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Bible Reading Notes

January 2008 

The following notes were first published in April 1991  

Saturday, January 26 th - Proverbs 12: 27

The lazy soul never roasts his prey, because due to his self-indulgent sloth he never bestirs himself to the degree required to catch his prey. He lives on foolish and vain hopes that things in life will automatically come to him. Diligence, in contrast, is a precious possession enabling one to conceive and achieve ever higher aims. A man possessing diligence has the key to possessing all things.

Sunday, January 27 th - Proverbs 12: 28

Eternal life lies at the end of the way of the righteous. Meantime, abundant life is enjoyed in that way. The Lord feeds us on His truth, guides us by His wisdom, empowers us with His Spirit, comforts us with His loving presence—all of which the wicked do not have. This narrow way leads progressively away from every form of death. Yet, even death, which sinful men rightly fear, the righteous find to be but a portal to paradise. All deaths, for those in Christ, lead to glorious resurrections.

Monday, January 28 th - Proverbs 13: 1

A wise child, especially a son, who may feel more of a natural hankering to be on his own, recognizes and submits to authority, especially when it is lovingly administered through the family. His wisdom consists in his humbly realizing his need for instruction, correction, and discipline, as well as in his recognizing that his father’s chastisements come upon him for his good, not his harm, issuing not from tyrannical caprice, but from godly authority and fatherly love. The scoffer, despising such a humble and submissive attitude, casts off rebuke, seeing it as unwarranted, unnecessary, and irksome. In doing so he would cast from himself rightful authority and the protection and provision of fatherly love, dooming himself to waywardness, misery, and loneliness.

Tuesday, January 29 th - Proverbs 13: 2,3

A man in Christ bears the fruit of the Spirit in his life (Gal. 5:22,23). Out of the good treasure of his godly character he brings forth good words, which in turn, bear more good fruit for him to enjoy. He guards his words, so as not needlessly to offend, thus avoiding worlds of trouble. When he must speak truth which does offend, he does so with wisdom and authority which keep his enemies at bay. But the treacherous heart has an appetite for violence. Such wicked souls desire to promote themselves by casting down others. Their evil communication returns upon their own heads ultimately, and great is their ruin.

Wednesday, January 30 th - Proverbs 13: 4

Not only is the outward condition of the sluggard miserably impoverished ( 12:24,27), but his soul has an appetite with increasing hunger for the things he does not have. Yet even his deepened cravings do not arouse him to exertion. He fondly thinks that his appetite will work like gravity, growing great enough to attract objects of his desire. But it is not so. The diligent is not only enriched outwardly by his investments of energy, but his soul is satisfied with his accomplishments. His soul is also enlarged due to this filling, giving him not a craving for what he does not possess, but a capacity for what he shall, by his diligence, attain and enjoy.

Thursday, January 31 st - Proverbs 13: 5

The words and deeds of the wicked spread a literal stench throughout society. The wicked produce foul and shameful fruits from their foul hearts. It may not be their intention to do so, for wickedness loves to wear the cloak of respectability, but the offensive odor of an evil heart penetrates the most charming attire. The righteous hate falsehood and seek to mortify it at its root, namely, in their own hearts. Thus a sweet fragrance is spread abroad by those so crucifying the flesh and nurturing the fruit of the Spirit.

Friday, February 1 st - Proverbs 13: 6

The righteousness of Christ, being sanctifyingly imparted to believers, guards them in their walk, keeping them in the way of the Lord and out of sin’s byways. Believers keep to the good and blameless way because of their growing inner conviction. The unredeemed sinner acts in accordance with his fallen nature, and has no place to go but down into disappointment, death, and condemnation. Let us thus prize and cultivate righteousness.

There may be contrast or continuity or both in v.7. That verse may read: There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; who impoverishes himself, but has great wealth. If we take it that way, the phenomenon of confused values is presented, wherein a person places too high value on material things and outward appearances, projecting an image of himself being materially better off than he truly is—all to the neglect of true riches in Christ, with spiritual impoverishment resulting. If the verse presents a contrast, we are warned not to envy the materially rich or seek to appear rich ourselves. Great fortune can often constitute an enticing target for thieves and selfish manipulators, thus drawing the rich man into worlds of care and concern from which the poor man is blessedly free. When Hezekiah showed the material riches of his treasury to the Babylonian envoys, such carnal folly on his part stimulated their lust to have those riches. His concentration on spiritual riches and his cultivation of humility would have been more a safeguard for himself and his nation than an enticement to the wicked (2 Kings 20:12-19).

