Blogging the Bible

Wisdom is one of the major topics of the Proverbs. In fact, one way of defining a proverb is a “wise saying.” The sayings of chapters 8 and 9 revolve around wisdom. Again, wisdom is personified–it is spoken of as if it is a person, i.e, “wisdom calls,” “raises her voice,” has a “mouth”

One of the major characteristics of wisdom in the proverbs is that wisdom is better–more valuable–than gold or silver and precious jewels (vs. 8:10-11, 19).

Chapter 9 personifies wisdom as being the first born of creation and being “alongside” God as God created the worlds and all that is in them. This is another instance where some scholars believe that wisdom is personified as Jesus Christ. But whether it is the personification of Jesus or just the personification of the virtue of wisdom, it is clear that God and wisdom are one and the same. God is wise above all other wise beings and wisdom is part of all that God is and does.

The closing statement in chapter nine is quite powerful. Those who find wisdom (Jesus?) find life. But those who miss (hate) wisdom (Jesus?) injure themselves and love death! The contrast could not be greater. Those who listen to and follow the wisdom of God found in scripture and in the revealed Messiah, Jesus Christ, will find life. But those who reject wisdom and the scripture and the Messiah it reveals injure themselves and are acting as if they love death.

Let the person who has ears to hear, hear!

This chapter is the final section on sexual behaviour. In verse 4 the author suggested his readers to call the wisdom  “you are my sister”. In ancient times to call someone your sister  is effectively to ask them to marry you. That is remarkable because the following scene that he is about to describe, consist of a young man who was trap into adultery by a married woman.

People need commitments in order to be accountable. Many young man and woman are tempted to do what it is inappropriate sexually talking, almost everyday. Therefore the writer is teaching that we need to be commited to live wisely in order to make good sexual decisions. All  you need is commitment, but you need to be commited to something greater than you. Wisdom is needed in order to keep sexual purity, and if you want to remain pure for the glory of God, you need to avoid adultery. 

The author also call us to learn from the failure of other people. He describes the adultery scene very graphically, so we can see that adultery is very attractive to any one, specially for those who does not have  any particular commitment.

Let’s read the result of not paying attention to his advices: “For many are those who she has laid low, and numerous her victims” (7:26)

The center of this chapter is verse 23 ” For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the ways of life” 

Many bad decisions that we make are the result of lack of clarity in our lives. Te writer invites us to pay attention to the light and understanding that the teaching and commandments of God bring, if we really want to have a good life. Hence, we need to understand that God does not forbid things because he wants to dominate us, but because he  wants to protect us.

Understanding God’s intentions is a great way to be more attentive to what he is trying to teach us. when we acknowledge that, we will be more diligent in searching for his wisdom and practicing his commandments.

The metaphor of the ant’s hard work and preparation for winter season(6:6-8), is also a way to ilustrate the point of being ready for life’s challenges. in other words if you understand that life brings a lot of challenges, you should be getting ready for that every day.

If you do that,  you will be able to avoid adultery, laziness and foolishness.

According to the writer of Proverbs faithfulness and sexual integrity are part of the characteristics of those who live wisely. He advices his readers  not to be deceive by the man/woman which looks attractive but are led by foolishness. 

In this chapter foolishness is practiced by those who live in sexual impurity. He describes a woman, but it also can be a man who is trying to involve others in their sexual misbehaviour. Adultery normally is practiced in secret,but the writer made sure to tell us that even though you can hide your sin , there is somebody greater than all of us who is watching.

“for humans ways are under the eyes of the Lord, and he examines all their path” (5:21)

In this chapter we also can find an encouragement to be thankful for the partner that God has given to us, and to enjoy his/her presence and company every day of our lives.

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife/husband of your youth” (5:18)

The writer chose a new subject to contrast it with wisdom. For him, wisdom is the ability to eliminate or avoid evil from our lives. Evil is everything that separates us from the best God has for us.

 Do you remember when Eve was tempted at the garden? Satan offered her ”to be like God” but what she got was to be excluded from the garden. well,the same  choice is presented to us every day, and that is why the writer says:

” Do not enter in the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers” (Proverbs 4:14)

Therefore, in this case a wise man or woman are those who choose the right path and avoid the proposals of the darkness. How can we do that? again the writers tell us:

“Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn yor foot from evil” (4:26-27)

In other words keep practicing good choices, remain doing what you already know that pleases God and is good for you and your neighbors, and then you will see that the wisdom is your partner.

