Family Foundations.

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS: MAY 2020 DEVOTION

An intricate analysis.

Shalom Family,
Thanks for accepting the call to corporately study and share. We will be doing one chapter a day. I encourage as many as can, to read, study, meditate and share a thought/s from your devotion. May the Lord bless our devotions. Key Verse: Proverbs 1:7 The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Proverbs 20

Day 20 .
Wed May 20 2020 23:59:59 GMT+0300 (East Africa Time)

Overview

Verses: 30
Theme: Various Wise Sayings
Lessons
✅ Verse 1 Wine.
One of the doctrinal debates that persists in the Christian faith is whether drinking wine is ok. All things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. A pastor friend gave a standard answer to the question – if taking wine, alcohol, smoking cigarettes, shacking, etc brings you closer to God, please go ahead!
Those raised under the Nazarite order such as Samson, John, and Jesus, were firmly commanded to keep off wine or any strong drink. What is interesting to note is that even the Nazarite Jesus Christ “made wine” at a wedding in Cana!
The context of this scripture however borrows from a life experience of a king who had known how to party and party well. His house party had 1000 female family members (wives and concubines). Invited guests were queens and princes from other kingdoms. But in all these, he has a critical observation: Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
✅ Verse 4 Seasons.
Laziness is not just a physical condition. It is more mental and spiritual. For example, in this Covid-19 season, what has your mind engaged in with all the time at hand? Some have written books, others started blogs and online teaching/coaching/mentoring sessions. Others are doing revisions and reviews on their past in order to be better post Corona. Yet there are some who are still sharing memes of corona, updating status with “forwards” and self-images, etc. Others have chosen to watch Netflix and Showmax. Whatever the case, to not do anything that declares fruitfulness, multiplication and filling in this season is to be lazy. Selah.
✅ Verse 7 Heritage.
If a man walks in righteousness, his children are blessed! I have seen great value in being an heir of righteousness. Certain battles cease. Solomon was an heir of righteousness (after his father David). He was so blessed such that in his reign he never went to war. Unfortunately for him, in the absence of serious challenges, he got caught up in foreign women who led him astray. Unlike Solomon, may we cherish our righteousness inheritance and abide in grace in order to please God through and through. Amen.
✅ Verse 14 Bargains!
There is a buyer who cries “it is good for nothing" but after buying and the seller is gone, he/she boasts!😜 You know yourselves.🏃‍♂️😁 Kwanza sisters. Ameshasema bei ni ya jioni 50 bob lakini bado…heheeeeee. .. . . 🙈🤣
✅ Verse 17 Bread gained by Deceit.
I have learnt to never admire the corrupt. Never.
✅ Verse 19 Gossip and Flattery.
There is a very strong admonition to keep off tale bearers and flatterers.
✅ Verse 21 Hasty Inheritance.
True wealth comes through process. That is why the bible says, “He gives power to create wealth”. There is a process. The land flowing with milk and honey is a land that is “cultivated”. Even heirs to it have to learn how to “tend”.
✅ Verse 25 Vows.
Many in the body of Christ have been ensnared by pledges and vows. Notice the admonition here is around “setting something apart” as holy but never fulfilling it. Or rather reconsidering your vow. The wisdom always is, whether you have ability or not, not to vow. A wise and sincere pastor will announce a financial drive for something, then ask you to go home and pray about it. But clowns and frauds are those that challenge you to connect at that moment.
If you have any pledge you have made and have been unable to meet, kindly go to the secret place, acknowledge your foolishness and ignorance that drove you to pledge and be free. Be free and mature to never ever jump to pledge!
Ps. This will sound controversial but it is a reality: even vowing to never eat the tithe but still do it is foolishness. Yet there is nothing wrong with “eating” your tithe🤔🙆‍♂️...
✅ Verse 27 The Spirit of a man.
To know if you are walking in the light, examine your spirit man. God always searches the inner depths of our hearts. The spirit is the lamp, illuminating the reality of who we are. What men cannot see. When men were caught in adultery, they were guilty hence stoned. When Jesus came, he said that was a low threshold. The ultimate is what is in your heart. As a judge, He only examined the spirits of men.

