Friday May 27th: Proverbs 7-10 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Proverbs 7-10

As Cam mentioned yesterday, there are a number of verses that could be a stand alone comment as they carry so much weight.  

"Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." Proverbs 7:2

When reading this verse a few thoughts came to mind for me.  There are a lot of commands, or teachings, throughout the entire Bible.  Topics such as creation, sin, Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the end times.  All these teachings when lumped together form Christian doctrine.  The Bible insists that we pass these teachings on from generation to generation, and it warns us against false doctrine.  It is simply not enough to confess certain facts about God, we need to anchor our faith with correct teaching as well.  When we guard something we keep a close watch on it.  

I can recall playing capture the flag as a child, and certain people were designated as the look out people.  We built forts and the look out people were at the top of these forts allowing them the ability to see much more than the runners at field level.  The look out people were in constant communication with their teammates informing them of the location of the intruders, so they could keep the enemy away form their fort and flag.  This plan would work provided that the runners at the field level would listen carefully to the commands being given from the people on the look out tower.  God is on the look out tower and giving us commands for our benefit.  Do we listen for His commands?  If we hear Him, do we obey?      

In reading chapter 10, I found many of the verses related to our attitudes.  It would appear to me that Proverbs attempts to shape our attitudes by fostering positive ones and warning us against negative ones.  That we should develop patience and self control, not anger; humility, not pride; contentment, not envy or jealousy; fidelity, not lust and adultery; love, not hatred; diligence, not laziness.  

I know I would do well letting the voice of this book shape my attitude.     

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 11-14