Short Reflection from Proverbs 1-31

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DRU-JK) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[7:50 pm, 12/02/2022] S.R: ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙:𝟝

"A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel."

That's why I keep reading books, keep listening to lectures, keep having conversations with others because I want to be a wise man!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚:𝟜-𝟝

"If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God."

No pain, no gain

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟛:𝟙𝟝-𝟙𝟠

"She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast."

Men, this is a perfect passage to text to your darling this Valentine's Day, right? Actually, No 😬😂 This is not about a girl. It's about Wisdom! But you got the point, right? Cherish Wisdom as you would with the most beautiful women.

Ladies, the same to you. Wisdom is better!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟠-𝟙𝟡

"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day."

"The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble."

Well, I have no grey hair nor am Billy Graham, but I have walked with Christ for more than a decade, and I affirm that it's more safe to be righteous than to be wicked!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟝:𝟙𝟠

"Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth."

Be committed to one woman. Be committed to one man!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟞:𝟡-𝟙𝟙

“How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest"-- Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.”

If you aren't aware of it, there's such passage in the Bible (Proverbs). If you know, it's good to be reminded of especially this morning! Sometimes we hesitate because we are lazy. Sometimes because we are tired. Sometimes because we are afraid/ timid/ a coward/. Sometimes because we are arrogant/ postponing/ overconfident.

Arrogance, Ignorance, and Cowardice are the friends of Poverty. They are the servants of the ancient Serpent, Satan.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟟:𝟜-𝟝

"Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your intimate friend; That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words."

The Bible is most serious about idolatry and immorality. Sexual Immorality is heavily warned against!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟠:𝟛𝟝

"For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD."

𝕎𝕚𝕤𝕕𝕠𝕞 ➡️ 𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟡:𝟡

"Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning."

Smart people keep learning and want to keep learning! 😎

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟘:𝟛

"The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked."

For me, this is very timely to read now. It's God who owns everything after all!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟙:𝟚𝟚

"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion."

I have seen silver and bronze and gold rings in many swines' snouts. 😬😂

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel."

Do you have pet animals? Put this verse around their neck.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟠

"Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored."

This proverb mirrors my soul today! Lord, mercy, mercy!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟙

"He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor."

Not to 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 down on the poor people. 🙂

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟝:𝟛

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good."

God sees what's going on in Ukraine. He knows how to protect His people! He sees Putin as well. He sees me and you too!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟞:𝟜

"The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil."

Indeed, God has a plan for each one of us. Nobody's independent!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟟:𝟡-𝟙𝟘

"He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends."

"A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool."

There's a time to overlook and a time to scrutinize.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟠:𝟚𝟚

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD."

Time to find a wife, huh! 😃

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟙𝟜

"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. "

While the previous chapter directs a man to find a wife, this chapter reminds a man that it's God who gives a prudent wife!

Make sure the woman you are about to marry is a prudent woman. Such woman is better than a house, wealth, and any kind of inheritance! @Koyai GCD 😉

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟚𝟜

"Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?"

That's the reason why we need God. Man cannot live without God!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟙:𝟡, 𝟚𝟙

"It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman."

"It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman."

If your gf/fiancée is contentious, break up. It's better to dump her now than to dump yourself in the wasteland someday!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟚:𝟙

"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold."

All the politicians of Manipur do not believe this. And many of us as well!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟛:𝟜-𝟝

"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens."

Let's not be a lover of money but of good works. Rich in good works over rich in wealth!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity."

The mention of "seven" is a metaphor for several times. The point is that God upholds the righteous!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟝:𝟚𝟜

"It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman."

Another warning about contentious women! 🙂

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟞:𝟙

"Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool."

The Bible has a low view of a fool. Ignorance is not bliss!

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟟:𝟙𝟝

"A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;"

Another warning about a contentious woman. Seriously, unfriend her, block her if you find one! 🙂

The Bible knows "Women Empowerment," Sexual Revolution will happen. It has been since the garden of Eden, a result of the curse. Now, with the coming of technology, it's full-blown.

Jordan Peterson, a non-Christian psychologist is right when he says that it's the technology that redefines the modern woman. Technology will come and go but the word of God not only endures forever but also is the only binding truth. Technology is the new Serpent of the garden.  Not that technology or the serpent is bad inherently but that Satan loves to and has often used them effectively.

 

[7:34 pm, 25/07/2022] S.R: ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟠:𝟛

"A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food."

Human has the tendency to oppress others. In this proverb, and in the parable of the unforgiving servant, the lesson is directed not to the few people who are super rich but to those who are common people (who are not that rich). It's the lesson to be gracious and generous as (since) we are the recipients of grace from God.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟚𝟡:𝟚𝟝

"The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted."

The Bible tells us to fear no man but God alone. And humans often fear man and neglect God. I need to be constantly reminded of this proverb to put my trust in God, not in the people around me.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟛𝟘:𝟙𝟘

"Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty."

