Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

No Sluggard To Mission

R Aylor

Already in Proverbs 20 Solomon has mentioned various kinds of people. In verse one it was the person who is led astray by wine and strong drink… In verse 2 showed us one who stirs up anger and one who is angry… Then in verse 3… a peace seeker and also a quarreler. Today we look at the sluggard.

When autumn comes and there is work to do the sluggard likely does not tell others how lazy he is. He may not even acknowledge it to himself. It’s just that he usually has some very important task to do that keeps him from the work. It’s always something that he would rather do than to plow the fields. This year he must travel to see a sick friend in another village. Last year he had planned a vacation around that time with some friends. The year before that his allergies would act up whenever he exerted himself in the outdoors… fishing seemed to be ok…

If you’re like me, you too see many lazy streaks in your life from time to time… I think that when we notice one there is usually a corresponding spiritual deficiency that influences our physical lazy streak.

We may not think about how it’s a spiritual problem when we are lazy and don’t want to clean the house or mow the lawn but it is… It may be easier to identify as a spiritual issue when we don’t have a desire or are not motivated to read Gods word… Or we don’t want to be around believers or go to church and hear Gods word. We can always come up with a good sounding rational excuse for all these things but for the lazy person its usually something we would rather be doing that takes the place of what we are lazy to.

You see, if we are to not be lazy to the things of God we need a heart that would rather be doing the things of God. Of course, for believers, we received a heart like that when we became a new creation in Christ Jesus, but now this new creation like a new born must grow in the things of God… We are a work in progress and God is sanctifying or changing us practically to find our joy in doing his will as we see more of his glory and walk in smaller circles of repentance always turning back to him, the greatest treasure in the Universe.

I want to close with this passage from Paul in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 which talks about how as a new creation in Christ made in good standing with God, we have no need to be lazy in life as though we have no purpose. Our new purpose gives us joy… and that is to share how others can be made in good standing with God.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.b The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconcilingc the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

What is it about a foolish man that he will quarrel with anything from a Mountain to a mathematical calculation when neither one can be persuaded one inch? A foolish son will argue with his father who has the authority to discipline him… A foolish person will get up into a police officers face knowing they will either get beat up or will spend the night in jail. You already know what it is that keeps us coming back for more don’t you? Of course you do, we all do… its pride. We’re all familiar with it on some level where we live. It’s commonly seen when one or both spouses quarrel and defend themselves… before you know it, even the one who was in the right about the specifics of the quarrel has to apologize.

Solomon says how whoever provokes a king to anger forfeits his life. A king had the power to wave his hand and have someones head cut off. His terror is like the growling of a lion. You would think that would scare someone right? Kim Jong Un of North Korea is much like a king in that respect. It seems that the whole country hears his roar and smiles when he says smile and would stand on their head and stack bb’s if he said to… or they would at least try. Why?… because they don’t want to anger him… they don’t want forfeit their life.

Of course this passages lends nicely to the King of Kings who has good reason to be angry with mankind.

Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

And we all have provoked him to anger… all have refused the joys in acknowledging his glory and love… And when he sent his only Son to be paid the wages for our crime, we were the ones who crucified him… We will all one day stand before him and face his terror in righteous judgment.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

In verse three of today’s passage Solomon also says: 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,

How can we keep from strife? Can anyone really? Arn’t we broken people in a broken world?

Verse 3 brings to my mind the Beach Boys song “In My Room”.

Some of the lyrics say “There's a world where I can go and tell my secrets to, In my room, In my room.”

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said this: 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The great thing is that when we come to Jesus… when we look to him with delight… draw nigh to him, call on him, have faith in him, believe in him… The spiritual strife that comes from the darkness in this broken world is taken from us. We have Gods peace and joy because of Jesus. The same power of God that raised him from the dead lets us walk in spiritual resurrection with victory over the strife that comes from sin.

God gives us the righteousness of Jesus… and the strife that would have accompanied us on judgment day is also removed.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 20
:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

There are quite a lot of things in life that can lead us to brawl; that is, to quarrel or fight, and there are a whole lot of things that can lead us astray.

One thing I want to be careful of… and that is I do not want to ever assert the traditions of men one way or the other over the truth of Gods word like the Pharisees did. So I am not here to convince anyone about whether they personally should drink alcohol.

I believe this verse is addressing… yes alcohol in particular but the being led astray by something this world offers… It’s a heart thing; it’s about the things we seek and where we let these things in life lead our hearts… will it lead us in a closer walk with the world or a closer walk with the Lord? I was thinking of what Moses told the children of Israel before they entered the promised land about loving the things of the world and how those things would lead them astray and causes cause them not to be glad in the Lord.

