August 4

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR AUGUST 4, 2025: PROVERBS 15, PHILEMON 1, PSALM 76                       PROVERBS 15 There are at least three concepts repeated in this chapter on a rotational basis:  effective vs. non-effective communication (verses 1, 2, 4, 7, 18, 26, 28); God’s ways and their impact (verses 3, 9, 11, 25, 29);  and humility/teachability vs. pride/closed-mindedness (verses 5, 10, 14, 22, 25, 31, 32, 33). Solomon apparently believed that by sorepeating them and slightly changing the descriptions each time, the teaching will remain fresh and better remembered due to this method of repetition (see verse 2). 

Effective vs. Non-effective Communication:  

  • Verse 1. A gentle answer calms a friend who is angry; a harsh word increases anger.
  • Verse 2. A wise teacher knows how to make learning enjoyable; fools just speak foolishly. 
  • Verse 4. Soothing speech is nourishing to others; perverted speech is wounding. 
  • Verse 7. Wise people spread knowledge; fools aren’t interested.
  • Verse 18. The calm person reduces conflict; the hot-tempered person stirs it up.
  • Verse 26. Communicating pleasant words is pure; communicating evil plans is an abomination. 
  • Verse 28. Righteous people think before they speak; the wicked rashly speak evil.

God’s Ways and Impact:

  • Verse 3. God is aware of everything everywhere; He sees all good and evil.
  • Verse 9. God loves those who pursue righteousness; those who don’t will be severely punished.
  • Verse 11. If God can see the places where those go after death, He can easily see into our hearts.
  • Verse 25. The Lord brings down the proud; He protects the widow.
  • Verse 29. The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous; He stays away from the wicked.

Humility/Teachability vs. Pride/Closed-Mindedness:

  • Verse 5. A sensible son accepts his father’s discipline; a fool rejects it.
  • Verse 10. Those who cannot accept corrections will die.
  • Verse 14. It is smart to seek knowledge; fools consume only foolishness.
  • Verse 22. Those who develop plans without seeking advice fail; those who seek advice succeed. 
  • Verse 25. The Lord brings down the proud; He protects the widow.  
  • Verse 31. By consistently accepting corrections, we can stay wise. 
  • Verse 32. Neglecting discipline is self-defeating; accepting corrections brings wisdom. 
  • Verse 33. Fearing the Lord is essential for wisdom; before we can be honored, we must be humbled. 

PHILEMON 1 Paul almost seems to have fun in this letter. There are not so subtle hints and seeming plays on words, all in the context of a serious request to a close friend. Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He reuses this phrase a verse later; in both verses 12 and 13 he says, “my imprisonment;” and in verse 23 he singles out Epaphras as a “fellow prisoner.” We can safely assume Paul is in prison when writing this.

READING FOR AUGUST 4, 2025 CONTINUED: PHILEMON 1, PSALM 76                                        As in Paul’s letter to Philippi, we see prison didn’t dampen Paul’s mood. We can also discern that Philemon lived in Colosse and likely this personal letter was sent along with the more general letter to that entire church. This letter is just addressed to three individuals, not an entire church. The exact same names are listed here as in the Colosse letter sending their greetings. Also, Paul says In Colossians 4:9 that Onesimus, one of their own, was coming to provide them with more information.

It appears that Onesimus was Philemon’s runaway slave whom Paul met and converted while Paul was incarcerated. Onesimus (his name means profitable) became extremely useful or profitable to Paul’s ministry. Paul wanted to keep him as a kind of contribution from Philemon to his ministry but knew this would be a gift without consent. So, Paul is reluctantly sending back Onesimus, BUT asks that Philemon no longer consider him as a slave. Paul also said he would reimburse Philemon for anything Onesimus owed. (Paul gently reminds him, however, that Philemon owes his entire eternal life to Paul.)  In verse 21, Paul compliments Philemon for knowing he will do more than he asks. Paul is nothing if not clever. Plus, he seems to be preparing for the elimination of slavery as an institution: “Antislavery doctrines began to appear in Christian theology soon after the decline of Rome and were accompanied by the eventual disappearance of slavery in all but the fringes of Christian Europe” (from Rodney Stark’s book For the Glory of God).     

PSALM 76 This must have been a golden era in Israel because Asaph says God was known there. According to surveys, God is less known in America that before. May it at least be said that God is known at YMC. Salem is usually considered the ancient name of Jerusalem. Zion is also used interchangeably with Jerusalem: “So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem” (Psalm 102:31).  Asaph states the tabernacle was there, although the only clear statement the tabernacle was brought to Jerusalem is during Solomon’s reign to help furnish the Temple. The Ark, however, was brought to Jerusalem much earlier by David (2 Sam. 6:16).  The main point of the poetry, though, is that God’s presence protects Israel during attacks. It is a better and earlier version of the Iron Dome that currently intercepts incoming missiles. This is the same God who is our personal protector today. He saves those of us who have humbled themselves before Him. Verse 10 is fascinating: “The wrath of mankind shall praise You.”  This seems to mean that when man seeks to do God ill, the result ends up bringing praise to God. We saw this with Pharoah and the plagues of Egypt. This will be the case again in Revelation.