Mona - I agree, walking a straight, clear path is much easier, and safer. That doesn't mean it's not challenging, just clear where we should be.
One of the things that strikes me in Prov. 2 is in the first verse: "... if you will..." . That means I have a choice. I can choose to receive God's instructions and treasure them in my heart, or I can choose to throw them out the window and do things my own way. The last three verses clearly state the outcome of the choices, but it's still my choice. God isn't going to force me to seek Him. I also know that if I choose to seek Him that I can ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and He'll freely give it, without shaming me for asking.
The next thing I notice is that there are two "then"s. One is in verse 5. If I will recive, treasure, be attentive, incline my hear, cry for discernment, lift my voice for understanding, seek wisdom as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then I will discern the fear of the LORD and discover knowledge. Those words are all action words, meaning, I don't just sit like a bump on a log waiting for this sudden flash of understanding. I need to be in prayer and in His Word.
Also, verse 9 says "Then I will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course." Again, I'm not going to be able to do these things if I'm not actively seeking after the Lord.
The final thing I noticed is that the word "discern" or "discernment" is used 3 times in the first 9 verses. Websters defines discern as:1. To make out as with the eye or by the mind; to see; to understand; to detect. 2. To identify as separate and distinct; to discriminate. ie. To see or understand the difference; to make a distinction. A synonym is perceive. Plug these definitions into where the word is used and it kinda opens up some meaning.
Lord, may these thoughts first and foremost be Yours, and may they not go in one ear and out the other. May I be willing and seeking. Amen.
Proverbs 5
1My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;
10And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
14"I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well.
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 5 (New American Standard Bible)
1My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding;
2That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge.
3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
6She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
7Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house,
9Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;
10And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien;
11And you groan at your final end, When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13"I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
14"I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation."
15Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well.
16Should your springs be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
17Let them be yours alone And not for strangers with you.
18Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.
20For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.
22His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Proverbs 5 (New American Standard Bible)
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1 comment:
In my devotion time this morning it was refering to Exodus and how God will put us up on eagles wings and stated this...That we are borne on eagles' wings does not mean that our lives are easy or without conflict. However, in trials and rough circumstances, we can trust God to carry us through. We may feel overwhelmed and think that God has abandoned us; but in truth, strong wings bring us along toward a good place. I thought that was so appropriate regarding our thoughts on staying on a straight path!! I am so glad that we are doing this. I love being back in touch with you.
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