This is a great chapter! we are reminded that real wisdom  is to trust in the Lord with all our heart and strength. It is very easy to do what is right in our own understanding, but the real challenge here is to rely on God’s wisdom not on our own insight ( 3:5)

Every day we are  invited to do what is more convinient  and comfortable according to the standards of the world, but God is calling us to do what is more pleasing to him and what brings him more glory. which one will you choose?

Our choices will depend on how much we believe that God is right and that he has and want the best for us.

The writer promises: “It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body” (3:

Almost everyone loves the book of Revelation. Few understand it, but everyone loves it because it is so unusual and reads like the Chronicles of Narnia or Tolkien’s Hobbit trilogy. The book of Revelation is what is called apocalyptic literature. It is a vision/dream that was given to John while exiled on the Island of Patmos. Like all prophetic and apocalyptic literature, it has to be read in that context. It is not a historical document, like the gospels, or a didactic piece like Paul’s letters. But there is wisdom and learning for those who are willing to read it as intended. It is part of God’s inspired revelation to us.

The letters to the seven churches has great import for churches today. The lessons, though particular to each church, have parallels in churches of all times and places. First, the Spirit of God KNOWS his church. God knows what goes on in our churches. God affirms and blesses what we do in his name, but God also knows what is missing/wrong in each church and will hold us accountable. And God admonishes us, through John, to LISTEN to what the Spirit of God says.

Then the remainder of the book explains the battle between good and evil, God and Satan in very colorful and symbolic language. For years biblical scholars have tried to decode who the AntiChrist was by using and manipulating the numbers of the book. The numbers of the book do have meaning–symbolic meanig–however they are not a riddle to be cecoded. They have clearly understood parallels in the culture of the time. The most important message from reading and studying the book of Revelation is that God is going to win! Sounds simple but it is true. No matter what it looks like to us, no matter how much anything or anyone fights against God and his righteousness, his people and his reign over them, they will fail. God will triumph over sin, death, and the devil and usher in an incredible eternal kingdom. Whatever else you believe, whatever else you “read into” this book, you cannot go away without understanding this truth: Just as God started history he will culminate it as we know it now and begin his eternal rule and reign and those who have put their faith and trust in him will enjoy God’s reign and recreated earth and heaven forever and ever! Amen.

Wisdom is not an option, it is a must for every child of God. The writer of provebs makes it clear on every statement he says. He approaches wisdom with the warm heart of a father talking to his child. he also contrasts wisdom with foolishness, and he ask his readers to chose among them.

We can see also that the writer of revelation makes it clear from the beginning that those who really care about God and God’s words should pay attention and follow his recommendations to the churches. He said : “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2:7)

In one sentence, we can say that the real wisdom is sum up  in our ability to  hear God’s words and do what he says.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2: 6) 

The blog returns! Yesterday was a real holiday for everyone and so today we are back at it! We are on the “homestretch”! Twenty nine more days to read through the bible. Hang on! We are almost there!

The book of Proverbs is a collection of “sayings” that are not mathematical formulas–one plus one equals two–rather they are wise sayings that are general statements of truth relative to lifes varied experiences. They are usually stated in pairs of phrases. Some are a positive-negative or contrasting statements pairing. Others are double positive or double negative pairings. Some are grouped in proverbs relating to the same subject. Some of the proverbs stand completely alone pretty unrelated to the other proverbs in the collection.

The first two chapters of Proverbs is well known as the part of the bible that personifies wisdom. This means that it speaks about wisdom as if wisdom were a person. It is a literary device frequently used in poetry and proverbial literature. Some scholars believe that the personification is literal–that the passage is describing God incarnate–wisdom. Others believe it is simply a personification of the power of the wisdom of God when obeyed or ignored by human persons in every day life. Either way, it is clear that we are to pay attention to this wisdom. Only the fool would do otherwise says the author of the collection. Stated most clearly in 1:7, “the fear (heeding) of the Lord (wisdom) is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise (ignore) wisdom and instruction.” We need to read it and meditate on it and look to God’s word–wisdom–every day.

For some reason in the reading schedule this week was left out. So it is a time of grace. For me, no blogging to do! For you, catch-up reading time! Blogging will resume DAY 337 on September 1 for our sprint to the finish on September 30th when we will have completed our reading through the bible in one year. Back at you in a week!