Archive for the ‘Proverbs 24’ Category

Proverbs 24:30 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 24, 2014 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:30 I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment

Your actions and assets reveal your character and wisdom. You cannot deceive anyone. If you are lazy, it shows clearly in various ways. If you are foolish, it is obvious to those around you. Solomon could identify a slothful or ignorant man by his fields. It does not matter what men think or say about themselves; their actions and assets tell the truth.

Solomon, in his effort to train his son and the nation for success, warned against folly and slothfulness. Both are self-destructive traits that will take a man down. In this proverb, he showed his son that he could discern the sleep habits of a man by viewing his field or vineyard (Pr 24:30-34). You cannot hide bad habits in the privacy of your bedroom!

Lazy men and fools think highly of themselves. In fact, arrogance is their ruin (Pr 12:15; 26:12,16). The sluggard believes he works harder than other men, and the fool believes he is wiser than other men. Their self-confidence and self-promotion are deceitful and destructive. They always have excuses as to why they have done so poorly in life. But all you have to do is look at their actions and assets to see their laziness or foolishness.

Solomon saw a field and vineyard overgrown with thorns, covered with nettles, and with its protective wall broken down (Pr 24:31). When he considered the neglected condition of these income-producing assets, he gained valuable insight into the life of the owner (Pr 24:32). The owner loved to sleep in his bed in the morning (Pr 24:33). Solomon knew without any doubts that poverty and pain were coming soon for that man (Pr 24:34).

Most men want to be known as hardworking and wise. They believe these things about themselves, and they are quick to tell others, if there are any doubts (Pr 20:6). But actions speak much louder than words (Pr 20:11). And actions can be verified by the condition and prosperity of your estate (Pr 24:30-34). You cannot hide your faults and failures; they are very visible to those simply observing your assets, friends, relationships, and career.

A diligent man rises to the top (Pr 22:29), gets promoted (Pr 12:24), and becomes rich (Pr 10:4). A man that loves pleasure or spending will be poor (Pr 21:17,20). A man that pursues get-rich-quick schemes will be poor (Pr 28:19,22). A man that loves sleep will be poor (Pr 20:13). A man that talks about business a lot will be poor (Pr 14:23). Those that believe testimonials will be poor (Pr 14:15; 19:2). Optimists will get punished (Pr 22:3).

Gracious persons are praised and have many friends (Pr 11:16; 18:24; 22:11). A strong man does not lose money (Pr 11:16). An odious woman is despised (Pr 21:19; 27:15; 30:21-23). Shameful children prove no training (Pr 29:15,17). A good reputation reflects wise priorities (Pr 22:1). Faithful employees prove wise management (Pr 29:21). A virtuous woman cannot be hid (Pr 12:4), but neither can an obnoxious one (Pr 27:15-16).

Fools defend themselves by saying, “You don’t know my heart,” as if there were something noble in them others cannot see (Pr 10:20). Hah! The heart is easy to know – just look at a person’s actions and results. A diligent and wise man will be rich and successful. A faithful and gracious man will have loving relationships. A fool or sluggard will not get close to these things! He destroys himself by folly (Pr 13:15; 15:19; 22:5).

Fools also defend themselves by saying, “You don’t know the acts of God in my life,” as if circumstances caused their failure. Some use poor parents or race as an excuse, which means little to nothing (Pr 14:35; 17:2). All men face obstacles, but fools and sluggards avoid dealing with them (Pr 20:4; 22:13; 26:13). There is only one Job in the history of the world, in spite of fools and sluggards claiming a repeat of his trials in their lives.

If a man or woman has few friends, it is not the fault of others. It is their fault (Pr 11:16; 18:24). If a man has no estate, it is not the fault of others. It is his fault (Pr 11:16; 21:20). If a man is married to an odious woman, it is not her fault. It is his fault (Pr 11:16,22; 30:21-23; 31:30). Neither fools nor sluggards deceived Solomon. He identified the cause-and-effect of riches or poverty, friends or enemies, success or failure.

Reader, what is your character? It has nothing to do with what you think or say about yourself. That is the most deceitful and stupid measure of all, and others do not believe it (Pr 14:12; 16:25; 21:2; Jer 17:9). Actions speak louder than words, and so do results. You are known by your assets, friends, relationships, and/or career. What would Solomon know about your heart and habits by observing your life? You can change the picture!

