Morning Devotion - Eccl 5

Read Ecclesiastes 5

5:1-7 is the central passage in the middle of three cycles in this book, the cycle that addresses futility and work. This center passage seems to come upon us very abruptly, and then abruptly it leaves us. At the very center of the center is verse 4:

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

Prior to this particular verse is a section about worship, many words , much work, and dreams (5:1-3), and after this center of the center these same topics return (5:5-7) before an abrupt switch to other matters.

What was the worship vow that verse 4 refers to? Today we use the English word vow to mean a solemn promise. There is something more in the Old Testament practice of making and paying vows. A vow was a conditional promise. "If, Lord, you grant me this earnest request, then I will give you thus and such." In the event that the Lord was not pleased to give the thing asked for in the "if" part of the vow, then there was no obligation on the part of the worshiper to perform the payment obligation. But if the Lord did what was requested, only a fool would then try to wiggle out of what was promised. The Old Testament worshiper, aware of the provisions in the law of God regarding making and paying vows, was here solemnly instructed to pay what he had vowed.

This worship practice of vows is not found as a part of the order of New Testament worship. We make solemn promises to God in a variety of contexts, and of course we need to keep our word to the Lord, but we do not have a worship practice of making conditional promises. As with the practice of making animal sacrifices, the practice of conditional vows came to an end in the grand fulfillment of one great vow - one vow in which all Old Testament vow making and vow keeping found its fulfillment. Christ made this vow especially on the cross, when he quoted the opening of Psalm 22, a vow psalm that describes in alarmingly prophetic detail not only the sufferings of the cross, but also the extravagance of the worshiper's promise to God. No mere David could bring to the Lord the praise of the nations, including both those who had already gone to the dust of the earth and those who had not yet been born. But this is precisely what Christ has promised to do. He was heard on the cross when He made supplication for deliverance, and He will most certainly pay what He has vowed. The perfected church is the payment of the Lord's promise. The resurrection is the proof that the final Vow Maker was heard. In accord with the center of the center of this book, we can know with certainty that He will surely pay what He has vowed. This is our great assurance that we will be fully sanctified and glorified together with the whole body of Christ.

What does all of this have to with futility and work? The work that is the ultimate fulfillment of the ultimate vow is not our work, but the work of Christ, the ultimate Worshiper of the Father. All our work is a striving after the wind in this futile world, but His work is sure and eternal. When our work is connected to His work, then our labor is in the Lord, and that labor will last. It is not in vain.

Even a powerful king may give in to the temptation to oppress the poor (5:8). And even those who have unusual abundance still face the loss of it all in death (5:15). We should enjoy the fleeting pleasures of this fleeting world as a gift from God, who keeps us occupied with simple joys that perish (5:20). Yet there is some work that will last, and will be established forever in the heavens. It is the work of our Messiah King, who made the ultimate vow, and who will one day deliver the Kingdom to the Father, as the final payment of the final vow. The One who will bring every deed into judgment (12:14) will Himself most certainly pay what He has vowed in the great Assembly of God's heavenly saints (Psalm 22:25).

Morning Devotion - Eccl 4

Read Ecclesiastes 4

In this chapter we have the first part of the book's middle cycle, which offers reflections on futility and work. The third and largest cycle will consider futility and wisdom. Today's reading takes us up to the point where we are ready to hear the most central passage of the entire book. In the next chapter extending to the first few verses of chapter 6, we consider the jewel at the center of the book (5:1-7) and the companion passage to today's verses leading us to that center (5:8-6:7).

In the passage leading up to the center we consider scarcity under the sun, and then human rulers and arrogance. In the passage leading us out of the center we have the companion passages coming in reverse order; first some verses on human rulers and corruption, and then thoughts on abundance under the sun as a parallel to the earlier thoughts on scarcity.

Thoughts on Scarcity

Those who are oppressed have no one to comfort them. Wouldn't it be better not to see life at all than to live out that kind of misery?

