2019 Feb 10 Proverbs 10, Psalms, John 10
2019 Feb 10 Proverbs 10, Psalms, John 10
Hello, with warm wishes for a wonderful day! Let's continue in Proverbs 10, verses 22-27:
"22 It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. 23 Engaging in shameful conduct is like a game to the stupid one, But wisdom is for the man of discernment. 24 What the wicked one fears will come upon him; But the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the storm passes by, the wicked one will be no more, But the righteous one is a foundation forever. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So the lazy person is to the one who sends him. 27 The fear of Jehovah prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be cut short."
Prove 10:22 One of the more familiar verses to many, it states a marvelous principle, that primarily spiritual wealth comes from having God's blessing on our activity, by seeking His guidance and way of living. Living in accord with His righteousness, seeking His honor and glory, brings His smile of approval and favor, and He blesses us as He did Job and other faithful ones of Bible record. How we need God's blessing to be truly successful, in harmony with godly wisdom moved by love! Psalm 127:1 says "Unless Jehovah builds the house, It is in vain that its builders work hard on it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, It is in vain that the guard stays awake." May we also give Jehovah the rightful praise for His blessing and benefits. Two verses, from the King James Version (KJV) perhaps sum this up: Revelation 4:11, referring to, as in verse 8, the "Lord God Almighty," says this: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." And Psalm 83:18 says: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." We might also notice that with God's blessing, "He adds no pain with it." Jehovah desires our happiness and prosperity, He is in no way eager to bring harm or punishment. He only wants to lovingly correct us when necessary, and reward us for loving Him and doing right.
Prove 10:23 The "stupid" one scripturally is not necessarily unintelligent, but while usually knowing the right thing, often chooses to ignore it. He is not understanding the big picture, and all the many reasons God gives us His good guidance in the first place. He is also not using "discernment" to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, truth from falsehood, wise from unwise, and more serious matters of law from lesser matters, though still required. Thus, "the stupid ones glorify dishonor," not concerned about a fine reputation, and they "hate to turn away from bad," in contrast to one with a healthy respect for God, which involves the "hating of bad." (Prove 8:13). God's word helps us learn the consequences of both good and bad decisions and actions, that we may ponder such, to come to hate what is bad in fearing to displease God, or hurt Him in any way.
Prove 10:24,25 The "wicked" usually know that they are doing wrong, and thus deep down fear having to answer for their wrong conduct, whereas the righteous have no such worries--they look forward to God's favor and rewards for doing right before Him. If only such evil ones would repent of their wrongdoing, and "search for Jehovah while He may be found," calling to Him "while He proves to be near." (Isaiah 55:6,7). Thus truly turning around from their badness can bring "seasons of refreshing...from Jehovah himself." (Acts 3:19). The "wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord." Having faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, and hating wrong conduct, ones may no longer "fear any sudden terror Nor the storm that is coming on the wicked." (Prove 3:25). That storm comes so that true peace may be able to flourish earth-wide, without it being ruined by troublemakers. Right-hearted mankind will form the foundation of eternal peace on this planet, and whatever other blessings God may have in store for obedient ones.
Prove 10:26 The lazy one often becomes such by being praised for knowledge gained, rather than for efforts made to use that knowledge for the benefit of others, to "work at good", or to "work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." (1Timo 6:18; Galat 6:10). By praising youths for their efforts and accomplishments, we may help them become "diligent", leading to success and satisfaction. (Prove 21:5; 13:4).
Prove 10:27 May we cultivate the healthy dread of displeasing God, of hurting Him in any way. This fear is not morbid, as may be imagined by those believing that God would allow his beloved human creation to be tormented in punishment. When Israel fell to false worship, and began hurting their own children, Jehovah says of the practice: "which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart." (Jerem 7:31). See the article "Finding Truth" for further discussion of God's just punishment for evildoers. Rather, we fear God by hating what He says is bad, understanding the harmful consequences of wrongdoing, including its associated heartache, heartbreak, troubles, turmoil, grief, sadness, pain, and so on, especially of serious sins. May we rejoice to do good, pleasing God, and bringing His smile of approval, favor, and rewards, including eternal life in true peace and happiness! (Prove 27:11; James 1:12).
Psalm 99 (Book 4, 10th psalm) Verses 1-5 say: "Jehovah has become King. Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned above the cherubs. Let the earth shake. 2 Jehovah is great in Zion, And he is high over all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great name, For it is awe-inspiring and holy. 4 He is a mighty king who loves justice. You have firmly established what is upright. You have brought about justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt Jehovah our God and bow down at his footstool; He is holy." May we give Jehovah the glory He deserves, as His rulership begins to exert itself from "Zion," symbolic of God's throne of rulership, in the realm of "New Jerusalem" (Revel 21:1-4). Jehovah's holiness and purity should draw us closer to Him--not repel us away. By this, we see He is not abusive of His authority, but rather exercising it in a pure, loving way for the benefit of His human creation. May we thus "bow down at his footstool," the earth (Isaiah 66:1).
John 10:1 Verse 1 begins an illustration regarding sheep. Jesus says "“Most truly I say to you, the one who does not enter into the sheepfold through the door but climbs in by another way, that one is a thief and a plunderer." May we steer far away from deception and thievery, but willingly be honest before God and others about our activity. We need to ponder what is right, reflecting on it's benefits, so as to reach our heart and bring about real change to our actions. Proverbs 21:8 says "The way of a guilty man is crooked, But the activity of the pure man is upright." Thus, sheeplike ones go in through the door, and recognize Christ as sent by God, and "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6).


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