Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 25-27

Today’s reading beings with an interesting fact. Proverbs 25:1 notes that the proverbs that follow are Solomon’s, but were copied by the men of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah’s reign began more than 200 years after Solomon’s ended. Thus, we see the book of Proverbs was completed much later than the reign of Solomon. Jesus made reference to Solomon’s wisdom (Matt 12:42), and there are numerous New Testament citations and parallels from Proverbs 25-27. Some will be easily recognized while others are a bit more obscure. When you have time (after you do your reading today!), compare these proverbs with their New Testament counterparts: Proverbs 26:6-7 = Luke 14:8-11; Proverbs 25:21-22 = Romans 12:20; Proverbs 26:11 = 2 Peter 2:22; Proverbs 27:1 = James 4:13-16; Proverbs 27:19 = Matthew 15:18-20; Proverbs 27:24 = Luke 12:16-20.

New Testament reading: 2 Corinthians 6-10

2 Corinthians 7:10-11 clarifies what constitutes genuine repentance and reminds us that godly sorrow and genuine repentance are never to be regretted. Consider the vast difference between repentance and sorrow for sin, labeled here as “the sorrow of the world.” The sorrow of the world can be the shame of getting caught and having one’s name and crime exposed on TV or in print. Similarly, it might be sorrow associated with the punishment for one’s unrighteous deeds. These might include the payment of a fine, being sent to jail, or suffering physical retribution for one’s misdeeds. None of these things are associated with changing the way one thinks about the act committed. On the other hand, godly sorrow produces repentance, that is, a change in the way one views his deeds. Repentance recognizes that one’s actions are an affront to the God of heaven, and with this recognition earnestly desires the ability to go back and “undo” what has been done. Repentance says, “I wish I had never done that; I am sorry I did, and I will do my best to repair whatever damage I have done.” In this context, the Corinthian church repented of their toleration of sin as recorded in 1 Corinthians 5, and Paul commends them for their diligence and zeal to be cleared in the matter. Repentance is never to be regretted because it leads to everlasting life.

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 22-24

“Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Many godly, faithful parents have been beat up with this text, or tortured their own souls with it when their child has gone astray. As we said from the outset of this book (Day 236), proverbs are truisms, rules of thumb, sayings that generally bear themselves out to be accurate. They are not hard and fast rules. By way of reminder, God was the first father, and his first two children (Adam and Eve) went astray (Gen 3). There’s not a shred of biblical evidence that they ever lived faithfully before God after they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Not one positive word is associated with Adam or Eve throughout the remainder of the biblical text. Now we ask the questions… Was this God’s fault? Did God go wrong with His children? Certainly not! This is the result of man exercising his free moral agency, which freedom he still has today. We can only do so much in raising our children. When they leave home, they are responsible for making their own decisions.

New Testament reading: 2 Corinthians 1-5

Will we be obedient in all things? 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 hearkens back to 1 Corinthians 5 and the withdrawal of fellowship (some might call it excommunication) from the brother who was caught up in a vile situation of fornication. After being put out of fellowship, he repented of his sin and desired to be restored. However, the church wasn’t sure what to do with him. Paul encourages the brethren to forgive their brother and confirm their love for him. All discipline, whether it be in the home or in the church, should be motivated by love and with the best intentions for the one entangled in error. Paul warned the church that unforgiveness was a device of the devil. Jesus spoke to this same truth in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:14-15. When I fail or refuse to forgive, I forfeit the forgiveness of God for my own sins and transgressions. The practice of church discipline has never been more needed than it is today! We are in a great battle with the Devil, and we cannot afford to lose a single soldier! Our diminishing army can be in large part contributed to our failure to be obedient in all things.

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 19-21

“Never be ashamed of honest work.” These are the words I gave to one of my son’s friends who was waiting on us at a local fast food restaurant. He appeared a bit sheepish as he took our orders. So, when the other boys were seated, I encouraged him to take pride in his labor. Proverbs is filled with encouraging words concerning hard and honest work. At the same time there are many curses and disparaging words for the lazy. There is at least one in each chapter of today’s reading: “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” (19:15, cf v 24); “The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing” (20:4); “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor” (21:25).

