PROVERBS 29
Humble king reigns correctly verse 1- 14
He – that being often reproved hardens his neck
shall suddenly be destroyed – AND without remedy
When the RIGHTEOUS are in authority – the people rejoice
BUT when the WICKED bear rule – the people mourn
Whoso loves wisdom rejoices his father
BUT he that keeps company with harlots
spends his substance
The king by judgment establishes the land
BUT he that receives gifts (bribes) overthrows it
A man that FLATTERS his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet
In the TRANSGRESSION of an EVIL man there is a snare
BUT the RIGHTEOUS doth sing and rejoice
The RIGHTEOUS considers the cause of the poor
BUT the WICKED regards not to know it
SCORNFUL men bring a city into a snare
BUT WISE men turn away wrath
If a WISE man contends with a FOOLISH man
WHETHER he rage or he laugh – there is no rest
The BLOODTHIRSTY hate the UPRIGHT
BUT the JUST seek his soul
A FOOL utters all his mind
BUT a WISE man keeps it in till afterward
If a ruler hearken to lies
all his servants are WICKED
The poor and the DECIETUFL man meet together
the LORD lightens both their eyes
The king that faithfully judges the poor
his throne shall be established for ever
Proper correction brings wisdom verse 11- 21
The rod and reproof give wisdom
BUT a child left to himself brings his mother to shame
When the WICKED are multiplied – TRANSGRESSION increases
BUT the RIGHTEOUS shall see their fall
Correct thy son – and he shall give thee rest
YEA – he shall give delight unto thy soul
Where there is no vision – the people perish
BUT he that keeps the law – happy is he
A servant will not be corrected by words
for though he understand he will not answer
See you a man that is HASTY in his words?
there is more hope of a FOOL than of him
He that delicately brings up his servant from a child
shall have him become his son at the length
Pride comes before fall verse 22- 27
An ANGRY man stirs up strife
AND a FURIOUS man abounds in TRANSGRESSION
A man’s PRIDE shall bring him low
BUT honor shall uphold the HUMBLE in spirit
Whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul
he hears cursing – and betrays it not
The fear of man brings a snare
BUT whoso puts his TRUST in the LORD
shall be safe
Many seek the ruler’s favor
BUT every man’s judgment comes from the LORD
An UNJUST man is an ABOMINATION to the JUST
AND he that is UPRIGHT in the way is
ABOMINATION to the WICKED
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (8433 “reproved” [towkechah] means rebuke, impeachment, childing, correction, reprimand, contradiction, or recrimination)
DEVOTION: There are people who seem to not take any correction even when it is repeated many times to them. They will not change their behavior and wonder why people don’t want to be around them.
Most of us have met people who will not listen to correction if they are wrong. They don’t want to ever have anyone think they are wrong. Some of us know when we are wrong but don’t want to hear it but we usually try to change our behavior for the better.
Here is an individual who just doesn’t want to change and if people don’t agree with him/her than that is their tough luck. They think the other person is wrong. However, when they do something that the Bible says is wrong and don’t want to listen than the LORD has to deal with them in HIS time.
Our responsibility is to try to help others mature in their faith by lovingly instructing them in the teachings of the Word of God. If they listen than we have gained a friend but if they are not willing to listen than we have to allow the LORD to deal with them in HIS timing and in HIS way.
CHALLENGE: Ask yourself the question: Am I willing to listen to those who lovingly try to help us live a life that is pleasing to the LORD? If the answer is yes than listen and help others to listen.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous does sing and rejoice. (7442 “sing” [ranan] means cry aloud, in joy, exultation, to shout for joy, to chant, or triumph)
DEVOTION: The LORD wants to convey by Solomon that those who are followers of the LORD have something to shout about. The LORD has provided HIS people with victory. The LORD wants HIS people to be shouting in triumph every day. We are the only ones who have a good reason to shout for joy.
