The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands (Proverbs 14:1).
The primary author of Proverbs was Solomon. Solomon asked God for wisdom and God granted Solomon's request. Much of Solomon's wisdom was the ability to discern wisdom in others and make it known along with his own wisdom. Chapter 24:23 speaks of the proverbs as being the sayings of the wise. Chapter 30 is credited to Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle.
The wisdom of Proverbs was for the young, especially boys--it was their text book for social science. One of the topics of study for these young scholars was women. (I found a note pad of my grandfather's that was titled All of What Men Know About Women. Every page was blank.)
One kind of woman mentioned by the Proverbs is the contentious woman. She is mentioned 4 times in the book. "It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman" (Proverbs 21:9). The contentious woman is the one who nags, is argumentative and complains. Watch out for this kind of woman!
The woman of folly is another kind of woman the Proverbs warns about. "The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive and knows nothing" (9:13). One of the keys to interpreting all the kinds of people Proverbs talks about is 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This foolish woman knows nothing because she does not fear the Lord! The wise woman is wise because she fears the Lord. The virtuous woman is virtuous because she fears the Lord: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised" (31:30).
The Proverbs speak truly of human nature. Proverbs doesn't degrade woman, in fact it lifts them up. Wisdom in chapter 8 is used in the feminine voice, suggesting that women are not second class citizens in regard to wisdom: "For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her" (8:11).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Friday, May 29, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN
A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel (Proverbs 12:10).
Bless the beasts and the children, for in this world they have no voice, they have no choice . . .
A lot can be learned about a person's character by how he, or she, cares for their animals. It is a matter of understanding the animals that one has the responsibility of caring for, much as understanding the children in his care. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that if a child is trained up in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. It is also true of animals and pets. Whether children, pets or animals, if one takes on the responsibility of having them, then it is required that one works at understanding them so that they can be given what they need. Without understanding even compassion can be cruel.
The Carpenters sang "Bless the Beasts and the Children" in the early 1970's. It is a very moving song and I wondered why the pro-life movement didn't make use of it. Having said that, the very first line of lyrics expresses very well God's intentions for our relationship with animals and children.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Bless the beasts and the children, for in this world they have no voice, they have no choice . . .
A lot can be learned about a person's character by how he, or she, cares for their animals. It is a matter of understanding the animals that one has the responsibility of caring for, much as understanding the children in his care. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that if a child is trained up in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. It is also true of animals and pets. Whether children, pets or animals, if one takes on the responsibility of having them, then it is required that one works at understanding them so that they can be given what they need. Without understanding even compassion can be cruel.
The Carpenters sang "Bless the Beasts and the Children" in the early 1970's. It is a very moving song and I wondered why the pro-life movement didn't make use of it. Having said that, the very first line of lyrics expresses very well God's intentions for our relationship with animals and children.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, May 11, 2015
SHADES OF WISDOM
A wise man (person) will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5).
The book of Proverbs was written for the young and the naive (1:4) to give them wise counsel and to help them develop the skill of discernment and discretion.
The most-used term as a definition for the wise in the book of Proverbs is skillful. How does one develop skills? By learning from a teacher, which, in its self, is often tedious and hard work. It has been said that there is no teaching, only learning, so the fool will not put in the effort to learn and develop the skills that are needed to succeed. The wise of the book of Proverbs are those who are skilled in honest occupations from those who labor with their hands to those who are skilled at teaching and counseling and laboring with their minds. Those who are skilled in dishonesty are the worst kind of fools. Unfortunately, there are way too many of the skilled dishonest, so it is important to develop the skill of discernment so that one doesn't become their victim. It must be added that this kind of wisdom includes women as well: "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands" (14:1). Women can be just as skillful as men and just as destructive and depraved as men too.
A second word for the wise in the book of Proverbs is one who considers carefully: "A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding (is wise) than a hundred blows into a fool" (17:10). As well: "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father" (28:7). Many people are driven by their emotions. They do not stop to think and take time to consider all the issues involved. Our genetics and family systems do play a role in our ability to think critically, but they are not determiners. The ability to think critically can be developed if one is willing to learn!
A third word for the wise in Proverbs has to do with substance: "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous . . . (2:7). The word is in the feminine gender so that it means the opposite of girls gone wild, but rather girls gone wise. This kind of wisdom is not the kind of popular culture based on the breezes of popularity, but the kind of understanding that has stood the test of time. It has substance. It is true, not trendy!
Finally, the last word for the wise in Proverbs is sakal. There is overlap as to how these words are used, but what makes this word different is that it is active. a sakal person is one who acts circumspectly, prudently and wisely so that others may see and learn. Sakal is used five times in the book of Proverbs and wise action seems to be the consistent thread in its use: "A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully . . . " (17:2). Some will never learn from an other's example, nevertheless, we should live lives of wisdom to inspire others.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The book of Proverbs was written for the young and the naive (1:4) to give them wise counsel and to help them develop the skill of discernment and discretion.
