READINGS FOR MAY 14-21

MAY 14

When Solomon summoned the leaders to come together in Jerusalem, it was at the time of the festival in the seventh month.  This would be Feast of Tabernacles.  Interestingly, it just so happens that whenever something spiritually significant happens, it most always occurs during one of the festival days, either Feast of Unleavened Bread or Pentecost or Feast of Tabernacles.  It seems that whenever people honor the festival days God blesses them.  We (Phil and Patti) can personally attest to that!

When the ark of the covenant is moved to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the only things in it are the two tablets that Moses placed there. What happened to the jar of manna and Aaron’s staff?  Is there any significance to the missing manna and staff, examples of His miracles in Egypt and in the desert?  Could it be that God wanted the people to focus on the law and not on the miracles performed? 

The glory of the Lord filled the temple just as His glory filled the tabernacle earlier.  This is when He came to "tabernacle" among His people, which has happened in the past and happens whenever we become Believers in Jesus.  He "tabernacles" within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.  He will once again "tabernacle" among His people in the Millennium.  And then we will "tabernacle" with Him in the new heaven for eternity.

When reading about the oaths made by King Solomon in 2 Chronicles 6:22-39, notice all the "whens" and "thens".  The word "when" means it WILL happen.  Later on we will read about the "ifs" and the "thens".  The word "if" means it may or may not happen.  It is a choice. The "thens" are filled with blessings and consequences as the result of the choices made.

2 Chronicles 6:18
"But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

Solomon had to ask if God will really tabernacle (dwell) on earth with men. Indeed will He?

This great God of the universe can’t be contained in the highest heavens, and yet He chooses to tabernacle within our hearts....Amazing!

MAY 15

When God appeared to Solomon in a dream, He spoke some very specific prophetic announcements.  As we noticed in yesterday's reading (from 2 Chronicles 6:22-39), there are more of the "whens" and "ifs" and "thens" and "buts" in the readings for today (2 Chronicles 7:11-22).  Solomon had prayed some very specific prayers concerning the defeats, droughts, famines and plagues, battles and captivity.  He used lots of "whens" implying that all these things would happen, which they did.  God responds in like manner to Solomon telling him that droughts and plagues would take place.  But God gives His people an escape route.  All they had to do to prevent all the calamities from happening was to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.  He warned them very specifically to turn away from false gods.  This is something He had done repeatedly in the past. He warns us against false gods too.

King Solomon's wife (the daughter of Pharaoh) could not live in the palace in the City of David.  She couldn't enter into the holy places because she was not a descendant of Jacob.

Solomon had a fleet of trading ships and brought back to Solomon such things as apes and baboons.  Why apes and baboons?  A person's worth was measured by the animals he owned.  Exotic animals would be a symbol of wealth.  Solomon also began acquiring a multitude of chariots and horses.  This is the beginning of Solomon's departure from the commands of God.  Speaking of future kings, God said...

Deuteronomy 17:16-17
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, so as to multiply horses, because Jehovah has said to you, You shall return no more that way from now on. Nor shall he multiply wives to himself, so that his heart does not turn away. Nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold to himself.  

Solomon eventually did both; multiply horses and wives - not to mention the silver and gold. Solomon was given much more than just a discerning heart. He was very familiar with a multitude of scientific information. He knew lots of "stuff".  He was proficient in his knowledge of botany, zoology, and other sciences. Many believe that the Queen of Sheba took back much more than just monetary gifts from King Solomon. A few months after her return to her home she gave birth to a son.
2 Chronicles 9:12
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Notice how many daily provisions were required for Solomon and his table. 30 head of cattle among many other things. 

Psalm 72 ends today's reading very well with:
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Imagine what our earth would be like if it were filled with His glory! It begins with the Believers being filled with His glory - His Holy Spirit.

MAY 16

Oh Boy! Where to begin??? Proverbs 8 - even if you’ve read it before, we urge you to read it again! 

Wisdom – “where the paths meet, she takes her stand.”

Many paths meet; truth and falsehood, evolution and creation, moral and immoral, righteousness and foolishness, godly living and worldly living, prudence and folly, bad decisions and good decisions, etc. Wisdom is the distinguishing factor as to which path we take. Only wisdom that comes from God gives us the ability to judge which is the right path.

In Proverbs 8 is a definition of the fear of the Lord - "to fear the Lord is to hate evil."

Wisdom is the first of God’s works. It is with wisdom that everything was created.  Wisdom and Jesus go hand in hand.

Proverbs 8:22-23
"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

Proverbs 8:30-31
Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 3:19
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;

Read Proverbs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 substituting the following for wisdom.

Wisdom is "knowledge of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior (salvation, redemption)".  We could also include the Holy Spirit in our understanding of what wisdom is.

