READING FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2025: PROVERBS 27, LUKE 24, PSALM 92                        PROVERBS 27 This chapter is full of what might be called common sense, which is as important for life now as it was when Solomon was alive. The main principles of life don’t change much. The opening advice is never taken by political candidates: don’t boast about tomorrow. There is just so much in life that is beyond our control and so much that can wrong unexpectedly. 1 Kings 20:11 is so true: “He who straps on his weapons had better not boast like one who takes them off.”  

Verse 2 advises us not to indulge in self-praise. Don’t we find it yucky? A problem for all of us, though, is jealousy. It is hard to avoid and, according to Solomon, more destructive than anger. Verse 6 reminds us that good friends have both the right and duty to offer constructive criticism--talk about something being hard to offer and hard to receive! Those of us who have adult children certainly agree that when they show wisdom it is complete joy. Do our kids know how much that pleases us? 

Verse 15 suggests that not all of Solomon’s female relationships were always pleasant. One wonders if he followed the advice of Paul to offer Christlike love (Eph. 5:14). Verse 17 tells us that we cannot really be effective unless we have someone else in our life who can “sharpen us like iron,” not people who only reinforce our ideas. We often think that trouble helps form character. This is true. But often our character is more revealed by how we respond to praise (vs. 21). The remaining verses are essential for being a good manager. Know what’s happening on the ground, not just the big picture. There is no guarantee yesterday’s well-run organization will continue to be effective. Not only does one’s own well-being depend on continued diligence, but also one’s family and employees. Take this responsibility seriously. 

LUKE 24   What to do with differences among the gospel writers about the resurrection? 

We have often referred to Bart Ehrman in these study guides because he is possibly the most prominent biblical skeptic in academic circles today. One of his major points has been the differences found in the resurrection accounts. The chart above was put together by four major biblical scholars of the twentieth century who were also practicing Christians. They are not at all hiding these differences, nor should we. The comments below are from Dr. Ehrman‘s Blog. Following that will be more from these Christian scholars.            “What does one do with the fact that the women apparently meet different persons at the tomb?  In                 Mark it is one man, in Luke it is two men, and in Matthew it is one angel. The way this discrepancy is   READING FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 24, PSALM 92                                                               sometimes reconciled, by readers who can’t believe there could be a genuine discrepancy in the text, is                      by saying that the women actually met two angels at the tomb.  Matthew mentions only one of them,                                  but never denies there was a second one; moreover, the angels were in human guise, so Luke claims                     they were two men; Mark also mistakes the angels as men but mentions only one, not two, without                 denying there were two.  And so, the problem is easily solved! But solved in a very curious way indeed.”

The excerpt below is from Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, Bruce, and Baruch:                                    “Finally, when we try to put the stories together, we miss the point of the authors. The church accept-            ed into its canon four separate Gospels, viewing each as inspired by God. It did not put into the canon a     harmony of these Gospels (although such existed). The fact is that each writer is trying to bring out his                   unique perspective and theological insights by the details he includes or leaves out... Matthew wants to underline the miraculous and also explain a rumor that the body of Jesus was stolen. Luke stresses               the fulfillment of the words of Jesus and yet the disbelief of the apostles. John, by focusing on a single                character and her intimate discussion with Jesus, points out that in the resurrection and ascension of                   Jesus the promises of John 13–16 are fulfilled. Jesus cannot be held, for it is better for him to go to the      one who is not only his Father but is now also our Father. It is when we look at the resurrection                                                through such eyes, informed by the perspective of each Gospel writer, that we see not simply a           miracle, nor even the fact of the resurrection, but the message the church has believed that God                   wanted to communicate in and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”  

Other significant insights from Luke’s accounts:  

• The angels said this in Verses 6-8: “Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”  Here are Jesus’s words from verse 26: “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”  On the other hand, here is a recent comment from a Baptist minister: “It was not God’s intent that Jesus die. God’s intent was that people listen to Jesus, follow Jesus, be changed by Jesus. That was God’s intent.”   Apparently. the pastor, like the disciples, missed this when Jesus taught it three times before in Luke. What would the pastor make of Isaiah 53? 
•  What does Jesus do when he wants to prove a point on the Road to Emmaus? “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (vs. 27). It’s good to have opinions, but why not refer to God’s word to discern truth? 
• What does Jesus do to prove a point when meeting other disciples? “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”’ (vs. 45-47). BASE BELIEFS ON THE BIBLE.                      

PSALM 92 Verses 1-4 say it’s good to sing thanks and praises to God’s for His attributes day and nightaccompanied by instruments. The reason is God has made us joyful for what He’s done for us. Let’s assume this is true. Set our stopwatches for 60 seconds and thank God for the joy He has brought to our lives. THANK GOD NOW. Time’s up. Verses 5-9 say, however, wickedness is temporarily flourishing due to the of lack of understanding of God’s ways. Get out our stopwatches setting them for 60 seconds. Pray for God to scatter this evil that we are witnessing. THANK GOD NOW. Time’s up.  Verses 10-15 say we can receive fresh anoint- ing to perceive these evils more accurately. As people of faith, God will plant and grow us with His people. We can bear fruit for Him and tell of His goodness to others in our old age.  We can if He is our Rock. Let’s Rock!