Those toiling at their work are so often fueled only by envy. They lack what their neighbors have and so they go about their vain pursuits. Yet folding one's hands in avoidance of work only leads to hunger. To be satisfied with a little is better than a lot with anxiety and strife (4:6)

Even those who have much of goods may have no one to share life with. Oh the joys of having a companion! "A three-fold cord" of fellowship has surprising strength (4:12)

Human Rulers and Arrogance

The life cycle of a ruler is presented for our consideration. He goes from nothing to something and then back to nothing. What is it all for? Where is all his pride in the end?

The King Who Reigns Forever

Our King is beyond this world of scarcity. Yet He entered this world in order to win for us a great abundance through His blood. He lives forever to reign over His people. He is high but not in some false arrogance. Even now He intercedes for us.

Morning Devotion - Eccl 3

Read Ecclesiastes 3

In this chapter we have the end of the first cycle, and the introduction to the second cycle.

The famous passage that closes the first cycle is made of 14 pairs of statements about time. Time is given to us. The reason why "there is a time" for various activities and emotions over the course of an individual life or the life of a community or nation is that there is a Sovereign God who rules over all.

At the center of this section is the end of couplet 7 and the beginning of couplet 8. Consider these statements in light of the work of God to gather His people for His own sovereign glory.

Ecclesiastes 3:5 ...a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace,...

God is gathering stones as He builds His holy temple. He has embraced us through the death of his son, the Bridegroom for His bride, the church.

The introduction to cycle 2 reinforces the message of fleeting futility that we examined in chapter 1 (see 3:9, 15, 16, 19-21) . But there is more of the answer given to us this time. God is the Giver. We can and must enjoy the gifts. God is the judge who has put the yearning for eternity in the hearts of men (3:11).

Praise the Lord for the One who has gathered us and embraced us. We have the longing of our hearts satisfied forever only in the One who is both sovereign Judge and loving Husband.

Morning Devotion - Eccl 2

Read Ecclesiastes 2

The book of Ecclesiastes has an introduction and a conclusion, both of which include the motto of the book. That motto - very loosely translated - says something like this:

"Fleeting, fleeting, all is fleeting!" says the one calling us to gather in God's presence - the Assembler of God's Assembly.

The body of the book is made up of three cycles, each with an introduction on futility. The cycles grow in complexity from the first to the third, but each of them has a gem at the center that contains something very important for us to learn as we honestly face the challenge of the human condition in the presence of the Almighty.

At the center of the first cycle is chapter 2, an extended testimony of Qoheleth, translated "the Preacher" in the ESV, which I have translated with a much longer phrase! The Hebrew word is related to the word for the covenant assembly of God's people. Who is this gatherer of the gathered church of God? Who is this Assembler of God's Assembly? Ecclesiastes 2 seems to be something of his account of his own pursuits. He has already identified himself as the son of David, king in Jerusalem. He has also said, "I have been king over Israel in Jerusalem." Together with his account of his great wealth, wisdom, and women, it seems fair to see this man as Solomon, as most people have assumed.

Here, King Solomon, presumably after many years of consideration (12:1-7), tells us about his pursuits. He has gone after pleasure, great projects, and abounding possessions. He did what few can do. Whatever his eyes desired his hands acquired. What did he find?

Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

He also considered the matters of wisdom, madness, and folly. While he concluded that wisdom was clearly better than folly, yet he was troubled by the fact that the same event happens to both the wise man and the fool - his death (2:13-14). The result of his exploration of wisdom was a deep grief that caused him to "despair" about what he confessed to be the "great evil" of human futility because of the great reality of death. He says:

Ecclesiastes 2:17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

But he also made this assessment from his own life - words that are more positive, while retaining the assessment of realistic truth of the mortality of man:

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The importance of the testimony of this one man is that here we have one who had it all. We delude ourselves into thinking that our happiness or sense of purpose or meaning is just beyond our reach because of the constraint of resources. If we had a little bit more - more money, more and/or better relationships, more wisdom or intelligence or connections, then everything would fall into place. All would be well. Ecclesiastes 2 shows us that this is a false way of thinking. Even the life of a very wise and powerful man will run into the wall of death.

