Jan 6 2013

Introductions Continue – Proverbs

Book Of Proverbs (Photo credit: neonbubble)

This week, we will finish our reading of the first nine chapters of Proverbs, before setting into our regular schedule for the year (for more details on that schedule, see this previous post). These first nine chapters are a series of discourses that convey the message about wisdom that Holy Spirit is teaching us in this book – about life itself, service to God, and our salvation. A proper understanding of these nine chapters will prepare us for the actual proverbs of the remainder of the book. Much of the proverbs themselves are self-explanatory, but the knowledge they convey takes a little work to gain the insight Solomon speaks of (Proverbs 4:1). After this week, we will find a “voice” to express what this writer is taking away from some of those proverbs.

Summing Up

Each weekend this year (beginning next weekend), I will be posting a small PDF of one week of the daily reading summaries (on the website’s “Summaries” page), current to the beginning of the previous week. I will post the summary for Week 1 (January 2013 Week 1) of the schedule I am following this year next weekend.

/Bob’s boy

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image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com. For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Jan 4 2013

Proverbs 4 – A Father’s Wise Instruction

Father reads the Scriptures from a scroll to his family as the mother prepares food to eat.

A quick plea – not for money (this site takes in no revenue, and NEVER will). We appreciate SO MUCH the WordPress members who click the “Like” button on this blog! And we certainly want that to continue! But after finding out we had reached people in 122 countries last year, we decided to give Facebook a try. We won’t go so far as to say you might help save a soul by clicking the “Like us on Facebook” button you now find on the right side-bar, but it will help our exposure, and who knows what ways God uses us…?

The assumption by some that these words from Solomon were ever intended solely for his own sons is completely shattered in verse one. In the same sentence that he calls upon the reader (“O sons”) to hear, just exactly what they are to hear is said to be “a father’s instruction” – not your father’s instruction. He then goes on to say how he received his own instruction from his father. The Book of Proverbs is replete with the conveyance of the importance of the instruction given to children by a father and a mother. But the message here is more than that. It is the timeless wisdom passed on through generations both by earthly father to father, and by our heavenly Father. God has made Himself known to all, both by His word and through the knowledge that He reveals to us daily in the world He created (Romans 1:18-20, Psalm 19:1-2).

Verse 7 may seem difficult to understand at first, but it simply means that in order to acquire wisdom, we have to work at it. We have knowledge freely available to us, but wisdom only comes from searching through that knowledge for understanding – insight – and applying it to our lives. This is true of worldly wisdom, and of the wisdom that comes to us by reverence for our Creator (“fear of the Lord”). The wisdom and understanding both comes from, and leads to, the pursuit of a righteous and godly way of living, increasing its effectiveness in our lives as we gain it (verses 10-13).

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Jan 3 2013

Proverbs 3 – Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

Moses with Radiant Face (1638 painting by José de Ribera) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As the reader is admonished to “keep my commandments…,” verse 3 begins with “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you.” As this chapter heavily emphasizes trusting in the Lord, this would seem to refer to the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord Himself, as declared to Moses in Exodus 34:6, as He affirmed His covenantal relationship at Sinai. Verses 5-7 contain the best timeless advice perhaps of the whole chapter – trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, and be not wise in your own eyes. The folly of man in ignoring these three things (while believing that our own knowledge and our own understanding of the world is not flawed) has no doubt cost many their very souls – and will likely continue to do so. The word of God, however, is unchanging and perfect.

But then, come verses 11-12. These should not be taken to mean that God causes afflictions and trials to come upon us (as we will see in Job), but simply mean that He does allow those things to happen; and that in no way detracts from the fact that He loves us, as a father loves his children. Building character and discipline through these trials gives us strength, integrity, and produces steadfastness in us as well (James 1:2-4).

Part of the rest of this chapter’s message of wisdom is in how we treat others, and how righteous living has an effect on them and, ultimately, on our own well-being. And these points are all tied back to verse 4, which says that by living in such a manner, we “will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Jan 2 2013

Proverbs 2 – The Value of Wisdom

English: Judgement of Solomon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is generally thought by many that Solomon in these verses that contain the words “my son” is addressing his direct offspring in particular. While that may certainly be the case, it is good to remember that these are the Spirit-inspired words of God; and they are meant for sons (and daughters) descended from this Davidic line (and that of Abraham) which includes all Christians, as confirmed in Galatians 3:29.