Moses had just listed a long list of woes that would come to Israel if they treasured the physical things God would actually give them as a blessing… if their gladness shifted from being in God to these things.

Deuteronomy 28:46 They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,

It’s pretty clear that whatever we lust after or love or have an obsession about in the world… whatever captivates our heart will lead us astray and cause our spirit to brawl or be at odds with the Holy Spirit.

Today Solomon talks about wine and strong drink which is definitely a big issue for many. Look, we all have certain things that we are more susceptible to in life than others… things that can tug at our heart strings and tempt us to be drawn astray. And it is no secret alcohol has been a big stumbling block historically for mankind.

In todays verse I...

But I want to go for the inner spiritual truth here… what is it that God wants us to internalize… What truth here is going to transform our inner being and bring us true joy and worship in the Lord. I think it is always those things that are akin to the the Holy Spirit. If we keep that in mind as we interpret Gods word I think it will serve us well. Notice what Paul says right after he describes the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

So in closing I will mention two things I think are important in what we are talking about. One, turn away from those things that pull on our heart and encourage us to be lead astray from delighting in God. It may be something lustful on the internet or social media or TV… It might be drugs or alcohol or food or a a purchase of some item that might not be very good for our relationship to the Lord.

And secondly, not only turn from those things but to desperately reach for the things that do satisfy with are the things of God. The Apostle Paul uses phrases like “pressing on” and “straining forward”.

Philippians 3:13 Brothers,...

So that's our goal in life… we have turned away from sin… that repentance and now we walk, reach strain or press toward the things of God the rest of our life. And we do so not only for our own conscious sake but for others as well.

1st Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Today Solomon shares with us an iron clad truth about God and then gives us an example which we can receive application from for our every day life.

First off in verse 30 tells us we cannot outwit or strategize or manipulate God. We cannot trick him or hide our motives from him. We cannot set a trap for him or find some work around in his word that would keep us from facing just judgment. Gods word is not like the hundreds of thousands of pages legal codes and regulations such as IRS tax laws where one might try to find a loophole so one might escape the intent of the law. There are no loopholes against the Lord.

Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

And the truth is… when we search for peace and strive for satisfaction from the things of the world… When our confidence comes from the sophisticated air power and high yield destruction capabilities of our armed forces… Or more to our daily life… when our confidence comes from our job, our money, looks, popularity etc… We are trusting in our own arsenal of weapons to survive in a broken world… But actually… all of our weapons for victory are broken weapons.

The truth is that we are blessed not by fighting the system… not by overcoming the brokenness of a world cursed because of sin… We could never scratch the surface to do that ourselves. How can we fight a system that God created and put in place? We cant! And yes he was the one who broke the Universe but he did it because of mankind sin; and he did it for his own glory… and he did it to show us our brokenness and futility… And he did it so we might look to him in faith with repentance and joy. He is the one who gives us victory over the brokenness that God brought because of sin.

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

So we in ourselves cannot be triumphant in a broken world because we cannot avail against the Lord.

Verse 31 gives us an example for application which we already touched on. It speaks of not trusting in worldly might in war… namely the horse. Solomon gives us the reason; he says: “the victory belongs to the Lord”.

Solomon may have read his father King Davids writings. In Psalm chapter 20 verse 7 he wrote: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I want to read a few verses related to this which I love out of Isaiah.

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. … 14 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Pray

Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. 28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. 29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.

Today’s 3 verses speak of being a fake… living our lives with proclaiming we are one way… maybe even believing it at times… and when we do we get a false sense of security. Thats how we used to walk before we came to find our security in Christ.

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First we see the gift giver. This is the person who brings sacrifices to God that are not accompanied by a heart of worship and joy… its like a man who brings his wife a bouquet of flowers while having a mistress on the side. It’s an abomination to the Lord when we approach God thinking our own good gifts or deeds make up for our sinful heart of adultery towards him… Gifts and sacrifices won’t cut it. Even if we change our ways it won’t atone for our sins.

See Matthew 9:13

So Jesus calls us to repentance or admitting our sin and turning away from it towards him and for us to take his mercy without any of our own sacrifices.

Our text says how the wicked’s sacrifice is worse than an abomination when he brings it with evil intent”. When one thinks they can fool God with their sacrifices…

it’s like saying “I don’t need Jesus sacrifice on the Cross… My good deeds should be enough… Jesus sacrifice was for nothing”. That’s more than an abomination to God.

This first person lied to God… Now Solomon speaks of a false witness to men…

This person could be sitting in a doughnut shop or even a courtroom saying they were an eyewitness to some wrong their neighbor was accused of while it was only something he has heard gossip about and now shares it as though it is true.

Finally Solomon speaks of someone who bears a false witness to everyone about his own goodness.

