Heavenhigh

Change

# 16 2024 Dev. Ex.1:8. Change! Read all of chapter one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.1:8 “Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.”

The book of Exodus Is about three main subjects: God’s deliverance, God’s morality and the worship of God. Ch.1 sets the stage forGod’s plan and promise, All of Jacob’s sons and their families ended up in Egypt. The promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is beginning to be fulfilled. “They had multiplied greatly…” But that was always the case, God wanted them to become a nation. What changed was the attitudes of the Egyptians. We are being subjected to radical change in our time as well. How do we deal with it? We do what Israel did, we cry out to God in faith.

Vs.1-7 All of Jacob’s family joined Joseph and his family in Egypt. As long as Joseph was alive all was well. But after His death and the death of all his brothers, Joseph and his service was soon forgotten. To make matters worse they had “become so numerous that the land was filled with them.”

Vs.8-14 The new king saw the Israelites as a security threat, they were foreigners after all and they could serve Egypt as slaves. The whole plan was to make their lives miserable, make bricks for building store houses and to reduce their fertility. “So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor…”

Vs.15-20 Apparently Israel continued to increase in numbers so Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male babies. From the very beginning Satan was and is against God’s people, the Jews in Egypt and still today all around the world, like he is against all Christians today. He knows his fate but he can’t help himself, he is not able to change and will always bring on evil. But the midwives disobeyed the order and God rewarded them with families. Satan is also behind the abortion industry in this country and worldwide, if people do not have more children we will be in serious trouble by a lack of workforce.

The final order of the Pharaoh was like the final solution of Hitler, exterminate them all, but in this case, the males, by throwing the new borns into the river. This was an order for all jews in the land. Even under these difficult conditions God is in control and has a plan, thanks be to God.

Wisdom!

# 15 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 8:1. Wisdom! Read all of chapter eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 8:1 “A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.”

Ecc.8. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book and there are different ways to deal with it. One way is to look at the plain meaning of the text. Often the material is a foil to what is good and to what is meaningful. The “teacher” asks a question; “Who is like the wise?” Who can tell someone else what is to come? Again he says: “No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun.”

Vs.1-6 “Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things?” The teacher ask two questions: Are you wise, can you explain things, life, death, finances, health, love, hate? Yes, we can. Do we know everything? No, but by living by God’s grace yes, we can know things more than those who do not. Those who practice wisdom are relaxed and assured by faith. They obey the rules, they know right from wrong and practice that in its time.

Vs.7-8 “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone what is to come?” That is true, but there are predicable outcomes, for goodness, for wise choices, for choosing good or for bad, “so wickedness will not release those who practice it.”

Vs.9-13 We live in a broken world, as the teacher also sees the exploitation of others and the injustice of a long life for the wicked. “Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them”. Do not envy those who are rich and live a long life, it is all in God’s hands and he rewards those accordingly, “what is wealth if you lose your soul?”

Vs.14-15 “The righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve.” What is the difference between the wicked and the righteous? We all sin and “fall short of God’s glory.” By God’s grace we serve by faith and are righteous in Christ, Amen? But even the wicked serve God, unbeknown to them, but they benefit those who serve God! Thanks be to God. In faith we may rejoice, enjoy life, “all the days of the life God has given them”.

Vs.16-17 “No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun.” But if we see “all that God has done”, if we see life and the world in the light of the Words of God and in Jesus’s love we know more and understand more than one who does not have the light. Praise be to God. Let Your Light Shine!’

God’s Intention!

# 14 2024 Dev. Ge. 49:20. God’s Intention! Read all of chapter fifty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Chapter 50 Is about Jacob’s burial and Joseph’s death. It is the end of Genesis, the first book of Scripture but also the first chapter of God’s redemptive plan for the whole world: “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” Abraham! Further, Joseph’s singular success, by God’s grace, prefigures Jesus’ success as the singular Savior of the world. “By no other name are we saved!”

Vs.1-6 Jacob dies and Joseph has him embalmed. “And the Egyptians mourned for him for seventy days.” After the mourning period Joseph asks Pharaoh for permission to bury his father in the land of Canaan.

