In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Various Proverbs 

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. Proverbs 15:4

Day 140 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that highlight disharmony and strife (solicitation to evil, violence, murderers, causing others harm, revenge, and dissension and strife), honesty (truthfulness, accurate weights, boundary stones, wrongfully obtained gains, and bribery), and justice (false witnesses, open-mindedness, and judicial justice).

Of the many proverbs in my study this morning, Proverbs 18:17 is the one that hits home the most. My commentary* highlights the focus of this proverb as a proverb of open-mindedness.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

I believer that when you peel back the onion, arrogance, pride, lack of confidence (insecurities), also play a role in how we are quick to speak - or quick (or rash) to react to anything for that matter.  This is very similar to the topic of my post a couple of days ago.

We must be quick to listen and slow to speak.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is slow to anger and abounding in love - thank You Jesus.  I know I have done many things worthy of Your wrath and I am grateful for Your mercies.  I am also undeserving.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

1 Samuel 14-15

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Day 87 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul's utter disregard for the Lord's instructions with regards to how Saul should attack and completely destroy (1 Samuel 15:3) the Amalekites - nothing is to be spared - none of the "men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys" are to be spared in the attack.  But we see in 1 Samuel 15:9 Saul's disobedience.  

Note Samuel's very harsh and blunt response in v23 - that "rebellion (disobedience) is like the sin of divination" (which is akin to idolatry according to John Piper here).  Saul's action is not simply flirting with sin as I posted here - but explicit sin of commission. 

We can then understand how the Lord and Samuel ultimately reject Saul as king.

We do see hints that may help illuminate why Saul behaved as he did.

His own insecurities (vs humility) led him to seek approval of men vs approval of God. We see Saul seeking either his own glory vs that of God in a few places: 1 Samuel 15:12 (set up monument for his own glory), 1 Samuel 15:24 (afraid of own men), and 1 Samuel 15:30 (seeking his own honor "before the elders of my people and before Israel"). 

Caution for all of us who blatantly disobey God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me, providing for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I continue to sin...daily.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.