vs 10
The first part at least makes sense - friends should be treated as friends, even friends of the family who aren't personally your friends. You should seek to look after them and make them welcome.
It's the second part that is more complex. To me, it reads like we should accept help from friends, as well as give it. We might prefer to get help from our relatives, since we know they'll help us, and they sort of have to. But neighbours and friends can also help, and should be willing (given the first half of the verse) and so we should accept their help. Done properly, even asking for help builds closer relationships - like us housesitting Cheryl's place.
vs 11
Interesting theory. Someone talks crap at you, and you can say, "Yeah, well my son is wise! Suck on that!" Not sure if it grabs me, but hey. The idea that a wise child brings joy is oft repeated.
vs 12
The penalty usually being they end up being affected by whatever the dangerous thing was. Like being chewed on by a bear.
vs 13
But wait... isn't there an earlier proverb that says don't give your garment as a pledge? Well, in Proverbs 6 it basically says don't pledge for a stranger. But the idea of taking someone else's garment if they are dumb enough to make such a pledge seems to be repeated in Proverbs. So it's fine to be a lender to fools, just not a borrowing fool.
vs 14
HA! Especially if they have a hangover, or they're still in bed. The idea being that even when you're trying to do something nice, make sure it's appropriate.
vs 15
In other words, annoying and constantly so.
vs 16
I shouldn't laugh, but I will. Ha! Slippery women. The point being that once they start, you pretty much can't stop them either, unlike a leak. So watch out before you go and marry them! Sounds like good advice, doesn't it? But what if you're arranged to them, eh? You may have never met her before, especially in a society that keeps men and women separate for a lot of the time. So perhaps the lesson here is not about how to pick a wife, but instead that you should do whatever you can to ensure that your wife doesn't quarrel. Interesting if true.
vs 17
I know how we often use this verse, but what does it actually mean? That people are social animals, and we need others to be at our best? I suppose so. The importance of interdependence is actually something our culture is only beginning to relearn, after decades, perhaps even a couple of centuries, of independence ruining our societies.
vs 18
I don't know that we have to protect each other in quite the same way as is meant here, but if you think about what you might do to protect someone from things that others might seek to do - trick them, decieve them, rip them off - this is a valuable service, especially in a situation where it is common practice and not always easy to spot.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Proverbs chapter 27
vs 1
Does that mean we can boast about yesterday, because we know what it brought?
Seriously though, caution is always good, because it only takes one or two strange events to bring something that was going to be good crashing down. Unfortunately, publicly listed companies tend to ignore this sage wisdom, and boast about tomorrow as much as they can, to get their stock prices up - and then what happens? Market expectations overshoot, and they suffer. Or worse, something bad happens and they go under because people flee their stock like monkeys away from whatever is the natural predator of monkies. Killer whales.
vs 2
Try that in this world. I hate going to job interviews, because you have to "sell yourself". This whole society expects you to do that - to talk yourself up. I think the best job I ever had, I got by simply telling the truth about my lack of experience. I don't know if I had people who gave me good references and spoke me up, as it were. Maybe.
vs 3
I hate being provoked by fools. Brian gave me some really good advice once. He said that once someone said something to him that provoked and upset him at church, and he carried that around for ages, fuming and being upset and angry. Then he realised that the other person had no idea, was happily blissfully ignorant of what he'd done, and was living his life joyfully. Unfair, right? So he just went up to the person, set the record straight, and voila - pain gone. Why carry around the provokation of a fool?
vs 4
I'm not sure what kind of jealousy it's talking about. Is it talking about covetous jealousy, where you want something you don't have? Or is it talking about righteous jealousy, where you want to keep something that is rightfully yours? I can certainly see that standing against the second one can be damned hard. But then, people can get pretty driven by their desires too.
vs 5
Is open love better than both? Perhaps part of the fact that you're prepared to show rebuke is that you are loving enough to do so. Although, I think I've done plenty of rebuking not out of love. Perhaps it's just better to be open than hidden about your feelings, so that people can know where they stand. Don't want to be one of those silver tongued people from the last chapter, after all.
Which brings me an interesting thought. If you are a silver tongue, with sweet words and a bitter heart, this verse is saying it's better to be bitter in and out than just have a sweet tongue... why? I think perhaps because if you have to live with your own bitterness out there in the world, you might seriously consider what your heart is like, and want that to change, so that your outside world changes too.
vs 6
Even the worst thing a friend does to you is better than the best thing an enemy does. Enemies are enemies for a reason. Well, sometimes not, but you know what I mean.
vs 7
I have a feeling there is more to this than just a reference to people's eating habits... but I can't really work it out. I mean, I know that full people don't even eat nice things, and starving people eat garbage.
Ahh... so the lesson is that people who are starved will accept crap, and people too full will not even accept good things. Moderation, people. Even with wisdom, you know that people starved of wisdom will "eat" foolishness. But will someone with lots of wisdom really turn away more sweet, sweet wisdom? I think there was a passage previously which might allude to that. Perhaps you've got to let your wisdom settle before you go and eat some more, like.
vs 8
Well, yeah, because the nest is the bird's home? Sorry, this one is beyond me.
vs 9
Never been much of a perfume person, and to be honest I've found that advice can sometimes get treated like a bottle of cheap perfume - tossed in the back of the bathroom cupboard, where it never gets used, and then someone complains about how their life went bad because they didn't have anything to make them smell better.
The thing is, I guess, that even if people don't give the top notch advice, they really are trying to help, and that more often is the perfume, than the actual advice itself.
Does that mean we can boast about yesterday, because we know what it brought?
Seriously though, caution is always good, because it only takes one or two strange events to bring something that was going to be good crashing down. Unfortunately, publicly listed companies tend to ignore this sage wisdom, and boast about tomorrow as much as they can, to get their stock prices up - and then what happens? Market expectations overshoot, and they suffer. Or worse, something bad happens and they go under because people flee their stock like monkeys away from whatever is the natural predator of monkies. Killer whales.
vs 2
Try that in this world. I hate going to job interviews, because you have to "sell yourself". This whole society expects you to do that - to talk yourself up. I think the best job I ever had, I got by simply telling the truth about my lack of experience. I don't know if I had people who gave me good references and spoke me up, as it were. Maybe.
vs 3
I hate being provoked by fools. Brian gave me some really good advice once. He said that once someone said something to him that provoked and upset him at church, and he carried that around for ages, fuming and being upset and angry. Then he realised that the other person had no idea, was happily blissfully ignorant of what he'd done, and was living his life joyfully. Unfair, right? So he just went up to the person, set the record straight, and voila - pain gone. Why carry around the provokation of a fool?
vs 4
I'm not sure what kind of jealousy it's talking about. Is it talking about covetous jealousy, where you want something you don't have? Or is it talking about righteous jealousy, where you want to keep something that is rightfully yours? I can certainly see that standing against the second one can be damned hard. But then, people can get pretty driven by their desires too.
vs 5
Is open love better than both? Perhaps part of the fact that you're prepared to show rebuke is that you are loving enough to do so. Although, I think I've done plenty of rebuking not out of love. Perhaps it's just better to be open than hidden about your feelings, so that people can know where they stand. Don't want to be one of those silver tongued people from the last chapter, after all.
Which brings me an interesting thought. If you are a silver tongue, with sweet words and a bitter heart, this verse is saying it's better to be bitter in and out than just have a sweet tongue... why? I think perhaps because if you have to live with your own bitterness out there in the world, you might seriously consider what your heart is like, and want that to change, so that your outside world changes too.
vs 6
Even the worst thing a friend does to you is better than the best thing an enemy does. Enemies are enemies for a reason. Well, sometimes not, but you know what I mean.
vs 7
I have a feeling there is more to this than just a reference to people's eating habits... but I can't really work it out. I mean, I know that full people don't even eat nice things, and starving people eat garbage.
Ahh... so the lesson is that people who are starved will accept crap, and people too full will not even accept good things. Moderation, people. Even with wisdom, you know that people starved of wisdom will "eat" foolishness. But will someone with lots of wisdom really turn away more sweet, sweet wisdom? I think there was a passage previously which might allude to that. Perhaps you've got to let your wisdom settle before you go and eat some more, like.
vs 8
Well, yeah, because the nest is the bird's home? Sorry, this one is beyond me.
vs 9
Never been much of a perfume person, and to be honest I've found that advice can sometimes get treated like a bottle of cheap perfume - tossed in the back of the bathroom cupboard, where it never gets used, and then someone complains about how their life went bad because they didn't have anything to make them smell better.
The thing is, I guess, that even if people don't give the top notch advice, they really are trying to help, and that more often is the perfume, than the actual advice itself.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Proverbs chapter 26
vs 20
Of course, not all quarrels start because of or are fuelled by gossip. But when they are, they burn a lot longer.
vs 21
I think I've gotten a lot better than I used to be. But sometimes I just feel that urge to start an argument for no real reason. It's dumb. No idea why I do it - something to do with just wanting attention, perhaps, or wanting to be right, or feel special. But at least I seem to do it less now.
vs 22
In fact, they can be very tasty. Getting the inside scoop, as it were. But it also infects you like a disease.
vs 23
Just because it's shiny on the inside doesn't mean it's silver all the way down.
vs 24
Just building on the verse before. The fervent lips are a disguise, actively hiding the evil underneath. They are enemies, after all, what do you expect?
vs 25
Seven! That's a lot of abominations... whatever that means. But charming speech can cover that up, and so it's important to not just listen to someone's words, but to try and uncover their heart. But as those of us who are sweettalkers know, this is quite difficult to do, and most people are oddly trusting.
vs 26
It does come out eventually. Even if you don't get exposed per se, if someone watches you long enough, they will see things that point out your heart's real direction. Of course, if they confront you about it, you can probably just sweet talk them again. Vicious circle.
vs 27
Being one thing and saying another does eventually come back to bite you. Lies are great in the short term, but they get harder and harder to sustain over time. Better to just tell the truth, and suffer consequences in the short term. Hard habit to break, though, the lies-upon-lies.
vs 28
A good summary verse. I'm not sure about the flattery thing though. I guess there is a difference between encouragement and flattery.
Of course, not all quarrels start because of or are fuelled by gossip. But when they are, they burn a lot longer.
vs 21
I think I've gotten a lot better than I used to be. But sometimes I just feel that urge to start an argument for no real reason. It's dumb. No idea why I do it - something to do with just wanting attention, perhaps, or wanting to be right, or feel special. But at least I seem to do it less now.
vs 22
In fact, they can be very tasty. Getting the inside scoop, as it were. But it also infects you like a disease.
vs 23
Just because it's shiny on the inside doesn't mean it's silver all the way down.
vs 24
Just building on the verse before. The fervent lips are a disguise, actively hiding the evil underneath. They are enemies, after all, what do you expect?
vs 25
Seven! That's a lot of abominations... whatever that means. But charming speech can cover that up, and so it's important to not just listen to someone's words, but to try and uncover their heart. But as those of us who are sweettalkers know, this is quite difficult to do, and most people are oddly trusting.
vs 26
It does come out eventually. Even if you don't get exposed per se, if someone watches you long enough, they will see things that point out your heart's real direction. Of course, if they confront you about it, you can probably just sweet talk them again. Vicious circle.
vs 27
Being one thing and saying another does eventually come back to bite you. Lies are great in the short term, but they get harder and harder to sustain over time. Better to just tell the truth, and suffer consequences in the short term. Hard habit to break, though, the lies-upon-lies.
vs 28
A good summary verse. I'm not sure about the flattery thing though. I guess there is a difference between encouragement and flattery.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Proverbs chapter 26
vs 10
I assume hiring a fool isn't like shooting him at random. More like hiring a fool is as useless as someone who shoots your own men. You might get some good results, but you also end up with unnecessary wounds, and low morale.
vs 11
Finally! Probably one of the best known proverbs outside all the typical memory verses. Everyone knows that dogs go back and sniff their vomit, possibly even give it a lick. Fools are the same. We should learn from our mistakes, but every time we go and make the same mistake again, we reinforce our foolishness.
vs 12
Eep!
I've never read anything so scary. There's something worse than being a simple fool - it's thinking yourself wise. Humility is certainly the order of the day.
vs 13
In other words, don't go outside, because it's dangerous. Just stay in bed where it's safe. I'm not sure if he's lying, making up excuses, or what. Probably whatever it takes to stay in bed.
vs 14
I'm guessing that means they just toss and turn, rolling from side to side a lot. Is this saying that sluggards spend so much time in bed that they don't actually sleep well? Maybe because they don't tire themselves out at work? Not sure.
vs 15
Wow, they really hate sluggards. I mean, this is just an insult now.
vs 16
And since we've already heard that someone who thinks they are wise in their own eyes is worse than a fool, sluggards are now seven times worse than that! Not sure why a sluggard thinks they are wise. Perhaps because they have beat the system?
vs 17
In other words, prepare to get bit. That's a great piece of advice.
vs 18
Okay, just right there, even out of context, this verse is fantastic. A maniac shooting flaming arrows of death. What delightful imagery!
vs 19
"Just kidding" is one of those cowardly terms people use when they want to say something mean, or untrue, or deceptive, and aren't good enough liars or suave enough talkers to get away with it. It's incredibly to think that this has such a long history. Some things really never change.
