2019 Feb 19 Proverbs 19, Psalms, John 19
2019 Feb 19 Proverbs 19, Psalms, John 19
A hearty welcome to you, with wishes for a lovely day! Let's try a new image, commemorating two article additions to the website, Godly Fear Begins Divine Wisdom and also Encouraging Upbuilding Speech, with an update this morning. Let's continue in Proverbs 19, verses 24-26:
"24 The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl, But he does not even bother to bring it back to his mouth. 25 Strike the ridiculer, so that the inexperienced one may become shrewd, And reprove the understanding one, so that he will increase in knowledge. 26 The one who mistreats his father and drives away his mother Is a son causing shame and disgrace."
Prove 19:24 The "lazy one" may go to the point of looking like he's going to do work, but then evades finishing the task, even though it would lead to the rewards of accomplishment, even benefitting financially or otherwise. Often, such a person has been praised excessively for having knowledge of things, rather than for putting forth effort to use that knowledge wisely for the benefit of others and him- or herself. May such a person ponder appreciatively on the value of working "what is good toward all," contributing to the welfare, especially the everlasting welfare, of others. (Galat 6:10). A lazy one may also be making unfavorable comparisons to others, thinking he or she must be competitive, but feeling dejected at all that others are accomplishing by comparison. God's word discourages such comparisons, rather encouraging ones to put forth their best effort, and endeavor to gradually improve one's own work over time, performing better than last week, a month ago, or this same time last year. (Galat 6:4). May such ones thus aim for success, accomplishment, and at least spiritual wealth, by making good plans and acquiring diligent hands. (Prove 13:4; 21:5).
Prove 19:25 The inexperienced, or naïve person needs to see that there are consequences to having a ridiculing or negative, critical, fault-finding spirit, that this leads only to shame and disgrace. Thus the naïve needs to learn foresighted prudence, examining the good and bad consequences of decisions, speech, and actions. The understanding one, unlike the ridiculer, will accept advice and reproof, or strong correction. Thus he will thereby benefit, and grow in acquiring divine knowledge and wisdom.
Prove 19:26 Something is clearly amiss when a son or daughter mistreats and "drives away" parents. The parents likely have put much love in the child, and the child should realize that without the loving care of his or her parents when very little, he or she might not even be alive to enjoy every breath! Parents should, of course, continue having such love for their child, making sure proper guidance and direction is lovingly provided in life, and that love for him or her is made clear by such discipline, or training. Thus, a beloved child should have every reason to appreciate or ponder appreciatively on the parents and their efforts to provide for him or her. Such appreciative reflection should avert or correct any idea of mistreating one's parents, and avoid causing shame and disgrace.
Psalm 106 (Book 4, 17th psalm continued) verses 9-12 continue Israel's exodus out of Egypt, drawing attention to God's might act of salvation. These read: "9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through its depths as through a desert; 10 He saved them from the hand of their foe And reclaimed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their adversaries; Not one of them survived. 12 Then they had faith in his promise; They began to sing his praise."
If you haven't seen this, you might check out this website, for evidence of God's powerful act at the Red Sea, which allowed Israel to continue to go free from Egyptian bondage and become a mighty nation in their Promised Land:
Remember that a million+ Israelites experienced this act and could speak and write about what occurred, as did the psalmist in today's verses from Psalm 106. What other evidence resides at the bottom of the Red Sea and elsewhere?
www.arkdiscovery.com/red_sea_crossing.htm
John 19:1-6 Although scourging Jesus, we find Pilate could find no fault in him, and did not wish to execute him. But the religious leaders had worked up the crowd, and the "chief priests" and others called for his execution. Notice Pilate's efforts to release him:
"1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged him.2 And the soldiers braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head and clothed him with a purple robe,3 and they kept coming up to him and saying: “Greetings, you King of the Jews!” They also kept slapping him in the face.4 Pilate went outside again and said to them: “See! I bring him outside to you in order for you to know that I find no fault in him.”5 So Jesus came outside, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them: “Look! The man!”6 However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted: “To the stake with him! To the stake with him!” Pilate said to them: “Take him yourselves and execute him, for I do not find any fault in him.”"
Sadly, God's own people rejected his only-begotten Son, who explained the truth of God to sheeplike ones and others. Notice Jesus' prior words at Matthew 23:37-39: "37 "“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent to her—how often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you did not want it.38 Look! Your house is abandoned to you.39 For I say to you, you will by no means see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in Jehovah’s name!’”"
May we appreciate Jesus' role in God's purpose, and carefully heed his teachings and instructions.
Find Life and See
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!