Sunday, February 3 rd - Proverbs 13: 9

The wicked have a lamp which is the product of man’s labor and artistry, and which can produce light...until its source of fuel is exhausted. Here is a reminder that for all of the so-called good works of the unsaved, their lives grow duller each day as they draw ever nearer to darkness, death, and hell. The righteous have light shining through them, which light has its infinite source in the Lord. Their lives grow brighter each day, until they shine perfectly in His glory and with His glory in them (Rom. 8:18).

Monday, February 4 th - Proverbs 13: 10,11

Presumption is based not on an accurate perception of facts and responsibilities, but rather on the strength of perverse desires. Thus the presumptuous refuse to receive wise counsel, which may alert them to faults in the object of their desire, and which also makes clear the responsible way of obtaining goals through honest and hard labor gradually but surely attaining its aim. The presumptuous man simply feels that the strength of his desire imputes worth to the objects of his longing, and justifies the employment of evasive, manipulative, and fraudulent measures in the attainment of those objects. But such objects, even if attained, do not satisfy. Things received through easy and wayward means are usually easily lost. Hence, the presumptuous know only strife and frustration, not the security and satisfaction which the humble, patient, diligent man of integrity enjoys from the fruit of his labors.

Tuesday, February 5 th - Proverbs 13: 12

The hope of glory and all lesser hopes may seem at times to be in perpetually distant prospect. Consequently we grow weak, and groan as though life is going out of us (Rom. 8:24-26). But when such hopes are realized, our hearts will be satisfied with living fruit drawn from an inexhaustible source. Thus all sickness, weakness, and pain will be removed, and ever increasing vitality and joy will take their place (Rev. 21:3,4; 22:1-5).

Wednesday, February 6 th - Proverbs 13: 13-18

These verses consider from several angles the practical fruits which grow from one’s attitude to the will and ways of God. He who respects and reverently obeys God’s Word will be blessed in manifold degree. He will both receive and give wise teaching which will save himself and others from deadly snares. He will enjoy felicity and favor. The difficulties in his life arise not because of his failure and disobedience, as in the case of the wicked, lazy, treacherous fool, whose persistent defiance of godly standards renders him his own worst enemy; rather the righteous man respects and welcomes the difficult challenges in his life as reproving and refining instruments in the hand of his Lord, designed to purify his heart, soul, strength, and mind, thus leading to the enjoyment of glorious honor.

Thursday, February 7 th - Proverbs 13: 19,20

The attainment of desires generally brings at least initial sweetness to the souls of good and evil persons alike. However, for the wicked fool, such sweetness quickly turns to bitter disappointment. This is so due to the fact that the evil he craves, while it promises lasting delight, can only provide temporary pleasure as sugar coating for permanent pain. Still the fool craves evil, pursuing it in company with other fools, whose companionship proves destructive for all involved. The desire of the wise and righteous soul, however, is good. The Lord accordingly gives good things to those hungering for them (Mt. 5:6; 6:33; Lk. 11:9-13). Those whose godly desires are fulfilled can testify to no disappointment, but rather to growing and deepening delight with the provision of the Lord. They delight further to be with other godly and wise souls, who promote the process of sanctification.

Friday, February 8 th - Proverbs 13: 21,22

Sin destroys character and transforms even advantageous circumstances into consuming adversity. The godly person grows rich and strong in character, and often in circumstantial blessings as well. He thus enjoys a life of abundance which overflows to bless others, and which provides an inheritance for his children after his death. Even if the wicked manage to prosper in terms of intellectual, practical, and aesthetic gifts, and perhaps also material possessions, such prospering profits neither themselves nor their children. The heavenly Father of the righteous will see to it that His children eventually inherit not only such stolen and abused gifts that the wicked have taken, but also the whole earth (Mt. 5:5).

Saturday, February 9 th - Proverbs 13: 23

This verse, as translated in the New American Standard Version, draws our attention to the fact that men’s injustice towards their fellows serves to impede the development of potential in others, thus rendering them perpetually poor. How wonderful it will be when all such sinful impediments are removed by the Lord! But the verse may also be translated so as to indicate that a man’s own lack of judgment keeps him from developing his own potential. He thinks he lacks the materials to succeed, when really it is his own sinful neglect, distraction, and indolence which conspire against his exploiting to advantage what material he does have. Finally, the verse may also be commenting upon the blessing of the Lord, which enables the humble poor to produce abundantly from the field which, if attained by injustice, would be cursed by God so as to yield nothing. We may truly say that the heart of a field’s owner determines the harvest. Read Haggai 1:5-11.

