Tag: instruction

Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 14:1-9)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Words of Wisdom, by Aengus Boyle

A wise woman builds her house,
    while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
Those who walk with integrity fear the Lord,
    but those who take a crooked path despise him.
Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.
When there are no oxen, the stall is clean,
    but when there is a strong bull, there is abundant produce.
A truthful witness doesn’t lie,
    but a false witness spews lies.
A mocker searches for wisdom and gets none,
    but knowledge comes quickly to the intelligent.
Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t learn wise speech there.
By their wisdom the prudent understand their way,
    but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
Fools mock a compensation offering,
    but favor is with those who do right. (Common English Bible)

In My Own Colloquial Words

Here is today’s Proverbs lesson in my own words:

A woman who knows what she’s doing carefully crafts a well-ordered and hospitable household; but it only takes one or two foolish decisions to bring the whole enterprise down.

Those who value and practice honesty in everything, do so with the clear understanding that God is always watching, and they want to honor the Lord with every word and action. But those who will do anything to get ahead or get by, don’t care one wit about God.

Whenever a fool talks, it sounds like he has a mouthful of rocks. But a wise person knows better than to try and talk a lot.

If there’s no manure in the barn, there’s no money in the bank. But if you’ve got to keep mucking out the barn, you can be sure there will be plenty of money to live on.

Put an honest and truthful person on the stand, and its honesty and truth you will hear. But put a liar anywhere, and all you’re going to get is a bunch of words you can’t trust.

The guy with the critical and judgmental mouth wouldn’t see wisdom even if it slapped him in the face. But the person who observes and listens takes to wise understanding like a fish to water.

Make it a point to always steer clear of a jabbering fool, because you won’t be able to learn one darned thing from him.

If you take a look at a wise person, you’ll see that they have thought through a good plan and are sticking to it like glue. But if you take even a glance at a darned fool, you can immediately see that they’re only spit-balling through life and have no idea what they’re doing.

You can always tell a stupid person by the way they talk about forgiveness, reconciliation, and restitution as things they would never do. But the person who lives right always finds a way to make things right with others, including God.

In Your Own Practical Words

Use your own favorite version of the Bible and go ahead and write out today’s nine verses in your own words. Don’t think too hard on it, or try and make it just so. And, by the way, it’s not sacrilegious to do that.

A proverb is a short pithy statement of experiential truth. It isn’t an ironclad promise or a decree from God. The wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs are meant to communicate that, all things being equal, there are particular consequences which typically result from certain decisions and actions.

It’s a body of wisdom that is universal, and designed to be instructive in how to go about living your life with some success and happiness to it.

So, it only makes sense to me that we would want to think about each proverb and what it’s communicating by putting it into the sort of language which speaks to us.

In Christ’s Own Words

It can be argued that living wisely is the entire point of all Holy Scripture. After all, in the New Testament Gospels, Jesus appears to have continually talked about, and acted in, wisdom. Here is just one example of Christ talking to the religious leaders of his day:

If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words.

A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard.

Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning.

Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:33-37, MSG)

In Prayer’s Own Words

Almighty God, I humbly ask that You grant me wisdom to make sound choices and decisions. Open my eyes to see Your truth clearly. Give me spiritual discernment to distinguish right from wrong.

Help me not rely solely on my own limited understanding, but trust in Your infinite wisdom to guide my steps. Grant me a heart eager to gain wisdom from Your Word and wise counselors.

Let Your wisdom shape my thoughts, words, and actions each day. Amen.

Lady Wisdom Is Speaking (Proverbs 8:1-31)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Lady Wisdom, by Mikayla Ragsdale

Doesn’t Wisdom cry out
    and Understanding shout?
Atop the heights along the path,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand.
By the gate before the city,
    at the entrances she shouts:

I cry out to you, people;
    my voice goes out to all of humanity.
Understand skill, you who are naive.
    Take this to heart, you fools.
Listen, for I speak things that are correct;
    from my lips comes what is right.
My mouth utters the truth;
    my lips despise wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    nothing in them is twisted or crooked.
All of them are straightforward to those who understand,
    and upright for the knowledgeable.
Take my instruction rather than silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold.
Wisdom is better than pearls;
    nothing is more delightful than she.

