With Eyes Wide Open

The first of these proverbs reminds us of the intimate connection between character and action. This connection shows up even in the life of a child. If we are to discern this link we need to pay careful attention. We need to be wise in how we hear and what we see. For it is in hearing and seeing that we are able to come to understanding. The great temptation is to fail to listen, fail to look and so fail to understand aright.

Take Counsel

These few proverbs consist of warnings not to act simply on our own or to take our direction from those who lack wisdom. Engaging in fraud to get your food (or your livelihood) offers only momentary pleasure. You can be pleased to have outwitted someone in deceiving them – but in the long term such action turns sour (See Job 20:12-19). This is a practice which commonly exploits the poor and for that there is no lasting reward.

The Folly of Evil Desire

To take on retribution is to take on God’s role of judge. Paul spoke about this in Romans (12:19). There we’re told to love our enemies, feed them, and give drink to the thirsty. (Rom.12:20-21) Our temptation is to repay in kind. It is the role of wisdom to call us to restraint. Once we restrain our natural instincts we open the way for a redemptive response and leave judgment to the One who judges righteously.

Praying Always

It was characteristic of Jesus to be in constant communication with his Father. Prayer was central to his life and ministry. The disciples who witnessed this discerned something of the importance of prayer and they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We have considered how so many failed to hear Jesus and the message he had for them, how they distanced themselves from the kingdom.

Royal Redemption

The man is mute and Jesus casts out a demon so that he is able to speak. But something more is happening here than meets the eye. The predictable challenge comes that this is simply Satan’s work. The response that Jesus gives hints at a very different conclusion. “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”