Your character and wisdom are known by the cleanliness and orderliness of your house; the neatness and accuracy of your checkbook; the clutter in your drawers, closets, basement, or car trunk; the mechanical repair of your car; your career progression; your bodyweight and fitness; your handshake; what is at the back of the bottom shelf of your refrigerator; your credit rating; the size of your savings account; and other such things.

Your character and wisdom are known by the character of your children; the esteem you receive from others; your number of friends; the happiness and helpfulness of your spouse; your reputation in various circles; the opinions of your parents; the opinions of your children; your demand as a counselor; the respect and thankfulness of neighbors and business associates; the number of requests for leadership roles; and other such things.

Your spiritual condition is also known by your assets and results. Do you bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)? How many souls have been converted through your efforts (Jas 5:19-20)? Do your children fear the Lord (Ps 34:11; Eph 6:4)? Are you able to teach, or are you still crawling with elementary knowledge (Titus 2:3-5; Heb 5:12-14)? Do others see Jesus Christ in you more than last year (Eph 4:13)? Are you glorious in overlooking the faults of others (Pr 19:11)? Or do you complain and fight as habits (Phil 2:14-16)?

A slothful or foolish man in financial matters will be poor. A slothful or foolish man in spiritual matters will be ignorant and fruitless. But both situations can be changed by grabbing something that should be done and doing it and doing it well! Right now! Do not delay another hour. Do something good and productive right now. You can change your life situation by God’s blessing on your diligent and wise efforts. Go for it!

Proverbs 24:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: July 24, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:9 The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker.

Here are two rules of wisdom. First, foolish thoughts are sin in God’s sight. Men think their imaginations are their own, but they forget such thoughts are sin against God, Who sees them all. Second, the scorner, a person despising correction and teachers, is hated by good men, for he causes much strife, and removing him brings joy and peace (Pr 22:10).

The Pharisees promoted hypocrisy by allowing evil thoughts, as long as the actual sin was avoided. Hating a person in your heart or lusting after another man’s wife was fine to them, if literal murder or adultery was avoided (Matt 5:21,27). But Jesus said unjustified anger or lusting after another woman was murder or adultery in His sight (Matt 5:22,28). He is the holy Lord! Tremble before Him, even in the secret thoughts of your heart!

Foolishness is any conduct without regard for God or wisdom, which is sin (Pr 19:3; 22:15; Ps 14:1). Even foolish talking – filthy, frivolous, or jesting speech – is condemned, and God will judge the world for it (Eph 5:3-7). God hates folly! He knows a man’s heart is the source of his character and conduct, so He examines it (Matt 12:34-35; 15:18-20).

Sexual fantasies are common, but God condemns them. Sexual sins are folly (Gen 34:7; Deut 22:21; II Sam 13:12), and to imagine such folly is sin. Job said he would not think upon a maid (Job 31:1), and Solomon warned not to lust after strange women even in your heart (Pr 6:25). God ponders man’s goings, including those involving sex (Pr 5:21).

Envy, hatred, and pride are also popular thoughts. Men, and women, love to despise others and exalt themselves in their hearts. In fact, most envy, hatred, and pride are limited to the heart (Jas 3:14-16). But the Lord condemns these evil and foolish thoughts as devilish murder and rebellion. Purify your hearts, ye double minded (Jas 4:8)!

A scorner is a pain and a problem. Their arrogant rejection of correction and instruction makes them impossible to teach (Pr 9:7-8). Their conceited resentment of teachers and reprovers makes peace impossible (Pr 22:10). They must be avoided or cast out. It is only natural and right for men to hate them, for they cause constant strife and trouble with any authority. They are worse than a fool, for they are conceited in their ignorance (Pr 26:12).

Reader, here are two matters of wisdom. First, keep your heart with all diligence, for sin begins with foolish thoughts (Pr 4:23; Jas 1:13-16). Search your heart and thoughts by prayer to reveal any evil there (Ps 139:23-24). Second, love instruction and reproof to avoid being a scorner. Humble yourself before the great God, His word, and His teachers.

