Think about this ... “Proverbs 10 outlines a series of sayings that parallel and contrasts real life ideas, concepts, attitudes, and habits. For example, the wise is contrasted to the fool (v. 1, 8, 10, 13, 23), righteousness to wickedness (v. 2), the righteous to the wicked (vv. 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32), the righteous to the fool (v. 21), the diligent to the lazy (v. 4), the reserved to the talkative (v. 19), love to hatred (v. 12), and wealth to poverty (v. 15). Overall, the message of Proverbs 10 is that righteousness should be preferred to wickedness, love to hatred, the righteous to the wicked, the wise to the fool, the diligent to the lazy, and in a way righteous wealth to poverty. There are other uniquely distinct verses in Proverbs 10. For Example, verse 18 is a comparative parallelism between the liar and the slanderer who are both equated to the fool. The same can be said of verse 22 which parallels the metaphors of sour teeth and smoky eyes as the effects of a sluggard on his or her master. Also, three consecrated expressions stand out in this chapter. First, the ‘blessing of the Lord’ that ensures pain-free wealth (v. 22). Second is the ‘fear of the Lord’ which lengthens the life or its possessor (v. 27). And third is the ‘way of the Lord’ which fortifies the just (v. 29). Another interesting idea in Proverbs 10 is that wisdom and all its accompanying virtues must govern its possessors holistically. For example, wisdom should shape the heart or feelings (v. 8), control the head or thoughts (v. 6), regulate the mouth or speech (v. 11), direct the eye or vision (v. 10), and guide the feet or walk (v. 9). In other words, to be partially wise is not a biblically sound recommendation. A few lessons can be derived from Proverbs 10. First, children are a blessing or a curse to their parents depending on their relationship to wisdom. Second, true wealth is the result of divine blessing combined with diligent work. Third, a person is either fully wise or not wise at all. Fourth, wisdom must control a person’s feelings, thoughts, speech, actions, plans, and mobiles or it is not wisdom at all. Fifth, true wealth, quality of life, and individual strength depend on a person’s relationship with God. Sixth, wisdom is preferable to foolishness. Seventh, God is the protector of the property and integrity of the righteous. It is rather unfortunate that many even among professed believers today lack the abundant life that God offers. Their problem is that they mistakenly believe and live by the satanic lie that they can prosper while leaving God at the veranda of their life. Like Eve, they fall in the old satanic trap that life is more fun without God. They forget that no life can really be fun without God. In fact, life can only be genuinely fun only when God is the sole captain of our soul. It is therefore high time for each to make God and His magnificent wisdom be the overall Owner and Leader of their soul. Is this your sincere desire and earnest prayer? Have you tried being happy without God? Are you burdened by past mistakes and wrong choices? Let go … Let God … Allow Christ in and savor abundant life daily! Why not kneel and talk with God now?” Pr Christian E. Ekoto, Personal Morning Devotion Reflections on Proverbs 10:1-32 on August 10, 2014
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:21:14 +0000
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