Proverbs__25
Scripture
Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. Observation-What does it say? This group of proverbs, written by Solomon, were collected and revived into worship during the reign of Hezekiah. Hezekiah’s reign was documented in the books of 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29. He was the son of Ahaz, who robbed the temple of it’s gold and led Judah to be nearly destroyed. Hezekiah’s primary concern was to bring the temple back to its purpose, which was the worship of the Lord. “He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side and said: “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary” (2 Chronicles 29:4-5). In this particular collection of Solomon’s proverbs, comparisons are employed more than contrasts to display truths of God (i.e. a good word is like snow in the time of harvest, unexpected and refreshing). These comparisons are coupled with instructions on how to live in a way that honors God. Understanding-What does it mean? I’m not a total weirdo, but I have been listening to Christmas music since December 26, 2019. Not everyday, but a lot since I have had the “Charlie Brown Christmas” soundtrack in the CD player in my car that whole time. It seems passe to even have a CD in a car nowadays, similar to having an 8-track player in a car in the early 90’s. Nevertheless, I listen to the soundtrack of my favorite movie, by my favorite jazz group, which reminds me of my favorite time of year. Throughout the whole movie, Charlie knows something is missing from his Christmas experience. We even get a visual contrast, in that tiny Christmas tree contrasted against the ‘big aluminum tree’, of what the world expects of the time of year of the celebration of Christ’s birth. The climax of the movie, brought on by Charlie’s cry, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus steps up, “Lights please!”, and quotes Luke 2:8-14 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Even amidst the craziness of Christmas, it is important to take the time to remember that we are called to adopt the attitude which was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8), an attitude of a servant. “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28). Jesus embodied the spirit of this proverb and was constantly a thorne in the side of the Sadducees and Pharisees. But it His love that draws us in close to him still, nearly 2000 years after his death. In the movie, the moment Christ’s love is made apparent is the moment that the whole Peanuts gang begins to care for more than the glitz of the season and the tree comes into a new life. Life Application Jesus, beyond the presents and the songs, help me to be a servant during this time of year and this upcoming year. Help me prepare myself for the upcoming season of fasting. Fill my heart with your joy to a point of overflowing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u3Ia6msMFw -Tyler Galloway