Archive for September 2022

Isaiah 40-41, Proverbs 25:15-28, Luke 23:13-25, Hebrews 9:1-10  Proverbs 25:15-28: “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone” (25:15). Such wise advice! We think of patience as weakness, but really it is strength. How different would our public discourse be if we remembered this lesson: be patient. Think once, twice, thrice…

Isaiah 37-39, Proverbs 25:1-14, Luke 23:1-12, Hebrews 8:7-13  Proverbs 25:1-14:   “These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of…

Isaiah 34-36, Proverbs 24:23-34, Luke 22:63-71, Hebrews 8:1-6  Proverbs 24:23-34: “These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come…

Isaiah 31-33, Proverbs 24:1-22, Luke 22:54-62, Hebrews 7:11-28  Proverbs 24:1-22: Thirty sayings of the wise (#20-30). Saying 20: “Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.” (24:1-2) Sometimes it seems as if those who disobey God end up living the best and most successful…

Isaiah 29-30, Proverbs 23:19-35, Luke 22:47-53, Hebrews 7:1-10  Proverbs 23:19-35: Thirty sayings of the wise: now we look at numbers 16-19. Saying 16: “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and…

Isaiah 27-28, Proverbs 23:1-18, Luke 22:39-46, Hebrews 6:13-20  Proverbs 23:1-18: We continue with “thirty sayings of the wise” (#7-15). Saying 7:  “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.” (23:1-3) When you…

Isaiah 24-26, Proverbs 22:17-29, Luke 22:31, Hebrews 6:1-12  Proverbs 22:17-29: We come now to “thirty sayings of the wise” (#1-6). Saying 1: “Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,     and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,     if all of them are ready…

Isaiah 21-23, Proverbs 22:1-16, Luke 22:24-30, Hebrews 5  Proverbs 22:1-16:  “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (22:1). A reputation ruined is very hard, but by God’s grace, to rebuild. Therefore, do not focus on getting rich; focus on being faithful. “Rich and poor have this in…

Isaiah 17-20, Proverbs 21:17-31, Luke 22:14-23, Hebrews 4:12-16  Proverbs 21:17-31: Be a person of true understanding! “Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (21:17). If you make money, but you immediately spend it, then it doesn’t matter how much you make! The first way to get yourself…

Isaiah 14-16, Proverbs 21:1-16, Luke 22:1-13, Hebrews 4:1-11  Proverbs 21:1-16:  “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (21:1). Even the powerful are in God’s hands! Therefore, take courage you who are oppressed—and pray! You have a defender in heaven. “Every way of a man is right in…