Heavenhigh

God’s Providence

# 44 2023 Dev. Ge. 39:2 God’s Provision! Read all of chapter thirty 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.39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”

Ch.39 is the story of Joseph in Egypt. God placed Joseph where he needed him to be to fulfill God’s purposes. I believe Joseph understood that God was with him, but I imagine he wondered where this was all going. It did not happen overnight. Like most of us, he was a little impatient.

Vs.1-6 It must have been several years before Joseph was trusted and Potiphar put him in charge of all his goods and business. God empowered Joseph to make the right decisions in order to prosper his master’s estate. Does God still empower people like that today? Yes He does, even unbelievers because He has a purpose for them as well, often for the good of God’s followers. Of course God empowers all believers to fulfill His purposes, it is the function of the Holy Spirit in our lives insofar as we listen to the Spirit. The Spirit does not force us and we may even push Him away in some instances. Listen carefully for the Holy Spirit, He speaks softly.

Vs.7-10 “Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’” Joseph refused, citing that her husband put him in charge of all except for her, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Joseph was walking close to God!

Vs.11-20 When no-one was around she grabbed him by his coat, to force him to bed but Joseph left his coat and ran off. She used his coat against him, turning the story around; Joseph had tried to take her and when she screamed he ran off, leaving his coat. I wonder what she was thinking when Joseph was appointed second in command? I suspect that Potiphar had his suspicions, one would think that as a slave he would have been put to death, but no, he went to jail.

Vs.21-23 ”But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.” God was with Joseph but Potiphar was the captain of the guard who would be familiar with the warden of the prison. God placed Joseph in the right place and with the right people. Being in charge of everything in the prison meant he had a cushy job as far as a prisoner is concerned and had access to all the prisoners. “The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” God still does that for all who call on the name of the Lord!

Faithful Friends

# 43 2023 Dev. Prov. 27:9. Faithful Friends! Read all of chapter twenty 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 is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 27:9 “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friendsprings from their heartfelt advice.”

Proverbs 27 continues with more proverbs of Solomon. This chapter seems to continue using couplets mostly complementing each other. These verses also seem to be random covering all of life except for verses 23-27 which concentrates on agriculture, on work.

Vs.1-6 gives personal advice: “do not boast about tomorrow… Let someone else praise you…Stone is heavy and sand a burden but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both…who can stand before jealousy?” “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Be prudent in your personal relationships. Don’t fake it! Be upfront. What you see is what you get!

Vs.7-14 gives general advice: gluttons and the hungry are compared. Cherish your home. “Perfume and incense brings joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family… Be wise, my son and bring joy to my heart…” The prudent and simple are compared. Consider strangers and outsiders. Blessings and curses are mutually exclusive. Be wise when dealing with a variety of situations, all knowledge is limited.

Vs.15-22 Solomon had many wives, he knows about quarrelsome women and that restraining them is not possible, yet he conveniently ignores the abusive husband. “As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” Acknowledge the source of your wellbeing. “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Death and destruction are compared to the lust of the eye. Silver and gold are meaningless, “people are tested by their praise.” Punishment for fools – “you will not remove folly from them.” Practical wisdom brings about a peaceful life!

Vs.23-27 Advice for the farmer and herder, advice for all who work, whatever the job. Pay attention to the results of your work, “for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” Hard, consistent work will provide for all your needs. Prudent management of your means will sustain you and your family throughout a lifetime. This proverb is full of useful and practical advice. Praise God! Are we ready to listen?

God in Control!

# 42 2023 Dev. Ge.38:1. God In Control! Read all of chapter thirty 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.38:1 “At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.”

Ch.38 is basically about Judah. Remember, Judah is the one who pushed his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery instead of killing him. One wonders why Judah left his brothers and his father’s house. Did he disapprove of his brothers actions? Perhaps he was running out of pasture for his flocks. Obviously he did not hook up with one of the captives from Shechem.

Vs. 1-11 Judah moves away from his brothers and from Jacob’s household. It appears to have been a temporary move since Judah is back with his brothers when they go to Egypt for grain. While Judah was living near his friend Hirah, Judah married a Canaanite women named Shua and she bore him three children.

Judah must have lived there for 25 or more years. His first born Er marries Tamar but before they had children he dies. Scripture tells us that God took him because of his wickedness. A common practice in those days was “Lavirate Marriages” The brother of the husband is required to marry his widow, especially if childless. This is still practiced today in the Middle East and Africa.