An evil man is one who thinks he has a reason to shout but his sin always catches him in a trap. Sin has a way of taking over a life. Each individual has a besetting sin. This sin is one that either be turned over to the LORD for help or those who reject Christ try to do it on their own. Victory over sin is not easy. Some individuals who are not followers of Christ try to use will power to overcome all of their faults. Some even use false religions to help them overcome their faults or sins. It works on some but not on all. They work to a point but not to the point of forgiveness of God because the work has been done by Christ on the cross and that is the only sacrifice HE will accept. In the end those without Christ spend eternity in the lake of fire.
Those who are followers of the LORD are righteous based on the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Old Testament saints looked forward to HIS sacrifice by offering the blood of animals. They were only for a covering not full forgiveness. Those living today in the age of Grace know that Christ is the only way to heaven. They are commanded to rejoice in the LORD always!!!
When people see individuals who are followers of Christ do they see the joy of the LORD in their life or something else? We need to be individuals who sing even on the job. We need to be individuals who even like to praise the LORD at home. Our attitude should be one of praise. There should always be a song in our heart.
CHALLENGE: Practice shouts for joy regularly in your home, church and work place. Encourage others to praise the LORD!!
________________________________________________________________
: 13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lightens both their eyes. (215 “lighteneth” [owr] means to be luminous, give sight, cause the eyes to see, glorious, set on fire, shine, or to give light)
DEVOTION: These two men are different in relationship to money but the same in relationship to the watchful eyes of the LORD.
The poor man is one who is in need of food or lacks the basics of life. The deceitful man is one who causes oppression, distress, unfavorable circumstances and hardship for others. These two types of people encounter each other in daily life.
The LORD not only gives the sun to light up both of their mornings but HE gives each of them enough knowledge of HIM for them to make a decision regarding their eternal relationship with HIM. HE is no respecter of persons.
The LORD watches the poor and warns us not to abuse the poor of our world. We are here to help them. The deceitful individual needs our prayers and instruction regarding what it means to follow the LORD. No one will have an excuse on Judgment Day. Those without Christ will stand before the LORD at the Great White Throne and answer for their actions in life.
If both have rejected the light that the LORD has given them regarding salvation then they will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels. It is only within this lifetime that people receive light. After death is judgment. No second chance after death.
What are we doing with the light that the LORD has given us? Are we individuals who share the light of the Word of God? Are we individuals who learn more about how to help those around us? God has given us light for a reason. Our responsibility is to be witnesses to all in our world regarding HIM!!! Have you fulfilled your responsibility this week?
CHALLENGE: God continues to give us light to serve HIM. We are to let our light shine before men that they might give glory to God.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. (2377 “vision” [chazown] means divine communication, oracle, or word of revelation)
DEVOTION: We find that many people don’t think that God has spoken at all at any time. They don’t think there is any divine revelation. They think that the Bible is just written by human men who really didn’t have any type of relationship with a true god because there is no god at all in our world and there never has been. Humans just evolved from lower forms of life until after millions of years there were humans.
The Bible tells us something different. The God of the Bible created the first couple. HE gave Adam and Eve a command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and to tend the garden. They were simple commands but the first couple didn’t obey.
Solomon is training his son to become a follower of the LORD and part of following means that the LORD has given specific commands to be followed with specific blessing promised if they are followed.
The choice was to be made based on the teachings of the Word of God. We have a choice today whether to believe the Bible or to curse it. There is no middle ground. We have to be obedient with times of confession of our failures if we want to receive the blessings fo the LORD.
What is the LORD telling you today to do to serve HIM better with your life? How are you to bring glory to HIS name today? Are you listening to the teachings of the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Remember the starting point is a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe through HIS Son who died on the cross for your sins and rose again to give us hope of eternal life with HIM in heaven.
CHALLENGE: Are you studying the revelation you have been given? It is all there in the Word of God, the Bible!! How much did you learn today???
