Scripture Readings
Proverbs 11:30
Isaiah 61–62
I Corinthians 1–2
Psalms 56
Verse Focus (Proverbs 11:30)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the one who is wise saves lives.
Meditation
Hello, and welcome yet again!
Proverbs 11:30 is another proverb that may differ depending on which translation you’re reading. It comes in two basic versions. The first half is the same, but the second half is either something like “one who is wise saves lives” or something like “but violence takes lives away.” As best I can tell, this difference stems from different versions of the ancient manuscripts. Most English translations seem to favor the wise person saving or capturing souls, but a few have the violence or lawlessness taking lives.
I know that I’ve been arrested by this proverb before, with the Holy Spirit especially highlighting how the one that saves souls is wise. Did any of you make the connection to evangelism when you read this proverb? I suppose if I lived in an occupied country during World War II, I might have thought of smuggling people out of the country before I thought of evangelism…. Of course, it’s always that way — part of what the Holy Spirit does is help you think of applications that are appropriate to your particular situation.
As I read the proverb this morning, though, I was reading from the New Revised Standard Version: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.” As I meditated on it, I thought of violence as being the fruit of the wicked. Where the fruit — actions or consequences — of righteous living brings life, the actions and consequences of wickedness takes life away.
I also liked the reverberations with the Garden of Eden and the fall of man. Eating fruit in the garden caused mankind to be expelled and to lose access to the tree of life. Now, through the actions of the righteous, we again have access to “a tree of life.” Maybe not as good as “the” tree of life, but perhaps as close as we’ll get until God fully redeems His people. Righteousness versus wickedness. Life versus death. It seems like such an obvious choice: I don’t know how people get fooled into thinking they gain anything out of wickedness.
Father God, thank you for teaching us that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Christ is the perfect example of that principle. But it’s also good to know that even my behavior may help to bring life to myself and others. May we always seek your ways, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 61 is a wonderful song of redemption — a jubilee for God’s people. Comfort, beauty instead of ashes, rebuilding the ruins, priests of God’s permanent covenant. The chapter begins with some very familiar words:
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners
2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor….
Jesus read from this very passage when he was in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18). He then amazed his listeners by telling them that the Scripture was fulfilled that very day in their hearing.
Because of what Luke writes, we know that this chapter is a Messianic prophecy. In fact, many scholars count Isaiah 61:1-3 as a fifth “Suffering Servant” psalm, even though the word “servant” does not appear in this passage.
As I read the chapter today, I was struck by the final verse. Verse 11 says, “For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” The comparison to the garden really struck me because I was thinking about how cyclical nature is. A garden buds and blooms in spring, producing a harvest. But then it goes through a cycle of fall and winter. Deadness and dormancy. And yet many seeds need that hard freeze in order to germinate. Perhaps it is the same way with us: we need seasons of trial and winter in order to blossom fully and become most fruitful. As history progresses, mankind needs seasons of “winter” in order for righteousness to spring forth.
Isaiah 62 continues with the theme of redemption and glory. Verse 2 tells us “you shall be called by a new name.” The promises of beauty and blessing are wonderful. Comforting to the mind, easing the soul. My spirit wants to sigh in relief at this chapter.
And yet today as I read this passage, I was struck by verses 6 and 7. “You who remind the LORD, take no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned throughout the earth.” You who remind the LORD. Isn’t that an interesting way of describing prayer? Verse 10 encourages us to prepare, to build up the highway, to clear away the stones. Essentially, we are all called to be like John the Baptist as we pray for God to fulfill this prophecy.
Today we being reading Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s letter to the Romans was in many ways very theological, speaking about the need for salvation and redemption and how Christ perfectly fulfilled the law for us. The letters to the Corinthians still talk about doctrinal issues, but Paul primarily addresses several practical matters that plagued the church in Corinth: quarrels, divisions, sexual immorality, lawsuits, and even church worship. In this letter, Paul writes about marriage and singleness, freedom in Christ, spiritual gifts, and — since this Gentile church was influenced by Greek philosophy with its distrust of physicality — he also focuses on the significance of the resurrection.
The city of Corinth was a large metropolis in south-central Greece, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia. The city had a reputation for luxuries and decadence. With the temple of Aphrodite located in Corinth, the words “Corinthian girl” became a synonym for prostitute. In many ways, the polyglot of civilization in Corinth is very much like many of our larger, cosmopolitan cities.