Onan, Judah’s second child is married to Tamar, but he refused to impregnate her, this displeases God and He takes him also. Judah, afraid of loosing his younger son sends Tamera back to stay with her father with the promise the younger son would marry her when fully grown. Judah had no intention of allowing Shelah to marry Tamara.

Vs.12-23 After a long time Judah’s wife died. Tamera sees an opportunity, she knows that Judah will not fulfill his promise to her. Widowed twice, no children, and no husband to care for her, she takes desperate action. She pretends to be a prostitute to tempt Judah to sleep with her, she is successful in her ruse. She keeps his seal and staff as proof.

Vs.24-27 Three months later Tamar is found pregnant, You can’t make up a story like this, obviously God is in control. Apparently, it is OK for Judah to prostitute himself but not for Tamar, “bring her out and burn her”, Judah says. But when he has to admits that she is pregnant by him, he declares her more righteous than him.

Tamar gave birth to twins boys, Perez and Zerah. Zerah appears to be born first but Perez comes first. Perez is in the line of David, ultimately in the line of Christ. Judah was chosen but he married the wrong women, God corrected it in a very human and a very unorthodox way. Thanks be to God!

Wisdom

# 41 2023 Dev. Prov. 26:12. Wisdom! Read all of chapter twenty 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 is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

Proverbs 26 continues with more proverbs of Solomon. This chapter seems to continue from Ch. 25, perhaps also compiled by King Hezekiah of Judah. Still using couplets mostly complementing each other, but the first half of the chapter highlights the folly of fools. The last section gives us good advice.

Vs.1-12 Do you know a foolish person? They have no honor, they curse those who do not deserve it, they are compared to horse and donkey. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly… Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Interaction with fools is a detriment to you, proverbs are not spoken by fools. “Like a thorn bush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool…so fools repeat their folly.” V.12 says it all: “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” Humility, discernment and listening, really listening to God and to others is the road to wisdom!

Vs.13-16 highlight being lazy. “A sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!’” A lazy person justifies his inaction with all kinds of excuses!A lazy person “turns on his bed.” but is going no where. If one is not willing to work, food will be hard to come by! “A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.” We all make up many excuses not to do something that should be done. Is this procrastination, is it laziness, or both? You decide for yourself, but things do not get done if you don’t move to do them!

Vs.17- 28 are a series of problematic actions. One should not rush “into a quarrel not their own. Like a maniac…is one who deceives their neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”

Vs.20-22 Is an issue to pay attention to: “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” This proverb highlights what is dividing this country!

Vs.23-26 high lights the enemy. Should people whose views differ become enemies? At what point does that happen? Think about that! “Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” Wickedness will be exposed. Voters, empowered with truth, will sort it out! Open your minds and your eyes!

“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it… and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

Evil will not prevail. Thank God

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Dreams!

# 40 2023 Dev. Ge.36, 37:3. The Wonder of Dreams! Read all of chapter thirty six and thirty 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.37:3 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.”

Ge. 36 and 37: Ch. 36 is a genealogy of Esau’s family and indicates that Esau had to move because the land could not support both his and Jacob’s livestock. The same thing happened to Abraham and Lot. Esau moved south to the hill country known as Edom. Edom comes up again when the Israelites come out of Egypt following the king’s highway that ran through Edom. Moses requested to pass though twice but was refused. Edom sent an army to protect their border. Moses refused to fight them and went around them.

Ch. 37 starts out with vs. 2. “This is the account of Jacob’s family line” but not until ch. 49 are all the sons mentioned when Jacob blessed and commented on each of his sons.

Vs.1-11 There was a major problem in Jacob’s family because he, Jacob, loved Joseph more than his other sons. Joseph did not help matters by being a snitch to his father about his brothers. Second, God sent Joseph dreams that annoyed his brothers and his father. As we know the dreams came true. Jacob, who also had his own dreams, kept Joseph’s dreams in mind. Third World peoples, in general, put a lot of stock in dreams; us, not so much. Does God still use dreams today?

Vs.12-20 Jacob sent Joseph to find his brothers who where in the field grazing the livestock near Shechem, after what happened at Shechem one would think they would not go near the place. When Joseph arrived there he couldn’t find them. He was told they had gone to Dothan. Joseph headed to Dothan and when the brothers saw him coming they decided to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” Jealously is a powerful motivation to do evil!