I assume hiring a fool isn't like shooting him at random. More like hiring a fool is as useless as someone who shoots your own men. You might get some good results, but you also end up with unnecessary wounds, and low morale.
vs 11
Finally! Probably one of the best known proverbs outside all the typical memory verses. Everyone knows that dogs go back and sniff their vomit, possibly even give it a lick. Fools are the same. We should learn from our mistakes, but every time we go and make the same mistake again, we reinforce our foolishness.
vs 12
Eep!
I've never read anything so scary. There's something worse than being a simple fool - it's thinking yourself wise. Humility is certainly the order of the day.
vs 13
In other words, don't go outside, because it's dangerous. Just stay in bed where it's safe. I'm not sure if he's lying, making up excuses, or what. Probably whatever it takes to stay in bed.
vs 14
I'm guessing that means they just toss and turn, rolling from side to side a lot. Is this saying that sluggards spend so much time in bed that they don't actually sleep well? Maybe because they don't tire themselves out at work? Not sure.
vs 15
Wow, they really hate sluggards. I mean, this is just an insult now.
vs 16
And since we've already heard that someone who thinks they are wise in their own eyes is worse than a fool, sluggards are now seven times worse than that! Not sure why a sluggard thinks they are wise. Perhaps because they have beat the system?
vs 17
In other words, prepare to get bit. That's a great piece of advice.
vs 18
Okay, just right there, even out of context, this verse is fantastic. A maniac shooting flaming arrows of death. What delightful imagery!
vs 19
"Just kidding" is one of those cowardly terms people use when they want to say something mean, or untrue, or deceptive, and aren't good enough liars or suave enough talkers to get away with it. It's incredibly to think that this has such a long history. Some things really never change.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Proverbs chapter 26
vs 1
Honour and fools just don't belong together. Nuts and gum, chocolate and bacon. Of course, like snow in summer, they sometimes still happen.
vs 2
I'm not 100% on this, but I'm figuring that it's talking about when you curse someone who doesn't deserve it, and the stirred up feeling they get because it makes them feel like they've been hard done by. I think we've all been there.
vs 3
Now, for those who might feel using whips on animals is unnecessary, take heart - I believe the main purpose of this verse is to point out that fools need discipline, training and leading. I don't think we necessarily need to hit them with sticks.
Of course, be my guest.
vs 4
Okay, this verse and the next one are just in for a world of pain if you aren't prepared to accept that proverbs are not once-for-all truths.
So this one, for example, warns you not to get dragged into foolish argument. There are two modern versions of this parable that make their way around the Internet. One is "Don't argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience." The other is somewhat more offensive. But it's good to know that God's wisdom lives on.
vs 5
This is the stranger one, and I think you need to be fairly driven to apply it. It's so much easier to apply vs 4 - just bug out, it's none of your business, protect your own interests.
But some of us can't help but correct others when they are mistaken, and sometimes it's simply because we don't want them to think they're right. Because that's what this is about - fools thinking they're smarter or wiser than they are, because no-one corrects their misplaced assumptions. Just make sure you're right before following verse 5.
vs 6
So it's bad then? To the point of being crippling or deadly, apparently. I'm not sure if it's a matter of the importance of communication, or a matter of trust with information. Both seem important. Not sure what the focus is here though.
vs 7
The lame person has legs, they just don't work. Teaching a fool a proverb might give him the words, but not the useage. Perhaps this is what the beating stick is for?
vs 8
Pointless. Like loading a gun with cheese.
vs 9
I'm not sure here. Is the drunk going to hit you with it? Is he upset because it hurts? Yeah, I'm just not quite sure culturally what he's getting at here.
Honour and fools just don't belong together. Nuts and gum, chocolate and bacon. Of course, like snow in summer, they sometimes still happen.
vs 2
I'm not 100% on this, but I'm figuring that it's talking about when you curse someone who doesn't deserve it, and the stirred up feeling they get because it makes them feel like they've been hard done by. I think we've all been there.
vs 3
Now, for those who might feel using whips on animals is unnecessary, take heart - I believe the main purpose of this verse is to point out that fools need discipline, training and leading. I don't think we necessarily need to hit them with sticks.
Of course, be my guest.
vs 4
Okay, this verse and the next one are just in for a world of pain if you aren't prepared to accept that proverbs are not once-for-all truths.
So this one, for example, warns you not to get dragged into foolish argument. There are two modern versions of this parable that make their way around the Internet. One is "Don't argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience." The other is somewhat more offensive. But it's good to know that God's wisdom lives on.
vs 5
This is the stranger one, and I think you need to be fairly driven to apply it. It's so much easier to apply vs 4 - just bug out, it's none of your business, protect your own interests.
But some of us can't help but correct others when they are mistaken, and sometimes it's simply because we don't want them to think they're right. Because that's what this is about - fools thinking they're smarter or wiser than they are, because no-one corrects their misplaced assumptions. Just make sure you're right before following verse 5.
vs 6
So it's bad then? To the point of being crippling or deadly, apparently. I'm not sure if it's a matter of the importance of communication, or a matter of trust with information. Both seem important. Not sure what the focus is here though.
vs 7
The lame person has legs, they just don't work. Teaching a fool a proverb might give him the words, but not the useage. Perhaps this is what the beating stick is for?
vs 8
Pointless. Like loading a gun with cheese.
vs 9
I'm not sure here. Is the drunk going to hit you with it? Is he upset because it hurts? Yeah, I'm just not quite sure culturally what he's getting at here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Proverbs chapter 25
vs 20
Wow, I completely misread this verse the first time. Anyway, the miserable person who sings joyful songs to a miserable person. Yes, we all know what that's like. Glad I re-read it. I'll keep this little gem stored up for the next person who tries to go all chemo on me.
vs 21
You might remember this proverb from the NT. Romans, I think. Interesting that God's wisdom doesn't change so much as we might think. This is as countercultural back then as it is now.
vs 22
And I've always loved this half of the proverb. I mean, this shouldn't be our reason for doing it, but it's an effect of being nice to an enemy - they feel bad about being bad to us. Paul conveniently left out the bit about God rewarding us though. Which is a nice little topper, if I do say so myself.
vs 23
Ooh, a hyphen! They're really taking risks now, using all sorts of punctuation.
I would have thought rain would be good. But I guess rain can come at good times and at bad times, even in the Middle East. In the same way, a sly tongue can be unexpected and surprising, and damaging I suppose.
vs 24
Don't go there. Just nod and back away.
Seriously though... nagging is awful. And living with a nagging or quarrelsome spouse (aha!) can be an endless frustration.
vs 25
What gets me is why this is from a distant land? Isn't good news good, regardless of distance? Wouldn't good news be better if it was local? Perhaps not, because of the lag of news from faraway places. If you care what's happening, hearing nothing for a while is almost like bad news. So when you hear the good news, it refreshes you.
vs 26
Wow. You hear that, righteous? Don't give way to the wicked, or you become polluted or muddied, unclear, less useful. But we have to be firm without going nuts about it. We can't just kill them, for example. We have to deal with them righteously.
vs 27
I assume the two are linked. Perhaps this is a verse akin to that one in Ecclesiastes about much study wearying the body. So honey is good, but eating too much of it will make you sick. Investigating, learning and questioning are good, but it can become bad if you do too much of it. How much is too much? I think it's like honey - too much is when you make yourself sick doing it. This is a hard sell, especially to the "For Science!" people.
vs 28
In other words, they are easily taken over by things. It's like impulse buying - there's nothing wrong with buying something you need, or even want really, but buying it because it's waved under your nose, awful. I fall for it, lack of self control.
Wow, I completely misread this verse the first time. Anyway, the miserable person who sings joyful songs to a miserable person. Yes, we all know what that's like. Glad I re-read it. I'll keep this little gem stored up for the next person who tries to go all chemo on me.
vs 21
You might remember this proverb from the NT. Romans, I think. Interesting that God's wisdom doesn't change so much as we might think. This is as countercultural back then as it is now.
vs 22
And I've always loved this half of the proverb. I mean, this shouldn't be our reason for doing it, but it's an effect of being nice to an enemy - they feel bad about being bad to us. Paul conveniently left out the bit about God rewarding us though. Which is a nice little topper, if I do say so myself.
vs 23
Ooh, a hyphen! They're really taking risks now, using all sorts of punctuation.
I would have thought rain would be good. But I guess rain can come at good times and at bad times, even in the Middle East. In the same way, a sly tongue can be unexpected and surprising, and damaging I suppose.
vs 24
Don't go there. Just nod and back away.
Seriously though... nagging is awful. And living with a nagging or quarrelsome spouse (aha!) can be an endless frustration.
vs 25
What gets me is why this is from a distant land? Isn't good news good, regardless of distance? Wouldn't good news be better if it was local? Perhaps not, because of the lag of news from faraway places. If you care what's happening, hearing nothing for a while is almost like bad news. So when you hear the good news, it refreshes you.
vs 26
Wow. You hear that, righteous? Don't give way to the wicked, or you become polluted or muddied, unclear, less useful. But we have to be firm without going nuts about it. We can't just kill them, for example. We have to deal with them righteously.
vs 27
I assume the two are linked. Perhaps this is a verse akin to that one in Ecclesiastes about much study wearying the body. So honey is good, but eating too much of it will make you sick. Investigating, learning and questioning are good, but it can become bad if you do too much of it. How much is too much? I think it's like honey - too much is when you make yourself sick doing it. This is a hard sell, especially to the "For Science!" people.
vs 28
In other words, they are easily taken over by things. It's like impulse buying - there's nothing wrong with buying something you need, or even want really, but buying it because it's waved under your nose, awful. I fall for it, lack of self control.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Proverbs chapter 25
vs 11
Watch out! This could well mean apricots rather than apples. The difference is astounding...
Justice is so sweet, you have to take fruit and wrap it in gold and silver to come close.
vs 12
So too is a well judged rebuke valuable - but you have to listen for it and accept it. Otherwise, it probably tastes a bit more like bitter ash.
vs 13
We just don't have the same reliance on messengers, in the same way we don't rely on snow to cool drinks. But I imagine knowing that you have someone who is trustworthy, who can be trusted to pass on faithfully what you are about, is a real refreshment.
vs 14
In other words, disappointing.
vs 15
If you lick it enough, I think. I wonder if they had some specific picture in mind when they said this. In any case, the verse is about persistance, but persistance takes patience. I always thought of myself as patient, but I'm not. I get antsy about things quite easily.
vs 16
Moderation. It's actually a disturbingly common theme in the Bible. So much of what the Bible says can be seen as a call to moderation, especially in the NT. Just not all of it. In any case, moderation is wisdom, mostly.
vs 17
Remember that back then, hospitality was a big deal, and so you would become quite a burden if you were turning up on their doorstep. These days, some people can still be mighty hospitable, and it's important to try not to milk them, or even just rely on their kindness too much.
vs 18
In other words, painful and dangerous.
vs 19
Annoying, painful, and in the end not reliable and you end up doing a job badly because of it.
Watch out! This could well mean apricots rather than apples. The difference is astounding...
Justice is so sweet, you have to take fruit and wrap it in gold and silver to come close.
vs 12
So too is a well judged rebuke valuable - but you have to listen for it and accept it. Otherwise, it probably tastes a bit more like bitter ash.
vs 13
We just don't have the same reliance on messengers, in the same way we don't rely on snow to cool drinks. But I imagine knowing that you have someone who is trustworthy, who can be trusted to pass on faithfully what you are about, is a real refreshment.
vs 14
In other words, disappointing.
vs 15
If you lick it enough, I think. I wonder if they had some specific picture in mind when they said this. In any case, the verse is about persistance, but persistance takes patience. I always thought of myself as patient, but I'm not. I get antsy about things quite easily.
vs 16
Moderation. It's actually a disturbingly common theme in the Bible. So much of what the Bible says can be seen as a call to moderation, especially in the NT. Just not all of it. In any case, moderation is wisdom, mostly.
vs 17
Remember that back then, hospitality was a big deal, and so you would become quite a burden if you were turning up on their doorstep. These days, some people can still be mighty hospitable, and it's important to try not to milk them, or even just rely on their kindness too much.
vs 18
In other words, painful and dangerous.
vs 19
Annoying, painful, and in the end not reliable and you end up doing a job badly because of it.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Proverbs chapter 25
vs 1
Taking quite a jump now, and wouldn't be nice if all editorial comment was prefaced with "This was added by such and such." Hezekiah, eh? So obviously some of the Bible hung around, and it was only the book of the Law that was lost. That's a real eye opener for me. I mean, I should have known that all the stuff written in the Kings period would be extant for Josiah, I just never thought about it. Duh.
vs 2
Interesting idea. I suppose we can't hide anything from God, so hidings things isn't really a hugely meaningful exercise for us. But it's glorifying to God for him to know things we don't. We gain glory by discovering the things of God.
vs 3
Of course, God knows the heights of heavens and such, and he knows the hearts of kings. But we don't know either, it seems. The hearts of leaders are a black box, and we'd do well to remember it. For all the feelings and motivations we ascribe to them, we can never truly know what's going on in Bazza's head.
vs 4
Commonsense, really. But a picture for the wisdom to come!
vs 5
Because even kings rely on officials and advisors, and bad ones will corrupt his leadership, even if he doesn't seek to have it corrupted or if he's a good king.
vs 6
Because that is not for you to do. It is not for the lesser to make themselves great in front of the greater. Glory comes from the top down. That doesn't mean you can't be awesome, but glory that comes from below isn't worth as much.
vs 7
That's the problem - if you make yourself too high, then those above you have to put you 'back into your station'. And that just sucks. And now, the verse numbering goes halfway through a sentence. We were doing so well!
vs 8
Okay, so apparently the TNIV thinks there could be an alternate reading about seeing the nobles who you get embarrased in front of, and if that reading was prevalent in the times of numbering, then I guess they can be forgiven.