______________________________________________________________
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sing verse 6
Rejoice verse 6
________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law verse 18
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 13, 25, 26
Trust in the LORD verse 25
Every man’s judgment comes from the LORD verse 26
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Father verse 3
King verse 4, 14
Faithfully judges the poor establishes
his throne
Man verse 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 20, 25
Neighbor verse 5
Poor verse 7, 13
Wicked verse 7
Ruler verse 12, 26
Servant verse 12, 19, 21
Child verse 15, 21
Mother verse 15
Son verse 17, 21
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Harden neck against reprove verse 1
Wicked verse 2, 7, 12, 16, 27
Spending time with harlots verse 3
Bribes verse 4
Flattery verse 5
Transgression verse 6, 16, 22
Evil verse 6
Snare verse 6, 8
Scornful verse 8
Foolish verse 9, 11, 20
Bloodthirsty verse 10
Fool verse 11, 20
Lies verse 12
Deceitful verse 13
Leaving a child to himself (no discipline) verse 15
Shame verse 15
No revelation verse 18
Hasty in words verse 20
Angry verse 22
Stirs up strife verse 22
Furious verse 22
Pride verse 23
Thief verse 24
Partner with him – hates his own soul
Cursing verse 24
Fear of man is an snare verse 25
Unjust verse 27
Abomination verse 27
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Reproved verse 1
Remedy verse 1
Righteous verse 2, 6, 7, 16
see the fall of wicked
Loves wisdom verse 3, 15
Help the poor verse 7
Wise verse 8, 9, 11
turns away wrath
keeps his mind
Upright verse 10, 27
are an abomination to the wicked
Just verse 10, 27
Faithful judgment verse 14
Discipline children (rod and reproof) verse 15
Correct a son verse 17
give delight to soul
Keeps the law verse 18
Happy verse 18
Correct a servant verse 19
Humble in spirit verse 23
Trust in the LORD = safe verse 25
Deliverance verse 25
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Solomon verse 1-
People rejoice when righteous are in
authority
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Destroyed verse 1
____________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
29:18 Verse 18 is remarkable for being a wisdom verse that alludes to both the prophetic movement and the law. The word for “revelation” is commonly associated with the visions of the prophets and stands for the importance of prophetic exhortation to the community here. Verse 18b, however, pronounces a blessing on whoever keeps the law. The teachers of wisdom did not oppose either prophecy or the law. Social harmony and restraint cannot be achieved without the exhortations of the prophets and the teaching of the law. (Garrett, D. A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs (Vol. 14, p. 231). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
____________________________________________________________
29:18. No vision
Vision (av, rv) is to be taken in its exact sense of the revelation a prophet receives. Law in line 2 is its complement. ‘The law, the prophets and the wisdom literature meet in this verse’ (The New Bible Commentary). Perish (av): rather, ‘run wild’. The verb means to let loose, e.g. to let one’s hair down, whether literally (Lev. 13:45; Num. 5:18; Judg. 5:2) or figuratively (especially Exod. 32:25 [twice]: rv ‘broken loose’, etc.). This latter verse is perhaps the intended background to the proverb, with its contrast between the glory on the mountain of vision and law, and the shame in the valley. 1 Samuel 3:1, with its context, also exemplifies the saying, in showing the dependence of public morality on the knowledge of God. (Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 168). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
_______________________________________________________________
18 Where there is no vision, the people will become lawless:
But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
By vision is meant spiritual enlightenment and insight into divine things. A reference to 1 Sam. 3:1 will make this clear. “The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” To meet this need God raised up Samuel, who was appropriately called “the Seer”—the man with opened eyes—as Balaam described himself.
It is of all importance that there be among the people of God in all ages this open vision. “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets,” having the eyes of the heart enlightened, that they might discern clearly what is of God, and what is opposed to His mind. It was this that the apostle Paul put before the carnal Corinthians when he wrote urging them to covet earnestly the best gifts, but rather that they might prophesy. The prophet is one who enters into what is of the Lord, and gives it out in freshness and power, meeting the actual need of the time. He does not necessarily foretell future events, but he tells forth what reaches the conscience and quickens the affections.