I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence;
    I have found knowledge and discretion.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and arrogance,
        the path of evil and corrupt speech.
I have advice and ability,
    as well as understanding and strength.
By me kings rule,
    and princes issue righteous decrees.
By me rulers govern,
    and officials judge righteously.
I love those who love me;
    those who seek me will find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
    as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
    my crops are better than choice silver.
I walk on the way of righteousness,
    on the paths of justice,
    to provide for those who love me
        and to fill up their treasuries.

The Lord created me at the beginning of his way,
    before his deeds long in the past.
I was formed in ancient times,
    at the beginning, before the earth was.
When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs flowing with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
    before the hills, I was brought forth;
    before God made the earth and the fields
    or the first of the dry land.
I was there when he established the heavens,
    when he marked out the horizon on the deep sea,
    when he thickened the clouds above,
    when he secured the fountains of the deep,
    when he set a limit for the sea,
        so the water couldn’t go beyond his command,
    when he marked out the earth’s foundations.
I was beside him as a master of crafts.
    I was having fun,
    smiling before him all the time,
    frolicking with his inhabited earth
    and delighting in the human race. (Common English Bible)

Statue of Sophia (Wisdom), Sofia, Bulgaria

Wisdom is available. Wisdom is speaking to us. Wisdom lives with prudence. Wisdom enjoys God. And wisdom is personified as a woman (think about that before you have a round table discussion with all men).

To seek, cultivate, and teach wisdom is a worthy pursuit, in and of itself. The benefits of wisdom are great and profound, better than any earthly material thing, like silver or gold.

Actually, wisdom is quite an abstract ideal to pursue, which is likely why it helps to have it presented as a beautiful woman.

Proverbs are wise sayings; they are short pithy statements of experiential truth. This means that wisdom is less universal than it is situational. In other words, the Book of Proverbs is not a textbook or a manual on wisdom; it is rather something to be familiar with when we are facing difficult situations and thorny problems.

If there is a constant universal to all of the wisdom, it is to acknowledge and respect the presence of God in the world. All things change, except God. The Lord is the ever-present Being who is consistently right, just, and good all the time.

This may be why wisdom seems elusive. We can get to know God better and better for an eternity, and yet never exhaust getting to know God completely or fully.

Wisdom is like that. It’s too big, too variegated. There is no such thing as “Wisdom For Dummies,” that is distilled into a neatly bound book.

Truly, wisdom is rather slippery. It is not something to be mastered, but a grand sage presence to be mastered by. We must let Lady Wisdom have her way in our lives.

Lady Wisdom is in opposition to the temptress, the foolish one, who lures people into evil, and young men into the trap of misconduct that will alter their lives forever.

Just because Lady Wisdom has been around a long time – as old as the world – her beauty only increases over time; and her compelling message winsome.

The wise Lady still maintains a childlike wonder amongst God’s creative work. She revels in this world of delight and discovery. It’s fun to be alongside God and enjoy such a large and expansive playground of wonder.

Joy and levity are just as much at the heart of wisdom as brevity and seriousness. If Lady Wisdom can delight in the humans God has created, then we have much to learn from her in discovering how to frolic and play with our fellow creatures in good and wholesome ways.

The metaphorical image of wisdom as a beautiful woman who beckons us, is in competition with other voices that tempt us with quick and tidy happiness. Those other voices, however, never get around to mentioning the cost of their so-called solutions.

To court with foolishness is to make the devil’s bargain. It will only result in regret.

The best and straightest road to wisdom is by loving God and honoring God’s instructions. We get some help in this worthy endeavor through the wise sayings of Proverbs, and by means of Lady Wisdom’s sound advice.

We are called to keep up a pursuit of wisdom throughout the duration of our earthly lives – which means there is a lot of mystery to Lady Wisdom yet to discover; and there is much more to know about her.

Blessed God, help me to pay attention to your good friend, Lady Wisdom, so that in all my words and ways I may live into mercy, purity, and peace; and so, glorify You and enjoy this life you have given me. Amen.

Keep Hold of Wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-27)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

Hear, my child, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.
My child, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward
    and your gaze be straight before you.
Keep straight the path of your feet,
    and all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil. (New Revised Standard Version)

Life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Only those who persevere, and have patience over the course of their lives, will know what wisdom is, and how to live a good life.

