1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher. 9 That which has been is what which will be, and that which has been don is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. 17 I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after the wind. 18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. 13 And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. 15 Then I said to myself, "As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Whey then have I been extremely wise?"So I said to myself, This too is vanity."
Solomon, who is the Preacher is making certain observations. The two main distinctions that will come to bear is that our temporal life is just that. It is only temporary. In the final analysis, our eternal life will make our temporal life seem as only a day! So the driving question is, why should we strive after things that cannot last? He concludes that life this side of heaven is futile.
The second distinction is that he compares wisdom and knowledge in this life verses the wisdom and knowledge of God. He concludes that our own human wisdom is a farce and one would do better to purge this kind of knowledge for reliance on God alone, since he hold all the cards to our life now and our life to come.
Daily Prayer: Father, it is true that our life now is but a preview of things to come. It seems that faith and not knowledge will be most pleasing to you. By faith I am saved by grace. This is a gift from you and now of man so that I may not boast, except in the cross of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Psalm 31: The words of Lemuel
These are the words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and whose life is bitter. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. An excellent wife is worth far above jewels, and the heart of her husband trusts her. She does good to him and not evil, all the days of her life. She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She extends her hand to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Several teachings are found in this poem. It identifies the two foundational women in the life of a man. The first is his mother who warns against adulterous women and strong drink. She exhorts her son to sober judgment and defense of the needy. The second foundational woman is the bountiful wife. She is known for her self-sacrifice and one-way love. She does not waste household treasure, but instead reinvests it bringing her husband more than he brought into the family treasury. She joins her husband in defending the poor and gains approval of everyone by careful selection of her words and works of kindness.
Daily Prayer: My Father, I thank you that you gave me the woman in this proverb. My wife and lifetime companion can be trusted in all matters and seeks first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. As a result, all the things that we need have been added unto us. Bless her Father and comfort her in all of life's situations. In your holy name I pray Amen.
Several teachings are found in this poem. It identifies the two foundational women in the life of a man. The first is his mother who warns against adulterous women and strong drink. She exhorts her son to sober judgment and defense of the needy. The second foundational woman is the bountiful wife. She is known for her self-sacrifice and one-way love. She does not waste household treasure, but instead reinvests it bringing her husband more than he brought into the family treasury. She joins her husband in defending the poor and gains approval of everyone by careful selection of her words and works of kindness.
Daily Prayer: My Father, I thank you that you gave me the woman in this proverb. My wife and lifetime companion can be trusted in all matters and seeks first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. As a result, all the things that we need have been added unto us. Bless her Father and comfort her in all of life's situations. In your holy name I pray Amen.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Psalm 30: The words of Agur
I do not have the understanding of man. Neither have I learned wisdom. Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. There is a kind - oh how lofty are his eyes!
And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. There are three things which are too wonderful for me, and four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea ; the way of a man with a maid. Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up. Under a slave when he becomes king and a fool when he is satisfied with food. Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress. Four things are small on earth, but they are exceedingly wise. The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer. The shephanim are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in rocks. The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks. The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
Agur is a compiler of proverbs who lived between Judah and Babylonia. His works falls in the tradition of wisdom found in Isaiah 40. In his message, he is comparing the understanding of man verses the rest of God's created creatures. He observes that the creatures live their lives with remarkable understanding. Even without a king, they all go out in ranks. Yet God's representative on earth who is man admits that he does not understand. He concludes that because God's word has been tested and is true, we should take refuge in him and allow for him to be our shield and comforter.
Daily Prayer: Father, truly your word is wonderful and true. Natural man seeks to be the king of his own kingdom resulting in haughty eyes and pride. For this Lucifer was removed from your heavenly kingdom. Instead, let me not lean unto my own understanding, but instead take refuge in you. Amen.
