Solomon’s proverbs lead us to consider how the choices we make each day will result in justice or harm for ourselves and others. God’s desire is for us to live healthy lives and just relationships which are life-affirming. He warns us that poor decisions and foolish living bring harm.
Let’s be sure to show up to worship this week, so that all the visitors to the art fair will see a church that is vital and active.
Worship – 5:00 p.m. Saturday in Chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Wisdom of Solomon
July 21, 2013
Proverbs 10:1-12
Key Verse: “The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.” Proverbs 10:1
Time: 10th – 6th century B.C.
Background: In keeping with Proverbs’ instruction for living with peace and justice, today’s reading guides hearers in the ways of justice. Each verse helps distinguish wisdom from foolishness. Each lifts up a virtue such as righteousness, diligence, prudence, listening, integrity, and love.
These need not be read as warnings of punishments from God, but as warnings about consequences for our own actions. With or without God’s involvement, our actions bring their own consequences. God doesn’t desire to punish, but desires to see us succeed and deliver justice and happiness throughout the world.
Community: What are some of the consequences of the actions of our communities, both positive and negative? Do we find that our laws and customs foster despair, poverty, and injustice, or happiness, plenty, and justice?
At Home: Take a personal inventory at the end of each day this week. Make a mental (or written) list of all the choices you made that contributed or detracted from justice and happiness. Take note not only of the things you could do better, but also of the things you did well, the good decisions you made, and the positive interactions you had with people.
Read This Week:
Monday: Do Not Judge, Luke 6:37-38
Tuesday: Tongue of the Wise, Proverbs 15:1-12
Wednesday: Fine and False Speech, Proverbs 17:1-12
Thursday: Words of Wise and Foolish, Proverbs 18:1-24
Friday: A Good Name, Proverbs 22:1-16
Saturday: Wisdom Weighed, Proverbs 24:3-12
Next Week: Sorrow in Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
