Memory Verses

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 KJV

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25 KJV

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31 KJV

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32 KJV

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Proverbs 17:1 KJV

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 KJV

A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Proverbs 18:16 KJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21 KJV

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 KJV

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 KJV

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1 KJV

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. Proverbs 19:11-12 KJV

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17 KJV

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Solomon. Also called Jedidiah. Was, according to the Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, Quran, and Hadiths, a fabulously wealthy and wise king of the United Kingdom of Israel who succeeded his father, King David.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Proverbs 16 – 19

Proverbs 16 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 17 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 18 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 19 Amplified Version (AMP)

From Matthew Henry’s Commentary

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2:13; Ps. 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 2. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man’s mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men’s purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam’s heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing. (Proverbs 16:1)

These words recommend family-love and peace, as conducing very much to the comfort of human life. 1. Those that live in unity and quietness, not only free from jealousies and animosities, but vying in mutual endearments, and obliging to one another, live very comfortably, though they are low in the world, work hard and fare hard, though they have but each of them a morsel, and that a dry morsel. There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there by a joint satisfaction in God’s providence and a mutual satisfaction in each other’s prudence. Holy love may be found in a cottage. 2. Those that live in contention, that are always jarring and brawling, and reflecting upon one another, though they have plenty of dainties, a house full of sacrifices, live uncomfortably; they cannot expect the blessing of God upon them and what they have, nor can they have any true relish of their enjoyments, much less any peace in their own consciences. Love will sweeten a dry morsel, but strife will sour and embitter a house full of sacrifices. A little of the leaven of malice will leaven all the enjoyments. (Proverbs 17:1)

The original here is difficult, and differently understood. 1. Some take it as a rebuke to an affected singularity. When men take a pride in separating themselves from the sentiments and society of others, in contradicting all that has been said before them and advancing new notions of their own, which, though ever so absurd, they are wedded to, it is to gratify a desire or lust of vain-glory, and they are seekers and meddlers with that which does not belong to them. He seeks according to his desire, and intermeddles with every business, pretends to pass a judgment upon every man’s matter. He is morose and supercilious. Those generally are so that are opinionative and conceited, and they thus make themselves ridiculous, and are vexatious to others. 2. Our translation seems to take it as an excitement to diligence in the pursuit of wisdom. If we would get knowledge or grace, we must desire it, as that which we need and which will be of great advantage to us, 1 Cor. 12:31. We must separate ourselves from all those things which would divert us from or retard us in the pursuit, retire out of the noise of this world’s vanities, and then seek and intermeddle with all the means and instructions of wisdom, be willing to take pains and try all the methods of improving ourselves, be acquainted with a variety of opinions, that we may prove all things and hold fast that which is good. (Proverbs 18:1)

Here see, 1. What will be the credit and comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may dispirit him. Let him be honest and walk in integrity, let him keep a good conscience and make it appear that he does so, let him always speak and act with sincerity when he is under the greatest temptations to dissemble and break his word, and then let him value himself upon that, for all wise and good men will value him. He is better, has a better character, is in a better condition, is better beloved, and lives to better purpose, than many a one that looks great and makes a figure. 2. What will be the shame of a rich man, notwithstanding all his pomp. If he have a shallow head and an evil tongue, if he is perverse in his lips and is a fool, if he is a wicked man and gets what he has by fraud and oppression, he is a fool, and an honest poor man is to be preferred far before him. (Proverbs 19:1)

Reflection

The great and merciful God will not always strive with the heart of people. A person may disobey God to the point that His anger is kindled. His righteous indignation may be mirrored in the response of Moses to the ungrateful behavior of the children of Israel while Moses received God’s commandments.

Was Moses justified in his anger? God let Moses know that even if they are wrong, you are my representative. You can not show them my character when you are clouded by your own emotion. But God was angry. Yes. Had God instructed Moses to pronounce a curse, there would be no cause for repentance. However, this was not the case. God did not command Moses to condemn the people, though he found them in idol worship when he returned from communing with God at the burning bush. Although Moses’ words were true, he was called to keep the peace. He instead allowed his anger to overcome his better judgement.

Though God did not desire Moses to perform wrath, God himself made plain His own discontent.

Sometimes, you may be right about a situation. Someone else may be wrong – or vise versa. Regardless of who is worthy of the blame, remember that Jesus redeemed all when none was worthy of forgiveness. You can be a person after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) if you are willing to receive the mind of repentance. If you have lost your temper, apologize.

Do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26). You do not know the day or the hour when your soul will be required.

If you have been calm and collected, do not glory in your temperance. Even if you are not the one who is cholerous, vengeance belongs to God. It is necessary to be mindful of God’s power. He is able to prick even the calloused heart. If you seek revenge of your own strength, you do not know whether you are chasing the horse of a redeemed soul. How much greater would be your recompense by God, if you punished the one who has already come to Him for repentance?

It is better to forgive knowing that you will not be forgiven unless you do so (Matthew 6:12). God requires your obedience, not your indifference. Forgiveness does not mean that your short-term memory will be erased suddenly. Though each time you show mercy, you will empower your healing from emotional hurt.

Although Moses was not allowed to dwell in the promised land after beholding it with his eyes, he was yet the one whom God gave of His spirit, to bless the people. Was it a dismissal of the fact that Moses had erred? No. God loved Moses. Moses’ service to God was a testimony before Him. Like a true father, God recalled the good. The good outweighed the bad.

Yes Moses missed the promised land. He did not miss eternal life. Though it remains to be seen how long after his 120 years that Moses may have lived had he not lost his temper.

References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible
« Matthew Henry’s Commentary

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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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