’s standards have never changed. Let us follow hard after Him all the days of our lives!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to become people approved by You, forsaking the cultural norms that are trying to pull us down. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Boldness of the Righteous

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.”

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” When you know that you are doing the right thing, you can trust God to care for you. I have spent much of my medical career heading small mission hospitals under all kinds of conditions. At one facility, we faced a meningitis outbreak at the same time we were struggling with a water shortage. Financial challenges, staff strikes, killer workloads-you name it and I have experienced it. There have been many times when God has reminded me that I am His lioness and that He has given me the courage of a lioness to help my patients and workers and their families.

“A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.” Very few things are more chaotic than a country undergoing a coup. Suddenly, all kinds of factions appear. Tribal frictions that span centuries suddenly heat up, causing fighting in several different places. Once such chaos erupts, it takes a leader with understanding and knowledge to soothe all factions and maintain order.

 “A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.”  A wicked leader who is in need will extort money from anybody, including the poor. Unfortunately, such people will suck off all resources, leaving devastation in their wakes.

“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.  Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.” The law is not a threat to the innocent; however, lawbreakers can barely tolerate righteous people. Wicked people will cluster together. If you are seeking God, rest assured that God will give you wisdom to understand His law.  

“Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.”  Rich people frequently believe that they can get away with anything as long as they have sufficient money to buy their way out of problems. But sooner or later, such people will encounter a problem so big that their money and influence are useless. The poor know better; they realize they have no defense apart from righteous behavior.

“A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” In a closely-knit society, children who misbehave bring shame to their families, not to mention financial ruin. One of the problems parents are facing in our area is the phenomenon of high school graduates who have done so poorly on their leaving exams that they are not qualified to go on for further training. Sadly, many of these people are so lazy that they don’t want to go to farm or to learn a trade. Parents have stinted themselves and have spent money on school fees, text books, and uniforms, only to find their sacrifices have been useless. Now many of these young people are hanging out on street corners looking for trouble and demanding money from their poor illiterate parents.  

“He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.” God knows the human heart and God knows those who are extorting money from the poor through being loan sharks and those who are lawbreakers. Medieval Christians used to exclaim, “God sort all!” when they encountered a baffling problem. In the end, God will sort people out.

Matthew 25:31-46 tells the story of Jesus coming into his kingdom and sorting out the compassionate from the wicked. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’

Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

“He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.” God protects the upright. There have been times when we have narrowly dodged problems after being given misinformation.God has protected us from foolishness.

“A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.” Growing up near small towns, we witnessed firsthand the influence of the local banker, the local doctor, the local veterinarian, and the local industrialists. Everyone in town knew whether or not these people were good people.  

“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.”  Who doesn’t love a hero or heroine? We always hope that the good people will win. But sometimes wicked people seize control; at that point, it’s best to take shelter and pray!

“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” There is no way to deceive God; He sees everything we do. How should we handle our sin? Confess quickly, renounce our sins, and remain reverent. Hardening your heart will only lead to disaster.  

APPLICATION: The main theme of these verses is righteousness. If you will practice righteousness, you can be bold as a lion. You will govern wisely and care for the poor. You will see through the deceptions of the wicked. And most important of all, God will approve of you.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to seek Your righteousness above everything else, knowing that as we do so, You will strengthen us and encourage us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

“If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.

A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.”

“If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.” Early mornings are traditionally the time when petitioners come to ask for help. Anybody who hears his neighbor at his front gate blessing him with a loud voice first thing in the morning might be excused if he is skeptical of his neighbor’s motives. We can’t count the number of times that people have appeared claiming that they want to greet us, only to come up with all kinds of requests/demands.  

“A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.”  We once had a worker who was easily offended; he and his wife could pick a fight with anybody at anytime and anyplace. No matter how hard we tried to counsel this woman, she was always convinced that she was in the right. Restraining her truly was impossible and very much like holding back the wind or grasping oil. Eventually, the family moved out, claiming they were under spiritual attack.  

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” True friends correct each other and keep each other accountable. These days there are “Iron Sharpens Iron” Christian conferences for men emphasizing development of character and accountability.

“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.” In previous generations, workers might start with a company when they were in their twenties and work for the same company for the rest of their careers. These days, many companies have no sense of loyalty to their workers and the workers respond in kind; however, loyalty is still worthwhile. One thing to remember is that God is watching us and God rewards those who are diligent.

“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.” It has been said that “you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Jesus told his disciples, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) Watch someone long enough and you will know what he/she is really like.

“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” One of the characteristics of hell is lust, lust for everything, lust to control everything and everybody. Those controlled by hell will exhibit the same characteristics.

