Proverbs 24
Today – Coffee and D0nots
It’s early and I’ve already been up awhile. I guess for some reason God thought it best to make my body so I wake up when the cold medicine capsule is more than I need. Anyway, I awoke in the wee-hours to a silent world with 3 1/2 inches of new snow on the ground which makes the silence even quieter, it seems. We’re braced for a blizzard tonight and into tomorrow here in SE Wisconsin – up to a foot of the white stuff with 40 mph winds.
At any rate, I’m imagining coffee and donots in Proverbs 24; looks like there’s enough to share!
1. Do not be envious of evil men or desire to be with them
15. Do not lie in wait…against the dwelling of the righteous
15. Do not destroy his resting place
17. Do not rejoice when your enemy fails
17. Do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles (these two are hard for me – I’ve a competitive streak)
19. Do not fret because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked
21. Do not associate with those who are given to change…
(I need to research this one. I’ve enjoyed a reputation as being an effective, gracious change-agent so this one sparked an “oh-really?” within me. I need to explore this one this weekend.)
28. Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause
28. Do not deceive with your lips.
29. Do not say “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me.” (An Old Testament version of the Golden Rule)
These aren’t as tasty as those warm, glazed moresels that just beg you to have one more. In an hour and a half I meet with two friends as we do every Saturday morning, for coffee, personal updates and prayer. Maybe I’ll pick up a couple donuts on the way home — real ones.
Have a great day today – Stay safe. I intend to.
Phil—
6 Replies to “Proverbs 24”
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Phil, Just want to say that I really enjoy your posts. This one, in particular, is one that I am going to share with someone today who is struggling with an “enemy”. Would you mind if I add you to my blogroll?
Not at all, Julie, these thoughts are here to be shared, sharpened, even challenged (if you’re nice). 😀
Feel free!
Phil—
Hey Phil,
I also thought verse 21 was curious. I found this cool site scripturetext.com. What a great resource for researching scripture! It seems the World English Bible translation might say it best:
Don’t join those who are rebellious.
Maybe it means people that have heard the Word but have rejected it? I’m looking forward to your insights. I need to get a blogroll or something too.
You rock Phil
Cade: Thanks for the link to scripturetext.com; I’ve bookmarked it. What you point to, “those who are rebellious” is included in what I found in my digging, but it appears this word carries a broad concept and describes or includes those who pursue change for change’s sake.
The conquest of change is fun for some of us, but when the underlying motivation is dis-satisfaction, this verse points at us and tells people “stay away”. I’ve been one of those folks. Thankfully that’s not true of me these days, but I remember times in my life when I always wanting something better, bigger, louder, softer, wider, more-specific, sharper, cleaner – because underneath it all I was not content with the things I had, including ministry.
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Constant change, including rebellion, without godliness will drive the wise away if they’re paying attention. ( And When was the last time you saw a wise soul who didn’t pay attention?? Thot so. Me too.)
Phil—
Wow, now that is digging.
“Those who pursue change for change’s sake”.
I’m definitely guilty of that. What do you use for research?
Hi Cade –
“Change for change’s sake” are my words, I guess, kind of from one who’s been there.
I’ve had NavPress’_WordSearch_ on my computer for several years, it includes quite a few reputable translations along with public domain works most people regard as standards.
Online there’s an excellent study Bible at http://www.crosswalk.com. It’s free, which is nice, and comprehensive.
One of the best research tools, though is that paper next to your computer where you capture what you find as you dig around so you can make it personal.
Great to see you’ve been by!
Phil—