When ministry of this nature is lacking among the people of God and the assemblies of His saints, they soon become lawless, substituting for the Spirit’s energy the mere busy meddling of nature, and opening the door to what is simply of man in the flesh.
But we would not forget the second part of the couplet. Even let ministry of an edifying character be rarely known, yet where the word of God controls there will be blessing. He who keeps it will be happy amidst the existing confusion, enjoying fellowship with Him who inspired it. When leaving the Ephesian elders at Miletus, it was not to gifted ministers that Paul commended them, in view of evil teachers soon to arise, but to God, and the word of His grace, which was able to build them up. This abides to-day, and remains to comfort and direct the saints in all circumstances. But the anointed eye is needed to discern what has been therein revealed. Lack of vision will be manifested in a cold, dry, theological, or philosophical, treatment of the Scriptures, as though given to exercise the intellect, rather than the heart and the conscience. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is one applicable for all Christians while in this scene of trial and testing (Eph. 1:15–23). (Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs (pp. 424–426). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.)
____________________________________________________________
29:18. The familiar KJV “where there is no vision” is misleading. The word “vision” is the revelation (ḥāzôn) a prophet receives. Also the KJV translation “the people perish” does not refer to unsaved people dying in sin. The verb pāra‘ means to cast off restraint. So the verse is stating that without God’s Word people abandon themselves to their own sinful ways. On the other hand keeping (obeying) God’s Law (cf. 28:4, 7) brings happiness. (Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 968). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
____________________________________________________________
Ver. 18. Where there is no vision, the people perish, &c.] That is, no prophecy, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and which is often the sense of the word, as the vision of Isaiah is the prophecy of Isaiah; and, in the New Testament, prophesying is often put for preaching; and here vision, or prophecy, signifies the public ministration of the word and ordinances, and want of persons to administer them; no expounder, as the Septuagint version; or interpreter, as the Arabic. This was the case in the latter end of Eli’s life, 1 Sam. 3:1 in Asa’s times, and before, 2 Chron. 15:3 in the Babylonish captivity, Ezek. 7:26; Lam. 2:9 in the times of Antiochus, Psal. 74:9 when John Baptist and Christ first came preaching the word, Matt. 9:36 and now is the case of the Jews, and will be till the time of their conversion. So it was in the Gentile world, before the Gospel was brought into it, Acts 17:30 and so it now is in those places where the seven churches of Asia were; and in all Asia, which once heard the word of the Lord, even all that large country; and now it is not heard at all in it, but covered with Mahometan darkness. And this is the case in all Popish countries, subject to the see of Rome, where the word of God is not preached to the people, nor suffered so much as to be read by them; and even in reformed churches, for the most part, only a little morality is preached, and not the Gospel of Christ; so that here the people are perishing for lack of knowledge, Hos. 4:6 and when the witnesses will be slain, who now prophesy in sackcloth, there will be an entire stop put to prophesying or preaching for a while; but, when they shall rise, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God, through the ministry of the word. Now, where there is no preaching, men perish in their sins; the word being the ordinary means of grace, of regeneration, conversion, faith, and salvation; without which, men know nothing of Christ, of peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life by him: and where there is preaching, yet it not being of the right kind, there is no spiritual knowledge spread by it, no food for souls under it; they perish with hunger, as the prodigal did, or are in starving and famishing circumstances; no comfort for the people of God, who perish in their comforts under such a ministry, 1 Cor. 8:11 and poison is spread among others; false doctrine eats as a canker, and destroys souls. Again, where there is right vision and prophecy, or true preaching of the word, and that is despised and neglected, men perish notwithstanding; as the Jews of old, and all deniers and contemners of the word now, Acts 13:41; Heb. 2:3 and this seems to be intended here, as appears by the following clause. The word translated perish has various senses, which agree with the text. It may be rendered, the people become idle, or cease; from the performance of good works, grow dissolute in their manners, and licentious in their practices: or they become refractoryt; fierce, obstinate, and ungovernable, and rebel against their superiors: or they are made naked; stripped of their ornaments; of their privileges, civil as well as religious, which is often the case where no vision is; as well as of all virtue and morality, and of the blessing and protection of God. But he that keepeth the law, happy is he; not the moral law, which no man can keep perfectly, but the law of faith. It may be rendered, happy is he that observes doctrine; the doctrine of the Gospel, where it is preached; that attends to it, values and esteems it, receives it by faith, and with meekness; blessed is he, blessed are his eyes and ears; he sees wondrous things out of this law or doctrine, and he hears and knows the joyful sound, which brings salvation and eternal life unto him! (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 4, pp. 526–527). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
______________________________________________________________
Where there is no vision,” Solomon wrote, “the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” The missionary vision comes from “the law” (the Bible). When it is obeyed, people find Christ, adjust their lives to the Word of God, and find the secret of a happy life (Psalm 1).