The TNIV, however, suggests that the seeing with eyes relates to something that it seems you may have possibly seen your neighbour doing. The point being you shouldn't be so quick to accuse him of something, because he might come and give a perfectly reasonable answer, and then you look the fool. Pelican egg on your face there.
vs 9
Oh, and once again we need to learn the lesson of holding our tongue. This time, we aren't to betray someone else's confidence when making accusations.
vs 10
They might lie in doing that, but it happens. Some people don't take kindly to being dropped into trouble, and they'll just lie to get themselves out of it. Then you're left squarely where you were going to drop them.
Taking quite a jump now, and wouldn't be nice if all editorial comment was prefaced with "This was added by such and such." Hezekiah, eh? So obviously some of the Bible hung around, and it was only the book of the Law that was lost. That's a real eye opener for me. I mean, I should have known that all the stuff written in the Kings period would be extant for Josiah, I just never thought about it. Duh.
vs 2
Interesting idea. I suppose we can't hide anything from God, so hidings things isn't really a hugely meaningful exercise for us. But it's glorifying to God for him to know things we don't. We gain glory by discovering the things of God.
vs 3
Of course, God knows the heights of heavens and such, and he knows the hearts of kings. But we don't know either, it seems. The hearts of leaders are a black box, and we'd do well to remember it. For all the feelings and motivations we ascribe to them, we can never truly know what's going on in Bazza's head.
vs 4
Commonsense, really. But a picture for the wisdom to come!
vs 5
Because even kings rely on officials and advisors, and bad ones will corrupt his leadership, even if he doesn't seek to have it corrupted or if he's a good king.
vs 6
Because that is not for you to do. It is not for the lesser to make themselves great in front of the greater. Glory comes from the top down. That doesn't mean you can't be awesome, but glory that comes from below isn't worth as much.
vs 7
That's the problem - if you make yourself too high, then those above you have to put you 'back into your station'. And that just sucks. And now, the verse numbering goes halfway through a sentence. We were doing so well!
vs 8
Okay, so apparently the TNIV thinks there could be an alternate reading about seeing the nobles who you get embarrased in front of, and if that reading was prevalent in the times of numbering, then I guess they can be forgiven.
The TNIV, however, suggests that the seeing with eyes relates to something that it seems you may have possibly seen your neighbour doing. The point being you shouldn't be so quick to accuse him of something, because he might come and give a perfectly reasonable answer, and then you look the fool. Pelican egg on your face there.
vs 9
Oh, and once again we need to learn the lesson of holding our tongue. This time, we aren't to betray someone else's confidence when making accusations.
vs 10
They might lie in doing that, but it happens. Some people don't take kindly to being dropped into trouble, and they'll just lie to get themselves out of it. Then you're left squarely where you were going to drop them.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Proverbs chapter 24
vs 23
Hooray, more wise sayings! It would suck if we ran out at 30 really. I would say this writing style, of groupings, probably suggests Solomon compiled some existing lists, editing them perhaps to make them godly (if they're from non-Jewish sources). Which would also account a little for repetition.
And why not, after all? Surely wisdom loves company.
Anyway, justice is only justice if it's impartial. What a shame our system only works for rich people.
vs 24
You bet they will. Imagine if Pol Pot got away with genocide on a legal technicality, let alone because of partiality of justice. Not a happy situation.
vs 25
When guilty people, especially powerful guilty people, get done for doing wrong, that really makes the world breathe a sigh of relief. It's good to know that powerful people aren't bullet proof.
vs 26
Sweet. I assume they mean nice.
vs 27
I think this might be a simple statement regarding wealth creation - no point having a roof if you have no food. I can see the inkling of a proverb about mortgages here.
vs 28
I'm unsure if this verse is linked to the next one or not. The way the TNIV is set out doesn't give any hints here. If it isn't, then this is about truthfuless. No reason to bring accusation against someone needlessly.
vs 29
Which makes this one against revenge. Revenge really is a useless mechanic - it just causes cycles of violence and hate. Feels good, though.
vs 30
I'll go ahead and assume this is linked to the next one.
vs 31
So basically nothing had been done.
vs 32
I think we might actually get to the wisdom soon.
vs 33
I love this verse. On its own, it sounds like a wonderful, relaxing verse. Then...
vs 34
Bam! Poverty! No rest for the wicked, they say. Sounds like no rest for anyone. Except Sabbath rest, I guess.
Hooray, more wise sayings! It would suck if we ran out at 30 really. I would say this writing style, of groupings, probably suggests Solomon compiled some existing lists, editing them perhaps to make them godly (if they're from non-Jewish sources). Which would also account a little for repetition.
And why not, after all? Surely wisdom loves company.
Anyway, justice is only justice if it's impartial. What a shame our system only works for rich people.
vs 24
You bet they will. Imagine if Pol Pot got away with genocide on a legal technicality, let alone because of partiality of justice. Not a happy situation.
vs 25
When guilty people, especially powerful guilty people, get done for doing wrong, that really makes the world breathe a sigh of relief. It's good to know that powerful people aren't bullet proof.
vs 26
Sweet. I assume they mean nice.
vs 27
I think this might be a simple statement regarding wealth creation - no point having a roof if you have no food. I can see the inkling of a proverb about mortgages here.
vs 28
I'm unsure if this verse is linked to the next one or not. The way the TNIV is set out doesn't give any hints here. If it isn't, then this is about truthfuless. No reason to bring accusation against someone needlessly.
vs 29
Which makes this one against revenge. Revenge really is a useless mechanic - it just causes cycles of violence and hate. Feels good, though.
vs 30
I'll go ahead and assume this is linked to the next one.
vs 31
So basically nothing had been done.
vs 32
I think we might actually get to the wisdom soon.
vs 33
I love this verse. On its own, it sounds like a wonderful, relaxing verse. Then...
vs 34
Bam! Poverty! No rest for the wicked, they say. Sounds like no rest for anyone. Except Sabbath rest, I guess.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Proverbs chapter 24
vs 13
You heard it here first, people - honey is the food of wisdom, and why? it's good and tastes sweet. I think chocolate is the wisdom food of the 21st century. People will probably try and sell you on the medical benefits of honey - just ignore them.
vs 14
I'm not quite sure how wisdom is like honey - I assume because it is good and sweet, as above. The thing being that if you've found honey (wisdom) then apparently that is a good thing for you. Finding honey brings hope. Finding wisdom brings a hope that can't be taken away. Except perhaps by dementia.
vs 15
I mean, damn, do you need to be told this? Don't rob people! But that's actually not the point here. The point here is to not rob the righteous. In fact, don't target them with your foolish actions at all.
vs 16
Why? Because righteous people always dust themselves off and get moving again. They come back for more. But wicked people, when they get taken down, they go down hard. And if you just robbed a righteous guy's house, guess which you are.
vs 17
Note here that your heart will want to rejoice. Because everyone loves watching those against them fall. You have to fight against that natural feeling.
vs 18
So if we gloat, God stops punishing. You really do have to leave punishment to God. When we start doing it ourselves, God pulls out. And he does it better! Probably partly because he can do it right, whereas when we gloat, we really just want to add insult to injury and see someone hurt. Why do something God disapproves of... except of course that there's a perverse pleasure in it. But it doesn't pay off, as shown here.
vs 19
We're already told not to hang out with the wicked, so what do you do when you don't hang out with people? You begin to worry about them, or you get jealous of them. But apparently we're not meant to do that either. So don't cuddle up to them, and don't wish you could do what they do, and don't look out your windows at them wishing the police would come. Unless they're doing something wrong, at any rate.
vs 20
There's no hope for evil. Even in this world evil does not endure - people eventually gang up against it, or it runs out of steam, or the end of the world comes and wipes it all clean.
vs 21
God and king are obviously in charge, so they can't rebel. But other officials can. Remain loyal, says God, to God and to the ruler God put in place. Remember though, this is wisdom, so it's not saying never ever rebel (obviously never rebel against God). But it's a good rule to follow.
vs 22
God and king are two rulers you don't want to mess with. Destruction and calamity are tools of the trade for rulers. Not the best things to be on the wrong side of. And that is a very fine 30th saying of wisdom, I think.
You heard it here first, people - honey is the food of wisdom, and why? it's good and tastes sweet. I think chocolate is the wisdom food of the 21st century. People will probably try and sell you on the medical benefits of honey - just ignore them.
vs 14
I'm not quite sure how wisdom is like honey - I assume because it is good and sweet, as above. The thing being that if you've found honey (wisdom) then apparently that is a good thing for you. Finding honey brings hope. Finding wisdom brings a hope that can't be taken away. Except perhaps by dementia.
vs 15
I mean, damn, do you need to be told this? Don't rob people! But that's actually not the point here. The point here is to not rob the righteous. In fact, don't target them with your foolish actions at all.
vs 16
Why? Because righteous people always dust themselves off and get moving again. They come back for more. But wicked people, when they get taken down, they go down hard. And if you just robbed a righteous guy's house, guess which you are.
vs 17
Note here that your heart will want to rejoice. Because everyone loves watching those against them fall. You have to fight against that natural feeling.
vs 18
So if we gloat, God stops punishing. You really do have to leave punishment to God. When we start doing it ourselves, God pulls out. And he does it better! Probably partly because he can do it right, whereas when we gloat, we really just want to add insult to injury and see someone hurt. Why do something God disapproves of... except of course that there's a perverse pleasure in it. But it doesn't pay off, as shown here.
vs 19
We're already told not to hang out with the wicked, so what do you do when you don't hang out with people? You begin to worry about them, or you get jealous of them. But apparently we're not meant to do that either. So don't cuddle up to them, and don't wish you could do what they do, and don't look out your windows at them wishing the police would come. Unless they're doing something wrong, at any rate.
vs 20
There's no hope for evil. Even in this world evil does not endure - people eventually gang up against it, or it runs out of steam, or the end of the world comes and wipes it all clean.
vs 21
God and king are obviously in charge, so they can't rebel. But other officials can. Remain loyal, says God, to God and to the ruler God put in place. Remember though, this is wisdom, so it's not saying never ever rebel (obviously never rebel against God). But it's a good rule to follow.
vs 22
God and king are two rulers you don't want to mess with. Destruction and calamity are tools of the trade for rulers. Not the best things to be on the wrong side of. And that is a very fine 30th saying of wisdom, I think.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Proverbs chapter 24
vs 1
Why do we envy the wicked? Why do we desire their company? Is it the risk, that Don Miller talks about, that we desire? That excitement that we want in the stories of our lives? In any case, our desires shouldn't lead us that way. Just because you want excitement doesn't mean you should pursue wickedness.
vs 2
When you boil down their actions, and it comes to this, why would you want to hang out with them? Why envy them? It boggles the mind.
vs 3
Of course, we know that physically you can't build a house without some knowledge of engineering principles and such. But I actually think that you will find you also can't build one without the cash to put up walls, and wisdom is pretty darn useful for that.
vs 4
And for this too. Although I suppose some rare and interesting treasures come from travel, friendships, general living of life. I guess some people treasure photo albums, for example.
vs 5
Apparently wisdom defeats city walls and armies, so the strength of the wise is pretty strong already. When they start hording and gathering it, that's going to be mighty.
vs 6
We've heard this before, but now we see just how important it is to gather a brain trust when facing big problems like war.
vs 7
Ha! I wonder if this was ever enforced. Probably more by social pressure than guys with sticks.
vs 8
Well, yes they will. They are scheming after all.
vs 9
So scheming is sinful, and people don't like those who are mockers. I think we've heard this before, but it's now a saying with a number.
vs 10
That's when strength is measured - when it needs to be used in a time of trouble and need. That's just how it is.
vs 11
So does this mean we should fight the death penalty? Or perhaps we shouldn't rescue them, only those being killed unfairly? The truth is the verse isn't that picky.
vs 12
Worth considering, that. God knows what we know. He knows our heart, and how we perceive things. When we didn't help someone, how will he look at that? I think I might have to donate some money to Haiti.
