anitasanecdotes

In Proverbs 19 and 20 are several proverbs about being lazy and preferring sleep to work. They encourage industriousness. There is no connection between work and poverty. As a matter of fact generosity toward the poor is strongly encouraged. It is even said that giving to the poor is like lending to the Lord, it will be repaid in full. There is a connection between gaining by deception or through quick and easy means as opposed to gaining by hard work. The lazy rely on the former and will lose their wealth, the wise will rely on the latter and will prosper.

1 Thessalonians 2 is a recollection of Paul’s ministry with the Thessalonians and his desire to be with them again.

Proverbs 17 and 18 continue similar teaching from past chapters. One point that is made over and over is that the wise will take criticism and punishment to heart rather than rejecting it; only fools will fight in protest. This is a difficult pill to swallow since receiving criticism is never pleasant. But the wise person will learn from the criticism and improve.

Psalm 91 is a psalm of encouragement to continue living in trust of the Lord. God will get you through the tough times and keep you under His wings.

Proverbs 15 and 16 contain several proverbs regarding speech. They encourage kind words, soft answers and gentle language.

Many proverbs regard the role of the Lord in our lives. They tell us that God sees all that we do. We should trust the Lord to direct our paths and bless our endeavors. God disciplines those that stray from His ways. This discipline can sometimes be harsh but it is meant to lead us away from the path we have chosen to take; a path that will only lead to our destruction.

If we commit our work to the Lord God will determine the plans.

In 1 Thessalonians 1 Paul commends the church for taking the gospel message and running with it. Despite persecution they spread the gospel and extended a warm welcome to the faith to those around them.

Proverbs 13 and 14 contains several proverbs regarding speaking the truth. They also speak about the hazards of ill-gotten wealth. Proverbs uses the word clever to define a wise person who considers the cost of commitment before taking action. This may be a different understanding of being clever than we know. The opposite of a clever person is a simple person who does not think things through.

Colossians 4 encourages us to live a life filled with prayer. It also encourages us to conduct ourselves well and be gracious when we speak.

Proverbs 11 and 12 speak against crooked dealings in business and personal life especially those that are meant to gain wealth. Eventually the crooked dealings will bear bad fruit. Forthrightness and graciousness bear good fruit.

There are also proverbs that encourage generosity. They encourage love of discipline and advice. There are several proverbs concerning lashing out and lying; both are shameful to the Lord.

Colossians 3 encourages us to pursue heavenly things, not earthly ones. Before we had Christ in our lives we pursued many earthly pleasures and ways. These lead us only to disaster. Now that we are in Christ we become like Him. We are to live our lives as Christ lived His in love, holiness, patience and compassion. We are to let Christ’s peace rule our hearts and Christ’s word live in us.

Colossians presents an abbreviated version of the household code found in Ephesians 5.

Proverbs 9 concludes the introduction to the book of Proverbs. Wisdom, again, is calling out to us. She says that the wise will accept correction and rebuke. She warns, again, about listening to foolish counsel. It leads only to pain and death.

Proverbs 10 brings a comparison between the righteous/wise and the wicked/foolish. The righteous/wise are known for saying what is right, helping others and walking in the way and fear of the Lord. The wicked/foolish are known for lying, perverse acts and trouble. The righteous will prosper with blessings from the Lord while the wicked will come to destruction.

There are also a couple of sayings regarding being diligent at work and not being lazy.

Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses. It acknowledges God’s power and righteousness. It also acknowledges humanity’s sin and the punishment we deserve. It prays that God show us His steadfast love and favor.

Proverbs 7 and 8 speak of keeping God’s commandments. Several times now Solomon has encouraged us to wear them on our foreheads, arms and fingers and to write them on the tablets of our hearts (memorize them) He knows how easy it is to forget the commandments and be lured away from wisdom like a man leaving his wife for a prostitute. Sin is alluring and seductive. It will lead us astray and leave us broken and destitute.

Wisdom calls out to us. It is more valuable that riches. It encourages us toward prudence and discretion. When we act wisely we will succeed, being both righteous and just in our actions.

God’s wisdom has been present since before the creation of the earth. Those who find wisdom find life.

 In Colossians 2 Paul states that he is with them even though they have never met. He wants to be so united with the Colossians that they may share the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. There are some who will make plausible arguments that oppose the gospel and Paul doesn’t want the Colossians to be deceived.

In our days of pluralism we need to heed Paul’s advice as well. Philosophy, human tradition and mystical practices seek to lead us astray. We have been claimed by Christ and in him we have our being. God has made us alive in His forgiveness and set us free from these legal platitudes. Paul says these laws may have the appearance of wisdom by promoting piety and  humility but they will not help us with true self-control.

Proverbs 5 contains wisdom for marriage. It counsels us to remain faithful to our spouses and not to go astray with those who might flatter us but will lead us down the wrong path. It is written to men but is applicable to men and women.

 Proverbs 6 begins with counsel to not be indebted to another person and to be industrious and productive.

It continues with seven things the Lord hates: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family. It continues then with the counsel from chapter 5, but this time regarding not committing adultery with your neighbor’s wife.

Colossians 1 opens with Paul commending this church for its faith. Paul continues on with a description of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus God reconciled all things to himself. We were once estranged from God but now we are in relationship with the Triune God. We can be secure in the hope of this promise.

Paul rejoices in his suffering for the gospel He is willing to be God’s servant even if it means struggle because Christ inspires him to do it.

In Proverbs 3 and 4 we are instructed to put our faith and trust in the Lord and the Lord will guide us on straight paths. We are encouraged not to trust our own insights because they will lead us astray. We should seek out wisdom, God’s wisdom, which has been present since the foundation of the world. When we have this wisdom, we do not have to be afraid. We can be confident that God will guide us no matter what the situation.

Using wisdom in our relationships with others will give us control over our actions. We will be trustworthy. We will not seek revenge. We will not envy those who do not follow God.

Psalm 89 appears to be connected to Psalm 88. It is the praise following the lament and the final request for assistance.  It contains a lengthy recitation of the mighty acts of God and the reason we should praise Him.

It reiterates God’s promise to keep his covenant with His children Israel to maintain David’s line forever, but acknowledges that because of their unfaithfulness God has turned away. The writer asks God to turn again and help the faithful.

Proverbs 1 and 2 introduce us to the gift of wisdom God gave Solomon. He tells us the purpose of the book in the first few chapters: “For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight,for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young—Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill,to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.” This book of proverbs promises to give everyone the tools necessary to live successfully in the world.

The first insight is that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This is similar to the teaching we received in the book of Job. A main component to fear of the Lord is staying away from the counsel of sinners. It will only lead to trouble.

Wisdom is introduced as a female character, who calls out to the innocent and encourages them to follow her instead of sinners. When they refuse Wisdom turns away and leaves them to the consequences of their foolish decisions.

Solomon encourages the reader to treasure his commandments and listen to wisdom. It should be sought like a treasure and in it one will find the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. Wisdom comes from God alone and God is the one who helps us understand righteousness, justice and equity. Wisdom will keep us from following the wrong path.

Philippians 4 contains a great deal of wisdom from Paul. He insists that we stand firm in the Lord and not be distracted by anything that would turn our minds form Christ. When we rejoice in the Lord instead of other things we are able to live our lives in a more positive manner: we can show gentleness to others; trust in God to provide; look for the good in others and in every situation and as a result we will experience peace and contentment in any circumstance.