READING FOR AUGUST 11, 2025: PROVERBS 20, LUKE 5, PSALM 78:56-72 PROVERBS 20 This chapter is a collection of individual bits of wisdom, mostly self-evident in nature. Only brief comments are necessary. Solomon starts by warning against getting drunk, as the Bible does repeatedly. Drinking in moderation is fine, however, except for those making a special Nazarite-type vow to the Lord (see Num. 6). Don’t make the boss angry needlessly (vs 2). In fact, try to avoid strife altogether (vs. 3). Work during the proper workday or live to regret it later (vs. 4). It’s great to have a plan, but it’s useless without implementing it (vs.5). Follow through. Similarly, it’s easy for folks to say they have our backs, but it’s rare that they really do (vs. 6). A good father is one who models integrity for his sons (vs. 7). Remember our character impacts more people than just ourselves. Our children are watching!
People in authority are responsible for stopping bad behavior (vs. 8). This is usually not fun, so think twice before going into management. We might think we are innocent of bad behavior ourselves, but are our hearts really pure (vs. 9)? One behavior to avoid is intentionally reporting inaccuracies (vs.10), such as misrepresenting work hours, expense reports, or even tax returns. Even children are responsible for being honest, kind, and diligent (vs. 11). God has blessed us abundantly by giving us our senses (vs. 12), so we have an obligation to use them to secure our daily living instead of excessive sleeping (vs. 13). Solomon warns sellers of a common trick: buyers might downplay the value of an item before purchasing, only to brag about the good deal they made afterwards (vs. 14). Being gullible is not being spiritual.
Verse 15 briefly reminds us of the main theme of the book: knowledge and wisdom are valuable, more so than riches. While we are reminded to at least obtain some deposit from someone we don’t know when making a deal (vs.16), we also have the responsibility to not dishonestly take advantage of others (vs. 17). Verse 18 suggests we run our plans past some trusted friends, but certainly not past folks prone to gossip (vs.19). Verse 21 verifies that winning the lottery often brings more problems than pleasure. Don’t count on easy money; earn it. Also, never seek revenge but trust in God’s judgment (vs. 22). This command is plastered all over the Bible! Verse 23 repeats verse 10; this makes false reporting a double abomination to the Lord. BAD. Verse 25 interestingly warns against making a promise/vow to God and then questioning it later on. This is a real danger when we sing hymns in church, often promising to follow God no matter what. The final verses urge us to trust in God’s better judgment even when we don’t understand. This could also be called FAITH.
LUKE 5 It says in Luke 4:15 that Jesus taught in the synagogues in Galilee, but here he was on the shore of a lake teaching the word of God. Later he taught while sitting in a boat. He was not locked into one type of venue. What was the same in all locations is that He taught the word of God. Let’s be creative in reaching people but never replace the Bible with something we think is more culturally relevant.
After his session, Jesus gave Peter, a professional fisherman, fishing advice. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of the universe: “All things have been created through Him [Jesus] and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17). If we think we’re better informed than He is on anything, we’re being delusional. Peter, having just heard Jesus preach, understood this and obeyed Jesus. When he saw the results, he gained deep theological insight into who Jesus was (someone to be worshiped) and who he was (a sinful man not fit to associate with Jesus). By this reaction, Jesus knew that this man could not only be His disciple, but eventually a leader among them. At Jesus’s invitation Peter, James, and John left a gold mine of a catch to become fishers of men. What about us?
READING FOR AUGUST 11, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 5, PSALM 78:56-72 Here is excerpt from Leviticus 13:45-46: “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall be unclean... and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” But when Jesus encountered a leper in Luke 5:12 he didn’t avoid him but healed him with the touch of His hand. This was His will; he wanted to do this (vs.13). In reaching out to the leper, he also reached out indirectly to the Jewish leaders (vs. 14) by telling the man to go to the priest as a testimony to them. He’s still reaching out to all who are unclean. This means all of us before we are saved! “The blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
The healing of the man coming down from the roof is found in Mark 2 and Luke 5. Notice the differences regarding the roofs. Mark’s Gospel does not indicate its intended audience. Luke clearly says he wrote for Theophilus, who by his name we know has a Greek background. It’s fair to presume Luke used the word “tile” to make it understandable to Theophilus, but that Mark’s rendering is more literal.
Ancient roof in Galilee from the inside, made of timber and reeds. “Digging an opening” Mark 2:4
Ancient Greek roof from the outside, using tiles. “Let him down through the tiles” Luke 5:19
Matthew is another disciple Jesus grabbed right off his job. Jesus was really brazen to choose a collaborator with the hated Roman occupiers. Matthew immediately proved worthy by leaving his lucrative career and throwing a big reception for Jesus to meet other tax collectors. The Pharisees’ criticism is emblematic of the current bad theology of our times. They didn’t and we sometimes don’t understand that everyone’s a sinner desperately needing to be saved by Jesus.
PSALM 78: 56-72 This last section is a poetic summary of the tumultuous time from the end of Eli’s life to the reign of David. It starts with rebellion and idolatry, root problems of God’s people at every period. In God’s anger, He literally and symbolically removes His “might,” the ark, from Shiloh (Israel). This led in turn to defeat, death, and despair. Asaph poetically writes that the Lord then woke up, punished Israel’s enemies (who had actually carried out God’s discipline), rejected Ephraim (tribal location of Shiloh), and chose Jerusalem in Judea as the home of His special presence. David the shepherd (remember not a respected profession) was chosen to shepherd His people because of his “skilled hands and pure heart.” Remember how Moses sought skilled people whose hearts were stirred to serve God? Openings stillavailable.