Why do we envy the wicked? Why do we desire their company? Is it the risk, that Don Miller talks about, that we desire? That excitement that we want in the stories of our lives? In any case, our desires shouldn't lead us that way. Just because you want excitement doesn't mean you should pursue wickedness.
vs 2
When you boil down their actions, and it comes to this, why would you want to hang out with them? Why envy them? It boggles the mind.
vs 3
Of course, we know that physically you can't build a house without some knowledge of engineering principles and such. But I actually think that you will find you also can't build one without the cash to put up walls, and wisdom is pretty darn useful for that.
vs 4
And for this too. Although I suppose some rare and interesting treasures come from travel, friendships, general living of life. I guess some people treasure photo albums, for example.
vs 5
Apparently wisdom defeats city walls and armies, so the strength of the wise is pretty strong already. When they start hording and gathering it, that's going to be mighty.
vs 6
We've heard this before, but now we see just how important it is to gather a brain trust when facing big problems like war.
vs 7
Ha! I wonder if this was ever enforced. Probably more by social pressure than guys with sticks.
vs 8
Well, yes they will. They are scheming after all.
vs 9
So scheming is sinful, and people don't like those who are mockers. I think we've heard this before, but it's now a saying with a number.
vs 10
That's when strength is measured - when it needs to be used in a time of trouble and need. That's just how it is.
vs 11
So does this mean we should fight the death penalty? Or perhaps we shouldn't rescue them, only those being killed unfairly? The truth is the verse isn't that picky.
vs 12
Worth considering, that. God knows what we know. He knows our heart, and how we perceive things. When we didn't help someone, how will he look at that? I think I might have to donate some money to Haiti.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Proverbs chapter 23
vs 26
He's buttering his son up for another talk on women. It's interesting how there needs to be an appeal to hear these words. I wonder if this is because Solomon is having to tell his son to do as he says, rather than what he does? Or perhaps if the son has problems with adulteresses?
vs 27
I suppose a well is already deep, so it also being narrow is more uncomfortable than it being a bigger hole? Be easier to climb out of though.
Anyway, the point is, these women are a trap that you don't want to fall into.
vs 28
The whole idea of them lying in wait... it makes it sound so sinister. And you know, I'm sure that some adultery doesn't happen that way. But the thing is, some does. There are some who actually go on the prowl. So therefore, you have to be on your guard.
vs 29
I think we're going to find out who. None of them are nice things, though. So it's not going to be happy people.
vs 30
So people who are living to drink wine apparently don't have so happy a life. Why you would mix wines, I have no idea. But there you go. Hmm, perhaps because you don't have enough of one wine to drink? That's fairly low.
vs 31
Well, gazing at it is probably one of the better things you can do. I mean, better than drinking it.
vs 32
As anyone who's ever had a hangover knows.
But I actually think he is talking about the poisonous bite of alcoholism.
vs 33
That sounds like both short term alcohol abuse and long term problems. And note that, although there is no editorial comment to tell us whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, I think you can tell from the tone of the passage that it's not good. Seeing strange things and imagining confusing things is seen as negative. There's a verse for all you who say that drugs aren't mentioned. Best I can do so far, anyway.
vs 34
I have no idea what that means, but it's an awesome picture. From the next verse, it makes me think he's talking about someone who has been press ganged. I guess they did that even back in Solomon's time? Good to know the navy has a strong history.
vs 35
The idea here being that you were too drunk to feel it, and now you're on a ship, and the only thing you can do is drink more and do the work, in the best traditions of the British Navy. I wonder how many used this 19th saying to legitimised press ganging?
He's buttering his son up for another talk on women. It's interesting how there needs to be an appeal to hear these words. I wonder if this is because Solomon is having to tell his son to do as he says, rather than what he does? Or perhaps if the son has problems with adulteresses?
vs 27
I suppose a well is already deep, so it also being narrow is more uncomfortable than it being a bigger hole? Be easier to climb out of though.
Anyway, the point is, these women are a trap that you don't want to fall into.
vs 28
The whole idea of them lying in wait... it makes it sound so sinister. And you know, I'm sure that some adultery doesn't happen that way. But the thing is, some does. There are some who actually go on the prowl. So therefore, you have to be on your guard.
vs 29
I think we're going to find out who. None of them are nice things, though. So it's not going to be happy people.
vs 30
So people who are living to drink wine apparently don't have so happy a life. Why you would mix wines, I have no idea. But there you go. Hmm, perhaps because you don't have enough of one wine to drink? That's fairly low.
vs 31
Well, gazing at it is probably one of the better things you can do. I mean, better than drinking it.
vs 32
As anyone who's ever had a hangover knows.
But I actually think he is talking about the poisonous bite of alcoholism.
vs 33
That sounds like both short term alcohol abuse and long term problems. And note that, although there is no editorial comment to tell us whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, I think you can tell from the tone of the passage that it's not good. Seeing strange things and imagining confusing things is seen as negative. There's a verse for all you who say that drugs aren't mentioned. Best I can do so far, anyway.
vs 34
I have no idea what that means, but it's an awesome picture. From the next verse, it makes me think he's talking about someone who has been press ganged. I guess they did that even back in Solomon's time? Good to know the navy has a strong history.
vs 35
The idea here being that you were too drunk to feel it, and now you're on a ship, and the only thing you can do is drink more and do the work, in the best traditions of the British Navy. I wonder how many used this 19th saying to legitimised press ganging?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Proverbs chapter 23
vs 12
There you go. This saying, so oft repeated, is saying 12. Let's see how long I remember it. It basically just says, "Gain wisdom."
vs 13
So, if you're hitting your children so hard they die, you're not doing it right. Discipline should be a good thing.
vs 14
Punishment should be salvific, not deadly. A whap on the hand instead of a kettle of boiling water being pulled down on the face, or a hot iron, or kicked to death by a bull. The world is full of plenty of dangers besides violent parents.
vs 15
A wise son makes their father happy. Just think how much happier a father is to see their son happy and successful, even if it's just doing the same dead-end job they did - better than seeing your son do drugs, have a string of girls, and spiral into lonely death.
vs 16
I'm sure there is something really special about hearing your children grow up and speak the same truths you follow. Makes you feel like you did something right as a parent, and gives you security knowing when you leave the world, they're looked after in that regard.
vs 17
Damn, but this can be hard sometimes. Some sinners have a really fun looking life. I mean, plenty have awful lives. But those who are doing what we struggle with, and not seeming to suffer at all - that is chocolate covered crack.
vs 18
That's where our minds should go, then, when we see those people doing our chocolated-coated crack. We have a hope. There's a future for us, it's bright and eternal and better. Unfortunately, sometimes it can also seem like a tiny little speck on the horizon. Especially when things are bad. That's when we need to start getting apocalyptic.
vs 19
This saying gets some build up. Hope it's good!
vs 20
Wait, meat? WTF? I mean, alcohol, sure. Everyone knows the evils of the booze. But meat? Come on. I'm guessing that meat was hugely expensive back then, so the idea of spending a big night out on the booze and slaughtering a goat or whatever is basically just the ancient equivalent of partying every night.
vs 21
See, it has to do with poverty and laziness. So alcohol and meat aren't the issue - it's the waste and profligation of both.
vs 22
Erm... moving on...
No, I should look at this. Your parents are generally those people of the previous generation with whom you have your closest bond. So it would be unwise to ignore their advice on things. Even in today's world of technological overturning every five years or so, where there's no way you would look to your parents to tell you how facebook works, they still need to be listened to, because as we know, the more things change the more they stay the same.
vs 23
This how valuable it should be. It's like your children - you'd buy them if they were kidnapped, but you'd never sell them to pay the grocery bill.
vs 24
This has sort of been said already. I guess the message is both for the father and the son. If you want to make your father proud, be wise. If you want to be proud of your son, train him in wisdom.
vs 25
The message here is of course mainly to the son, because Solomon is writing to sons. But the parents should rejoice in wisdom in their children, more than anything else. Just as they should value wisdom for themselves more than gold, so parents should want wisdom for their kids more than anything else.
There you go. This saying, so oft repeated, is saying 12. Let's see how long I remember it. It basically just says, "Gain wisdom."
vs 13
So, if you're hitting your children so hard they die, you're not doing it right. Discipline should be a good thing.
vs 14
Punishment should be salvific, not deadly. A whap on the hand instead of a kettle of boiling water being pulled down on the face, or a hot iron, or kicked to death by a bull. The world is full of plenty of dangers besides violent parents.
vs 15
A wise son makes their father happy. Just think how much happier a father is to see their son happy and successful, even if it's just doing the same dead-end job they did - better than seeing your son do drugs, have a string of girls, and spiral into lonely death.
vs 16
I'm sure there is something really special about hearing your children grow up and speak the same truths you follow. Makes you feel like you did something right as a parent, and gives you security knowing when you leave the world, they're looked after in that regard.
vs 17
Damn, but this can be hard sometimes. Some sinners have a really fun looking life. I mean, plenty have awful lives. But those who are doing what we struggle with, and not seeming to suffer at all - that is chocolate covered crack.
vs 18
That's where our minds should go, then, when we see those people doing our chocolated-coated crack. We have a hope. There's a future for us, it's bright and eternal and better. Unfortunately, sometimes it can also seem like a tiny little speck on the horizon. Especially when things are bad. That's when we need to start getting apocalyptic.
vs 19
This saying gets some build up. Hope it's good!
vs 20
Wait, meat? WTF? I mean, alcohol, sure. Everyone knows the evils of the booze. But meat? Come on. I'm guessing that meat was hugely expensive back then, so the idea of spending a big night out on the booze and slaughtering a goat or whatever is basically just the ancient equivalent of partying every night.
vs 21
See, it has to do with poverty and laziness. So alcohol and meat aren't the issue - it's the waste and profligation of both.
vs 22
Erm... moving on...
No, I should look at this. Your parents are generally those people of the previous generation with whom you have your closest bond. So it would be unwise to ignore their advice on things. Even in today's world of technological overturning every five years or so, where there's no way you would look to your parents to tell you how facebook works, they still need to be listened to, because as we know, the more things change the more they stay the same.
vs 23
This how valuable it should be. It's like your children - you'd buy them if they were kidnapped, but you'd never sell them to pay the grocery bill.
vs 24
This has sort of been said already. I guess the message is both for the father and the son. If you want to make your father proud, be wise. If you want to be proud of your son, train him in wisdom.
vs 25
The message here is of course mainly to the son, because Solomon is writing to sons. But the parents should rejoice in wisdom in their children, more than anything else. Just as they should value wisdom for themselves more than gold, so parents should want wisdom for their kids more than anything else.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Proverbs chapter 23
vs 1
I don't know how many of you have, say, eaten in the presence of royalty, or the PM, or someone like that. The best I've ever done is eaten two meals in the presence of an opposition leader, and one at the birthday of an ex-PM. Two were quite nice, the other was at an RSL. The who/what question in the TNIV is somewhat important here - is this advice given because you're in front of important people? Or is it just given because of the nature of the food (as verse 3 suggests)? Perhaps both?
If we take the 'what' as the TNIV has as their primary translation (which is the same as all the other translations I look at)then we're talking about the richness of the food. This is a warning - beware of this rich fare!
vs 2
This may well ruin the dinner you are at. So possibly it's better not to be a glutton, but if you just can't help yourself, suicide seems the only option. Now, it's about this time that people are going to say, "Suicide? The Bible would never condone such a thing!" Whatever, that's how it reads to me. I guess people probably see the 'knife to throat' as "restrict yourself". Yeah, because that's a pretty natural reading. People hold a knife to their throats (or someone else's) to reign them in all the time.
vs 3
This is the kicker. All this lush, tasty, exotic food might seem nice, but if you get the taste for it, you'll go broke, because you're not the king. Now, if the earlier 'what' is actually a 'who', then the main message is probably that you shouldn't make a fool of yourself scoffing yourself full of lobster at the function, because that shows just how poor you are, and you'll make a bad impression. Ever wonder why so many rich delicacies taste like crap? So rich people don't look silly scoffing them.
vs 4
Ecclesiastes says the same thing, albeit in a much more depressive manner. It doesn't say 'don't get rich', just don't kill yourself doing it. What good is it then?
Regarding not trusting your own cleverness, I think it might be directly related to the 'wearing yourself out to get rich'. So don't think you can somehow do it without getting worn, because you're smart. The wise saying, after all, is don't.
vs 5
Wealth it seems is fleeting. I've never seen it do that... well, yes, of course I have. I've saved up money, then spent it - oh, look at it fly away. Crashed a car? Look at that flock of money just flying up into the sky.
We sometimes hear of people who have or are worth a mecha-gagillion dollars, and we think, "How can this person have so much? What could the possibly do with it?" Then of course they go broke... so something was done with it. Most usually it was used as leverage to get another investment off the ground, and that fails, and the money disappears. Boring story, really. I'd prefer to see someone go broke from wasting it all on ale and whores. The lesson is the same, but that just seems more exciting.
vs 6
I have been on both sides of this coin, and it's not a comfortable place to be. But sometimes, you can be stuck. Someone cooks the food up, for example - they begrudge it, but they have cooked it and served it all the same. If you don't eat it, it's even worse, because it's a waste! Then they hate you anyway.
vs 7
This is the reasoning for the last verse. Sure, they serve it, and they tell you to eat it, but they don't actually want you to. They want to eat it, or for their family to eat it, or whatever.
vs 8
I'm not sure where this is going. Will you vomit from the anxiety or discomfort of being in this situation, or just because God will punish you? I guess the former seems reasonable.
vs 9
This proverb is pretty much impossible to live by, and when you try, you get scorned instead of your words. So I've generally found that it's better to let the fool scorn your words because hey, at least you tried, and then try not to take it personally. I'm no good at that either, but it makes more sense.
vs 10
This has already been said, but you can see the mention of the fatherless here, representing all the marginalised and undefended.
vs 11
And again the reason is the same - God protects them, because no-one else does, and then you're in trouble.