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He may gossip lies about his neighbor and still put on a facade to the whole world saying he has it all together.

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The bold face of the wicked might appear confident and intentional going after his goals courageously valiant and brave but inside down deep he likely knows he is a phony and a fake.

Solomon also tells us how an upright man differs from the wicked. ....

He is an actual first hand hearer instead of second or third handed hearer and he is also one who gives thoughts to his ways.

There ya go…. though millions and millions of people have heard about the Messiah who would come to set things right after Adams sin so man could be in fellowship with God, not all have truly heard down deep in their soul… But some did. they were given ears to hear how Jesus is good news of great joy… They were given eyes to see how Jesus is beautiful. They were given a heart to delight in Jesus as the greatest treasure in the Universe worth leaving all for. They heard and gave thought to their ways and in joy turned away from sin towards the Lord for the rest of their life.

And in closing consider how Jesus was the perfect sacrifice given with not wicked intention but with joy and good intent for the glory of God and for our good. And even in his death he prospered as he overcame its hold and his days were prolonged. I’ll close with this reading from Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. 25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

Talk, Scoff and Slouth

R Aylor

Today we look at 3 characters which we meet many times throughout Proverbs… The talker, the scoffer and the sluggard.

The talker quite often puts their foot in their mouth when they open their mouth… or rather should have stopped up their vocal cords with a foot or fist or giant plunger because they say things to make themselves look better and so many times don’t even give much thought to that and people see through their words… in trying to make themselves look good they seem to belittle others and say wrong and hurtful things… they may not always know it but people see through their smoke screen … The talker can also come across as mr or miss know it all always having to have the last word and be right defending themselves to the very end.

Speaking of the talker, James 3:7-8 says: 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Interestingly, the “talker” is frequently known also as the “scoffer”. Yes, it’s true that the scoffer talks; and when he does its to make himself look good. It’s no secret that we all are bent to do this. Who wants to look bad in front of others? Some people jump into the spotlight to look good… others stay out of the spotlight so they won’t look bad… both are looking out for themselves… led by pride. And that too is the goal of the scoffer. The scoffer gripes and grumbles about the world around them… they gossip about the people they know and even those they have never met.

In our text today Solomon has told us how the scoffer is arrogant, haughty and full of pride. Proverbs 16:18 says: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

The talker otherwise known as the scoffer may at times goes by another alias; the sluggard. The sluggard is not on the Lords mission… he is on his own mission of doing nothing… he has evolved from mere talk and scoffing to being totally obsessed with his self… not even working… hoping others will provide for him… not keeping up his residence ; often idling through life and like the talker and scoffer gossiping and grumbling his way from house to house always having the last word… saying they are wise and smarter than others.

It’s interesting to me that when we find a person who claims to be a believer acting like this we are not to cuddle or support them. We are not to relate to them in a way that is accepting of the way they are living; in fact we are to separate ourselves from fellowshipping with them.

1st Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 21:20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

Treasure In The Glory Of God

R Aylor

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Only a few verses earlier in this chapter, 16-18; we saw how a wicked person peruses worldly pleasures but the end result is their own destruction.

I wonder... why might the wise person in today’s verses have many of the very same treasures the wicked person seeks and devours... the very things that leads to their demise? But for the wise they are not evil or poison to their soul... why is that?

I think the reason is not in the things that come their way but in the seeking of them first and foremost. The physical things in life are not that important to the wise at heart… they are not obsessed with them… not controlled by them... The pursuit of things do not devour them...

Verse 21 tells us that the wise person is going hard after something totally different... they are seeking not physical things but certain traits.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

These are characteristics of righteousness and goodness and truth. These are attributes of God and the kinds of things God showed Moses when he ask to see his glory. And seeing more and more of Gods glory will transform our life.

2nd Corinthians 3:18 says: And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Finally verse 22 says:

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

You know in today’s culture many have tried to redefine tolerant to mean that a tolerant person will not confront evil and wickedness. They will not disagree or make a case for righteousness. A tolerant person will not publicly differentiate between right and wrong… they will let wickedness proclaim its own biased self righteous ideas for the most part indoctrinating our lives, the lives of our children and our culture.

But Solomon says those wise in the Lord are to take a stand for truth and that not only when wickedness crosses our path… but to be proactive and intentional scaling the city that is overrun by wickedness, breaking down the foundations of every lie and then making a case and proclaiming the truth for the glory of God in Jesus.

​Pray

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Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Check out the devotion on Proverbs 21:9 for more help in staying together in marriage for Gods glory and your good... Its a verse similar to todays passage.