Vs.7-14 “So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him – the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt – besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household.” They continue to mourn on the way, stopping for seven days of mourning at the Jordan. It was a very large company of mourners, bringing to mind God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you great, a great nation, a precursor of Israel’s return to Canaan four hundred years in the future.

Vs,15-21 Joseph’s brothers despaired after the death of Jacob that Joseph would seek revenge for how he was treated. The brothers really did not acknowledge their role in Joseph’s service as a slave in Egypt much less ask for forgiveness. The only ones concerned at the time at Dothan was Ruben and Judah. Even in this attempt to repent they put the request for forgiveness on Jacob. In the end they had to approach Joseph, “His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said’”. No apology included.

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’” Joseph contrasts his brothers’ intention to God’s intention. They intended evil but God intended it for good, only God brings good out of evil, praise the Lord. This statement is the commentary on all of Genesis, Satan intended evil but God brings good. This tension is still going on today, therefore recognize and acknowledge God’s good in your life, in the lives of the people around you and in God’s creation in this world. Praise be to Him!

Vs.22-26 “Jacob’s family stayed in Egypt.” Joseph saw his offspring to the third generation. “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” The promise of the land is also for us, the promise mirrors the New Heaven and the New Earth. Praise be to God!

Life, a Serious Matter!

# 13 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 7:7. Life, a Serious Matter! Read all of chapter seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc.7:20 “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Ecc.7. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book and there are different ways to deal with it. One way is to look at the plain meaning of the text. The “teacher” tells us that life is a serious matter. And asks; “Why were the old days better than these? ‘For it is not wise to ask such questions.’” And he says; “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Vs.1-6 The teacher wants to impress upon us the meaning of life from the perspective of the future. Although there is no indication of an afterlife here, the book as a whole does confirm it. Here he points to death as a reality of life and the end of a person on earth. Is death better than to be born? Is the end better than the beginning? Yes, that could be true, but it depends if you look to the future or not. Many live in the past and many live in the present, of course we live in the present but that does not control the future. There are times of mourning and times of pleasure. That is real, but not if you pay more attention to one over the other. New Testament Christians look forward to the future and live in the present by faith.

V.7 Is a proverb that stands alone but is a commentary on living in the present only. “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”

V.8-14 We have mentioned this above, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” Again this puts the emphasis on the future. V.10 asks about the past, the teachers says; don’t live back there, it is not wise. “Wisdom is a shelter”, as well as money but only “wisdom preserves those who have it.” God is in control; He blesses us, sometimes He does not. God is in control of our lives, forming us to be who He wants us to be.

Vs.15-22 The next seven verses are proverbs to direct one’s life.

We live in a broken world, life is not always fair but we as Christians participate in that brokenness with our short comings and sometimes outright sins. Can we be over righteous? Yes, it leads to self righteousness and to condemnation of others. Can we be overwicked? Yes, it is foolish, willful and destroys the future. “Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.” Righteousness is hard to come by and sins come easy. Do not believe everything you hear or what you read but have a discerning heart.

Vs.23-26 “All this I tested by wisdom and I said,” “Whatever exists…who can discover it?…and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly…I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare… a trap…The man who pleases God will escape her but the sinner she will ensnare.” Most commentators put Solomon as the author and if that is the case he may want to take his own advice. “This only have I found: God created mankind upright but they have gone in search of many schemes.” He does not mention God’s grace that he himself has experienced. We thank God for His grace in our lives! Amen!

Future Blessings and Consequences!

# 12 2024 Dev. Ge. 49:1 Future Blessings and Consequences! Read all of chapter forty-nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 49:1 “Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.”

Chapter 48-49 Is about the Covenantal Blessings given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob now about to be passed on to Jacob’s sons. This chapter, 49, is about Jacob blessing the rest of his sons. Here as in Ch. 48 as well God’s grace is on display as well as His condemnation.

Vs.1-7 Reuben, the first born, should have had all the honor but lost it by defiling his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi, based on what happened in Ch. 34, also were not blessed, they killed the Shechemites by deception using the Covenantal sign of circumcision. The word used for “sword” is used only here, but the suggestion is cutting knives used for circumcision (NIV Application Com.). Reuben and Simeon will be scattered among the tribes replaced by Ephraim and Manasseh. However, God showed mercy to Levi, they were scattered as a tribe among the other tribes as servants of the Lord and their brothers in religious functions.

