Silent Response

For Friday, April 27, 2007
Proverbs 21:13

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.

In a way, this proverb is more sobering than the previous one that warns of being ruined. There is a unique fear of being alone, of calling out for help and receiving only silence. The wicked may scoff at such a thought but that is only because they have yet to be desperate. The time will come when their strength and wit cannot save them. The time will come when they know they need help. And help will not come. No one will answer. The time will come when they stand before the Judge at Judgment Day and no one will be their advocate.

As they responded to others, so they will receive the same response. Note who the others are - the poor. We should not walk easily by the poor. We should not easily ignore their plight and blame their troubles on themselves. Whatever our political or social convictions may be on how to address poverty, we must personally care about our poor neighbor and be generous, whether it is a handout or, if that seems wrong, then giving generously to a ministry that helps the poor.

Scripture is consistent in portraying God as sympathetic towards the poor. We then must follow his example and his commandments. After all, the time may come when we need to cry out for help, and the time will come when we stand before the Judge and will be in need of our Advocate.

The Wicked Observed

For Thursday, April 26, 2007
Proverbs 21:12

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.

The critical mistake of the wicked is to believe that he is keeping unobserved. Think of the image of law officials staking out a house hoping to see or hear something that might give evidence of the wicked's guilt. The great challenge of the law is to come up with clear evidence and in a way that will be accepted in court. The wicked knows how to cover his tracks and use the legal system to supress evidence.

But what he does not take into account is the Righteous One who observes his house even into its secret places, even into his own heart. His outwitting human justice only serves to blind him all the more to the justice that awaits him, whether it be on earth or after death. Ruin is his certain end precisely because all that he does, says, and thinks is observed by the Righteous One who is his Judge.

The tragedy is that his Judge could be his Savior and Advocate if he would but repent. His freedom is free, but his pride over outwitting the "system" keeps him from seeing what even the simplest can see.

Three Persons

For Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Proverbs 21:11

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

This proverb parallels 19:25:
"Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge."

Punishment has its place, though its effect will differ according to the individual. The scoffer is punished and at best is restricted from further wicked behavior. His heart will not change; he does not grow wiser from the correction. The simple, whether he is the one punished or observes the punishment of the scoffer, may be sobered into seeing what are the consequences of his sin. The premise is that he really does lack education and needs to be shown the right ways. The wise man does not need to be punished to learn. Education is all he needs. He wants to do what is right; he desires more knowledge. He welcomes instruction, even correction.

Which of the three describes you?

No Mercy

For Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Proverbs 21:10

The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

Some people are simply mean-spirited. They laugh at the misery of others. They derive pleasure at insulting anyone. They revel in being bullies, connivers, and cheaters. To see a neighbor in need arouses spite rather than sympathy.

It is our responsibility to protect others from them and seek justice against them. And it is our responsibility to love them and seek their salvation. Remember the verdict of Scripture against Jew and Gentile alike:

"None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.
Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.
The venom of asps is under their lips.
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:10-18).

Seek God's mercy for the merciless wicked, as mercy was shown to your wicked soul.

A Quarrelsome Wife

For Monday, April 23, 2007
Proverbs 21:9

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Husbands, of course, can also be quarrelsome, but since this proverb speaks specifically of the wife, let's consider her case. I have heard this wry comment: "A man marries a woman and is surprised to find that she changes. A woman marries a man and is surpised that he doesn't change." She is surprised that he still puts off the work he needs to do - whether it be house chores, or paying bills, or even for his job. After months and years, he still is clueless about his lack of affection, how he takes her for granted, and how he hurts her feelings.

She is especially frustrated because she has corrected him and reminded him time and again. She has even scolded him, even tried to shame him into action. Indeed, she becomes upset with herself. She doesn't like quarreling; she doesn't like hearing herself fuss. Why can't her husband understand this and just change a little?

The husband does need to change and will be held accountable before God for his sin. Meanwhile, the wife needs to exercise wisdom. If quarreling does not achieve results, stop quarreling. It only increases frustration for both wife and husband. Take time to understand what really motivates your husband. Study him. It is better for the wife's welfare for her to act wisely through understanding than to stew over his laziness.

More importantly, she should take time to focus on the Husband who is preparing her as a bride to be spotless and in splendor. She will only be able to love her husband well as she loves her Husband. She can only love her husband according to how well she knows the love of her Husband. She can only be as wise as the depth of her understanding of her Husband's wisdom in working in her life.