Proverbs 30 and 31

Proverbs 30 has an interesting section VII, called Numerical Proverbs.  The verses name two things, then three, then four but never really ties them all together.  This feels like poetry to me.  It looks lovely, but I am missing the all-important key to unlock the code.

Proverbs 31 has the most interesting section of all of Proverbs, section IX:  The Ideal Wife.  I was extremely happy to see that "She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands" (31, 13), and that "She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle" (31, 19). I am a knitter who loves to work with fine wools and fibers.  If the Ideal wife does this, I am in good company.  It also says "She rises while it is still night" (31, 15), and "at night her lamp is undimmed" (31, 18).  I get up early and try to stay productive to the end of MOST days.  She also "picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard" (31 16).  So the Ideal wife is also a gardener.  I am good with all of this.  There are any parts of this section that do not pertain to me, but I hit on a couple, so even if I am not an Ideal Wife, I am probably at least a pretty good wife.

Proverbs 29

This is the last chapter of "Thee Just and the Wicked" section.  One verse spoke loudly to me today:

29, 21:  If a man pampers his servant from childhood, he will turn out to be stubborn.

This verse can be applied to our dog, Abbie.  She was supposed to be a hunting dog, but turned out to be extremely gun shy.  Therefore, she is our pet. I have spoiled her - and she is stubborn.  I love her with every bone in my body, but she has the personality of a willful teenager.

The Word of the Lord interpreted for dog trainers...

Proverbs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

I am behind on my writing and reading, so the following are verses that spoke to me while catching up on my reading:

Proverbs 23, 12:  Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 24, 27:  Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can establish your house.

Proverbs 25, 11:  Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at a proper time.

Proverbs 25, 14:  Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.

Proverbs 26, 22 (same as Proverbs 18, 8) :  The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.

Proverbs 27, 8:  Like a bird that is far from its nest is a man who is far from his home.

Proverbs 28, 13:  He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy.

Proverbs 28, 19:  He who cultivates his land will have plenty of food, but from idle pursuits a man has his fill of poverty.
Same as Proverbs 12, 11:  He who tills his own land has food in plenty, but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool.

I need the Proverb about procrastination!

Proverbs 22

I have found that I frequently highlight verse 11 as I am reading the book of Proverbs chapter by chapter.  In Numerology, 11 is a master number.  It is also the number of the day I was born, thus is my second favorite number.  Proverbs 22, 11, has two master numbers, 11 and 22.  It is the one verse in the first 16 verses of this chapter that is clean and simple, yet speaks volumes since we all want to be loved by the Lord. 

Proverbs 22, 11:  The Lord loves the pure of heart; the man of winning speech has the king for his friend.

Verses 17-29 are titled, "Sayings of the Wise."  According to the footnotes, they are arranged in strophes instead of couplets.  The arrangement does not specifically speak to me, but the different styles are worth noting.

• Strophe: a rhythmic system composed of two or more lines repeated as a unit; especially:  such a unit recurring in a series of strophic units.  strō-fē, rhymes with "agree":  
• cou·plet:  two lines of poetry that form a unit; two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usually by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance

Verse 22, 17-18:  "Incline your ear, and hear my words, and apply your heart to my doctrine; For it will be well if you keep them in your bosom, if they all are ready on your lips."  

Wisdom shared by teachers becomes knowledge for the person willing to accept training.  When this training is internalized by the student, the wisdom serves as a guide for the student's soul.  The student is now an intern of the knowledge, who can become wise if the training is applied and practiced.  The wise soul guides the path of the student's daily activities as well as the words and actions of every day.  

Proverbs 21

It looks like we are going to get into the "how to be a good wife" series of verses.  As most married people know, marriages have peaks and valleys.  Currently my husband and I are living in a valley, so while these verses are very good, I am going to caution myself against saying much about them.

The good wife series verses in Proverbs 21 are:

• 21, 9:  "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman."  In the notation for this verse, there are seven similar verses noted if you want more information.
• 21, 19:  "It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife."

While I believe it is important to be a good wife, and I believe I do a pretty good job, the verse best suited to me today is 21, 23:

• Proverbs 21, 23:  "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble."   

This verse provides a similar reference (13, 3).  Verse 13, 3 provides another reference to 18, 7.  Verse 18, 7 brings us back to 21, 23.  In the information technology world that I live in, we call this a circular reference, which can also be known as an "error message."  I think for today I will just list the similar verses and leave well enough alone, for as my Grandma used to say, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

• Proverbs 13, 3:  "He who guards his mouth protects his life; to open wide one's lips brings downfall."  
• Proverbs 18, 7:  "The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life."  

Proverbs Chapter 20

There are several different lines of thought in the verses that spoke to me today.
20, 1:  Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray for it is wise.
20, 3:  It is honorable for a man to shun strife, while every fool starts a quarrel.
20, 5:  The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth.
20, 12:  The ear that hears, and the eye that sees - the Lord has made them both.
20, 22:  Say not, "I will repay evil!"  Trust in the Lord and he will help you.
20, 29:  The glory of young men is their strength, and the dignity of old men is gray hair.

I like the gray hair comments.  Perhaps that is enough for today.

Proverbs - Chapter 19

Many of today's verses were confusing, so I marked several of them for later contemplation.  Today is not a day to sit and ponder what I do not understand, as I have timelines to meet, and people who will be expecting me to be ready for action.

There were two verses that were easily understood at my current level of understanding.

Proverbs 19, 21:  "Many are the plans in a man's heart, for it is the decision of the Lord that endures."
I make plans, and God laughs.

What I must do is listen and live.
Proverbs 19, 20:  "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise."

Last night was Pastor Tim's retirement party.  He filled the room with over 250 family and friends.  They praised his wisdom.  They praised his life's work, his daily devotions to the word of God, his ministry, his contribution to God's teachings, the way he loves with God as his example.  Pastor Tim made plans and God endorsed them.  He listened to the word of the Lord, received the instruction, and lived his life according to the Word.  He is a good example.  I only wish that someday, I may be so wise.