Here is our summary of those verses in Proverbs, substituting Jesus for wisdom: Jesus calls out. Jesus takes a stand. Jesus is more precious than rubies. Nothing can compare to Jesus. Jesus is the craftsman.Jesus will enter your heart. Jesus will save you from the ways of wicked men. Blessed is the man who finds Jesus. Jesus is a tree of life. By Jesus the Lord laid the earth’s foundations. Jesus calls aloud in the street.  Get Jesus. Do not forsake Jesus. Jesus is supreme. AMEN and AMEN!  (see also John 1:1-14)

Now contrast wisdom and folly using Jesus in place of wisdom and Satan in place of folly from Proverbs 9:13-18.

Satan is loud, undisciplined and without knowledge.  Satan sits at the door, at the highest point of the city, calling out to all who pass by.  Satan tries to get the simple minded to come to him, luring them with the possibility of gaining wisdom.  He makes them think that anything stolen or done in secret is to be desired. Relate these things to what is said by wisdom in Proverbs 8:32-36.  Satan tries to copy wisdom by saying the same things, but misquoting enough for it to be wrong.
Paints quite a picture doesn't it?

Proverbs 4:11
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
The Holy Spirit guides us to the ways of Jesus.

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Wow!  What a description of the life of a Believer.  Once we make that decision for Jesus, we begin our lives with the first gleam of dawn.  As we continue our life's journey, things get brighter as our understanding grows.  The closer we get to understanding God and closer to our eternal life with Him, the brighter things are until we reach our final destination in the full light of day.

MAY 17

Proverbs 22:17-18
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
The wise ones would be those who know Jesus. If only we would have words of wisdom ready to witness to everyone we meet.

Proverbs 1:5-6
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Even though we are wise (which means we have salvation through Jesus - see yesterday's blog entry) we must continue to keep seeking after our understanding and knowledge of Him. We can do this through His Word.

Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
If we live our lives in awe of the Lord, we want to obey His commands. When we obey His commands, we are living wisely. As a result we will not abuse our bodies; we will eat properly, stay away from harmful substances, and get plenty of exercise and rest. This can result in living a longer and healthier life - not to mention, our eternal life which has no end.

In Proverbs 22 Solomon reports that people have been sent to him to be taught by him.  Then they reported back to those who sent them.  And then in Proverbs 1 he reports that he teaches them moral knowledge as well.  As stated before, Solomon knew lots of "stuff".

No matter how old we are or how much we think we know, we are wiser if we listen and add to our learning and understanding. 

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
It seems as if humility is a rare commodity these days.  Self-esteem, self-worth, and an "I can do it myself" mentality is the commonplace attitude.

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge him
Another word for acknowledge would be submit.  In all your ways, submit to Him.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
How about starting each day with these words, "Lord, here's today. What would you have me do?"

Proverbs 17:24
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Substitute "salvation through Jesus" in place of "wisdom". We keep Jesus in view. We keep our eyes on the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24) We don't let our eyes wander to the left or to the right, but keep our focus on Him. (Deuteronomy 28:14)

Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Again substitute "salvation through Jesus" in place of "wisdom".

1 Corinthians 3:11
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
Jesus is the foundation. We build on that foundation. We fill the rooms with rare and beautiful treasures, as stated in the previous Proverbs verse, by what kingdom work we do for Him.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
What rare and beautiful treasures have we, as Believers, filled the rooms with lately???

Proverbs 19:2
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor be hasty and miss the way.

Having zeal for the Lord is good, but we must have knowledge of His ways, His commandments, His Word, etc.

MAY 18

Proverbs 3:1,2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

On, how very rich are these verses.  The word prosperity is the Hebrew word shalom.  It means "completeness, soundness, safeness, contentment, and tranquility" (among several other similar things). Who wouldn't want a life of contentment and tranquility?  This is so contrary to the ways of the world today.  Our world is full of just the opposite.  So how we get that tranquility?  It's all intertwined with keeping God's commands, including the fifth commandment to honor your father and mother so that your days may be long upon the earth. (Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2) He promises us a life that is full of life, freshness, and vitality.  Obeying His laws revives us.  The old hymn Revive Us Again comes to mind.

Proverbs 13:13
He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. 
This verse is closely associated with the Proverbs 3:1,2 verses and reminds us that if we do not follow God's commands we will suffer.  But if we respect His commands we will live a life full of all the promises that shalom brings.

Proverbs 17:5
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
This one puzzled us for awhile.  What does open rebuke have to do with hidden love?  How are rebuke and love connected?  We know that a person who loves us corrects us. All of us who are parents or grandparents know this.(see Proverbs 13:24)  If a person keeps quiet and never corrects us, we will never know how much that person loves us.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

What a great plan God has for us. We learn from each other. Two strong believers together get better. Can't think of a better reason to be in Bible study with fellow believers.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
That word careful is so important to this verse. This discipline should be done diligently, early, and continually - as often as necessary.  Correct early in childhood before the child becomes accustomed to sinning.  As soon as sin is committed, discipline.

