The world is an unsafe place, ever since Adam and Eve sinned their way out of God's perfect protection of Eden. It does not matter how "good" or "wicked" you are, nor what your intentions are behind your deeds, or your motivations behind your thoughts or actions, nor what religion or not that you are, and certainly not how "gifted" or "enlightened" you think you are. The world remains an unsafe place because mishaps and death are a fact of life.
Having said that, the one way to be the safest possible in a physically unsafe world is to use one yardstick, one measure, in all your thoughts and deeds, and even your day to day actions. Do not do anything unless you dedicate your action to the greater glory of God first and foremost. If you do something based on your own pride, you are more vulnerable to mishaps and death.
Pride causes people to take chances that they do not need to risk. Pride causes people to crave money, power and media attention with public adulation. Pride causes companies and governments to not have the correct attention to the correct risks, dangers and problems that they and other people face. Pride causes people to mistrust other people's good advice.
Proverbs 16:18
Proverbs 18:12
If you pause before anything that you do, and ask yourself just very quickly, "Is God glorified in what I am about to do, or am I about to do something based on pride?" I guarantee that while death and mishaps still will occur, one's priorities will be more correct and many mishaps will be avoided.
I hope that you have found this helpful.
Sirach 6:16-18
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; for he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
Showing posts with label Book of Proverbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Proverbs. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bible reading: Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:1-9
Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding! 2. Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake. 3. When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother, 4. He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast to my words: keep my commands, that you may live!
5. "Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter. 6. Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; 7. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. 8. Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; 9. She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
5. "Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter. 6. Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; 7. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. 8. Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; 9. She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:25-35
Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: to the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; when he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.
[Honor is the portion of wise men, but fools inherit shame.]
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: to the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; when he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.
[Honor is the portion of wise men, but fools inherit shame.]
Friday, September 12, 2008
Bible Reading: Proverbs, various
Proverbs 1:3
Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity.
Proverbs 14:34
Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 15:11
Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord-how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity.
Proverbs 14:34
Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 15:11
Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord-how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Gov Palin example of famous Bible role model
Something that grated on me during the era of the hippies is that they, especially the women “feminists” would have the nerve to quote one passage from the Bible about themselves. Yes, they would ignore and deny and defame God and the Bible yet have the nerve to cite (including on marketing catalogs and so forth) one single passage from the Bible, in self admiration of their hippy-dippy “artistic skills.” Here is the passage they would smugly quote:
Proverbs 31:10, 13
…She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far about rubies or pearls…She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. (Amplified Bible).
Oh my God, the NERVE! This is an extract of reference to one “artistic” endeavor (weaving) and then breaking their own arms slapping themselves on the back on how they are “worth more than rubies.” I am as outraged by this today as I was when I witnessed this in the 1970’s-1980’s.
Well, I’ve got a shock for you. I’ve blogged the ENTIRE Proverb reading before but I’m going to do it again here and this time ask you: Don’t you think of Governor Sarah Palin rather than some cheap hippy dippy “artiste?”
Proverbs 31:10-31
10. A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman-who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her security, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13. She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
14. She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].
15. She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16. She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
18. She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19. She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20. She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21. She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23. Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24. She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free up for service]. ((My note to explain this. People wore loose robes, and when they had to get to work in the fields or so forth they used a belt, which was called girdle or sash, to hitch up their robes so they could work without tripping on their garments. Thus this woman is manufacturing an essential clothing item that enables others to work. By the way, a church in Syria has a genuine sash of the Blessed Virgin Mary.))
25. Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or the time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
26. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and the self-pity) she will not eat.
28. Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
29. “Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well (with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.”
30. Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
It is the model of a God fear conservative woman who is described in the Bible, not liberal whack jobs that destroy the family, pimp abortions and work as “design consultants.” Any liberal idiot who actually read the Bible and had some humility would also recognize the elevated role of such a woman and her crucial and dignified role in the faith community, the economy and most importantly her family and household. Conservative women “do it all,” it is the liberal women who are in direct opposition to the model described herein in Proverbs.
Proverbs 31:10, 13
…She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far about rubies or pearls…She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. (Amplified Bible).