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16

If 1 Corinthians 13 is “The Great Love Chapter,” then 1 Corinthians 15 is “The Great Resurrection Chapter.” Beginning with the gospel, emphasis is given to the proofs of the Lord’s resurrection. Noting the inconsistency of obeying and serving the Lord if there be no resurrection from the dead, Paul appeals to Jesus’ resurrection as proof of our own. But when will this resurrection take place? There are two passages in this chapter that tell us when this will be, not in the sense of a specific date and time, but in relationship to an unavoidable event, namely, the second coming of Jesus. In verses 22-24 there are two events that must be understood as taking place at the same time: 1) the resurrection of all those in Christ and are Christ’s at His coming; 2) the end of the world when Christ delivers the kingdom to God. Another is found in verses 51-55. Amazingly, this text is often cited in defense of the fictional and false doctrine commonly known as “the rapture,” i.e., a secret disappearance of all the saved before the coming of the (also fictional) anti-Christ. But look closely at the text. Yes, we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, but when does it say this change will take place? At the last trumpet! Moreover, when this trumpet sounds, death will be no more. Let the text teach what it teaches.

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 16-18

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes” (Proverbs 16:2). One can find any excuse for his actions or to do as he pleases: “He deserved it;” “I’m having a bad day;” “I deserve this.” We may deceive and excuse ourselves, “but the Lord weighs the spirits.” This means the Lord knows the heart, and He alone is the judge of a man’s thoughts and intents (cf Heb 4:12). Similarly, Proverbs 16:25 repeats a warning found in Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” This warning is of greater consequence than that of 16:2. Here, the possibility exists for a man to have pure or proper motives, but still be lost in the end. Proverbs 16:25 is noteworthy in matters of religious faith and practice. Innumerable multitudes practice their faith with a pure conscience and full confidence that the Lord accepts their service, worship and prayers. Tragically, one’s conscience is not the measuring stick of correct doctrine or practice. That measurement belongs to God alone and has been provided for all in the Bible, and the New Testament in particular. “Behold I thought” is not the equal of “Behold I ought.”

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 12-14

1 Corinthians 13. Love is unequaled and unparalleled. No virtue escapes her influence or shadow – “through love serve one another” (Gal 5:13). No service to God is acceptable apart from love – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). 1 Corinthians 13 is called “the great love chapter.” Personally, I think there are others more suited for this moniker (e.g. 1 John 4), but certainly there is much to learn about love from this great text. In verses 1-3 we see the value of love. Without love, spiritual gifts and benevolence are without profit to the practitioner.  In verses 4-7 we see the virtues of love, both in what love does (e.g. “suffers long” v 4) and what it does not do (rejoice in iniquity). We see that love prompts us to do some things while refraining from others. Finally, we see the victory of love – “Love never fails.” If there was ever a recipe for victory, love would be the key ingredient. Through love we can overcome all things – peer pressure, persecution, earthly passions, and the like.

Old Testament reading: Proverbs 13-15

Today’s reading begins with the virtues of true wealth (13:2-11), a subject to which we all should give greater heed and thought. I love verse 7; “There is a man who makes himself rich, yet he has nothing, and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” How many times must we hear or read of some incredibly wealthy person who has determined that life is not worth living before we actually begin to understand? The pages of history are littered with the tragic endings of those who having everything this world has to offer, yet lose their lives to alcohol or drugs or take their own lives. “How could they do that?” we wonder. The answer is, they have everything this world has to offer, and have nothing of what our God has to offer, namely, genuine joy with peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:4-7). Our wonderment over such things is testimony to our own lack of understanding and appreciation for what makes a man truly rich. We would do well to remember the rich man of Luke 16 who appeared to have it all, but in reality he had nothing.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 8-11

“Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” This is Paul’s conclusion in 1 Corinthians 9:14. But upon what basis did Paul arrive at this conclusion? From 1 Corinthians 9:9 we see how Paul goes all the way back to the Deuteronomy 25:4 concerning the care of common farm beasts: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Paul then asks a rhetorical question, “Is it oxen God is concerned about?” Answering himself he says, “Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt.” Paul then goes on to draw the parallel with the work of the priests who received their wages from those whom they served, whether it be in meat from the altar or in grain offerings.  But this still doesn’t specifically address how the Lord commanded it of the church. Perhaps the answer lies in the Limited Commission in Matthew 10:10, wherein Jesus said, “a worker is worthy of his food” and by implication in verse 11, his housing needs as well. Galatians 6:6 commands, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 10-12

