Replacing God with People

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Prov. 29:25 “Fear” in the biblical sense is a much broader word. It includes being afraid of someone, but it extends to holding someone in awe, being controlled or mastered by people, worshipping other people, putting your trust in people, … More Replacing God with People

Stiff Neck?

Proverbs 29:1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. Steve Miller writes at the “Little Red Blog of Wisdom” I am one who is often reproved, and am tempted then to simply give up on trying to do right.  But this proverb says that if I stiffen my … More Stiff Neck?

Iron Sharpens Iron

PROVERBS 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Here is the introduction of a sermon by Joe Guglielmo, based on this text This is interesting to me because Solomon is saying that iron is sharpening iron. Usually a whetstone, which was an abrasive stone used in sharpening knives … More Iron Sharpens Iron

Swinging?

Like a pendulum, when we think about our future, many of us tend to swing between two opposite and wrong ends.  Sometimes we worry over the future and what it holds…will we have a job? Will we have enough to eat? Will I get cancer?  We fret as if we do not remember that we … More Swinging?

Just kidding?

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” How many times did we hear that as a kids?    In our American culture, sarcasm and jesting are common.  Ever had someone make fun of you, only later to say, “Just kidding!!” According to Proverbs, words DO indeed have the power to hurt. … More Just kidding?

The Ambiguity of Words

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Hmm…which is it?   When we come to confusing passages, we can approach it in one of two ways: “Do these verses contradict each other? Sure … More The Ambiguity of Words

Heaping Burning Coals

Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. From the ESV Study Bible: Although interpreters differ about the meaning of the metaphor of heaping burning coals … More Heaping Burning Coals