Oh my God, the NERVE! This is an extract of reference to one “artistic” endeavor (weaving) and then breaking their own arms slapping themselves on the back on how they are “worth more than rubies.” I am as outraged by this today as I was when I witnessed this in the 1970’s-1980’s.
Well, I’ve got a shock for you. I’ve blogged the ENTIRE Proverb reading before but I’m going to do it again here and this time ask you: Don’t you think of Governor Sarah Palin rather than some cheap hippy dippy “artiste?”
Proverbs 31:10-31
10. A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman-who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her security, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13. She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
14. She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].
15. She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16. She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
18. She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19. She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20. She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21. She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23. Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24. She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free up for service]. ((My note to explain this. People wore loose robes, and when they had to get to work in the fields or so forth they used a belt, which was called girdle or sash, to hitch up their robes so they could work without tripping on their garments. Thus this woman is manufacturing an essential clothing item that enables others to work. By the way, a church in Syria has a genuine sash of the Blessed Virgin Mary.))
25. Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or the time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
26. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and the self-pity) she will not eat.
28. Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
29. “Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well (with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.”
30. Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
It is the model of a God fear conservative woman who is described in the Bible, not liberal whack jobs that destroy the family, pimp abortions and work as “design consultants.” Any liberal idiot who actually read the Bible and had some humility would also recognize the elevated role of such a woman and her crucial and dignified role in the faith community, the economy and most importantly her family and household. Conservative women “do it all,” it is the liberal women who are in direct opposition to the model described herein in Proverbs.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:13
A glad heart lights up the face,
but by mental anguish the spirit is broken.
but by mental anguish the spirit is broken.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:14
The scoundrel suffers the consequences of his
ways,
and the good man reaps the fruit of his paths.
ways,
and the good man reaps the fruit of his paths.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Bible Reading: Proverbs 17
1. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
(sacrifices mean the best goods and feasts that would be suitable for sacrifice, in other words, lavish entertainment food).
therefore it can also be translated:
Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
(sacrifices mean the best goods and feasts that would be suitable for sacrifice, in other words, lavish entertainment food).
therefore it can also be translated:
Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 15
11. The nether world and the abyss lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of men!
better translation:
Hell and destruction are before the Lord; how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?
better translation:
Hell and destruction are before the Lord; how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?
Bible Reading: Proverbs 15
3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
My big nose, liking butter, and a Proverb
I have a really big nose that I get teased about quite a lot, and not affectionately. And like I said, I've been questioned about liking butter. Well, check this proverb out before it checks you out:
Proverbs 30:33
Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings strife.
Proverbs 30:33
Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings strife.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Bible Reading: Proverbs
Proverbs 3:15-24, 4:6, 8-10
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto they soul, and grace to thy neck.
Then shall thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
When thou liest down thou shall not be afraid: yes, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet...
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee...
Exhalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto they soul, and grace to thy neck.
Then shall thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
When thou liest down thou shall not be afraid: yes, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet...
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee...
Exhalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many.
Bible Reading: Proverbs
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bible Reading: Proverbs
Proverbs 3: 13-24
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding! For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue; she is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace; she is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and he is happy who holds her fast.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, established the heavens by understanding; by his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew. My son, let not these slip out of your sight; keep advice and counsel in view; so will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck. Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble; when you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding! For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue; she is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace; she is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and he is happy who holds her fast.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, established the heavens by understanding; by his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew. My son, let not these slip out of your sight; keep advice and counsel in view; so will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck. Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble; when you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Bible Reading: Proverbs, Matthew, Thessalonians
Proverbs 17:3
The firing-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
***
I'd like to explain this proverb because it's one of my favorites, but with people's lack of understanding of the context and meaning, it would be easy to miss the primary message.
One of the reasons that silver and gold were so highly prized was because they were noticeable. Because both silver and gold occur in their natural state, even the earliest of humans were able to spot them among the rocks. Many metals are not found in their natural state, so they would be virtually invisible to people who were not metallurgists and chemists. So early humankind learned to find and value silver and gold. Later as they learned how to heat things with fire, they learned that if they heated the rock that held portions of silver and gold, that they could melt the silver and gold out of the rock and obtain it in a pure state. Silver, number 47 in the periodic table, is soft enough that it could be melted in a "firing pot." There was more silver available, and it was easier to extract, and so only a firing pot was needed to obtain pure silver. Gold, number 79 in the periodic table, is harder to extract and requires a furnace. So to obtain pure gold, humans needed to use a larger and hotter device, a furnace. Also, as gold was more prized, a furnace represents a large scale effort under the patronage of a leader or king. So the proverb is escalating in the level of value of the precious ore (from silver up to gold) and in amount of effort required to obtain it in pure form (from firing pot to furnace.)
