The book of James is one of my favorites because the author (James) is very clear and direct about what he is trying to write. How was he directing the early Church on how to live? What exactly did he mean by “dead faith”? How does this apply to our lives today?

Malachi means “my messenger,” and speaks to God’s people as the voice of the Lord Himself. It is written as a series of discourses, which uncover the hardness of heart in the Israelites. Malachi was perhaps the last prophet to speak to the people before the 400 years of silence leading up to Christ. He leaves us with a call to repentance and a hope.

Chapter 9 offers a transition between the lofty heights of chapter 8 and the workaday world of chapters following. The philosophical survey of wisdom will soon be replaced by the pithy and isolated sayings offered on a host of common topics. But first, a final review of the options and a call to choose correctly is given.

This chapter is unique among the Proverbs. Here, Dame Wisdom speaks for herself; and the entire poem is a praise song reminding us how important she is and where to discover her. In contrast to Lady Folly, Wisdom is available publicly. She offers true wealth; and her influence is infinite from eternity past to eternity future.

After extensive teachings regarding the temptations of lust and illicit sexual behaviors, Solomon turns to other bad choices—particularly bad debt, poor work ethics, and prideful self-sufficiency. This chapter is the Israelite version of the medieval list of seven deadly sins. Wisdom is always the answer.

Contemporary culture is obsessed with sexuality. We use it to sell everything from cars to soft drinks. Sex is daily presented as the key to happiness and excitement in life. However, the illusions of out-of-bounds sexuality disappear when examined realistically.

The father (and mother), not the professional teacher or pastor or government official, has the most profound responsibility and opportunity to lead a young man in the right way. With the urgency of parental love, these verses highlight the inheritance passed from generation to generation. Wisdom must, however, be willingly received by each generation as well.

“A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody’s experience.” --Anonymous

The Book of Proverbs is not merely an anthology of pithy sayings. It is, rather, an Eastern textbook teaching (young men, particularly) wise living by repetition of wise thoughts. Wisdom is distilled into short , sharp phrases...dramatic contrasts...unforgettable scenes from daily life. Not just a slick formula for success, Proverbs offers wisdom grounded in reverence for God and obedience to His laws. The essence of wisdom is the "fear of the Lord."

Contending for the Faith is not the most pleasant of spiritual duties, but it is action required of particular generations of believers at moments of intense spiritual warfare. Jude writes at just such an historical moment. His words are disturbingly relevant for our time.