Reading for February 15th

Read Proverbs 24.23-34. In 24.23-34: Further words of the wise. A carefully arranged appendix to 22.17-24.22. Two areas of life, law (vv. 23-25, 28-29) and farming (vv. 27, 30-34), are used to illustrate the effects of wisdom in word and action. In verses 30-34: An illustative story, like those in 6.9-11, ch. 7 and Ps 37.35-36. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 14th

Read Proverbs 24.1-22. In verses 10-12: The probable meaning of the obscure admonition is that excuses for not aiding one's neighbor will be useless before the all-seeing God. In verses 17-18: Divine retribution works mysteriously. Human beings should stand aside and not anticipate its results. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 13th

Read Proverbs 23.1-28. In verses 1-3:Dining etiquette, especially moderation with food and drink, is a common topic in Egyptian instructions. Banquets were occasion for younger servants to advance themselves, and self-indulgence would leave a bad impression. In verse 1: Observe carefully what is before you reffers both to the food and the host. In verse 2: Put a knife to your throat: put your knife in your jaws rather than in the food, that is, restrain your appetite. In verses 6-7: Dont go to baquets when you are not invited or wanted. Though courtesy forces the host to say "eat and drink!", the words are insincere. The result will be indigestion and frustration for the unwelcomed guest. In verses 13-14; Hyperbole and sardonic humor are used to give advice on raising children. It is not disciplinary blows that will kill a child but uncorredted behavior that will lead to fatal consequences. The humor and hyperbole show the admonition does not espouse the corporal punishment of children. In verses 17-18: A warning against peer-group pressure, which is especially appilicable to the young. Why envy the wicked, for they have no future, no descendants? The warning is repeated in 24.1 and 19-20. In verses 22-23: The two commands in v. 23, buy truth and do not sell it, continue on ametaphorical level in the two commands in v. 22, listen and do not despise. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 12th

THE WORDS OF THE WISE In 22.17-24.22: An instruction partly modeled on the thirteenth-century BCE Egyptian "instruction of Amenemope." Like its Egyptian model, it has thirty sayings (22.20) and is introduced by a preface (22.17-21); its first two admonitions (22.22-25) resemble the first two admonitions (22.22-25) resemble the first two in "Amenemope." The words of the wide offer a kind of professional ethics, warning against behavior that can destroy one's humanity and religion (2.22-23.11) and urging resistance to the temptations of youth (23.12-35). It concludes with counsels of a general nature (24.1-22). Read Proverbs 22.17-29. In 22.22-23: The poor are dangerous to attack, for God will defend them. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 11th

Read Proverbs 22.1-16. In verse 8: Both metaphors are agricultural. In line A, bad actions are seed yeilding trouble. In line B, the rod is a flail which cannot thresh grain. Evil will be frustrated; it will bear no fruit. Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 10th

Read proverbs 21.16-31. In verse 17: Those who desire the trappings of wealth will never get them, for wealth does not come to the idle and those who love pleasure (see 6.6-11; 10.4; 12.24, 27). In verse 19: Living alone is preferable to living in a house spoiled by a spouse's anger. In verse 29: The wicked are defiant (put on a bold face) whereas the upright, who give thought to their waus, are willing to conform their actions to the teaching of others. The Hebrew text and the ancient versions trnsmit another reading in the second line.: "the upright person maintains a faithful course." Comments or Questions..

Reading for February 9th

Read Proverbs 21.1-15. In verse 14: The wise know the secret of taming anger and strong wrath-a gift of money. The strategy implies a certain disdain for anger, for a seemingly strong passion can be assuaged by a little money. Comments or Questions..