Sunday, February 10 th - Proverbs 13: 24

We must not confuse an indulgent sentimentality with love. Those who do so, intent on sparing their children all pain, and who proceed on the basis of that confusion, serve deeply to harm their children. Damage is never done when sinful manifestations are consistently corrected, even, if need be, with loving and judicious applications of pain. But great harm results when sin is allowed to corrupt and weaken our children’s character, not to mention their confidence in the Lord, who neither spared His only begotten Son from the cross, nor who spares us from His loving chastisements which are designed for our lasting good.

Monday, February 11 th - Proverbs 13: 25

Compare the righteous satisfaction of the Apostle Paul as delineated in Philippians 4:11-13, with the wicked want of Haman found in Esther 5:9-13.

Tuesday, February 12 th - Proverbs 14: 1-3

A wise woman serves ever in constructive ways. She is a blessing to her husband and her family. She works diligently to transform a house into a warm, loving home. She manages all things well. The foolish woman destroys the peace and security of her family in every sense. Her hands waste resources, and her mouth utters things which always require correction (v.3). Men, of course, are also capable of bringing such blessing or curse upon their families. Yet here we learn that even the weaker vessel can destroy herself and her home despite the faithful diligence of her husband. The key to men or women serving for blessing rather than cursing lies with their attitude towards the Lord (v.2). Those fearing the Lord are upright in attitude and action, and serve to build up others and all things for which they are responsible. Those despising God are twisted in themselves, and they tend to twist all they touch.

Wednesday, February 13 th - Proverbs 14: 4

The tools of any trade require some degree of maintenance. When one is unwilling to invest the time and trouble involved in such maintenance, he may wish himself to be without tools, and may seek to justify his wish by pretending to adopt the simplicity of spirituality. Yet God works through means properly maintained. For us to seek freedom from our tools and their requisite care, is to run the risk of our hearing words of divine rebuke, due to our failure to apply ourselves to the right use of the means the Lord has provided for us to bear fruit for His glory (Mt. 25:14-30).

Thursday, February 14 th - Proverbs 14: 5

A faithful soul is a principled soul. Thus the will is determined to seek, respect, and tell only truth. No enticement or intimidation will incline such a one to lie. Yet a false heart breeds and broadcasts nothing but lies. Not only can the false heart be successfully bought, sold, teased or threatened, but it spews forth its fabrications even without such inducements. Let us then seek and determine by God’s grace to be faithful.

Friday, February 15 th - Proverbs 14: 6

The way to attain wisdom is to mortify, rather than exercise, a spirit of proud cynicism. Scoffers, recognizing no authority above themselves, exclude themselves from receiving wisdom, which comes only from the highest authority. But the one who humbly stands under the Lord, revering Him and gratefully receiving His gifts, learns and grows with relative ease and increasing enjoyment.

Saturday, February 16 th - Proverbs 14: 7-9

Fools make bad company which corrupts morals. They know neither themselves nor the Lord nor His holy will, which they continually and heedlessly disobey. They desire to have no such knowledge. Thus when they speak and act, they do so according to their deluded and defiant natures. For one continually to be exposed to such evil communications is to hazard being personally infected by folly. If we were consistently to inhale the noxious fumes such irreverent folly belches forth, we would surely have our spiritual and intellectual senses dulled to the point where we fail to make vital distinctions and decisions. Once a man reveals himself to be a fool, he deserves no audience from us, and if we do grant him a hearing, it serves not for his benefit, but rather, however unintended, for our harm.

Sunday, February 17 th - Proverbs 14: 11

Even substantial things such as a house, if it is built and maintained by the wicked, will not last. Notice, it does not simply disintegrate as though poorly built, which is often the case with the products of the wicked; it is destroyed by the hand of God, who will not suffer the unrighteous indefinitely to prosper (Ps. 73:1-20). Meanwhile, the apparently flimsy tents of the righteous protect them through their pilgrimage to the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Heb. 11:9,10). The promises of God may seem as mere tents when compared to the tangible products of this world. But God’s provision is sure, exceeding our apprehension of His promise, and enduring eternally, while the things of this world fade until they are finally consumed at the return of our Lord (2 Pet. 3:10).

