I think I’ve finally adjusted to the style change in Proverbs. Hopefully you have as well. I ran across this outline on the book from Dr. J. Vernon McGee that might be helpful for us as we turn the corner into what is clearly the next section of the book.
1. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted. (Chapters 1-9)
2. Proverbs of Solomon, written and set in order by himself. (Chapters 10-24)
3. Proverbs of Solomon, set in order by men of Hezekiah. (Chapters 25-29)
4. Oracle of Agur, unknown sage. (Chapter 30)
5. Proverbs of a mother to Lemuel. (Chapter 31)
If nothing else, this gives me some context by which I can make order of the style changes. Like I had mentioned before they are poetic, written in parallelism. Even so there is a very big difference between chapter 9 and chapter 10. Now we can see why that might be.
Let’s look more closely at chapters 11-13.
Proverbs 11-13
My intention was to read and be caught up by a two line proverb or two but instead it was a word that stood out to me. The word is “godly” and means “in a right relationship with God”. That would explain why almost all of the time the word used means “righteous”. In fact, many of the translations use the word “righteous” or “righteousness” where in the New Living Translation (my personal preference for reading) uses the word “godly”. Side note a handful of the other words are originally were: just, upright, and perfect, just in case you were wondering.
Godly it is! Remember: One in right relationship with God.
I hope that as you are reading you are asking for insight and a view or perspective of God that is growing both deep and wide within you!
Close ups
Proverbs 11:28 flourish like the leaves in spring. I love the imagery! Spring is so lovely anyway. But you know what I notice in the haze of the spring green as it washes over the wooded areas along my path? The leaves are clean and flexible and vibrantly colored. They are fresh and new and without blemish. Even as I watch my seedlings grow they are fresh and full of life! You see when our relationship is right with God each day is fresh and clean and soft and tender (AKA moldable). Full of energy and possibility. Vibrant and ready to absorb everything the plant needs from the sun.
Proverbs 12:3 have deep roots and Proverbs 12:7 stand firm. Another really simple and strong image. We cannot stand firm against our own flesh, against the pull of the world, or against the temptations of satan without being rooted in Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 says that we are to let our roots go down deep. In our mentoring program we talk about 3 different root systems that will give us that stability in our faith to be unshaken. (Relational, Theological, and Experiential. Ask me about this if you want more information.) Just the sound of that brings music to my heart and glory to my God. Unshaken, regardless of what is going on around us.
This is an impossibility without a right relationship with God.
Let’s bring this home with Proverbs 13:9 full of light and joy. Nothing looks more like light and joy to me than spring flowers. I have a couple of rhododendrons that are just stunning in the spring. The brilliant color lights up the area and I have to believe brings joy to all who are seeing it.
How does this translate to godly living? Matthew 5:15-16 says, let your light shine. That sounds like an effort but think about it. When your relationship with God is closer and more brilliant to you than it has ever been, can you really envision there is no light or joy spilling out? Just like the moment this plant is energized and ready, the petals burst open with a brilliant show. It can’t be stopped.
practically speaking
That all sounds nice but how do you get there? Great question.
As Colossians 2 says, you have to start by receiving Christ.
You have to come to the decision that the life you want is to belong to Christ. In other words, not to live for you, but to live for Him.
To “let your roots go deep” is going to take time. It’s going to take effort on your part to walk away from the old things and pursue God. And it’s going to take patience and persistence to make your relationship with God the most important relationship you have. But you won’t be alone. He is with you and your church family should be walking right by your side.
Jeremiah 29:13 says that you will find God when you seek Him with all of your heart. Like any GREAT relationship, seeking and finding doesn’t happen all at once. It happens with consistency.
Reading. Praying. Serving. Sharing. Pursuing. Repeating.
Want to know more? Let’s chat.