F O O T H O L D
READING
40 BY CONTRAST
PRAY Change my life through
the knowledge of your word, Lord God.
READ Proverbs 10:124.
THINK Is there a particular
verse in this chapter which takes prominence
above the rest?
FOCUS This chapter begins a
new section of the book (10:122:16) and it
is written in quite a
different style from the preceding chapters.
In general each verse is an
individual unit with its second half
providing a contrast to the
first. In today's reading we see the
contrast between the
righteous and the wicked, the wise and the
foolish. This contrast
affects:
WHAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE. The
RIGHTEOUS experience God's blessing,
now and beyond the grave (2,3,6,16).
They are also a blessing to
others (1,7). Though that
doesn't mean that the WICKED will never
become successful or rich!
But their lives will be lived under the
judgement of God (3,7,16).
WHAT PEOPLE DO. The prudent
son makes the most of all his
opportunities and works
hard; those who sleep and waste time
become poor (4,5). Honesty
is certainly the best policy, whilst
dishonesty is sure to lead
to trouble (9,10).
WHAT PEOPLE SAY. What a
contrast there is here! The WISE man is
prepared to listen and
think; he wants to obey the commandments of
God (8,14,17). He doesn't
express his opinion as a matter of
course, but when he does
speak he is honest and helpful
(11,13,20,21). The FOOLISH
MAN talks too much and thinks too
little, believing that his
knowledge is superior. In reality, what
he says is dangerous and
destructive. He is his own worst enemy
(6,11,14,18,19,20,21).
PRAY Ask that God will help
you to see the areas of your life that need
his forgiveness and grace.
