| | I did, in fact, do Bible reading over the last couple days, but it was during my lunch breaks at work and I wasn't reading in Proverbs or Jeremiah and wasn't really keeping notes.
Anyway, I was going to try to get to the end of Jeremiah today, but I'm really just in a Proverbs mood, and I only have about an hour before heading off to work, so I'm just sticking with Proverbs.
Chapter 16:
3 Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.
- Different translations seem to change this meaning from "Your thoughts will be stable" to "What you think will happen." The Hebrew word there is used both ways in other places. Either way, commit works to God and good will come in some form.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
- "No, see, look at how big of a support group we have, look at our TV commercials and pamphlets, look at our man power!" - The size of a movement has nothing to do with whether or not it's correct.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- This has always been a household favorite verse, because it's rather comforting. It should be noted that the Hebrew word for peace here doesn't necessarily mean "no anger, lots of tranquility" - this word means sound judgment, equal pay, requit, finish, etc. It doesn't mean that no one will ever be mad at you or want to pick a fight, but they'll treat you fairly and give you notice (The word is translated "Reward" in Genesis), even though they don't like you.
In another odd step of accuracy for the Message, it was the only one that got this right - all others just said "be at peace" or something similar, while the Message said:
7 When God approves of your life,
even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.
That's actually way more accurate to what that word is most likely meaning there. Go figure.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
- This is a rather poignant verse for today, with all the stuff falling apart like it is. The people who have made big money unjustly (Madoff, anyone?) are losing it all, but there are a lot of people with decent little jobs who are suddenly the ones who are employed and keeping most of their stuff.
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
- I'm taking a class at CFNI on Proverbs, and we talked a lot about this verse. The word "plan" is like making a strategy, devising, crunching the numbers, where "direct" means more "make indisputable." What I take from that, is that God will tell you what direction you're supposed to be taking in life - make your path indisputable, but it's up to you to plan the way and get it done. You figure out the degree plans you take, your study plans, where you go, all of that - just make sure it's heading to where God said you should go.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
- Woo. The NIV is good for this one:
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth should not betray justice.
- When you're in a high position, people look to you as an example and a mouthpiece for Christianity and for God. So if you're a leader somewhere, watch your mouth, because people look to you as an oracle. The Message takes some of the punch out, but gets the message out clearly:
10 A good leader motivates,
doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.
11 Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s;
All the weights in the bag are His work.
- Deal fairly, because God is there doing business with you. God cares about how we conduct ourselves in financial dealings. The weights are His - when you deal fairly, you're doing things God's way, and when God is working with the weights, you know you'll get the best. Once again, the Message takes out the entire image, but says the point really well (The Message is on a roll in chapter 17):
11 God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
- It's amazing how far you'll get in a workplace just by being one of the only honest people there. Leaders will value those who will just talk straight.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Here's this phrase again...I REALLY think he means it.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- Goes with verse 8 pretty well - better to be lower and be doing things right, than to be doing it wrong and have a lot, because you're eventually losing it all if you do it wrong.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
- That's just good...repeat that in your head often.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
- NIV time:
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction.
- Be smart, speak kindly. You'll be respected and people will actually learn from you.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
- That's a really cool phrase - "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth." You get it in your heart first, and you train your mouth to talk accordingly. There are times you'll understand something deep down, but you still find yourself talking like you used to before you realized what God had to say about stuff. Let your heart teach your mouth.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.
- This one is interesting. The King James and the New King James said it basically like that (King James said "craveth it of him" where the NKJV said "drives him on" but the NIV, NASB, NLT, and the Message said it more like:
26A worker's appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on. (NASB)
- These made the entire thing focus on how the appetite is driving the word. Instead of just "Whoever labors is doing it for himself, becuase he's hungry" like the KJs, the others make the point "Being hungry is good, because it makes you work." I looked this one up in the Hebrew, and it's only a five-word sentence (Nephesh amel amal peh akaph.) so it's weird that we have all of these long translations of it.
I think the KJs just kind of missed the point here, because it seems like the point here really is that a hungry worker will always work harder than one who is not.
I'm not sure why this verse is sticking out to me so much...I'm gonna have to come back to this one and look at it more. Anyone else have any thoughts about what lesson this verse is trying to teach us? Leave me comments.
31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
I love the Biblical reverence towards old age. You get to live to an old age by living a wise life - if you've made it that long, and still have enough hair to be gray, you've done something right and deserve a little more respect.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
- I don't think much more needs to be said. Just take that in.
That's all for now. See you later.
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| | Posted 4/4/2009 12:08 PM - 5 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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