Walking in Faith

reading: Proverbs 30
what stood out: Proverbs 30:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Proverbs 30:8-9, Proverbs 30:23, Proverbs 30:33
personal thoughts:

Proverbs 30:4
Who has established all the ends of
the earth?
What is his name, and the name of
his son?

This just struck me as I thought of the fact that, during the times of the Old Testament, they did not know that Jesus – “his son” – would be coming to free us from the bonds of sin. “What is his name, and the name of his son?” It just blows my mind at how God foretold of Jesus’ coming, yet they probably had no idea of what His Word was truly saying at the time. Mind boggling!

Proverbs 30:5-6
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take
refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you
a liar.

I am currently working on a Colossians 2:7 Bible Study right now, and one of the things that we do in that study is passage memorization. I struggle with that so much at times. I often wonder why we can’t just “basically” remember the verse – as long as we’ve got the idea of it right, do the exact words really matter? Reading this passage (and many others within the Bible) state that yes, it really does matter. Do I honestly think that my words are better than His?! Do I really want to “add to his words” and sit back as God rebukes me? Nah. I think I’ll pass on that one and go back to memorizing the Assurance of Victory now. (1 Corinthians 10:13, if you’re interested in my verse for this week. Feel free to hold me accountable on it!)

Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and
disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my
God.

What a passage to pray back to God each and every day. This passage goes against every ounce of what the world tells us we should want. More money. More power. …and there’s no one to praise but myself!! The Lord has blessed our family in so many ways, and it’s only been within the past couple of years that we’ve truly realized that these blessings are not from our own works, but for His glory. We’ve been so blessed to have time to dedicate and minister at the church, to financially give back a portion of what He’s given to us – it’s truly led us to look to Him before all else. What a blessing that has been!

Proverbs 30:23
[clip]
and a maidservant who displaces
her mistress.

I have been (slowly) doing a Beth Moore study called The Patriarchs, which makes reference to this verse in the beginning of the study. It reaches back to the days of Abram and Sari and her maidservant, Hagar. Specifically, when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram when they mistakenly took it upon themselves to bring about the son that God had promised Abram and Sari. The heartache and troubles that arose from the birth (and eventual casting out) of Ishmael – the troubles and tension are still being felt from that today. It just reminds me that I must always remember “my place” and not try to take it upon myself to displace those in positions above mine. I’m not and never will be the head of house in our family, even though there are times when I want to be. Biblically, I know the position is not mine to take! (I only have to look back to the curse of Genesis 3:16 and remember why I have those feelings!) I can’t be a usurper like Hagar!

Proverbs 30:33
[clip]
so stirring up anger produces
strife.

I’ve been filled with a lot of anger lately – I’ve lost my temper for no good reason at my husband more than once in the past couple of days, the smallest little thing will send me into a raging temper, etc. Sitting here, I think to myself “Why!? Why do I let myself stir up anger like that?!” Anger, as a feeling, is okay. Jesus got angry. You only have to look at John 2:12-22 to know that he did. Jesus was angry at the same things that make God angry. There’s the difference. I don’t think that God is angry because my husband put his quiet time above my want of a date night. (boy, I really feel stupid writing that – but at least I’m being honest!) Me? No. I get huffy, mad and pout until I get my way. (which I actually didn’t get – and rightly so. Time with God should always come before time with each other.) I just pray that God will help me to curb my temper and not let anger lead to strife. It’s okay to be angry… just let it be for the right reason’s – God’s reasons – and let me use that anger not to cause strife, but to focus it on a solution. Make my whip out of cords and drive them from the temple area, so to speak.

Larissa Proverbs, Quiet Time

Yes, Samson was incredibly strong but he was smitten way too easily. His love of woman was his downfall in almost every situation — to the point of a curse. When he met Delilah, he fell in love with her but she did not love him. She was pressed by the Philistines to find out where he received his strength. Instead of telling her that he gets his strength from the LORD, he lies to her three times. Each time she attempts to bind him so that he would lose her strength and then realizes that he lied to her. I am presuming that the Philistines never actually entered the room; otherwise, surely Samson would never have told Delilah the truth. What I don’t understand is why he lied three times and then told her the truth! Surely he realized that she would do this again, that he would lose his strength and that the Philistines would capture him and attempt to kill him.

