2020 Feb 22-Feb 23 Proverbs 6, Psalm 119 Stanza 14A
2020 Feb 22-Feb 23 Proverbs 6, Psalm 119 Stanza 14A
“30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry. 31 Yet, when found, he will repay sevenfold; He will give up all the valuables of his house. 32 Anyone committing adultery with a woman is lacking good sense; The one who does so brings ruin on himself. 33 He will get only wounds and dishonor, And his disgrace will not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy makes a husband furious; He will show no compassion when he takes revenge. 35 He will accept no compensation; He will not be appeased, no matter how large you make the gift.”
Prove 6:30-31 This is found in the midst of a discussion of the serious sin of adultery. Even a hungry person stealing to feed himself or his family must still pay the penalty for his sin when found out. Did he really need to violate God’s law to meet his need, or could God have found another way to provide for him? David wrote, at Psalm 37: “25 I was once young and now I am old, But I have not seen anyone righteous abandoned, Nor his children looking for bread.” Yes, God can provide what’s needed, even rightly desired, for one keeping His law, remaining righteous before Him.
"32 Anyone committing adultery
with a woman is lacking good sense; The one who does so brings ruin on himself.
33 He will get only wounds and dishonor, And his disgrace will not be
wiped away."
Prove 6:32-33 Likewise, is an act of adultery to be committed in the name of “love”? True, it is possible for genuine love to diminish in a relationship, between a husband and wife. Should this, however, be viewed as an opportunity to steal another man’s wife, or another woman’s husband? Or, rather, should they receive encouragement and support to strengthen and restore their love for each other, if possible, not throwing away all the love they’ve shared in the past? Should not the marriage union be so honored? “4 Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.” (Hebre 13:4). For a discussion of what may be hindering love in a marriage, see the article “Fortify Your Marriage by Rejecting Idolatry” under the MISC heading on this website. God wants trust to be the order of the day in His new world of peace and righteousness, with everyone having a loyal marriage partner into endless life, day by day, year by year, millennium by millennium. How long, for instance, should Adam and Eve have remained together if obedient to God, or if resurrected? While Christ, as "the last Adam" becomes a spiritual father to all, bestowing spiritual and eternal life to obedient mankind, how long would they have been, or could they still be, respected as the fleshly grandparents of everyone on earth? According to Bible chronology, it has been thousands of years since their beginning. It is reasonable to believe that the person you are now married to, or even if younger you may soon marry, could well continue with you as we begin our walk into an eternal happy future. In time, you may grow so fond of your spouse that you both deeply wish for your love to remain so long--if you truly love each other, why not aim for endless life together, and trust God for intervention if ever necessary? May you “trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prove 3:5-7). Most married persons will likely remain together for the thousand year Reign of Christ, during the earthly cleanup and resurrection and assistance to ancestors of the past. Thus may loyalty between married partners be treasured, while looking to God for any adjustments to the arrangement if truly needed in the future. There is generally no need now to be looking outside of the marriage bond for another partner--work on loving the one you are now with, learning true faithfulness and loyalty, to God and each other, even if that one is not your partner into eternity. May the sin of adultery be rejected by those wishing to please God, and seen as a gross disrespect for God’s lovely marriage arrangement, blessed by Him.
"34 For jealousy makes a husband furious; He will show no compassion when he takes revenge. 35 He will accept no compensation; He will not be appeased, no matter how large you make the gift.”
