God's Holy Word

God’s Holy Word

Proverbs 3:1-24

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the first fruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed.

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

by understanding he established the heavens;

20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—

keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

23 Then you will walk on your way securely,

and your foot will not stumble.

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

(ESV)

God’s Holy Wisdom

Proverbs calls the seeking of wisdom from God’s Word a spiritual nest, if you will, which promotes growth, peace and security within one’s own life. The Bible is widely overlooked in today’s society and even within the Church. We have programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors, yet it seems that most of these programs deal mainly with coming together as a community and less than coming together as a church. Not all programs are bad and, in fact, promote camaraderie and fellowship between members of a given church. The main problem is that some of the programs that are “put on” by the modern church are socially strong and scripturally weak. The early church came together for “Agape Feasts,” which we have discussed at length at our vestry meetings because we all love to eat, but they also included the Eucharist (Communion) and the singing of psalms and recitation of prayers. They formed their liturgy around a big family dinner. They had the social gathering and helped the poor and needy, while also studying, praying, and singing the Holy Scriptures. One cannot be neglected without the other, because if we neglect a disciplined schedule of Scripture reading we tend to forget what scripture actually says versus what we “believe” it says. I found a great illustration which listed a group of children’s interpretation of what was being read to them from the Bible. Here is the list in its entirety:

IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE.

NOAH’S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK.

NOAH BUILT AN ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN AMENDMENTS.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA . THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.