Day 10

Genesis 23:1–24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6

ALTHOUGH WE’RE ONLY a week and a half into the adventure through the Bible this year, we’ve covered significant ground. We’ve moved through more than a millennium in time and a thousand miles together —but before we move forward, let’s recap briefly. In Genesis, we’ve discovered our origin story, which gave us context for how things in the world got the way they are. We’ve journeyed through the story of Adam and Eve and humanity’s spiral downward, which resulted in a great flood. We’ve read the story of Noah. We’ve also met Abraham, whose family touches everything else that happens in most of the Bible.

Today, the second generation after Abraham took center stage as Isaac’s mother, Sarah, departed in death. Abraham secured a family burial field and cave called Machpelah, among the Hittites in the city of Hebron. The city still exists today, as does the burial cave; it’s one of the holiest places in the world for Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike.

Abraham had become a very old man with little time left on his human journey. But before he died, he wanted to ensure that Isaac had a suitable spouse, not only to carry forward the family tree but also to protect the promise. The dramatic search back into Abraham’s former homeland introduced us to the lovely Rebekah.

In the New Testament, a ranking Roman officer —a man acquainted with and accustomed to power —came to Jesus, pleading for healing for his servant. He didn’t order (or even ask) Jesus to leave what He was doing to travel to heal the servant. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home,” he said. “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it” (Matthew 8:8-9). Jesus was astonished at the officer’s faith, and the bedridden servant was healed.

In both our Old and New Testament readings today, the counsel of the book of Proverbs was lived out in living color:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

With these examples, we are given a road map for our own lives. From this proverb, we receive a succinct encapsulation of the underlying wisdom. This will often be the case with Proverbs because it is the centerpiece of the Wisdom Literature of the Bible. Wisdom Literature speaks in a direct but poetic manner, as opposed to narrative style, in which a story is told and meaning is gleaned. Wisdom Literature speaks volumes in sentences.

To truly appreciate the sayings in Proverbs for what they are, we must understand that these are the collected wisdom of the ages distilled and disseminated largely by Israel’s third king (who is renowned to this day for his wisdom), Solomon.

Using surprisingly few words, these proverbs have the power to cut through the clutter and shake us awake. If we’ll pay attention to the proverbs each day, take hold of them, and guard them as the key to life (Proverbs 4:13), they will rescue us when we’re about to step into foolishness and lead us wisely in every decision we make.

MEDITATION:

The LORD is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.