Monthly Archives: October 2024

PROVERBS 10 CONTRASTS IN LIFE

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October 5

PROVERBS 10

The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

                                                                                                                – Proverbs 10:1-6

PROVERBS 10 CONTRASTS IN LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is going to be evil and good and ups and downs in life

The things that happen to us are consequences of our picks

If we choose to tread the way of wickedness

We will surely reap the path to darkness

If we hunger for the righteous life and for serving the Lord

We will always have a harvest of God’s spirit and overcome the world.

In this world, there are contrasts everywhere. There is good and there is also evil. How our lives are affected by these forces is dependent on the choices and decisions we make. As Solomon described what a foolish or wise son brings to his parents. It is either they make them glad or they can bring trouble. Imagine how it was in paradise before Eve and Adam sinned? It was mostly good and perfect. But after the sin, contrasts came into being. We now have to fight our tendencies for evil instead of acting on it. Since God made us for himself, we ought to live our lives for righteousness instead of evil.

REFLECTION

·       What contrasts do you or have experienced that pose challenges in your life?

PROVERBS 9 FOLLY’S INVITATION TO SIN

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October 4

PROVERBS 9

13 The woman Folly is loud;
    she is seductiveand knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the deadare there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

                                                  – Proverbs 9:13-18

PROVERBS 9 FOLLY’S INVITATION TO SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Folly is always at the door of her house looking for victims

She is loud to ensure that attention is focused on her effectively

She even sits on a chair so she could be noticed by passers by

She calls the simple to further drag them into the pit of darkness

If you get lured by Folly, you are entering the abode of the dead

Be watchful of her tactics, she wants you to get down the depths of hell.

Solomon speaks of Wisdom earlier than these following verses. Here, he describes the tactics of Folly in order to seduce and lure those who are simple and have no sense. It is the same people that Wisdom calls so that they can have a better life. On the other hand, Folly operates differently. She entices them to sin and do what is immoral but pleasurable, leading them to further darkness. It is easy to follow the way of Folly because we already are sinful by nature. But what are the rewards of following her way? It leads one to the depths of hell. Momentary pleasure does not last long because God didn’t design us to live for our pleasures. He made us so we can give him glory and have life.

REFLECTION

  • How can we avoid the invitation of folly in our lives?

PROVERBS 9 ON TEACHING OR CORRECTING FOOLS

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October 3

PROVERBS 9

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it. – Proverbs 9:7-12

PROVERBS 9 ON TEACHING OR CORRECTING FOOLS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Do not waste your time on teaching or correcting fools

When you correct scoffers, be prepared to be abused

They do not like to be told that what they are doing wrong

They will fight back if you instruct or tell them what to do

When you teach a scoffer something, they will oppose you

Their pride will be hurt and they don’t want to appear dumb.

Solomon warns us on dealing with the wicked, the fools and the scoffers. It is wise for us to be aware of all these people who do not know the Lord. Those who are puffed up with so much pride won’t listen to anyone because they think they know it all. They think highly of themselves which do not give any accommodation to other’s opinion or wisdom.

Solomon tells us that the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.  So, how can an unbeliever even have insight or wisdom if he does not know the Lord? When you see the signs of haughtiness, pride and self-centeredness, run away from these people and do not waste your precious time teaching them or giving them advice. They will just trample on or twist anything you say. No need to give pearls to the pigs.

REFLECTION

  • Share an experience trying to put some sense in foolish or wicked people.