“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.” Praise comes in all types-good, bad, and ridiculous. There’s such a thing as “damning someone with faint praise,” that is, praising someone for something superficial while failing to mention something major.

 “Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.” Here we have yet another condemnation of fools. Someone who is convinced of their own opinion will cling to it no matter what, even if you grind them in a mortar with a pestle. While we might think of a small mortar and pestle, the kind of thing used for drugs, it’s more likely that the mortar and pestle referred to here are the size of the Ghanaian ones shown in the photo.

“Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.”  There are some proverbs that should have incredible back stories and these verses are among them. Who is the ruler being described here? Did David write these verses or Solomon? Going into 1926, my mother’s family owned a bank, the local movie theater, and a car dealership in a small town. But the bank failed and the family had to liquidate everything to pay back their depositors. What saved the family was the farm my great grandmother had inherited from her family. The family moved out to the farm and survived, thanks to that farm. The point is simple: riches, fame and glory are fleeting; meanwhile, families still must be fed. No matter what happens, if you keep your family business going, you can make it.

APPLICATION: The one-word summary for these verses is integrity. When you have integrity, you can serve others, you can hold others accountable, and you can survive economic downturns. May God help us so that we maintain our integrity!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to maintain integrity so that we can glorify You throughout our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Do Not Boast about Tomorrow (James 4:13-17)

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.

A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.

Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.

Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.  

The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.”

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.”  Ever have to deal with someone who’s so stuck on themselves that they’re already bragging about their future accomplishments? People like that are legends in their own minds, so impressed with themselves that they are certain of conquering all obstacles. HAH!

There is a Yiddish proverb that says “ “Der Mensch Tracht, Un Gott Lacht,” means “man plans and God laughs.”  Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring. On December 6, 1941, sailors on ships in Honolulu Harbor were sleeping or carrying out their normal duties. But Japanese bombers attacked on December 7, 1941, and nothing was ever the same again.

There’s something badly wrong if you have to serve as your own publicist. If you are really doing well, others will notice. And if you are not, it’s better to keep quiet than to call attention to your deficiencies.

“A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.”  The Book of Proverbs has lots of things to say about foolish people, none of them good. One of the most frustrating things about someone with no common sense is that they cling to their opinions, despite all evidence to the contrary. If you are unfortunate enough to have to struggle with a foolish worker, it can be far more aggravating than sand in your shoes because at least you can empty out the sand, but you have no control over someone else’s foolishness.

“Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?” It’s no fun working with someone who is easily offended; at any moment you might find yourself the target of their anger. But jealousy can be far worse. Why? Because jealous people frequently hide their feelings. While you can generally spot angry people, sometimes a jealous person will pretend to be your best friend in an effort to get close to you so they can undermine you and seize the object of their jealousy.

 “Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” True friends will tell you what you need to hear, even if it is not what you WANT to hear. True friends want your best interests and are willing to risk friendship by giving you feedback. On the other hand, people who fawn on you frequently are simply attempting to manipulate. I always become concerned when someone begins to refer to me as “Sister Young;” such people are generally trying to get something. Several years ago, a pastor turned up in our little town. This guy was big on “Sister….” and “Brother….” Later some of our church members traveled with this man to Kumasi and Accra and he stole all their goods and disappeared. Who knows how many other poor pastors from other villages he had deceived?   

“The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.” If you are satiated with praise or food or any other good thing, your hunger has been assuaged. But if you are really hungry, you will accept anything, even food that would otherwise seem unpalatable.

“Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.” Recently, people have had to move across country to find work, leaving their home towns. While travel can be exhilarating, we all still need a place where we belong, a place where they will accept us. Recently, one of our long-time friends in Illinois died. This lady and her business partner had run a restaurant in a small town for thirty years, caring for stray people and the elderly. For many, that restaurant represented a spiritual home, and they loved to return there. Now our friend is with Jesus and we’ll never eat her Swedish pancakes again. Robert Frost described home well when he said, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” (Robert Frost The Death of the Hired Man)

“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.” Few things are more precious than a close loving friendship. One of the greatest tributes given at my late brother Rus’s funeral was that he was a true friend who loved and counseled without judging.  

“Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” It is said that we are born into families but we select our friends. Many times, our friends or our parents’ or grandparents’ friends will do more for us than will our siblings. I still run into people who knew my dad when he was on the State Farm Bureau board and who remember him fondly; those people are willing to help just because of that friendship.  

“Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.” Why would anybody taunt someone else? There are always small people who are more than willing to make fun of anyone whose children are misbehaving. Wise children bring honor to their parents.   