Vs.8-12 Here Jacob leaves the past and moves to the future and now uses animal metaphors in his blessings. “Judah,[b] your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.” Judah is the chosen from all his brothers and is compared to a lion. God’s grace is at play here as well, Judah’s mother was Leah and her fourth son, out of six. Judah is in the line of Christ through his daughter in law Tamar. Go figure?

First, we have Tamar, a Canaanite woman, and there is Rahab of Jericho, and the list goes on of women other than Israelites that are in the line of Christ. God’s Story is one of His grace. Verse 10 is determinative: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[c] until he to whom it belongs[d] shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” This phrase is uncertain; “until to he to whom it belongs…”. What confuses it is; “The scepter will not depart from Judah”. The NIV Application Com. answers that in this way: “David/Messiah is a representative of Judah, (or rather Judah represents) “David/Messiah ”. They are representatives, not replacements.

Vs.13-21 The next group of six sons blessed are Zebulun and Issachar born to Leah. Zebulun, a sailor and Issachar, a worker, both blessings from God. Dan born to Bilhah, Leah’s hand maid, “will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.” But he is described as a snake lying in wait. Jacob says: “I look for your deliverance, Lord.” It is not clear why Jacob inserts this prayer at this point. Is he reflecting on his domestic struggles from the day of his marriage to this day, his struggle to establish his family in the land, the horror of Shechem, the horror of the famine? Now he is away from the promised land again.

Do we look for deliverance from our God in times of physical and religious struggles, moving us away from being close to God? Yes, we do! If not, we should!

Gad. born to Zilpah, Rachel’s hand maid. Is this a word play on his name? See Footnotes. Asher, born to Zilpah, his “food will be rich…” This is the plain reading of the text, he is going to pay attention to food. Naphtali, born to Bilhah, he bears beautiful children or beautiful words. Both are welcome.

Vs.22-26 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.[k]” (Or a wild colt or donkey -see footnotes). The alternative reading does not reflect the reality of Joseph’s experience. He was attacked more than once, Satan wanting to stop God’s plan, but “because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel…” Joseph receives God’s protection and God’s abundant blessings.

Vs.27-28 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf…” The opposite of his brother. Jacob blessed all his sons “giving each the blessing appropriate to him.” Are we receiving the blessings appropriate to us? Yes, by God’s grace!

Vs.29-33 Before Jacob died he gave the instruction to be buried in the family plot in Canaan, the cave of Machpelah. Like Joseph, Jacob wanted to be buried in the land. That was the understanding, Canaan is the promised land, but Canaan is also the metaphor for the reality of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Praise the Lord!

Reality!

# 11 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 6:2 Reality! Read all of chapter six first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 6:2 “God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them…”

Ecc. 6 Ecclesiastes is a difficult book and there are different ways to deal with it. One way is to look at the plain meaning of the text. Often the material is a foil to what is good and to what is meaningful. The “teacher” tells us “ God gives some people wealth…” and asks; “For who knows what is good for a person in life…?”

Vs.1-6 What is reality for us reading God’s Word? Answer: God created us in His image, male and female, to honor Him, to worship, to be fruitful, to work and take care of His creation. All of life is worship! Secondly, the teacher talks about wealth, he had more wealth than most people in his world. What is he saying?

The first thing to clear up is that: “Capitalism (Socialism) and Communism are idols at their core” (NIV Application Commentary). Let us establish that at the start; without our devotion to God, wealth is one of many idols in people’s lives. What the teacher is saying is that when God is not first in your life, wealth is meaningless, it becomes an obsession to have more and more. That obsession does not allow one to enjoy what God has given.

Vs.7-12 What is real in God’s creation cannot be changed. We either live in that reality or we live in a fake construction of what is real. “Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite.”

What is real in this life? “Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.” We are limited in our ability to understand, as Paul says,” we see in a glass darkly.” But there is one human that is Perfect and Stronger, Jesus Christ! He calls us, redeems us and loves us. He “knows what is good for a person in life”! He directs the future, our future, into the eternal Kingdom of God. Praise Him!

