July 9, 2014

Proverbs Blog-Along: Days 5, 6, and 7

DAY 5
Hmm, this chapter is a little bit of a tricky one. It talks mostly about a man staying away from an adulterous woman. Truth be told, the verses can be switched around for the married woman contemplating cheating on her husband too.
8Stay away from a bad woman!
Don't even go near the door of her house.
I know that this verse is talking to a man, talking about a bad or immoral woman, but I think it can also be likened to TEMPTATION, period. I can't count the number of times I've done or said something wrong because I simply went or stayed close to something (or even someone) that would tempt me into sin. In fact, it doesn't even have to be sin, it could simply be a bad habit. E.g. you know you have a weak spot for shopping online, and yet you subscribe to different stores for sales. Or you know you shouldn't eat more than a certain amount, but you went to the cafeteria on the 10th floor with N1000, instead of N200 and ended up overeating because you bought waaaaaaay too much food.... (oh, was that just me?)


DAY 6
The latter part of this chapter again deals with adultery, but let's focus on the first four verses, shall we? I'm taking stock of the fact that Solomon was the richest man in the world (I'm sure Bill Gates would have been like a pauper to him). So we have the richest man in the world writing this...
1My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
2if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—
3follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.
Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.
4Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.

Solomon isn't talking about lending his friend money - that's different. I think he's saying that if you agree to sign on as a guarantor, not only are you indebted to the lender, you're also indebted to your friend. Why? Because if your friend decides that he/she isn't going to pay the debt, the onus is on YOU! If the lender decides they want their money back today, you're ultimately the person that will be responsible for paying that debt.

DAY 7
Adultery again!!! Yes, it is THAT serious! For King Sol to go on, over 3 chapters, continue talking about adultery, it should be a much bigger deal than it seems to be in the world. Apart from warning you against adultery, I like these beginning verses...
1My son, pay close attention and don't forget what I tell you to do.
2Obey me, and you will live! Let my instructions be your greatest treasure.
3Keep them at your fingertips and write them in your mind.
4Let wisdom be your sister and make common sense your closest friend.
In a nutshell, this passage urges us to always keep God's instructions close to our hearts.


What are YOUR favorite verses from Chapters 5 to 7? And what are your thoughts about the ones I mentioned? I've really been enjoying the comments that have been given on the previous posts. If you missed them, see Day 1 here, and Days 2-4 here.

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11 comments:

  1. i enjoy reading your thoughts on each verse.......and i love how your bible makes it easy to understand.
    God's words at a point in my life became too familiar, as in it made no more sense but meditating on it helps me understand it even more.

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    1. Thanks. I like to read the Bible in easy versions - NLT, The Message and Contemporary English are my favorites. I reread the same passages in all 3 versions (plus one or 2 more) sometimes and it helps me understand it better.

      Meditation is something I need to practice.

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  2. I see that common sense cropped up again. Can I say that he values common sense a great deal because a lot of wrongs can be avoided if one just uses common sense.

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  3. Hmnnnn...so many times I've read proverbs and I just never saw it the way you just explained it. All we need as a guide in this life is right inside the bible. It just needs a little more reading, meditating and there comes understanding. Thanks Berry.

    www.mylifeasmoby.com

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    1. I think that that's the reason why small group Bible studies are great, because you can get multiple perspectives on the exact same passages. A lot of pastors have even said that every time they read some verses, they get something new and different. God just packs a huge sucker punch in His words.

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  4. Proverbs 5:15-20 is directed to married individuals in this instance the male, but is also applicable to the wife as the case may be, to value the sacredness and sanctity of marriage. Seeking for sexual pleasures outside the marriage bond is totally unacceptable - regardless of what people of the world may think. Proverbs 5:6-11 is an instruction for anyone, not just the lazy, the value of hard work. We should learn from the ant and work hard, in other to have something to eat. Proverbs 6:16-19 warns us against things God hates which will should try hard to avoid - proud eyes, lying tongue, a heart plotting wicked schemes etc. These things are all too common in today's world, and if we are not careful, we discover we are doing them. So, that's what I learn in those 3 chapters
    Hope my post isn't too long.
    Ebun

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  5. I love how you have explained the verses, keep it up Berry and be blessed

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  6. Ok I'm off to read proverbs. These posts are interesting. I love how the importance of wisdom and common sense are emphasised through out. Just stumbled on your blog btw, good job!

    www.vievebutterfly.blogspot.com

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