Many times when we read Proverbs we come to a realization that one cannot remove politics from Proverbs.  So often we can apply the wisdom of Proverbs to our political atmosphere.

Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great elation but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. 

Silent majority???

What great promises in Proverbs 10 and 12 for the righteous! Their roots are deep. They can weather the storms of life. In addition, our salvation secures our eternal home forever.

Proverbs 10:30a
The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

Proverbs 12:3
A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

Proverbs 12:7
Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

Proverbs 12:12
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

Proverbs 10:25
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. 

 "righteous stand firm forever". The Hebrew word for stand is "amad" and means "to remain, endure, be secure". The Hebrew word for firm is "kuwn" and it means "established, unmoving, steadfast, enduring". The two words mean nearly the same thing. And then when you add the word forever to it, it's very clear that the righteous will remain and endure forever. There will always be a righteous remnant. What a great promise!

MAY 19

Proverbs 20:11
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

How much more are we as adults known by our actions?  And what example do we set before the children?

Proverbs 15:8, 21:27, and 26:23-26 go together.   The sacrifices of the wicked are detestable to the Lord.

Proverbs 15:8
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayers of the upright pleases him.
This sacrifice of the wicked may be referring to those who just "go through the motions" as an outward sign for all to see.  Prayers of the upright would be those inward communications in the spirit.  Outward sign vs inward communication.

Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable - how much more so when brought with evil intent.
This verse is an addition to Proverbs 15:8.  Those who bring sacrifices for show are detestable but when brought with evil intent might refer to a prostitution attitude (what's in it for me kind of thing) They will be exposed for this at the judgment. Another thought.  Would abortion apply here as a "sacrifice of the wicked"?  

Under the heading in the Chronological Bible entitled Duplicity are a few verses containing the word "wink".  That word has a negative connotation.  It is paired with the words maliciously and perversity.  

Proverbs 26:23-26 speaks of a malicious man, his heart being filled with seven abominations.  The word seven signifies completeness.  This man is completely full of evil and deceit. 

Proverbs 24:17-18 warns us to not gloat and rejoice when our enemies fall.  The Lord does not approve.
Luke 10:20  
Yet do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven. 

Proverbs 25:16-17 warns us not to overindulge with our eating habits and our material things, or with our relationships with others.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Often carrying a burden will weigh down a person. We have an obligation as Believers in Jesus to cheer up that person. We can do this in many ways; a kind word, a telephone call, a card in the mail, an  email message, a hug, a pat on the back, relating a favorite Bible verse, etc. Is there someone you need to cheer up today?

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
The first sin, pride, was committed by Lucifer. That led to his destruction.

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and fear of the Lord (remember fear of the Lord means to hate evil) bring wealth and honor and life (spiritually speaking).

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

What a great promise for us. If we honor God with our wealth, with the firstfruits, we will benefit from His good promises. God doesn’t want our leftovers. He wants our best. After all He gave us His best!

MAY 20

Proverbs  25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
When there are no boundaries, sin runs rampant.

Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.
Too bad Jephthah didn’t have knowledge of this proverb when he made his rash promise as recorded in the book of Judges.

Judges 11:31-32
whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands.

Judges 11:34-35
When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, "Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break."

Proverbs 5:1-6 describes the adulteress (representing false gods).  Spiritual adultery is committed by God's people when they turn to false gods.  We as Believers have a marriage relationship with Jesus.  Anything that takes the place of our worship of Him is spiritual adultery.  An adulteress entices God's people away from Him. Even Believers can be spiritual prostitutes.

Proverbs 5:7-20 warns against turning away from God by way of the adulteress.
Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
Don't even get close, lest we be tempted.
Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress?

Many times in Proverbs we read about listening and obeying a father and a mother.  God, the Father has attributes of a loving mother.  He is the perfect parent with attributes of both father and mother.

The following proverb is a great companion piece to the admonition for parents in Deuteronomy.

Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Do we take to heart these Scriptures? Do we impress them on our children? Do we bind them on our heart? Do His words guide us? Are His words so much a part of our lives that they guide us even when we sleep?

MAY 21

Wise sayings today concerning our speaking.

Proverbs 16;23
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Some consequences concerning our speaking is given in this gospel account.

Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

We must be careful, not only in what we do but also in what we say. When we squeeze out toothpaste from the tube, it is almost impossible to put it back, so are our careless words. We may be able to apologize for those careless words, but we can’t put them back in our mouth.

Proverbs 23:15,16
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
Can we even begin to grasp the significance of these verses?  God rejoices in His inner being over us when we speak the truth!

Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
Are the lips of Believers nourishing many?

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs his answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
We should think before we speak. A companion verse to this one would be Proverbs 18:13 He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame.

Proverbs 25:11
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Encouragers and the words they say to uplift us are precious.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Mark Twain.

Ponder this verse for the day. 

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

As we take to heart the words from Proverbs today, let's make an effort to think before we speak, to instruct and nourish many.