Monday, February 18 th - Proverbs 14: 12

Every man is entitled to have his opinion. However, it is not our opinions which determine the issues of life, but rather the truth and power and will of the Lord. To know the living God and His liberating truth is to have security and freedom from all threats, even death. To be alienated from God, living on self-delusion, whether crude or respectable, is to be living a lie which leads inexorably to death.

Tuesday, February 19 th - Proverbs 14: 13,14

One’s outer appearance and temporary condition need not necessarily reflect the true state of his heart or the end of his way. Even victorious believers carry within themselves the pain caused by the residue of their sin nature, not to mention the inherent pain of living in a fallen world. We may enjoy seasons of laughter, but sorrow will come upon us so long as we are in this life. Some may grow impatient with or bitter towards the Lord that this should be so. Their impatience may lead them to backslide in attitude long before they do so in action. Yet as they turn from the Lord to their supposed sources of happiness, they find deeper gloom which fills them and threatens to erase even the remaining streaks of bright joy. The good soul stays on pilgrimage with the Good Shepherd. There will be laughter and sorrow in the way, but there is constant assurance that the Leader and Lover of his soul is directing and empowering him to go ever onward, to where all tears are forever wiped away.

Wednesday, February 20 th - Proverbs 14: 15-18

The devil loves ignorance and credulity, for then he may do his dirty work undetected. The naive are his easy targets. If they do not mature in spiritual matters, learning to exercise holy discrimination as the Holy Spirit directs (1 Jn. 4:1ff), they will inherit folly, being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, having no solid convictions. Nor will this be a matter merely of doctrine. Those preferring a vague, superficial, non-critical faith, fail to be themselves subdued by the power of God’s truth, and hence become either quick-tempered fools or malicious schemers. They become rash and reckless, posing danger to themselves and others. But spiritually mature people love the truth and have a cautious respect for evil. They keep an eye on the enemy, not due to any attraction to him and his ways, but so that they might identify and avoid his snares. Such holy caution never fails to crown the life with security and conviction based on facts, not misleading feelings.

Thursday, February 21 st - Proverbs 14: 19

Evil men may prosper for a season, but they eventually will be obliged to bow not only before Christ (Phil. 2:10,11), but also before the Savior’s children. Haman would hang Mordecai, but God ordained it that the villain should honor the virtuous Jew (Esther 5:11-6:12). Let us then resist temptations to concede to or conspire with evil, armed with the sure knowledge that all evil is destined to be the doormat of the righteous.

Friday, February 22 nd - Proverbs 14: 20,21,31

Here we are told how things are: People tend to despise the poor, who can give them nothing, while they love the rich, whom they believe have the means and the will to give them something. Such discrimination is not like the spiritual sort which is commended in vv. 15,16, but is rather sinful. God deplores such personal favoritism, since it proceeds from evil motives (Jas. 2:1-4). Not only do those indulging in it fail to secure desired preferment from the rich (many of whom became rich by selfish hoarding, unrighteous dealings, and oppression), but they never experience the happy contentment which comes from the loving and God-honoring imitation of a heavenly Father, who delights to be gracious to poor, needy souls.

Saturday, February 23 rd - Proverbs 14: 22-24

Sunday, February 24 th - Proverbs 14: 25

Even good men can find themselves in trouble, such as when they become targets for the malice of evil plotters (v.22), or the negligence and oppression of the rich (v.20). Accordingly, their lives may be in jeopardy due to contrived appearances. It is then that those confirmed in their cowardice, greed, or laziness—whose motivation is pragmatic rather than principled—will speak according to their natures which twist the truth. Thus they serve to betray the truth and those standing on the truth, which truth may lie hidden beneath appearances. Yet the one who speaks the truth, because he has highest regard for and gratitude toward the One who is the truth (Jn. 14:6), brings the enlightening power of veracity to clouded situations, liberating the good man from a mendacious thrall.

Monday, February 25 th - Proverbs 14: 26,27

The fear of the Lord is not a craven dread of punishment, but rather a holy, reverential attitude which affords highest respect to the Lord and His revealed will. Such holy fear saves us from wandering into snares which not only cause us annoyance, but which also lead to death in manifold forms. Such fear is a fountain, welling up within us to strengthen and refresh, so that we, and those, such as family members, who are dependent upon us, flourish in unmolested security and happiness.

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MEETINGS

Sunday
Morning Worship 10:30 AM
Evening Worship
6:30 PM

Wednesday
Christian Education
7:00 PM

Saturday
Congregational Prayer Meeting
7:00 PM