THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 24

1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

There are many differences between the person who determines to live for God and the person who does not. Two of those differences are their thoughts and their conversations. Evil people "studieth destruction" of others in order to promote self. They also "talk of mischief" because they have no desire to consider good things.

The thoughts of the children of God should be of constructive and not destructive things. The talk of the children of God should be toward helping ohters and not mischief.

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

The most important part of a house is the foundation. If the foundation is "wisdom" (faith in God), then the house will be "established," it will ENDURE.

The sweetness of a house is due to the presence of the persons who live there. The rooms will be filled with "pleasant riches" if the person has a genuine servant attitude toward God.

Take another look at the thought expressed here by considering the "house" to be our lives. Our life is "established" when it is built upon faith in God. Life is sweeter when it is lived in faith and obedience to God.

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

A "wise man" is already strong because he is anchored in faith through Christ Jesus. And he will continue add to his strength by daily receiving "wise counsel" from God's Word and God's people. The more we listen to God and God's people, the more "safely" we live in this world.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

"Wisdom" comes from God. The "fool" is a person who does not believe God (Psalm 14:1). Therefore thoughts of true wisdom are beyond his thinking.

Because of this, the "fool" has no advice to give. In the times of this writing, it was popular for "wise" men to "sit in the gate" and help others with their advice. The "fool" is considered, by our Lord, as to have no worthy advice for people.

Therefore, it is UNgodly to place a "fool" in the position of leadership. President Garfield was an ordained minister. He once said that if America failed, it would be because they placed people in leadership who had no thoughts toward God and godliness.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

The word for "mischievous" can also be translated LEWD or SHAMEFUL. One of the problems with our society today is that there is little SHAME for wrongdoing.

The person who PLANS sin should be NAMED as shameful, lewd.

Notice the coupling together of two thoughts in verse 9. The thought of foolishness is called "sin" because it is a thought of mocking God. The person who mocks the existence of God, and the Sovereignty of God should be called an "abomination." He is abhorred of God, and should be shunned by society.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

When a person, or persons, are known to be in danger, we should do all we can possibly do to save them from that harm. To do LESS is to demonstrate a faith that is "small" or WEAK! Our Lord Jesus told the church at Laodicea their "small" faith made him sick to his stomach (Revelation 3:16).

God sees and knows all that is done in man's heart today. He KNOWS that Christians have the ability to stop things like abortion, "gay rights," and the promotion of sexual promiscuity.

I believe God is "sick to His stomach" because every Christian is not up in arms about such things. Every Christian should be vocal against them and writing letters to congressmen and senators.

The only way rightness is maintained in any society is when men and women of God stand strong in faith and integrity. There is an old saying that is very applicable here: "All it takes for evil to conquer is for good men to do nothing."

13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Honey is sweet and tasty. One only has to taste of it to know that it is PLEASANT and ENJOYABLE.

So is WISDOM. The thoughts of God coming from the Bible are WISDOM. When a man truly FINDS it, he wants MORE of it!

Notice that wisdom will provide a "reward" and an "expectation" that cannot be shattered. God's Word provides a sure knowledge of His ETERNAL salvation. It cannot be shattered by the events and difficulties one may face in this world.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Here is a caution to the "wicked" and an inspiration to the righteous. The wicked may plan and plot the "falling down" of the righteous. But the person truly anchored in Christ Jesus will rise again, and again. From this comes the old saying, "You can't keep a good man down."

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

There are two cautions to the saved here. First, take no pleasure in seeing one who has been against you defeated. God has enabled the victory, and God alone should receive the credit.

Second, do not be overly anxious about the presence of evil men. They are present, yes. But God is STILL IN CONTROL! The end judgment will show them giving account for fighting against God and godliness; and it that end, they will receive NO REWARD - only condemnation.

We should surely be concerned about wicked people, particularly when they have leadership. However, we should not be so worried about it that we allow that worry to consume our time and give us an attitude of defeat. We should still, "stand in there and fight."

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

The words "given to change" mean to pervert right or to repeat sinfulness.

The child of God is cautioned not to intermingle with those who have the desire to repeat sinful actions, or pervert that which is right.

Perhaps we should take a "for instance" in order that the meaning will be even more clear. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah desired to promote homosexuality and God destroyed their city SUDDENLY!

The child of God should not associate with those who promote the sin of homosexuality. He should instead WITNESS to them of God's forgiving grace and how God can CHANGE a lifestyle through surrender to Christ.

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

I pray for God's blessing for the rebuke that is presented here!

It is WRONG for a person in authority to say that the "wicked" are "righteous."

Judges (and/or presidents, kings, senators and congressmen) are not to allow the power of the wicked to sway judgment. They are given the responsibility from God to DETER evil through practical judgment.

But then, "These things also belong to the WISE." Have we elected WISE people for leadership?

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Study before you speak. Make sure your words are of ethical righteousness. People will respect that.

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Before building a house, one should be sure he has the propensity to pay. Be sure your job is stable before committing to marriage and family. For a man is charged with being a good providor. And he who fails in that task is called an "infidel." ((see 1Timothy 5:8))

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. 29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Verse 28 deals with GOSSIP. We are taught that gossip is character assassination. It is deceipt. ((see Proverbs 18:8))

God teaches us that REVENGE is His alone (See Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, and Romans 12:19). We are not to be caught up in acting in vengeance because of anger.

When one does harm to us, we are to first to see the person and try and resolve the matter (Matthew 18:15-17). Then, if the situation is not resolved, we are to take it to the judges (Deuteronomy 17:8-11).

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Slothfulness at home is indicative of slothfulness in business. They who are desirous of sleep more than is necessary will have "poverty." They will do ONLY that which is necessary, and sometimes less that what is necessary because they desire REST more than maintenance.

The person who is slothful will have poverty such as the hobo who is constantly wandering but never working. "Want" consumes him as if he were under the point of a gun; but sleep detains him. Therefore he has little.

This applies spiritually too. The man who is slothful in study of the Bible and prayer will have little strength in his faith. He is desirous of pleasure more than of being stronger.

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.