August 17, 2009

Proverbs 17

Verse 3-The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. What a picture of the refining process!

Verse 6-Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. The second part is so interesting since I'm in that stage of life where so often parents take pride in the accomplishments of their children. Will my children be able to say this about me?

Verse 10-A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. Sometimes I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall to make some people understand things. This verse explains it!

Verse 12-Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. If I hadn't read it, I wouldn't believe it. I really don't take "a fool in his folly" as seriously as I should.

Verse 15-Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the LORD detests them both.
And yet he knew both would happen with Barabbas and Jesus.

Verse 16-Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? I have to confess that if I was offered a bunch of money, I don't know that I would ask for wisdom. That's hard to admit about myself.

Verse 24-A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Sometimes I'm interested in everything in the world but what I should be interested in!

Verse 27-A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. It's ironic because whenever I have the tiniest amount of knowledge I have a tendency to think I'm expert enough to talk incessantly. But this scripture says the opposite.

And fits perfectly with this verse...
Verse 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

3 comments:

The Navy Christian said...

I was struck as well by verse 16...I've been a fool with money. I don't deserve it at all!

And the answer to your question on verse 6 is "YES!"

Candice said...

vs 3- The crucible for silver and the funace for gold, but the Lord test the heart.

I wonder what will be left of me once He has burned away what is impure.

vs 6- Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Do I live in such a way that my children are proud of me?

vs 5- He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

No matter who they are they are God's workmanship! Do I gloat when I see "disaster" happen to those I don't like? Who made me judge and jury? Looking at this it definately wasn't the Lord!

Alicia, the note you had for vs 15 is incredible! I never viewed it that way. God chose to do something He detests in order to accept us into His kingdom. Wow! Thank you for that insight!

Lord, I pray that you would purify me. May I not be completely destroyed in the process. I thank you for your amazing love that you chose to do the detestable in order to save me from my folly. May I live in a way that my children would have pride in me. May I view every single person I come in contact with as your creation. Let my heart delight in your creation and break for the disaster of your creation. Amen

Natasha said...

VS 16 - Oh, I know what I would do if I was given a lot of money and that is why God will never bless us this way (can you say Pottery Barn Kids? LOL) I am a fool with my money, God calls me to be different but it is an HOURLY struggle for me!