Proverbs_27

Scripture

Proverbs 27: 15-16-15  A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

Observation and Understanding-What does it say and mean?

A quarrelsome wife is torture for a husband.

We had a huge thunder rainstorm yesterday, so the leaky roof analogy that King Solomon speaks about in parallel to a quarrelsome wife, is very relevant for today. I also like his parallel to restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. Basically, he’s saying that it’s impossible to restrain a quarrelsome wife. 

Life Application

Women, we need to give our men a break. 

There was a period of time where I was being really mean to my husband and it was due to a combination of things, to the point where I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit tell me that he was not trying to hurt me, but rather help me, so I need to go easier on him.

Sometimes we need to practice more self control and submission in order for our partnership to work the way God had intended it to work. We are called to move together as one in flesh and one in Christ. The more we push our own agendas and want to live independently, instead of interdependently, the harder it will be for our marriage to work. Besides Christ, our spouse is our #1 human relationship, so let us not live as enemies living in the same home, but rather allies and partners in Christ. 

Dear Lord, I pray over marriages and specifically I pray for my sisters in Christ who are wives just like me. I pray we would work with our spouses as one flesh and love, honor, respect and listen to them more than we quarrel with them. I also pray for marriages that are struggling right now because of other behind the scenes issues. May we continue to put You first Jesus, continue to honor our vows and enjoy a marriage that is thriving, instead of just surviving. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Proverbs__26

Scripture

Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Observation - What does it say?

The first 11 verses of this chapter illustrate the Bible’s negative view, and ultimately God’s negative view (as the Bible’s author), of fools. In many of the proverbs, the fool is portrayed as the person on the opposite end of the spectrum from the wise and righteous. For the past 25 chapters, we’ve seen that there is no benefit to being a fool. The person who is most despised and hopeless appears to be the fool. Then comes a major insight in this verse:

There is someone more hopeless than the fool. It’s the person who is wise in their own eyes.

Understanding - What does it mean?

As I read the first 11 verses of this chapter, I found myself thinking, “Dang, good thing I’m not a fool!” Then, as if wise Solomon knew this would be the thought of some, he delivers a tremendous blow to them (and me!) in verse 12. “If you think you’re wise in your own eyes, you’re worse off than the fool.”

Ouch! I fell into the trap.

These are the same people Jesus had the hardest time with. The religious leaders and teachers of the law thought they had it all together and complained about Jesus, “Why are you and your disciples always hanging out with sinners?!” Jesus replied, “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus avoided those who thought they were healthy, thought they were righteous and thought they were wise. And he pursued those who realized they were sick, realized they were sinful and realized they needed wisdom.

Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Life Application

Repent of pride!

God, forgive me for my pride! Humble me and remove any offensive way in me. I can't bear the thought of you keeping your distance from me! You are my only hope for this life and for eternity. I desire you above all things and long for more of your presence in my life. Destroy my pride and make me more aware of my desperation for you. Amen.

- Levi Thompson

Proverbs__25

Scripture 

Proverbs 25:21-22  If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Observation-What does it say?  This group of proverbs, written by Solomon, were collected and revived into worship during the reign of Hezekiah.  Hezekiah’s reign was documented in the books of 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29.  He was the son of Ahaz, who robbed the temple of it’s gold and led Judah to be nearly destroyed.  Hezekiah’s primary concern was to bring the temple back to its purpose, which was the worship of the Lord. “He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side and said: “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary” (2 Chronicles 29:4-5).  In this particular collection of Solomon’s proverbs, comparisons are employed more than contrasts to display truths of God (i.e. a good word is like snow in the time of harvest, unexpected and refreshing).  These comparisons are coupled with instructions on how to live in a way that honors God. Understanding-What does it mean?  I’m not a total weirdo, but I have been listening to Christmas music since December 26, 2019.  Not everyday, but a lot since I have had the “Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack in the CD player in my car that whole time.  It seems passe to even have a CD in a car nowadays, similar to having an 8-track player in a car in the early 90’s.  Nevertheless, I listen to the soundtrack of my favorite movie, by my favorite jazz group, which reminds me of my favorite time of year.   Throughout the whole movie, Charlie knows something is missing from his Christmas experience.  We even get a visual contrast, in that tiny Christmas tree contrasted against the ‘big aluminum tree’, of what the world expects of the time of year of the celebration of Christ’s birth.  The climax of the movie, brought on by Charlie’s cry, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  Linus steps up, “Lights please!”, and quotes Luke 2:8-14 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Even amidst the craziness of Christmas, it is important to take the time to remember that we are called to adopt the attitude which was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8), an attitude of a servant.  “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28).  Jesus embodied the spirit of this proverb and was constantly a thorne in the side of the Sadducees and Pharisees.  But it His love that draws us in close to him still, nearly 2000 years after his death.  In the movie, the moment Christ’s love is made apparent is the moment that the whole Peanuts gang begins to care for more than the glitz of the season and the tree comes into a new life.   Life Application  Jesus, beyond the presents and the songs, help me to be a servant during this time of year and this upcoming year.  Help me prepare myself for the upcoming season of fasting.  Fill my heart with your joy to a point of overflowing.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u3Ia6msMFw -Tyler Galloway