Prove 6:34-35 Thus a husband dearly loving his wife may become very jealous over having been wronged in such a way by another man. Such sin may bring great spiritual harm to participators and disgrace. Thus was the lesson of ancient Israel, with the severe punishment usually administered. Now, God’s arrangement through Christ makes mercy possible, but it is up to the offended spouse to decide whether to end the marriage or forgive. Resumed sexual relations after being aware of the sin is indicative of extended forgiveness and continued marriage. Matthew 19:9 Jesus says “9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality [or, “fornication”], and marries another commits adultery.” It may be reasonable to believe that Jesus had not only literal fornication in mind, but also spiritual fornication, or a gross violation of true worship, as a legal ground for separation or divorce. Still, “mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13). If a mate is revilingly abusive, for instance, this should be addressed urgently, as it grossly misrepresents the love that God has for the family arrangement. Hopefully the practice is not so bad that separation is needed over a period. As mercy is extended for a time, help should be offered to overcome such a habit. Hopefully, genuine progress can be made and appreciated, and love restored or strengthened between marriage partners. (1Cori 5:9-11; 1Cori 7:12-16)
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PSALM 119 STANZA 14A
STANZA 14 Theme: GOD CAN PRESERVE US THROUGH TIMES OF PERIL, WHILE HIS REMINDERS BRING JOY.
The
8 verses of stanza 14 include thoughts such as these: Like the
psalmist, we may come to view God’s reminders with great joy. How does
God’s word serve as a lamp and a light, how has God proven to be a
Savior?
105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light for my path.
106 I have sworn an oath, and I will carry it out, To observe your righteous judgments.
105 Your word is a lamp to my foot, And a light for my path.
BE GUIDED BY GOD'S WORD.
It
was the prophet Jeremiah who was inspired by God to pen the words of
Jeremiah 10:23, saying: “23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does
not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to
direct his step.” We want to rely on Jehovah as we “walk with God,”
willing to let Him guide our steps. Of course we have free will, and can
choose our course in life, for Jehovah is a God of freedom! But man was
not designed to decide for himself what is good and what is bad, what
is right and what is wrong. This belongs to Jehovah God. Thus, Proverbs
16:9 says: “ 9 A man may plot out his course in his heart, But it is
Jehovah who directs his steps.” God’s word is therefore a “lamp” to our
foot, to allow us to see the next step we should take. And more than
that, it can light our path, helping us see down the road, alerting us
to what may be coming in the distance. God’s prophetic word does give
warning, often with history written in advance! May we look to God and
His word for guidance in life, leading humanity to the success of God’s
loving will and good purpose!
106 I have sworn an oath, and I will carry it out, To observe your righteous judgments.
LEARN FROM AND KEEP GOD'S JUDGMENTS.
Genuine
decisions from God should be appreciated as made in harmony with His
law and will, and in line with truth. The psalmist had such confidence
in them that he made a solemn vow to recognize and support Jehovah’s
judgments. Really, we stand in awe of God’s power and righteous
decisions manifest throughout man’s history. The judgments God made in
times past are written in God’s word for mankind to learn from, so as
not to repeat history. Even some of the wrong desires manifest by Israel
were recorded as a warning, as expressed in 1Corinthians 10:6-11.
Verses 6,11 say: “6 Now these things became examples for us, in order
for us not to desire injurious things, as they desired them...11 Now
these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a
warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.”
They were not to worship idols, desire pleasure above God, or murmur
against His exercise of authority, for instance. We, too, should
appreciate that God, and no human, is the giver of “every good gift and
every perfect present.” Should we not love the Creator even more than
what He created? We can love both, but certainly Jehovah, as the God of
love, deserves the first place in our heart! May we be determined to
keep God first, and greatly respect His righteous judgments!
107 I have been greatly afflicted. O Jehovah, preserve me alive according to your word.
ACCEPT COUNSEL OF GOD'S WORD.
Another
translation says “I have suffered much...” Have you been through
difficult trials like the psalmist? If we rely upon God, He can carry us
through. What benefit would there be to ignoring God and striking out
on our own, as if we can get through without His help? He wants to help
us, and how we need His guidance! His word really can help us know how
to handle various situations that may arise in our life, to make good,
healthy decisions leading to success. We need to study carefully the
teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, and
the wisdom of God found throughout His word, but especially in the
Christian writings as well as books such as Proverbs and Psalms. As we
grow in wisdom, which we can ask God for, we will often know the right
decision to make, also as we receive God’s help in prayer.
108 Please take pleasure in my voluntary offerings of praise, O Jehovah, And teach me your judgments.
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!
