Timely wisdom (for all time)

Proverbs 17 is so full of timely wisdom--as is all of Proverbs.  But how ironic that at this time of the year, just before the 2020 United States election, that such wisdom would come to me.

The first verse struck me right in the gut: "Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict."  Oh, how divided we seem right now, so many issues that are causing conflict in our friendships and even in our own families.  Will Thanksgiving this year be peaceful?  Or full of strife?

I could go through all of them, diving into each one, but I will hit the highlights.

Verse twelve is rather interesting, and picturesque: "It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness."  I have seen social media posts lately--well, comments to said posts, to be honest--that make me shake my head and cause great anger.  But I hold my tongue, and fingers, for I will allow the fools to remain foolish.

Let's end with verse twenty-seven: "A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered."  Can't say it better than that.

I strongly urge you to read through Proverbs 17, taking in each verse and reflecting on them.  It may be both comforting . . . and uncomfortable, if you truly reflect on yourself and your actions.  Remember, no one is perfect except our Lord.  Reflect on His words and strive to be better each and every day.

A man named Job

Welcome to the book of Job.

In the first chapter, we meet Job.  He was a rich, successful man who lived in the land of Uz.  He had seven sons and three daughters, and many servants.  For Job, the Lord was number one in his heart and worked hard to honor Him by offering many burnt offerings.

Satan, along with many angels, appeared before the Lord.  The Lord commented on his faithful servant Job.  But Satan challenged that notion, stating that it was because Job was successful was the sole reason why he was faithful.  If everything was taken from Job, he would not be so faithful and would denounce God.

God then told Satan that he could test Job.

For the first test, all of Job's livestock was stolen from him, all of his servants were killed, and a powerful storm swept through the home of one of his sons--all of his children were present, at a feast--and all of his children were killed.

Job grieved.  He fell to the ground in worship, stating that the Lord had given him all that he had and the Lord saw that it was taken away.  He praised the Lord, and not once did he blame God.

The king's trust in Esther

We now come to the final three chapters from the book of Esther: 8 through 10.

After Haman was impaled, the king gave all of Haman's property to his queen Esther.  Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for she informed him that Mordecai was related to her.  Mordecai was then appointed to be in charge of Esther's property.

Then, Esther came before the king, begging him to stop the evil plot Haman had devised against the Jews.  Without question, the king gave her his signet ring and told her to send a message to the Jews in the king's name.  He trusted her to send whatever message that she pleased, but warned her that his previous decree still stood and could not be reversed.  So, the message had to be one that overrode his previous decree.

She instructed the new decree to be sent to all of the Jews that anyone who would do them harm, they were given the right to defend their life and property by any means necessary.

Victory was had by the Jews throughout the king's entire kingdom and there was a great festival to honor the memory of that victory.  In the end, Mordecai was given the name of prime minister of all the king's lands, a title second only to the king himself, and he continued to work for the good and welfare of all their descendants. 

Esther's bravery

In the book of Esther, chapter 5, Esther braved to go before the king.  Upon seeing her, the king immediately held out his gold scepter, announcing that he approved of her coming to him.

The king asked what her request was, stating that he would give it to her, even if it was half of the kingdom.  She requested to come to a banquet she had prepared for him.

During the banquet, the king again asked for her request, and again stating that even if it was half the kingdom, he would give it to her.

She responded that she would like the king and Haman, the one who ordered the death of all the Jews, to come to a banquet the next day.  Then, and only then, would she explain her true request.  The king agreed.

After the grand feast, Haman gathered his friends and boasted about his great wealth, bragging about all that he had, even to the point of telling them that he was going to a feast the queen was preparing for him.  He then ordered a sharp pole set up so that he could impale Mordecai on it.

Continuing on in chapter 6, the king was unable to sleep that night and ordered an attendant to bring him a book that recorded the history of his reign.  He then discovered the account of Mordecai exposing the plot to assassinate the king.  He asked what kind of recognition was given to Mordecai for his brave act.

He discovered nothing was done for Mordecai, for saving his life.  Only then did he know about the pole Haman was going to use to impale Mordecai.  During the banquet, the king ordered his best robes to be placed on Mordecai, by Haman.  By chapter 7, during the banquet while the king was drinking much wine, the king again asked Esther for her request.  For a third time, he told her that if she wanted half of the kingdom, he would give it to her.

Then, with much bravery, she told of the plot to slaughter the Jews by the evil and wicked Haman.  The king was angered by this and Haman pleaded for his life.  The king then ordered Haman to be impaled on the pole intended for Mordecai.

It's amazing to think that three times Esther was offered half of the kingdom and instead she refused and exposed the evil plot against the Lord's people.  It took great bravery and love of the Lord for her to stand up to the king.

Esther's Dilemma

In chapter 3, from the book of Esther, the king promoted Haman to be the most powerful official in the kingdom.  All of the other officials were to bow down and show respect to him, as the king had commanded.

But Mordecai did not.

Over time, other officials noticed and advised Haman about it.  Haman spoke to the king, who then advised that because Mordecai was a Jew, all of his people would be put to death.  The order was sent all across the kingdom, with a date chosen almost a year from then to carry it out.

This concerned Mordecai as he did not wish the Lord's people to be sentenced to death.  By chapter 4, he gained Esther's attention and told her what was going to happen.  Mordecai then said she had to tell the king about it and plead with him not to carry out this order.  He then said this may be why she was chosen to be the queen, to save the Jews from uncertain death.

There was a problem with this.  She could not speak with the king without an invitation.  If someone came to the king unannounced, their life could be in jeopardy unless the king agreed that it was okay.

Hence, her dilemma.  Would she face death in order to plead her case before the king?