July 30 ▪ Day 211

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 20:15
Deuteronomy 9–10
Romans 3–4
Psalms 27

Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:15)

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
     but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Meditation

Proverbs 20:15 says, in the NIV, “Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.” Speaking wisdom is both rare and precious; its value surpasses monetary wealth and riches. Indeed, gold and precious gems are commonplace by comparison.

This proverb speaks not only of what is, but of what should be. God values wisdom and knowledge. So, we too should value wisdom and knowledge. When the proverb speaks of “lips that speak knowledge,” it refers not only to those who are wise, but also to subject matter experts. Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly common for people in our culture to dismiss the experts in favor of their own wisdom and understanding. It’s a distressing trend. Of course, not everyone who claims to be an expert is an expert. But, generally speaking, those who have spent years studying a subject should be granted respect and their opinions weighted more heavily than someone who has only a basic education.

For some, distrust of experts comes from a distrust of secular learning. And while I do not assume all secular learning is bad, we should be justly cautious of Biblical “experts” who do not have faith in God — if they assume prophecy is not real, that miracles don’t ever happen, and that religion is merely a man-made construct to create community — then their years of learning will be tainted by those assumptions. But I feel like more people distrust the experts out of pride. They believe that they are just as intelligent and just as capable of finding the truth and thus they dismiss the value of study and education. As Christians, I feel that we must give respect to those who have put years of study, research, and work experience into becoming experts. We don’t always have to agree with what these experts say, but we should recognize that sin and pride may be playing a stronger role in our disagreement than we might want to admit.

Other than respect for education, and respect for study and learning and acquired knowledge, we should especially treasure those who have knowledge in spiritual matters.

The jewel of “lips that speak knowledge” is precious both for the speaker and the listener. If you find someone who is wise and learned, who is able to articulate spiritual truths, who speaks with the discernment of Scripture — listen to them. Keep company with that person. Likewise, pay attention to what Jesus says. It just might be the most valuable thing you can do.

Father God, help us to truly treasure lips that speak knowledge. Give us respect for those who have advanced study and work experience in all kinds of areas. But help us especially to value those who are wise in your ways. Thank you for your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Three times in Deuteronomy 9, in three successive verses, Moses instructs the Israelites that God is not bringing them into the Promised Land and driving out the Canaanites because the Israelites are righteous (v. 4-6). No, it is because of the wickedness of the Canaanite nations. Not because of their righteousness. This is not mere repetition. This emphasis — three times in a row, telling them the same thing (although slightly varying the wording) — carries the weight of real significance. This is vitally important.

Indeed, Moses goes on to recount how the Israelites themselves have provoked God to wrath on more than one occasion. As he says in verse 7, “From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD.” He reminds them of how they made the Golden Calf while they were still at Horeb, and reminds them of other incidents in the wilderness, such as when they quarreled at Massah. Moses reminds them that he had interceded for them so that God would not destroy them.

In Deuteronomy 10, Moses speaks about making the ark of the covenant, and about how they received a second set of the Ten Commandments (since the first were broken because of the incident of the Golden Calf).

In verses 12 and 13, Moses asks, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?” This reminds me of the question in Micah 6:8, “And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Moses goes on to speak of the greatness of the LORD. He rules the heavens and the earth. He is God of gods, and Lord of lords — great, awesome, and mighty. He gives justice to widows and orphans and loves the sojourner. Moses tells the Israelites in verse 21, “He is your praise.”

In verse 16, Moses tells the Israelites something very important. “Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer.” This echoes what Paul told us yesterday in Romans 2:29, “But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”

Both of these chapters in Deuteronomy teach us significant truths about the life of faith. Just as the Israelites did not enter the Promised Land because of their righteousness, so, we, too, do not enter into the Promised Land — that is, heaven — because of our own righteousness. Like the Israelites, we are rebellious. We would experience God’s wrath if it weren’t for the Messiah — Jesus paid the way for us to enter into the kingdom of God. But as we live out our faith, as we do things to please God, we must first be sure that our heart has been circumcised by the Holy Spirit. Our actions are meaningless if our heart is not in the right place. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “If I have not love, I am nothing.”

In God’s own plan of synchronicity, Romans 3 and 4 fit very nicely with our readings in Deuteronomy today. Romans 3 speaks of how none are righteous. We are all under sin. But through Jesus Christ, God reveals a new kind of righteousness — a righteousness that comes from God and that is obtained through faith in His Son. In other words, it is not by our righteousness, but by God’s righteousness that we are saved. It is a gift of grace through faith. In Romans 4, Paul goes on to show that even Abraham’s righteousness was really a righteousness that came through his faith in God’s promises.

But now let’s take a quick look at what we learn about God through these chapters. First, we learn that God is righteous. Verse 3:3 points out that mankind’s faithlessness does not nullify God’s own faithfulness. He remains faithful and true, regardless of how wicked we are. He is also completely just. Righteousness, justice, faithfulness, and truth are all essential aspects of God’s character.

But we also learn about God’s mercy and grace. God gives us what we lack. We are not righteous. Isaiah 64:6 says, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” We might try to please God, but what we are able to do will never measure up to true righteousness. God solves this problem by giving us Jesus. We place our faith in him, and through that faith we obtain Christ’s righteousness for our own. We become clean in God’s sight. And in this way, God is both just and the one who makes us just.

The righteousness God gives us by His grace is “apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it (3:21).” This means that our understanding of the purpose of the law must be revised, especially if we believe that the law was given as a means of making us righteous. In fact, Paul teaches us that the law was actually to enable us to recognize sin (3:20). The law teaches us who God is, but it also shows how much we fall short of His goodness.

Psalm 27 celebrates how God blesses and protects us. He is our light. He is our salvation. He is our shelter and shield.

In many ways, this psalm gives us a picture of what faith looks like. Faith trusts in God for deliverance. Faith does not fear, because it knows that God is mighty and He is able to shelter us. Faith recognizes that being in the presence of God is the highest of joys. Faith resolves to seek God’s face. Faith prays. Faith trusts. Faith has confidence that we will experience God’s goodness — both now and in the future. And faith waits.

Father God, thank you so much for giving us your righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not by our righteousness that we have peace with you. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your steadfast love. Continue to grant us what we need to live a life of obedient faith. Give us circumcised hearts. Fill us with your Spirit. Transform us into faithful and fruitful servants. In Jesus’ name, Amen.