Proverbs 11-12

Proverbs 11-12

Chapter 11: We Need to Save Souls

                The works of good vs the works of evil and there respective rewards are contransted in this chapter.

                “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9)

                Those who have no knowledge or very little knowledge will easily become a hypocrite. However, the righteous will overcome the hypocrite with knowledge.

                “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (Proverbs 11:12)

                Someone who is uneducated and completely lacking any class or wisdom will hate his neighbor, but the man who is righteous, with knowledge and class will just hold it inside.

                “…he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) When it really comes down to everything in this life, the most important thing is to save your soul and the souls of those around you. Spread good will and be GOOD to everyone around you. Do as Jesus would.

Chapter 12: The Way of the Fool is Right… in his OWN EYES.

                This chapter opens up with the simple “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” (Proverbs 12:1) Essentially this is saying that those who love knowledge and instruction love criticism, because they know it will make them better. Those however who hate criticism and don’t want to be corrected are like savages and beasts.

                “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is a rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4) I think this is a great verse, first we learn that women and men should be “virtuous, which is defined as: 1. with moral integrity: having or showing moral goodness or righteousness and 2. chaste: not having sexual intercourse with anyone except a partner in marriage, especially a husband.

                So we learn that we need to be morally clean and have sex only in the bounds of marriage. If a woman is morally clean and generally a good person, a man should seek her out and desire those traits. When found, that man should hold his wife to high esteem and consider her precious and of great worth. However if a woman (or man for the ladies) comes a long and is not one of those things, then it really is like a rotten cancer that has no place in that persons life.

                In this chapter we also learn of the value of animal life; “A righteous man regardeth the life of the beast…” (Proverbs 12:10) Does that mean that we can’t kill animals? No, we most certainly can… if it is for food. In modern scriptures we read; “For behold the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment , and that he might have in abundance.” (Doctrine and Covenants  49:19) So like this Proverb states, we should regard the life of the animal and only kill when it is necessary.

                Finally this Proverbs ends nicely with a great reminder to those who like to hear their own voice… “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23) Those who claim to know it all and keep talking like they know it all will eventually (if not immediately) spew foolishness from their mouths.

Psalms 47-48

Psalms 47-48

Chapter 47: Sing with Intelligence

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

                “O CLAP your hands… shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psalms 47:1)

                I hope that no one takes offense to this post, because my thoughts are only those of trying to understand why certain people or groups praise God the way they do.

                This first verse in this Psalm clearly says to clap your hands and shout unto God. I am sure that this is where some of the Bible and Evangelical churches get the idea to have loud music and to scream while throwing their hands in the air clapping ‘praising’ Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, I am not insulting these people. I am a firm believer that everyone has freedom of religion and freedom to worship the Almighty in any way they wish. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” (Articles of Faith #11) I just don’t understand why these groups do this, and for this purpose I am bringing this Psalm to the spotlight, to break it down and understand.

                Should we rejoice and triumph in the Lord? Absolutely! But this very same Psalm tells us that we should “…sing ye praises with understanding.” (Psalms 47:7), this is where my constructive critism begins…

                I honestly do not believe that most of the praises are done with understanding. I do believe that most praises to the Lord are actually made with mis-understanding and ignorance. I am not however attacking the churches that praise God in this manner, because I do believe you can shout with joy toward the heavens, and God will listen! However, as respect for the Lord, I don’t believe shouting and screaming his name is appropriate.

                Joshua mentions that we “…shall not shout…” (Joshua 6:10) and Isaiah speaks of the screaming man in the streets; “He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.” (Isaiah 42:2) Elijah even mocked the prophets and priests that worshiped Baal, because they were also screaming to a ‘god’ without much understanding; “…Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakend.” (1 Kings 18:27)

                Elijah knew that they were worshiping a false god and that he knew they were making fools of themselves. In the very next chapter of Kings, we learn why Elijah was mocking these people. Elijah was commanded by the Lord to go upon a mountain and wait for the Lords instruction. Elijah himself was probably a little shocked that “… the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord: but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And aftet the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12)

                Elijah was waiting for the Lord to give him instruction, and he too was probably shocked that the strong winds, earthquake and fire were not actually the voice or the instruction from the Lord. Instead the instruction the Lord was going to give him was from a “still small voice”. So what does this tell us? The Lord does not make huge spectacles to answer our prayers nor will he speak with thunder from the heavens… the Lord will use his spirit to speak with a “still small voice”.

                I sincerely believe that the ‘spirit’ people feel from loud music and screaming is adrenaline. Let’s be clear, that the Lord CAN speak to us in any way He wishes. But He does not need to yell at us, and He is most definitely not deaf. He can hear us! I think that when we scream and yell we lose the reverence that the Lord demands. After all, would we scream at our earthly parents? No. So why scream at our Heavenly parents?

                When we sing and shout praises, we must make sure that we understand completely what we are saying. We must sing with intelligence, reverence and joy towards our God, and our Heavenly Father. Either way, He will listen. But I get a feeling that He enjoys a nice, calm, light hearted conversation of intellectual value. Speak with the Lord, prayer is our TWO-WAY communication with Him. We speak, He listens, He responds and WE act!

Chapter 48: God Never Changes

A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.

                “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God… Beautiful for situation, the joy of the wole earth, is mount Zion…” (Psalms 48:1-2)

                Great is the Lord and great is the city of Zion. They are the joy of the whole earth, and shall be established forever.

                We are also reminded that God never changes and is there for us always, and forever. “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalms 48:14)

                God NEVER CHANGES, He is the “…same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)