There is One Man who came from the place of wisdom and power, who in love consented to live under the sun, who denied himself for the greatest purpose. This great man has given himself for you, and is no loser. He ran into the wall of death to defeat it for you. In his death and resurrection we find life. Believing in him does not change the truth of Solomon's observations (both positive and negative). Nonetheless, something of the sting is gone for the one who believes.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Morning Devotion - Eccl 1

Read Ecclesiastes 1

This morning we begin a new book - The motto (Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.) appears at the beginning and at the end of the book (12:8), and is reinforced over and over throughout the book. The word "vanity" literally means "vapor" and appears 29 times in this book. It is used here to emphasize the temporary nature of everything we know through our senses. The word "preacher" means "the gatherer" of the people of God for covenant assembly. "Fleeting, fleeting, all is fleeting!" says the one calling us to gather in God's presence - the Assembler. This is an interesting motto for an intriguing book!

We have talked about the beginning and end. The body of the book has three cycles. Each one begins with statements that seem to emphasize the futility of trying to build a lasting legacy in this world in which we live. While these verses may seem hopelessly dreary, they are an honest appraisal of the human condition. It will not help us to pretend that these problems do not existence. Living a life of pretense will not solve our problems. Everything is not all right.

The Assembler is going to explore the frustration and futility connected to even the best work and even the most diligent pursuit of wisdom. Both of these ideas are introduced at the end of the first chapter.

Concerning work:
"What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted." (1:15) There is evidence all around us of what is broken and what appears to be missing in this world of decay and loss. Furthermore, there will be no fixing of this even through our best efforts.

Concerning the pursuit of wisdom:
"In much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." (1:18) The more we explore wisdom, the more we are puzzled and even troubled.

There must be some answer for us to this honest opening assessment, for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58). That answer must have something to do with the One who came from outside this fleeting world, and who wins for us solid joys and lasting treasures - the One who is both the Wisdom and Power of God (1 Cor 1:24) - Jesus Christ, the Covenant Mediator between God and man, and the Assembler of God's people.

Stay tuned for more painful words and some very important answers in the midst of a refreshingly honest struggle. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

An Excellent Account of the Full FV Debate

Check this link out for a good record of the debate:
http://www.oceansideurc.org/the-heidelblog/2007/6/13/pca-ga-report-on-the-fvnpp.html

I just sent this note to Dr. Clark, adding a few other points:
Dear Dr. Clark,

Thank you for your excellent account of the exciting debate on the floor of the 35th GA.

A few notes that I thought might be significant for the record:

There were two speeches that were extremely persuasive to the Assembly in my opinion. You summarized them both very well. The first was the speech by Dr. Sproul. That speech was essentially against the substitute by being so strongly for the original main motion to approve the report. The second was by respected TE David Coffin, essentially for the original main motion by being against the substitute motion to postpone, carefully addressing each of the three points in the reasoning for the postponement and powerfully speaking against each of those reasons. After those two speeches you could sense that it was over, and people were ready to vote - which they did. I just wanted to note David Coffin's name, since it was missing from your summary - which may become a matter of historical record.

One other note: After the report was approved, the Assembly sang #521 "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness." This should not be forgotten. It was very moving. It seemed like all the commissioners were there for this debate. I thought that it was one of finest moments in the history of our young denomination.

One final word: If you have not seen Dr. Chapell's message from the Thursday evening worship, I believe that it was an historic occasion. He noted the slogan "Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission" and called this slogan surprisingly prophetic. We began by fighting the good fight for the Scriptures, we then (since the eighties) have been battling over what the reformed faith is. With this decisive action, it is time for us to move strongly forward with some solid institutions and faithful practices to be obedient to the Great Commission - making disciples: going, baptizing, teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. It was a wonderful moment.

...
By the way - O. Palmer Robertson was standing at the microphones when debate was cut off by the Assembly. I would have liked to hear what he was going to say, but I confess that I voted to call for the question since the movement of the Assembly was so clearly against the postponement and for the original report, that I did not want us to take any chances.

