On one occasion, Jesus was walking along the road with his disciples and he had a number of conversations with others walking alongside concerning following him in earnest. To the last one mentioned he had the following conversation:
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62)
A first glance, one may consider that Jesus’ responses to these people were a bit tough, but he was aware of things they did not yet understand. Firstly, he was aware of their motivations. Then, he was aware of the cost of following him (considering all that would follow in Jesus’ life) and he did not want them to be deceived into thinking that life following the Son of God would be easy.
And so, he summarizes the reality of following wholeheartedly with an illustration of a farmer plowing a field in order to prepare it for seeding and eventually a harvest. One could hardly imagine a diligent farmer getting half way through and then deciding to give up because it was just too hard.
The message of Proverbs is similar. It speaks of two paths or ways – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.
Nielson summarizes the messages of the two paths as follows:
“In short, if the message of the first instruction was to stay off the bad guys’ path; the message of the second was to seek the good path; and the message of the third was to walk this path obediently – finding blessing along the way; then the message of the fourth instruction is to keep on this path to the end, not losing our way.” (# 55)
Living the way God desires of us, and that in a way that is for our own good, requires the application of all four of these in our lives – and that to the very end of our lives!
So, what are some things we need to know from Proverbs today to help us on the way? Read the following and take note of what God is speaking to your heart today:
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you…
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet … 26for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
But the author is not only concerned for his own rewards from living for God, he is also concerned for others. Keller says that that here in verses 27-30 we find that a life of wisdom has “a concern for justice.”
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
Keller continues: “The good that we must give to our neighbor means practical aid for an economic or physical need. It is striking that the text adds that this is not simply a matter of charity but is your neighbor’s due. To not care for them when they are in need is not merely a lack of charity; it is injustice… Verse 28 goes even further and tells us not to delay doing good. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-36) defines our neighbor as anyone we encounter who is in need.” (# 51)
This is then followed by some practical things to avoid and the reasons for this:
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways. 32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
Having been a follower of Jesus for over 50 years now, I acknowledge that it has not been easy, and I have known times when I was tempted to look back and give up. There have been reasons for this. For example, such things as difficult situations I have found myself in, difficult choices I have had to make, and my own sin and rebellion overwhelming me. But, by the grace of God, He has enabled me to press on and (even though I have stumbled often) to “stay off the bad guys’ path … to seek the good path … to walk this path obediently – finding blessing along the way … and to keep on this path to the end, not losing [my] way.” (# 55)
It has often been my prayer to “finish well,” claiming his promise in Philippians 1:6 that the God who started this great work in [me] would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Message)
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 