 “The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” You might think this is such an obvious statement that it doesn’t require discussion; however, common sense is not really common. One of the most dangerous phrases anyone can utter is, “Hey, y’all! Watch this!” There is even a satellite TV show entitled “The Science of Stupid” that show videos of people doing dumb things and then analyzing the physics/chemistry/biology behind the mistakes.

“Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.” People have been borrowing and lending since the beginning of the human race, and people have been ducking out from under loans for just as long. The point here is simple: If you don’t know the person for whom you are standing surety, DON’T DO IT! That’s why the Bible is advising lenders to collect a guarantor’s cloak or something else for surety. The chances of strangers and foreigners disappearing over the horizon are excellent.

APPLICATION: If you want one word to sum up today’s teachings, it would probably be “Prudence.” Prudence in relationships, prudence in business, prudence in conduct, and prudence in public-all are important for success in society. God wants us to live good lives that will glorify Him and help all those around us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to ask for Your help and guidance so that we may live prudently and successfully and that our lives may bless others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

“The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down to the inmost being.

Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.”

“The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!” As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. Village life in Bible times was very similar to village life throughout the unindustrialized world today. Most families work hard to earn a living, and everybody in the family pitches in. Slackers are a major threat to family survival because they consume resources without producing anything. Even in Bible times, it is highly unlikely that lions were roaming the streets; the lions were smarter than that. These days, lions have retreated to the bush to hide from people. The writer compares a door swinging on its hinges to a lazy person turning back and forth in bed. But that slacker is never going to get up and go to work; he/she will find all sorts of excuses, hence the remark about lions in the streets. Some people are so lazy that they can barely feed themselves; this does not prevent them from vaunting their own wisdom. 

“Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.” You have to be a special kind of stupid to meddle in someone else’s quarrel! You never know what might happen. Seasoned police officers will testify that they fear call-outs for domestic violence more than any other because they never know what might happen. Frequently, the husband and wife stop beating on each other and unite to fight the police. Sometimes the couple have a grudge against the police and are luring police officers simply to kill them. The lesson is clear: meddle and die!

“Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” No matter how small the deception, deception is a betrayal of all involved apart from the deceiver. Accuse someone’s spouse of sexual liaisons and you may break up a family. Accuse someone of dishonesty and you might destroy their reputation, their business, and their family. There is no such thing as a small deception. The Bible is very clear: God is a God of truth and light and in Him is no room for darkness. Deception comes from the darkness. John 1:5 tells us that “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down to the inmost being.” Ever hear the term “juicy gossip?” People who spread rumors enjoy being important and get as much pleasure from it as those eating something delicious. Gossip consists of stories that have just enough truth to be believable but that rapidly descend into bizarre fantasies. People who gossip long for attention and don’t care how they get it. Some gossips even revel in the idea that they are starting quarrels because then they can pose as peacemakers, even though they have caused the entire mess! Problem is that discerning gossip as the root cause of the disagreement and then assigning blame can be very difficult. When confronted, many gossips will plead innocence, complaining bitterly that they are misunderstood and that they really have the highest of motives.

“Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.” Some glazes on earthen vessels are so well done that the vessel might appear to be silver or gold; meanwhile, toss it on the ground and it will shatter. One of the fundamental laws of the Kingdom of God is that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive. God does not like people who lay traps and will allow them to be caught in their own deceptions. Pathologic liars can look you straight in the eye and tell totally convincing stories, but all the time they are deceiving you, they are also despising you. Bottom line: if something/someone seems too good to be true, he/she/it probably isn’t true.

APPLICATION: Viewing the current political scene in practically any country today, we realize the truth of Proverbs 26. Most politicians take a very jaundiced view of those who have placed them in power and do everything they can to maintain a certain image, whether or not it bears any relationship to the truth. We can only pray that those acting wrongly will find themselves caught in the traps they have devised for others.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be true-hearted, not gossips and not deceivers. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

Similitudes and Instructions

“Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.

Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passer-by.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

“Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.”  In Israel it doesn’t snow in the summer time and harvest season is generally dry. In 1 Samuel 12:17-18 the prophet Samuel is rebuking the Israelites for demanding a human king when God wants to be their only ruler. To demonstrate God’s power, Samuel calls for a rainstorm with thunder and lightning, even though they are in the midst of wheat harvest, a time when no rain generally falls, to impress people with God’s power. It does snow in Israel in the winter, particularly on Mount Hermon, 10,000 feet high, where people even go skiing these days. But snow in summer? Impossible!

In the same way that weather follows set patterns, so fools do also.