And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. There are three things which are too wonderful for me, and four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea ; the way of a man with a maid. Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up. Under a slave when he becomes king and a fool when he is satisfied with food. Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress. Four things are small on earth, but they are exceedingly wise. The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer. The shephanim are not mighty people, yet they make their houses in rocks. The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks. The lizard you may grasp with the hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
Agur is a compiler of proverbs who lived between Judah and Babylonia. His works falls in the tradition of wisdom found in Isaiah 40. In his message, he is comparing the understanding of man verses the rest of God's created creatures. He observes that the creatures live their lives with remarkable understanding. Even without a king, they all go out in ranks. Yet God's representative on earth who is man admits that he does not understand. He concludes that because God's word has been tested and is true, we should take refuge in him and allow for him to be our shield and comforter.
Daily Prayer: Father, truly your word is wonderful and true. Natural man seeks to be the king of his own kingdom resulting in haughty eyes and pride. For this Lucifer was removed from your heavenly kingdom. Instead, let me not lean unto my own understanding, but instead take refuge in you. Amen.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Proverbs 25: benefits of humility
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter. Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men. It is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince. Like apples of gold in setting of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. Like a city that is without walls is broken into so is a man who has no control over his spirit.
This message speaks of man's relationship which is vertical (to the king), horizontal (to his neighbor), and in his own house (to himself and his family). The author exhorts to the reader the benefits of not placing yourself into a place of public notice. He also speaks of the great importance of the words we choose, because our words are a reflection of our own heart. These are the words chosen by King Hezekiah and transcribed for the benefit of his kingdom. These verses are also used by Jesus in the New Testament, especially speaking of not putting yourself up front because someone will surly lower your position publically. It also speaks of control over your circumstances, your community, and even over your own spirit.
Daily Prayer: Lord, teach me to live my life skillfully and choose my words carefully. As a man thinkith, so is he. As such, let me take every though captive to Jesus Christ so that I can be an image of my savior where I live. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
This message speaks of man's relationship which is vertical (to the king), horizontal (to his neighbor), and in his own house (to himself and his family). The author exhorts to the reader the benefits of not placing yourself into a place of public notice. He also speaks of the great importance of the words we choose, because our words are a reflection of our own heart. These are the words chosen by King Hezekiah and transcribed for the benefit of his kingdom. These verses are also used by Jesus in the New Testament, especially speaking of not putting yourself up front because someone will surly lower your position publically. It also speaks of control over your circumstances, your community, and even over your own spirit.
Daily Prayer: Lord, teach me to live my life skillfully and choose my words carefully. As a man thinkith, so is he. As such, let me take every though captive to Jesus Christ so that I can be an image of my savior where I live. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Proverbs 24: precepts and warnings
Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. Their minds devise violence and their lips talk of trouble. One who plans to do evil men will call a schemer. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles. The Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn his anger away from him. 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." I passed by the field of a sluggard, and the vineyard of the man lacking sense. Behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest." Then your poverty will come as a robber, and you want like an armored man.
In these passages we are told not to even associate with those who are evil. We are not to compare our work or our wages to theirs, but instead to our work as to the Lord. For one who resists wisdom and sound instruction will bring his own ruin and judgment. The Lord reserves the right to reward the just and bring judgment against evil. He who is wise neither exalts himself nor condemns the unjust. Those with instruction and understanding fear the Lord and exalt his ways as superior to his own and to the ways of the schemers. Finally, we are taught to put our hand to the plow and spend our time abundantly, because this pleases the Lord.
Daily Prayer: By your spirit, direct my path. Let me not frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit, but instead follow his guidance in my life knowing that his ways are higher than my ways, and his thoughts higher than my thoughts. This I pray in Jesus name Amen.
In these passages we are told not to even associate with those who are evil. We are not to compare our work or our wages to theirs, but instead to our work as to the Lord. For one who resists wisdom and sound instruction will bring his own ruin and judgment. The Lord reserves the right to reward the just and bring judgment against evil. He who is wise neither exalts himself nor condemns the unjust. Those with instruction and understanding fear the Lord and exalt his ways as superior to his own and to the ways of the schemers. Finally, we are taught to put our hand to the plow and spend our time abundantly, because this pleases the Lord.
