From the Pen of Paul. . .

Gleanings from Proverbs (2)

As we continue to look at the Book of Proverbs, we see that another important theme of the Book is The Righteous and The Wicked. An individual's response to the alternatives offered to him during his lifetime determines to which one of these groups he belongs. By the definition given in the Proverbs, the righteous man will be righteous. The foolish individual is always walking on the edge of wrongdoing; it is very likely that he will end up among the wicked. The Proverbs, under this theme, describe the righteous life, the life of integrity, and the blessings that come with it, both for the individual and the community that he is a part of. God loves and protects the righteous; on the other hand, the wicked are the recipients of His wrath; if they seem to do well, it is only for a short time; ultimately they are headed for death and destruction. As we did with the theme of Wisdom and Folly—the wise man and the fool, let's look at several examples of this theme in the writings of Solomon.

Proverbs 10:3, 6-7, 20-21, 24-25, 27-32: "The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but He casteth away the substance of the wicked"; "Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot"; "The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom"; "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation"; "The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness."

These are just a sampling from only one chapter. Read the following for more on this theme: Proverbs 11:3-11, 17-21, 23, 28, 30-31; 12:2-3, 5-7, 10, 12-13, 21, 26, 28; 13:5-6, 9, 21-22, 25; 14:9, 11, 14, 19, 32; 15:6, 8-9. 26, 28-29; 16:8, 12-13; 17:13, 15; 18:5; 20:7; 21:3, 7-8, 10, 12, 18, 26-27: 24:15-16: 25:26; 28:1, 12, 28: 29:2, 6-7, 16, 27.

Another recurring theme in the book is Words and The Tongue. The writer places a great deal of stress on the power of words and speech, both for good and for evil. What we say, and how we react to what others say, really reveals what we are (see Matthew 12:34-37). This includes how we react to advice, rebuke, gossip, or even tempting suggestions. The tongue is a mighty force; it requires wisdom to master it as we also learn in James 3. These Proverbs are full of advice that is timeless.

Proverbs 10:18-21: "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom."

Proverbs 11:9: "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

Proverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight."

Proverbs 15:1-2: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."

Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

Proverbs 17:28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."

Proverbs 29:11: (Note: This one is for all those who boast, "I just say what's on my mind, and let the chips fall where they may.") "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."

Read the following for more on this theme: Proverbs 10:31-32; 11:11-14; 12:6, 14, 17-19; 13:2-3: 14:5, 25: 15:4, 23; 16:1, 23-24, 27-28; 17:4, 7, 27; 18:4, 6, 13, 20-21: 19:5, 9: 20:19; 21:6, 23; 22:10; 25:11, 15, 23, 27: 26:20-28; 27:2; 28:23; 29:20.

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" (James 3:5).
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Two Accounts of Creation?

"Why are there two accounts of the creation of man in the book of Genesis?"

We do not have two different accounts of the creation of man in the book of Genesis. Genesis 1:26-27 tells of God creating man on the sixth day. It tells us that God created male and female which started the human race. Genesis 2 is not another account of another creation of man. Genesis 2 deals with a more detailed account of the creation of Adam and Eve.

Genesis 1:26-27 only deals with the fact that God made man to be over the things of earth. It also states that man was made in the image of God. It tells us that God made male and female. But Genesis 1:26-27 does not deal in detail about the creation of man and woman. God wanted man to know more about his origin and so in Genesis 2 He gives a discussion about the matter.

Genesis 2 tells us a number of things about man and his creation that are not mentioned in Genesis 1:26-27. Genesis 2 tells us that God made man from "the dust of the ground" (Gen. 2:7). It tells us that God breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). It also tells us that "man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7). It should be noted that man is a "living soul" not a dying soul. Man has something about him that will never die and that is his soul. All of the other created things do not have this uniqueness about them. The beast of the field and the fowl of the air do not have a living soul. Man and man alone possesses this. God wanted us to know this about man, and so we have Genesis 2:7. These are not mentioned in Genesis 1:26-27.

Genesis tell us about the first home of man. God made a garden in which man was to dwell, and it was called the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:8-15). Genesis 2 tells us about the restrictions God placed on man while he was to dwell in Eden (Gen. 2:15-17). Neither of these things is mentioned in Genesis 1:26-27.

Genesis 2 tells us that it was not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). Genesis 2 tells us about Adam naming all the living creatures (Gen. 2:19-20). Genesis 2 tells us how the woman came into being. It tells us that God caused Adam to go into a deep sleep, and from his side God took a rib and closed up the flesh thereof (Gen. 2:21). Genesis 2 tells of God bringing the woman to the man and what the man had to say about the matter (Gen. 2:22-24). Genesis 2 tells us why the female was called "woman" (Gen. 2:23). None of these things are mentioned in Genesis 1:26-27. God wanted us to know about these things.

Genesis 2 tells us about how we are to love each other as husband and wife. We are to leave all and cleave to each other (Gen. 2:24). Genesis 1:26-27 does not mention this.

I have one person that has flooded me with mail about the two accounts of creation in Genesis. He thinks he has made one of the biggest discoveries of the age with reference to this, I suppose. He, like most other atheists, has not one particle of Biblical interpretation about him. His head is filled with muddy water when it comes to this matter. Most atheists declare how void of Bible knowledge they really are every time they open their mouths on Bible subjects.
—Malcolm L. Hill