When the dog bites, when the bee stings, I quickly remember a few of my favorite Proverbs…. (apologies to Luther Vandross who wrote “My Favorite Things”)
A blog is not a sermon, right? Not necessarily an essay, nor is it a theme written for a class. Theoretically, a blogger should be able to write about whatever he/she wishes. That being the case, I herewith submit this sampling from the riches of Proverbs which are among my favorites. Along with appropriate comments, of course.
I said to my Old Testament and Hebrew professor, “Solomon could not have written these. They champion monogamy and faithfulness to one’s wife, something he clearly knew nothing about.” Dr. George Harrison said, “When it says in the opening verse ‘the proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel,’ it could mean something as simple as that he collected these. It’s not necessarily saying he wrote them.”
Good. Maybe he did write some of them. After all, the Queen of the South was impressed by his wisdom (I Kings 10:7) and perhaps these are some of the reason.
Proverbs 3:5-6. Everyone’s favorite. My wife Bertha’s favorite. ” Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (some translations say: “He will make your paths smooth.” Or “straight.”)
That’s a promise. Not everything in Proverbs that looks like a promise should be considered one. But this is. And it’s been time-tested over the centuries.