pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: mysterious


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On the Tablets

Readings: Proverbs 6 and 7

‭Proverbs 6:20-21 – “My son, keep your father’s command; don’t abandon your mother’s instruction. Bind them on your heart for all time.”

Chapters 6 and 7 share some common themes: keeping close the wisdom given to us and avoiding the adulterous “other.” This “mysterious woman” and no “handsome man” speak of the culture and time in which these words were written. Both chapters also urge us to write wisdom on our hearts – the core of who we are.

Chapter 6 begins with the dangers of allowing our word (or our integrity) to stand for another who may lack these things. The author contrasts the hard-working ant with the lazy person. Only one leads to poverty or disaster. Chapter 6 also includes a list of behaviors “detestable” to God. This list includes lying, arrogance, causing conflict, and senseless violence. One could add adultery too. The author writes, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap and his clothes not get burned?” What a wise question!

Chapter 7 begins with the encouragement to hold tight to wisdom, to bind it on our hearts. Most of the chapter deals with the “mysterious woman.” The writer notes that the “naive young man” falls to her words of seduction, which leads only to shame and death. This chapter notes that this woman lies in wait at every corner. And at every age and stage in our lives. The lies that she tells just change, working on our particular weaknesses at moment in our lives.

Writing God’s will and ways on the tablets of our hearts, keeping them ever before us, is essential to our walk of faith. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, your words written on our hearts remind us of the path we are to walk. Empower us with the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we do not walk the path that leads to death. Hold tightly to our hand as we seek to walk in faith and trust. Amen.


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The Good Path

Readings: Proverbs 4 and 5

‭Proverbs 4:23 – “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Today’s two chapters focus first on loving wisdom and then on avoiding the “mysterious woman.” The author encourages his sons to “let your hearts hold my words.” If one holds onto wisdom then she will guard one’s life. She will protect those who love her. Following these words of wisdom will lead to a long, good life. Therefore we are to love and guard and protect wisdom. The wicked, though, they “eat the bread of evil” and they “drink the wine of violence.” These destructive appetites must be fed. They lead to “deep darkness.” But the way of the righteous is light that gets “brighter and brighter.”

In 4:23 we read, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” In ancient thought the mind was the center of emotions, thought, reason. We are to guard these. This keeps us focused “straight ahead.” It keeps us walking on paths that are secure. The way of the wicked would be crooked and filled with obstacles that would make one stumble.

Chapter 5 focuses on the “mysterious woman.” Although her words “drip honey” and can be enticing and alluring, in fact they are “bitter as gall.” To get involved with this woman is to lose one’s strength, wealth, and reputation. This path leads to “bitter ruin.” The good path involves “drinking from your own cistern.” This is keeping true and faithful to your spouse. We are called to rejoice in this relationship. If we do not we are warned that we will be “caught… in the ropes of our own sin.” In Romans 6 Paul speaks of these “wages of sin.” They lead to death. May we choose instead the good path of life.

Prayer: Lord God, the way of temptation and evil is wide. It leads to sin and death. Guard our hearts and minds, O Lord. Lead us, your sons and daughters, to choose you and your ways. These lead to life. Guide us to your path, O God. Amen.


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Seek Wisdom Like Silver

Readings: Proverbs 1 and 2

‭Proverbs 2:10-11 – “Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight. Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you.”

As we delve into Proverbs we begin with the “why.” The purpose of Proverbs is to teach us wisdom and discipline. The advice contained herein can make the naive mature, the young knowledgeable. Ultimately wisdom leads to the fear of the Lord. This isn’t a fear of spiders or heights. It is a holy reverence for God, a deep respect and awareness of God’s might.

Lady wisdom begins speaking in 1:20. She is a personification of God’s wisdom, an old-school version of the Holy Spirit perhaps. Lady wisdom calls out to the naive, to the mockers, to the fools. But they reject and ignore her. They will not receive her spirit. So she’ll laugh at them when disaster and distress and oppression come. Tis, after all, “the fruit of their way.” But those who do listen and who do obey, they “will dwell securely.”

In chapter 2 Solomon speaks to his son. This could be to an actual son, it might just be to all “sons.” Solomon’s wisdom along with lady wisdom’s – these are to be sought like silver. This is because if one lives with integrity, God will bless you with “ability.” If one is blameless, God will be your shield. In verses 10-11 we read, “Wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will fill you with delight. Discretion will guard you; understanding will protect you.” Wisdom will rescue one from evil. It will rescue one from the “mysterious woman” too – the woman who has forgotten her covenants with God and with her husband. Her path leads to death. Those who walk with integrity, they will “dwell in the land.”

Prayer: Lord God, pour out your wisdom upon us. Open our hearts and minds as we delve into your word. Guide us to store away those nuggets that will lead us to walk your path. Guard us from evil. Keep the tempter far away. Amen!