Proverbs 29-31
Chapter 29: A Fool Utters His Mind
“When
the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth
rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)
Anytime someone who is granted
power (i.e. through an election) and then misuses his or her power, the people
they represent will always suffer. This is why it is important to get involved in
what your government (local, state and federal) so that bad people don’t get
into power.
“A fool
uttereth his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs
29:11)
Don’t be so quick to respond or
retaliate… the world would be a much better place if that was the case.
“Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he.” (Proverbs 29:18)
You need to have a vision or a plan
or you will not succeed.
“The
fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be
safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
Don’t fear man and trust in God
alone.
Chapter 30: Every “word” of God is Pure
“Every
word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add
thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
(Proverbs 30:5-6)
We don’t need poverty or riches. We
only need the basics. Respect what you have and don’t think of yourself as
better because you have money.
“The
ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” (Proverbs
30:25)
1 ant alone is not strong; a group
of ants however can do amazing things. Strength in numbers, join a worthy
cause, make friends and build strong relationships and you too will be strong.
Chapter 31: Don’t Drink
These
are the words of King Lemuel, and these are things his mother taught him:
“It
is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes
strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of
any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and
wine unto those that be heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:4-7)
The Bible makes it clear that we
should not participate in drinking. We need to avoid alcohol so our minds can
stay sober and clear always.
Proverbs
31 finally ends with what a TRUE woman should do, and her duties as mother, and
wife:
“Who
can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her
husband doth safely trust in her… She will do him good… She seeketh wool… and
worketh willingly with her hands…She riseth also whileit is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household… She layeth out her hands to the spindle… She
stretched out her hand to the poor… She maketh fine linen, and selleth it…. Strength
and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth
her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh
well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her
children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her…”
(Proverbs 31:10-31)
Some would say that this is sexist,
and portrays a woman in her “traditional role”, maybe they would argue that it
is the 21st Century and that she needs to not be doing those things.
There is some truth to that… but I love what it says here! Is that because I am
a man? NO.
What is
said here is more than just putting the woman in her “place”, this is about
family, and the relationship of marriage. The heart of her husband must trust
her… and her husband praises her. What is so bad about that? As a mother, she
does have the genetic makeup to be the “care taker”, isn’t the woman the one
that can have children? YEP! So it makes sense that she would be there to take
care of her children, and it only makes sense that the FATHER is putting his
share in… these verses are more about equality than anything else… these tasks
are to be equally shared.
No comments:
Post a Comment