Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Summary: This proverb addresses the question, “How long will I live?” We all seem to want more life, but the question we have to ask ourselves is, “What does God mean by ‘life’?” As always, God’s perspective is a bit different than ours.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:27 — The Elixir of Life”
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are sluggards to those who send them.
Summary: What makes a sluggard a sluggard? The answer is another example of how we need to discern the reasons for a person’s behavior.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:26 — Snail Mail”
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
Summary: There is an old Chinese curse that goes like this: “May you live in interesting times.” Today we live in such times. These are not times of peace and tranquility. Because of the times, our need to rely on our God is greater than ever.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:25 — The Storm”
What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
Summary: Wickedness is different in God’s eyes from what we humans might call wicked. The greatest sin is ignoring the First Commandment.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:24 — Mr. X”
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
Summary: Where a person spends their time says a lot about who they are. The same is true for our thought life. We may not be able to see it from the outside, but we can see it in our own minds.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:23 — Pleasures for $1,000, Alex”
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
without painful toil for it.
Summary: Looking for Jesus is sometimes like looking for Easter eggs. We have to be in the right position to see what God has hidden from the world.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:22 — Easter Redo”
The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
Summary: The use of “lips” for this proverb presents a visual conundrum. It challenges our thinking and engages our minds.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:21 — The Many”
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
Summary: Purity is something that can be measured in metallurgy, but when it comes to hearts, only God knows what the imperfections are.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:20 — Silver Tongue”
Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.
Summary: Solomon points us to a hazard that James warns about in his letter (James 3:1-12). Words are powerful. It is a power that is easily misused and causes damage not only to others but to ourselves.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:19 — The Dog Did It”
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
and spreads slander is a fool.
Summary: Today’s passage is like a puzzle box. There are several parts that make it interesting. With a few deft strokes of the pen, Solomon paints another portrait of the fool in a new pose.
Continue reading “Proverbs 10:18 — Spreading Slander”