Proverbs 26-29
As a bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying; so, the curse causeless shall not come.” Prov, 26:2.
The word curse here means trouble winch is to come. Do you remember that the people of Israel were to meet on die sides of two close mountains? Even the little children were to come. There, men were to write and set up God’s laws on stones; then some risen were to read the blessings to those who obeyed; then other men were to read the curses, or sorrows, to come to those who disobeyed. (Deut, 27;1; Joshua 8:33-35).
You see God has always shown great care in warnings for His people, yet they have been very careless, and troubles came; so, you see the meaning of the proverb: the birds keep flying, at last they reach a far place, so if we keep on doing wrong day after day we will come to trouble. Yet God shows mercy, and is able to bring good from trouble to the hearts of all who believe Him. Do you think we ever need this next proverb?
“He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Prov. 26:17. Such a one would have trouble, perhaps be bitten.
Sometimes we carry stories to others which make trouble: notice this,
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” Prov. 26:20.
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,” Prov. 27:1.
Instead of boasting of what we will do, we are to say,
“If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.” James 4:15.
Here is a proverb to remember, “Let another praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Prov. 27:2.
Have you heard this proverb?
“As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” Pro. 27:19.
You know that if you look in clear water you see your face; if you could look into a friend’s heart you would see it is like your own heart, but only God sees into our hearts. He says, “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23; 2 Chron. 6.30).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and foaketh them shah have mercy.” Prov. 28:13.
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall he safe.”
We may fear someone would ridicule us, if we speak for the Lord, and we are like a prisoner in a “snare”.
If a child is not corrected for wrong, what will he cause his mother? If he is corrected when wrong, what will he give her?
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: it a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Prov. 29, 15, 17.
ML 04/06/1941