Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro
 
Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts. Proverbs 20:30

Our society has grown beyond the point of punishing people - for we have become enlightened to where such things are seen as barbaric.  We even hold such a view of child training as well.  Yet the words of Scripture stand here - and even shock our sensibilities in the 21st century.  Now, am I saying here that we should return to caning people - putting them on a whipping post?  My answer to this is simply - such a thing is not allowed in our culture - but I'm not so sure that such things are too much to our advantage.  Let's begin by looking at the passage itself - then we'll come back to my shocking comments - and maybe some shocking conclusions. 

"Stripes that wound" definitely shocks us.  The phrase means stripes that are delivered that leave bruises.  It can also mean stripes from some sort of corporal punishment.  There is no doubt that this means corporal punishment.  21st century society in the West shrinks from such a statement in horror.  We have come beyond this point - we are enlightened.  Hmmm - and how is that working for our society?  Has our system of crime and punishment led to a safer and more secure society?  Do we have "repeat" offenders - does our system "scour away evil"?  Although I'm sure some reading this would consider me little more than complete barbarian for saying so - I'm not sure that we have the perfect system in place. 

It is interesting to note that in Taiwan, where corporal punishment is used for certain offenses - their crime rate is far lower than ours - and their repeat offender rate is a fraction of what ours is.  Could it be that a controlled corporal punishment is good for us?  Could it be that receiving a beating, a caning, or some other form of corporal punishment is a greater deterent to crime and misbehavior in society than is encarceration for months and years?  In a world where our penal system has become little more than "Crime University" for those who are there - where they are trained in crime and recruited for a lifetime of law-breaking - can we honestly say that what we are doing is what is most effective?

God tells us that corporal punishment "scours away evil." The phrase used here speaks of using a type of brillo pad to scrape and scour out a metal pan.  This was the way they cleaned vessels in biblical days.  They would scour out a pot, making sure that it was clean of debris and of rust.  When they were done - there was nothing harmful left.  There is a cost to corporal punishment - a true physical cost - and the pain experienced reminds us to avoid such behavior in the future.  Granted such punishment must be closely controlled to make sure that it does not cross over into abuse.  (The Scriptures did not allow a man to be whipped beyond 39 stripes.)  But physical pain is a motivator - a powerful one.  The natural response in our lives to physical pain is to avoid it.  Think of your own response to any kind of physical pain.  You avoid it - and the only times you allow it is when you know that it has a positive result that goes beyond the pain.  We exercise knowing full well that we will experience soreness - yet we know that such exercise is good for us in the end.  Could it be that corporal punishment has such a value individually and corporately as a society? 

The second half of this proverb says that the strokes reach our innermost parts.  Too many look at corporal punishment in light of the physical pain - but according to the Word of God - these strokes reach our innermost parts.  There is more than just physical pain in the flesh going on in the person receiving it.  There is something communicated to the "inner man."  There is warning - there is instruction - there is correction.  We remember the pain and honestly - the humiliation involved.  Corporal punishment is forced humility - which is something the proud need to humble them to obey the law - to obey what is best for their souls.  When it is over we think to ourselves - I won't do that again!

Where this is true of the physical - it is also true of the spiritual stripes that are delivered when we are experiencing the judgments and corrections of God.  Here is another thing that is rejected by most of the 21st century enlightened ones.  God would not punish - He does not judge!  They are indignant with the very thought of such a thing. 

God is an excellent parent - the best of the best.  His children need rules - need laws - need limits.  When they step over those limits there are consequences.  No matter how much we or our government want to create a world without consequences - such a world is NOT GOOD for us.  It is better that we experience the pain of what our disobedience brings - for such things keep us from future disobedience.  The consequences of our actions act like a loving stripe and a gracious stroke that will scour evil from our souls.  These things reach our very innermost being.  It would be wonderful if we would simply hear God's Word - obey it and be blessed 24 hours of every day.  But we are fallen - and we think we're smarter than God.  We disregard the instruction and forge on thinking that we really know better - or that the rules really don't apply to us.  Then the consequences of our actions come like stripes to our souls.  Those strokes reach our innermost parts and instruct us that we can ignore and contradict God - but we do so at the peril of our own safety and happiness.  God's scouring in these situations cleanses us and makes us much less interested in evil in the future. 

