Incorporating equity within one’s judgment processes remains crucial at every level, whether concerning a nation, a community, a church, or a home. The book of Micah describes what happens when leaders pervert equity. Micah 3:11 declares that they “judge for reward,” “teach for hire,” and “divine for money.” One might assume this perversion of equity would immediately send a nation into destruction; but Micah 3:10 points out that they “build up Zion with blood.” No matter how successful and prosperous an individual or group may seem, in the end, the Lord will bring judgment. In this case, Zion shall “be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps” (Micah 3:12). When a nation, community, church, or family perverts equity, God brings judgment when He deems the time appropriate. Proverbs 14:34 clearly points out that “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Those who judge success through worldly means rather than by using biblical standards will fail to see God’s judgment coming until it becomes too late.
The last few lessons revealed how equity should always be linked to judgment. The passage today reiterates this truth, suggesting that righteousness, judgment, and equity are not only closely associated, but inseparable. Verse 8 reveals that it is the Lord who “keepeth the paths of judgment.” Verse 9 points out that righteousness, judgment, and equity are said to be the “good” paths. These good paths stand in stark contrast to those paths that seem right to the world, but in the end are “the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25).The saint of God has a clear choice. He can do things his own way resulting in an untimely death, or he can follow after God’s plan and find that God “preserveth the way of his saints.” The choice is simple: choose God’s good path and not the well trodden path travelled by the world. God’s plan or path is for a man to judge with righteousness and equity.
The Bible links together wisdom, knowledge, and discretion to help the Bible student comprehend God’s truths. Today’s passage provides insight into the composition of this connection. When wisdom enters the heart and knowledge is pleasant to the soul, then discretion preserves the believer. Preserve can mean to protect from harm as the context of this passage shows. Those who use discretion are protected from being ensnared by those who have little regard for God or the things of God. Verse 12 indicates that discretion protects the individual from the way of evil men. Verse 16 further reveals how discretion delivers from the strange woman. Discretion implements wisdom and knowledge to keep the believer from unnecessary difficulties that trouble those who fail to abide by biblical principles.
Most women who receive gold and jewelry consider them treasured gifts. In fact, gold and some jewels increase in value with some being of inestimable value. These treasures have many uses whereby their owners can benefit. Yet, imagine the reaction when a jewel of gold is mounted in a swine’s snout rather than in an appropriate decorative setting. No matter the perceived value of the item, its appeal significantly decreases. The Bible likens this scenario to a fair (beautiful) woman who is void of discretion. The world values outward beauty more than inward beauty though the Bible cautions against this. Today’s passage equates a beautiful woman without discretion to a jewel of gold in a pig’s snout. Discretion is of such importance that God instructed the aged women to teach the younger women to be discreet in Titus 2:5. The problem began where the Bible began – with a story about a woman in the garden in Eden who partook of the fruit based on what she saw and felt. All of God’s people, including ladies, should make their decisions with discretion.
This passage from First Kings offers the reader keen insights into one of the most enlightening prayer requests found in the Bible. King Solomon’s prayer was in response to God’s offer in advance to supernaturally answer his requests. Solomon knew that he would be completely dependent upon God’s help to be the right type of king. His humility greatly pleased the Lord and God lovingly answered his request and more. Solomon’s prayer demonstrated his recognition concerning the importance of discernment as he asked for an understanding heart to discern matters of judgment. Without this understanding concerning proper discernment, Solomon would fall short as king. Where could the king find such help? Psalm 119:104 says that understanding comes through God’s precepts (His teachings found in scripture). Psalm 119:130 teaches that the entrance of God’s word into the heart provides understanding to even those who are “simple.” Proverbs 2:6 further reveals that knowledge and understanding come from God’s mouth.
Far too many Christians fail to ever achieve an extensive working knowledge of biblical terminology. Biblical discernment is a case in point. Fortunately, God provides a simple solution for those willing to put forth the effort. Because the Bible generally defines its own vocabulary, searching the word of God remains the most useful means of ascertaining accurate definitions for Bible words. Ezekiel 44:23 begins by stating that the Levites were to teach the people of God the difference between what is holy and what is profane. The second phrase in the verse indicates that teaching people the difference between the holy and profane enables them to “discern between the unclean and the clean.” Once the people are taught the difference between holy and profane, they can then cultivate their ability to discern. People who learn to discern make choices between good and evil and right and wrong. It is important to note that the knowledge of right and wrong is never the end all; the believer also must become proficient in the ability to discern.
The previous few devotions have shown that diligence and laziness are opposing traits. In this passage, the Bible explores further into the unsavoury traits of a slothful man. Proverbs 26:13 refers to the slothful man mentioning a lion in the streets. Interestingly, a lazy man is not truly concerned about the lion, but looking for any type of an excuse to stay in bed rather than to perform his duties for the day. He claims that the lion will slay him should he leave the house (Proverbs 22:13). Since the slothful does not consider work an option, he retreats to his bed. There he is found like a door swinging on the hinges (Proverbs 26:14). As a door simply swings back and forth, so the slothful man’s main activity involves rolling from one side to the other with excuse piled upon excuse for his laziness.
God created the animals and points to them as examples for men to humbly consider. By considering these lessons, Christians can grow in their service as well as their knowledge of God’s expectations. Bible students can discover several references to animals and the specific lessons taught by them. Our passage is one such example. Proverbs admonishes the sluggard (a lazy person) to go to the ant and consider her ways (Proverbs 6:6). The ant needs no supervision, for she knows what to do and does it without instruction, supervision, or a king (Proverbs 6:7). The ant works with the future in sight so not to be lacking in times of need (Proverbs 6:8). All of this is accomplished by the ant in spite of a pure physical handicap—“the ants are a people not strong” (Proverbs 30:25).
Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do and yields great benefits. For instance, consider what the Bible has to say about diligence. God’s word promises that diligence brings an increase of substance (Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 21:5) and promotion (Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 22:29). In other words, as the saying goes, hard work pays off. It is not difficult to prove that these benefits manifest themselves in the lives of God’s people who are diligent. Joseph and Daniel are two great examples of those who were diligent and their diligence brought them obvious promotion. Abraham and Job are great examples of diligent men who experienced a great increase of substance. A word of caution might be appropriate here. Men are not to be diligent merely for the sake of reaping its inherent benefits, but should be diligent for the sake of the One who called them to be diligent.
A godly mother and grandmother helped raise Timothy by teaching him the truths of God’s word (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul wrote to Timothy specifically warning him in 1 Timothy chapter 4 concerning the dangers of the last days (i.e., the doctrines of devils, fables, and unedifying quarrels). In the midst of these warnings, Paul reminded Timothy to take heed unto himself. Timothy needed to guard against troubles from without while diligently taking care of his own walk with Christ. The Old Testament further reinforces these truths. The children of Israel were told to keep their souls diligently (Deuteronomy 4:9) and Solomon instructed his son to keep his heart “with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23). Every Christian should carefully and zealously guard his walk with the Lord.
