As you can see, we are back to Proverbs for the next few weeks. Before we dive back in, here’s a quick recap of Proverbs 1-9 : Wisdom is good; folly is bad. I think we can all remember and agree that the first nine chapters contain a good bit more than that, but if we come away from them with that much, we’re off to a reasonably good start!
Now we dive into the part of the book that truly consists of proverbs, those short sayings that convey nuggets of wisdom or observations on life. For the most part, each verse is a separate self-contained proverb. Perhaps that would be the best way to read them: one verse at a time. But no, we’ll be charging through about half a chapter at a time, giving us about 15 different proverbs to look at each day.
That goes to say that I am at a loss as to how our discussion might go. My guess is that I’ll just pick one or two verses to comment on each day — certainly not all 15 or so! But that should not constrain you. Feel free to comment on whatever verse or verses strike you. So here we go…
Proverbs 10:1-16
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
Proverbs 10:15
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
I do not think this is the most profound proverb from today’s reading. It does not tell us how to get rich or how to avoid poverty. (Pr. 10:4 says a little something about that, as does Pr. 10:5.) Nor does it tell us whether the rich should or should not trust in their riches. Nor does this proverb say that wealth is morally better than poverty — or vice versa. It is simply a (morally neutral) observation of life that wealth offers tremendous practical advantages, and poverty tremendous challenges. And it illustrates how we need to be careful in reading these proverbs, careful to see what they say — and what they do not say.
I agree that these chapters provide a challenge, John. We will truly appreciate and welcome the thoughts you share on any of them.
The verse John chose also stood out to me because of what it does not say: it lacks further commentary on the nature of wealth, poverty, and moral issues of the heart regarding these. But his comments also caused me to remember that the challenges of poverty are beyond my understanding and deserve my compassion, and my action when possible.
My “verse of the day” from today’s reading, however, is the first one: “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1, RSV) — (in my mind, this includes daughters). In the past few days we have been blessed to have our son and daughters in town during this very difficult time. And they have rallied around even though some are in the middle of quite trying circumstances in their own lives. It has truly lightened our load! Okay, maybe this shows caring more than being “wise” but they are truly making their father glad!
Finally I’m joining you all in Proverbs, hoping to catch up in a few days. So one verse stuck out for me today, verse 15, the same verse that John picked. But there’s little point in me adding much to John’s comments. He has said it well. Still, one comment. Wealth begets options, opportunities that the poor do not have. We are fully blessed to be living where we are, but I daresay that the Lord will call us out for what we’ve done with the much that we have. Wealth is a blessing and a responsibility.