God’s Grace!

# 10 2024 Dev. Ge. 48:3-4. God’s Grace! Read all of chapter forty eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 48:3-4 “Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty[a] appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me 4 and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’”

Chapter 48 Is about the covenantal blessings given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob now about to be passed on to Jacob’s sons. This chapter begins with Joseph and his sons.

Vs.1-7 Jacob, now being old was not well, but when Joseph heard about it he showed up with his two sons and Jacob revived. Jacob starts this covenantal blessing transfer with Joseph as well as starting with God choosing him.

It is about God’s grace. Isaac was aware of God’s choice of Jacob over Esau even before they were born but Issac was set on blessing Esau. Jacob and Rebecca’s deception got Jacob the blessing but it cost him. He was fleeing Esau when God approached him at Bethel (Luz). He was the most undeserving person for God’s grace but even at this time Jacob accepted God’s blessing conditioned upon God’s care for him and to bring him back to his father’s house.

Jacob continues what God Almighty told him; “I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.” Now the blessing becomes redemptive. This covered Joseph and Joseph’s two sons, and it covers us. The promised land is for all who follow God’s Son as part of the everlasting covenant of His blood.

Jacob claims Manasseh and Ephraim as his own, “Just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.” Think about Reuben and about Simeon, it becomes clear that Reuben and Simeon are replaced by Joseph’s sons.

Vs.8-20 “Then Israel said,’ bring them so I may bless them.” Here again God’s grace comes into play. “The Angel who delivered me from all harm – may he bless these boys.” Joseph realized that Jacob blessed the younger boy with his right hand, “he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.” But Jacob refused, “I know, my son, I know” he will become great but “his younger brother will be greater than he,” God’s grace is on both sons but the younger one is chosen.

“In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’”

Vs.21-22 “Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers.’” Indeed they would go back to the land but not in Joseph’s time. His bones would be laid to rest in the land but his soul, his spirit, would be in the promised land.

Jacob gives Joseph a ridge, a slope of land that he took with his bow and his sword from the Amorites. Yet, Jacob was a passive domestic individual, not like Abraham who had a standing fighting force. Jacob spent most of his time dealing with domestic issues, not his desire, he only wanted Rachel, but Laban by his greed wanted to keep him around, he saw that God blessed Jacob. He used deception to keep Jacob indebted to him. The conflict of the two sisters that were his wives moved him into a situation where he had four wives. Not Jacob’s choice but God used all that in his life and his family to be who he wanted them to be.

The only conflict the family was involved with was at Shechem. Jacob condemned what his sons did, but now he sees it in a different light, understanding that God gave this land to Abraham, Isaac and to him. So Jacob passes it on to Joseph and to the rest of the family. It is God’s grace and the covenantal blessing in Christ, that reaches us today, Praise be to God!

What is Wealth?

# 9 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 5:10. What Is Wealth? Read all of chapter five first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc. 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”

Ecc. 5. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book and there are different ways to deal with it. One way is to look at the plain meaning of the text. Often the material is a foil to what is good and to what is meaningful. The “teacher” tells us to “Fulfill Your Vow to God” and that “Riches Are Meaningless.”

Vs.1-7 “Guard your steps when you go to the house of the God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know what they do wrong.” This is the introductory statement for worship. In the Old Testament people made sacrifices and they made vows.

What do we do today? Do we make sacrifices and vows? Yes, we do, we support our churches, we support mission, we support special project of assistance around our cities. What the teacher is saying at his time applies to us in our time: We worship to experience God, which means to quiet our minds and our voices, clear our thinking of this world and of ourselves. Draw close to learn, to know God and to worship Him internally and externally on a daily basis. Keep your commitment to the church, to the ministries you have decided to support, “do not delay to fulfill” them.” Worship is not entertainment, it is not about us, it revolves around God and not around the world.

Vs. 8-20. In a godless society people are “oppressed and justice and rights are denied.” Whoever “loves money never has enough;” Whoever you are or what you believe, love of wealth is an idol! Has there ever been a time when we’ve not had an idol in our lives? I think not and you know! It is as the teacher says: it is “a grievous evil under the sun.”

