Chapter 20
This chapter starts out with a verse that, I think, needs to be preached in our day and time. 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise." It seems to me that it has become totally acceptable, almost expected, for young people to "party until they drop." Overdrinking has become a pattern for many, and one that no one seems to think is a problem. I really can't remember the last time I heard a preacher mention overdrinking as a sin. When we read 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7 we see God's opinion of those who consistently overindulge. And it's not a positive one. Here in Proverbs we're warned that when you overdrink (stagger) who are certainly not counted among the wise. How many stupid decisions are made under the influence of alcohol and how many lives have been changed by those who have made serious errors of judgment when overdrinking? Am I a teetotaler? No, I'm not. But as I get older, the words of my mother ring truer and truer, "You never have to worry about overdrinking if you don't drink at all." If we're seeking God's wisdom, then we need to look at drinking through His eyes, and He tells us that we're not acting wisely when we drink too much.
OK - that verse behind us, what does this Chapter tell us that God honors?
This chapter starts out with a verse that, I think, needs to be preached in our day and time. 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise." It seems to me that it has become totally acceptable, almost expected, for young people to "party until they drop." Overdrinking has become a pattern for many, and one that no one seems to think is a problem. I really can't remember the last time I heard a preacher mention overdrinking as a sin. When we read 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7 we see God's opinion of those who consistently overindulge. And it's not a positive one. Here in Proverbs we're warned that when you overdrink (stagger) who are certainly not counted among the wise. How many stupid decisions are made under the influence of alcohol and how many lives have been changed by those who have made serious errors of judgment when overdrinking? Am I a teetotaler? No, I'm not. But as I get older, the words of my mother ring truer and truer, "You never have to worry about overdrinking if you don't drink at all." If we're seeking God's wisdom, then we need to look at drinking through His eyes, and He tells us that we're not acting wisely when we drink too much.
OK - that verse behind us, what does this Chapter tell us that God honors?
- Resolving disputes
- Thinking deeply over God's counsel in our hearts
- Living with integrity
- Rising in the morning with a heart to work
- Knowledgeable speech
- Utilizing counsel and sound guidance when making plans & facing battles
- Waiting on God for vengeance and rescue
Which verse in this chapter speaks to you the strongest? For me it is v. 9, "Who can say, 'I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin'?" No one...not any one other than Jesus. We cannot hope to cleanse ourselves from our sin by keeping a pure heart. We need a Savior.
Chapter 21
In August 2016 with a pivotal election in front of us, how do you interpret the first verse in this chapter? "A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses." Does this make you wonder what we're getting all excited about? Will God direct whoever is in power to whatever end He designs? In one commentary that I read I seemed to understand this thought: That whatever any man sends out as something that is going to be a force of change (as is a water channel), God is the One who puts dams in the way to redirect, allows the flow to go forward when/where He sees fit, to the ultimate end that He alone sees as fitting into His ultimate design. No one overrides God or His sovereign plans. Just as is stated in the last verses of the chapter, vs.30-31, "No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord. A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord." So while we should be diligent in our study of current events and candidates, let's not let a spirit of fear override our knowledge that we know who rules. I think right now the world needs Christians who exhibit a spirit of confidence, not in our world's leaders, but in our Leader, our King.
Positive attributes in this chapter?
- Doing what is righteous and just
- Diligence
- Being open to teaching and gaining new knowledge
- Executing justice
- Pursuing righteousness
- Pursuing faithful love
- Guarding your tongue
- Working hard and being generous
Verse that stands out to me? Verse 13, "The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered." Let's ask God for hearts that never grow hard to the call of those in need...just as God hears our neediness and responds in grace and mercy, let us respond to those to whom we can show Christian generosity.
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