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 8:33-3533And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 34And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them. (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. 26:1717He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. (Proverbs 26:17). Such a one would have trouble, perhaps be bitten.
Sometimes we carry stories to others which make trouble: notice this,
Instead of boasting of what we will do, we are to say,
Here is a proverb to remember, “Let another praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Prov. 27:22Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. (Proverbs 27:2).
Have you heard this proverb?
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. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23); 2 Chron. 6.30).
“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