Every Blessing in Christ,
TE Steve Magee
Exeter Presbyterian Church
Northern New England Presbytery

Flying Out in the Morning

This was an excellent GA. It ended with a wonderful worship service with Bryan Chapell of Covenant Seminary preaching on Ephesians 1:18-23.

In his message he noted that the history of the PCA has followed the three statements of our motto in chronological order:

1. True to the Scriptures: this was our first battle as we fought for the inspiration, authority, and inerrancy of Scripture,

2. True to the Reformed Faith: this has been the battle since I have been in the PCA -trying to solidify our understanding of our confessional documents, and understand what it means to be "Reformed."

3. Obedient to the Great Commission: that is the phase we are in now.

We need to take that Commission very seriously and dedicate our lives to it.

The Great Commission has one overarching command: MAKE DISCIPLES, and three descriptors that tell us the content of the command- (1) Going, (2) Baptizing, (3) Teaching people to observe all things that Christ has commanded us.

We need to remember that the gospel working through the church is God's chosen plan for establishing His kingdom. His plan is for the church to be the church through (1) Proclamation and (2) Vocation.

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and particularly the Head of the Church is the hope of the world, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

A Great Moment in the History of the PCA

Yesterday the General Assembly of the PCA overwhelmingly approved the recommendations of the study committee on the "New Perspective" on Paul and the "Federal Vision." Note my earlier entry for the text of the recommendations.

That approval came after two hours of debate. It was clear that there was overwhelming support for the report. The only question was whether it might be improved by further study involving a one-year delay and input from parties more sympathetic to the Federal Vision. That option for delay was rejected after two powerful speeches by Dr. R. C. Sproul and Dr. David Coffin. Immediately following the report the Assembly sang "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness."

Dr. Sproul also preached in the evening service of the assembly. The worship services at this assembly have been outstanding. It occurred to me that it is very important for us to appreciate the worship tradition that we have received through churches such as Tenth in Philidelphia, Briarwood, and many of our other excellent larger churches. Also, many of the orthodox PCUSA churches retain this solid tradition of covenant renewal with expository preaching and excellence of musical offering. In our critique of particular points of worship (on one side or another) we have to be careful not to throw out the worship tradition that defines the experience of so many dignified Presbyterian congregations throughout the world.

I went to bed last night so very happy to be a part of the Presbyterian Church in America. I realize that some of the few Federal Vision advocates in our denomination naturally approached the evening with a very different emotion, but I think it was essential to take the wind out of the sails of this minority movement within the PCA before it had another year to pick up more speed and cause more unnecessary confusion and division.

Sometimes the pain that a few members feel is necessary for the health of the whole body.

General Assembly Update #2

NEWS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
MEMPHIS, TENN
JUNE 12, 2007

PCA General Assembly Opens with Worship Service
MEMPHIS, TENN – The 35TH General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, meeting in Memphis, Tenn., held its opening worship service on Tuesday, June 12. The retiring moderator, Dr. Dominic Aquila, president of new Geneva Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs, Colorado, gave the opening sermon before an audience of over 2,500.

Dr. Aquila spoke on the theme of "The Church: Mighty in Christ" from Matthew 16:13-20. He stated, "Christ as head of the visible church gives it explicit direction, which are applicable in each generation.” In speaking of the PCA, as would be true of any church, he pointed out:

(1) It is Christ’s Church. He owns the church, shed his blood for the church, and continually calls the church to faithfulness. Because it is Christ’s church, its members are called to serve him in and through it. So we are at once indispensable (in that Christ has pressed us into service) and dispensable (in that when we have fulfilled our task, he calls to another work or to glory). (2) It is a Confessing Church. The church confesses internally through the confessions it makes affirming the truths of Scripture. And it confesses externally when it declares to the world the absolute necessity of Christ for salvation. (3) It is a Conquering Church. Nothing is able to stop the forceful advance of the church; when it marches with the gospel the barriers erected by the evil one are knocked over and the hearts of sinners are conquered.

