JMD Devotional 147 Proverbs 24 Two-Thirds Unwise
This chapter discusses three men; the Wise Man, the Evil Man and the Foolish-Lazy Man.
The Evil Man: Misdirected Potential
Vs 1,2 BE NOT envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their minds plot oppression and devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation.
Vs 8 He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.
Vs 19, 20 Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked, For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Vs 15, 16 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); destroy not his resting-place; For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
The Wise (Righteous) Man: Properly-directed Potential
Vs 3-6 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;
For by wise counsel you can wage your war (i.e. effectively execute major projects), and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.
Vs 27 [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.
The Foolish-lazy Man: Unutilized Potential
Vs 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city's rulers sit in judgment].
Vs 9 The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
Vs 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Vs 11 Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter (vacillate) to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom].
Vs 12 (People who don't get involved when they could make a difference) If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?
Vs 30-34 I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep--So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Evil is active and easier to recognize than sloth, indifference and unproductiveness; but it is really just the other side of the same coin; the currency of rebellion against God's plan for your life. The Church seems to accept, even promote passive, half-hearted men and treat with suspicion anyone who has a passion, vision and desire to do something new. Is the status quo sacred to you? How would you quantify your potential? Are you making a difference? Why not?
Dear God,
Sometimes zeal for Your house consumes me; other times I just can't bear to deal with my brethren. You know what blocks revival, and it is not outside the church. I'm tired of going through the motions as if it doesn't matter (aren't You insulted?!) Show idle people how short twenty two thousand days are; help them to realize the meter is running and that opportunity is passing them by. Make each day significant for us; help us to do the most with what we have for Your kingdom, to have a stake in your eternal program. Kindle the fire of godly passion in our hearts. Motivate us! Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to
my daily devotional, please forward.
jamesdinsmore_32907@yahoo.com
Short, concise, thought-provoking.
More features:
http://SaintJamesPoetry.blogspot.com
http://recoverydevotional.blogspot.com/
http://jamesezadventures.blogspot.com/
The Evil Man: Misdirected Potential
Vs 1,2 BE NOT envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their minds plot oppression and devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation.
Vs 8 He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.
Vs 19, 20 Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked, For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Vs 15, 16 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); destroy not his resting-place; For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
The Wise (Righteous) Man: Properly-directed Potential
Vs 3-6 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;
For by wise counsel you can wage your war (i.e. effectively execute major projects), and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.
Vs 27 [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.
The Foolish-lazy Man: Unutilized Potential
Vs 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city's rulers sit in judgment].
Vs 9 The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
Vs 10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Vs 11 Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter (vacillate) to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom].
Vs 12 (People who don't get involved when they could make a difference) If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?
Vs 30-34 I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep--So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Evil is active and easier to recognize than sloth, indifference and unproductiveness; but it is really just the other side of the same coin; the currency of rebellion against God's plan for your life. The Church seems to accept, even promote passive, half-hearted men and treat with suspicion anyone who has a passion, vision and desire to do something new. Is the status quo sacred to you? How would you quantify your potential? Are you making a difference? Why not?
Dear God,
Sometimes zeal for Your house consumes me; other times I just can't bear to deal with my brethren. You know what blocks revival, and it is not outside the church. I'm tired of going through the motions as if it doesn't matter (aren't You insulted?!) Show idle people how short twenty two thousand days are; help them to realize the meter is running and that opportunity is passing them by. Make each day significant for us; help us to do the most with what we have for Your kingdom, to have a stake in your eternal program. Kindle the fire of godly passion in our hearts. Motivate us! Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to
my daily devotional, please forward.
jamesdinsmore_32907@yahoo.com
Short, concise, thought-provoking.
More features:
http://SaintJamesPoetry.blogspot.com
http://recoverydevotional.blogspot.com/
http://jamesezadventures.blogspot.com/
posted by James M. Dinsmore at 6:19 AM
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