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).
Leave a Reply