The Limits of Proverbs

For Friday, July 28, 2006
Proverbs 1:1

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

This first verse is instructive. These proverbs are the results of Solomon's writings and collection of ancient sayings. Consider this description of Solomon in 1 Kings 10:23: "Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind." We know this is the result of God answering his prayer for wisdom to govern his people. Because Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted wisdom and riches and fame.

Solomon became a success, but like many who do achieve it, success becomes its own seductress. He became famous not only for wisdom but for his lavished lifestyle. Though he will warn young men in his proverbs of the danger of the forbidden woman, he will fall in love and marry "many foreign women...from the nations concerning which the Lord has said..."You shall not enter into marriage with them..." He built and maintained grand building projects, but at the expense of reducing his people to slave-like labor, so that their hardship became the grounds for a rebellion that split the kingdom. Finally, his foreign wives "turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father" (1 Kings 11:4).

Let our first lesson in Proverbs be that it is not enough to hear wise sayings and discipline ourselves to follow them. For we do not have the power to change our hearts, much less to remove them from the bondage of sin. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Let us cling to Christ; let us go daily to the mercy throne of God; let us pray for the Spirit to daily strengthen us and sanctify us. These proverbs give us direction; they reveal the wisdom of the path of life. But no self-effort can suffice to follow that path. It is Christ who must be our Entrance to the path and our constant Pillar of Cloud and Fire to lead us. And it is the Spirit who must enable us to walk obediently. Pray even now that as you learn wisdom, God's Spirit will enable you to live what you learn.

Closer Than a Brother

For Thursday, July 27, 2006
Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is not the number but the depth of relationships that matter. It is good to have many companions. We are meant to be social creatures, and we should seek and enjoy the acquaintance of many people. And yet, what will sustain through the trials of life and enrich our happiness is deep, meaningful friendship. (Such friendship, by the way, ought to take place within a marriage, and spouses should be striving towards such.)

Such friendship arises both out of active and passive experience. You ought to desire and seek close friends. Many of us are reluctant to do so for various reasons, mostly out of timidity and fear of becoming vulnerable. Even so, deep friendship cannot be simply made. You cannot pick out a person and determine to become a close friend. There must be a connection that is also natural, a connection that creates attraction. That connection may be a common interest or a common personality trait that causes you to enjoy one another's company.

Once that friendship is formed, then it is a great blessing. For it is good to have a friend who sticks closer than a brother, who can understand and tolerate your moods and failings; who will encourage you when you are down and reprimand you when you are at fault.

But always remember the One who calls you his friend and is not ashamed to be known as your brother. No human friendship is guaranteed to last. We can offend both brother (and sister) and friend, and they can offend us. There is the one friend, Jesus Christ, who has already demonstrated a steadfast love that will never die. Keep up your relationship with him today; he is already sticking closer than a brother.

Entreaties

For Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Proverbs 18:23

The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.

Our status often determines our behavior. If we are poor, we will rely on entreaties to coax help from others. If we are in a position of power or wealthy enough to procure the help we need from many, we are likely to speak roughly or be more demanding.

Think about this in our relationship with the Lord. It is those who recognize their poverty who will humble themselves before him; those who think they are rich in life see no need for him and are offended to be told otherwise. They patronize and ridicule those who are spiritually humble. Their riches - be it of money or talent or pleasures - blind them to their true position. They are impoverished, believing they are rich.

Are you rough sometimes in your speech or thoughts towards the Lord? Do you find yourself at times demanding the help you want? Are you ever resentful, thinking that your good behavior merits better response from God? What do you have that you have not received, even the ability to behave well?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They turn to their Savior and Lord humbly for all things. They are not blind to their poverty, nor are they blind to the blessings that are theirs in Christ. They make entreaties like the poor, but they receive the blessings of heirs. Entreat the Lord today for his favor, and open your eyes to the favor that he will show you today.

A Good Thing

For Monday, July 24, 2006
Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.

God instituted marriage as a blessing to man. It was "not good" for man to be alone, and so God created and brought the woman to the man. And he realized it was good, for "she is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone." Marriage is not a trap; it is not a mere social convention to procreate and keep order. Marriage is good. Blessed is the man who finds a good wife, and the woman who finds a good husband.

The husband, who may be wishing for freedom, should especially take note. Your wife is a blessing from the Lord. It does not seem so? Instead of focusing on what you consider her shortcomings, perhaps you need to examine yourself. As head of the marriage, you have the greater control and responsibility for the health of your relationship. Are you taking charge by making the sacrifices of a Christian leader for the person under your care? Are you aware that God is using your wife for your own sanctification? Are you letting your wife know that she is a good gift from the Lord? Understand an important principle in leadership - those for whom you are responsible are likely to live up to or live down to what you communicate about them.

Husbands and wives, give thanks today for your spouses. See the good that the Lord has given you, and communicate to your spouse how good you have it because of them.