By placing the heart after silver and gold in this proverb, it is being illuminated as being even more precious than silver and gold. Therefore, instead of a firing pot or a furnace, the Lord is needed to effect the change of a heart to its purest form. In current lingo people have lost the meaning of "trying" so this is what I'm helping the Bible student to avoid. Today we might say "you try me" as in "annoy" or "stress." But in ancient times, trying referred to the chemistry of purification, just as I described, the melting out of silver and gold from the rock ore that holds it within. So the proverb is treating the heart just the same way as silver and gold, which is to recognize that it is not naturally found in pure form, and must be "tried" out of the impure container that it is within. All humans' hearts are bound within the natural tendency to sin and to be mislead, and also, even those of good heart may be bound within conditions that are oppressive and afflictive (war, poverty, illness, loneliness, and other hardships.) In either case, turning to the Lord is the only way that one can purify one's heart. Only the Lord teaches a person how to discard from around and within their heart all that is bad and unhealthy, and allow the space within to grow in the natural glory of the heart.
In Biblical times the heart was viewed as the center of all of a human's actions. Specific feelings and activities attributed to the heart in the Bible include: thought, love, hatred, joy, sorrow, rebellion, pride, desire, obedience, reason, consideration, perception, understanding, meditation, imagination, purpose, presumption, fear, mystery, doubt, and faithfulness/faithlessness. Remember, then they did not know of the functions of the brain, so the heart was the seat of both feeling and thought, and therefore of a human's entire value system. You can see in this list that the ancients recognized a mixed bag of qualities available to the heart, such as the extremes of obedience and rebellion, love and hatred. So in this proverb the reader is being taught that just as silver and gold are extracted from the ore, so too can a heart be purified in order to contain only the finest and most good of the qualities listed above. A heart that is "tried" by turning to the Lord and learning his ways is therefore able to purify out the hatred, and fill with love. A heart is "tried" to purify out the pride and fill with obedience and reason. So this proverb is not saying that the Lord sends affliction and is "trying the patience" of a person to test them into a pure heart, but rather, this wise proverb refers to the Lord as the instrument and way of purity of heart.
Centuries after this proverb was written, Jesus spoke about the reward that the pure of heart achieve:
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.
The wise St. Paul also shows knowledge of both the proverb, and the beatitude spoken by Jesus, as he brings the two together here:
Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
You can see how important it is to understand what I've explained about the proverb in order to correctly understand what Paul is saying. He is saying that by following the gospel, even if men want the person to sin and speak incorrectly, that God purifies the gospel followers' heart. A hasty reading of this saying from Paul without understanding the proverb he is alluding to might make one think that he is saying that God sends certain men to "try" and "test" the believer. That is not what he is saying, and he makes that clear in the order of the words, as it builds up to the point, just as does the proverb itself, a proverb he assumes is known to most readers of this epistle.
God gave gospel as instrument...use it to proclaim.... even if others disagree....God through gospel purifies the heart.
One other thought; Paul uses the words "allowed of God" and "to be put in trust with the gospel" to underscore and emphasis the gospel as a gift and a choosing. God allowed people to hear the gospel and God allowed people to find their faith within them to trust the gospel. Paul is affirming again here that faith itself is a gift from God.
The firing-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
***
I'd like to explain this proverb because it's one of my favorites, but with people's lack of understanding of the context and meaning, it would be easy to miss the primary message.