I don't know how many of you have, say, eaten in the presence of royalty, or the PM, or someone like that. The best I've ever done is eaten two meals in the presence of an opposition leader, and one at the birthday of an ex-PM. Two were quite nice, the other was at an RSL. The who/what question in the TNIV is somewhat important here - is this advice given because you're in front of important people? Or is it just given because of the nature of the food (as verse 3 suggests)? Perhaps both?
If we take the 'what' as the TNIV has as their primary translation (which is the same as all the other translations I look at)then we're talking about the richness of the food. This is a warning - beware of this rich fare!
vs 2
This may well ruin the dinner you are at. So possibly it's better not to be a glutton, but if you just can't help yourself, suicide seems the only option. Now, it's about this time that people are going to say, "Suicide? The Bible would never condone such a thing!" Whatever, that's how it reads to me. I guess people probably see the 'knife to throat' as "restrict yourself". Yeah, because that's a pretty natural reading. People hold a knife to their throats (or someone else's) to reign them in all the time.
vs 3
This is the kicker. All this lush, tasty, exotic food might seem nice, but if you get the taste for it, you'll go broke, because you're not the king. Now, if the earlier 'what' is actually a 'who', then the main message is probably that you shouldn't make a fool of yourself scoffing yourself full of lobster at the function, because that shows just how poor you are, and you'll make a bad impression. Ever wonder why so many rich delicacies taste like crap? So rich people don't look silly scoffing them.
vs 4
Ecclesiastes says the same thing, albeit in a much more depressive manner. It doesn't say 'don't get rich', just don't kill yourself doing it. What good is it then?
Regarding not trusting your own cleverness, I think it might be directly related to the 'wearing yourself out to get rich'. So don't think you can somehow do it without getting worn, because you're smart. The wise saying, after all, is don't.
vs 5
Wealth it seems is fleeting. I've never seen it do that... well, yes, of course I have. I've saved up money, then spent it - oh, look at it fly away. Crashed a car? Look at that flock of money just flying up into the sky.
We sometimes hear of people who have or are worth a mecha-gagillion dollars, and we think, "How can this person have so much? What could the possibly do with it?" Then of course they go broke... so something was done with it. Most usually it was used as leverage to get another investment off the ground, and that fails, and the money disappears. Boring story, really. I'd prefer to see someone go broke from wasting it all on ale and whores. The lesson is the same, but that just seems more exciting.
vs 6
I have been on both sides of this coin, and it's not a comfortable place to be. But sometimes, you can be stuck. Someone cooks the food up, for example - they begrudge it, but they have cooked it and served it all the same. If you don't eat it, it's even worse, because it's a waste! Then they hate you anyway.
vs 7
This is the reasoning for the last verse. Sure, they serve it, and they tell you to eat it, but they don't actually want you to. They want to eat it, or for their family to eat it, or whatever.
vs 8
I'm not sure where this is going. Will you vomit from the anxiety or discomfort of being in this situation, or just because God will punish you? I guess the former seems reasonable.
vs 9
This proverb is pretty much impossible to live by, and when you try, you get scorned instead of your words. So I've generally found that it's better to let the fool scorn your words because hey, at least you tried, and then try not to take it personally. I'm no good at that either, but it makes more sense.
vs 10
This has already been said, but you can see the mention of the fatherless here, representing all the marginalised and undefended.
vs 11
And again the reason is the same - God protects them, because no-one else does, and then you're in trouble.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Proverbs chapter 22
vs 21
Truthful reports? Who is it this person serves? Is it Solomon, or another? Are these 30 sayings for his own benefit, or for the benefit of someone far away? Is he still talking to his sons? I don't know. In any case, it seems that honesty and truthfulness are our first lesson. Making truthful reports, albeit in a graceful and gentle manner (as we've learned from previous proverbs) is the best way to serve kings and the like.
vs 22
God doesn't like it when people pick on those who can't defend themselves.
vs 23
He'll defend them if that's what it takes, and that means your ass. So lesson number two - don't pick on the defenceless, because God isn't defenceless.
vs 24
I have lots of hot-tempered friends. But there's a difference between my friends that are hot-tempered and throw a hissy, and the kind of people I hear about in court who are hot-tempered and get violent and smash things. It can be easy to forget that people actually do that, when you just don't live in that world.
vs 25
And here's the rub - if you do live in that world, it's damn hard to stop it from turning you into one of them. That's lesson three.
vs 26
The punctuation really does change the meaning here. I mean, that semi colon, moved one more clause to the right, totally changes the idea of the proverb. In the first instance, you shouldn't lend or be a guanantor at all. In the second, it would be only if you can't pay that it is wrong.
So let's assume the TNIV scholars are right. That means it's always unwise to put up a guarantee for someone.
vs 27
The reason being that if you can't pay, you end up in world of goop. So lesson 5, don't do things that put your whole economy at risk. Poverty sucks.
vs 28
This is actually against the levitical law. I know, because The Goodies told me so. Remember that the land of the promised land was divided up before they even entered it, for the most part. So moving these stones is fiddling with an age old tradition.
vs 29
Being good means being called on by high ups to do good work. The lesson? Do good work, I guess, and work hard at making it better, if you want the recognition that comes from working by appointment.
Of course, for the vast majority of us, our work will never be that good, so we have to get used to the idea of some level of mediocrity - which is all you will ever be, if you only compare yourselves to "those who are skilled in their work".
Yes, this is reality call TK421 right here - the vast majority of us suck at everything. You will never be president. You will never be an astronaut. You'll never see your CDs for sale in JB HiFi. You'll never win a Nobel Prize, or be in a blockbuster movie, or be voted into government. Every single person who does achieve these things leaves in their wake a whole host of people - anything from a schoolbus to a school of people - who will never see their aspirations met.
Okay, that's a pretty out there tangent. I'll stop now.
Truthful reports? Who is it this person serves? Is it Solomon, or another? Are these 30 sayings for his own benefit, or for the benefit of someone far away? Is he still talking to his sons? I don't know. In any case, it seems that honesty and truthfulness are our first lesson. Making truthful reports, albeit in a graceful and gentle manner (as we've learned from previous proverbs) is the best way to serve kings and the like.
vs 22
God doesn't like it when people pick on those who can't defend themselves.
vs 23
He'll defend them if that's what it takes, and that means your ass. So lesson number two - don't pick on the defenceless, because God isn't defenceless.
vs 24
I have lots of hot-tempered friends. But there's a difference between my friends that are hot-tempered and throw a hissy, and the kind of people I hear about in court who are hot-tempered and get violent and smash things. It can be easy to forget that people actually do that, when you just don't live in that world.
vs 25
And here's the rub - if you do live in that world, it's damn hard to stop it from turning you into one of them. That's lesson three.
vs 26
The punctuation really does change the meaning here. I mean, that semi colon, moved one more clause to the right, totally changes the idea of the proverb. In the first instance, you shouldn't lend or be a guanantor at all. In the second, it would be only if you can't pay that it is wrong.
So let's assume the TNIV scholars are right. That means it's always unwise to put up a guarantee for someone.
vs 27
The reason being that if you can't pay, you end up in world of goop. So lesson 5, don't do things that put your whole economy at risk. Poverty sucks.
vs 28
This is actually against the levitical law. I know, because The Goodies told me so. Remember that the land of the promised land was divided up before they even entered it, for the most part. So moving these stones is fiddling with an age old tradition.
vs 29
Being good means being called on by high ups to do good work. The lesson? Do good work, I guess, and work hard at making it better, if you want the recognition that comes from working by appointment.
Of course, for the vast majority of us, our work will never be that good, so we have to get used to the idea of some level of mediocrity - which is all you will ever be, if you only compare yourselves to "those who are skilled in their work".
Yes, this is reality call TK421 right here - the vast majority of us suck at everything. You will never be president. You will never be an astronaut. You'll never see your CDs for sale in JB HiFi. You'll never win a Nobel Prize, or be in a blockbuster movie, or be voted into government. Every single person who does achieve these things leaves in their wake a whole host of people - anything from a schoolbus to a school of people - who will never see their aspirations met.
Okay, that's a pretty out there tangent. I'll stop now.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Proverbs chapter 22
vs 11
There are some things that a king or ruler will always value highly. A pure heart and gracious speech are very endearing. This verse is the epitome of what I always thought I would do with my life. I'm sad now, for lots of reasons.
vs 12
How does one frustrate your words? Is it by changing things so that what you say just ends up wrong? You know, like, "Don't worry, trees never fall down here." *CRACK!*
vs 13
WTF! It's an awesome verse, but what?
I think - and I'm going out on a limb here - that the sluggard is making crazy excuses not to go out and get his ass a job.
vs 14
I won't make the obvious, obvious joke here.
I suppose you fall into it because you're wanting to get some adultery on, and so you are already under the Lord's wrath.
vs 15
You can't stop kids from being foolish. They are kids! This isn't necessarily saying beat them and the foolishness will go. The rod is a symbol of discipline. It is as much used by kings in the rule of their domain as it is a parent over a child. It's the discipline that changes the child from foolish to wise, not the beating.
vs 16
It's funny that the feathering of one's own nest at the expense of others can actually bring you down to utter poverty. It doesn't make sense - but it's true. Because life isn't as simple as we'd like to think or scientists make out.
vs 17
Now, this is where I really like what the TNIV has done. If there are 30 saying here, then they have done well in showing me, because I wouldn't have otherwise known! Plus, now I know what to count as one whole saying.
Of course, if they're wrong they're leading me astray.
And so we start, of course, with this same refrain. Listen up, already!
vs 18
Now this is a slightly different argument. Listen up, because it is actually pleasing to be wise, and to know wisdom. And you know what, it is! People love the proverbs. They love to know wisdom. They love to memorise verses from it.
vs 19
Even me? I don't know whether to feel special or worthless.
vs 20
So... thirty sayings, eh? I'm feeling pretty good about the TNIV right about now.
There are some things that a king or ruler will always value highly. A pure heart and gracious speech are very endearing. This verse is the epitome of what I always thought I would do with my life. I'm sad now, for lots of reasons.
vs 12
How does one frustrate your words? Is it by changing things so that what you say just ends up wrong? You know, like, "Don't worry, trees never fall down here." *CRACK!*
vs 13
WTF! It's an awesome verse, but what?
I think - and I'm going out on a limb here - that the sluggard is making crazy excuses not to go out and get his ass a job.
vs 14
I won't make the obvious, obvious joke here.
I suppose you fall into it because you're wanting to get some adultery on, and so you are already under the Lord's wrath.
vs 15
You can't stop kids from being foolish. They are kids! This isn't necessarily saying beat them and the foolishness will go. The rod is a symbol of discipline. It is as much used by kings in the rule of their domain as it is a parent over a child. It's the discipline that changes the child from foolish to wise, not the beating.
vs 16
It's funny that the feathering of one's own nest at the expense of others can actually bring you down to utter poverty. It doesn't make sense - but it's true. Because life isn't as simple as we'd like to think or scientists make out.
vs 17
Now, this is where I really like what the TNIV has done. If there are 30 saying here, then they have done well in showing me, because I wouldn't have otherwise known! Plus, now I know what to count as one whole saying.
Of course, if they're wrong they're leading me astray.
And so we start, of course, with this same refrain. Listen up, already!
vs 18
Now this is a slightly different argument. Listen up, because it is actually pleasing to be wise, and to know wisdom. And you know what, it is! People love the proverbs. They love to know wisdom. They love to memorise verses from it.
vs 19
Even me? I don't know whether to feel special or worthless.
vs 20
So... thirty sayings, eh? I'm feeling pretty good about the TNIV right about now.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Proverbs chapter 22
vs 1
It's not that rich scum don't get stuff - I mean, their money gets it for them. But the old saying is that money can't buy you love. I guess money doesn't buy a lot of things, like proper friendships, or peace of mind.
Esteem is actually vital to healthy psychological growth, apparently, which is why as teachers we're not supposed to crush the souls of those who we teach. Fun, though.
vs 2
They have lots of things in common, of course. But the idea that they have a common source is one of those things that we tend to think of as important, like when something is really old, or really new. It's not that the source of something is intrinsically important - except in this case, because God is of course by his nature important.
vs 3
If you're lucky, the prudent might share some of their canned food with you after the war with the aliens starts. What, planning for alien invasion or zombie apocalypse isn't prudent? I think you're splitting hairs.
vs 4
Great definition of humility! It's not often we get something put so simply. You wouldn't think it would be hard to be humble before God, would you? I mean, given his power, his eternal nature, hell even his size should be scary (everything else gets scarier with size, I think. There's a stage where when the cornflake could crunch you, it's scary).