We are born with nothing and leave this world with nothing, God is the one who blesses many people with wealth but how wealth is used determines a person’s happiness, a peaceful life and a meaningful life.

Irrespective. of your income this is where worship and possessions intersect. All of life is worship, how we make our wealth, how we spend our wealth has everything to do with how we worship. You want a happy life? Worship God with your life and with your possessions!

God’s Blessings!

# 8 2024 Dev. Ge. 47:10 God’s Blessing! Read all of chapter forty seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ge. 47:10 “Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.”

Chapter 47 Is about Joseph introducing his brothers and father to Pharaoh and finalizing their move to Goshen. The chapter also tells us how Joseph dealt with the Egyptian population.

Vs.1-12 “Joseph went and told Pharaoh, ‘My father and brothers, with their flocks and herds and everything they own, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in Goshen.’” Pharaoh had suggested to Joseph that his family should live in Goshen.

Joseph introduced five of his brothers to Pharaoh. Why only five? Some commentators think that Joseph took the fiercest looking brother to try to forestall any opposition to his family. Others say, no, Joseph wanted to present the finest to Pharaoh in order to impress him. To me, that seems more likely. In any case the brothers indicated that they had run out of pasture in Canaan and now needed pasture. They asked to stay in Goshen.

Next Jacob was ushered in to Pharaoh, Joseph was honoring his father as the head of the clan. Jacob blessed Pharaoh twice, this is the covenantal fulfillment of: “all nations will be blessed through you and your offspring.” God had indeed blessed Egypt by sending them Joseph and sending Pharaoh the dream. But God has a bigger agenda; building this 70 member family into a great nation.

Vs.13-31 Joseph has to adjust the method of payment for the grain because he “had collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan.” So now he collected all the livestock for Pharaoh. After that he took all the land, only the priests kept their land and belongings because they received a food allowance. Joseph also treated his family in that way as well, they received a food allowance for all family members, to the point that “They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.”

Jacob tells Joseph not to bury him in Egypt. Joseph agreed but Jacob demanded; “Swear to me,” ‘he said.’” Then Joseph swore to him and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”

Jacob trusted the promises of God “To you and your offspring I give this land, forever, “Canaan”. Forever assures us that the Promised Land pre-figures the New Heaven and the New Earth. Praise be to God!

God’s Comfort!

# 7 2024 Dev. Ecclesiastes 4:1 God’s Comfort! Read all of chapter four first . We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ecc.4: “I saw the tears of the oppressed-and they have no comforter”

Ecc.4 Ecclesiastes is a difficult book, and there are different ways to deal with it. One way is to look at the plain meaning of the text. Often the material is a foil to what is good and to what is meaningful. The “teacher” talks about oppression, about toil, friendlessness and yes, meaninglessness, the theme throughout the book.

Vs.1-3 “I saw the tears of the oppressed…” There is oppression in every country, there are different kinds of oppressions; disease, racism, economic inadequacy, lack of infrastructure as in the third world. We can go on, in some countries there are no comforters but in most countries there those who comfort, those with compassion, those who want to help where God uses people to comfort. Thank God! But those countries and institutions that oppress, and offer no help, no compassion, you know who the are, those who are oppressed by them are better off dead, better yet, “is the one who has never been born.”

Vs.4-6 “And I saw that all toil and all achievement springs from one person’s envy of another.” The verse says “all” twice. Are all people envious? Do all achievements rise out of envy? No, very few. Toil and achievement is what God created us for. V.5 Laziness, belies the envy premise V.6 asks for restraint in gaining goods, too much is “chasing after the wind.”

Vs.7-8 expands on v.6. Obsession with gain is “a miserable business.”

Vs.9-12 “Two are better than one,” the benefits; easier labor, pick each other up, help each other, keep each other warm, and defend each other. “Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” “A cord of three strands is not easily broken” often quoted at weddings, but applies to all Christian families. Christ is in the mix.

Vs.13-16 Wisdom exceeds foolishness, moving from poverty to kingship he is followed not by advancement to kingship but because of his wisdom. Wisdom or foolishness, there are always those who are displeased, that is a lack of wisdom, “a chasing after the wind.” Thanks be to God!