20241116

a problem, not a plus

Proverbs 16:1-33 (JDV).

Proverbs 16:1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahveh.
Proverbs 16:2 All a person’s roads seem right to him, but Yahveh examines breaths.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your activities to Yahveh, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:4 Yahveh has prepared everything for his purpose– even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone with a proud heart is repulsive to Yahveh; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of Yahveh.
Proverbs 16:7 When a person’s roads please Yahveh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than a great harvest with injustice.
Proverbs 16:9 A person’s heart plans his road, but Yahveh determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.
Proverbs 16:11 Honest balances and scales are Yahveh’s; all the weights in the bag are his concern.
Proverbs 16:12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings since a throne is established through righteousness.
Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.
Proverbs 16:14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
Proverbs 16:15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
Proverbs 16:16 Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his road protects his throat.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride comes before destruction and an arrogant breath before a fall.
Proverbs 16:19 Better to be lowly of breath with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:20 The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in Yahveh will be fortunate.
Proverbs 16:21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.
Proverbs 16:22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the correction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweetness to the throat and healing to the body.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a road that seems right to a person, but its end is the road to death.
Proverbs 16:26 A worker’s throat works for him because his hunger urges him on.
Proverbs 16:27 A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like scorching fire.
Proverbs 16:28 A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 16:29 A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a road that is not good.
Proverbs 16:30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.
Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the road of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:32 Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahveh.

a problem, not a plus

David Vignali writes: “The only really familiar proverb in this chapter is found in verse 18, the one about pride going before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Our modern American culture, however, seems to exalt the importance of the self and the individual. We are told and taught to assert ourselves, and Madison Avenue advertisers are constantly telling us that we “deserve” such and such a thing. We seem to see humility and meekness as weaknesses rather the attitudes that God’s Word tells us are necessary and proper –

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 KJV).

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 KJV).

” … this is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 Jerusalem Bible).”

Maranatha Devotional – “The Problem of Pride” Sunday, April 24, 2016

Pride is a problem, not a plus.