Day 152 - Ruth 3 & Proverbs 1:8-33

 Julie

This chapter is a big change from all of the others. It feels like the first time since we began that people weren't trying to steal, coerce, or trick anyone into doing things. It's kind of refreshing to read about a woman that is being portrayed as someone that is considered righteous instead of a "wicked" woman, for lack of a better term. All of the previous chapters really did portray women as devious, but this one talks about the goodness of Ruth.

The remaining part of Proverbs 1 exemplifies what will happen to those that intend to do bad things or fall in with the wrong people. It also shows how God will respond to those that don't heed the wisdom of God or fear the Lord and continue on the wrong path.

 

Michelle

I had different expectations as I read this than what actually happened.  It surprised me that she was not taken advantage of as in past readings.  Boaz seems to genuinely want to help her and is kind in his words and actions.  This is different from previous readings.  

The beginning of this section is called "Warning against the Invitation of Sinful Men" and tells not to follow those that seek to do harm to others or take their property.  It says that those who go after ill gotten gain only harm themselves and take away their own lives.  The second is Wisdom's Rebuke.  It says that those who refuse to listen to wisdom and follow her teachings will find harm and those that listen and will live in safety.  The devotional for this section is interesting and makes you think about where you are today.  It's called "Perpetual Puberty".  It talks of when you are in Junior high and still in the learning phase, when it wasn't cool to listen to authority, when sarcasm and spite peppered our speech, when we thought we knew it all.  It says that wisdom was there the whole time and we chose to ignore it.  I can see this is the case.  It goes on to say that we are like a teenager stuck in perpetual puberty, or we can be this way.  Solomon describes the unwise as those who "delight in mockery", reject help, and ignore advice (verses 22-25).  He goes on to say that those who reject God's knowledge will "eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes", or we will reap what we sow, or get what we deserve.  It goes on to ask if you are stuck in perpetual spiritual puberty.  Here are some signs discussed;  You constantly worry about what others think of you, you overreact to stressful situations, you're too proud or stubborn to listen to those older and wiser, you stay with one group and ridicule others.  If you find yourself in any of these then it's time to seek wisdom in God's word.  According to Solomon, wisdom comes from listening to God and obeying him.  I found this devotional very convicting.