Vs.21-30 “When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life” he said. Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into one of the cisterns here in the wilderness. Reuben was hoping to save Joseph and take him home. While they were eating their meal Ishmaelite’s traders came along, Judah, talked the brothers into selling Joseph to them and send him down to Egypt. God used the brother’s Jealousy and Judah’s compasion to get Joseph to Egypt, he was to be part of the larger plan to save Israel and to grow Israel. Praise be to God!

Vs.31-36 Now they had to convince their father, Jacob, that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. They killed a goat and soaked the coat of many colors with blood, Jacob’s response; “Joseph has surely been torn to pieces”. Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave. So his father wept for him.” The sons who did this travesty under estimated the affect on Jacob, he did not recover, not even after he met Joseph again. Beware if you plan to bring a deception on your family – no matter how small it will lead to more and more sorrow!

Righteousness!

# 39 2023 Prov. 25:11-12. Righteousness! Read all of chapter twenty 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 is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 25:11-12 “Like apples of gold in settings of silveris a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.”

Proverbs 25 Continues with more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by King Hezekiah of Judah. Still using couplets, mostly complementing each other, kings are included here. Today, however Christians are prophets, priests, and kings. This chapter emphasizes righteousness.

Vs.1-3 “It is the Gory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” to understand the laws of nature, to discover God’s rules, and God’s ways. Think of what man has discovered already and what we will yet discover. The more we discover the less we really know about God’s glory, God’s creation or God’s Word!

Vs.4-5 “Remove the dross from the silver… remove wicked officials…”. Remove our wicked thoughts and actions, we change our ways and our righteousness shines through!

Vs.6-7 “Do not exalt yourself…” Pride is deadly, humility is life!

Vs.8 “What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court…” Sometimes things are not what they seem, practice caution!

Vs.9-10 “If you take your neighbor to court…” do not talk about it to others!

Vs.11-12 “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.” True justice, brings peace! “Like an earring of gold… fine gold…” Is the advice of a “wise judge to a listening ear.” Today, a just ruling is rare, one who listens is even harder to find!

Vs.13-14 “Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time…” at a time of hard work is a trustworthy person in one’s life but one who boasts falsely is empty!

V.15 stands alone. More may be accomplished “through patience… and a gentle tongue…” Amen and amen!

Vs.16-17 “If you find honey, eat just enough… Seldom set foot in your neighbors house…” All things in moderation!

Vs18-20 giving “false testimony against a neighbor.” Is “like a club or a sword or a arrow sharp” To depend “on the unfaithful in a time of trouble” is “like a broken tooth or a lame foot.” Lack of compassion is an open wound. Do unto others as you would have them do to you!

Vs.21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food… give him water to drink, and the Lord will reward you.” The blessings of God!

V.23 “a sly tongue” brings unexpected discord. May we all learn to hold our tongue until an appropriate time!

V.24 “Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” Or with a cantankerous husband!

Vs.25-26 “Good news is like cold water to a weary soul.” The fall of the righteous “is like a muddied spring or a polluted well”. Good news and the upstanding righteous are a blessing from God!

Vs.27-28 Eating too much honey is lack of self control, Looking in to matters that are too deep, matters only God knows, does not honor God!

The House of God!

# 38 2023 Dev. Ge. 35:1.The House of God! Read all of chapter thirty 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.

Ge. 35: “Then God said to Jacob. ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an alter to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’”

Ge.35 God, absent in Ch. 34, tells Jacob to go back to where he met God, at the place where he realized that God was with him. Now Jacob realized that he was completely dependent on God. His sons had committed a great atrocity, under normal circumstances the people around Shechem would have retaliated. But God intervened, “the terror of God fell on the towns all around them…”

Vs.1 God sends Jacob back to Bethel to build an alter and to reconnect with Him. Initially, Jacob’s commitment to God was conditional, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God”. In Jacobs second visit to Bethel there are no conditions. It is good for us as well to go back, in our minds, to the time we first realized that God was with us, when we made a commitment!

Vs.2-5 “So Jacob said to his household and all who were with him (I assume including their captives) “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes…” They gave Jacob the pagan gods, and I assume Rachel’s household gods and all the gold rings in their ears, used as amulets in pagan societies at that time. Jacob’s initial commitment was conditional but on Jacob’s return to Bethel, Jacob wanted to consecrate his household and all the people with him. Although, Jacob’s sons had done a wicked thing, God did not allow Satan to wreck His plan of salvation.

