Proverbs 5:1-6 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,and her speech is smoother than oil,but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,sharp as a two-edged sword. Proverbs 5:3-4 All of Proverbs 5 serves as a warning against the particular sin of adultery, but as Fred pointed out, the specific temptation toward adultery …
Author Archives: John S.
May 14 / Proverbs 4:20-27
Proverbs 4:20-27 I am again struck by the full intensity of purpose called for here: Be attentive…Incline your ear…Let them not escape…Keep them… (vv. 20-21) Why such focus? For [my words] are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. (v. 22) And then further: Keep your heart with all vigilance, …
May 13 / Proverbs 4:10-19
Proverbs 4:10-19 So, how are we doing? Are we beginning to listen, to pay attention? Do we accept these words of wisdom? Are we following in the paths of uprightness? Are we keeping hold of instruction? Are we guarding her? Do we consider her to be our life? Or how about wickedness and evil? Do …
May 12 / Proverbs 4:1-9
Proverbs 4:1-9 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction… (v. 1) It has been said that when the Bible repeats something two or three (or more) times, one should take note. Are you beginning to sense, then, that perhaps getting wisdom is important? When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in …
May 11 / Proverbs 3:27-35
Proverbs 3:27-35 Do not… Withhold good when you can do it (Pr. 3:27) Put off your neighbor when you can provide his due (Pr. 3:28) Plan evil against your neighbor (Pr. 3:29) Be contentious without cause (Pr. 3:30) Envy a man of violence (Pr. 3:31) Choose the ways of a man of violence (Pr. 3:31) In …
May 10 / Proverbs 3:19-26
Proverbs 3:19-26 To Fred’s point yesterday, that knowing Jesus is wisdom: The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. (v. 19) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him, and without Him was not …
May 9 / Proverbs 3:13-18
Proverbs 3:13-18 Wisdom and understanding — what could be better? Not silver. Not gold. Not jewels. Nothing you desire. She offers long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. Seriously, what could be better? Only God Himself. I am left having to ask myself some hard questions. How do I honestly regard wisdom? Do I really …
May 8 / Proverbs 3:9-12
Proverbs 3:9-12 Honor the LORD with your wealth… (v. 9) As I mentioned yesterday, I memorized Pr. 3:9-10 years ago. My guess is that Fred, our treasurer, may have memorized those verses, too. 🙂 While the immediate message may be that one should give financially to the church (and that reward will follow), I think the deeper message is an …
May 7 / Proverbs 3:1-8
Proverbs 3:1-8 The author (Solomon) again urges the reader (“my son”) to attend to his teaching, using language reminiscent of Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Again, intentionality is key: diligence; attentiveness; focus — certainly not apathy. Long ago (40+ years) I memorized Pr. 3:5-6 (as well as Pr. 3:9-10 from tomorrow’s reading): Trust in the LORD with all …
May 6 / Proverbs 2:16-22
Proverbs 2:16-22 Today we see another example of how wisdom offers deliverance: So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words… (v. 16) This example illustrates both forms of protection that I mentioned yesterday. First, with wisdom one can recognize and choose to avoid seduction in the first …