March 29 ▪ Day 88

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 14:15
Jeremiah 5–6
Luke 17
Psalms 88

Verse Focus (Proverbs 14:15)

The simple believe anything,
      but the prudent give thought to their steps.

Meditation

Today’s verse focus looks at one type of fool — those that are labeled “the simple.” Proverbs 14:15 says, in the NIV, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” As the NRSV puts it, “The simple believe everything, but the clever consider their steps.”

Two days ago we talked about how the prudent give thought to their ways, whereas fools are deceived by their own folly. Here, the prudent give thought to their ways in a more concrete and specific manner by giving thought to their steps. And the contrast is against a type of fool that is so gullible they believe anything and everything.

It is very obvious to me that if you believe anything and everything, it will be impossible for you to make considered plans. Considering your steps is about making choices for specific action — but how can you choose if you believe everything you hear?

I should make clear that the Biblical idea of the simple fool is very different than what we call “simple” today. The dictionary defines simple in a number of different ways: as easy, straightforward or uncomplicated; as plain, unembellished, or undecorated; as a single element, pure — not a compound, not complex; and as describing very low intelligence. Among these various meanings of simple, most of the time today you will see “simple” as describing something desirable. Especially the simple life — in our very complicated world, the simple life is one that eschews an overabundance of possessions and seeks to connect to values that are important.

The Biblical idea of the simple is not speaking of a person who is stupid, or simple-minded, or developmentally disabled. Instead, the simple person is one who is so open-minded that he or she is unable to discern right from wrong. It’s not just about being naive, or gullible, it’s about being easily seduced. It’s a lack of ability to understand complexity or nuance. The simple person lacks wisdom because of these traits, or has these traits because he or she lacks wisdom. And gaining wisdom is a matter of fearing the LORD, so there is a moral dimension to the foolishness.

Father God, we can all be simple at times — easily seduced and led astray. Help us to develop in wisdom and discernment as we draw closer to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jeremiah 5 begins with a challenge for Jeremiah to search through Jerusalem. If he can find just one person who “acts justly and seeks the truth,” then God will pardon them. But Jeremiah does not find faithfulness either with the poor and foolish, or among the rich, powerful, and educated rulers. “How can I pardon you?” God laments in verse 7. As Jeremiah details the sins of the people, twice God asks, “Shall I not punish them for these things?”

Even as the prophet speaks of God’s coming wrath, the invitation to repent is always there. In chapter 6, verse 16, the LORD bids the people to:

Stand at the crossroads, and look,
      and ask for the ancient paths,
      where the good way lies; and walk in it,
      and find rest for your souls.

But the chapter ends with the discouraging note that once-precious Judah has been rejected as dross.

What can I say about these chapters? So many of the verses strike me. Chapter 5, verses 13 and 14. Jeremiah 5:18. 5:21. Jeremiah 6:11. 6:27. The Holy Spirit stirs me with these words. But it is more a feeling, a softening of my heart. I have no brilliant insights and quoting the verses back to you will not accomplish anything more than what the Holy Spirit reveals to you when you read the chapters yourselves. Holy Spirit, speak through these chapters to move your people!

In Luke chapter 17, Jesus comments on the need to forgive your brothers and sisters. Jesus says that we must rebuke a disciple who sins, and then he continues on to say, “and if there is repentance, you must forgive.” Two things captured my attention — the word “must,” and the word “if.” When I look at the verse in other translations, I see that the word “must” is not included. Most simply say, “if they repent, forgive them.” When I dig into the Greek, however, I see that the NRSV is using the word “must” to help convey the idea that the Greek tense conveys — the imperative aspect to this command. Not just “Forgive.” But “You must forgive.”

As for the word “if” — well, that’s a different story. We are called to forgive one another. That’s fundamental — Christianity 101. So I was surprised to see that forgiveness is qualified by “if there is repentance.” Does this verse mean that we don’t have to forgive someone if they’re not repentant? Are we to understand that before we forgive a brother or sister, they must first repent of how they have wronged us? Well, yes and no.

God forgives us before we ask. He sent Jesus to die for us before we were even born. But in order for us to receive that forgiveness, we must repent. In the same way, in order for true reconciliation to occur between disciples, the one who offends must repent of the offense and the one who is offended must forgive. If you have struggled with extending forgiveness, this may be why.