Vs.6-8 Is a summary of Jacob’s return to (Luz) Bethel, he builds an alter and worshiped.

Vs.9-15 God appeared to Jacob, “I am God Almighty…” God renames Jacob; “you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel, (See note). God also gave Jacob the blessing and covenant with Abraham and Isaac; “be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” This blessings and covenant mirrors the blessing on Adam and Eve, Ge. 1:17-30, reiterated after the flood, Ge. 9: 1-17. In Jesus Christ that blessing and covenant is extended to Christians today Eph.1: 3-16.

Vs.16-29 Jacob moves on from Bethel, heading for Mamre, where Isaac was, along the way, at Bethlehem, Rachel dies in child birth. Jacob moved on again near Migdal Eder, here Reuben defiles his fathers bed. With the birth of Benjamin the number of Jacob children are complete, twelve sons. Therefore, Jacob’s genealogy is included here. The chapter ends with Jacob coming home and with the death of Isaac. “ And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” Jacob traveled a very crooked path, yet God walked with him every step of the way. As Christians, through thick and thin, God walks with us. Amen and Amen!

Prudence and Diligence!

# 37 2023 Prov. 24:3-4. Prudence and Diligence! Read all of chapter twenty 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 is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filed with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Proverbs 24 Continues with “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” Introduced by; “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach… So that your trust may be in the Lord… teaching you to be honest and speak the truth.” Saying twenty-one captures for us the result of prudence and diligence; “By wisdom a house is built,and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Vs.1-2 Saying Twenty. “Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company”. Ask God to show you the way of the righteous for the way of the wicked is celebrated in our culture!

Vs.3-4 Saying Twenty-one. “By wisdom a house is built…” This saying is a metaphor for righteous lives and stands in opposition to saying twenty. Saying Twenty-one: “rare and beautiful treasures” like love, forgiveness, joy and grace!

Vs.5-6 Saying Twenty-two. “The wise prevail through great power…” There is strength in knowledge and understanding, There is wisdom in seeking council and advice. Surround yourself with the Word of God!

V.7 Saying Twenty-three. “Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate”. What happened at the City gate in those days? Deliberation were held, court was held there and the market was there. In those environments today only wisdom survives, seek wisdom!

Vs.8-9 Saying Twenty-four. This saying hi lights saying 23: “Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.” Scheming and mocking is sin that is rejected by up standing society!

Vs.10-12 Saying Twenty-five. “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” This is a rhetorical saying referring to those dying by ignorance, to those staggering in addiction, drugs, drink, food and riches. We can say that all this is being ignored by government and many citizens. “Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” This is a call to action, in our personal lives and at the ballot box!

Vs.13-14 Saying Twenty-six. “Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.” Honey is a comfort food, here used as a metaphor for wisdom, “if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Make seeking wisdom a priority in your life, and live your life in everlasting hope!

Vs.15-16 Saying Twenty-seven. “Do not lurk like a thief… do not plunder the house of the righteous…” What follows is a comparison of God’s care for the righteous and the “calamity” awaiting the wicked!

Vs.17-18 Saying Twenty-eight. “Do not gloat when your enemy falls… do not let your heart rejoice…” We are reminded, “revenge is mine says the Lord.” And “love your enemies, do good to them.” Amen!

Vs.19-20 Saying Twenty-nine. “Do not fret because of evildoers…” there is no hope and no light (lamp) for the wicked. Common sense tells us that truth!

Vs.21-22 Saying Thirty. “Fear the Lord and the king, my son”, In other words, fear God and respect the government; they are here to restrain evil in the world. Run from evil and all sin!

Vs.23-34 Further Sayings of the Wise.

Don’t show partiality, do not call the guilty innocent, convict the guilty, give an honest answer, set your priorities straight, don’t be a false witness, do not seek revenge, do not be lazy, be diligent says the wise teacher. He/She has learned from experience and observation. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” Common-sense, hard to find today!

Dinah Defiled!

# 36 2023 Dev. Gen.34:1-2. Dinah Defiled! Read all of chapter thirty 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.

Gen.33:1-2 “Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. 2 When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her.”

Gen.34 Jacob, not willing to go to Seir to live with Esau, entered Canaan and stayed near Shechem. He bought land and Jacob built an alter there. This chapter is a sordid story. Take note that the word God is not in this chapter. Ch. 32 ends with God and Ch.34 starts with God. While rape is a despicable event, the self righteousness of Jacob’s sons and the greed of the Shechemites led to a horrible ending.