We never get to a point in life in which we can simply rest on our laurels and slide effortlessly into end of life, and beyond to eternal life. The wisdom of endurance and humility is needed all the time, because decision-making is continually required.

The Book of Proverbs brings up some constant themes for us to keep in mind with our choices in life: There is always a choice of contrasting ways between wisdom and foolishness. That choice typically involves either a quick solution, or waiting for a good outcome.

In some ways, wisdom is the teacher who keeps giving us remedial instruction. The sage advice of the biblical proverbs continues to remind us of the connection between righteousness, justice, and the good life. Over and over we are instructed to remember the consequences to foolish decisions.

Four times in today’s lesson is the repeated exhortation to “keep:” keep hold of instruction; keep it close to your heart; keep your heart; and keep straight the path of your feet. This has the idea of valuing and treasuring the wise sayings given. To have a hold of the heart is to have hold of the life. For we do what we love.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:20-21, NIV)

The orientation of one’s heart happens from the bottom up, through the formation of habits of desire. Learning to love God takes practice. Walking in the way of wisdom takes time.

The best way to avoid the path of evil, and not throw in your lot with the wicked, is to love righteousness, goodness, and justice. Our love for what is right, good, and just shall win out in the competing voices around us and within us. Peer pressure is no pressure at all, whenever our love is oriented toward wisdom.

You will see evil for the sheer foolishness it is, and will steer clear of it, at all costs. Love brings meaning and connection to life. Love, in the path of wisdom, clarifies one’s own spiritual sense, that there is a moral order to this universe; such a person is determined to not violate that good order.

To reach anyone, the heart must be moved to right thinking and right action. Fear of punishment is a poor means of swaying any person. A parent who threatens a child is being foolish. But a parent who gives wise instruction, along with why it’s important, with a heavy dose of love, is building a relationship which will strengthen the child’s resolve to live justly.

Rules without relationship leads to rebellion. However, the time and attention given to a loving relationship with a child helps them understand the rules, so that they have no intention of stoking a rebellious spirit.

When parents, teachers, faith leaders, mentors, and even corporate bosses aptly communicate a real love and concern, with humility and gentleness, then they are learning the way of wisdom. And this sort of leadership is needed medicine to a sick soul. It makes life good; and work, family, and church a blessing, not a burden.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, NRSV)

The wise person guards their heart and protects it as the precious possession that it is. They keep to a right and good path of life. Wisdom is their food and drink, their eyes and ears, their thoughts and intentions.

Wise persons refuse to let bitterness and grudge-bearing enter their hearts. Instead, they pay attention to what wisdom teaches them:

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12, NLT

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1, NIV)

In a sense, we are all curators of our own hearts. That is, we decide what goes into it, and what goes out. We choose what others will experience of us, and what they won’t. Through curating our hearts, we display what is truly valuable and important to us.

It’s up to you and me to decide whether we will keep on the sure, yet narrow, road of wisdom. Or whether we will take an exit onto another road that leads to the graveyard of souls.

Choose wisely, my friends. Choose wisely.

All-wise and good God: I will trust You for generous wisdom straight paths, and a peaceful heart. I praise you for being a great decision-making God. For it is Your right choices which make all the difference. And I will trust You to order my steps according to the way of justice and righteousness. Amen.

Pass Along Values (1 Kings 2:1-11)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
David’s Dying Charge to Solomon, by Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680)

David’s time was coming to an end. So he commanded Solomon his son, “I’m following the path that the whole earth takes. Be strong and be a man. Guard what is owed to the Lord your God, walking in his ways and observing his laws, his commands, his judgments, and his testimonies, just as it is written in the Instruction from Moses.

“In this way you will succeed in whatever you do and wherever you go. So also the Lord will confirm the word he spoke to me: ‘If your children will take care to walk before me faithfully, with all their heart and all their being, then one of your own children will never fail to be on the throne of Israel.’ 

“You should know what Joab, Zeruiah’s son, has done to me and what he did to the two generals of Israel, Abner, Ner’s son, and Amasa, Jether’s son. He murdered them, spilling blood at peacetime and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. So act wisely: Don’t allow him to die a peaceful death. 

“As for Barzillai’s sons from Gilead, show them kindness. Let them eat with you. When I was running away from your brother Absalom, they came to me. 

