I would like to say I have some great insight into all of these Proverbs...I don't. I just read them, pray over them and ask God to speak to me. Today, I got stuck on two verses. I read everything else, but I just could not figure out these two verses!
v8 "A bribe (gift) is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!"
v23 "The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice."
To Bribe or Not to Bribe, that is the question...
All through school (many, many years of school) I have been told that bribes are bad, just like verse 23. So, what is verse 8 about?
I think the overall idea of bribes is bad, but they can be used for good. I was told a story from a missionary about being stopped by the police. Their guide for the trip game the police some money and some items and the mission continued. Was this immoral? I do not think so because it turned the heart of the police office. Was it done in secret? The guide who was giving the bribe did not do this in secret and everyone discussed how the world and the ancient world worked with these "gifts". They were expected and kept the peace and allowed things to continue. I also think how I use food or fellowship to get (bribe) friends and family to church....hmmmm.
Proverbs 21:14 "A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury."
So, should we go out and bribe people? No way, but I think God will use something bad to bring a greater good. Remember Rahab? Joshua 2:1-9, she lied to protect God's people. Does God tolerate lying? Absolutely not, but in this case, a greater good came from it and Rahab and her family were sparred.
This is not a contradiction, but great verses to think about and pray over.
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The wise keep their eyes focused on wisdom. There are so many things going on in life that it is easy to get distracted. Even finding time to spend in God's word can seem impossible. I need to adjust my priorities in life. I will find time for what I think is important. I just need to remember that *nothing* I am doing today, no matter how important I think it is, would be possible without God.
Even the foolish seem wise when they keep their mouth shut. I often find myself sticking my foot in my mouth and saying something inappropriate or hurtful to someone else. It's not like I am trying to hurt anyone but the end result is the same. I pray that God will give me His wisdom to filter what I say. May everything that comes out of my mouth glorify God is some way.
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