Which is True?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge but fools dispise wisdom and discipline.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow. The more knowledge, the more grief.
consider these statements:
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Written by the same "teacher" to different readers at different stages in his life. Actually as I see these written next to each other, I can see how they rather compliment than contradict each other. Still, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes seem so different. One says "this is how you should behave" the other says "it makes no difference how you behave". I think that Solomon is right about life in general, but wrong about death.
"For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.
All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. "
Hey, I found a new "Life Verse"
Ecclesiastes 10:19
Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
Just kidding. I'll stick with Proverbs 3: 5-12
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Pro 3:8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Pro 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
Pro 3:10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Pro 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
Pro 3:12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy Father's Day
3 comments:
Yep, some days a good cry is is what is needed and on other days hearty laughter is the best medicine.
It seems to me that this is more of a human based thought process than an inspired one. If you supply someone with something, they will work to see that you stay in business. Your barns will be filled if you offer fruit from them to Him? This sounds rather mercenary. That God isn't biting the hand that feeds Him.
As far as honoring the LORD with you wealth and first fruits...
I often wondered just whose idea this whole "sacrifice" ala Cain and Able really was. A holy bribe of some sort. But at the time of King Solomon, God had given specific laws concerning offerings and sacrifices. I think it is important to remember what exactly these offerings were to be used for. To feed the priests who had no inheritance or wealth of their own, and to have the means to also provide for the widow and orphan. So much of the world's problems result from greed. Perhaps requiring an offering was a way to curb the greed.
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