The modern missionary movement was born on May 31, 1792, when William Carey preached his great sermon at Nottingham. His text was Isaiah 54:2–3: “Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.” One listener thought the audience would dissolve into tears as Carey charged the church with criminal neglect. However, they did not weep; they simply rose up to leave. “Call them back!” Carey cried. “Call them back!” The result was that a missionary society was formed and Carey became its missionary.
Although Carey was a humble cobbler by profession, he was an extraordinary man. By the time he was in his teens he had learned Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, and Dutch. He could read his Bible in half a dozen languages. He avidly followed the activities of David Brainerd among the American Indians. Carey devoured the Voyages of Captain Cook and kept a homemade leather map of the world on the wall where he worked.
Soon after preaching his revolutionary sermon, “Expect Great Things from God; Attempt Great Things for God,” Carey set sail for India. He landed at Calcutta on November 11, 1793, the very day that French revolutionists tore the cross from the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, smashed it on the pavement, and denied Christianity. After working as the superintendent of an indigo factory in Calcutta for five years, Carey purchased a factory in 1799 and launched his mission. In 1800 he moved to Serampore, located in Danish territory not far from Calcutta, because the East India Company resented his missionary activities.
Carey baptized his first converts in 1800. In 1831 he became professor of oriental languages in the newly founded Fort William College in Calcutta and began to translate the Bible. Under his direction the press at Serampore issued the Bible, or parts of it, in some thirty-six languages, making the Bible accessible to more than three hundred million people.
Tireless, Carey and his colleagues preached; translated; prepared grammars and dictionaries in various languages; opened mission stations in many parts of India, Burma, and the East Indies; and established schools. Carey’s influence helped end the horrific practice of burning child widows. As a sideline he greatly advanced horticulture and agriculture in India.
Carey had a single vision, the vision of a world in peril. He could not rest until he had done what he could and until the church was awakened to the plight of lost people. “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” said Solomon, who would have appreciated William Carey. Perhaps the two have met in Heaven! We can almost hear Carey saying, “I caught your vision, Solomon.”
“I wish I had caught it myself,” we can imagine Solomon replying. “You know, friend William, I came pretty close to it once when the queen of Sheba came to see me, but I missed my chance.”
The missionary task remains incomplete. Untold millions are still untold. Truly, “where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Proverbs 19–31: An Expository Commentary (Vol. 2, Pr 29:18). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
_____________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
___________________________________________________________
The old covenant of law is a picture of the new covenant of grace in Christ.