The seeking of wisdom that is being referred to in the verses here is done by getting to know God by studying His word. If we diligently and earnestly seek that knowledge like the treasure that it is (verse 4), we will gain the understanding that we need. But it takes more than that – we must apply it to our lives – holding fast and cherishing our integrity like a treasure as well (verse 7), for it is that sort of life, coupled with the thirst for knowledge of Him, that will bring wisdom into our hearts and make that knowledge pleasant to our souls (verse 10). If we live in an upright manner, with integrity (verse 21) , we will have a home – in heaven – forever.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 31 2012

January 2013 Reading Schedule Posted!

A big thank you to all who have read this blog during 2012! While this blog is certainly not ever going to be the most popular WordPress “hangout,” we did just receive some statistics that are encouraging. For example, the post on Peter’s rescue in Acts 12 received 652 views in one day. Not what we expected in the first year! Thank you!

Here is the link to the 2013 reading schedule for January (January 2013 Reading Schedule). In 2013, this blog will focus on the “Wisdom Literature” with a unique approach to Proverbs, Psalms, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Job, and as a special was to end 2013 the last week in December, the Book of James (often referred to as the “Proverbs of the New Testament”). The first two weeks (beginning tomorrow 01/01/2013) we will read the first 9 chapters of Proverbs. Theses chapters introduce the book, and what we actually know as “proverbs” do not really begin until chapter 10.

Psalm 1, Verse 1 and 2 in Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After those two weeks, we will settle into a schedule that adds variety to the five days per week of reading these books. Each Monday in the first half of the year, we will read 8 verses of the longest chapter in the entire Bible – the 119th Psalm (with other, shorter Psalms included on many of those days). This is a great Psalm that praises God and His word; and it is very rich in inspiration. We will take a second look at these verses (and other Psalms) in the second half of the year from a fresh perspective. On Tuesdays, we will be reading from Proverbs with a similar approach.

On Wednesdays, we will be reading what are commonly called “lament” Psalms. These are tremendously valuable in helping us with learning to call upon the Lord when life becomes very difficult, and even as tragedy and pain come our way. Thursdays, we will read from the Book of Job, and on Fridays, we will be reading from other Psalms.

We will take a break at the end of June through July, and read through Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon in their entirety, gaining much value learning about life, service to God, and the relationship of husbands and wives to each other. Then we will resume the previously outlined schedule.

We are looking forward to what promises to be a very rewarding experience in God’s word in 2013!

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Dec 16 2012

Sneak Preview of 2013! \ Week 49 summary posted

What a year it’s been pointing to the cross! We started this blog in January with a Bible reading plan that caught our interest, and went from the creation in Genesis all the way to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Christ – one chapter a day, five days per week. As we finish the year with the Scriptures pointing the way to His return and our salvation, we hope you have grown and benefited as much as we have from God’s word this year!

But, alas the year is soon ending; and the question of what this blog will be focused on in 2013 must now be answered. Well, fortunately, we recently figured that out. A very different reading plan has come to our attention that is just too hard to resist. As of this writing, the designers of this plan (again, not us) are working on the finishing touches of the schedule – which will be ready by the end of the year. What we can tell you right now is that next year’s reading schedule for this blog will be focused on what is commonly called “The Wisdom Literature,” or sometimes “The Poetry and Wisdom Books of the Bible!”

More details to come before January, but we are excited about a year of an in-depth look into Psalms, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, the Book of Job and, as an added bonus, the Book of James! The latter is not included in the list of “Wisdom books” normally, but it is often called the “Proverbs of the New Testament;” and we think it is a fabulous choice to end the year with in 2013!

So that brings us to the subject of the approaching date of December 21, 2012 and that pesky Mayan calendar. We were recently treated to a very well-written article on that very subject. Please enjoy it at the following link in its title – “What does the Bible say about the Mayan Calendar and Doomsday on December 21?”

Summing Up

Each weekend, I am now posting a small PDF of one week of chapter summaries (on the website’s “Summaries” page), current to the beginning of the previous week. I have posted the summary for Week 49 (December Week 1) of the schedule I am following. This short PDF document contains condensed comments about Ephesians 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, with hyperlinks to the ESV version of each chapter for listening or reading, and joins the summaries for other weeks already posted there.