May 8 ▪ Day 128

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 17:4
Ezekiel 5–6
Acts 25
Psalms 128

Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:4)

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
     a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Meditation

Proverbs 17:4 says, in the NIV, “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” The ESV is similar, saying, “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.”

On the one hand, the proverb makes perfect sense. People who are wicked will listen to lies and mischief because it matches what they have in their own hearts. Lies, deceit, gossip, insults, and destructive words are part of their values, governing how they relate to others. While they might glorify being able to deceive someone else, I doubt they are quite so sanguine about being on the receiving end of such deceit.

But this proverb gives me pause. Even though logic says that something that is true in one direction is not necessarily true in the other direction, we read this proverb and begin to wonder if those who listen to deceitful lips are wicked. If you pay attention to a destructive tongue, does that make you a liar? Logic says not necessarily so. But I think the Bible is suggesting that, indeed, it may be so. Listening to people who deceive, or listening to language that seeks to damage, cut down, and destroy someone or something else — perhaps it’s wickedness that gives you the desire to do this.

So today’s proverb warns us to be wary about what we’re listening to. Obviously, we don’t always know when someone is being deceitful in what they say. But if past experience has already shown this person to be a liar, then we need to seek God and His wisdom for guidance in dealing with this person. I should also point out, that “listening” in the Bible is more than simply hearing what someone says. When God accuses the Israelites of not listening to Him, He is saying that they do not act upon what He tells them. And it is this kind of listening and this kind of paying attention that we need to be careful about, especially if the speaker has a destructive tongue.

Father God, help us to not heed liars or to entertain destructive speech. Help us to discern the truth, especially in arenas like politics and government, where it can seem like no one speaks with integrity. Keep us also from having deceitful lips ourselves; protect us from gossip and other damaging types of conversation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ezekiel 5 details a prophecy against Jerusalem. Ezekiel is to shave his head and beard with a sharp sword. He will dispose of sections of hair in different ways — some will be burned, some will be chased by a sword throughout the city, and some will be scattered to the wind. A few strands will be tucked away to be preserved. Most of the chapter details God’s word of explanation for these actions, as well His judgment against Jerusalem and the people. It is not clear to me whether Ezekiel would have proclaimed these words as he dealt with the hair, or if this was something the people would understand much later. We, however, are granted the full interpretations. God says in verse 12, “A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; a third part shall fall by the sword all around you; and a third part I will scatter to all the winds and will unsheathe the sword after them.”

Verse 10 is particularly horrifying to me. “Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers.” I interpret this to be a prophecy of cannibalism, as the people suffer from the siege-induced famine. Indeed, this is the very outcome of disobedience that God foretold in Leviticus 26:29, which we read only a few days ago. While I don’t doubt that this verse speaks of literal cannibalism that will happen in Jerusalem, I also suspect that there are metaphorical interpretations, too. The people will devour one another in their differences of opinion as to what they should do. Family relationships will break down. Food will not be shared; the people will devolve into caring only for their own selves.

Ezekiel 6 is another prophecy of judgment against Judah for their idolatry. Ezekiel is to focus on the mountains of Jerusalem, and to proclaim against them the coming destruction of the idols and altars, including the death and devastation of the people who sacrifice in the high places. Ezekiel is to strike his hands and stamp his feet and wail as he gives this message (v. 11). As the LORD decrees in verse 12, “One who is far away will die of the plague, and one who is near will fall by the sword, and anyone who survives and is spared will die of famine. So will I pour out my wrath on them.”

The chapter concludes with the well-known phrase, “Then they will know that I am the LORD.” This is a phrase that will repeat throughout the book of Ezekiel. In fact, this phrase has already appeared four times in this very chapter. To me, it is reminiscent of Jeremiah 16:21 (“they shall know that my name is the LORD”). I have commented before that to think that punishment will bring about knowledge of God is somewhat counterintuitive, even though we know this does happen. It occurs to me today that I have always assumed that the ones gaining knowledge of the LORD are the very same ones who are being punished. But “they” may also be referring to future generations. God may be speaking about us — we will know God’s power and majesty as we read these prophecies and study the history of their fulfillment.

Acts 25 takes up the story of Paul in prison in Caesarea now that the new governor, Porcius Festus, has arrived. Festus had only been in the region three days before he goes to Jerusalem. And as soon as he arrives there, the chief priests and others who are lobbying for Paul to be put to death make their case to Festus immediately. They try to convince Festus to have Paul summoned to Jerusalem — intending, of course, to ambush and kill him while he was in transit. But Festus foils this plan by telling them they should appear in Caesarea.

About two weeks after arriving in Judea, Festus sets up the hearing for Paul in Caesarea. I love how Luke describes what happened! Verse 7 tells us that the Jews from Jerusalem brought “many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.” Festus wants to do a favor for the chief priests and other Jews in Jerusalem, so he tries to send Paul back to Jerusalem for a trial. Paul appeals to Caesar. And thus his journey to Rome is set in motion.

I was struck by what Festus says in verse 18 — that he had expected to hear a story of crime and evil, but no such charges were brought against Paul. He was somewhat stumped as to what he should say to the emperor about Paul’s case, since Paul has done “nothing deserving death (v. 25).”

It’s kind of fascinating how God orchestrates Paul’s situation. Rome is involved because the Jews want to put Paul to death. But by Roman law, he has done nothing to deserve death. (By Jewish law, Paul hasn’t done anything to deserve death, either, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped his accusers!) As a Roman citizen, however, the Roman legal system protects Paul from an unjust death and guarantees a trial and an appeal process. Thus Paul will be protected from the Sanhedrin and from his opponents, and he will be sent to Rome — where he most wants to go anyway. During his imprisonment, Paul reaches high-level government officials as well as the entire Praetorian guard with the gospel message — these are groups that otherwise might have been last to hear the message of salvation. But by planting these seeds, Paul paves the way for a future Christian emperor.

Psalm 128 is a lovely Psalm of Ascent. It speaks of blessings and prosperity for those who fear the LORD.

The promise in verse 2 is particularly appealing: “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” One of the curses for the Israelites’ disobedience was with regard to the fruit of their labor — the farms and vineyards they labored in would instead feed their enemies. And while we are not at war, we also know what it is like to have someone else benefit from your work. Too often in business someone else will take credit for the work you did. Or you will see your earnings be swallowed up by the government or creditors. So we understand what a tremendous blessing it is to actually be able to eat the fruit of our own labor. And isn’t this what we all want? To see benefit resulting from our efforts? To experience some of the rewards that our labor brings?

Indeed, all the blessings of this psalm are things we desire. We want prosperity for our cities and communities. We want peace “all the days” of our lives. And to be able to live long enough to see and get to know those in future generations? Joy, indeed!

Father God, thank you that you bless those who fear you and who walk in obedience to your ways. We desire to be obedient to you. We don’t always succeed, but we’re so grateful for the grace you give us in Christ Jesus. I do long to eat the fruit of my own labor — but even more than I want the blessings that you give, I want to know you. The biggest blessing we will ever receive is getting to know you. Help us to desire that more than we desire some of the material blessings you also give.

Thank you for the assurance that you are in control. Even though Paul’s situation looked dire, you were still orchestrating every aspect of his captivity. You protected Paul through the Roman legal system and used his imprisonment to bring the gospel to soldiers and government officials. You work in amazing ways! Help us to see you at work in our own lives. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.