And yet we look at God, but we don't really see him, I guess, because it is so easy to not be humble before God. Maybe that's why Christians today like to focus on all the creation stuff - it's an easy way to see God's bigness and power. Screw that, sorry guys. Learn some diversity, I get sick of hearing how great God is because he created a solar system, most of which I never use. But I use his grace every day, and his defeat of evil gives me hope. I live with those, and they are no less magical. Everyone thinks chocolate is great. Teach people about grace.
No, I'm not being divisive, I'm doing my part to swing the pendulum.
I haven't even mentioned that if we are able to somehow switch our minds on and realise how awesome God is, there is a reward. I think it takes a bit of faith to accept that, but it's there.
vs 5
Just another way of telling us that wickedness equals death. We've heard it before. Steer clear of wickedness! If only it were that easy, eh? Our world seems to be drenched in wickedness. Some of it turns out to be quite fun or exciting. Some people like dodging traps and pitfalls, though they may not like dying.
vs 6
Even people who didn't treat their kids fantastically can still see this law at work. Things stick from youth. Even people who were abused or whatever in an orphanage still take stuff away from it. These days, I think we worry a lot about turning kids off things by trying too hard. But they actually do need leadership, they need to be told what to do. The whole idea that kids can build that up for themselves is garbage.
vs 7
It's just a fact that this is how it is. It is probably also asking you which camp you'd rather be in.
vs 8
Justice is eternal. I've said that before, but this verse is a great reminder. Eternal things win out, even if it seems like they constantly struggle with the things of this world.
vs 9
Not everyone lords it over the poor. Share your food with them! There it says it, right there. Don't tell them to get a job! Share food with them! Then tell them to get a job, because it kind of does suggest working is wise in Proverbs too.
vs 10
I wonder how many people breathe a sigh of relief when I leave somewhere...
I'm not as bad as I used to be, but still. It bears thinking about. It's worth passing that message onto kids too, because there are a number just like me, who start arguments just for the sake of it. Kids at home, take note - most people don't like conflict. It makes them uncomfortable. You're probably cowing thise people, not with your mighty logic, but mostly with social discomfort. How does that make you feel?
It's not that rich scum don't get stuff - I mean, their money gets it for them. But the old saying is that money can't buy you love. I guess money doesn't buy a lot of things, like proper friendships, or peace of mind.
Esteem is actually vital to healthy psychological growth, apparently, which is why as teachers we're not supposed to crush the souls of those who we teach. Fun, though.
vs 2
They have lots of things in common, of course. But the idea that they have a common source is one of those things that we tend to think of as important, like when something is really old, or really new. It's not that the source of something is intrinsically important - except in this case, because God is of course by his nature important.
vs 3
If you're lucky, the prudent might share some of their canned food with you after the war with the aliens starts. What, planning for alien invasion or zombie apocalypse isn't prudent? I think you're splitting hairs.
vs 4
Great definition of humility! It's not often we get something put so simply. You wouldn't think it would be hard to be humble before God, would you? I mean, given his power, his eternal nature, hell even his size should be scary (everything else gets scarier with size, I think. There's a stage where when the cornflake could crunch you, it's scary).
And yet we look at God, but we don't really see him, I guess, because it is so easy to not be humble before God. Maybe that's why Christians today like to focus on all the creation stuff - it's an easy way to see God's bigness and power. Screw that, sorry guys. Learn some diversity, I get sick of hearing how great God is because he created a solar system, most of which I never use. But I use his grace every day, and his defeat of evil gives me hope. I live with those, and they are no less magical. Everyone thinks chocolate is great. Teach people about grace.
No, I'm not being divisive, I'm doing my part to swing the pendulum.
I haven't even mentioned that if we are able to somehow switch our minds on and realise how awesome God is, there is a reward. I think it takes a bit of faith to accept that, but it's there.
vs 5
Just another way of telling us that wickedness equals death. We've heard it before. Steer clear of wickedness! If only it were that easy, eh? Our world seems to be drenched in wickedness. Some of it turns out to be quite fun or exciting. Some people like dodging traps and pitfalls, though they may not like dying.
vs 6
Even people who didn't treat their kids fantastically can still see this law at work. Things stick from youth. Even people who were abused or whatever in an orphanage still take stuff away from it. These days, I think we worry a lot about turning kids off things by trying too hard. But they actually do need leadership, they need to be told what to do. The whole idea that kids can build that up for themselves is garbage.
vs 7
It's just a fact that this is how it is. It is probably also asking you which camp you'd rather be in.
vs 8
Justice is eternal. I've said that before, but this verse is a great reminder. Eternal things win out, even if it seems like they constantly struggle with the things of this world.
vs 9
Not everyone lords it over the poor. Share your food with them! There it says it, right there. Don't tell them to get a job! Share food with them! Then tell them to get a job, because it kind of does suggest working is wise in Proverbs too.
vs 10
I wonder how many people breathe a sigh of relief when I leave somewhere...
I'm not as bad as I used to be, but still. It bears thinking about. It's worth passing that message onto kids too, because there are a number just like me, who start arguments just for the sake of it. Kids at home, take note - most people don't like conflict. It makes them uncomfortable. You're probably cowing thise people, not with your mighty logic, but mostly with social discomfort. How does that make you feel?
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Proverbs chapter 21
vs 21
You might read the translation note and say, "Surely it wouldn't say that he who pursues righteousness finds righteousness?" Which book of proverbs have you been reading?
I think it's actually implied, though, that you also find the righteousness and love too. The other things just sort of turn up on the way, like hitchhikers. And they stick with you too, and they're good things - like good hitchhikers, not like the murdering ones.
vs 22
I don't think it necessarily means one who is wise is a trained siege engineer. After all, we've already learned that those preparing for war take lots of advice. So the wise person, for example, will consult his seige engineer. The wise person will have one to consult. There is no wall high enough that will keep a wise person out is the point. They have wisdom, and it is mightier than a fortress.
vs 23
Every time I read one of these verses, I just feel a little more stupid at all the dumb things I've ever said, or written, or caused to be. I think of the latest calamity I have caused, and previous calamitous occasions too. Stupid smart wisdom.
vs 24
You can tell if it's mockery if it's proud and arrogant. Also, they behave with insolent fury. So note those things.
vs 25
So when you're a sluggard, you still have things you want, and you get them. You just don't then work to pay for them, and so you end up in debt, or dead. Sorry, lazy people. I can't really read it any other way.
vs 26
So the sluggard who does nothing has constant wants for stuff. Righteous people, on the other hand, are always giving up stuff, without sparing any.
vs 27
God will accept the sacrifice of the contrite, but not of the wicked, and definitely not to further their wicked schemes. God hates this stuff. So watch what you say in your prayers.
vs 28
So there is more to being a good witness than just not telling lies. We should all be careful in what we do. We should actually listen to what gets said, be reliable, not vacuous.
vs 29
So even though the wicked seem brave and stuff, the righteous might bug out sometimes, and yet still be righteous.
vs 30
Wisdom is subservient to God. As if it would help you win against him. That's why we must always lose against God. What are we going to use against him, foolishness?
vs 31
No matter how ready we make ourselves, or our horses, God is in control of outcomes. That doesn't mean we can't steer outcomes ourselves - I mean, if we had no control over cause and effect life would be unliveable - but God has a yet greater control. His control allows our control, and guides and controls our control.
You might read the translation note and say, "Surely it wouldn't say that he who pursues righteousness finds righteousness?" Which book of proverbs have you been reading?
I think it's actually implied, though, that you also find the righteousness and love too. The other things just sort of turn up on the way, like hitchhikers. And they stick with you too, and they're good things - like good hitchhikers, not like the murdering ones.
vs 22
I don't think it necessarily means one who is wise is a trained siege engineer. After all, we've already learned that those preparing for war take lots of advice. So the wise person, for example, will consult his seige engineer. The wise person will have one to consult. There is no wall high enough that will keep a wise person out is the point. They have wisdom, and it is mightier than a fortress.
vs 23
Every time I read one of these verses, I just feel a little more stupid at all the dumb things I've ever said, or written, or caused to be. I think of the latest calamity I have caused, and previous calamitous occasions too. Stupid smart wisdom.
vs 24
You can tell if it's mockery if it's proud and arrogant. Also, they behave with insolent fury. So note those things.
vs 25
So when you're a sluggard, you still have things you want, and you get them. You just don't then work to pay for them, and so you end up in debt, or dead. Sorry, lazy people. I can't really read it any other way.
vs 26
So the sluggard who does nothing has constant wants for stuff. Righteous people, on the other hand, are always giving up stuff, without sparing any.
vs 27
God will accept the sacrifice of the contrite, but not of the wicked, and definitely not to further their wicked schemes. God hates this stuff. So watch what you say in your prayers.
vs 28
So there is more to being a good witness than just not telling lies. We should all be careful in what we do. We should actually listen to what gets said, be reliable, not vacuous.
vs 29
So even though the wicked seem brave and stuff, the righteous might bug out sometimes, and yet still be righteous.
vs 30
Wisdom is subservient to God. As if it would help you win against him. That's why we must always lose against God. What are we going to use against him, foolishness?
vs 31
No matter how ready we make ourselves, or our horses, God is in control of outcomes. That doesn't mean we can't steer outcomes ourselves - I mean, if we had no control over cause and effect life would be unliveable - but God has a yet greater control. His control allows our control, and guides and controls our control.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Proverbs chapter 21
vs 11
So the simple gain wisdom both by listening to the wise, but also by seeing the punishment of fools. This is perhaps why God allows us to see bad people cop bad things.
vs 12
I don't think the idea of a righteous person (see translation note in TNIV) bringing the wicked to ruin really seems in place here. It must be God, surely.
vs 13
I find this so scary. There's so little between normalcy and poverty. We feel there's a huge gap, but it can be as close as a few stupid things said to the wrong people away.
vs 14
So, wait, do we give bribes now? I mean, I want to say that this verse is just saying, "This is what bribes do", but it gives them a pretty positive rap. Not sure what to do with this verse.
vs 15
That's a pretty good definition of justice, although really it only defines it by what it does. Still, a good way to recognise justice.
vs 16
So there are cemetaries on either side of the path of prudence, it seems.
vs 17
Interesting idea, because we generally think the people who love those sorts of things already are rich. But I guess that's not true - there are plenty of people who try to live for the cheap pleasures, but even cheap pleasures still drain your bank account.
vs 18
How does this work? I am perplexed. Is it like they end up paying even for the things the righteous do? I don't know, confusing.
vs 19
See my previous comments about this sort of verse.
vs 20
Why is it wise to store up choice things? All sorts of reasons. A great bottle of wine should be saved for a great occasion, for example, rather than have it when you first get it. it's not a hard and fast rule - sometimes you just have to have what you have when you get it. But it's worth considering... do you need to have that nice thing now?
So the simple gain wisdom both by listening to the wise, but also by seeing the punishment of fools. This is perhaps why God allows us to see bad people cop bad things.
vs 12
I don't think the idea of a righteous person (see translation note in TNIV) bringing the wicked to ruin really seems in place here. It must be God, surely.
vs 13
I find this so scary. There's so little between normalcy and poverty. We feel there's a huge gap, but it can be as close as a few stupid things said to the wrong people away.
vs 14
So, wait, do we give bribes now? I mean, I want to say that this verse is just saying, "This is what bribes do", but it gives them a pretty positive rap. Not sure what to do with this verse.
vs 15
That's a pretty good definition of justice, although really it only defines it by what it does. Still, a good way to recognise justice.
vs 16
So there are cemetaries on either side of the path of prudence, it seems.
vs 17
Interesting idea, because we generally think the people who love those sorts of things already are rich. But I guess that's not true - there are plenty of people who try to live for the cheap pleasures, but even cheap pleasures still drain your bank account.
vs 18
How does this work? I am perplexed. Is it like they end up paying even for the things the righteous do? I don't know, confusing.
vs 19
See my previous comments about this sort of verse.
vs 20
Why is it wise to store up choice things? All sorts of reasons. A great bottle of wine should be saved for a great occasion, for example, rather than have it when you first get it. it's not a hard and fast rule - sometimes you just have to have what you have when you get it. But it's worth considering... do you need to have that nice thing now?
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Proverbs chapter 21
vs 1
So the good graces of a king are really determined by God. Which means it's worth confronting the big wigs, and seeing if God puts you in their good books.
vs 2
So even if we both agree on something, that doesn't make it right. Only God knows what is actually right.
vs 3
Because justice and righteousness are the bee's knees in God's eyes. Sacrifices should be done, but justice and righteousness are of God, and he wants them more than he wants sacrifice.
vs 4
Such pride in yourself, rather than humility before God, is pointless, and only produces rebellion against God. Which isn't healthy. It's in fact deadly. Funny, for all the worry people make about things being carcinogenic, they don't care two hoots about something being sinful...ogenic.
vs 5
Wisdom means planning. Tell that to christian leadership teams. They either do so much planning nothing gets done, or so little that... guess what? Nothing good happens. Oh sure, God blesses everything. But he also tells us to plan.
vs 6
It's not impossible to make money from lying. But people hate it, and most scammers don't last. 60 minutes gets onto them in between punishing people on welfare.
vs 7
Drag them away to jail? To be flogged? To death? Generally, if you have to be dragged there, it's not nice. Even the dentist.
vs 8
Yes, it's a truism, and yes it's also an unjust principle in a way. But we all know it's true - people guilty of crimes are more likely to commit more crimes. That's really all this is saying. It's crazy to ignore it.
vs 9
DO NOT quote this proverb to your wife. Danger lies down that path. The best use of this proverb is to check out chicks before you marry them. Second best use is to see what you can do in your married life to help reduce quarrelling. Third best use is to politely suggest to a friend's wife that perhaps she is making her husband's life difficult, fourth best is to laugh at a friend in his situation using this verse.
vs 10
I just had a friend send me a youtube video of her neighbours fighting. They have been together 17 years apparently (according to the fight, anyway I think). I think they embody this verse well. They attract each other, and they are hell to their neighbours.