Something Else Is Even Better

R Aylor

It is better to live in a desert, than with a woman full of fret

She will complain, contend, allege and defend; always inclined to upset

The desert nights freeze and the day shines down warm

It’s a land full of sand, snakes, lizards and thorns

And just because its better does not mean its best

To leave and go there will not cure your stress

Whether desert, or attic, dog house or the street

What is best is to never give up on truth and peace

Work to that end, promote one and the same

Be patient, forgive, don’t condemn or cast blame

You may save your family, your children and wife

From a fragmented, bitter, delusioned life

And in all this, more than ever before

You will grow and draw closer to Gods word and the Lord

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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They Call Me The Wanderer

R Aylor

Proverbs 21:16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

Our text begins talking about how wandering from good sense will get you killed. This reminds me of how easy to get disoriented in a mountainous wilderness; wouldn’t you know… Ive gotten lost in an area like that and believe me its a horrible feeling. Once I realized I was lost with mountains on each side of me and not knowing north from south it was not good sense for me to keep walking… Thankfully a friend found me early on. Up in that same area of the Gunnison National Forest in Colorado… one evening as dusk was turning to night a lady walked into our camp. She had gotten lost earlier that morning and I was told she had walked about 20 miles across the mountain… When she came over one of the mountains she had saw our campfire in the distance and made her way to us. She was weary from the long walk and anxiety of being lost for so long. My buddy and I took our motorcycles to a Ranger Station maybe around 10 miles from camp to try and call her husband but all they had were radios and we could not reach them. I had actually brought an extra sleeping bag and so she spent the night in it at our camp site. The next day some who were with us took her to her husband which by road was about 100 miles.

When a person gets lost like this and keeps wandering I suspect it usually does not end this well.

Our text today says:

One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.

This is relevant in relationship to things spiritual in nature and our walk with God. The passage goes on to give examples of loving pleasure and wine and oil. When we walk towards earthly pleasures instead of the ultimate pleasures that come from God we are walking towards disaster. If thats where you are today, quit wandering further into sin. Call to the Lord for mercy and he will give it. Pray for a friend to help you walk the right path like my friend who led me to safety when I was lost in the mountains. It may be a difficult prayer to ask God to give you accountability in your life to walk the good path in life… It will be difficult to pray a “whatever it takes” prayer but you will do it if you are desperate for the Lord.

Finally todays passage says:

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

This passage is a little more difficult for me… I have been thinking about it and cross referencing scriptures… I even looked at some commentaries… Still, I’m not real sure of its intention by Solomon.

The commentaries I read mostly referred to this verse as saying how when the wicked plan evil it returns to them… like the saying what goes around comes around…

One example was given in the book of Esther, how Haman who had planned the execution of Mordecai became a ransom for him in that he was hung on the same gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Another I though of along the same line comes from Proverbs 26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

Still I’m not real sure about this verse… I only know that I keep coming back to Jesus and so I will tell you what this makes me think of.

It was Jesus; who, although he was perfect he became as wicked in that he was paid the wages of our sin on the Cross that we might be ransomed from the curses and the slavery that comes with sin.

2nd Corinthians 5:21 speaking of Jesus says: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1st Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all…

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. 15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

The Gift That Averts Anger

R Aylor

Today we will begin with verse 14 and focus most of our time on it. Then tie in verse 15 at the end.

Now the giving of gifts may remind us of other verses in Proverbs but it is actually quite distinct.

You can check out the devotions from Proverbs 17:8, 18:16 and 19:6 if you like but todays angle on gift giving is different. I’ll read it again.

Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

Notice in this verse Solomon gives two examples of giving and in both cases they are given one on one and not publicly. These gifts are not for buying friendship… they are not to get you in the doors to see a king or president… Again both of these example share another commonality… they are to stave off or turn away anger and wrath. And this gift giver in both cases is not making a publicity stunt… The gift is private… Something has likely gone wrong within their personal relationship… Its not about gain, its about restoration. It’s a gift of repentance… It accompanies words like: “I’m sorry, I have offended you personally and our relationship has suffered… I bear the blame and ask for forgiveness.”.

Men have brought this truth to action for hundreds of years… When the relationship between them and their spouse has suffered they bring a gift like chocolates or flowers which accompany their humility and words of love.

This verse makes me think of mankind relationship with God… how Adam and Eve turned away from him and were put out of his fellowship… And how we all take on these same rebellious traits as our ancestors and must be brought into a good association with God being accepted and rejoiced over by him. And although we are the rebels and although he is the one who has been angered with good cause… and in his justice we are the ones who will face his wrath…in all that, still he has so loved us that he has given us a great gift that will avert his anger and wrath for all who accept his offering.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thats where our Proverbs 21:15 verse comes in… 15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

He is paid for our sin on the Cross that we may rejoice in his justice in salvation and judgment.

Pray