Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Saying 1
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
    apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?
Saying 2
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,
for the Lord will take up their case
    and will exact life for life.

• Proverbs 22:17-23

Proverbs 22:19: ”The problem with this world is that it doesn’t fit. Oh, it will do for now, but it isn’t tailor-made. We were made to live with God, but on earth we live by faith. We were made to live forever, but on this earth we live but for a moment ...
“We must trust God. We must trust not only that he does what is best but that he knows what is ahead. Ponder the words of Isaiah 57:1-2: “Those who are right with God may die, but no one pays attention. Good people are taken away, but no one understands. Those who do right are be­ ing taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants find rest in death.”
“My, what a thought. God is taking them away from the evil days ahead. Could death be God’s grace? Could the funeral wreath be God’s safety ring? As horrible as the grave may be, could it be God’s protection from the future?
“Trust in God, Jesus urges, and trust in me.”

• Max Lucado, A Gentle Thunder

The Message

The next nine vespers, roughly, will be wise sayings.  On average there will be a little over three per week, but the first one is rather long.  We only have two sayings this week.

The really long first saying is really an introduction.  These thirty sayings should be taken to heart.  At least the gist of the saying should be memorized and heeded.

The student will learn to be honest and speak the truth.  The reports to those the student serves will be truthful and honest.

Since the first nine chapters of Proverbs is a father’s introduction to the subject of wisdom, this one verse is a summary of those nine chapters as the literary style shifts slightly, but the intent and message of these wise sayings remains the same.  This is still Solomon writing to his own children.  Thus, if Rehoboam had paid attention to this wisdom literature, he would not have had nearly all the problems that he had.

This does not mean that Saying 1 is just an introduction and not a wise saying.  It is basically an admonition that we should take the other 29 to heart and have them direct our actions.  Otherwise, the other 29 Sayings might be dismissed as suggestions rather than commands to live a wise life.

Then Saying 2 is really the first specific topic.

Take care of the needy, the poor.  Do not exploit them, especially do not take advantage of their poverty and their willingness to do anything to be free of their poverty.  Do not crush the needy.

God looks after the poor and needy and those who exploit or crush the needy will be dealt with, a life for a life.

And now let us sing.

The following song is The Cry of the Poor.  This is sung by St. Francis de Sales Church, Ajax Ontario Canada.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  Help us to value wisdom.  Help us to seek You in all things.  And help us serve others, especially the poor and needy.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.