2019 Mar 14 Proverbs 14, Ephesians 4
2019 Mar 14 Proverbs 14, Ephesians 4
With a warm welcome, may a good day head your way! Let’s conclude Proverbs 14 with verses 31-35:
“31 The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker, But whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him. 32 The wicked one will be brought down by his own evil, But the righteous one will find refuge in his integrity. 33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of an understanding person, But among the stupid it must make itself known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is disgraceful to a people. 35 The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight, But his fury is against the one who acts shamefully.”
Prove 14:31 Sometimes people sadly keep their distance from a poor person, perhaps not wanting to be seen by others and considered as someone “on their level.” They may be thinking of the popular adage, “Birds of a feather flock together,” or fear others may be thinking that way toward them. A more important Biblical principle, however, might be impartiality, as Peter stated at Acts 10:34,35: “34 At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Some may mistakenly believe that God typically withholds material benefits from unrighteous people, but this is not necessarily so. Recall Asaph, in Psalm 73, lamented how the wicked often seem to prosper, saying in verse 12: “Yes, these are the wicked, who always have it easy. They keep increasing their wealth.” He came to realize, however, as we read in verses 18,19: “18 Surely you place them on slippery ground. You make them fall to their ruin. 19 How suddenly they are devastated! How sudden is their finish as they come to a terrible end!” Yes, even economic hardship can befall almost any person, including the righteous. Proverbs 24:16 says “16 For the righteous one may fall seven times, and he will get up again, But the wicked will be made to stumble by calamity.” How fine, then, when we show compassion to the poor, as Jesus does! Notice this, as stated at Psalm 72:12, “12 For he will rescue the poor who cry for help, Also the lowly one and whoever has no helper.” We should not be taking advantage of their plight. For instance, should we really be charging desperate ones exhorbitant interest on a loan, perhaps ‘defrauding them,’ just because they don’t have the means or credit to receive a better rate? At least this is something for wealthy business owners to consider. Perhaps you might think of others ways that the plight of the poor may be taken into consideration. Happily, under the rulership of God’s son, more compassion will be shown to the poor, ‘saving them.’ Psalm 72:13,14 read: “13 He will have pity on the lowly and the poor, And the lives of the poor he will save. 14 From oppression and from violence he will rescue them, And their blood will be precious in his eyes.”
Prove 14:32 At Psalm 57:6 David says “6 They have prepared a net to ensnare my feet; I am bowed down with distress. They have dug a pit ahead of me, But they fell into it themselves.” David was essentially a man of integrity. Firmly holding to God’s right standards benefits and protects us in many ways. This is the course He blesses. Integrity is wholeness or completeness without corruption. We should never choose to act corruptly, out of harmony with God’s laws or ways. May we continually look to Jehovah for support in pursuing a right course in life, finding and maintaining divine favor, with eternal happiness in view.
Prove 14:33 A truly wise person is not a know-it-all, but instead, is humble. Proverbs 1:5 says “5 A wise person listens and takes in more instruction...” A proud or morally foolish person often no longer sees the need to listen to others, especially those they consider “beneath” them. James 1:19 says “19 Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Most persons are going to have some knowledge that we ourselves do not, that we can benefit from. So should one believe he is so smart that he must always do all the talking? Perhaps such a person is lacking understanding in some respects, as true “wisdom rests quietly,” not loudly, in the heart of an understanding one. One not consistently doing right may be seeking his own glory above God’s, and therefore may deem it necessary to make known his own “wisdom” over and above others. May we be careful to humbly acknowledge God’s right to a good reputation, praising His wisdom as found in His divine word, as bringing the greatest satisfaction and spiritual astuteness to man.
Prove 14:34 May we thus encourage such righteousness among others, as leading to true success and happiness before God and mankind. Who knows better what we need to make us truly happy than our Maker, Jehovah God himself? For instance, aren’t we happy to embrace a beloved family member, to have the feeling of touch, along with the other senses? Have you ever had your lower mouth numbed for dental work? How did it feel to touch your chin right afterward? Or, how did it NOT feel? It seems as though your chin is dead, no longer able to feel. Do we appreciate the Creator who Himself placed such sensors over our entire body for our protection and well-being? May we recognize Jehovah as the giver of “every good gift and every perfect present,” and appreciatively use whatever gifts and talents we have in harmony with His right standards and ways, not sinning disgracefully. (James 1:17). God knows how we tick, and what will lead us to the best life we can enjoy! May we be mindful of God’s eternal purpose, and live for the joy that is set before us, not only in serving God now, but everlastingly.
Prove 14:35 Acting with insight requires compassion, looking at things from another person’s perspective, seeing beyond the obvious. Proverbs 19:11 says “The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, And it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense.” In this case, understanding why a person was rude to us, for instance, helps us take the action of “overlooking an offense,” letting the offense go, forgetting it. Perhaps they had just spilled coffee on their brand new dress shirt. Understanding this can stir patience with others, smoothing over what could otherwise cause hurt feelings. This is contrasted with acting “shamefully,” void of thoughtfulness or consideration for others or their feelings. This brings the king’s fury, whereby he takes pleasure in the empathetic, insightful one. This would be the king representing Jehovah, ultimately Jesus Christ, although those in authority submitting to his dominion, also taking pleasure in God’s divine wisdom and righteousness, may react similarly.
Ephesians 4:4-6 holds some precious truth regarding the unity of true Christian servants of God, although written to the Ephesian congregation, anointed with the heavenly hope. Notice how it reads: “4 One body there is, and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Thus, we have a body and a spirit, containing our personality, mental faculties and figurative heart. This spirit returns to the true God upon one’s death, so that He may restore it upon one’s resurrection back to life, whether in heaven or, for most, upon Paradise Earth. Verse 5 refers to “one Lord,” as separate from “one God and Father of all.” Recall that Jesus is “Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phili 2:11). There is also “one faith,” regardless of which tribe of Christianity we may ascribe to. (Look for an upcoming article on "The Twelve Tribes of Christianity.")Recall that the Levites of ancient Israel were responsible for, not only temple service, but also teaching all twelve tribes the Law of God. So were the Levites the only true worshippers? Or, rather, were not those from all twelve tribes capable of worshipping God in truth? Recall that Paul writes at 1Corinthians 1:10 “Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” May the truth gradually refine our thinking, as we become more and more united in the truth of God’s word, as true Christians world-wide. Also, notice God is “over all and through all and in all.” How is He “in all?” God uses His powerful holy spirit which can dwell within each faithful person, while knowledge of His divine authority and Creatorship may yet reside in unfaithful ones, in hopes of their turning to Him—“in fact, He is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27). May we acknowledge God’s wisdom and love for each person, helping others to turn to true worship.


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