One of the reasons that silver and gold were so highly prized was because they were noticeable. Because both silver and gold occur in their natural state, even the earliest of humans were able to spot them among the rocks. Many metals are not found in their natural state, so they would be virtually invisible to people who were not metallurgists and chemists. So early humankind learned to find and value silver and gold. Later as they learned how to heat things with fire, they learned that if they heated the rock that held portions of silver and gold, that they could melt the silver and gold out of the rock and obtain it in a pure state. Silver, number 47 in the periodic table, is soft enough that it could be melted in a "firing pot." There was more silver available, and it was easier to extract, and so only a firing pot was needed to obtain pure silver. Gold, number 79 in the periodic table, is harder to extract and requires a furnace. So to obtain pure gold, humans needed to use a larger and hotter device, a furnace. Also, as gold was more prized, a furnace represents a large scale effort under the patronage of a leader or king. So the proverb is escalating in the level of value of the precious ore (from silver up to gold) and in amount of effort required to obtain it in pure form (from firing pot to furnace.)
By placing the heart after silver and gold in this proverb, it is being illuminated as being even more precious than silver and gold. Therefore, instead of a firing pot or a furnace, the Lord is needed to effect the change of a heart to its purest form. In current lingo people have lost the meaning of "trying" so this is what I'm helping the Bible student to avoid. Today we might say "you try me" as in "annoy" or "stress." But in ancient times, trying referred to the chemistry of purification, just as I described, the melting out of silver and gold from the rock ore that holds it within. So the proverb is treating the heart just the same way as silver and gold, which is to recognize that it is not naturally found in pure form, and must be "tried" out of the impure container that it is within. All humans' hearts are bound within the natural tendency to sin and to be mislead, and also, even those of good heart may be bound within conditions that are oppressive and afflictive (war, poverty, illness, loneliness, and other hardships.) In either case, turning to the Lord is the only way that one can purify one's heart. Only the Lord teaches a person how to discard from around and within their heart all that is bad and unhealthy, and allow the space within to grow in the natural glory of the heart.
In Biblical times the heart was viewed as the center of all of a human's actions. Specific feelings and activities attributed to the heart in the Bible include: thought, love, hatred, joy, sorrow, rebellion, pride, desire, obedience, reason, consideration, perception, understanding, meditation, imagination, purpose, presumption, fear, mystery, doubt, and faithfulness/faithlessness. Remember, then they did not know of the functions of the brain, so the heart was the seat of both feeling and thought, and therefore of a human's entire value system. You can see in this list that the ancients recognized a mixed bag of qualities available to the heart, such as the extremes of obedience and rebellion, love and hatred. So in this proverb the reader is being taught that just as silver and gold are extracted from the ore, so too can a heart be purified in order to contain only the finest and most good of the qualities listed above. A heart that is "tried" by turning to the Lord and learning his ways is therefore able to purify out the hatred, and fill with love. A heart is "tried" to purify out the pride and fill with obedience and reason. So this proverb is not saying that the Lord sends affliction and is "trying the patience" of a person to test them into a pure heart, but rather, this wise proverb refers to the Lord as the instrument and way of purity of heart.
Centuries after this proverb was written, Jesus spoke about the reward that the pure of heart achieve:
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.
The wise St. Paul also shows knowledge of both the proverb, and the beatitude spoken by Jesus, as he brings the two together here:
Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
You can see how important it is to understand what I've explained about the proverb in order to correctly understand what Paul is saying. He is saying that by following the gospel, even if men want the person to sin and speak incorrectly, that God purifies the gospel followers' heart. A hasty reading of this saying from Paul without understanding the proverb he is alluding to might make one think that he is saying that God sends certain men to "try" and "test" the believer. That is not what he is saying, and he makes that clear in the order of the words, as it builds up to the point, just as does the proverb itself, a proverb he assumes is known to most readers of this epistle.
God gave gospel as instrument...use it to proclaim.... even if others disagree....God through gospel purifies the heart.
One other thought; Paul uses the words "allowed of God" and "to be put in trust with the gospel" to underscore and emphasis the gospel as a gift and a choosing. God allowed people to hear the gospel and God allowed people to find their faith within them to trust the gospel. Paul is affirming again here that faith itself is a gift from God.
Bible Reading: Proverbs
Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
Bible Reading: Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 15: 1-4
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bible Reading: Proverbs
Proverbs 4:1-9
Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding! Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake. When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother, he taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast to my words! Keep my commands, do not forget; go not astray from the words of my mouth. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; she will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding! Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake. When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother, he taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast to my words! Keep my commands, do not forget; go not astray from the words of my mouth. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding. Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you; extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her; she will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
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