Some people are able to forgive — to let go of anger or bitterness, to continue loving another person — even when the offense is never recognized. But it is not easy to do that, nor is that what Jesus is telling us to do here. This Scripture is referring to a relationship between two believers. In this situation, the pattern is sin, rebuke, repent, forgive.

Luke also tells us in chapter 17 about how Jesus heals ten lepers. Yet only one man comes back to thank Jesus and praise God for that healing. Jesus comments on this because the man who came back was a Samaritan. In verse 18, Jesus asks, “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” I was struck by this remark. The Jews who were healed considered themselves to be God’s chosen people. And the Holy Spirit spoke a warning to me. We must be careful that we are not so proud of our special relationship with God that we take His mercies for granted. And it’s easy to do that. Too easy.

That we are adopted into the family of God is one of the greatest miracles of all time. Yet I take this relationship for granted. How often do I thank God for my salvation? How often do I praise Him for who He is? The Scripture humbles me. I do not want to be like the nine lepers; I want to be awake and aware of all that God does for me. Thank you, Abba Father, for your love and compassion.

Psalm 88 is a prayer from one who is deathly ill. According to the inscription, the psalm is by the Sons of Korah, according to mahaloth leannoth (or Suffering of Affliction), and a maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. As you recall, the sons of Korah is a branch of the Levite family, and most were temple singers. The “suffering of affliction” may be the name of a tune. No one really knows exactly what a “maskil” is, but it is theorized to be some sort of musical notation.

I was curious to see who Heman the Ezrahite was. And most believe that he is the man named Heman whom David appointed as a temple singer; this man was a grandson of Samuel the prophet, and was a seer himself for King David. He lived to have 14 sons and three daughters. This theory makes sense since Heman was a well-known musician in King David’s time, however, it does not account for why he is called “the Ezrahite,” especially since this Heman was the son of a man named Joel.

There is another possibility for who Heman the Ezrahite is, although most discount it because it is a man who is not a Levite, but is descended from Judah. Tomorrow’s psalm is attributed to “Ethan the Ezrahite.” There is no mention of the sons of Korah; and this man Ethan has been identified as a man well-known for his wisdom, and a son of Zerah (also known as Mahol). In fact, the “Ezrahite” is thought to mean “Zar-hite” — that is, a son of Zerah. This Ethan had a brother named Heman, who was also known for his wisdom. And it is possible that the Heman the Ezrahite who wrote Psalm 88 is the brother of Ethan the Ezrahite who wrote Psalm 89.

However, the problem with this alternate theory comes because of the “Sons of Korah” notation. Most assume this means that Heman was a descendant of Korah. However, if the psalm was set to music, it is possible the music came from the Levites, but the text came from someone else (someone who was not necessarily a Levite). Personally, I think Heman the Ezrahite is the brother of Ethan the Ezrahite and that they are both sons of Zerah, from the line of Judah. But what you believe about Heman’s identity is not important as far as the essentials of Christian faith goes; there is room for disagreement here.

A final note as we consider this psalm written by Heman the Ezrahite is to understand that the name “Heman” means “Faithful.” And so the psalmist named Faithful cries out to God, to the one who saves. Verse 3 says, “My life draws near to death.” As he describes his despondency, Heman says in verse 7, “Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.” But he goes on to plead with God that is the living who praise Him, not those who go down to the Pit.

The psalm does not have a “happy” ending, or a declaration of the certainty that God will answer Heman’s prayer by granting him life. Indeed, the psalm’s last words are that “darkness is my closest friend.” I think, in this respect, it is a psalm that more people can identify with. Death eventually comes to us all, and even those we desperately hope will be healed are often not saved to continue living on earth.

Father God, we are grateful that there are psalms for our darkest times as well as for our happiest times. Thank you for the Heman who wrote this psalm. I look forward to meeting him one day in heaven, when the mystery of his identity will be fully revealed. Thank you for everything your Scripture has to teach us. May we forgive as Jesus taught us to forgive; may we repent as Jeremiah calls us to repent. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may see with our eyes and hear with our ears in truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.