“I used to get in trouble for saying that!” Aside from the obvious words that were forbidden in our home (even by my unbelieving father), “stupid” was among the words we weren’t allowed to use. Yet, in Proverbs 12:1 we find that “he who hates correction is stupid.” I wish I would’ve known about that verse when I was young – but it’s probably good that I didn’t since being a smart alec wasn’t acceptable either! Obviously, a little study and context is necessary here.  The word in this context means “fit to burn.” It has reference to a stick that is completely dry and lifeless, good for nothing but to be placed in the fire.  The word most akin to it in the Hebrew language means to be as a beast, without knowledge or understanding. We can tame and train animals to do certain tasks, but we cannot get them to understand the importance of what they are doing. So also is a man who hates correction. He lacks the understanding to know that his foolish ways are leading him down the path of destruction.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 3-7

“Jesus never said anything about homosexuality.” This is a common argument made by those who seek legitimacy for this perverse lifestyle. While it may be true that Jesus never uttered words specifically regarding this particular sin, He did certainly speak to what God established and recognizes as a legitimate marital union. When Jesus identified what constituted marriage in Matthew 19:4-6, He also excluded all other unions. By way of example, God was silent concerning Judah serving in the priesthood, but His silence did not permit them to serve in that role (Heb 7:14). In specifying Levi, God excluded of all other tribes. Moreover, the apostles also spoke with the authority of Christ (1 Cor 14:37). I never hear 1 Corinthians 7:2 used in the context of homosexuality, but the express implications of the passage speak not only to homosexuality, but to all other sexual sins.  The statement is simple, “Because of (“to avoid” – KJV) sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” What is the necessary implication of this text? Namely, that all sexual relationships outside of a husband (male) and wife (female) constitute sexual immorality.

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 7-9

Wisdom is calling; will anyone answer? Proverbs 8-9 extol the value of wisdom.  Solomon informs his son that wisdom is not hiding herself from men. Rather, wisdom cries out from the hilltops and at the crossroads (8:2). Calling from the hilltops, wisdom announces her presence to all who will hear.  At the crossroads, wisdom is waiting to join all who pass through the busy intersection. She sits in the gate of the city (as with the elders and respected men – cf Gen 19:1), crying out to all who enter therein (8:3).  What follows through the end of chapter 9 are paragraphs detailing: the prosperity of wisdom (8:12-21); the divinity of wisdom (8:22-31), the promises of wisdom (8:32-36, 9:10-12); the path of wisdom (9:1-6). While we understand that wisdom must be pursued and practiced, we should not be deceived so as to think she is beyond the immediate grasp of any one us.

New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 1-2

Could Paul be hired to be the preacher for the congregation where I attend? I think if most of us were honest, we’d have to answer in the negative. Aside from Paul’s direct (1 Cor 1:11-16) and sometimes personal (cf Phil 4:2) remarks, (remarks that would get many preachers fired today), 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 reminds us that Paul was not the polished orator we desire in our “front man.” By his own admission, he validated the accusations of his detractors as being weak in bodily presence and contemptible in his speech (2 Cor 10:10). Thus, he was neither flashy nor eloquent. The minds of many brethren today would be made up before Paul ever made it to the microphone to speak: “We don’t want someone like this representing us to the community.” Our desire, yea our demand, should be that every man who mounts the pulpit in our assemblies should “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet 4:11). May we ever give thanks to those men who hold up the word of God as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Let us hold up the hands of those who stand behind the cross and plead as a dying man speaking to dying men.

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 4-6

As we continue through this book we find many familiar texts and axioms (e.g. 4:23). In addition to the numerous warnings to watch one’s associations, there are repeated and lengthy admonitions concerning immoral women and adultery and the total ruin associated with the same. The son of a king would make a ready target for a harlot or adulterous woman. I cannot help but wonder if Solomon’s advice and admonition in this respect arose from his own personal experience with wicked women. 1 Kings 11:1-4 reveal Solomon’s pursuit of ungodly women which led to God’s rejection of the king’s posterity on the throne (1 Kings 11:11). We should be reminded that there is much wisdom to be gleaned from the experience of others, both in their successes and failures. This wisdom should not be minimized or rejected. Those of us who are privileged to be parents should do our best to share our education received from the University of Life.

