 I think it is important to remember that the Proverbs are just that, Proverbs. They are truths in life that we “generally” see played out as people make choices. They are not statements of fact or of God’s judgment. They are also generalities and not always to be taken literally. Like one of my favorites: Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.” I’m not exactly sure if it is better to live in the desert but I will admit that I might not be the best judge of this one, for I have no reason to retreat to the desert. Maybe it’s a typo and it should read dessert!
-Pastor Doug
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 I have to jump back one chapter and break the blogging rule because I can’t skip over my life verse…yes my life verse comes from Proverbs and you can find it at 16:9. “The mind of the man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” This verse has helped me so many times and clearly communicates how God has worked in my life. People say things like, “let go and let God” in an attempt to not have to struggle or work through a situation. Honestly, I don’t see many fruitful outcomes from that. God gave us a brain and he intends for us to use it. Work hard and trust God’s leading in it.
-Pastor Doug  15:17 is a great verse because it shows that even in Solomon’s days people didn’t want to eat their vegetables…how funny is that! Now I don’t know if they had Angus beef but I’d be willing to share a meal of an 18oz ribeye with just about anyone. Let’s put it this way…veggies with Mr. Rodgers or ribeye with Oscar the Grouch…I’m jumping in the trash can with my steak knife!
-Pastor Doug  13:24 is the famous spanking verse. Corporal punishment! What do you think? Should you spare the rod and administer time outs or is there a place for the rod in a 2010 society? This is a heated debate among Christians and the culture at large. How do you interpret the verse? Maybe the rod is metaphorical or includes any form of correction. It’s a great discussion maker and everyone has an opinion!
-Pastor Doug  Chapter 10 is the “shut your mouth” chapter. We are urged to not run our mouths. Do you know people who just like to hear themselves talk? There is something to be said (no pun intended) for those that say less and mean more when they do speak. I find it difficult to pick up on the main points when someone says too much.
-Pastor Doug  I find Solomon’s use of Wisdom being personified as a gracious woman and folly portrayed as a prostitute. I’m not sure if Solomon is meaning sexual purity here or if he is speaking more to morality, but the words in chapter six are true. One might be willing to forgive a man for stealing bread because he is hungry, but if one steals a man’s wife, he will receive the vengeance of her husband!
-Pastor Doug  The first nine chapters of Proverbs were written by Solomon. Solomon asked for wisdom and God granted him great wisdom so it seems obvious that we should do all we can to glean the wisdom he recorded for us to benefit from. Here is a simple reduction of some of the proverbs we read today: (these are the things that make us wise)
3:1-12 – Solomon exhorts us to trust and honor God 3:13-18 – Wisdom has great value 3:19-26 – Wisdom has infinite power 3:27-35 – Be kind to others 4:1-9 – Family instruction is very valuable 4:10-19 – Warning about keeping bad company 4:20-27 – Watch your step!  As we close the book of Psalms we open the book of wisdom, Proverbs. A proverb is a simple and concrete saying that is popularly known by the culture and often repeated. Proverbs expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. An example of a commonly known proverb is “Pride comes before the fall”, of course, that proverb comes from the great book of Proverbs 16:18. These proverbs were written by King Solomon, but not all of them. Some were written by Agur, Lemuel and many anonymous sages.
-Pastor Doug  Notice the first line of these next Psalms…Praise the Lord! We have come a long way in our reading through the bible. We have seen a lot of pain, disobedience and suffering. God has remained faithful to his people and that is a miracle in itself. The Psalms have struggles with the same issues but have relied on this faithfulness that God promises to those that trust and follow him. God is good and we can praise the Lord!
-Pastor Doug |
AboutThis blog was originally written by Pastor Doug Bartel of Hillcrest Church, starting in Spring 2009. Keep that in mind if you read anything that doesn't quite add up to the time of year. Archives
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