The Wise Man According to Proverbs pt. 2

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"
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So easy to read and say that this is a beautiful verse. But when it comes down to the grind - its always easier said than done.
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My study bible refers to Caleb, following God wholeheartedly. (Numbers 14:24) - I think that it is referring to when the Israelites sent the spies into the promised land and all of them were afraid of the Canaanites - they all doubted what God could do except Caleb and Joshua. At least I think that's the story. I am not familiar with the story, but If that is correct, then I'm assuming that he was probably scared too, but he trusted God to deliver the enemy. So far as interpretation of the actual verse goes -- it's pretty straight forward. But what about the second part of that? "in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight"

OK - acknowledge him. Study bible says = be ever mindful of God and serve him with a willing heart and a faithful heart.

1 Chronicles 28:9 " And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you..."

So I thought that this verse was really powerful - not so much in regards to Proverbs - but the second part of the verse - "for the Lord searches" It kind of prompted me to do two things.

1. to look at my own motives for everything I do

2. not to worry about why others choose to do things differently.

why? because God, who knows everything, understands the reasons and in the end what does it truly benefit me to worry about others? - So actually I guess it does tie in with proverbs. When you are leaning on God's understanding then your motives would have to be in the right place anyways.

"He will make my path straight.... meaning?

the bible note says " he will remove obstacles from your pathway - and bring you to your appointed goal. Do I agree with that? I don't know. I guess the first question I would ask is what exactly is meant by obstacles? - well let's check out the verse references given to us. (This is going to jump around for a bit)

Proverbs 11:5 - skipping ahead a little bit " The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness" ok - that doesnt really make sense? the note says 'enables them to reach their goals" see verse 3 and 10:9 Proverbs 11:3 " The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity" - right--- no what? note! see the actions of Joseph in Genesis 39: 6-12. I had a reveltaion but I couldn't write fast enough and now its gone. But we had a sermon about Joseph earlier. It makes perfect sense. So after that lovely tangent I have come to a conclusion that obstacles? they are not meant to be removed and not meant here as every day difficulties. But God will not make it impossible and he will keep us going in the right direction. There will still be 'bumps in the road' - like Joseph had - but if we wholeheartedly trust and completely let ourselves go - our pride and our finite knowledge - cling to the understanding of God - then our paths will go to the right destination. We might still go around a few trees or bumps, but we will get there. I wish I had a hebrew bible and greek - because I'll bet straight has a different meaning. How do we follow our path with God as our lamp. And besides, If God knows my plan - shouldn't that be good enough for me?

The Wise Man According to Proverbs

Chapter One verse Seven
" The fear to the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"
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--> How do I fear God?
- by truly trusting and believing God, honoring and Glorifying Him in everything I do. Such and easy answer to say but what does it really mean? Somehow I think there is way more to it.
My study bible says: " A loving reverence for God that includes submission to His lordship and to the commandments of his word. (see Ecc. 12:13)
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Ecclesiastes 12:13 " Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of Man."

What are Gods commandments? Exodus 20:6 " but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments"

The ten commandments:

1. No other Gods

2. Do not make Idols

3. Do not misuse God's name

4. Remember the sabbath

5. Honor your father and mother

6. No murdering

7. No adultry

8. No stealing

9. No lying

10. No coveting

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Note in my bible: " in the treaty language of the ancient Near East the 'love' owed to the great king was a conventional term for total allegiance and implicit trust expressing itself in obedient service.".

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Mark 12: 28-34

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

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Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

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Chapter two: " we will inderstand the fear of the Lord when we accept his words and obey his commands."

"Search for wisdom like you would silver and hidden treasure."

Job 28:20 and 23

"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, even from the birds of the air. God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells"

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*Fearing God also involves a personal relationship with him.

Philippians 3:10 - " I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings" note: this knowledge is not only factual but includes the experience of the power of his resurrection.