As a rule, we shouldn't slander anyone. But there are some slanders that are more hurtful, more dangerous, and more consequential.

 

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕤 𝟛𝟙:𝟙𝟘

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."

How many of our lady friends find Proverbs 31 to be delightful to their hearts? I don't think anyone in my church, friends circle, or anyone I know to do so.

For the same reason, both ladies and gentlemen didn't find that delightful in reading Matthew 5:29-30 or any part of the Scriptures.

We love sin. We enjoy sin. We enjoy doing our own way. We want everything under our control. We want to be our own god.

However, because the scriptures convict us of our sins and displaced desires, Christians can still rejoice that God is working in us and He shall perfect us someday.

Bible Reading Reflection from Proverbs 23-31

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU), a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟛:𝟞-𝟠

"Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,

Or desire his delicacies;

For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

He says to you, "Eat and drink!"

But his heart is not with you.

You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten,

And waste your compliments."

When was the last time you experienced this proverb? O were you that selfish man who set that table?

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,

But the wicked will stumble in calamity."

It does not say "the wicked will fall but the righteous will stand" nor "the righteous will fall sometimes and the wicked will prosper sometimes," it says the righteous falls not twice or thrice but seven times. 7 as a symbol of completion, meaning, he may fall, again and again, even more than the average person, but God promises to uphold him. He shall not be utterly cast down (Ps.37:24)

Do not be surprised if the wicked are prospering and the righteous are suffering now!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟝:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟚

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

For you will heap burning coals on his head,

And Yahweh will repay you."

It's a double win. First, you win him by shaming him righteously. Second, you win the blessing of God. You win his favor and the favor of God. And you shamed the devil! Winning by good deeds last long while winning by strength brews up revenge. Have you ever done it? I have!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟞:𝟙𝟟

"Like one who seizes a dog by the ears

Is he who passes by and becomes passionate about strife not belonging to him."

Is this not funny? 🤣

Try pulling the ears of a street dog and see what happens? And end up in hospital with an anti-rabies injection!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟟:𝟙𝟜

"He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,

It will be counted as a curse to him."

Some people wake up very early. Some people wake up a little later. If you are a very early guy, don't disturb his sleep. Even words of blessing will sound like a curse. It has been, huh?

Like that blessing, untimely exhortation and advice are not profitable nor appreciated. It also says "loud voice" The way, manner what we do is also important, not just when.

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟠:𝟠

"He who increases his wealth by interest and usury

Gathers it for him who is gracious to the lowly."

Be careful how you invest your money!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟚𝟡:𝟙

"A man who hardens his neck after much reproof

Will suddenly be broken beyond healing."

What a word picture! When clothes are too dirty, mixed with dirt, they become rigid and easily torn.

A plastic bottle with water kept in the freezer is easily broken when it got frozen!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟛𝟘:𝟟-𝟡

"Two things I asked of You,

Do not withhold from me before I die:

Keep worthlessness and every false word far from me,

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Feed me with the food that is my portion,

Lest I be full and deny You and say, “Who is Yahweh?”

Or lest I be impoverished and steal,

And profane the name of my God."

One of the well-known passages in the Proverbs, especially the second request. But, let's remember that's the second request. The first request is being neglected. The first request is to keep him away from falsehood and lying. Don't you agree with him? I do.

I don't want to be a liar. I feel guilty (and rightly so) when I even tell a half-truth. Even when you praise someone or something you could be lying about some facts. Every salesman is guilty of sin the Apocrypha says @________ 😉

Also, I don't want to be lied to, deceived, or cheated. That's why I hate shopping. I just don't like bargaining! There's legitimate bargaining, but I think what's going on in India's market is most probably not legitimate bargaining but fooling around.

Again, let the first request be the first request!

 

ℙℝ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝔹𝕊 𝟛𝟙:𝟚

"What, O my son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?"

A very genuine, serious, and passionate word of counsel from a mother. Many times, we remember Proverbs 31 for the excellent wife, which is described in v10-31. What about looking at v1-9.

I would say, be a disciplined man of v1-9 to get an excellent wife. If you want a smart woman, be yourself smart. If you want a godly woman, you, yourself, have to be godly.

The Rongmei proverb "Jouki kangmei nruai tha mei puan e" itself reflects the exploitativeness of a person. So don't even think of it. So, if you want an excellent woman of Proverbs 31:10-31, might I suggest you be a disciplined man of Proverbs 31:1-9.

His mother was dead serious. He must not run after girls (a womanizer) but be pure and committed. He must be sensible, sober, and self-controlled. Wine takes away one's sense. He must be righteous in his practice, well appreciated by all sorts of people, and stand up for others.

And ladies, watch out for such men! Don't be a gold digger!