| Passage: Proverbs 19-21 On Friday, July 28, 2017, Yujin wrote,
There is a place for action, even bold, passionate action; however, it must be accompanied by knowledge and discipline. Without thought and disciplined effort, swift, decisive action can lead to disasterous consequences. When I survey my career pursuits and investments, I have found enduring success only when I applied copious thought and diligent preparation. I attest to the real-world veracity of the message of these proverbs. |
| Passage: Proverbs 19-21 On Sunday, July 28, 2013 (Last Updated on 7/27/2020), Yujin wrote, It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” This proverb warns against the folly of making rash statements or vows before searching out a matter. In fact it portrays those that search out a matter only after making statements and vows about it. This seems clearly illogical and foolish, but so many of us do this all the time. Have you ever bought something on impulse, and only researched it after you bought it? How many people get smitten by someone they are dating and proceed into marriage as if with blinders, only to discover such things about their spouse that leads to a divorce. How many of you are amazed by some miraculous testimony you hear from a guest speaker, and you gullibly swallow it as Gospel truth without ever looking into it? You say, "I trust my pastors would not invite charlatans to speak in our church." Are you sure about that? What if I told you that most of the speakers invited are not vetted except by how popular they are. Above the doctrinal errors such speakers introduce, I can almost guarantee you that none of their miraculous claims have been documented or verified. This proverb says that "it is a trap" when someone calls something "holy," that is, something from the Lord, without first looking into the person or claim or matter. And when you accept such a declaration, you are falling into the trap. And you will do yourself harm as well as all those that depend upon you to provide a reliable witness to the truth. Friends, as the Bible teaches us, "Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). It is not faith to accept everything you hear, even from the pulpit. It is folly. Wisdom teaches us to search out every matter, every teaching, every claim. |
| Passage: Proverbs 19-21 On Monday, July 30, 2012, Fernando wrote, Proverbs 20 28� Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,�and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. Solomon's observation looks at things from a spiritual standpoint. As a spiritual observation, it is a goal. Be wise, have understanding, be righteous, have mercy... These are positions of the heart, a prerequisite to their byproducts. Solomon's observation stand in contrast to Makiavelli. (it has been many years since I have read his thoughts so I may not represent him entirely accurate) Makiavelli's observation looks at things from a worldly view. From the world's perspective the things described by Solomon are only tools to a goal, a means to an end. He recommends you should only appear to 'Be wise, have understanding, be righteous, have mercy...' These are tools to persuade others to give you power. The goal being hedonism (pleasure), hegemony (power), or some sort of humanism (pride). One sees character as a moral imperative the other a means to an end. |
| Passage: Proverbs 19-21 On Thursday, July 28, 2011, Yujin wrote, Friends, there are some observations in these Proverbs that might persuade you to be rich and not poor, for the poor have no friends and are rejected even by their family (Proverbs 19:4,7). If you think this way, you would be thinking wrongly. The Bible in numerous places show how the LORD has special care for the poor, and they are often commended over the rich because of their humility and faith (Proverbs 19:17 is a remarkable statement). But then, you may ask, "Should I seek to be poor?" But this too would be a wrong way to think. A later Proverb may give us some perspective: �Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, �Who is the LORD?� Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God (Proverbs 30:7-9) The prophet Agur utters these words not because he is seeking a middle-class lifestyle, but because his primary interest is in honoring the LORD. And this is how we need to apply the Proverbs, where we find observations on the poor and the rich -- not to say, I want lots of friends so I should try to become very rich, but rather, I should pursue God and honor Him regardless of my social-economic status. And these Proverbs will help me to understand both the hardships I must endure when I am poor, as well as the responsibilities I have if I am rich. Remember the focus and purpose of all the Proverbs is that we might fear the LORD (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). It is not a handbook for health and wealth but rather a collection of sayings that provide a godly perspective to help believers wisely navigate a fallen world system. |