WEDNESDAY Reflections
Could you imagine living
in Chicago in the 1920s? You need some money and a guy says come with me. You
follow and the man grabs a well-dressed person. The man drags him into an alley
and stabs him. He takes out the wallet and gives you the money. You recognize the
victim, he is your neighbor who has helped you many a time. Now he is dead and
the guy who identifies himself as Al is handing you his money. It's blood
money. You take it and run, for you don't know if you will be next to die. As
you run you want to throw up because the money in your hands cost a friend his
life.
What does this story have to do with Proverbs 15? One piece of wisdom shared in this chapter is the sacrifices of the wicked are repulsive to God. Yes, they are giving to God, but what they are giving is little more than blood money and it makes God sick. People all over the world are trying to buy God off with their version of blood money. God isn't impressed, no matter the size. As Samuel told Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22 "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams"(NIV). David lists what God really wants in Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (NIV).
Pro 15:1-33
(1) A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
(2) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
(3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
(4) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
(5) A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
(6) In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
(7) The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
(8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
(9) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
(10) Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
(11) Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
(12) A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
(13) A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
(14) The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
(15) All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
(16) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
(17) Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
(18) A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
(19) The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
(20) A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
(21) Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
(22) Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
(23) A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
(24) The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
(25) The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
(26) The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
(27) He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
(28) The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
(29) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
(30) The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
(31) The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
(32) He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
(33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
