Proverbs 3
Still the instructions continue - we are 3 chapters in and remarkably short of soundbites!
Let love and understanding never leave you, bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart - says verse 3. I guess that is pretty sage advice, plus you get the benefit of favour and a good name in the sight of God and men.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Verses 5+6)
So what is this saying? - trusting in God is better than education and thinking for yourself?
I don't think this is actually what is being suggested here, I think that perhaps it is suggesting that human understanding and logic are sometimes selfish and illogical, cruel and downright wicked. One only has to look at totalitarian regimes and ideologies to see that.
Perhaps it is saying that at the end of the day there is a higher way that may suggest a different action from your original feelings?
The chapter continues with instructions not to think too much of your intellect "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil"
Careful use of resources is suggested here too "Honour the LORD with your wealth"
There is a prayer in the church of England that has the line "All things come from you and of your own do we give you" - It is humbling to think that we will be called to account for the things we have owned and thrown away as well as our treasured possessions.
The rest of the chapter is mostly a description of the benefits of wisdom -
Wisdom is more valuable than silver or rubies, nothing you can desire compares with wisdom.
God made the foundations of the earth by wisdom, and understanding set the heavens in place, by his knowledge the watery depths were divided and the clouds let drop the dew.
This is poetic language rather than a scientific treatise, but there is a deeper truth here, the earth may be a fluke of chance and happenstance and life on earth just be a mathematical coincidence caused by some, as yet unknown, interaction of complex amino acids.
It is odd that the scientific name given to orbits similar to the earth is known as "Goldilocks zone" (not too hot, not too cold, but just right)
Wisdom suggests doing the right thing here and now and living in peace with all as far as it is possible, yet still not follow the ways of wicked or evil people.
Certainly verse 27 is a good summary - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.
Hey - what do you know - we got short soundbites!
Still the instructions continue - we are 3 chapters in and remarkably short of soundbites!
Let love and understanding never leave you, bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart - says verse 3. I guess that is pretty sage advice, plus you get the benefit of favour and a good name in the sight of God and men.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Verses 5+6)
So what is this saying? - trusting in God is better than education and thinking for yourself?
I don't think this is actually what is being suggested here, I think that perhaps it is suggesting that human understanding and logic are sometimes selfish and illogical, cruel and downright wicked. One only has to look at totalitarian regimes and ideologies to see that.
Perhaps it is saying that at the end of the day there is a higher way that may suggest a different action from your original feelings?
The chapter continues with instructions not to think too much of your intellect "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil"
Careful use of resources is suggested here too "Honour the LORD with your wealth"
There is a prayer in the church of England that has the line "All things come from you and of your own do we give you" - It is humbling to think that we will be called to account for the things we have owned and thrown away as well as our treasured possessions.
The rest of the chapter is mostly a description of the benefits of wisdom -
Wisdom is more valuable than silver or rubies, nothing you can desire compares with wisdom.
God made the foundations of the earth by wisdom, and understanding set the heavens in place, by his knowledge the watery depths were divided and the clouds let drop the dew.
This is poetic language rather than a scientific treatise, but there is a deeper truth here, the earth may be a fluke of chance and happenstance and life on earth just be a mathematical coincidence caused by some, as yet unknown, interaction of complex amino acids.
It is odd that the scientific name given to orbits similar to the earth is known as "Goldilocks zone" (not too hot, not too cold, but just right)
Wisdom suggests doing the right thing here and now and living in peace with all as far as it is possible, yet still not follow the ways of wicked or evil people.
Certainly verse 27 is a good summary - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.
Hey - what do you know - we got short soundbites!
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