Read Through the Bible IN A YEAR
Week Twenty-Four / Days 162 – 168 / July 29 – August 4
Proverbs 10:1 – 20:30
As you continue reading in Proverbs, do you find yourself smiling in agreement, jotting down phrases to share, or thinking about what you’ve read as you go about your day? The wonderful thing about so many pithy statements is that we are bound to come across some that truly speak to our hearts or circumstances. And then, of course, there are those, like Prov 11:22, that may make us laugh: “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.”
The most pointedly educational book in the Bible, Proverbs was meant to be used in the instruction ofyoung men. No wonder, then, that in these chapters and elsewhere are several warnings of the grief caused by a young person who foolishly refuses to heed a parent’s advice:
- A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother’s grief (10:1).
- A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke (13:1).
- A fool despises a parent’s instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent (15:5).
- Foolish children are a grief to their father and bitterness to her who bore them (17:25).
These sayings not only warn the young against “foolishness,“ they alsoacknowledge that sometimes in spite of a parent’s best efforts, children choose the foolish path. Meanwhile, recognizing our Heavenly Father’s enduring patience and love for each of us in our foolishness, like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) we are welcome to return to God with sincere contrition, confession, and claiming God’s amazing grace!
All of us, young and old, will find ponder-worthy advice on many other issues in this week’s readings as well, including wisdom regarding relationships, compassion, death, guarding one’s words, and much more. Some that may capture your attention:
- A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water (11:25)
- Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. (15:17)
- Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (16:24).
- A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity (17:17).
- A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion (18:2).
Lastly, it is worth noting how more than once these chapters include words that echo Jesus’ teachings on the treatment of the poor, saying that those who oppress or insult the poor “insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him” (14:31; 17:5). And later, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full” (19:17).
Blessings to you as you continue reading, pondering and practicing the wisdom of Proverbs!
Pastor Stephen Cornils
Carol Throntveit