Day 1,102: Proverbs 29- God Must Speak

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
    the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
    but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir.
 
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23 One's pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 The fear of man lays a snare,

    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
 
Meditation
God’s revelation restores and renews. Ruin awaits those who reject God’s revelation.
 
It did not take long for Israel to experience ruin in the wilderness, forgetting God and His faithfulness before making a golden calf to worship. Moses had been meeting with The Lord on the mountain for forty days. The people “broke loose” because Aaron had allowed them to “break loose” (Exodus 32:25). “Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint…” (18) or, literally, to let one’s hair down, or to break loose. Removing God’s revelation welcomes ruin.
 
Wisdom begins and ends with God’s revelation, His vision for humanity to flourish in the art of godly living for all our life, labor, and loves. Christians flounder when God’s word is not central in life. “Law” in the second half of verse 18 is wisdom’s signature poetic parallel. Walking in wisdom necessitates God’s word be meditated on by God’s people.
 
In the days before Samuel was born, “The word of the Lord was rare, no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1). The chaos grew so great the Philistine’s stole the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4).  Grace restores God’s presence through Jesus, the word made flesh, and the fullness of God’s revelation. Blessings will be found by those whose foundation is the revelation of Jesus Christ!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Today we focused our mediation on one verse- why is it a significant verse to walk in wisdom?
 
-Where do you see ruin in your life when the revelation of God is absent from your daily routines and not central to your life?
 
-Jesus is the fullness of God’s revelation, His word made flesh. How (specifically) can you welcome Him in your heart for restoration and renewal- daily, moment by moment, or other?
 
Key Verse
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.