New Testament reading: Romans 15-16

Christ is our pattern. As chapter 14 encourages us to forbear with one another, chapter 15 holds up Christ as the perfect example in so doing. As so many seek to please themselves or hold up personal preferences as matters of faith, Jesus is held up as the epitome of forbearance.  In the statement, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me” (v 3), we are reminded that not only did Jesus suffer the insults and vile attacks of the unbelieving, but He also bear the penalty for those same sins. How dare we fail to seek the good of our own brethren when Jesus voluntarily suffered such disgraceful treatment from those in the world? So then, we are commanded to “Receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God” (15:7).

Old Testament reading:  Proverbs 1-3

Proverbs is a book of wisdom. To the Hebrew mind, wisdom was the ability to live with discernment, understanding, and even a degree of wit.  The book was written by a father to his son (1:8). Solomon wrote more than 3000 proverbs (1 Kgs 4:32), but fewer than 1000 appear in the book. As it is a mistake to attribute all the Psalms to David, it is also a mistake to attribute all the Proverbs to Solomon (cf Pro 31:1). Of particular note is the very first proverb given to the son, namely, take heed to watch your associations (1:10-19). This admonition is as valid today as it was 3000 years ago. Paul repeated this principle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15:33), and even Moses made a similar reference in Exodus 23:2. Within the King’s words in this text are these sober words of warning regarding evil doers, “But they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives” (v 18). Those who practice evil shall eventually fall prey to their own wicked devices. Finally, as we make our way through this marvelous book, let us understand that Proverbs are truisms, not hard and fast rules. Truism are sayings that bear themselves out to be true in most cases. People have misused these texts to browbeat good an honest folks for various perceived moral or parental failures.

New Testament reading: Romans 13-14

In our increasingly polarized society, we should heed Paul’s words in Romans 14. Keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace does not include continually searching for places to draw lines of fellowship. The lines of fellowship are not drawn in the sand according to man’s whims. Rather, they are irrevocably and permanently drawn by the hand of God in the pages of holy writ. Instead of looking for people to exclude, let us give all diligence to find room for those who do not agree with us on every matter of opinion or expediency. We should live and work in such a way so as to draw people to us instead of being proud of our heritage of undue exclusivity. In some senses, Jesus could be considered the ultimate exclusionist (John 14:6, Matt 10:37-38), but that doesn’t mean He wanted people to be excluded or was looking for some petty reason to exclude. Jesus gave His life to draw all men to Himself (John 12:32).

Old Testament reading:  Psalm 147-150

The inspired book of songs closes with a series of great songs of praise unto the God of heaven. The words to the song “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah!” are taken from the 148^th Psalm. God is most certainly worthy of all praise, honor and glory. I was struck in today’s reading by a statement of His greatness seen in Psalm 147:4, “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” For thousands of years, men thought there weren’t more than 1000 or so stars. Yet, as far back as the days of Moses, the Bible said the stars could not be counted for multitude, as the sands upon the seashore (Gen 15:5; Heb 11:12). Scientists now believe there are 100 billion galaxies in our universe, and our own galaxy (Milky Way) contains around 300 billion stars. So that would be 100 billion multiplied by 300 billion, which is a 3 followed by 22 zeroes! And what does the Psalmist say of the stars? God calls them every one by name! Every word of every known language, living and dead, are not remotely sufficient to name every star. We serve a great God!!!

New Testament reading: Romans 10-12

The gospel was preached to the whole world in the days of the apostles.  In Romans 10:14-18, Paul declared the Great Commission was fulfilled within 30 years of the death of Jesus and the establishment of the church (Luke 24:45-53; Acts 1-2). All this without the aid of mass communication: radio, TV, the Internet, print, etc. How was it done? By Christians going everywhere throughout the world preaching the word (Acts 8:4). We have not begun to commence to start preaching the gospel to the whole world, even though we have massive and multiplied communicative advantages over the earliest brethren. We must not deceive ourselves into thinking we shall not be held accountable for our failure in this regard.