March 3 ▪ Day 62

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 12:14
Hosea 7–8
I Corinthians 15–16
Psalms 62

Verse Focus (Proverbs 12:14)

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
     and the work of their hands brings them reward.

Meditation

Proverbs 12:14 tells us, “From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things, and manual labor has its reward (NRSV).” This is an interesting verse. For once, rather than warning us of the dangers of speech, this proverb tells us that good things can come as a result of what you say. It also promises rewards from the work of your hands. In fact, the whole proverb is about benefit to oneself. So in that respect this is an unusual proverb.

So, what fruit from out lips will fill us with good things? Prayer? Praise? Encouragement? Sharing stories?

I also think about manual labor. Jobs that are classified as “manual labor” are among the lowest paid jobs in America. But how the U.S. Department of Labor might classify a fruit picker versus an office worker isn’t really the point. Manual labor is very tangible. Office work is less so. But I think that labor in either setting will produce a reward. Perhaps those that must labor physically have a greater sense of accomplishment, though.

Father God, thank you that your Scripture talks about things that benefit us. Please let our words be edifying, and may you establish the work of our hands. Through Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Hosea 7 speaks of Israel’s sin. There are a number of metaphors to describe Israel’s condition. Some of these metaphors are hard to understand.

Verse 4 says that “they are like a heated oven.” Lust and adultery. The implication seems to be that the Israelites have already reached a certain level of sinfulness and now they remain, smoldering, at this high temperature of sin.

Ephraim has mixed with other peoples, thus verse 8 says, “Ephraim is a cake not turned.” Here, we have an image of a cake that is burnt on one side and raw dough on the other side. Ruined. Inedible. Useless. Unfit.

Verse 11 describes Ephraim “like a dove, silly and without sense.” Israel has turned to Egypt for help against the Assyrian threat. Even though God gives strength to his people, verse 16 says they are “like a defective bow.” The chapter sums up the Israelites’ foolishness with a derogatory statement, “So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt.”

Beyond these images of the hot oven, the ruined cake, the silly dove, and the defective weapon, there was one verse in particular in Hosea chapter 7 that stood out to me. Verse 13 is poignant. The LORD says, “I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me.” They speak lies against me. Is our country one that speaks lies against God? I’m sure many speak lies by their actions — by not turning to God and by not trusting in Him — but do we actually tell others that we think God is unreliable? Unfaithful? Unable to save us?

I suppose what is striking about this is seeing this disrespect from God’s point of view. It never occurred to me that God would feel hurt or angry at the “lies” his people speak against Him. We think of blasphemy — but that’s more viewed as sinning against His majesty. But these “lies” against the goodness and faithfulness of God are just as damning.

Hosea chapter 8 contains a Biblical quote that is known far and wide, immortalized in history, fiction, literature, and song. Hosea 8:7 says, “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” Reaping chaos and devastation from a storm of unimaginable magnitude — that’s what we think of when we hear this verse. That’s why Churchill quoted this verse when he saw the destruction at Coventry in November 1940. That’s why so many books and songs have part of this quote in their title. And yet one online dictionary gives a rather anemic definition for the phrase “to reap the whirlwind,” saying only that it means “to reap serious consequences for prior mistakes.”

The prophet continues to speak of Israel’s idolatry in this chapter. Verse 6 prophesies that “the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.” Even though Israel offers “choice sacrifices” to God, the LORD “does not accept them (v. 13).” The chapter promises punishment and judgment for Israel, and also gives severe warning to Judah.

1 Corinthians 15 is known for its theological defense of bodily resurrection. As noted a few days ago, some of the Greek philosophy that the Corinthian church was fighting against was the notion that the physical world was less important and less “good” than the spiritual world. This eventually became the heresy of docetism (which claimed that Christ only “appeared” to be human because of course the divine could not take on a physical form), which was dealt with in the early centuries of the church.

Here, Paul lays it out very clearly for all believers. Verses 3 through 5 tells us that, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” The historicity of this event and the physicality of the resurrection — all these are important details that were not only foretold by Scripture, but the events were fulfilled and witnessed.

Paul continues to argue that the resurrection from the dead is important. In verse 19 he states, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” Our faith only makes sense in the light of eternal destiny. Why else put up with suffering and abuse? Why else deny ourselves? Why work on character formation? Only if there is a sure reward does any of this make sense.

Paul argues that the kind of body we will gain will be remarkably different than the body we have now. The physical body is sown “in weakness,” but will be raised “imperishable” and in “power.” He also makes the point that “what you sow does not come to life unless it dies (v. 36).”

After laying out his arguments for a physical, bodily resurrection to come, Paul concludes the chapter by reminding us that it is our responsibility to “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (v. 58).”

The concluding chapter of 1 Corinthians wraps up a few odds and ends and extends more greetings. One of those “odds and ends” was Paul’s injunction to put aside money on the first day of every week to save for a collection to be given to those in need in Jerusalem. Although it is only one verse, it is an important principle — one that I ignore far too often! Basically, the advice is to regularly pay attention to your finances and regularly set aside funds for charity. Doing it little by little is an easier process than trying to make a big gesture later on down the line (especially when you might have spent the funds that would have otherwise have been saved had you paid weekly attention).

As Paul mentions various individuals by name, I note in verse 18 that he talks about being “refreshed.” This is one of the benefits and responsibility of community. Paul’s final instructions for believers are summed up in verses 13 and 14: “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

Psalm 62 is yet another psalm by David. We have no historical background for this psalm of praise although the inscription notes that this psalm was meant for Jeduthun, one of the choir masters of the temple.

What strikes me as I read the psalm today is the use of the word “alone.” Verses 1 and 5 say, “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” The psalmist repeats “alone” again in verse 2 and 6, saying, “He alone is my rock and my salvation.” Depending on what translation you’re reading, you may not see the word written as “alone.” The Hebrew adverb is one that is translated many different ways, including “truly,” “surely,” and “only.” Whatever way you translate this word, its very repetition makes it noteworthy.

Verse 8 exhorts us to “pour out your heart before him” because “God is a refuge for us.” Amen!

Father God, thank you that we can surely and truly trust in you. Thank you that you alone are our rock and our salvation. Thank you that Paul outlined the doctrine of the resurrection so clearly for us in 1 Corinthians. Thank you for all your prophets and those who spoke for you throughout history. Please enable us to keep alert, to stand firm in faith, to be courageous and strong, and to do everything in love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.