I can
remember a certain lady knowing I had purchased The Great Books, (54
volumes of the some of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in the Western
world) asked which book I would recommend for her granddaughter. She knew I was a Christian and might have anticipated my answer, so she asked specifically about my collection and which would be the best choice. The answer for me was easy: without a doubt Plato, especially the dialogs.
Had time allowed additional discussion, or maybe I should say persuasion, instead of Plato I would have recommended the
Bible hands down.
Even if you're an unbeliever there is something in it for everyone.
In particular, the Book of Proverbs gives the best possible solutions for everyday life. It is not
an exact prescription or “how to book” for every conceivable circumstance. But
nonetheless, it is salubrious in its general outline for right living, and
further study of its maxims may lead to something greater.
The introduction
of Proverbs simply states it purpose:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to
understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise
dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge
and discretion to the youth— [1]
(ESV)
My devotions
this morning brought me to Proverbs 24. I had to pause midway to thank God for the perfection of His word. Even in translation the
wisdom and majesty of it is awe inspiring. Below is just a sample.
Proverbs
24:1–34 (NASB95)
1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor
desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence, And
their lips talk of trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built, And by
understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are
filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, And a man of
knowledge increases power.
6 For by wise guidance you will wage
war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He
does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plans to do evil, Men will
call a schemer.
9 The devising of folly is sin, And
the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you are slack in the day of
distress, Your strength is limited.
11 Deliver those who are being taken
away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
12 If you say, “See, we did not know
this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it
who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that wisdom is thus for your
soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be
cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man,
against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous man falls seven
times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy
falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away
from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or
be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no future for the
evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with
those who are given to change,
22 For their calamity will rise
suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To
show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are
righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
25 But to those who rebuke the wicked
will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right
answer.
27 Prepare your work outside And make
it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your
neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him
as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
30 I passed by the field of the
sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
31 And behold, it was completely
overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone
wall was broken down.
32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I
looked, and received instruction.
33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, A
little folding of the hands to rest,”
34 Then your poverty will come as a
robber And your want like an armed man.
[1] The
Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Pr 1:2–4). Wheaton: Standard
Bible Society.
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