Proverbs 08:24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 8, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 8:24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

Once upon a time there was no water – no oceans, seas, lakes, or pools. It was before God created the heaven and the earth (Gen 1:1-2). No man has ever seen such a universe, and the only record we have of it is the written revelation of God in the Bible. But even when there was no water, before God created the heaven and earth, wisdom already existed.

This proverb is part of Solomon’s personification of wisdom as a woman. The personal, feminine pronouns throughout the eighth chapter of Proverbs reference Lady Wisdom, as Solomon describes wisdom in lofty and beautiful terms. She offers herself to men (Pr 8:1-11), lists her rewards to men (Pr 8:12-21), describes her origin with God before any creation (Pr 8:22-31), and closes with a further appeal and invitation to men (Pr 8:32-36).

The LORD Jehovah created all water (Gen 1:1-8). The Word of God often presents Him as the Creator of the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that in them is (Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6; Jonah 1:9; Acts 4:24; 14:15; Rev 10:6; 14:7). He is the Ruler of the seas and uses them to accomplish His holy purposes (Ps 77:19; Is 43:16; Amos 5:8; 9:6; Jonah 1:4).

Do you feel pressure on your ears at the deep end of a swimming pool – 10 feet from the surface? Have you tried scuba diving and felt the pressure at 100 feet? The submarines of World War II could not survive 500 feet. Modern nuclear submarines are not made to operate below 1500 feet. Yet the Mariana Trench in the Pacific is 35,800 feet deep. A mile deeper than Mount Everest is high! The LORD is His name (Amos 5:8; 9:6).

Consider the Asian tsunami of 2004. An undersea earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in the Indian Ocean sent a sea surge 1-2 feet high racing in all directions at 600 mph. When it reached shore it slowed to about 35 mph, but it grew in height to as much as 50 feet. A wall of water! It killed as far away as Port Elizabeth in South Africa, 5000 miles from the epicenter. Over 225,000 lost their lives, and 2,000,000 were made homeless.

The seas are considered as primitive and ancient as anything on earth. Even evolutionists hallucinate about primordial slime coming together in the dark depths eons ago to make butterflies, elephants, hummingbirds, and their baboon ancestors. They are blinded fools! While the seas are old, they are only 6,000 years old based on the Bible’s chronology.

What is the lesson? Though men consider the seas to be very old, there was something earlier. Before there was water, there was wisdom. Before the dark seas existed, the creator God possessed wisdom. If wisdom – the ability of right judgment – is more ancient than the seas and fountains of the earth, you should seek it with all your might. Go to God’s word and His teachers and learn the only true wisdom to direct your life.

 

Proverbs 24:03 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 24, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.

A prosperous and long-lasting family and estate are built by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. There are no shortcuts. There are no alternatives. The foolish and wicked may appear to be building great houses, but they are coming down soon. There is no cheating this rule. If you compromise wisdom, you will lose your family and estate.

Your “house” is not just the building you live in. It includes your posterity and inheritable assets. It includes your literal house, but do not dilute the lesson. Wisdom and understanding here are far more than creative blueprints (Pr 11:29; 14:1,11; 15:25,27)!

It is possible to see the wicked with large and prosperous families, but their duration is short. Consider David’s observation, “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Ps 37:34-36).

Righteous men want to leave a godly and prosperous family in the world (Pr 5:16-18; Ps 127:3-5; 128:1-6; 144:12-15; Mal 2:15). They want to train children and grandchildren to perpetuate the truth of God in the earth (Deut 4:9-10; 6:4-9; Ps 78:1-8; Joel 1:1-3).

Consider the house of Abraham in size and quality. The nation of Israel came from his loins, which he built and established by wisdom and understanding (Gen 12:1-3; Neh 9:7-8). He feared God and lived by faith more than any man of his generation (Gal 3:9).

Consider the houses of Lot and Eli in duration and honor. Lot lost everything and polluted his own daughters (Gen 19:30-38). Eli’s family of priests was cut off and destroyed for the compromise of a sentimental and weak father (I Sam 2:27-36; 3:11-18).

Your family and estate will only prosper by wisdom and understanding, which is plainly found in Scripture. If you live by any other means, you are doomed to trouble, pain, and destruction. Humble yourself, and shore up your house with the Word of God! Today!

