2019 Jan 13 Proverbs 13, Psalms, Galatians 3
2019 Jan 13 Proverbs 13, Psalms, Galatians 3
Hello to each and all, with wishes to you for a lovely day! Let's continue in Proverbs 13, this time verses 13-16:
"13 Whoever despises instruction will pay the penalty, But the one who respects the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise one is a source of life To turn one away from the snares of death. 15 Keen insight wins favor, But the way of the treacherous is harsh. 16 The shrewd person acts with knowledge, But the fool exposes his own foolishness."
Prove 13:13,14 A person 'despising instruction' is not considering the outcome of ignoring the counsel, the consequences of bad decisions or actions. The instruction is typically given to protect one from danger, from a course leading to disaster. Thus one ignoring counsel will often find the disaster that could have been averted--he or she will thus "pay the penalty." On the other hand, the one 'respecting the commandment' will be protected from many troubles and dangers, being rewarded with a more successful life, learning the way leading to true happiness and eternal life. Likewise, the truly wise one 'rescues others with knowledge,' brings healing, and helps them to find, understand, and appreciate the path leading to endless life, that they may remain on it, avoiding the snares or traps causing spiritual or literal death. (Prove 11:9; 12:18)
Prove 13:15 Insight involves compassionate understanding of the situation of others, with empathetic feeling. Therefore, "the insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense." Anyone given to bouts of anger would benefit by reflecting on such insight, trying to understand the cause of any irritation by others--and the contributing circumstances. Don't let anger go beyond irritation--channel any energy into thinking through it to find a solution, fix the problem, or see how to cope with it. The treacherous, on the other hand, are typically unfeeling and disloyal, lacking loyal love, thereby often harsh in their words and dealings. Contemplating patient insight may help such ones to be more considerate of others.
Prove 13:16 Divine knowledge moves a shrewd person to contemplate how to use it effectively to benefit or protect oneself or others spiritually, and then to prudently act on such contemplation to realize the benefit of it. Fools generally give no such consideration to knowledge, and therefore fail to be protected when hazards come, exposing their foolishness.
Psalm 85 recounts the blessings of having God's rulership and favor upon mankind, as we learn to humbly place our complete confidence in Him, and not ourselves. Verse 8 says "He will speak peace to His people, to His loyal ones, but let them not return to overconfidence." Notice where the emphasis will be placed as we appreciate God's blessings. There will be both physical and spiritual blessings, but this psalm, for instance, emphasizes which one more? Verses 9-13 says "9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, So that his glory may reside in our land. 10 Loyal love and faithfulness will meet together; Righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will sprout from the earth, And righteousness will look down from the heavens. 12 Yes, Jehovah will give what is good, And our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness will walk before him And make a path for his footsteps." Clearly, it is the spiritual blessings given the most emphasis here, with a combining of loyal love with faithfulness, and righteousness with genuine peace. Such qualities are already beginning to manifest themselves among right-hearted humans, with God's blessing. May such treasuring of spiritual things continue to grow earth-wide, to Jehovah's honor and glory.
Galatians 3 reminds us now that we must have true faith in God and his Son, Jesus, to be considered by God as genuine "sons of Abraham." Verses 7-9 say: "7 Surely you know that it is those who adhere to faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 Now the scripture, foreseeing that God would declare people of the nations righteous through faith, declared the good news beforehand to Abraham, namely: “By means of you all the nations will be blessed.” 9 So those who adhere to faith are being blessed together with Abraham, who had faith." Thus keeping the ancient Mosaic Law alone does not make true righteousness possible--only by true faith in God and Jesus, now following Christ's law and instructions can we find it. Thus verses 10,11 say: "All those who depend on works of law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not remain in all the things written in the scroll of the Law by doing them.”11 Moreover, it is evident that by law no one is declared righteous with God, because “the righteous one will live by reason of faith.” May our faith in God and Christ continue to grow as we get to know them, gaining divine knowledge of their unity of thought and personality. (John 17:3). As Jesus did while on earth, may we place our confidence in God above all else, God alone, as our Source of salvation and eternal happiness.
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!