INSIGHT
Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (v. 22). We are not told why that is true, only that it is. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Wherever there is sin, someone must die. We can pay the penalty for our own sin, which is our own eternal, spiritual death, or the death which Christ suffered can be placed on our account. His death can count for ours, and we do not have to die spiritually. Faith is the vehicle by which this transaction takes place. Whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
___________________________________________________________
KNOWING THE LOVE OF GOD
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
How can my joy abound? How can I walk through this world with my head erect? How can I come through triumphantly? Well, here is the main thing: I should know the love that God has toward me. If I have that, I can say that “neither death, nor life….nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Therefore, the questions come to us one by one: Do I know this love? Can I make this statement? It is made everywhere in the New Testament. Paul is particularly fond of stating it: “…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). No man could state the doctrine of the atonement in all its plenitude and glory like the apostle Paul, and yet here he says in essence, “He died for me; He loved me.” This is personal knowledge, personal appropriation. You find this everywhere in the New Testament. For example, “Whom having not seen,” says Peter, “ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
Do we know that? These people did not see Him, and so we cannot argue and say, “It is all very well for those first Christians; they saw Him. If only I could see Christ, then I would love Him.” But they did not see Him any more than we see Him. They had the apostolic witness and teaching and accepted this witness and testimony. They loved Him and rejoiced in Him “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
A Thought to Ponder: They loved Him and rejoiced in Him “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (From The Love of God, pp. 148-149, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
________________________________________________________________
Creeping in Unawares
“For there are certain men crept in unawares . . . ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4)
The special word chosen by the Holy Spirit is most helpful in understanding this warning. The Greek term translated “crept in unawares” is pareisduno, a uniquely compounded word meaning to “sink down in alongside.” What could be more descriptive? These kinds of sneaky people have been written about before, Jude says, and are prime examples of those who transpose the grace of God into uncontrolled lust.
Paul uses a similar word in his letter to Timothy to warn him about the ungodly men of the last days who “creep into houses” and undermine the lifestyles of “silly women” (2 Timothy 3:6-7). The imagery implies the subtlety and cleverness of these “ungodly men,” but there is a horrible consequence of this replacement of God’s grace with “lasciviousness.”
Jude lists the terrible judgment on the people of Israel who refused to believe the good report of Joshua and Caleb when the 12 spies returned from the land of Canaan. God “destroyed” those who embraced the fearful and faithless report of the 10 (Numbers 14). Even the angels who led the world of Noah into corruption (Genesis 6:1-4) were chained in “darkness” for their disobedience (2 Peter 2:4).
Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain, Balaam, and Korah (Core) are all given as examples by Jude of God’s stern judgment on those who knew better but chose to lead a rebellion against the righteous lifestyles or leadership of God’s people. God does not take lightly the misuse of His instructions. Even the “least” of the commandments are important (Matthew 5:19). After all, “thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
_________________________________________________________
Rut Busters
Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country. . . . There I will give you my love. SONG OF SOLOMON 7:11-12
I don’t know what “routine” means to you, but this was ours when the kids were still at home:
Up before sunrise, have a few words together, maybe enjoy a little breakfast or a cup of coffee, exchange a kiss on the cheek and it’s goodbye for the day.
I take kids to school and then drive on to the office, while Barbara stays home to get busy with her own work. She deals with endless issues involving the children—school, laundry, chores, errands, doctors and conflicts.
Meanwhile, I juggle budgets and meetings and problem solving all day long. Our paths cross again around 6 P.M., after both of us have emptied about 90 percent of our tanks. We take a glance at the news, eat dinner, flip through the mail, pay some bills, clean up the dishes, help with school work. Then an hour of getting the kids to bed. Barbara tries to get in some reading before sleep overtakes her.
That’s the drill.
But there is no imagination in that. I’m not saying that a typical day can routinely accommodate wild swings of adventure, but I’ll tell you this (if you haven’t noticed already): A routine is just a few letters away from being shortened to a rut. A rut you will never escape unless you make a deliberate effort to do so. And I guarantee that your “rut” will never be on the same page as “romance” in your marital dictionary.
When the TV show Desperate Housewives first began its iconic rise into our national awareness, Newsweek did a feature article on the phenomenon. I remember one of the women who was interviewed lamenting, “Don’t you remember the time when he kissed you with a kiss that launched a thousand kisses?”
Is there ever room for that in the middle of your routine? (Moments with You Couples Devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
_________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.