The house of God, the church, is built and established the same way, by wisdom and understanding. The foundation is laid in the Lord Jesus Christ, and every minister must build only with gold, silver, and precious stones. For the fire of his Lord’s examination will consume any wood, hay, and stubble. Let every doctrine and practice of every church be based only in the pure wisdom and understanding of Scripture (I Cor 3:11-15).

Proverbs 24 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 24, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.

It is very wrong to excuse or protect the wicked, especially for civil rulers or judges; citizens and nations will curse and despise such leaders and their government (Pr 24:23-24). King Solomon in this context is teaching how rulers must punish evildoers.

In the proverb before you, Solomon encouraged leaders and judges to rebuke wicked men to receive the delight and blessing of God and men. It is the holy duty of righteous men, especially in positions of authority, to judge righteously and rebuke all evildoers.

The proverb is primarily for rulers, as Solomon the king addressed his son, the future king (Pr 24:21-24). Great rulers must govern justly, which includes rebuking sin wherever they find it (Pr 16:12; 20:8,26). It is a calamity and travesty when rulers compromise with wickedness. Jesus Christ is the only perfect ruler (Heb 1:9; Rev 19:15).

But the proverb also applies to all men, especially in their lesser offices of authority, for righteous men have a duty to rebuke sin and warn unruly men. Allowing any you know or meet to continue in sin without a rebuke is an act of hatred (Lev 19:17). If you are an employer, husband, or father, you have a duty to punish sinners to enforce righteousness.

If righteous men do not correct or rebuke sin, how will fools be instructed and warned or saints taught and perfected? If the wicked are not rebuked and punished, what will restrain them? You have a duty to live and speak in a way to reprove evil (Eph 5:11). From top to bottom, all men should rebuke sinners to send the right message (Eccl 8:11).

You are your brother’s keeper (Gen 4:9). “Iron sharpeneth iron,” Solomon said (Pr 27:17). Church members are to warn the unruly, and every church has them (I Thes 5:14). This is the means to help churches grow spiritually (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19-20). Even fools and simple men can learn and improve by seeing scorners punished (Pr 19:25; 21:11).

Of course, the ministers of Jesus Christ have a great duty and role to rebuke the wicked, like Elihu rebuking the wicked words of Job (Job 32:1-2) or John the Baptist rebuking the unlawful marriage of Herod (Matt 14:3-5). A minister is at war every time he steps in the pulpit – war against the foolish notions of his hearers (II Cor 10:4-6). Public sinners should be rebuked publicly to get the attention of the whole church (I Tim 5:20).

Pastors must lift up their voices like trumpets and show churches their sins (Is 58:1). The work is so harsh at times that they have been described as hewing people in pieces with their words (Hos 6:5). They are to preach the word, whether the people want to hear it or not (II Tim 4:1-4). And they should mock any efforts to despise their authority (Tit 2:15).

They must avoid preaching smooth things, which sinful generations crave (Is 30:8-11). The word of God properly preached is a hammer and fire – it breaks in pieces the rocks of stubborn hearers (Jer 23:28-29). The people were astonished at the authority of Jesus Christ, for He rejected the mealy-mouthed compromise of their preachers (Matt 7:28-29).

The proverb here is primarily for civil rulers and judges, but it applies to every person in a position of authority, especially gospel ministers. Be attentive and faithful to rebuke the sinners God brings to your attention to obtain the delight and good blessing described here. If you exercise your authority well, you will also improve your part of the world.

Wisdom for the Soul: Proverbs 24:19-20

Posted: May 24, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:19-20 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out

Hollywood lies. Do not let glamorous lives of the wicked bother you. Sinners appear to prosper. They look happy. They think they will get away with sin. But their end is coming. God will laugh at them and destroy them. Do not envy their temporary success.

There is a God in heaven, and He punishes such sinners severely (Ps 58:6-11). He will have the last laugh at their rebellion against Him and His word. Their happiness is feigned; their success an illusion, their long-term prosperity a delusion. They experience trouble here; they often die young; then they face an angry God! Do not fret about them.

The verse before you is only half of the proverb. After warning you not to fret about the wicked or to envy them, Solomon wrote, “For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out” (Pr 24:20). This is wisdom! Instead of being confused or frustrated by evil and wicked men, you know their terrible ruin is coming.

