Garden Grove, California - United Church of God
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Weekly Sabbath Thought 10-17-09
"Beauty in a woman without good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout" (Pr. 11:22, GNB).
Expositor's Bible Commentary gives this insightful remark: "The description is of a woman with no moral sensibility, no propriety--unchaste. She is compared to a pig with an ornament. Why join a beautiful ornament and an unworthy body? The pig will not know its value. So is a woman who has no discretion."
Weekly Sabbath Thought 9-26-09
Pr. 11:21, "Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will escape" (God's Word Bible).
God's just retribution is certain, although it might take time. "Certainly," (literally, "hand to hand"), means that it is sure. Those who avoid the punishment are called, literally, the "seed of the righteous," a phrase that describes the righteous.
Weekly Sabbath Thought 9-19-09
Pr. 11:20, "Devious people are disgusting to the LORD, but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent" (God's Word Bible).
Devious people have what is called here a "perverse heart" and refers to a twisted mind, one whose thoughts are toward evil. This is an abomination to God. Conversely, to please God one should follow a straight and blameless course of life.
Weekly Sabbath Thought 9-12-09
Pr. 11:18, "Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows
righteousness reaps a sure reward" (Hebrew Names Bible).
The thought here is that although wicked people can materially
prosper, those gains are cursed and will in the end produce bad fruit.
But those that earn their wages honestly, will have their gains blessed
by God. - Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought 9-5-09
Pr. 11:17, "You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself" (Good News Bible).
Pr. 11:17-19 could be titled, "Reaping the consequences." This first verse is applied to relationships, and the term "merciful" or "kind" is in Hebrew hesed, or steadfast love--the type God has. Elijah answered Ahab that it was Ahab, and not him, who was troubling or hurting Israel and himself (1 Kings:18:17-18[17]And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?[18]And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.).
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought 8-29-09
Pr. 11:16, "A charming woman wins respect; high-handed men win only wealth" (Moffatt translation).
Scripture tells us ruthlessness is not the right way to the top. Instead, with charm, graciousness and hard work you can get there much better.
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought for 8-22-09
Pr. 11:15, "If you promise to pay a stranger's debt, you will regret it. You are better off if you don't get involved" (Good News version).
Scripture tells us to sign a co-loan or to get in debt for a stranger, although you might feel sorry for him, is a most dangerous thing--as many have learned to their sorrow. Maybe some will do it for a trusted and faithful friend, but no one should feel obligated to do so for a stranger--it can be foolish and costly.
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought for 8-15-09
Pr. 11:14, "Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory."
The term "guidance" in Hebrew is a nautical term for steering a ship. Even the most skilled sea captain can't do it all himself. He needs help and counsel to steer a ship to port. So God's Word tells us we do well to seek advice among good counselors before making an important decision.
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought for 8-8-09
Here is one of the best descriptions of our future resurrection made by Benjamin Franklin about what he wanted written in his tombstone:
"The body of Ben Franklin, Printer (Like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding) lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be lost; for it will (as he believed) appear once more in a new and more elegant edition revised and corrected by the Author."
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
Weekly Sabbath Thought
Pr. 11:13, "No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy" (Good News Bible).
As the Hebrew brings out, this is the talebearer, "the walking busybody, the trader in scandal; whatever was confided to him he is sure to publish abroad. The word means a hawker, or travelling peddler. Such are always great newsmongers; and will tell even their own secrets, rather than have nothing to say" (Clarke's Commentary).
- Submitted by Mario Seiglie