If you are short-sighted enough to give honor to someone who is foolish, you will only embarrass yourself. Years ago, I taught junior high general science. The principal had joined the system the previous year to acclaim from the school board who trumpeted that this was the best-qualified individual ever to work for the school system. One year later, the teachers were up in arms because the man had proven to be a jovial idiot whose idea of enforcing discipline was to have children spit out their chewing gum into his hand while boys were lighting fires in the boys’ toilet. The board paid a great deal of money for “sensitivity training” for the teachers in hopes that if we were all more sensitive, we would stop noticing the principal’s deficiencies. Spoiler alert: it failed! The principal remained as foolish as ever and the teachers remained resentful.  

“Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” My husband and I view this verse as one of the most important in the entire chapter. Working in a culture where people openly curse others, we have witnessed the deleterious results of curses. Mystery illnesses, business failures, family problems-the results of curses can be endless. The key here is the word “undeserved.” If someone is cursing you because you are honest and hard-working, turn the curse over to God and keep going. If you feel you are the target of curses, ask God to show you any chink in your spiritual armor, confess any sins God shows you, and then claim God’s protection; He will surely give it.  

“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!” Riders might carry whips to get a horse’s attention. Generally, one blow from a whip is enough to settle a horse. Stubborn donkeys require bridles to be led in the right direction. But for fools, it might take beating with a rod. There is a story about a man who had a mule and employed another man to train it. When the second man came for the first training session, he immediately picked up a 2”x4” piece of wood and hit the mule up alongside the head with it. “What are you doing?” cried the mule owner. “I hired you to train the mule, not to abuse it.” “Oh,” said the mule trainer, “that was simply to get his attention.” Sadly, some of us are so foolish that God has to hit us up alongside the head with a spiritual 2×4 before we will listen to Him!

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.”  You might read these phrases and think, “HUH! Which is it? These two statements contradict each other.” It’s likely things were clearer in the original language. If someone is making foolish statements, you must comment wisely, refusing to get sucked into a ridiculous argument that will only make you appear foolish as well. On the other hand, you can’t overlook foolish statements because others may think that silence implies consent and that you are agreeing with the fool.  

“Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.” People are judged by the quality of the messengers they send. Use a fool for your messenger and everybody will assume you are just as bad. Once you have given a message to a fool, you have no control over the way he will handle it. Recently, job applicants have found their social media posts being scrutinized to see if their posts are appropriate or not. Sadly, some people have lost job opportunities because they have indulged in drunken orgies or other weird behavior, snapping selfies, and posting them on social media. Such posts are the modern equivalent of giving a message to a fool. And once something is out on social media, it is there forever.   

“Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.” Since a fool will not know how to interpret a proverb, the proverb will be as useless as the legs of a paraplegic. If you tie a stone in a slingshot, the stone can’t go anywhere and the slingshot is useless. Honoring someone who is foolish is just as worthless an endeavor. If a drunkard gets a thorn in the hand, he won’t feel anything because he has anesthetized himself with alcohol. In the same way, a fool might quote a proverb, not realizing its application to him and making himself look ridiculous.   

“Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passer-by.” Shooting off arrows indiscriminately only wastes arrows and might wound or kill someone; nobody with common sense would do such a thing. By the same token, hiring someone you know to be foolish or hiring a passing stranger is equally short-sighted. You have no idea if the fool or passer-by will carry out your work to your satisfaction or not. How can you trust such people?

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” You might say, “Ooh yuck!” and you would be right. But it is true that once a dog has vomited, it might come back later and eat part of the vomitus. Foolish people fail to learn from mistakes so they repeat them endlessly.  

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Many times we meet someone who appears to be “a legend in his own mind.” Such people are so self-important that you can’t teach them anything and correcting them is a fruitless task. Instructing such people is like trying to teach a pig to sing: it only frustrates you and annoys the pig.

APPLICATION: When reading these proverbs, it’s always tempting to ask for the back story. Why did Solomon say these things? Solomon ran a huge court with all kinds of building projects in various places. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. How much pressure was there on Solomon to employ the relatives of 1,000 women?  When Solomon was giving pronouncements about fools, was he speaking from bitter personal experience? Did Solomon make the mistake of sending someone’s brother-in-law as a messenger or an ambassador, only for the guy to get drunk, shoot off his mouth, and disgrace Solomon? And as the wisest man in all the earth, how many times did Solomon have to endure long lectures from self-styled experts convinced they were enlightening him? Perhaps it was experiences such as these that led Solomon to pen these proverbs!

The question for us is simple: are we foolish? Are we teachable or not? Discrete or not? Careful in our language or not? It’s all about choices. Choose wisely.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, deliver us from our foolishness! Help us to face our shortcomings and confess them to You, knowing that You are the only One who can straighten us out. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.