So the good graces of a king are really determined by God. Which means it's worth confronting the big wigs, and seeing if God puts you in their good books.
vs 2
So even if we both agree on something, that doesn't make it right. Only God knows what is actually right.
vs 3
Because justice and righteousness are the bee's knees in God's eyes. Sacrifices should be done, but justice and righteousness are of God, and he wants them more than he wants sacrifice.
vs 4
Such pride in yourself, rather than humility before God, is pointless, and only produces rebellion against God. Which isn't healthy. It's in fact deadly. Funny, for all the worry people make about things being carcinogenic, they don't care two hoots about something being sinful...ogenic.
vs 5
Wisdom means planning. Tell that to christian leadership teams. They either do so much planning nothing gets done, or so little that... guess what? Nothing good happens. Oh sure, God blesses everything. But he also tells us to plan.
vs 6
It's not impossible to make money from lying. But people hate it, and most scammers don't last. 60 minutes gets onto them in between punishing people on welfare.
vs 7
Drag them away to jail? To be flogged? To death? Generally, if you have to be dragged there, it's not nice. Even the dentist.
vs 8
Yes, it's a truism, and yes it's also an unjust principle in a way. But we all know it's true - people guilty of crimes are more likely to commit more crimes. That's really all this is saying. It's crazy to ignore it.
vs 9
DO NOT quote this proverb to your wife. Danger lies down that path. The best use of this proverb is to check out chicks before you marry them. Second best use is to see what you can do in your married life to help reduce quarrelling. Third best use is to politely suggest to a friend's wife that perhaps she is making her husband's life difficult, fourth best is to laugh at a friend in his situation using this verse.
vs 10
I just had a friend send me a youtube video of her neighbours fighting. They have been together 17 years apparently (according to the fight, anyway I think). I think they embody this verse well. They attract each other, and they are hell to their neighbours.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Proverbs chapter 20
vs 21
Wait until people die. Easiest way. Least painful. Except perhaps for the person who dies. Sometimes they like to apportion it out before they go. I think this is a good idea. No-one can argue with that. Well, they can, but it's not worth it really.
vs 22
"Vengance is mine," says the Lord. "I will repay." Paul knew this.
vs 23
I think we've covered this.
vs 24
That's a good question. The answer is, of course, that we can't. Which is damn frustrating. But this is life. We can't even really understnd our own way in life. If we can't understand ourselves, what can we understand? The answer is God. Some people don't like that, though.
vs 25
People's lives are at stake in such dedication. Vows are important stuff - and yet they are the sort of thing people jump into without thinking. I wonder how many people would get spurned in love, say, and then jump into the priesthood or into a monk's habit or a nun's wimple, only to realise that actually they could love again, but now they've got a tonsure and people look at them funny.
Just while I think about it - I really like Donald Miller. Reading a book of his that someone lent me. Second one of his I will have read. I like his writing style (Brysonesque), but I think it's either a) effecting how I am writing now, or b) similar to how I always write. Feel free to comment, readers all.
vs 26
That's got to hurt. I don't even know what it is, but I don't really want to imagine it too much. And yet this is the actions of a wise king. He drives out wicked to the point of horrible maiming and death. This is how bad foolishness and ungodliness is.
vs 27
Not God's Spirit. The human spirit. It is through humanity that we can know ourselves. God reveals things to us through each other. Now, even if you retranslate it to mean 'a person's words' that is still important - because you would think that the only way we can learn anything is through God. Now that's true, but it seems that God uses humanity to do his job for him. What's the lesson? Pay attention to what other people say.
vs 28
Not exactly what you'd expect. You would think that big walls, muscled guards, and machine gun turrets with laser sights would keep a king safe. Not so. How many tyrants have been killed by those who serve them because they were hated? Ultimately people not wanting to hurt you is a really good protection against being hurt.
Of course, I'm sure you can name good leaders who people liked that were still assassinated. It's not like they're bulletproof - someone always doesn't like you. Evil people will still want to kill you. But at least regular normal people won't.
vs 29
So the young should dig the ditches, and the old should tell them where to put them. Not that grey hair makes you smart. But it does mean you probably shouldn't dig that ditch. I'm not saying this is universal either - I know grey-hairs that could whip my ass physically. But then, I was born an old man.
vs 30
I shudder - literally shudder - to think of how much evil has been done in the name of this verse. I'm not saying it's not true. A physical punishment - even a real beating, I mean laying into someone and giving them a proper smackdown - probably does wonders for the educational environment, and probably make people think twice about doing something bad again. But only to a point. I don't have a problem with smacking children, or even giving teenagers a clip around the ear. But I'd rather it was against the law to touch children at all than someone thinks that because you can spank a naughty child, it's also okay to whip them with the buckle end of a belt. If you do this, you are going to hell, damn you. Grow a brain. You're ruining childrearing for normal people.
Wait until people die. Easiest way. Least painful. Except perhaps for the person who dies. Sometimes they like to apportion it out before they go. I think this is a good idea. No-one can argue with that. Well, they can, but it's not worth it really.
vs 22
"Vengance is mine," says the Lord. "I will repay." Paul knew this.
vs 23
I think we've covered this.
vs 24
That's a good question. The answer is, of course, that we can't. Which is damn frustrating. But this is life. We can't even really understnd our own way in life. If we can't understand ourselves, what can we understand? The answer is God. Some people don't like that, though.
vs 25
People's lives are at stake in such dedication. Vows are important stuff - and yet they are the sort of thing people jump into without thinking. I wonder how many people would get spurned in love, say, and then jump into the priesthood or into a monk's habit or a nun's wimple, only to realise that actually they could love again, but now they've got a tonsure and people look at them funny.
Just while I think about it - I really like Donald Miller. Reading a book of his that someone lent me. Second one of his I will have read. I like his writing style (Brysonesque), but I think it's either a) effecting how I am writing now, or b) similar to how I always write. Feel free to comment, readers all.
vs 26
That's got to hurt. I don't even know what it is, but I don't really want to imagine it too much. And yet this is the actions of a wise king. He drives out wicked to the point of horrible maiming and death. This is how bad foolishness and ungodliness is.
vs 27
Not God's Spirit. The human spirit. It is through humanity that we can know ourselves. God reveals things to us through each other. Now, even if you retranslate it to mean 'a person's words' that is still important - because you would think that the only way we can learn anything is through God. Now that's true, but it seems that God uses humanity to do his job for him. What's the lesson? Pay attention to what other people say.
vs 28
Not exactly what you'd expect. You would think that big walls, muscled guards, and machine gun turrets with laser sights would keep a king safe. Not so. How many tyrants have been killed by those who serve them because they were hated? Ultimately people not wanting to hurt you is a really good protection against being hurt.
Of course, I'm sure you can name good leaders who people liked that were still assassinated. It's not like they're bulletproof - someone always doesn't like you. Evil people will still want to kill you. But at least regular normal people won't.
vs 29
So the young should dig the ditches, and the old should tell them where to put them. Not that grey hair makes you smart. But it does mean you probably shouldn't dig that ditch. I'm not saying this is universal either - I know grey-hairs that could whip my ass physically. But then, I was born an old man.
vs 30
I shudder - literally shudder - to think of how much evil has been done in the name of this verse. I'm not saying it's not true. A physical punishment - even a real beating, I mean laying into someone and giving them a proper smackdown - probably does wonders for the educational environment, and probably make people think twice about doing something bad again. But only to a point. I don't have a problem with smacking children, or even giving teenagers a clip around the ear. But I'd rather it was against the law to touch children at all than someone thinks that because you can spank a naughty child, it's also okay to whip them with the buckle end of a belt. If you do this, you are going to hell, damn you. Grow a brain. You're ruining childrearing for normal people.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Proverbs chapter 20
vs 11
The TNIV turns this clause into a question, although I don't know if they had the idea that kids were innocent - but then, I'm too lazy to look the verse up in Hebrew and see if it has the Hebrew equivalent of a question mark. The point being, regardless of whether it's a question or a statement, that you can still have a good kid and a bad kid - so judging them by their age isn't correct.
vs 12
By that rationale, though, ears that don't hear and eyes that don't see are also made by God - both physically and metaphorically. Jesus talked about closing people's ears, as it were - even as he was opening people's eyes.
vs 13
Poor Penny :P Sleep is necessary, but it doesn't make a great pastime, because of its solitary nature, and of course the fact that, beyond giving you rest, it doesn't put food on the table, especially in a subsistence environment.
vs 14
Ahhh, the life of haggling. Everyone loves boasting about a bargain.
vs 15
That knowledge may be about how good it is to have gold and rubies, though. There's been a couple of proverbs about that, anyway. So we know that riches are better than poverty, but it seems knowledge trumps the gold. But feel free to ask someone with a philosophy PhD who works in a service station which they prefer.
Because that's not what it's about. The knowledge is not some sterile empirical "facts-based" nonsense. It's knowledge of God, it's wisdom, it's biased towards God. Real knowledge - when you know God really exists.
vs 16
I think the idea is that people who put up pledges for a stranger may not be the most trustworthy people... either that, or it's just talking about the fact that you don't know the person, so best to make sure of it by holding something in guarantee. Judah's daughter in law does this, you might recall.
vs 17
Especially when they drag you along the road face down for stealing it.
vs 18
I've just read three Sharpe books in a row (by Bernard Cornwall) which are historical fiction about some of Wellesley's victories in India, before he later became the Duke of Wellington who whipped Napolean's ass. War is hell, it's not something anyone would take lightly after seeing piles of human corpses. Not even generals would do things without advice from their engineers, military advisers, spy networks and the like. I know there's lots of stories of haughty officers who do things against advice - but most often they are doing it with the advice received in mind.
vs 19
Yep, it's true. I always feel uncomfortable when someone says something about someone else that I feel I maybe shouldn't know. I feel doubly uncomfortable when it's me doing the talking, but sometimes my lips get ahead of my brain.
vs 20
Respect for parents is so ingrained, so basic, so fundamental to this culture. But it is also the will of God, to the point he makes it painfully clear here.
The TNIV turns this clause into a question, although I don't know if they had the idea that kids were innocent - but then, I'm too lazy to look the verse up in Hebrew and see if it has the Hebrew equivalent of a question mark. The point being, regardless of whether it's a question or a statement, that you can still have a good kid and a bad kid - so judging them by their age isn't correct.
vs 12
By that rationale, though, ears that don't hear and eyes that don't see are also made by God - both physically and metaphorically. Jesus talked about closing people's ears, as it were - even as he was opening people's eyes.
vs 13
Poor Penny :P Sleep is necessary, but it doesn't make a great pastime, because of its solitary nature, and of course the fact that, beyond giving you rest, it doesn't put food on the table, especially in a subsistence environment.
vs 14
Ahhh, the life of haggling. Everyone loves boasting about a bargain.
vs 15
That knowledge may be about how good it is to have gold and rubies, though. There's been a couple of proverbs about that, anyway. So we know that riches are better than poverty, but it seems knowledge trumps the gold. But feel free to ask someone with a philosophy PhD who works in a service station which they prefer.