Due to television, magazines, and the Internet, you have to see the faces, homes, cars, and sins of the wicked much more than Solomon did. Their escapades are published around the world every day. But his inspired words are still true. Do not envy them, because you know their future; they do not know yours, and your future is much better than theirs!

It is a common and foolish expression to describe sinners as getting away with murder. But no one gets away with murder. Ask Cain. Ask David. Ask Jezebel. Ask the Jewish leadership that crucified Jesus Christ. Ask Hitler. Men will not get away with even the idle words of foolish talking and jesting (Matt 12:36; Eph 5:3-6).

Prosperity proves nothing. Do not envy sinners who seem to prosper. God may allow or send prosperity to encourage fools in their foolishness (Pr 1:32; Ex 9:16). David taught that if you wait long enough, they will be completely gone, and you will not be able to even find them (Ps 37:35-36). Do not envy a soap bubble. It will soon pop and disappear!

Wise men walk by faith and knowledge. They believe all God has said against sin in the Bible, and they reject worldly advice or examples that pretend sin might be profitable. They know better. They know all men are liars, especially in Hollywood, and God is true. They know a day of reckoning is coming, in which all the wicked shall give an account of their lives and be rewarded with eternal torment for their folly and evil (II Cor 5:9-11).

Faith looks constantly to the future. It knows there is much more than meets the physical eye here on earth. Therefore, the righteouses walk by faith, not by sight (II Cor 5:7). They know a great reversal of fortune is coming, for both the righteous and the wicked. They know the pleasures of heaven far outweigh any trouble here (Rom 8:18; II Cor 4:17-18; Heb 12:1-4). Like Moses, they look ahead and laugh at Egypt’s riches (Heb 11:24-26).

Fearing God and keeping His commandments are the greatest things you can do for yourself (Pr 1:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 19:23; Eccl 12:13-14). This is true wisdom. You fully trust God’s written revelation for your life. You know He exists and His words are absolute truth, and you know there is great reward for obeying Him (Ps 19:11; Heb 11:6).

The whoremonger seems to enjoy many women, but God will destroy him (Heb 13:4). God lets him think he is getting away with adultery (Ps 50:16-23). In the meantime, he has no committed, loyal, or loving wife for a family of children to enjoy (Pr 5:15-23). These wicked players are lonely now, and they will soon be cut down forever (Pr 24:20).

God warned you not to fret (Pr 23:17-18; 24:1; Ps 49:1-20). David wrote, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb… Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (Ps 37:1-2,7).

Let the wicked have their fun in this world, and you can laugh at them in the next one (Ps 17:13-15; 49:14-15)! You have a reward coming that will put their deceitful pleasures to shame, and remembering this reward fills the Christian with hope, no matter how difficult his existence here might be (Ps 73:1-20; Rom 8:16-19; I Cor 15:19). God will laugh at their calamities now and declare condemnation later (Pr 1:23-31; Matt 7:21-23).

Proverbs 24:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 24, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:22 For those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring.

Honor the president! Salute policemen! Thank God for them, and pray for them. Get away from anyone that disrespects government authority, either high or low. Your future safety and success depends on it, for this proverb warns about sudden calamity and ruin.

A spirit of rebellion has infected the earth, and this spirit is not from heaven. America is at the forefront, where citizens mock and ridicule the highest offices without conscience. You can call this warning old fashioned, but it is the timeless will of God about authority.

True wisdom includes submission to civil government. God promises calamities and ruin on those who promote civil rebellion and on those who listen to them or read them! To avoid God’s judgment and instead secure His blessing, avoid all disrespect of rulers.

Part of an orderly society is submission to authority. If you think civil rulers do not deserve your appreciation, honor, obedience, and support, then you obey the same spirit that creates rebellious children, odious wives, striking employees, and obstinate churches.

This verse is the second half of the proverb, so you need the first half’s description of those who deserve sudden calamities and ruin. Here it is: “Fear the LORD and the King, my son, and do not join with the rebellious” (Pr 24:21). If you are serious about wisdom and knowledge, then read the commentary on that verse as well.

