It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

Proverbs 25-29

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. Proverbs 25:2

I wrap my study of Proverbs week 9 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 25-29.  My focus for today is the commentary provided at the end of the lesson to assist in the review and understanding of the entire text for the week (Proverbs 25-29).  The commentary provides seven (7) takeaways, using the following text (and other references) as basis for application:

• Proverbs 25:13 (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:1-3, Luke 1:76-79) points to a faithful messenger and other scripture clarifies how the OT pointed to Jesus as this faithful messenger.
• Proverbs 28:13 (1 John 1:6-9, Exodus 34:6, Hebrews 4:16) shows how God is full of mercy for those who repent and receive His forgiveness. 
• Proverbs 25:4 (Jeremiah 18:4, Romans 9:21, Hebrews 12:7-11) encourages us to see how God sanctifies His people through the refiner's fire.
  
• Proverbs 25:26 (Ezekiel 34:18-19, Revelation 3:15-16) warns believers against lukewarm faith.
• Proverbs 28:14 (Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 8:15, 9:12, 34, 10:20, Romans 9:1-18, Hebrews 3:7-12) encourages believers to guard against influences that may harden our hearts.
• Proverbs 25:2 (Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33) seeks for us to appreciate the mystery of God.
• Proverbs 29:25 (Jeremiah 17:5-10) describes how seeking the approval of men (over God) is a snare and idolatry.

Proverbs 25:2, in particular this morning, encourages me to continue to press into my Bible study.  This DesiringGod.com post indicates "[v]ery often, God is not interested in merely handing us the truth; he instead wants us to hunt for it[.]" Believers should relish the hunt!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and Your thoughts and ways are a mystery but You bless those who seek wisdom.  My search for wisdom continues and will will continue until I am home with You but You bless me as I search for truth.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

Judges 19-21

 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?” Judges 20:26-28

Day 82 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 the Israelites continued sin, this time of the Benjamites, and to a certain extent of the other tribes whose methods to forgive, restore and reconcile the Benjamites to all of Israel, according to my commentary* demonstrated "extremely questionable moral judgment". 

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

Unfortunately, this is what sin does if we don't stop - in infects not just us but it can easily spread to the others around us and it can often lead to great internal strife - as it does here where the acts of a few lead to thousands of people dead.  The attempts and methods by Israel to forgive the tribe of Benjamin are not any less sinful and are reminiscent of other Biblical accounts to either cover up sin or make things right in our own eyes.  Judges 21:25 sums up (once again) this sad state of affairs: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (see also post yesterday).

Within today's reading, there ARE however glimmers of hope for what we SHOULD be doing - going to God for forgiveness and counsel when we are either dealing with sin in our own lives or in the lives of others.  This occurs several times in Judges 20 (v1,18, 23, 26); v35 captures God's will be done and stands in contrast to what my commentary* indicates how "the nation of Israel has sunk to a low ebb in which moral authority is no higher than self-will".

We should not stray from God and if we DO, we must repent and turn to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has forgiven me of my sins and given me victory over the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an amazing gift.  I continue to sin - help me repent and turn to 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.

He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

2 Samuel 18

He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day. v18

Absalom once again displays his arrogance by devising a plan to kill his father so he could reign over all of Israel and Judah.  He seeks the direction of both Ahithophel and Hushai but not of the Lord - unlike David.

See also the arrogance of those who built the Tower of Babel.

Unfortunately, this ends badly for Absalom as his armies are routed by David's men and Absalom is captured and killed by David's commander Joab.

We must understand that any plans devised outside the counsel of the Lord will fail - see posts here.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and guides me through dark valleys and difficult places.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not deserving of such love as I often fail to seek You in all times.  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 do.  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.   

But King David mourned many days for his son.

2 Samuel 13

But King David mourned many days for his son. v37

Building on yesterday's post regarding grace and the consequences of sin, we see how David continues to experience consequences from his sin.  Here we see Amnon rape his sister Tamar and then Absalom, his brother, take revenge on Amnon.  This is the cycle of sin.  Unfortunately, it appears that the sins of the father trickled down to the sons.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

David's sons get caught up in the same impulsive behavior that drove David to seduce Bathsheba and this same impulse effects us all.

 

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:2  

 

Of course God can break this cycle of sin, in our own lives and in the lives of our families.

We need to draw near to God, ask for His direction and seek transformation of our hearts and minds (Romans 12:2).

 

We don't see David's sons inquiring of the Lord like their father.

Lord Jesus please help me with my own sin so that I can be Jesus to my sons.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, grace and wisdom.  You have protected me from great harm and been full of compassion when I have sinned.  Thank You for Your love.  I am not worth such love.  I worry..and I am harsh with my words and actions. 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 do. 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 for our sons.  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.