First, A Confession
I have to admit, I have not been very present in keeping up with my Blogging Through The Bible posts, for going on nearly two months now. And I greatly apologize for that! But these past couple of months have been a whirlwind, and I’m not sure things have really calmed down yet.
BUT GOD!
As most of you know, from my last post, my father passed away recently. And that is only one of several major changes that have been culminating into…something. But I will not spend a lot of time on that now. I do have a lot going on, and lots of things to keep me busy in prayer, but right now we will press on to the mark of the high calling.
Proverbs 17
As most chapters throughout the book of Proverbs, it seems like there is no real “rhyme or reason” to them. Just a collection of wisdom bits that really are best adhered to, even though it was an Old Testament writing.
We must remember that when God asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon did not ask for wealth, fame, stability, or anything worldly. The only thing he asked for, quite simply, was wisdom. As we read through this book, we find plenty of that.
Right now, let’s look at a few that are mentioned in this chapter.
The Fining Pot and…
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts (verse 3).
This reminds me of the Scripture that talks about everything having a time and a season. I think in this verse, we see that everything has a place and a time for purification. For burning away those things that contaminate the purity of the material. And for us, that is our hearts. The Bible says that it is wicked, and who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9)? It is the LORD that tries our hearts.
Remember when David said, Create in me a clean heart, O God; (Psalm 51:10)? This verse seems to allude to the fact that Solomon heard his father say this at least once or twice.
Mockers Punished
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. (verse 5)
We live in a world right now where the poor – whether in finances, spirit, or affection – are mocked at every turn. Anyone with a tender heart is a target. Anyone attempting to sympathize with someone’s loss is dehumanized. Lines have been drawn, and sides have been taken, and there are plenty of people running around out there who are VERY glad at the calamities they see.
God forbid! These things will not go unpunished!
Evil Rewarders
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house (verse 13).
Again, Solomon reiterates the fact that it is NEVER right to be evil to those who are good. And when that is the case, evil rests on that house. I believe “house” in this respect, means an entire family or generation. We’ve seen throughout the Word, where one person will do something, and the curse of that follows the family line until something happens to stop it. It’s usually a turning away from rewarding evil for good and doing the right thing instead. What a lesson we could learn from that today!
A Merry Heart Vs. A Broken Spirit
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (verse 22).
I think we all know, very well, that a “merry heart” or a good mood really DOES act like medicine for us. But on along the same line of thought, a broken spirit “drieth the bones”.
Dry bones usually belong to something that has been dead a long time, if you really think about it. In nature (albeit a GROSS thing to think about), it takes time for a bone to completely dry, and usually requires the help of the elements as well as a variety of cleaner bugs and insects.
The point is, a dry bone is void of life. But more than that, it’s BEEN void of life for a long time. And that’s what a broken spirit can do to us. That’s why the enemy tries to lull us, first, into complacency, and then into anxiety and distraction, then into depression, if he can keep up the facade. And finally, if he has his way and there’s no intervention, he’ll push until he drives a person into a suicidal state. It’s all downward momentum, BUT…
We have a more excellent way! I think this is where praise and worship are of the utmost importance! When we remember WHO we are, and better still, WHOSE we are, then He is near enough to lift us out of that pit and give us that good medicine.
To Speak or Not to Speak?
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding (verses 27 & 28).
These last two verses are so important, I think they should be mandatory reading before each and every social media post! Anyone with any common sense at all knows not to say certain things. And his spirit, vs. 27 says, is better off for it. And even a FOOL is better off when he holds his peace. Closed lips really do point to the understanding of a person.
It’s not that we don’t have anything important to say. As Christians, and Ambassadors who represent the very Kingdom of Heaven, we have a LOT to say. But the wisdom is in knowing when to say it and to whom to say it. There is a prudence in that we just don’t see these days.
In Closing
If you have time, I encourage you to prayerfully read this chapter in its entirety. There is, as you might expect, great and worthy wisdom in each verse. There might even be a tidbit just for you today!
As we move forward, I’m going to be working hard to get caught up with the BTTB posts, so that my other blogging sisters can be free to move along as well. Please feel free to join in the conversation if you feel led!
Are there any specific tidbits of wisdom that are especially important in your life right now? When you hear wisdom that convicts you, does it make you angry, or does it spur you on to change? What are some changes you’d like to make in your own life right now regarding wisdom?
Lord Jesus, help us to always, always, ALWAYS look for and heed your wisdom when we need it. Or even when we don’t! I know, sometimes it’s when we’re not really looking that Your Wisdom is most important. Maybe we’ve lost our way, or stumbled, or been hit with something we really weren’t expecting. And maybe our reactions may not have been exactly what You wanted them to be. In that, Lord, teach us to be ever mindful to the gentle persuasion of the Holy Ghost that draws us back to Your side. And I ask it in the blessed Name of Jesus, Amen.
This was excellent reading, Stacey! I loved the verse you shared in the end and so agree it ought to be mandatory reading before posting on social media! People are so quick to speak, in general. Opinionated. Experience is the best teacher. It has took me a lot of bangs and knocks to discover that there is a time and season to speak. All other times is infruitful. As the good Word says, even a fool is considered wise if he will just keep his mouth closed at the right times.
As concerning BTTB, you will get caught up eventually. You and Tammy have just lost your dads. We totally understand! Take some time. Love you my friend! You are ever in my prayers!
Thank you, Sis, for this amazing dose of encouragement <3 You're right... everything that we do "out of season" will never bear fruit! I've never planted a tomato in December and seen anything come of it, lol! His ways, the Word says, are perfect, and His Word does not return void. I'm so thankful for that! Yes, you're right... BTTB is still in full effect, just with a bit of a detour :-) To God be the Glory anyway!