It is God’s command for you and all men to fear Him and your nation’s top rulers. They are linked together, for God gave authority to your nation’s leaders (I Pet 2:17). He even refers to them as gods in the Bible, so that you will get the right idea of how high they are (Ex 22:28; Ps 82:1,6; John 10:34-35). Get away from anyone that speaks lightly of them.

Humble yourself, submit to your government, and pray for them. Even when they make decisions you do not like. Even when they make decisions that are wrong. These are the orders of the high God of heaven for you (Rom 13:1-7; I Tim 2:1-2; I Pet 2:13-17). What are the consequences, if you do not? You will soon be terrified and destroyed. God gave this proverb through Solomon to warn you. Beware, or your last hours may be numbered!

Jehovah hates those who evilly criticize or resist authority, especially civil government. He condemns even associating with such people (Pr 24:21). Here He promises sudden calamity and ruin on them both – the leaders and followers of rebellion and sedition. The fear of God and respect of civil government go together – it is impossible to rightly fear God and be critical of His appointed authority (Pr 24:21). See the comments on 24:21.

Solomon warned his son to fear God and the king (Pr 24:21). You fear God first; but you fear the king as well, because his authority is from God. To resist the king – or any civil authority – is to resist God and His ordinance (Rom 13:1-2). You obey the government for two reasons – fear of punishment from both God and the ruler (Rom 13:3-7). Those wanting to change government have two potent and terrible enemies – God and the king!

Submission to civil authority is true Christianity. Peter taught the same – fearing God and honoring the king go together. He wrote that you are bound by duty to God and man to submit yourself to every ordinance of civil government (I Pet 2:13-17). He condemned thinking or speaking evil of government as marks of ignorant reprobates and brute beasts, cousins to sodomites, needing to be taken out and shot (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).

There is a God in heaven! Though men accuse, criticize, despise, ridicule, or undermine civil rulers in private, He hears and sees it all. The dreadful God of heaven will repay. He does not care if you promote disrespectful thoughts and speech, or a mere follower and willing listener of such men. Calamity and horrific ruin of both parties will occur soon. Give God the glory! The rabid dogs barking against civil government will be put down!

Why are some men in such trouble in their lives, families, and businesses? One certain reason is their wicked attitude and speech toward government. God is not mocked. It hardly matters what they try to do; nothing is going to work. God is against them. They cannot disrespect His appointed authority and get away with it. Why are some men so blessed in their lives, families, and businesses? One certain reason can be their peaceful and reverent submission to government. God blesses and rewards the righteous!

Hate civil disrespect or rebellion even in your heart or your bedroom. Solomon wrote, “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter” (Eccl 10:20). Rebellious words travel far! And the great God also sees the very thoughts and intents of the heart – He will punish those who criticize matters far too high for them.

Is the warning overdone? Lucifer, the anointed cherub of God, will be tormented forever in the lake of fire for rebellion against authority – the rule of Almighty God. Miriam, the dear sister of Moses, spoke only once against his authority, and God made her white with dreaded leprosy (Num 12:1-15). Korah, and even the wives and children of the rebels, were buried alive by the earth for merely speaking against Moses (Num 16:1-34).

Absalom rebelled against David, so God caught him by his head in a tree for Joab’s darts (II Sam 18:9-18). Adonijah did not give enough respect to the new king, so Solomon had his own brother killed (I Kgs 2:12-25). Joab murdered competitors for his office, so Solomon killed his first cousin (I Kgs 2:28-34). Shimei cursed David; and though David forgave him, Solomon eventually had him killed (I Kgs 2:35-46). Forty-two children teased Elisha about his bald head, and God sent two bears to maul them (II Kgs 2:23-24).

King Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah’s warnings and rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar; for that offence he had to watch his sons killed before him, and then his eyes were put out (II Kgs 25:1-7). The rebellious Jews revolted against Rome, which sent Titus to destroy their city and temple and bring upon them greater tribulation than the world has ever seen or will see. These examples of rebellion include the low, the high, and whole nations.

Is the lesson overdone? Angels, far greater in wisdom and might than men, do not bring railing accusations or mocking ridicule against rulers on earth (II Pet 2:11). Truly! Why should a foolish man, who knows nothing of the weighty decisions of his leaders? But the angels do check hair length on women, to see if they show public submission to their husbands by wearing it long (I Cor 11:10). This warning is not overdone. Get serious!

