In today’s section, we read from Proverbs 7:1 to 20:21
Some thoughts that struck me today:
The style changes after chapter 9 from allegorical and metaphorical poetry to pithy aphorisms. Chapter 10 also are subtitled “The Proverbs of Solomon”. This makes me ask who wrote ch 1-9?
From ch7-9, one theme was that wisdom is not hard to find if we look, but we choose instead to go our own way. 8:9 - My words are plain to anyone with understanding, / clear to those with knowledge.” 8:17 “I love all who love me. / Those who search will surely find me.” Another theme is the benefits of wisdom, but they are only found after long and consistent application – 8:34-35 “Joyful are those who listen to me, / watching for me daily at my gates, / waiting for me outside my home! / For whoever finds me finds life / and receives favour from the Lord.” Also 11:27 “If you search for good, you will find favour.”
There are a number of main themes through the readings, which I’ll comment on below.
Welcome correction, as it is for your own good – 9:9; 10:10,17; 12:1; 13:1,13,18,24; 15:5,10,12,31,32; 16:20,22; 17:10,16; 18:15; 19:8,18,20,25,27
Better to follow and trust in God than to have all that the world can offer – 10:2,25,29; 11:4,19,28; 12:9; 13:20; 15:16,17; 16:8,16,19; 17:1; 19:1,22
The moral shortcomings of being lazy - 10:4,5,26; 12:11,14,24,27; 13:4; 14:23; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15,24; 20:4,13
Watch your tongue – 10:6,8,14,18,19,31,32; 11:9,11,12,13; 12:18,19,22,23; 13:3,5,16; 14:3,5,7,9,21,25; 15:1,2,4,23,28; 16:27,28; 17:4,5,7,9,14,19,20,28; 18:2,6,8,13,19,21; 19:9; 20:6,14,19,20
The words of the godly – 10:11,13,21,31,32; 11:9; 12:6; 12:18,19,22,25,26; 13:2,3,14; 14:5,25; 15:1,2,7,23; 16:13,21,23,24; 17:9,27; 18:4,20; 20:15
I was struck that when God gives us a blessing, there is no sorrow with is (10:22,24,28; 11:18), whereas when we acquire things for ourselves, seemingly by our own efforts, there are problems, and we cannot enjoy our ill-gotten gains (10:24; 13:11; 18:11; 20:17,21).
Love justice and do not be deceitful, because this is the character of God – 11:1,3,5; 12:2,17; 14:31; 15:8,9,25,26; 16:5,11; 17:5,15,23,26; 18:5; 19:5,28; 20:10
Knowledge of God leads to humility, with humility comes wisdom (cf Nu 12:3 “Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth”) – 11:2; 15:33; 16:8; 18:12
Be generous – 11:24,25,26; 14:21; 18:16; 19:17
Control your temper and do not be hot-headed – 12:16; 14:17,29; 15:18; 16:32; 17:27; 19:11,19
A couple of beautiful images:
A fountain of life – 10:11; 13:14; 14:27; 16:22
A tree of life – 11:30; 13:12; 15:4
God hears our prayers and has our future in his hands – 15:29; 16:1,3,4,9,33; 19:14,21,23
16:6 “Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.”
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