Stripes and strokes - whether physical or spiritual - are actually good for us.  Without them we will place too much trust in our own faulty conclusions when they contradict those of God, Who truly does know best.  Is all this pleasant?  Not in the least - but often the unpleasant is far more instructive to us than a world without any consequences or punishment.  Some describe this world without punishment or consequence as paradise.  In the end though, such a world is only a breeding ground for pride, arrogance, and a foolishness that will lead to destruction.  The school of stripes and strokes may seem severe to us now - but in the end they bring peace and joy as we learn the way of God's judgments and corrections - and how to avoid them through a life of submission and obedience to His infinitely wise ways.
 
 
Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs. Proverbs 19:2

Ever make a hurried decision - one that you did not take the time to think through carefully?  Ever start out in a direction - but you did not take the time to seek God - seek counsel from godly men and women? 

Yep . . . me too . . . and the results were not very pleasant at all.  That is exactly what this proverb tells us.  It is not good (the word here means agreeable, pleasant, or beautiful) for us to be without knowledge.  Making a hasty decision will usually result in a wrong direction - and a painful conclusion to a situation.  We take off with great expectations only to arrive with our hopes crushed by the problems we should have seen before we left. 

The word knowledge is very telling here.  It means to know - but has the idea of discernment.  This is the wisdom of looking into a decision and seeing ahead what it will lead to in the end.  It is knowledge and learning that results in discernment, insight, even notions concerning where we are going.  One way this was described was as a kind of foreknowledge.  You know that a decision is going to cause problems - thus you avoid it.  Kind of like the child knowing that if he smarts off to his mother, good things are not going to happen. 

Granted, we all don't have the time to submit every decision we make to a biblical think-tank so that we can avoid the bad ones.  But . . . we can seek the Lord - spend time daily in His Word - learn His ways and His thoughts from what is written - and decide to follow the instruction and leading of the Holy Spirit in every situation.  When we're not sure of a choice - we can talk with a godly man or woman to get advice.  Here's a place where texting could be a good thing!  It's also a place where young people could choose to value the perspective of someone older and wiser.

Our other option is to hurry our footsteps.  The word for hurry here means to be pressed and hasty in what we do.  Just a personal anecdote here may help.  The vast majority  of decisions where I was pressured to do something have turned out badly - some very badly.  Through too many train-wrecks I've learned that when a salesman tells me - you have to make a decision NOW - the best thing I can do is walk away - pray - and come back another day.  It is fascinating how often that very deal - or even a better one was available the NEXT DAY.  It is also interesting how often walking away led me to realize I really didn't need what they said I absolutely had to have NOW!  Absolutely for NOW . . . I need water, air . . . um . . . that's about all. 

He who hurries his footsteps - who bows to the pressure to get it now - to do it now - ERRS.  Errs is the word "hetah" and it means to miss the mark - to do wrong - to sin.  Oh how the hurried step is too often the sinful step.  The thoughtful step - is the wise one. 

I heard a great statement once that has greatly affected me over the years.  It goes like this.  "When you see a group of sheep being driven from behind - that's the butcher taking them for slaughter.  When you see a group of sheep with someone leading them from the front - that's the shepherd leading them to pasture."  So, just who is it that is driving you to make that decision now - urging you to just act - don't take time to think - to look at the consequences - to consider the end of the matter?  Does he have your best interests in mind?  I doubt it.  The One who has your best interests in mind is the Shepherd - oh, by the way, He's known as the Good Shepherd.  Learn to FOLLOW Him - for His desire is to lead you - not drive you.  He'll teach you and show you knowledge that will lead to footsteps that don't err.  His direction leads you in the paths of righteousness - to a desired end - to a place where you won't here "Real Dumb."  When Jesus leads you, you will hear - WELL DONE!
 
 
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24


Can a man have too many friends?  Is that what this passage is talking about - or - is it instructing us as to what kind of friends to make and to keep?