RE E. J. Nusbaum Elected Moderator of 35th PCA General Assembly
MEMPHIS, TENN – At its opening session on Tuesday, June 12, the 35th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America elected RE E.J. Nusbaum as moderator. The PCA General Assembly is holding its annual meeting in the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tenn., through June 15. Mr. Nusbaum is a ruling elder in the Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A native of Colorado, Mr. Nusbaum was raised in Greeley. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation in 1979, he was commissioned as an infantry officer. After various assignments in the Army, he left active duty in 1985 and moved to Colorado Springs to open a State Farm Agency.

He and his family joined Village Seven PCA in Colorado Springs in 1985, where he was ordained as a ruling elder in 1988. As a ruling elder he has served in a number of capacities: as the clerk of the Village Seven Session, on the MNA committee of Rocky Mountain Presbytery, and on a number of General Assembly committees of commissioners. He currently serves as a member of the Committee on Constitutional Business.

He is married to the former Joan Majors. In addition to running his insurance agency, E. J. continues his military service as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve. E.J. and Joan have two daughters, Emily and Becky.

PCA General Assembly Being Web Cast
The 2007 PCA General Assembly is being broadcast "live" on the Internet. Gavel-to-gavel coverage began at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) on June 12 and will continue through adjournment on Friday, June 15. The worship services on Wednesday (Dr. R.C. Sproul preaching) and Thursday (Dr. Bryan Chapell preaching) evenings will also be broadcast live.

Using our custom media player you'll be able to follow along with all proceedings, voting, and listen to the audio or watch various committee reports and worship services with live streaming video. Visit the site at http://www.pcaga.com. All sessions of the GA will be archived so they can be viewed later on.

PCA Church Building in Lincoln, Neb., Burns Down
Zion Church Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Neb., burned down on Saturday morning, June9, 2007. The church has been declared a total loss (a Methodist church in the area offered their sanctuary for worship on June 10). The church had planned a ground breaking on Sunday for a new addition to the building. Pastor Stu
Kerns stated that the insurance coverage will probably not cover the replacement cost of the building. Mission to North America has opened a fund by which churches and individuals can contribute to assist Zion PCA’s rebuilding. To contribute to the Zion PCA Rebuilding Fund, go to http://www.pca-mna.org. To read mor information from Zion Church, go to http://www.zionpca.com.

Byfaithonline – The Web Magazine of the PCA
Make sure to visit www.byfaithonline.com regularly to read articles and news for and about the PCA. To subscribe to the print edition of the Byfaith magazine go to https://giving.christianity.com/donatenow/pca/offers.php.

Dominic Aquila, Editor
Byfaithonline Newsletter
daquila@byfaithonline.com
www.byfaithonline.com

Africa and More

I have posted my paper on Africa that I recently taught from in Adult Sunday School:
http://epcsermon.blogspot.com/2007/06/africa-and-more.html

Scott Ickes Blog

For those of you who remember Scott from last summer, you may enjoy his blog:
http://www.scotticcus.blogspot.com

Greetings from GA

General Assembly prep is going well here in Memphis. The Federal Vision controversy will clearly be the big issue here. That is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The following declarations and recommendations will be before the Assembly.

1 IV. Declarations

2

3 In light of the controversy surrounding the NPP and FV, and after many months of careful

4 study, the committee unanimously makes the following declarations:

5

6 1. The view that rejects the bi-covenantal structure of Scripture as represented in the

7 Westminster Standards (i.e., views which do not merely take issue with the terminology,

8 but the essence of the first/second covenant framework) is contrary to those Standards.

9

10 2. The view that an individual is “elect” by virtue of his membership in the visible church;

11 and that this “election” includes justification, adoption and sanctification; but that this

12 individual could lose his “election” if he forsakes the visible church, is contrary to the

13 Westminster Standards.

14

15 3. The view that Christ does not stand as a representative head whose perfect obedience

16 and satisfaction is imputed to individuals who believe in him is contrary to the

17 Westminster Standards.

18

19 4. The view that strikes the language of “merit” from our theological vocabulary so that the

20 claim is made that Christ’s merits are not imputed to his people is contrary to the

21 Westminster Standards.

22

23 5. The view that “union with Christ” renders imputation redundant because it subsumes all

24 of Christ’s benefits (including justification) under this doctrinal heading is contrary to

25 the Westminster Standards.