Vs.1-4 “Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land.” Jacob, settling so close to a strange pagan city, although small, was asking for trouble. Women had nothing to say in those days and what happened was predicable.

Vs.5-7 As it turned out Shechem fell in love with her, that changed everything for him and for the city, but it changed nothing for Jacob and his sons. “They were shocked and furious, because Shechem had done an outrageous thing in[a] Israel by sleeping with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.”

Vs.8-12 “But Hamor said to them, ‘My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.’” Hamor, the ruler of the area, suggested they become one people. What Jacob knew about God’s intentions for His family is not clear but mingling with the Canaanites was the absolute anathema to God.

Vs.13-23 “Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor.” Was Jacob aware of these negotiations? It is hard to think that he was not, but he was not aware of his son’s intentions. It does not appear that anyone asked Dinah what she wanted, yet she stayed at Shechem’s house for a week or so, perhaps forced to stay. The bothers used the sacred rite of circumcision (baptism today) to plunder the city. The winning argument for Shechem’s men for this arrangement was; “ Won’t their livestock, their property and all their other animals become ours? So let us agree to their terms, and they will settle among us.” The deception of both parties led to this atrocity.

Vs. 24-29 All the men of the place agreed and were circumcised. But two of Dinah’s brothers took up the sword and killed all the men at a time when they could not defend themselves and took Dinah out of Shechem house. Then all the son’s of Jacob totally plundered the city, they took everything they had and all the women and children. How they managed the logistics is hard to imagine. Perhaps it was a small group of people.

Vs.30-31 “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.’” “But they replied, ‘Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?’”

God was going to keep Israel separate until such time they could be a nation in their own right. However, they must have integrated the women and children captives in some way. We do not hear about Dinah again or about the captives. Was Jacob willing to let Dinah go while he went on his way? I believe that was the case, he certainly did not condone what his son’s had planned. Even in this situation God is in control!

Open Hearts and Ears!

# 35 2023 Prov. 23:12. With Open Ears and Heart! Read all of chapter twenty three 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 is also our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 23:12 “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

Proverbs 23 Continues with “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” Introduced by; “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach… So that your trust may be in the Lord… teaching you to be honest and speak the truth…”How then should we live? How? With open ears and hearts.

Vs.1-3 Saying Seven. “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what, (who) is before you…” This is about a bribe in disguise.

Vs.4-5 Saying Eight. “Do not wear yourself out to get rich:” An African proverb: “Guests are our riches.” What matters to you? Money or relationships?

Vs.6-8 Saying Nine. “Do not eat the food of a begrudging host… who is always thinking about the cost.” It violates the norm of many cultures where eating together is the height of friendship. It is about genuine relationships!

V.9 Saying Ten. “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” Fools talk past each other, one does not know what the other is saying. In that case silence is golden!

Vs.10-11 Saying Eleven. “Do not move an ancient boundary stone…” is about the rule of law and protection for the disenfranchised!

V.12 Saying Twelve. “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” The knowledge we hear and read must be allowed to settle in our hearts if our lives are to be changed!

V.s13-14 Saying Thirteen. “Do not withhold discipline from a child…” Children must be taught, stubborn children must be punished. The problems in our homes and in society is a lack of accountability!

Vs.15-16 Saying Fourteen. “My son, if your heart is wise…when your lips speak what is right.” both father and mother “will be glad indeed!”

Vs.17-18 Saying Fifteen. “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” “The fear of the Lord is my strength” Ps 28:7

Vs.19-21 Saying Sixteen. “Listen my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path…” All things in moderation!

Vs. 22-25 Saying Seventeen. “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” May we all rejoice when we see families raising children in the way they should live; in the way of the Lord, in the way of wisdom, in taking responsibility for each other, respecting the law and a desire to serve the country. Restoring the family is the answer to our local and national problems!

Vs.26-28 Saying Eighteen. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways…” Faithfulness in life and in marriage is in short supply today. This is a two way street, the problem is equally shared, men are unfaithful, selfish, self-absorbed and women are unfaithful, selfish and self-absorbed and they are a scourge to a righteous society and a poor example to all children. The answer: “give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” God says to us!

Vs.29-35 Saying Nineteen. “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine…” Too much wine, too much food, illicit sex and not enough God in our lives is destroying our lives and our country!