pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: folly


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Gifts of God’s Hands

Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:26

‭Ecclesiastes 2:11 – “When I surveyed all that my hands had done… I realized that it was pointless — a chasing after wind.”

As we begin Ecclesiastes we come to see a different picture of the world. This book presents the world as it is – unvarnished – and it gives us permission to name how frail and fragile life really is. Ecclesiastes asks the hard questions and challenges us to go deeper in our understanding of faith, life, and God.

Ecclesiastes 1 begins by declaring that everything is “perfectly pointless.” This sets the tone for most of today’s reading. One generation comes, another goes. Words are tiring, the eye is never satisfied, the ear isn’t ever filled up. What happens will happen. There is nothing new under the sun. Same old, same old.

The Teacher shared how he investigated and explored the world, gaining great wisdom and knowledge. Madness and folly came along too. This all felt like chasing the wind too. So he turned to wine, to great projects, to gathering servants, vineyards, herds, gold and silver. He refused himself no pleasure. And after all of this he states, “When I surveyed all that my hands had done… I realized that it was pointless — a chasing after wind.”

Then the Teacher recognizes that wisdom is more beneficial than folly. So if one has a choice… But he also realizes that the same fate happens to both. This leads to despair. All that he has accomplished and gathered will go to an heir. Will he be wise or foolish?

Our text today closes with hope. The Teacher acknowledges, “There’s nothing better for human beings than to eat, drink, and experience pleasure in their hard work.” Focus on the moment, enjoy the small things. These are gifts from the hand of God. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, yes, life can be hard and frustrating and challenging. Yes, it can feel pointless. Sometimes the treadmill never stops. Yet you remain. In you we can find satisfaction and even pleasure. In you, all we need is provided. Walk with us today, O God. Amen.


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God Looks Within

Reading: Proverbs 31

‭Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

As we close our Proverbs we read from Lemuel, also from Massa. Our passage begins with the words the king heard from his mother. She warns him against the woman of folly who steals men’s strength. She warns him against strong drink – it leads one to forget the Law and the rights of the needy. She encourages him to speak for the voiceless and to judge righteously, defending the poor and needy.

In verse 10 the focus shifts to the “competent wife.” Recent scholars believe this poem is really about Lady Wisdom and not some earthly woman. The elevated status she enjoys in these words would’ve been most unlikely in the ancient world. Even so, this can represent the ideal, then and now, for all of us.

The “competent wife” possesses the traits of Lady Wisdom. She brings good, not trouble. She works joyfully with her hands, even at night. She buys vineyards and makes and sells garments. She cares for the poor and needy. She is confident about the future because “her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue.” Her children bless her and her husband praises her. Indeed, her value is “far above pearls.”

A good and competent woman – or any person for that matter – will possess these qualities. They are inner qualities. In verse 30 we are reminded, “Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” God looks within to see who and what we are. May that be pleasing in God’s sight.

Prayer: Lord God, help us all to aspire to the example set by Lady Wisdom, an extension of you. Guide us to work diligently and joyfully, to stand and speak for the voiceless, to care for those in need, and to honor you above all else. Amen.


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The Lord Gives Light

Reading: Proverbs 27-29

‭Proverbs 28:13 – “Those who hide their sins won’t succeed, but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.”

The value, weight, and power of our words is a major focus today. To brag, that’s dangerous because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Pride lays people low, but humility gains honor. A good word holds power as iron sharpens iron. Bruises (correction) from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy (flattery.) Correcting someone (in love) brings favor. Flattery is just “a net for their feet.”

Good and wise words have little effect on fools. Even grinding them in the mortar won’t drive out their foolishness. The simpleton sees and rushes towards evil and receives punishment. The wise see evil and hide from it. Fools are stubborn. The warning: after many corrections they will suddenly be broken. The wise? “Those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.”

There are certainly outcomes to our choices. One can be wealthy and walk a crooked path. Or one can be poor and walk in innocence. Fools trust their own understanding and suffer. Walk in wisdom and be safe. Work the land and have plenty to eat. Spend your energy on “worthless pursuits” and have plenty of poverty.

Lastly, the sage touches on care for the poor. If we give to the poor we will lack nothing. But if we turn a blind eye, then we will be “greatly cursed.” The righteous know the rights of the poor because they listen to God’s Instruction. The fools do not understand. They won’t listen. Yet the sage also reminds us that the poor and the oppressor have this in common: “The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.” Wisdom calls out to all of humanity. Will we have eyes to see and ears to hear?

Prayer: Lord God, guide us in our walk as we choose between wise and foolish, between good and evil, between you and the world. Fill our hearts with your instruction, with your wisdom. Steer us clear of the crooked path and the lies of folly. Pour words of healing and truth into our hearts. Guard us against speaking words that harm or oppress. May your light and love flow from each of us, flooding this world with your presence. Amen.


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The Lord Made Us All

Reading: Proverbs 21 and 22

‭Proverbs 21:15 – “Acting justly is a joy to the righteous, but dreaded by those who do evil.”

Photo credit: James A. Molnar

The contrast between good and evil, between righteousness and folly – they are on clear display in today’s readings. We are called to pursue righteousness and kindness and to live with humility and the fear of the Lord. We are told that these yield life, honor, and wealth. We are called to guard our mouth and tongue. Doing so we guard ourselves from trouble. We are called to act with justice. God values this more than sacrifices. We are called to train up our children in these ways. Good training and discipline sets them on the right path in life. And we also receive a warning: We might think our path is straight but it is God who weighs our hearts. God judges our motives…

Those with prideful eyes and arrogant hearts, those who walk in the ways of the wicked – they are sinful and their lamp will go out. They sow injustice, harvest evil, and close their eyes to the poor. These will receive no answer when they call out to God. The “rod of their fury” will come to an end. Those who steal from the poor and oppress the needy, God will “press out” their lives. The wicked will be swept away by God.