26

27 6. The view that water baptism effects a “covenantal union” with Christ through which

28 each baptized person receives the saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, including

29 regeneration, justification, and sanctification, thus creating a parallel soteriological

30 system to the decretal system of the Westminster Standards, is contrary to the

31 Westminster Standards.

32

33 7. The view that one can be “united to Christ” and not receive all the benefits of Christ’s

34 mediation, including perseverance, in that effectual union is contrary to the Westminster

35 Standards.

36

37 8. The view that some can receive saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, such as

38 regeneration and justification, and yet not persevere in those benefits is contrary to the

39 Westminster Standards.

40

41 9. The view that justification is in any way based on our works, or that the so-called “final

42 verdict of justification” is based on anything other than the perfect obedience and

43 satisfaction of Christ received through faith alone, is contrary to the Westminster

44 Standards.

45

Supplement: ADDITION

2236

1 V. Recommendations

2

3 1. That the General Assembly commend to Ruling and Teaching Elders and their

4 congregations this report of the Ad Interim Committee on NPP, AAT and FV for careful

5 consideration and study.

6

7 2. That the General Assembly remind the Church, its officers and congregations of the

8 provisions of BCO 29-1 and 39-3 which assert that the Confession of Faith and the

9 Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Assembly, while “subordinate to the

10 Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word of God,” have been

11 adopted by the PCA “as standard expositions of the teachings of Scripture in relation to

12 both faith and practice.”

13

14 3. That the General Assembly recommend the declarations in this report as a faithful

15 exposition of the Westminster Standards, and further reminds those ruling and teaching

16 elders whose views are out of accord with our Standards of their obligation to make

17 known to their courts any differences in their views.

18

19 4. That the General Assembly remind the Sessions and Presbyteries of the PCA that it is

20 their duty “to exercise care over those subject to their authority” and “to condemn

21 erroneous opinions which injure the purity or peace of the Church” (BCO 31-2; 13-9f).

22

23 5. That the Ad Interim Study Committee on NPP, AAT and FV be dismissed with thanks.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 31

Read Proverbs 31

This famous concluding chapter of the book of Proverbs is one of the central chapters in the Bible for understanding the character and lifestyle of a godly woman.

A Mother's Wisdom
The chapter begins with three important instructions from a mother to her royal son. First, do not let your life be governed by your appetite for women (3), an interesting point in a book largely written by Solomon: Note Nehemiah 13:23-27:
23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?"

Second, do not let your life be governed by your appetite for strong drink (4-7), appropriate for those who are perishing and need to be medicated in their misery.

In the third place, be purposefully engaged in defending the just cause of the destitute. (8-9)

An Excellent Wife
Perhaps as the final piece of advice from this godly mother to her son, the book closes with an implicit instruction to the man who would be an adult to choose his wife wisely and thereby gain a precious jewel.

One of the reasons that a certain level of maturity is necessary for this important life decision is that so many young men would foolishly choose a wife based on beauty and charm (30), only to face the dire consequences of an ill-advised match.

An excellent wife does her husband great good by her demonstrated character (12). Such a jewel is industrious, capable, resourceful, intelligent, courageous, merciful, strong, dignified, and wise (13-27). Her instruction is a blessing to her children if they will hear it, and her character should win her the praise of her husband (28-29) and of the public at large (31). A king who was married to such a woman is wonderfully aided in his duties because of this great gift.

The church is called to be a holy wife to the best of all husbands, the Lord Jesus Christ. She will one day be perfected in holiness. He considers this bride to be a great prize (Ephesians 1:18, 5:22-33), and He has demonstrated His love for her by His death. Such a wonderful Husband is worthy of the greatest woman of integrity as His bride.

Imagine! We are not only sons of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, but are to be the eternal bride of our King and Messiah.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 30

Read Proverbs 30

These words of Agur reinforce the importance of humility, a lesson we have been learning throughout this book.

