And now, O sons, listen to me.

July 19, 2022

Friends,

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the Proverbs lately, and you may have noticed this in Bible Study. It’s a very worthy book!

Unlike the Biblical books that have historical accounts (like Genesis or Exodus or the Gospels) or the books that record letters to churches (the Epistles, like Romans or Galatians), Proverbs is a long (31 chapters) collection of wisdom in short sayings. For example, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Prov. 25:28). Or, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Prov. 16:28).

There are some overarching themes to Proverbs and there is some sense of structure (though it’s very unclear to me), but it is not a story that you sit down and read from beginning to end. It’s less like a stream running from its source to its end and more like a well – you drop your bucket down again and again in the same location and you can keep pulling up water.

I’d like to use these weekly e-mails to spend a bit of time meditating on the Proverbs with you. My invitation to you is to take up the book for yourself! Add some time in the Proverbs to your daily devotions. Just read a few verses and chew on them during the day. What do they mean? How can you see them illustrated in the stories of the Bible? How can you see their truth in your life? What, if anything, should change in your thinking or your behavior to make use of this wisdom?

The Proverbs are God’s Word, so you have much to gain by making them a part of your diet. It’s not quippy wisdom that will help you do better at life, but it is divine wisdom that will help you to grow in the fear of the LORD.

Stay tuned for more next week!

God bless and keep you,

Pr. Buchs

COMING EVENTS: NO 10AM BIBLE STUDY – Wednesday, July 27 Vacation Bible School – July 31-August 4 @ 6-7:30pm