The Prudent Man Helps Others

        Remember that prudent man of Proverbs 22 and 27? A previous article listed almost two dozen possibilities that could go awry in his life. Perhaps a little self-righteously, we felt that we had them all covered in our own life…but maybe not.

        Is it possible that Proverbs is a book of “best practices” from a worldly point of view? As I thought over the prudent man’s list, the idea came to me: “Isn’t this kind of selfish and secretive?” How about helping someone else “prepare to meet God”? How about teaching others how to swim? Or to drive? Or to eat and drink wisely? Or to join a church and worship?

        There is a great New Testament advance on Proverbs, from the merely “prudent” man. Can we say in King Jamesian English, “The prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself and as many others as he can”?

        The story of the good Samaritan makes it very clear who the prudent man is. Perhaps he was well-armed; perhaps he had a bodyguard with him. In any case, his duty was clear—to help. In fact, if we go all the way back to Moses and the Ten Commandments, we find that Commandments 5 through 10 all relate to protecting and helping others, even more than ourselves: We are to honor our parents. We are not to murder—we are to help others to live. We are not to commit adultery—we are to help other couples live in peace. We are not to steal—we are to let others keep and enjoy what they have. We could go on, but you get the idea.

        Jesus, Himself, said in the Sermon on the Mount[1], “Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the peace-makers…You are the salt of the earth…Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Never mind being super-prudent and looking after only number one. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you[2].”

[1] Matthew 5: 7-16.


[2] Matthew 6:33.

A Prudent Man...

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3; 27:12. KJV

A prudent man…

• prepareth to meet God.
• joineth a church and worshippeth weekly.
• treateth his family, relatives, neighbours, and even enemies, as ones whom God loveth.
• eateth and drinketh wisely.
• getteth education or a trade.
• learneth to swim.
• learneth to drive.
• carrieth a spare wheel in his car at all times.
• filleth his gas tank before a trip.
• reserveth a hotel room before he getteth there.
• reneweth all his licenses in good time.
• stocketh good tools for household needs.
• learneth computers.
• payeth his taxes in good time.
• payeth into a retirement fund while working.
• getteth a doctor’s check-up before anything goeth wrong.
• seeth his children out of the nest debt-free.
• saveth or insureth in case of his wife’s widowhood.
• arrangeth for financial and medical power of attorney in case of need before death.
• writeth a fair will.
• prepareth for his own death (funeral, burial, cremation, etc.)
• writeth his own obituary.
• teacheth his children all these guidelines.
• …………
• …………

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 22:3, NIV

The Balcony Over Burlington

  

  

     I was sitting on my apartment balcony the other day, enjoying the view over the trees and the houses to the blue of Lake Ontario, on the southeastern horizon. As I looked over at the matching balcony chair beside me, the thought struck me, "What if Jesus was sitting there?"

        Suppose a stranger knocked at my door and, when I answered, he struck up an enchanting conversation about Scripture. Suppose I then invited him in and sat him in that matching chair. Suppose further that his conversation was all about prophecy in the Old Testament concerning what the Jews called "That Prophet". Suppose still further that as my heart was warmed and my mind was thrilled and stimulated, I suddenly realized Who my Guest was! What would I do?

        I don't know for sure about myself, but there are a few people in Scripture who had just such an experience. For example, there were Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. When they recognized this Stranger, He disappeared; their response was to rush back to Jerusalem in the dark and tell their friends the wonderful news.[1]

        Then there was "doubting" Thomas. His recognition provoked that eternal exclamation, "My Lord and my God!"[2]

        Mary Magdalene didn't recognize Him either, but when the "gardener" spoke her name in that familiar voice, she wanted to cling to Him.[3]

        All these believers reacted from the heart when they realized this Stranger was Jesus. I trust that my response will be appropriate too, but I think the centurion, Cornelius, in Caesarea, had exactly the right idea. He misdirected his response and fell at the feet of Peter instead. Perhaps for a moment he mistook Peter for Jesus. I think his heart full of worship was still credited; not many moments later the Holy Spirit came on him in power.[4]

        So, what would I do? I still don't know, but I trust that somehow the Lord will get every breath of worship I have in me to offer Him.

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[1] Luke 24:33.

[2] John 20:28.

[3] John 20:16.

[4] Acts 10:2.

“Oh, My Soul!”

              Some years ago, my wife and I were “at sea” on an ocean cruise, when the Directors organized what was facetiously but erroneously called a “tiny talent” time. An entertainment afternoon was set aside and any of the passengers with suitable skills were invited to perform. The musicians, singers, comedians and even magicians were outstanding.

              But then a lady, probably in her fifties, took the stage and started to quote poetry. We weren’t paying close attention to the words at first, but then she shifted to a more rousing, martial type of beat and people started standing up to keep time with her actions.

              She encouraged this as she moved to her last poem, with the audience still at one with her. I recognized the poem, I knew where the words led, and I sat my wife and myself down again. The crowd marched on straight to the end: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul…I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul!”[1]

              How perverse! Did those people realize what they had said? Were there any Christians who had been dragged in as well? Did they catch the verse that says, “It matters not … how charged with punishments the scroll”? Joy and I were seated almost at the front so I hope the lady saw our protest.

              How desperately wrong can a person be? In a sense, our choices do decide our fate, but “unconquerable soul”? No way! She discounted the possibility of any true God, and she ignored everything Jesus has done for us. But there is punishment coming, and it does matter. The God Who made us will eventually require obedience and every soul will be conquered. The wise person foresees this and gets things fixed up with God before it’s to late. Two Bible verses answer the poem: “Submit yourselves, then, to God…Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”[2]

              How? “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”[3]

 

 

 

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[1] This poem is Invictus [“invincible”] by William Ernest Henley, written in 1875.

[2] James 4:7, 8.

[3] Acts 16:31