READING FOR JULY 18, 2025: PROVERBS 4, 1 TIMOTHY 3, PSALM 69: 25-36 PROVERBS 4 In this chapter Solomon directly speaks to his sons, but of course the content applies to each of us. It does remind us, though, that the matter of giving instruction to children in the area of wisdom is the special duty of fathers throughout the Bible (i.e., Prov. 13:1, Isa. 38:19, Eph. 6:4, Heb. 12:9). Solomon recounts how his father, David, used to tell him to embrace his words of instruction, especially about the value of seeking wisdom. As we know from our readings, David was a busy man, so we should not use our busyness as an excuse for not guiding our own children in the right paths. David’s instruction must have been effective because Solomon’s first request to God upon assuming the crown was for wisdom. Notice that this is not just a dry acquisition of learning, but a passion of the heart: “Love her, and she will watch over you... Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her” (vs. 6-8).
Solomon speaks from his experience that the byproducts of this attitude will be great: longer life and fewer problems. He warns them that people who are evil exist, and their paths are to be strictly avoided. This is a sad reality of our fallen world, and that fact should not be kept from our children. Solomon accurately shows that the wrong path leads to addictive behavior, violence, and an eventual crashing that mystifies those involved. This has also been this writer’s observation and can be verified with objective statistics about crime and dysfunctional families.
After presenting the dark side of not pursuing wisdom, Solomon returns to more positive guidance: really pay attention to these words; don’t allow these instructions to be forgotten; give attention to the inner self (i.e. the heart) not just outward behavior; speak words that are not deceitful; and keep focused on the proper goal, not allowing diversions from it. So, fathers (certainly including this writer), when was the last time we imparted such wisdom to our children?
READING FOR JULY 18, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 TIMOTHY 3, PSALM 69:25-36 1 TIMOTHY 3 Paul uses this chapter, along with Titus 1, to describe the appropriate organizational structure of the local church. As with 1 Tim. 2, there is a feminist egalitarian perspective and an historical complementarian one. The egalitarian view adds the words “and women” whenever men or husbands are mentioned in this chapter. Obviously, if one holds to Paul’s prohibition in 1 Tim. 2 of women exercising authority over men in church, one’s view is complementarian. There are two slightly different complementarian views: one allows for women to be deacons because of the context of verses 8-13.
Paul says a man wanting to be an “overseer” aspires to a good position. In Titus 1 this word is used interchangeably with “elder.” The Methodist church appears to use these words more in the sense of an ordained minister or a statewide leader. The biblical usage, as seen in Phil. 1:1, Acts 11:30, and 20:17, is that of a group of local church leaders. The office of “deacon” got its start in Acts 6 when the church got its start. The job of the seven original deacons in Jerusalem was to ensure that widows fairly received their daily distribution of food, which was vital to church unity and growth at that critical time. The closest equivalent to these two offices at Yorktown Methodist Church is the Leadership Council.
Most of this chapter deals with the spiritual and personal characteristics of individuals holding these positions. Some churches don’t examine candidates based on these characteristics, per- haps because the pastor handles the administrative decisions and spiritual direction of the church. Others follow these criteria closely and actively involve the elders and deacons in the church's spiritual and organizational life. If the elders and deacons meet these biblical criteria, the latter model safeguards the church from personal or theological failings of the pastor.
PSALMS 69:25-36 Verse 26 offers the surprising complaint that David’s enemy is taking credit for punishment that the Lord administered. This seems to imply that we should not rejoice whenever a believer is undergoing suffering, even if the Lord is disciplining him/her. David’s disgust is so great at this that he asks that this person’s name not be listed in the Book of Life—in other words be eternally damned. From verse 29 onward, David, though still in pain, seems to have an attitude shift. He changes from cursing his enemy to praising his God.Don’t we all feel more comfortable about this? If one were not aware of the sacrificial system, his comment about God preferring thanksgiving to an ox might seem a bit weird. But what a blessing that God hears the needy and that those in prison who might have problems getting their lawyer still have immediate access to the God of the universe. David, by now really warming up, says even the seas praise Him. And so they do and so should we.