Regardless, the LORD was with Samson and blessed him with great strength. God granted him this strength so that he might inflict damage to the Philistines and protect the Israelites. Samson, however, was not focused on the LORD’s plan but followed his own foolish heart.

Application: Am I quick to look for my own paths or do I trust in the LORD to provide in all situations? I am reminded of Proverbs 3:6 which states:

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6 NASB)

If I follow the LORD in everything I do, He will lead me down the right path. If I trust in my own foolish ways or worldly desires, I will only continue to sin against the LORD and cause more grief in my life.

Jason Worthen Judges, Quiet Time

The story of Samson and the woman from Timnah is very hard for me to follow and understand all of the references and customs of the times. It is interesting to note that Scripture makes it clear that Samson’s interest in this woman is from God and not Samson being disobedience to the law. He wanted to marry a woman outside of the Israelite family. Judges 14:4, however, makes it clear that his mother and father did not realize that this was of the LORD so that Israel may be delivered from under the rule of the Philistines.

The incident with the lion is very bizarre to me. Outside of showing that Samson had strength unimaginable to man, I don’t understand the importance in Scripture. Verse 6 makes it clear that this strength came from the LORD: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, so that he R300 tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand;…(Judges 14:6 NASB) I have always heard this story but am unable to discern any application or deeper understanding from this story. Hopefully, that will change!

The ceremony was, apparently, custom for the time. Giving a riddle or some sort of entertainment was common. Then you learn a lot about Samson’s wife — she does not love him at all but loves her friends and her people. At the first request from her people, she begins to manipulate Samson. Once he tells her the answer to her riddle, she immediately tells everyone. Samson knows exactly how they received the answer. At this, the LORD gives him power and strength through the Spirit and he goes and kills 30 men.

Now, the story gets better… after he leaves and goes to his father’s house, his wife is given over to his companion. Uhmmm… this guy has just slayed 30 men by himself and his wife’s father is ready to give her over to someone else? The assumption is that she goes to another man that she really loves. That doesn’t last long however. Samson comes to see her but finds out she is with another man. At this, he burns their fields and crops. Of course, they have to repay the people that caused their fields and crops to be destroyed so they burn and kill Samson’s wife and her father. Samson decides they should receive revenge for this as well. Scripture tells us that he “struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter” (Judges 15:8 NASB). Revenge seems to be common in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we are told not to take revenge ourselves but to let the LORD:

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19 NASB)

As I live my life, I hope that I truly avoid attempting to repay any pain or damage done to me. I know that when my pride is hurt, I will typically want to lash back, attempting to inflict pain to someone else or hurt their pride. Scripture tells us that we are not to do this, however. I am told to love my neighbor, my enemy, myself. I am to forgiven them. I should shower them with love so that they might see Christ in my life and hope for that same gift.

Application: Revenge is not sweet. Revenge is not done in love. God’s Word tells us that we should live in love and kindness. Revenge is for the LORD and Him alone. If I ever feel compelled to retaliate against someone, I should stop, pray and give it over to the LORD. He will justly handle the situation every single time.

Jason Worthen Judges, Quiet Time

The men of Ephraim became nervous, and jealous, of Jephthah. They came and attacked him because he had fought with the Ammonites. My assumption is that they attacked him because they were afraid he was getting too powerful and that he would come after them. If everyone was obedient to God and living in accordance the laws that Moses and Joseph had communicated to them, they might not have had this problem.

Verses 12-14 struck me as interesting:

12 Manoah said, “Now when your words come to pass, what shall be the boy’s mode of life and his vocation?” 13 So angel of the LORD said to Manoah, “Let the woman pay attention to all that I said. 14 “She should not eat anything that comes from the vine nor drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; let her observe all that I commanded.” (Judges 13:12-14 NASB)

When Manoah asks the angel of the LORD what will be of the boy in his life, the angel only replies that the woman needs to pay attention to everything he said. I wonder if this woman had a habit of drinking too much or eating unclean food? Why the reiteration? As I researched a bit more, I realized that the Nazarite aspect of this Scripture gives me the answer to this question. The Nazarites did not drink , nor any liquor and they did not eat any unclean food. Secondly, why would the angel only show up to talk to her? The LORD stayed and talked to Manoah but seemed to really only want to address the woman, in my opinion. I can’t draw any conclusions as to why that is yet but I feel very compelled to believe that there was a reason for this.