“Now as for this Shimei, Gera’s son—a Benjaminite from Bahurim—who is with you, he cursed me viciously when I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, ‘Surely I won’t execute you with the sword.’ But you don’t need to excuse him. You are wise and know what to do to him. Give him a violent death.”

Then David lay down with his ancestors and was buried in David’s City. He ruled over Israel forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. (Common English Bible)

David

On David’s deathbed, he ensured that his son Solomon would be king. And David had some pragmatic advice to pass along, before he himself passed away.

Along with an encouragement to remain faithful to God’s covenant stipulations, David communicated some personal scores to Solomon that needed to be settled. Old general Joab, as well as Shimei, a servant from Saul’s old house, were threats to the new king’s reign in Israel and Judah.

Joab and Shimei

King David had a complicated relationship with Joab. At issue for David was the murder of two opponents to the king. Joab had killed them in a time of peace, and not because of a wartime situation.

On top of that, Joab had thrown his lot in with Adonijah, Solomon’s half-brother, who had tried to wriggle onto the throne before David was even gone.

And then there was the character Shimei. He had cursed David repeatedly when yet another half-brother to Solomon, Absalom, engaged in a coup attempt against his father.

Once the threat had passed, Shimei made a quick about face back to David. The king told Shimei that he would not kill him. But with Solomon, David communicated that he was completely free to do what needed to be done with the old rascal Shimei.

Fathers

Ideally, all fathers would have the chance to communicate to their children at the end of their lives. Yet, having been at the bedside of many a father in my work as a hospital chaplain, I’ve not seen many who pass along wisdom and instructions on their deathbed.

Fortunately, there are times when I can help facilitate the conversation between father and family. Yet, unfortunately, there are far too many times when fathers simply die with no loved ones present; or they badger someone to promise to stop doing something.

Rare, however, are the experiences of expressing some sound instruction, along with instructions about how to deal with life.

I realize that wills and documents do much of this work nowadays, yet I still argue that face-to-face communication which reinforces one’s values is always a good idea – especially at the end of one’s life.

Honestly, nobody really needs to wait until they are nearly gone to communicate important values and sage advice to loved ones. It can be done now, before it’s too late.

I’m talking about more than healthcare decisions for the actual end of life situation – but about the grace, forgiveness, wisdom, and/or moral values one wants their loved ones to know; or to reinforce those things that are of upmost importance.

It seems to me that thinking through the following values, and how to communicate them, can be done now, and, if appropriate and possible, at the end of one’s life:

Empathy

Treat others with compassion and understanding. Practice kindness. Consider the emotions of others. Seek to understand another’s point of view. Encourage family members to talk about their feelings. 

Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12, CEB)

Relationships

In the end, the only thing permanent and enduring is relationships. We cannot take any of our stuff with us. Prioritize time with people, especially family. It only makes sense to value loved ones by putting our time into them.

Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. (Romans 12:15-16, CEB)

Honesty

Telling the truth is not always easy, but it’s essential to maintaining trust between people. Life requires knowing and living by the truth.

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, CEB)

Love

Deep affection and attachment connects people and keeps them together. It’s important to verbally express love, as well as to demonstrate it with actions.

Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law. (Romans 13:8, CEB)

Commitment

Support one another in difficult times; and do not intentionally harm each other. Don’t shame your family for mistakes they’ve made. Instead, express loyalty and encouragement.

Be the best in this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you. (2 Corinthians 8:7, CEB)

Respect

Treat everyone, and especially family members, with the upmost care and politeness; and discourage disrespectful words and offensive behavior.

Submit to each other out of respect for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21, CEB)

Perseverance

Your family will face many complex challenges in the years ahead. Encourage them to embrace shared goals, practice self-care, and patiently work together in order to overcome obstacles. 

We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3-4, CEB)

It is always open season on passing along wise and good values, no matter whether it’s in a calm or a calamitous season of life.

Almighty God, enable me to be mindful of your mercy and happy to do your will. Bless my family with honest work, sound learning, and good manners. Save us all from violence, division, and confusion; and from pride and arrogance, and all evil. Protect us, and keep us united.

Grant Your wisdom to all in positions of authority and influence, so that there may be justice and peace at home, and obedience and submission everywhere. In times of prosperity, fill our hearts with grace and gratitude, and in times of trouble, help us trust in Your divine justice, righteousness, and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.