I liked this bit, from today’s study: “… I used to think the text ‘Be sure that your sin will find you out’ (Numbers 32:23) meant ‘Be sure your sin will be found out’. The verse doesn’t say that, though. It says your sin will find you out. It will register in you and demean you. We may be free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choosing. …”
When we habitually sin, we lessen our ability to be fully human. We limit our ability to form fruitful relationships – to be satisfied and content with the blessing we have been given.
The following verses have been set for reading and meditation, Proverbs 28:18-28 (NIV):
“He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
To show partiality is not good – yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
He who robs his father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong” – he is partner to him who destroys.
A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”
Please, keep in mind that Proverbs contain generalised statements, for wise living. In our life-times we will encounter many individual exceptions where these statements appear to fail – yet, in a spiritual sense, we will ’enjoy’ their truth and value in the next life. For example, the statement: “A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.” We all know examples of stingy people who are very rich – the poverty spoken about is a spiritual poverty – and, the consequences of this type of poverty will not be seen until after we die! Do you agree?
‘A lie has short legs’
I liked this bit, from today’s study: “… I used to think the text ‘Be sure that your sin will find you out’ (Numbers 32:23) meant ‘Be sure your sin will be found out’. The verse doesn’t say that, though. It says your sin will find you out. It will register in you and demean you. We may be free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choosing. …”
When we habitually sin, we lessen our ability to be fully human. We limit our ability to form fruitful relationships – to be satisfied and content with the blessing we have been given.
The following verses have been set for reading and meditation, Proverbs 28:18-28 (NIV):
“He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
To show partiality is not good – yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
He who robs his father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong” – he is partner to him who destroys.
A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”
Please, keep in mind that Proverbs contain generalised statements, for wise living. In our life-times we will encounter many individual exceptions where these statements appear to fail – yet, in a spiritual sense, we will ’enjoy’ their truth and value in the next life. For example, the statement: “A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.” We all know examples of stingy people who are very rich – the poverty spoken about is a spiritual poverty – and, the consequences of this type of poverty will not be seen until after we die! Do you agree?