Verses 1-3 start the passage with a declaration of humility, that speaks of one who ascends to heaven and comes down and who would know the name of the Creator and His Son's name. This one would be the true wise man. How much more the One who came down from heaven to die for sinners and then ascended again to the highest place. He is not only Wisdom but also Humility.

This great Son of God is also the incarnate Word of God personified here (5). The humble man of wisdom needs to take refuge in this Word, who is called "him." We must hear his words with deep respect, not adding to them and leading people in a different way.

The majority of this chapter (7-31) records numbered observations of the humble wise man - things that he observes from the world of men and animals. These are grouped into four sections:

There are wise reasons to seek neither poverty or riches (7-9)

There are those who curse their fathers and bring trouble on themselves (10-17)

There are things too wonderful for me and things that make the earth tremble (18-23)

Small things can be a great force, but a king with an army is not to be ignored (24-31)

The conclusion in verses 32-33 brings us back to humility, now before both natural revelation (7-31) and special revelation (5-6). The humble man of wisdom will bow before the Incarnate Word who is the Master of heaven and earth.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 29

Read Proverbs 29

There is grave danger to the one who settles into a pattern of stiff-necked pride (1, 23). Yet it is very rare in our society for people to listen to those with experience with an eager ear. This instruction of the importance of humility was particularly important for the one who was being trained to rule, yet how frequently in the history of Judah did descendants of David turn away from the better teaching and example of a godly father. Such proud sons brought great trouble upon the people they ruled (2).

How is it today for the church of Jesus Christ? We who have such a great father, will we listen to him? Will we glean wisdom in the church from the godly or will we seek the ways of the world, and only be companions of prostitutes (3)? This kind of arrogance does not make our father glad.

Even our great King, the Lord Jesus Christ, learned obedience.

Hebrews 5:7-9 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ...

Let us be followers of Him who is our salvation. Let us hear His Word with open hearts and eagerly learn wisdom from fathers in the faith.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 28

Read Proverbs 28

There is much in this chapter about wealth and poverty. While wealth can be a blessing, yet it is better to have integrity than wealth (6), and understanding can achieve some things that wealth cannot (11). It is not a worthy goal to hasten to be rich. The one who does so will not go unpunished (20). There is a seeking after wealth and a stingy greediness that countenances the abuse of the poor. Wealth obtained that way will not ultimately last (8, 22, 25, 27).

How we seek and use wealth is one important aspect of the law of God. This chapter has some useful things to say about the law more generally. There is a contrast made here between one who keeps the law and one who forsakes it (4, 7). If you will ever keep the law, you must hear it with a ready heart. The man who will not hear God's word in this way will not be heard by Him, and will ultimately fall (9, 14, 18). The way to God's mercy will come not through concealing transgressions and increasing in them, but through confession and true repentance (13).

There is a man of power who would be a cruel oppressor over his own people (15), but the mercy of God comes to us not through any such man, but through the righteous King Jesus Christ who has walked in integrity (17). Those who have found his mercy through faith and who demonstrate true faith through hearing His word and seeking righteousness will be as bold as lions (1).

When the Lion of Judah returns, surely the greedy and the wicked will perish, but the righteous will rejoice.

Do not be deceived by prophets of ungodly gain. Serve the Master and not the mammon.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 27

Read Proverbs 27

If we consider what these proverbs have to say about human relationships, we can organize them into wisdom for family relationships, wisdom in friendships, wisdom and strangers.

Wisdom for family relationships:
A strong family life is of great benefit to a man. The man who strays from his home is like a bird that strays from his nest (8). We do not entirely choose the members of our household, and yet so much of our well-being is tied up in the health and stability of our family relationships. Troubles with children (11) and strife in marriage (15) can have a devastating impact on a man's life. For this and many other reasons a man is a fool if he does not attend to the duties of his family position (18) or pay close enough attention to the condition of his household (23-27).

Wisdom in friendships:
As important as family life is, there is a broader group of neighbors and friends that God gives to a man, and these relationships also require wisdom. A faithful friend's rebuke and his earnest counsel should not be dismissed without careful consideration (6, 9, 17). Personal and familial friends and neighbors are part of the fabric of social support that God has ordained. We need to care for them in their moments of need (10). They form something of an extended family for us.

