I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
This passage starts off with a series of proverbs that are good guides for life. “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.” “Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.” “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.” He goes on to tell us to avoid extremes and that no one is always good and without sin. He tells us that no one can discover everything. There will always be some things that even the wisest person does not understand. The fastest and strongest do not always win. The wise and the skillful are not always wealthy. Whatever you do, do it well. And in the end, we will all die.
Paul writes that he is not sorry that he wrote a previous severe letter to them. He says that he was sorry at first, because he knew it would cause them pain. However, now he is glad that he sent it because it caused them to repent and change their ways. He tells them that Godly sorrow causes us to repent and change our ways. Being sorry for something that we are going to do again is worse than of no value, it results in spiritual death. Many scholars believe that the “severe letter” Paul refers to is one that has been lost. I see no reason to think this is the case. The letter we know of as 1 Corinthians is severe enough to have engendered the feelings that Paul describes.
Paul tells us that Godly sorrow leads to zeal and earnestness. When we feel Godly sorrow, we strive to do everything necessary to make things right. Paul had not written his letter to point out who was in the wrong and who was wronged. He seems to be saying two things here. First, there were some people who were in the wrong in the conflict in the Church. Second, now that the issue has been resolved and people have repented and changed their ways it does not matter who was wrong and who was wronged. Paul goes on to write how greatly encouraged he was by their reaction to his letter. Further Paul tells them he is delighted by the way they welcomed Titus and treated him with respect. The news that Titus brought Paul from Corinth has led Paul to have complete confidence in their faith and witness.
The psalmist is talking about the earthly city of Jerusalem, but I believe that God is speaking through the psalmist of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Either way there is much to uplift us from this psalm. The Lord is deserving of our praise. Those who gather their forces to attack that which God defends will be utterly destroyed. We should meditate on God’s unfailing love. And finally, He is our God forever and He will guide us until we die.
Today’s proverb covers three verses. The first two tell us that we should listen to the instructions of the wise and keep wise sayings on our lips. These are things that are good to do. The third verse gives the reason to teach others. If we have been granted wisdom from God, we should teach others so that they may trust in the Lord. Of course that also tells us which teachers we should listen to; those who are teaching us to trust in the Lord.