Speaking lightly about parents was worthy of death in God’s estimation (Deut 27:16). Those who cursed their parents were put to death severely (Pr 20:20). And God considered a mocking face toward parents to be worthy of horrible judgment (Pr 30:17). The blessed God defends His appointed authorities and punishes the disrespectful. Is the warning overdone? It is not overdone, because the spirit of rebellion has infected many.

How do you speak of the President? With reverence, or disdain? Do you joke about him or other officials? What do you read about the government – supportive, neutral, or critical? Do you pay taxes respectfully? Do you wickedly imagine a conspiracy or cover-up in every decision they make or action they take? Do you criticize new laws? With what kind of people do you discuss government? Do you pray and thank God for rulers?

If a parent, do you want your children criticizing your decisions, ridiculing your faults, mocking you, and sowing unrest in your other children? If a husband, do you want your wife ridiculing you to others and talking back? If an employer, do you want your employees organizing a union to attack and undermine your position and business? Can you not see that unless you give honor and respect, you do not deserve them from others?

The root cause of disrespect to authority is pride and rebellion – the devil’s sins (Pr 13:10; I Tim 3:6). It is not principle; it is pride and rebellion. Men do not evade taxes for principle, but for covetousness and greed. There are lawful and peaceful means for principle, but their tactics prove wickedness. God will crush proud and rebellious men.

Christians pray for rulers and do all they can to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, regardless of how pagan or wicked rulers are (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-4). They do not despise authority. They know God or the king will come in vengeance on such rebels. They know God’s blessing is on those who revere authority. They know God is higher than the highest and will soon rectify every wrong (Eccl 5:8).

If you are a baptized follower of Jesus Christ, you are a citizen of an eternal monarchy, the kingdom of God, where Jesus rules with absolute power and perfect righteousness as David’s Son. He does not miss a single aspect of every government decision. What is the word of God to them? “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Ps 2:12).

Faithful ministers like Paul preach the whole counsel of God and everything for your profit that is found in the Bible (Acts 20:17-27). You have just heard God’s will for this part of your life. What will you do with the information? You should repent of any past wrongdoing toward civil rulers or other authority, and you should commit before God to never disrespect or rebel against any of the five spheres of authority God has ordained.

Proverbs 24:33-34 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 24, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 24:33-34 (33) A little sleep, a little slumber, and little folding of the hands to rest (34) and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 

Laziness has a certain result. You cannot avoid it. Just as traveling surely gets you to your destination and an armed man can defeat an unarmed one, poverty will take you down. It is a lie to think that not doing what you should today will not have painful consequences.

You cannot stop poverty, if you do not work hard. It is coming for sure. It is not a matter of if it will come, but rather when it will come. You are going down – this is the judgment of economics and perfect punishment from heaven. Because God knew you might doubt or resent this certain fact, He inspired Solomon to write it twice (Pr 6:11).

Solomon knew a man’s work character can be known by the condition of his business (Pr 24:30-34). If not in tip-top shape, he knew the man slept too much. Since you do not have fields or vineyards, measure your income. A quick rule of thumb says an American should make $1.5k – $2k per year of age, reflecting how others value your efforts.

Real Christians work hard (Rom 12:11; I Cor 15:10). Diligence helps men get ahead (Pr 22:29; Eccl 9:10), and it identifies virtuous women (Pr 31:10-31). Only such hardworking men and women deserve the honor and riches that come from diligence (Pr 10:4; 12:24).

The opposite trait of laziness marks men and women that should be thrown out of the churches of Christ after they are deprived of food (II Thess 3:6-15). If you think this is too harsh a judgment, you do not know the Bible or proper incentive (Pr 20:4; 16:26).

In God’s plan for men, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer (Matt 25:29). Socialist minds in an effeminate generation resent it, but it is due to the effort put forth by the two categories. God rewards the diligent and punishes the slothful. This makes perfectly good sense to a righteous mind, and you should bless the God of heaven and love His Bible.

Of course, if you sleep in one morning, you cannot see it having any real consequences, but such a choice makes it much easier to sleep in the next day! If you take a day off work because you do not feel very good (unless ill with a doctor’s note), you are likely lazy. Everyone has aches and pains, and many have more than you, yet they work!