Because that's not what it's about. The knowledge is not some sterile empirical "facts-based" nonsense. It's knowledge of God, it's wisdom, it's biased towards God. Real knowledge - when you know God really exists.
vs 16
I think the idea is that people who put up pledges for a stranger may not be the most trustworthy people... either that, or it's just talking about the fact that you don't know the person, so best to make sure of it by holding something in guarantee. Judah's daughter in law does this, you might recall.
vs 17
Especially when they drag you along the road face down for stealing it.
vs 18
I've just read three Sharpe books in a row (by Bernard Cornwall) which are historical fiction about some of Wellesley's victories in India, before he later became the Duke of Wellington who whipped Napolean's ass. War is hell, it's not something anyone would take lightly after seeing piles of human corpses. Not even generals would do things without advice from their engineers, military advisers, spy networks and the like. I know there's lots of stories of haughty officers who do things against advice - but most often they are doing it with the advice received in mind.
vs 19
Yep, it's true. I always feel uncomfortable when someone says something about someone else that I feel I maybe shouldn't know. I feel doubly uncomfortable when it's me doing the talking, but sometimes my lips get ahead of my brain.
vs 20
Respect for parents is so ingrained, so basic, so fundamental to this culture. But it is also the will of God, to the point he makes it painfully clear here.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Proverbs chapter 20
vs 1
It doesn't say don't drink it, it says don't let it make you stupid. If you can't do one, don't do the other.
vs 2
Not pretty, but there it is. It does almost seem to give it legitimacy - the idea that a king can kill you off for being upset with you. Two things, though. Remember firstly that the death penalty was something of a catch-all in ancient times, and for many years. Secondly, this is simply the nature of power - it's a fact, and an unjust king is going to be undone by these same proverbs as equally as any other unjust man.
vs 3
Admonitions about the foolishness of useless quarreling make it into the NT as well. Fools have fairly limited tools with which to make themselves foolish, but we keep using them to full effect.
vs 4
No work, no pay. Just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus.
vs 5
A fascinating idea. The human heart is, after all, fathomable. We are not ourselves infinite beings. But it takes some wisdom.
vs 6
I've claimed that several times in sermons - nice to know I have a verse to back it up now.
vs 7
The righteous leading blameless lives is itself a truism I feel. And the bit about children - well, I'm no parent - but I've seen a fair few people clean up their act 'for the children'. Don't know if it works, but people seem to believe that walking blamelessly is good for kids.
vs 8
I think even crappy kings know you have to do justice sometimes, because people really get riled when there is no justice at all. But good kings know the value and necessity of justice, and no doubt are also shrewd judges of character.
vs 9
You read it here first, in Proverbs. There is no-one righteous. Not a new claim.
vs 10
A kilo of flower and a kilo of gold actually weigh the same. But seriously, the point is that if you weigh the goods to make them look heavy, and the payment to make it look light, you're ripping people off. And it is ripping people off that God detests.
It doesn't say don't drink it, it says don't let it make you stupid. If you can't do one, don't do the other.
vs 2
Not pretty, but there it is. It does almost seem to give it legitimacy - the idea that a king can kill you off for being upset with you. Two things, though. Remember firstly that the death penalty was something of a catch-all in ancient times, and for many years. Secondly, this is simply the nature of power - it's a fact, and an unjust king is going to be undone by these same proverbs as equally as any other unjust man.
vs 3
Admonitions about the foolishness of useless quarreling make it into the NT as well. Fools have fairly limited tools with which to make themselves foolish, but we keep using them to full effect.
vs 4
No work, no pay. Just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus.
vs 5
A fascinating idea. The human heart is, after all, fathomable. We are not ourselves infinite beings. But it takes some wisdom.
vs 6
I've claimed that several times in sermons - nice to know I have a verse to back it up now.
vs 7
The righteous leading blameless lives is itself a truism I feel. And the bit about children - well, I'm no parent - but I've seen a fair few people clean up their act 'for the children'. Don't know if it works, but people seem to believe that walking blamelessly is good for kids.
vs 8
I think even crappy kings know you have to do justice sometimes, because people really get riled when there is no justice at all. But good kings know the value and necessity of justice, and no doubt are also shrewd judges of character.
vs 9
You read it here first, in Proverbs. There is no-one righteous. Not a new claim.
vs 10
A kilo of flower and a kilo of gold actually weigh the same. But seriously, the point is that if you weigh the goods to make them look heavy, and the payment to make it look light, you're ripping people off. And it is ripping people off that God detests.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Proverbs chapter 19
vs 21
This doesn't mean don't make plans. It just means be prepared for them to fail, not work out, go totally awry, or not be where you're supposed to be.
vs 22
Nope, don't get the transition of this one. Maybe the idea is that if you lie you're not really being loving. That could be it. Better to be poor with unfailing love, the desire of all people, than to lie and miss out, even if you get all other things.
vs 23
Content rest, and a life untouched by trouble. It's a dream come true, for me anyway. Only it hasn't come true. I doubt anyone can say that their whole life is content rest untouched by trouble. I could say that I'm looking forward to content rest, and that the troubles that touch my life are nothing in comparison to the treasures, or something like that. But that is a bit more complex.
vs 24
That's just funny.
vs 25
I think what this proverb is saying is that if you want to get through to the wise, rebuke them. If you want to get through to a fool, flog them. Nasty. But sometimes punishment is the only way to get through to someone. That doesn't even make it 100% effective, but it's better than 0%.
vs 26
You might read this and think, "Who would ever do such a thing?" Call the public trustee and ask them. Thousands of people give enduring power of attorney to their children, only to have their children steal everything they own from under them. It happens so often, it's disgusting.
vs 27
The wise can never stop learning. If you ever think you've arrived, you've strayed.
vs 28
Justice is both important and strived after by humanity. So mocking it often puts you in bad with most people. It's not quite the same as mocking the corruption or inefficiency of any given justice system.
The metaphor of the wicked gulping down evil is just lovely.
vs 29
So very often the life of the fool isn't a fabulous one. The rich, famous, untouchable fool might be famous enough to be pointed at, but the untold faceless masses of incarcerated fools speak volumes just in their existence.
This doesn't mean don't make plans. It just means be prepared for them to fail, not work out, go totally awry, or not be where you're supposed to be.
vs 22
Nope, don't get the transition of this one. Maybe the idea is that if you lie you're not really being loving. That could be it. Better to be poor with unfailing love, the desire of all people, than to lie and miss out, even if you get all other things.
vs 23
Content rest, and a life untouched by trouble. It's a dream come true, for me anyway. Only it hasn't come true. I doubt anyone can say that their whole life is content rest untouched by trouble. I could say that I'm looking forward to content rest, and that the troubles that touch my life are nothing in comparison to the treasures, or something like that. But that is a bit more complex.
vs 24
That's just funny.
vs 25
I think what this proverb is saying is that if you want to get through to the wise, rebuke them. If you want to get through to a fool, flog them. Nasty. But sometimes punishment is the only way to get through to someone. That doesn't even make it 100% effective, but it's better than 0%.
vs 26
You might read this and think, "Who would ever do such a thing?" Call the public trustee and ask them. Thousands of people give enduring power of attorney to their children, only to have their children steal everything they own from under them. It happens so often, it's disgusting.
vs 27
The wise can never stop learning. If you ever think you've arrived, you've strayed.
vs 28
Justice is both important and strived after by humanity. So mocking it often puts you in bad with most people. It's not quite the same as mocking the corruption or inefficiency of any given justice system.
The metaphor of the wicked gulping down evil is just lovely.
vs 29
So very often the life of the fool isn't a fabulous one. The rich, famous, untouchable fool might be famous enough to be pointed at, but the untold faceless masses of incarcerated fools speak volumes just in their existence.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Proverbs chapter 19
vs 11
Patience, especially in the face of something done against you - patience to the point of a gracious overlooking - is praiseworthy in God's sight. I wonder why? :P
vs 12
Remember of course that God is king, and he lives out these truths quite starkly.
vs 13
Family problems, eh? That's the picture of the classic dysfunctional family sitcom style, but and yet we wonder why it's so dysfunctional when it happens in real life homes. In case you're missing it, I'm saying yes, don't be foolish and frustrate your parents (frustrate them without being foolish) and yes, don't quarrel with your husband (although you'll still be annoying sometimes).
Men are obviously perfect, so no proverb is required about husbands. Except, you know, all of them.
vs 14
Inheriting wives from your parents would just be nasty. I can totally vouch for the fact that my wife came from God.
vs 15
It's true, even though it seems odd. Laziness does bring on sleep. It's not the most satisfying of sleeps though. And of course if you don't work, you don't eat - this biblical precept rears its head once more. And once more I point out that letting someone starve because of your right wing crazy ass-ness is also wrong.
vs 16
Think about that next time you buy something from Ikea and throw away the instructions. That piece of Ikea furniture could save your life some day.
vs 17
In other words, you'll receive back with interest. You know, there are whole books on this concept, that generosity in charity is a catalyst to wealth creation. Not that I've read any - I've never been a wealth creation kind of guy. Afraid I'll become my father, possibly.
vs 18
Indeed. Just read any transcription about a schoolyard stabbing and you'll know what this proverb means.
vs 19
Wait, what now? Let them suffer? Don't feed their inappropriate behaviour? Best of luck doing that in the world of PC bollocks.
vs 20
And in the during you'll probably still be counted among the wise, because I can tell you wisdom is not exactly flooding the market these days.
Patience, especially in the face of something done against you - patience to the point of a gracious overlooking - is praiseworthy in God's sight. I wonder why? :P
vs 12
Remember of course that God is king, and he lives out these truths quite starkly.
vs 13
Family problems, eh? That's the picture of the classic dysfunctional family sitcom style, but and yet we wonder why it's so dysfunctional when it happens in real life homes. In case you're missing it, I'm saying yes, don't be foolish and frustrate your parents (frustrate them without being foolish) and yes, don't quarrel with your husband (although you'll still be annoying sometimes).
Men are obviously perfect, so no proverb is required about husbands. Except, you know, all of them.
vs 14
Inheriting wives from your parents would just be nasty. I can totally vouch for the fact that my wife came from God.
vs 15
It's true, even though it seems odd. Laziness does bring on sleep. It's not the most satisfying of sleeps though. And of course if you don't work, you don't eat - this biblical precept rears its head once more. And once more I point out that letting someone starve because of your right wing crazy ass-ness is also wrong.
vs 16
Think about that next time you buy something from Ikea and throw away the instructions. That piece of Ikea furniture could save your life some day.
vs 17
In other words, you'll receive back with interest. You know, there are whole books on this concept, that generosity in charity is a catalyst to wealth creation. Not that I've read any - I've never been a wealth creation kind of guy. Afraid I'll become my father, possibly.
vs 18
Indeed. Just read any transcription about a schoolyard stabbing and you'll know what this proverb means.
vs 19
Wait, what now? Let them suffer? Don't feed their inappropriate behaviour? Best of luck doing that in the world of PC bollocks.
vs 20
And in the during you'll probably still be counted among the wise, because I can tell you wisdom is not exactly flooding the market these days.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Proverbs chapter 19
vs 1
Of course, not all fools are rich either. Interesting comparison, really. I suppose it shows not only the value of wisdom and righteousness over wealth and a loose tongue.
vs 2
A worthwhile observation. Fine to have desire, but knowledge is also needed, or else mistakes get made.
vs 3
Foolishness is ruinous, but we still have it. I think that's what this proverb is saying. Most people would believe in the idea that foolishness is bad, but the heart continues to defy God, almost beyond our control. I say almost - it's really beyond the pale of this one verse.
vs 4
Which sucks. One more reason why ministry is so successful amongst the poor, I guess.
vs 5
Lies usually punish themselves. Sometimes we have to do it for them. Even small lies can create a level of distrust that is quite damaging.
vs 6
Rich and powerful people have something to offer besides friendship, so it stands to reason that people seek to get close to them, rather than the poor. This isn't saying it is good, merely that it is done. The language might possibly even be a little negative. I'd say so, anyway.
vs 7
Well, if they reckon they're not sure of the meaning, they've given it a good meaning. It's going back to the idea that the poor don't have anyone to help them. Not even family will get them out of their mess, no matter how much they plead. Second sentence could be relating to family, friends, or both. Not sure.
vs 8
So wisdom makes for a prosperous and happier life. Not all happiness comes from prosperity, but even Proverbs admits that it does help.
vs 9
Times two. Lies are getting a beating this chapter.
vs 10
I wonder how many times this was used to defend the aristocratic mindset of blood over ability? Of course, that's not what the verse is saying at all - the wise over the foolish is its point! I will point out that Pharoah put a slave over his princes (Joseph) and it kicked ass.
Oh, I almost forgot - happy new year. Doesn't make much difference to Proverbs 19, though.
Of course, not all fools are rich either. Interesting comparison, really. I suppose it shows not only the value of wisdom and righteousness over wealth and a loose tongue.
vs 2
A worthwhile observation. Fine to have desire, but knowledge is also needed, or else mistakes get made.
vs 3
Foolishness is ruinous, but we still have it. I think that's what this proverb is saying. Most people would believe in the idea that foolishness is bad, but the heart continues to defy God, almost beyond our control. I say almost - it's really beyond the pale of this one verse.
vs 4
Which sucks. One more reason why ministry is so successful amongst the poor, I guess.
vs 5
Lies usually punish themselves. Sometimes we have to do it for them. Even small lies can create a level of distrust that is quite damaging.
vs 6
Rich and powerful people have something to offer besides friendship, so it stands to reason that people seek to get close to them, rather than the poor. This isn't saying it is good, merely that it is done. The language might possibly even be a little negative. I'd say so, anyway.
vs 7
Well, if they reckon they're not sure of the meaning, they've given it a good meaning. It's going back to the idea that the poor don't have anyone to help them. Not even family will get them out of their mess, no matter how much they plead. Second sentence could be relating to family, friends, or both. Not sure.
vs 8
So wisdom makes for a prosperous and happier life. Not all happiness comes from prosperity, but even Proverbs admits that it does help.
vs 9
Times two. Lies are getting a beating this chapter.
vs 10
I wonder how many times this was used to defend the aristocratic mindset of blood over ability? Of course, that's not what the verse is saying at all - the wise over the foolish is its point! I will point out that Pharoah put a slave over his princes (Joseph) and it kicked ass.
Oh, I almost forgot - happy new year. Doesn't make much difference to Proverbs 19, though.
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