Working by Faith
Dec 14
“So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first” (Matthew 20:8).
The gift of labor…
Feb 25
"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:15) When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although "the LORD God planted a garden" for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus, having to labor for one's living is not a divine punishment for man's sin as people sometimes interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man's good. Similarly, even in the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, there will still be work to do. "There shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him" (Revelation 22:3).
Proverbs and the Problem of Fools
Dec 30"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:21
What are the practices of a fool?
A fool gets into arguments easily
"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." Proverbs 18:6-7
See also: Proverbs 20:3
A fool is always in the habit of stirring up strife - being more interested in starting arguments than avoiding them
A fool treats sin lightly
"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom." Proverbs 10:23
See also: Proverbs 13:19; 14:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1
A characteristic of a fool is not interested in avoiding evil but instead, participating in its practices. He mocks goodness in order to enjoy evil.
A fool responds to seduction easily and quickly
"With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life." Proverbs 7:21-23
See also: Matthew 26:41
A fool, just as an ox who dumbly follows a narrow path to the slaughter house, dumbly follows after sin's temptations - not realizing death is right around the corner.
Proverbs and the Problem of Wisdom
Dec 23"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness; to give sense to the simple, knowledge and judgment to the young man; the wise hears and increases learning; and understanding ones get wisdom; to understand a proverb and its meaning; the words of the wise, and their acute sayings. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is the attribute of God by which He creates, sustains and controls all things:
"The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew." Proverbs 3:19-20
See also: Proverbs 8:10-31
Everything we feel, see, act upon, experience and live out in this life is controlled by with wisdom of God. Wisdom also shows how foolish we are - and allows us to see what God expects from us.
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