On Proverbs 7

v 25-27 
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths.
 For many are the victims she has cast down,
And numerous are all her slain.
 Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.

The bottom line - sin leads to death. This Proverb is a clear picture of how enticing sin can be, followed by the clearest possible description of the consequences. We think that we can get away with it, just this one time. It is like v23 says, sin is a snare. Run!

On Proverbs 6

V 6-11 Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”—
Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.

This is what I think of every time I try to nap on Sunday afternoon. It's kind of a bummer to try to take a nap with this scripture rolling around in your head.

On Proverbs 5

V 18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

 I really love to see couples like Calvin and Shirley who just celebrated 50 years of marriage last week. It is evident that they rejoice in each other's company. I know that any couple who stays married their whole lives goes through thick and thin and all kinds of pressure from the evil one to make a ruin of their marriage. I want to enjoy the blessing described in this passage!

On Proverbs 4

v1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father
v10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
v20 My son, give attention to my words

What is so striking is Solomon's desire that his son hear and follow his advice. All of the wisdom of Proverbs is useless if not heeded. God wants me to benefit from all this wisdom as well. What a loving Father!

On Proverbs 3

Lots of famous proverbs in this chapter. One of the best is 11-12.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

This one is so much easier to understand once you have been a parent. I am so blessed to have children that responded well to discipline. I remember my Mom telling me that my spanking hurt her worse than it hurt me, but I didn't believe it until I had to spank my kids. Seeing how Tim and Julie responded to getting in trouble used to remind me of this proverb. Discipline is yet another way that God shows how much He loves me.

On Proverbs 2:6-8

For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

I think it is important to understand what "success" means in v7. God's definition is often quite different than our society's definition. While wisdom may bring fine homes and fast cars, the verses following v7 more accurately show the success that wisdom will bring. And those successes are so much better than the material comforts and pleasures that seem to be so valued these days.

On Proverbs 1

Key verse - 7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

As a professor, I see students who are hungry for knowledge and I see those who are more interested in getting by with minimal effort. I really like being around those students who want to learn and share my interest in technology. For me, it's the same way in my spiritual life. I really especially enjoy being with fellow believers who are seeking to better understand scripture and how to live the Christian life.