READING FOR AUGUST 7, 2025: PROVERBS 18, LUKE 3, PSALM 78:1-20 PROVERBS 18 At the very beginning God told us it is not good to be alone (Gen. 2:18). Heb. 10:24-25 gives this direction: “Let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Solomon in verse one likewise tells us not to be a lone-ranger believer. We must join a church and develop Christian friends. Note in verse 2 Solomon warns against just stating our opinions without good evidence. This seems to be a current epidemic. By contrast a wise person’s comments are well supported and provide restoration (vs. 4). Verses 5-8 suggest that we need to take into consideration the source of information. Comments from a wise person should not be suppressed; those from an unreliable or foolish source likely will cause problems if the advice is followed.
Someone who does not work, either on the job or in the church, is much like some who in- tentionally destroys an organization (vs. 9). Let’s do our share, especially for God’s Kingdom. Verse 12 repeats a theme that we see running throughout the Bible: humility leads to honor and pride leads to dishonor. God must think we need to hear this many times! A common but disrespectful practice is giving an answer before a person finishes a question. This may, in fact, be linked to pride, in that the person assumes he/she knows what the questioner will say.
Verse 14 provides one more reason for serious Bible study as a way to develop our inner strength: such strength can support us during the inevitable times of physical weakness. This writer certainly experiences what verse 16 describes as being too easily convinced by a well-communicated statement without examining it closely or considering other viewpoints. Verses 18-21 once again address the problem of dissension among people. Isn’t it interesting that Solomon knew so much about our present experiences even though he lived thousands of years ago. Perhaps this speaks to accuracy and continuing relevancy of God’s Word. Verse 19 suggests a practical solution: cast lots (or flip a coin) to come to a resolution when two sides can’t agree. It worked for the Apostles (Acts: 1:26).
This writer recommends trying the following test to see if verse 22 is true: sometime when Carolyn isn’t present, ask Bob Futrell if he thinks a good wife is a favor from the Lord. Finally, Solomon says we can actually have too many friends. (How many do we have listed on Face- book?) But he says there is one friend who sticks with us closer than a brother. Who might that be? “He [the Lord] Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you’” (Heb. 13:5).
READING FOR AUGUST 7, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 3, PSALM 78:1-20 LUKE 3 The introduction of this chapter is multilayered. First Luke confirms that the ministry of John the Baptist occurred at a definite time in history when these high officials were in office. John really existed and is not a religious myth. Luke also conveys the irony of how God operates. Imagine Luke wrote that when Donald Trump was President, Mike Braun was Governor, and Leo was Pope, the word of the Lord came to... a homeless guy in Muncie who sleeps at the Mission? But that’s the sense of what Luke is saying and the pattern of how God often works. How wonderful.
John is clearly the one mentioned in Isaiah as the advance man for Jesus. The metaphors are powerful: straightening curve roads, filling valleys, leveling mountains, and paving over potholes to enable the highest number of people to experience Jesus without any barriers. Why? Because Jesus is the salvation provided by God for all who believe. All need to hear.
John the Baptist’s initial approach was completely honest but not very modern: “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Ouch, we don’t like this. But Jesus can’t save us if we don’t first know we are lost sinners. John was even bold or foolish enough to confront Herod, a bigtime leader. This landed him in jail. His practical suggestions, however, were, well, very practical: 1) tax collectors--don’t overcharge; 2) soldiers--don’t harass folks or ask for raises; 3) all of us--give to folks in need. For all his out-of-the-box qualities, his main purpose was the same that ours should be: pointing people to Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, if we compare Jesus’s genealogy in Luke with the one in Matthew, we quickly spot differences. Luke 2:23 states it “was commonly held” Jesus was the son of Joseph, implying he really wasn’t. This may mean the entire genealogy in Luke is Mary’s line and not Joseph’s as we see in Matthew.
PSALM 78:1-20 Asaph launches into an instructional Psalm regarding God’s faithfulness to Israel and Israel’s dismal response. He said this is not new material, but these stories must be relayed by fathers to each succeeding generation. Once again, we learn it is the father’s prime obligation--not the mother’s, pastor’s, or youth leader’s--to provide spiritual instruction to our children. Have we done this? If not, let’s get started. Asaph gives us vital examples of not following God. Ephraim (meaning Israel) not only didn’t defeat evil, but they ran away from battle. They didn’t keep God’s covenant, obey God’s commands, and they forgot about the miracles of God. What were Israel’s specific problems in the desert? They rebelled against God and His laws. They were not happy with God’s provisions and instead desired greater material pleasures suited to their tastes. Do our children know these as real historical events involving interventions by the unchanging God whom we can know personally today? Or do they consider them as quaint Bible stories having no lessons applicable to life in 2025? Worried.