We find a bit of ancient relationship advice too. The sage advises us that it is better to “live on the edge of the roof” or in the “wilderness” than to live in a house with a contentious and angry wife. Perhaps today we too should remember that the Lord weighs our hearts too.

And the closer today, my favorite: “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.” Same goes for male and female, black and white…, friends and enemies, those alike and those different from us… The Lord made us all. May we see and love one another in this spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, you know I want to pursue you and your righteousness, justice, kindness… You also know that I struggle with arrogance, pride, judging others… I seek your wisdom, the words of life, the voice of the Holy Spirit. And the lies of Satan and this world also ring in my ears. Lord you made me and did so for a purpose. Strengthen and empower me today to be who and what you created me to be. It is only possible through your power and presence. May it be so. Amen.


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A Strong Tower

Readings: Proverbs 17 and 18

‭Proverbs 18:10 – “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.”

There are three themes that stand out to me today as we read and ponder Proverbs 17 and 18. To read these words in a few months or in a couple of years, other themes might stand out. That is one reason we read and read and read our Bibles. That being said, the first theme that emerged today was that wisdom or understanding brings peace to our lives. It is better to eat crusty, dry bread in peace than to feast in a quarreling house. It is love that covers offenses. But fools keep repeating words and actions that bring or lead to division. Therefore, it is “safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in their folly.” Let that sink in.

The second theme concerns God’s testing and refining and correction. Like a crucible refines and purifies silver, so God tests our hearts. For the wise and understanding, a rebuke goes deeper and impacts us more than “100 lashes to a fool.” For those who seek understanding and wisdom, these draw us together. As the community of faith we too love one another all the time, especially in times of trouble and trial.

The last theme has to do with the power of our words. First, the wise restrain their talking. The wise are cool headed. The understanding recognize that words are “deep waters” and hold the power of life and death. The wise guard their words, loving life, eating well of its fruit. Fools babble on and on, caring just for their own opinions, allowing careless and thoughtless words to bring harm and hurt.

Proverbs 18:10 stands out today as a summary verse, as words to cling to: “The LORD’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, you are indeed our strong tower, our rock of refuge, our place of peace. Walk closely with us, guiding our words and actions so that we too might bring peace and refuge and strength to a world in need of these things in their lives. Use us in the building of your kingdom. Amen.


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Wisdom’s Path

Readings: Proverbs 8 and 9

‭Proverbs 8:4 – “I cry out to you, people; my voice goes out to all of humanity.”

As we turn to chapter 8 we learn of wisdom’s authority and foundation. Wisdom cries out to “all of humanity.” All people are meant to live according to her ways. All people are to learn to fear the Lord. Kings and rulers govern by wisdom. Her “fruit is better than gold.” She walks the path of righteousness and justice, providing for those who love her. The prideful and the arrogant? There is no place for them on the path of wisdom.

Beginning in verse 22 we learn of the origin of wisdom: “The Lord created me at the beginning.” Before anything else was – before the watery depths were formed, before the mountains, earth, or fields were formed – God brought forth wisdom. She was God’s architect. She was part of the creative process. Therefore she smiles upon and delights in the human race. She invites us to listen, to find in her life and favor from God.

Chapter 9 compares Wisdom and Woman Folly. Wisdom sets the table, prepares the meal, and invites the naive to come and eat. At her table the naive learn to abandon their simple ways. They learn to live and walk in the way of understanding. Walking this way, one gains knowledge of “the holy one.” Woman Folly offers the same invitation. But dining at her table leads to “the depths of the grave.” This sharply contrasts with choosing wisdom. Wisdom’s path leads to the heights of joy and hope, of peace and contentment. May we choose this path.

Prayer: Lord God, how we love your ways! You are the source of all that we need, of all that is good and just and right. Teach us to delight in you just as you delight in us. Shine your light on our path, strengthen our walk. Amen.


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One Day

Reading: Matthew 25: 1-13

Verse 12: “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you'”.

The parable we read today is called “The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids”. The story is really about the bridegroom. We often see our faith this way too – sort of backwards. We think God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit – all here for us. Living in a consumeristic, instant gratification, me-first society, it is easy to fall into this mindset. In this approach, as bridesmaids we would ask why it takes so long for the bridegroom to arrive. We have waited SO LONG for the groom to arrive so that we can go into the celebration and festivities.

The folly of this inwardly focused faith is revealed in the foolish bridesmaids. First, instead of simply going and getting more oil – something they are evidently capable of – they ask for some from the wise ones. At times in our culture, it is easier to take from others instead of doing for ourselves. This creates a dangerous culture of dependence. Second, when our faith is focused on ourselves instead of on Jesus, the object of our faith, then we do not really get to know Jesus. We fail to hear his call to humble service. When our time comes to stand at the door, if our faith is selfish and shallow, we too will hear, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you”.

We will all one day stand before the Lord. As we do so, will Jesus see one who lived for God and for others? Will he see a life spent in seeking to live love out loud day by day? That is the hope. To that end may we love God and others above self, being ready for the day or hour when we see Jesus face to face.

Prayer: Living God, it is so easy to be selfish, to want for earthly things. The influences of the world nudge us in this direction. Send the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit to ever call me into the ways of love and service, in the ways of peace and hope. Amen.