Wisdom and strangers:
Strangers and acquaintances that are not in the closer circle of neighbors and friends can still be important in our lives. They may have the detachment necessary that makes their praise of a man more credible (2). But we should not look to strangers to provide those blessings that come from closer relationships that need our attention and repair. Beware of kisses that may come from a stranger's lips (6), and beware of pledging your goods and your life for those who are strangers to you (13).

Christ has given his life for his friends, while we were yet sinners. Though we were strangers to the covenant of grace from our vantage point, yet we were known and loved by him from before the foundation of the world. In God's own family relationship with His Son, we are now claimed as members of the household of God, and brothers and sisters together in Jesus Christ with people of faith throughout the world. Appreciating the importance of these relationships is an important matter for wisdom.

The Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

What is your understanding of the gospel of grace? You know that you are not saved by your own works. Perhaps you understand something of the glory of God's holiness and something of the depth of your own sinfulness, and you have rightly seen that only the life and death of Christ could be the ground of any man's salvation. You may also have realized that faith in Christ is the gift of God that is necessary in order for the righteousness of Christ to be credited to any man, a righteousness that is necessary for any man to have eternal fellowship with God.

What if you affirm all these things, but your Christian life is so loose that there is no particular evidence that you are living a Christian life at all? Are you actually saved if there is no evidence of a love for God's Word, a desire for and a participation in Christian worship, a true sorrow for sin and a true endeavor for obedience according to the way of life that can rightly be called "following Christ?" Can it be said of you that you have actually entered through the narrow gate if calls to Christian thinking, living, and Christian responsibility always seem too narrow for you?

We are saved only by grace, only through faith, only based on Christ. But this kind of salvation is demonstrated through a narrowness of life that many find too narrow. It should not disturb you to be called to obedience of life. It should not disturb you to be charged to bring up your children in the narrow way. It should not disturb you to be called to live a life of Christian love that is beyond your profession of your own feelings.

We have too often assured people that they have been born again, when there is little evidence of that in their lives. True Christians show forth their precious gift of faith with a seriousness of worship, a love for and endeavor after Christian growth, a mature consideration and embracing of Christian responsibility, and a dedicated life that is rich in Christian mercy to the undeserving.

Enter through the narrow gate. Follow Jesus.

Morning Devotion - Prov. 26

Read Proverbs 26

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:17 writes, "I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly." This chapter in Proverbs includes a consideration of the fool, the sluggard, and the one who troubles others through various sins of the tongue.

The fool (1-12)
A fool is not worthy of honor, but he needs correction and strong discipline, yet even with these there is little hope for him. On one hand you have to be careful not to become like him when you answer him. On the other hand, he does need correction or he will become more foolish and cause even more trouble. What to do?? You might think that the answer is to teach him proverbs, but a rod is more likely to be helpful. Even worse than him is the one who is wise in his own eyes. It is of great importance this morning that we humble ourselves before God and recognize God's wisdom and submit to His correction.

The sluggard (13-16)
A lazy man is self-deceived. He convinces himself of dangers that are not there in order to satisfy his craving for ease. But he will not listen to reason, though seven wise men expose his poor thinking and lazy living.

The whispering troubler (17-28)
A quarrelsome man may try to hide his troubling tongue behind jokes and smooth flattering, but he loves to whisper trouble and see what will come of it. He is not direct in his speech, but lights fires and enjoys the blaze. He works ruin in many lives, ultimately digging his own pit and then falling into it.

Here we see an exploration of unworthiness in these three specifics. We should be able to see how we can fall into such devastating habits, and how we can be easily influenced by others and by habits of the heart that take root in our families and in our culture. A new way of life - a way of wisdom and of character - needs to be experienced and followed. Christ has lead in that new way, and those who follow him will give up on the life of the fool, the sluggard, and the troubler, committing ourselves to a life of greater Christian integrity and leading others to do the same.

May God grant us grace to grow in godliness, and to see madness and folly for what they are, a recipe for our own ruin and for the destruction of those who would follow us in sloppy living.