You should observe that those who are the busiest get the most done and volunteer for more. It is quite amazing! Those who have nothing to do actually do nothing and seldom volunteer. They want those who work all the time not only to feed them but to also do the other projects that come up. The diligent do more, and the slothful do less. Amazing!

How much do you believe God’s word? Here is wisdom. Some parents and governments intend to overthrow this proverb’s rule by supporting lazy children or citizens. It may be called an allowance, welfare, disability, unemployment, or other names. The intent is the same – God and Solomon in the Bible are too hard, so let us tax workers to feed sleepers.

God’s word is true. Poverty will come for leeches that take handouts without desperate needs. Poverty will also come for nations that legislate such handouts, as America and Europe in 2013. The rule is certain: it will take down sluggards and their governments, unless hard work is encouraged by rewarding the diligent and starving the lazy.

The lesson of the proverb is the certainty of poverty for those who do not work hard. It is God’s law. Solomon saw it and warned about it several times (Pr 6:6-11; 19:15; 20:13; 24:30-34). Do not deceive yourself by thinking you can get away with taking it easy and working less than others. Repent. Get up. Start working hard right now on a needed thing.

There is another form of poverty far worse than financial – spiritual poverty. It also is the certain result of laziness. You cannot avoid it. Those who skip church services or other duties because they are tired are pitiful church members. Their value and productivity in the kingdom of heaven amount to very little, when it could amount to much.

But another certainty awaits the faithful, who year in and year out seek first the kingdom of God and work diligently to serve Him and others any way they can – they get richer with improving spiritual discernment and greater strength for victorious living (Luke 8:18; 16:10-12; 19:11-27; II Tim 4:7-8). They bear fruit into old age (Ps 92:12-14).

Proverbs 24:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 24, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

 You think outside the box? Make sure it is not the box of the government God picked for you! God chose your government and each person in its offices. He will change it when it pleases Him, but you do not have the ability, duty, or right to even consider it (Dan 2:21).

 The most valuable proverbs for you are the ones you compromise or violate. It is human nature to love the proverbs that condemn others, especially your competitors or enemies. But real wisdom, had only by a few rare men, loves the proverbs that hit nerves and point up a problem with you. Are you humble enough and wise enough to fully trust God here?

God commands you to honor and obey civil rulers. This includes presidents, governors, mayors, sheriffs, clerks, and all public offices. God ordained these offices and chose the persons in them, so He connects your reverence of them with your reverence of Him! Here is basic wisdom for the glory of God and the peace of nations.

He further commands you to avoid those with revolutionary rhetoric, ideas, or plans. They are guilty of sedition and treason against men and rebellion against God, and they deserve damnation (Rom 13:1-2). As you do not want a spouse, children, or employees fomenting rebellion against you, it is your duty to set the same standard for civil rulers.

If you want a peaceful, prosperous, God-blessed life, submit to this proverb and its strict wisdom. God hates free thinkers and talkers, and those who read them or listen to them. He says, “Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities” (II Pet 2:10). You have opened God’s word for wisdom. Here it is. Take it, and prosper!

Are there times when we should not submit to the government?  We should never allow government to force us to disobey God.  Jesus and his apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reason; when they disobeyed, it was in order to follow their higher loyalty to God.  Their disobedience was not cheap: they were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, or executed for their convictions.  Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences.

Willingly or unwittingly, people in authority are God’s servants.  They are allowed their positions in order to do good.  When authorities are unjust, however, upright people are afraid.  When authorities are just, people who are doing right have nothing to fear.  This provides our principal motivation to pray for our leaders, Praying for those in authority over us will also mean that we will watch them closely.  If we pray diligently for our leaders, we will be functioning as God’s sentinels.

You should follow the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, though being the King of kings, submitted to Caesar’s de facto government’s taxing authority over Israel and avoided all unnecessary political offence (Matt 17:24-27; 22:15-22). Later, exercising His sovereign rule of the world, He ended the nation of Israel in 70 A.D. and the Roman Empire in 476. He rules heaven and earth with a rod of iron, and no earthly ruler causes Him any grief.

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