The most-used term as a definition for the wise in the book of Proverbs is skillful. How does one develop skills? By learning from a teacher, which, in its self, is often tedious and hard work. It has been said that there is no teaching, only learning, so the fool will not put in the effort to learn and develop the skills that are needed to succeed. The wise of the book of Proverbs are those who are skilled in honest occupations from those who labor with their hands to those who are skilled at teaching and counseling and laboring with their minds. Those who are skilled in dishonesty are the worst kind of fools. Unfortunately, there are way too many of the skilled dishonest, so it is important to develop the skill of discernment so that one doesn't become their victim. It must be added that this kind of wisdom includes women as well: "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands" (14:1). Women can be just as skillful as men and just as destructive and depraved as men too.
A second word for the wise in the book of Proverbs is one who considers carefully: "A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding (is wise) than a hundred blows into a fool" (17:10). As well: "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father" (28:7). Many people are driven by their emotions. They do not stop to think and take time to consider all the issues involved. Our genetics and family systems do play a role in our ability to think critically, but they are not determiners. The ability to think critically can be developed if one is willing to learn!
A third word for the wise in Proverbs has to do with substance: "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous . . . (2:7). The word is in the feminine gender so that it means the opposite of girls gone wild, but rather girls gone wise. This kind of wisdom is not the kind of popular culture based on the breezes of popularity, but the kind of understanding that has stood the test of time. It has substance. It is true, not trendy!
Finally, the last word for the wise in Proverbs is sakal. There is overlap as to how these words are used, but what makes this word different is that it is active. a sakal person is one who acts circumspectly, prudently and wisely so that others may see and learn. Sakal is used five times in the book of Proverbs and wise action seems to be the consistent thread in its use: "A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully . . . " (17:2). Some will never learn from an other's example, nevertheless, we should live lives of wisdom to inspire others.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
WHAT KIND OF FOOL (am I?)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will also be like him (Proverbs 26:4).
What kind of fool am I, who never fell in love? It seems I'm the only one I have been thinking of . . . (Sammy Davis Jr. made this song a hit in 1962).
It is an appropriate question to ask because there is a little bit of foolishness in all of us. The book of Proverbs lists four different kinds:
1) The naive, simple and unsophisticated. "The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps (14:15). The positive of the naive is that they are teachable, something that is probably not characteristic of the other kinds of fools. Proverbs was written to give prudence to the naive (1:4).
2) The evil fool is characterized in 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction." This kind of fool lacks sense, he is emotionally driven, "A fools anger is known at once . . . (12:16). "The way of the fool is right in his own eyes." (12:15). This kind of fool is dangerous because not only is he emotionally driven, but he never sees himself as being wrong or doing wrong. Be careful around this kind of person!
3) The sensual fool is described in 10:23: "Doing wickedness is like sport to the fool . . ." 13:19 says: ". . . it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil." The desires of the flesh come before the will of God and what is right.
4) The scorning fool or empty fool. Psalms 14:1 tells us that this kind of fool says in his heart, "there is no God." Also, in 1 Samuel 25 is the story of Nabal and Abigail. Read 25:24-25. There we find that Nabal means fool and certainly, this Nabal was a fool! This kind of fool has respect for neither God nor man. Proverbs 17:21 says of this kind of fool, "He who sires a fool does so to his own sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy."
Each one of these kinds of fools is a different Hebrew word in Proverbs. Proverbs places a lot of emphasis in understanding fools because fools can be very dangerous; one needs tho understand what his is dealing with! "He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a fool" (Proverbs 26:6).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
What kind of fool am I, who never fell in love? It seems I'm the only one I have been thinking of . . . (Sammy Davis Jr. made this song a hit in 1962).
It is an appropriate question to ask because there is a little bit of foolishness in all of us. The book of Proverbs lists four different kinds:
1) The naive, simple and unsophisticated. "The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps (14:15). The positive of the naive is that they are teachable, something that is probably not characteristic of the other kinds of fools. Proverbs was written to give prudence to the naive (1:4).
2) The evil fool is characterized in 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction." This kind of fool lacks sense, he is emotionally driven, "A fools anger is known at once . . . (12:16). "The way of the fool is right in his own eyes." (12:15). This kind of fool is dangerous because not only is he emotionally driven, but he never sees himself as being wrong or doing wrong. Be careful around this kind of person!
3) The sensual fool is described in 10:23: "Doing wickedness is like sport to the fool . . ." 13:19 says: ". . . it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil." The desires of the flesh come before the will of God and what is right.
4) The scorning fool or empty fool. Psalms 14:1 tells us that this kind of fool says in his heart, "there is no God." Also, in 1 Samuel 25 is the story of Nabal and Abigail. Read 25:24-25. There we find that Nabal means fool and certainly, this Nabal was a fool! This kind of fool has respect for neither God nor man. Proverbs 17:21 says of this kind of fool, "He who sires a fool does so to his own sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy."
Each one of these kinds of fools is a different Hebrew word in Proverbs. Proverbs places a lot of emphasis in understanding fools because fools can be very dangerous; one needs tho understand what his is dealing with! "He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a fool" (Proverbs 26:6).
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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