THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
PROVERBS
CHAPTER 13
1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
This verse really comes alive in the classrooms of schools. The "instruction" referred to here is correction for bad behavior.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
By God's Words, He formed the universe. By man's words, he forms his own life. A person's reputation will be good if he speaks well; but his reputation is destroyed by thoughtless words.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
A slothful attitude toward business will result in having little. A diligent attitude toward business results in greater rewards.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Those who desire to live acknowledging Christ as Lord will hate lying and try to stay "upright in the way" of life.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
When a person lives a wicked life, even though he becomes rich, he is poor spiritually because he does not have Christ. When a man lives to please God, even though he may be poor, he is RICH!
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Being rich may cause a person to be in danger of kidnapping for ransom. Being rich also may be the cause of snide remarks and criticism. However, the "poor" have no fear of either of these things.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
This is a very interesting verse. John 1:4 tells us, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Jesus' eternal life gives "light" to all men since He is the Creator of all men (see also John 1:3, and Hebrews 1:1-3).
To live in "light" means to live in Christ and for Christ. The end result of such living is to HAVE REAL LIFE in heaven with Christ forever.
The "wicked" do not desire to live in Christ, nor do they desire to live for Christ. The end result of their life shall be eternity in darkness.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Pride spoken is like taking sandpaper to wood. It causes heated reaction.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Deceitful gain is short-lived. Gain by trickery usually results in loss by trickery. However, continual labor in honesty realizes continual gain. This gain may not be as much, or as quick, but it is more lasting.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Homesickness exemplifies this verse better than anything. When a person is away from home, and desires to go home, his heart is "sick" while he is away. But his joy is full when he finally comes home.
This is a good example of the Christian life. Our desire is to go "home" and live with Christ for eternity. That "hope" is deferred for awhile. But when it is realized, it will be a "tree of life."
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
The "word" and the "law" here refers to God's Word of truth. To refuse God's Word is to refuse God Himself, and results in eternal destruction.
To heed God's Word and reverence it as coming from the Almighty Creator for our benefit is true wisdom.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
The fool transgresses God's Word because he doesn't believe God is. A person who believes God is "prudent" because he will study the Word of God and allow that Word to guide his life in decision making.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
The "ambassador" of a king is given explicit instructions before being sent to another king. The "faithful" ambassador will speak exactly what his king has told him; he will not deviate.
The faithful Christian is an ambassador of King Jesus (2Corinthians 5:19-21).
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
As in verse 1, the "instruction" referred to here is correction for bad behavior. A rebellious child, refusing to be corrected, will bring trouble to his own life.
This particularly applies to Christians who are "children of God." We are taught not to "despise" the correction of God when we do wrong (see Hebrews 12:5-11).
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Goals accomplished bring satisfaction. Living in righteousness for Christ results in the satisfaction of knowing His PRESENCE.
The foolish person doesn't desire Christ's presence in his life, and therefore, will not leave sin and surrender to Christ. That person will never be "satisfied" in his soul.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
There is no doubt that the company we keep influences our lives. To sharpen the wit and add intelligence to the mind, keep company with wise men.
"Good" (verse 21) is an intangible which is sometimes interpreted in tangible ways. The word "good" here means better, at ease, precious, beautiful.
It is interesting that our Lord tells us that "Evil pursueth sinners." The word for "Evil" here means adversity, trouble, calamity.
Calamity and adversity are pursuing sinners!
More beautiful and precious things are the result of living for Christ.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
My father is J. "Burt" Mcgee. He doesn't have a lot of worldly possessions. But his "inheritance" is tremendous! He has left character and integrity for his children and his grandchildren.
My FATHER is our Lord, Jesus Christ. He never had much in the way of worldly possessions either. But He has left an inheritance that is AWESOME!
When Jesus came into the world as a man, He didn't require many possessions. But He actually OWNS all the universe! His inheritance is ALL the riches of ALL the universe!
Those who live only for material gain in this world will see that all the riches of the world will be given over to the FATHER'S children!
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
A poor man may not have much, but if he works with what he has, he will be able to feed his family.
A rich man may have much, but it can be destroyed if he uses ill judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
WHOAH!!! Do you see what I see?
Many so-called psychiatrists and psychologists have said that corporal punishment is detrimental to child development. They have claimed that mental and emotional harm can come from corporal punishment.
But what God says is that if a person doesn't sometimes apply the "board of education to the seat of learning," then that person HATES his child!
I have seen where cruel, senseless, rash punishment has harmed children. And I'm certainly not advocating any irrational treatment of children. But "time outs," "grounding," and withdrawal of rewards will only go so far in child development. A child must eventually come to the realization that bad behavior results in physical remuneration. Crime results in jail.
To NOT use corporal punishment is to allow the child to develop in a way that is detrimental, and perhaps even harmful, to society.
God has a lot more to say on this subject, and we'll certainly discuss more about it.
Read Proverbs 22:6, 22:15, 23:13-14.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Those who desire to live for Christ learn to be "content" with what they have. They are satisfied to have Christ, and very little else is needed.
Those who do not desire Christ are always desiring SOMETHING! They are never fulfilled or satisfied.
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.