Daily Prayer: By your spirit, direct my path. Let me not frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit, but instead follow his guidance in my life knowing that his ways are higher than my ways, and his thoughts higher than my thoughts. This I pray in Jesus name Amen.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Proverbs 19: On life and conduct
Wealth adds many friends. A poor man is separated from his friend. Better is a poor man who walks with integrity than he who is perverse and a fool. A man's discretion makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook a transgression. A foolish son is destruction to his father. The contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. Many plans are in a man's heart. It is the counsel of the Lord that will stand. A rascally witness makes mockery of justice. The mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity. Judgments are prepared for scoffers. Blows for the back are prepared for fools.
Proverbs is a book that speaks of relationships. There is the relationship of a man to a friend. A true friend does not care about your gifts, but to the false friend without gifts there is no friendship. There is a relationship with a man to his community. Wisdom dictates that one should be slow to anger and eager to forgive and forget. A relationship of a son to his father is based on conduct. A son's conduct either exhalts his father or makes a mockery of him. A wife can either be a gift from God to a man or the source of constant irritation. Truthfulness is the keynote of the wise, but scoffers purge justice.
Daily Prayer: Lord my relationship to you governs my relationships in the world. Once you and I are true to each other, truthfulness and justice and mercy will flow from this relationship into the world. Counsel me, my Lord, and make my paths straight. In your holy name I pray Amen.
Proverbs is a book that speaks of relationships. There is the relationship of a man to a friend. A true friend does not care about your gifts, but to the false friend without gifts there is no friendship. There is a relationship with a man to his community. Wisdom dictates that one should be slow to anger and eager to forgive and forget. A relationship of a son to his father is based on conduct. A son's conduct either exhalts his father or makes a mockery of him. A wife can either be a gift from God to a man or the source of constant irritation. Truthfulness is the keynote of the wise, but scoffers purge justice.
Daily Prayer: Lord my relationship to you governs my relationships in the world. Once you and I are true to each other, truthfulness and justice and mercy will flow from this relationship into the world. Counsel me, my Lord, and make my paths straight. In your holy name I pray Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Proverb 13: Contrasting the upright and the wicked
A wise son accepts his father's discipline. The scoffer does not listen to rebuke. A righteous man hates falsehood. The wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. There is one who pretends to be rich.There are others who pretend to be poor, but have great wealth. Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles. The one who gathers by labor increases his purse. He who walks with wise men will be wise. Those who are companions of fools will suffer harm. The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite. The stomach of the wicked is in need.
This proverb teaches us that a father's discipline is required to train up a son. If you love your son, you will bring discipline. The son that is not disciplines does not have the love of the father.
Falsehood will always lead to demise. It is good and proper to hate falsehood. Fraud is a camouflage. It leads to false wealth, a false bride, and an empty future. He who prospers by fraud put his wealth in pockets with holes in them. You are the same as the company you keep.
Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. You cannot plant falsehood and reap righteousness.
And the Lord has promised that whoever belongs to him, he himself will establish them and feed and comfort them. Whatever is worth having come from the Lord's hand.
Daily Prayer: Father, into your hands I commit my soul. Apart from you, I can do nothing.
Any opportunity, any person who dwells with me, and any shelter I enjoy is from you and you alone. I confess that I stumble, but your discipline makes straight my ways. Father, you have been good to me and not me alone, but to all who believe in you. Amen.
This proverb teaches us that a father's discipline is required to train up a son. If you love your son, you will bring discipline. The son that is not disciplines does not have the love of the father.
Falsehood will always lead to demise. It is good and proper to hate falsehood. Fraud is a camouflage. It leads to false wealth, a false bride, and an empty future. He who prospers by fraud put his wealth in pockets with holes in them. You are the same as the company you keep.
Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. You cannot plant falsehood and reap righteousness.
And the Lord has promised that whoever belongs to him, he himself will establish them and feed and comfort them. Whatever is worth having come from the Lord's hand.
Daily Prayer: Father, into your hands I commit my soul. Apart from you, I can do nothing.
Any opportunity, any person who dwells with me, and any shelter I enjoy is from you and you alone. I confess that I stumble, but your discipline makes straight my ways. Father, you have been good to me and not me alone, but to all who believe in you. Amen.
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