Commentaries

Moureen: Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20
-Take full advantage of seasons and do the right thing in that season.
- Your children will be blessed because you lived righteously.
- The Lord searches the heart of men.
- vengeance belongs to God.
*Look out for:
- Laziness
-Deception
-Flattering lips
- One who dishonors his parents
- Dishonest scales

Pauline Karani: Proverbs 20

Wow I'm truly blessed, enlightened and chastened by @Obed Pastor and @Moureen this morning. Food for thought and action in deed.
Proverbs 20
There is a lot that I can say about this chapter(alafu nitaandika insha hapa😃) so I will talk about two issues
1. Verses 10 and 23 the LORD detests differing scales, weights and measures. This is something we saw also in a previous chapter. The repetition of this matter means its very important to God. I still think it means how we treat others fairly is important. We do not have "important" people whom we give the best, special seats at the table, (hmmm even in church some have special chairs🤔) while others we treat with contempt or without much care ,- they are not important. All people are God's image bearers so must be treated the same. No laughing at the way they are physically, economically, ethnically etc.
2. Verse 25 says its a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.
I have been this man sometime in my life. Where a preacher gives a "moving" message and moves me emotionally and in the process I make a vow in the heat of the moment. Later I come to my senses and "repent". Whether it's giving to a course or committing to fasting or prayer or even mission work; sometimes our euphoric emotions make us commit to something we cannot deliver. God help us to think things through before making pledges
Medina Bon: Very true. Abomination indeed
It is sad.
I thank God that we are advised and reminded to always ensure that all is well at home first.
For a long time now, I have been motivating myself towards this because the Bible tells me that. Otherwise I have been advised against that, sadly, by religious leaders. I came out as rude and insubordinate to the leadership but I actually wouldn't take heed to what is contrary to the Word.
Moureen: Great. Its a thin line. The elders who rule well deserve double honor(1st Timothy 5:17). Not the rich among our gatherings.
I also have repented once when i vowed but later i could not keep the promise. I asked God to release me from the vow, although i don't know if its biblical since the bible says its a snare to reconsider for one to reconsider his vows. Pauline Karani: Pastor Obed hebu saidia watu wako over this issue.
Obed Pastor: Waaa.. It definitely is.. 🙏 Medina Bon: In this case (point 2), I think one needs to actually do something from the heart; after making the decision by themselves. Our hearts are the communication points and the Holy Spirit, as our helper, never stops his helping work. E.g charity work is not bad but I believe that there's a time one can be called into it and the other times not. It takes a listening ear and of course: wisdom.

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Ciruu Kiniti Proverbs 20

Good morning. Even though I come in late but nimesoma. And reading the 1st part I am reminded of James instructions of not treating people better just because of their appreacnces. Great reminder
My take home from this sharing Moureen that I love love love especially the way you've crafted it for Proverbs 20: Take FULL advantage of seasons and do the right thing.
So practical especially in these seasons we find ourselves in!
Loved it
Nancy Tshay: Was on point!many atimes we find ourselves doing it no wonder there is so much of social status and classes
Obed Pastor: Thank you for the sharing.. Hapo kwa rash vows, Lord have mercy! It pays to stand for the truth. Will handle in my "long contribution"🙈😁
Proverbs 20 These chapter has been beautifully expounded by those who have already shared; I only want to add that V. 5 stands out for me because it shows an individual of deep understanding. When someone gives me counsel or shares his thoughts they are many, but a wise person draws from that well. Just like the sharing we are doing on this platform. There is a lot of learning to do here a lot being shared that can change us for the better. That I may that wise person constantly drawing out of it.

Ciruu Kiniti Proverbs 20

Evelyn Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water but a man if understanding will draw it out. How man times are we told we should seek counsel from the Most High or get counsel from wise men n women. How many times do we have issues of the heart n mind?
In this situation of seeking counsel. When we are in dire need of counsel we should seek it from the Heavenly King

Proverbs 20