Follow up from last post as I continue to read through Proverbs.
- Another plug for a disciplined approach to reading through the Bible. You will have many “aha” moments where the very specific nature of the Bible grabs your attention. We learn new things and we learn many things “all over again for the first time.” 🙂
So has God gotten himself caught up in a little too much hyperbole? Has he taken the matter too far with exaggeration? Has he gone over the top as parents sometimes do when they caution their children against a perceived threat of harm or evil?
Or maybe he is telling the truth? Maybe deceiving our neighbor is a more destructive act than we are willing to admit or believe. Let’s see if we can reason through this for a moment as to whose perspective may be the most accurate.
God is light, truth, infinite, eternal, all-wise, all-knowing …
We are … born blind in the darkness of sin living in a deceived world (Revelation 12:9).
Okay, I think you get the point.We’ll give God the nod on this one.
So maybe we should listen?
On deceiving our neighbor …
A madman …
- Proverbs 26:18–19 (NIV84)
Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows 19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Does God say it or not? In yesterday’s post God described deceiving our neighbor as a club, or a sword or a sharp arrow.
Today … A madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows.
(Firebrands – burning pieces of wood. Picture flying fragments from a building fire or a wildfire in the forest.)
A malicious man …
- Proverbs 26:24–26 (NIV84)
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. 25 Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. 26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
A few observations of the malicious man …
- Disguises himself with his lips
- Harbors deceit in his heart
- Speech is charming
- Seven abominations fill his heart
- Malice concealed
- Wickedness exposed
I have known someone like this; went to church together; served in the church leadership together.
He never accepted God’s version of deceiving his neighbor. Very sad.
