Proverbs 24:1-12 If you faint in the day of adversity,your strength is small.Rescue those who are being taken away to death;hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,and …
Author Archives: John S.
September 3 / Proverbs 23:22-35
Proverbs 23:22-35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;they beat me, but I did not feel it.When shall I awake?I must have another drink.” Proverbs 23:35 What a tragic scene! One that has played out countless times down through the ages — the grip of addiction. It is clear from this …
September 2 / Proverbs 23:12-21
Proverbs 23:12-21 Apply your heart to instructionand your ear to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 Today’s reading returns to a common theme from the early chapters of Proverbs: seeking — and passing on — wisdom. The author urges the reader (again, “my son“) to gain instruction and words of knowledge (v. 12), to have a …
September 1 / Proverbs 23:1-11
Proverbs 23:1-11 Many thanks to Fred for his commentary on the Psalms over the last few weeks. Now it is September, and that puts us back into Proverbs for a while, which means you are stuck with me again. (Sorry about that…) When you sit down to eat with a ruler,observe carefully what is before …
July 26 / Proverbs 22:17-29
Proverbs 22:17-29 Today marks a bit of a transition in Proverbs. Thus far, all of the internal clues have pointed to Solomon as the author, but today’s first verse, Proverbs 22:17, mentions “the words of the wise” — potentially an indication of a new author. In addition, Proverbs 22:17-21 acts as a fresh introduction to …
July 25 / Proverbs 22:1-16
Proverbs 22:1-16 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 Our culture says that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett epitomize success. Why? Because they are rich — wildly rich. But material wealth is not a proper measure of success. …
July 24 / Proverbs 21:17-31
Proverbs 21:17-31 No wisdom, no understanding, no counselcan avail against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30 You can’t trick God. You can’t outthink God. You can’t outsmart God. You can’t outargue God. You can’t outwit God. You can’t outwait God. You can’t outrun God. You can’t outgun God. You can’t outdistance God. You can’t outmaneuver God. You …
July 23 / Proverbs 21:1-16
Proverbs 21:1-16 To do righteousness and justiceis more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 Do you ever think that you can bribe God with a little extra in the offering plate? Maybe you can bend the rules a bit over here, because you sacrifice so much over there, or because you do “religious” …
July 22 / Proverbs 20:16-30
Proverbs 20:16-30 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Proverbs 20:22 This advice is echoed in Romans 12:19, which hearkens back to Deut. 32:35. It is something we all should think about — and heed! — as forbearance does not come naturally. When attacked in some way, …
July 21 / Proverbs 20:1-15
Proverbs 20:1-15 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;I am clean from my sin”? Proverbs 20:9 No one. There is absolutely no way we can make ourselves pure. There is no heroic feat great enough to outweigh our guilt, no sacrifice we can make to atone. There is no self-help program that will …