For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Prov. 16
We think we can oppose God, go our own way, do our own thing. But it simply isn’t true. This chapter tells us that repeatedly. “The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” (Prov. 16:1). “A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Prov. 16:8). And, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Prov. 16:33). Furthermore, it says, “The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose – even the wicked for the day of disaster.” (Prov. 16:4). The point is that, no matter what we think, God is in control. There is nothing anybody can do that God has not already worked into His plan and purpose. Whether intentional evil or unintentional failure, God prevails and shines through all of it.
That is an impossible truth to really wrap your head around. Yet we see it over and over again throughout the Bible story. The thing we need to grasp in it, though, is that God WILL win. Period. So the best thing we can do is, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10a). Instead of opposing God, we need to, “Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3).
Prov. 17
“The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.” (Prov. 17:5). This is the second time I have seen this thought in as many days. We read a similar statement yesterday in Proverbs 14. “The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors him.” (Prov. 14:31). To be honest, I struggle with this idea just a little. I completely understand that all people are created equal in God’s eyes and that we should not treat or judge someone based on their financial or social status. I also get that we are to love our enemies, and rejoicing over their hardships doesn’t seem very loving.
The thing that trips me us is that some people are needy for reasons beyond their control while others deliberately choose the foolish path. The proverbs actually have a lot to say about fools, and none of it is good. So if someone is poor because they are foolish and brought their own calamity, is calling out their foolishness the same as mocking the poor? I honestly don’t think it is.
What I think, based on what Scripture teaches me, is that it is our attitude in it that matters. I think there is a point where we are to leave a fool to his foolishness. A person can only be helped if they want to be helped. Throwing resources at one who flatly rejects wisdom is only adding to the foolishness. That doesn’t mean, though, that we spite, oppress, or make fun of such people. These Proverbs say that such an attitude insults God. That is likewise adding to the foolishness.
Prov. 18
“From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.” (Prov. 18:20). Now that is an interesting statement! We know from Jesus’ words that what comes out of our mouth comes from our heart. This proverb is then turning that around and telling us that those words that come out of our mouth fill us.
This actually confirms a thought I expressed quite some time ago from James’ words about taming the tongue. I mentioned that forming the thoughts and feelings in our hearts into words somehow gives those thoughts and feelings validity, and, thus, power. You could say that it feeds them. This idea is expressed in that old analogy that says we have two dogs inside us – a good one and a bad one. The dog that thrives is the one we feed. As it turns out, our words are a huge part of the food we give those dogs inside us. This is why the proverbs have so much to say about our words. Being careful about what we say is not just important, it’s critical.