2018 Sep 27 Sept 27 Proverbs 27, Psalms, 2Timothy 1
2018 Sep 27 Sept 27 Proverbs 27, Psalms, 2Timothy 1
Hello! Let's continue our examination of some of Proverbs, this time Proverbs 27:1-5:
"1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day will bring. 2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; Others, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, But the irritation caused by a fool is heavier than both. 4 There is the cruelty of rage and the flood of anger, But who can withstand jealousy? 5 Open reproof is better than concealed love."
Verse 1: On this, note the counsel of James 1:13-15: "13 Come, now, you who say: “Today or tomorrow we will travel to this city and will spend a year there, and we will do business and make some profit,” 14 whereas you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears. 15 Instead, you should say: “If Jehovah wills, we will live and do this or that.”" Therefore, rely upon Jehovah in your plans, as Proverbs 16:3 says: " 3 Commit to Jehovah whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." A modest person will not boast about his plans, his talents or possessions, material or spiritual. Such a person recognizes due limits and his own limitations, remaining humble before God. In the words of Micah 6:8, a favorite verse of many: "He has told you, O man, what is good. And what is Jehovah requiring of you? Only to exercise justice (or, righteousness), to cherish loyalty (or loyal love), and to walk in modesty with your God!"
Verse 2: Proverbs 25:27 says: "27 It is not good to eat too much honey, Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory." Let us trust in Jehovah, and seek His honor and glory as we represent Him before others, letting Him care for own reputation before Him. Thus, we can make a good name with God, as other servants of God did, as we read in His word.
Verse 3: A foolish one is lacking understanding of God's word and genuine wisdom. He needs to appreciate God's discipline, rather than discounting it. "He whom Jehovah loves he disciplines" All persons should be humble enough to take to heart discipline received that is in harmony with God's will, and not pridefully taking offense at it. Prepare your heart to accept counsel, as Proverbs 4:13 says: "Hold on to discipline; do not let it go. Safeguard it, for it means your life."
Verse 4: Jealousy is "rottenness to the bones," but a "calm heart gives life to the body." James 3:16 shows the consequences of developing a jealous, contentious, competitive spirit, which is common today: "16 For wherever there are jealousy and contentiousness, there will also be disorder and every vile thing." Is that what we need? Is a competitive spirit worth "disorder and every vile, [or evil] thing?" God's word shows what we should do instead: Galatians 6:4 reads: "4 But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person." Therefore, aim to get better, to improve over yesterday, or last week, or last month, or this same time last year. Strive to improve and find joy in your own activity, without having to compare yourself or your work to others. The Amplified Bible puts that verse this way: "But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor."
Verse 5: Sometimes people genuinely need correction, even strong correction. It is the course of true love to offer this where needed, in harmony with true wisdom. Our willingness to do this, while being sensitive to the feelings of the person, should transcend any desire not to say anything out of fear of hurting their feelings. Proverbs 13:24 says this: "Whoever holds back his rod [or, discipline] hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently [or, promptly]." Proverbs gives one caution, however. Proverbs 9:7 says this: "The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor, and whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt." So size the person up before offering any counsel.
Psalm 68 (Book2, psalm 27) contains the shortened form of Jehovah's name even in the King James Version (KJV), in verse 4: " 4 Sing to God; sing praises to his name. Sing to the One riding through the desert plains. Jah is his name! Rejoice before him!" The original manuscripts have Jehovah's full name in the Psalms alone over 700 times! David and other Israelites truly sung praises to Jehovah. Notice how Jehovah feels about the use of his name at Exodus 3:15: "15 Then God said once more to Moses: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘Jehovah the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation." The KJV words the end of this verse similarly: "this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
2Timothy 1:7 says "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind." Paul continues to Timothy, "So do not become ashamed either of the witness about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but take your part in suffering adversity for the good news by relying on the power of God." For a time, Paul was a prisoner because he refused to offer a bribe to the Roman official in charge of him. As Paul says in Hebrews 13:18, "we trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." God will bless and reward such integrity.
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Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