The "man of too many friends" is an interesting phrase.  The word friend here is a very vanilla term.  In order to know what kind of friend it refers to you have to understand the context.  Yet the second time "friend" is used - the word is very specific.

The man of too many friends is the one who wants everyone to be his friend.  He is willing to compromise who he is in order to make everyone his friend.  I love the comments by Adam Clarke on this part of the verse.

There is a kind of factitious friendship in the world, that, to show one's self friendly in it, is very expensive, and in every way utterly unprofitable: it is maintained by expensive parties. feasts, etc., where the table groans with dainties, and where the conversation is either jejune and insipid, or calumnious; backbiting, talebearing, and scandal, being the general topics of the different squads in company.   - Adam Clarke -


What happens to someone who has tons of friends - but is not interested in the "right kind" of friends?  They come to ruin.  This person may seem to be the most popular among everyone around, but what happens when they leave the room?  Then the knives come out - the gossip begins - and the fact that this person is everything for everyone betrays them.  These are what are called, "fast friends" who are there for you one day and the next are not.  They are not true friends who are with you no matter what. 

Solomon, as a king, knew about these people.  They are the sycophants who suck up to you when they are with you - and who tear you apart when you leave.  They are your friends because they want something - not because they actually like you or have any kind of commitment to your best interests.  But when things get difficult, or you lose some of your popularity or power, or you are no longer wealthy they no longer are your friends.  When you come to tough times - when you really need a friend - they are no longer there.  They were your friend only because of what you provided for them - and now that you cannot provide it - you're gone!

But, we read, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Here the word "friend" means "one who loves" - and is used to describe the love of husband and wife and the love that God has for us.  Here is the true friend - who is described as the one who loves you.  He sticks closer than even your family.  He is steadfast and true to you no matter what happens in your life.  His love is not a love FOR something - his is a love that chooses you and remains faithful and true to you for all time. 

Interesting that many of the puritans used this verse to describe the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is truly the friend who sticks closer than a brother.  He stands with and stays with us for all eternity.  He set His love and affection upon us from all eternity - and will remain our friend for all eternity.

So . . . what does a true friend look like?  How do we act as a true friend?  We love people like the Lord Jesus Christ loves them!  That is a true friend to have - and a true friend to be. 
 
 
He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Proverbs 17:9

Wait a minute?  Is God actually encouraging a cover-up?  Why should someone conceal a transgression?  Why would it be loving to not bring out a sinful situation? 

Solomon is not encouraging a cover-up, but rather is giving us wisdom as to how to be a loyal friend.  The one who is concealing the transgression - is one who is doing so out of love.  The love that this one seeks is a love that exists between husband and wife - a love between friends.  It is love and a loyalty to the one that we love that keeps us from repeating a matter - repeating a sin.  We choose to forgive and set such things aside.  Rather than bring up a sin again - we choose to conceal such things.  This is not a cover-up but rather forgiveness and releasing the one we love from having to constantly bear the guilt of their transgression before us. 

Solomon tells us that it is the one who "repeats a matter" who separates intimate friends.  The word "repeats" is so vital here.  It means that the issue has been brought up - it has been mentioned, but now it is over - and it will not be mentioned again - it won't be repeated!  There has been forgiveness. 

When there is NOT forgiveness, such a breach will separate even intimate friends.  This is the person who chooses to remind the one at fault again and again of their error.  And this will separate good friends.  The true friend - the one who seeks that intimacy with a friend - forgives and moves on - leaving the sin and choosing to remember it no longer. 

This is also true on a corporate scale within the church as well.  When we go about repeating the transgressions of others - i.e. when we go about gossipping concerning how others have sinned - we will separate the church - there will be a split!  Oh, how wise is the one who chooses to conceal the errors of others - rather than use them as a bludgeon to castigate them for their missteps.  We forgive - we move on - and we seek love in that relationship.  What we want is a return to intimacy and a restoration of relations.  A wise man will do such things.  A fool continues to tell others of their wrong - of how they blew it - and in the process - separates and splits things wide open. 

Seek love - choose to forgive and conceal the fact that they've blown it.  That is seeking love.