When Manoah asked the angel for his name, I loved the response:

“Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” (Judges 13:18 NASB)

If you look at Isaiah 9:6, it says:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NASB)

Of course, Manoah saw that he was the LORD, God, and thought that he would die since he had then seen the LORD. If the LORD showed himself to me, how would I react? Would I ask for wonders? Would I believe in faith? Or would I shun him in disbelief because of the false messages of other men on this earth? If the LORD showed himself as an angel — that is one thing and I would assume it would be easy as counting to 3 to recognize him as God. However, God is great and magnificent. He does not have to show himself in that form for us to see him. Do I even take the time to see him in all of the wonders around me — my family, my friends, my church, the land I live on, drive by or pass by, and all of the other beautiful things in my life.

21 Now the angel of the LORD did not appear to Manoah or his wife again. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD. 22 So Manoah said to his wife, “We will surely die, for we have seen God.” 23 But his wife said to him, “If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time.” (Judges 13:21-23 NASB)

Manoah’s wife certainly understood the LORD quite well — more so than her husband. I get the impression from this Scripture that perhaps Manoah and his wife were faithful to the LORD while the rest of Israel was falling away and practicing evil things again. I also get the impression that Manoah’s wife might have been the spiritual “leader” in the family and that Manoah was fairly jealous of his wife for this reason.

Application: God has sacrificed His only son, the Wonderful Counselor, so that I may be seen as righteous in His eyes and experience salvation. Am I taking that gift for granted? Do I see the beautiful things around me and remember that God has created all of this for His glory and not mine? How often am I questioning the LORD instead of trusting in Him to lead me and guide me on the right path? I must listen to the voice of the LORD and live obediently to Jesus Christ.

Jason Worthen Judges, Quiet Time

After 45 years of peace, the people of Israel began to worship false idols and ignored the laws of the LORD again. 45 years is not a long time. People who were 20 when the peace began were only 65 when the peace began to end. They knew better yet their hearts were not right before the LORD. I wonder how often in a person’s life, do they forget the simple things yet some of the most impactful things? Quiet time, prayer, faith. While simple concepts, major impact to one’s relationship with God. I want to make my relationship with the LORD closer and closer each day that goes by.

Jephthat made a vow to the LORD that if He would hand over the sons of Ammon to him, he would offer the first thing that came out of the door of his house. Unfortunately, that first thing was his one and only daughter. What struck me about Judges 11 was that the daughter did not fuss, fight, try to run away, etc. She recognized that her father had given the LORD his word and that he had to keep his vow to the LORD. She had a chance to run away, when she went up on the mountain to weep but didn’t take that opportunity. That is faith and fear of the LORD! Obviously, I couldn’t even imagine having to consider doing that to any of my daughters. With that said, I certainly wouldn’t expect my daughters to simply go along with my vow and allow me to sacrifice them as an offering to the LORD. They would fight me tooth and nail. They would run away, they would scream, they would be crazy. Honestly, I can say that my two oldest girls (only seven and five years old) know God, love Jesus and would want to do whatever was pleasing to the LORD. But sacrifice their lives? I don’t think they are at that point. Now, the story doesn’t tell us how old is daughter was but I am assuming she was in her late teenage years (based on the statements around virginity and not yet having relations with another man). That is simply amazing to fathom.

Application: Do I have the faith of a mustard seed? Do I fear the LORD my God more than I fear death itself? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to trust in the LORD and live obediently to Him? Only when I completely give my life up to Him will I know that peace. I am not certain I am completely there yet. I struggle too much with making my own decisions, carving my own paths, etc. I need to really rely on God for these decisions in my life.

Jason Worthen Judges, Quiet Time