Just a Thought

Topic: Stability

Proverbs chapter 20 addresses stability in family and in the community. Without stability family life is filled with chaos and communities become jungles. Solomon, author of Proverbs, is urging parents to use a firm hand of discipline with their children and communities to use fair scales. Proverbs 20 gives ample examples of the importance of the use of guidelines for living in the right relationship with God.

-          Examples of the destructive nature of:

o   Alcohol

o   Strife

o   Pride

o   Dishonesty

o   Slander

Due to the destructive nature of the pursuit of pleasure, Solomon sheds light on the need for the righteousness of God. He guides and provides stability in one’s life.

Our Daily Bread devotion on April 20, 2013 described Proverbs 20 in the following manner:       

“The relationship between king and people was not unlike the relationship between parents and children. The responsibilities of kingship or leadership are another running theme in the book of Proverbs. In those days, a king’s word was law. Proverbs 20:2 highlights the power of a king and the consequentiality of his choices. To be fair and just, he must be responsible, observant, and alert when using his authority (Proverbs 20:8). The picture of winnowing wheat from chaff shows what he must do (Proverbs 20:26). The fate of a nation hangs on his ability to discern and decide right from wrong. One might think that the king’s position depended on strength or dominance, but in fact it depends on his relationship with his people. Ideally this is a relationship of love, loyalty, and trust (Proverbs 20:28), as in God’s covenant relationship with His people.”

Application:

While consistently describing and recommending righteousness, Proverbs also acknowledges that the human heart is sinful and cannot claim to be pure (Proverbs 20:9).

Humble self-examination is part of a life of wisdom. But who can truly understand their own heart (Proverbs 20:24)? Only God can see our depths. Our self-examination must include prayer and confession of sin.

 See you Sunday,

 Dr. Scott Kallem