In this first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul gives thanks for the Corinthian believers and he appeals for them to become united. I first noticed the phrase Paul says in verse 2: “together with all.” Paul is talking about us here! He is writing to the Corinthians, who are called to be saints together with us and with all who call upon Jesus Christ. This one little phrase makes this chapter suddenly become very personal. Perhaps that’s why I loved Paul’s words in verse 5: “for in every way you have been enriched in him.” Amen!
What stood out to me today as I read this first chapter was the whole discussion of God’s foolishness versus human wisdom. Of course, I love wisdom. And I have sought God’s wisdom for most of my life. But verse 27 tells us that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” Why? “So that no one might boast.” As much as I love wisdom, any wisdom I have gained is from God. And we should not boast in our wisdom, but in God Himself.
1 Corinthians 2 continues talking about wisdom and foolishness. Paul preaches Christ crucified — a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, as he already mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:23. Paul writes of the gospel message as a secret and hidden wisdom from God. He says in verse 8, “None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
The chapter goes on to talk about the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit enlightens us to give us the secret wisdom of the gospel in Christ Jesus. The chapter concludes with the comforting words that we have “the mind of Christ.”
I say that the chapter’s conclusion is “comforting” because this whole idea of secret and hidden wisdom can be confusing to read about. It can even make you wonder if you’ve missed something. Sudden doubt surfaces: Have I missed God’s secret wisdom? Is it hidden from me? (Let me reassure you right here: that’s the devil asking you those questions. God’s “secret” wisdom is Jesus Christ and you do know him and what he came to accomplish.)
One of the heresies that the early church dealt with in the first and second centuries was Gnosticism, which viewed the body and the physical and material world as bad. The Gnostics also emphasized a personal and mystical “secret” knowledge that led to salvation — a knowledge that might not be available to every believer. While the church denounced the Gnostic teachings as heretical, many of these ideas persist today and they continue to influence Christian belief. I mention this bit of Christian history as a caution to you. If someone tries to tell you that there’s secret knowledge that you must have in addition to what is in the Bible, reject that idea. All you need is Scripture and the Holy Spirit. Well, maybe a little bit of prayer, too. 🙂
Psalm 56 was written by David when he was in serious danger from the Philistines. He calls out for God to be merciful and twice he asks, what can man do to me? Talk about putting things into eternal perspective! I have not had my life threatened the way that David’s life was threatened, but when life overwhelms me, I too cry out to God for mercy. I especially love verse 8. David cries, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record?” How precious we are to God! He keeps a record of every tear, every plump of the pillow, and every sleepless hour. He knows us inside and out.
Even though he is afraid, David makes a deliberate choice to trust in God. That’s a difficult thing to do when we are afraid. But remembering that God is in charge brings comfort. The Psalm ends by praising God in advance for the victory to come. I too pray to present “thank offerings” to God because He has rescued me and enabled me to “walk before God in the light of life.”
Father God, I’m amazed at how closely you watch over us. You know when we worry, when we toss and turn, when we fret. You know when fear paralyzes us. You know when we are in danger. Nothing surprises you. You know our weaknesses and failures.
Thank you that you are with us always. Sometimes you allow us to go through difficult times, but you have already rescued us in Christ Jesus. Thank you that you have given us your Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ. Thank you that this is the year of your favor. May you enable us to prepare the way for the coming of your kingdom. May we see your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’m thankful today is a new day and, as I listen to the birds singing and chirping outside, calling to each other, I think of how they express joy in the moment. They don’t know where their next meal will be or of the future, but they are joyful that the snow is gone, the rain passed, the sun is shining on them. That is evidence of faith, in creation, and I should not worry over what hasn’t happened and those things I can’t control, but do my best today to be resourceful and praise Him in my work. Regarding today’s verse, I didn’t think of evangelism. Kirsty, it occurred to me, after reading your thoughts, that ideally evangelism is that my words and actions join seamlessly to witness God’s love and character. People observe my behavior and actions more than hear my words, as I’m not talking all through the day. My interactions with people, often non-verbal, need to reflect His love, and if I can naturally say something about the Lord, that is good.
I agree with Kristina I had not thought of evangelism. And concur with her thoughts as well as one of your verses. . And some of prior study; perhaps our actions are demonstrations of our true faith. Our demeanor, kindness, smiles, sharing speaks way louder to others than our words.
And reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the man who says he will do but doesn’t and the one who doesn’t think he can do but does. Who finds greater favor or we/I would want on my team? The realistic one. Doesn’t think he/she can yet does. Thought provoking.
And thinking of the church at Corinth and the church today. Yes . . We must keep praying. Thanks Kirsty. And others whose comments also are enlightening.