On Alcohol Proverbs 20:1
"Abstinence is the best form of moderation," said St Augustine. For very few, with self-control, it’s an occasional enjoyment. For many, however, it’s a snare that eventually controls their lives. St Augustine spoke from both experience and observation. In today’s society, that forces self-imposed exile, despite seas of people in cities, it becomes a crutch that slowly encroaches, first as enjoyment, then in quick progression into an addiction. It doesn’t help that the media portrays it as sophisticated and trendy behaviour. The problem with all forms of addiction is that common sense is thrown out of the window. Only the abuse of the substance matters. The behaviour becomes worse, and the more addictive the drug. If you can stop, then do and “bugger” the consequences. You do this for your peace. If not, then temperance is your only hope. In small quantities, always give yourself less than the body desires. This way, control will be achieved. It’s a herculean task, but start one day at a time.
Susanna and the Elders
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On interacting with the wealthy Proverbs 20:2-3
Be careful of the rich and powerful. Don’t ingratiate yourself thinking that you will be easily accepted. You are a mere pawn, they use and discard as they please. Learn to strive and become rich and powerful in your own right. A pawn caught in the anger of the prideful will only suffer their wrath. Lean on wisdom, and ask her to guide you quietly. Toil and get there on your own. They will have no power over you and fear you, for you don’t think like them and the right hand of wisdom will be by your side. In regards to the Cantankerous and wrathful, stay away from these, for they are driven by their pride and imagine themselves, as gods.
Joseph interprets dreams
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On working hard and character Proverbs 20:4-9
Work hard when you are young, for it is the reward of the work that you will reap in old age. Keep far away from the lazy. They will take advantage of your hard work when you reap and are of no assistance when you call on them for help.
There is nothing that a man can truly hide. Character is a function of thought, speech, and action. I can’t see what you think, but it will manifest in speech and action.
Make integrity a part of your character. Don’t vocalize it, simply let it manifest. A good name is representative of good character and is inherited by offspring as a springboard in life.
I have never been in the presence of a King, but I have been in the presence of those that wield power. It’s both daunting and attractive. Human beings have a natural desire to be led, and a natural attraction to power. The king’s eyes see far and wide, what with spies in every part of the land. A righteous King will sieve out evil long before it gets to him
All men have fallen short, far short of God's glory, but he promises mercy as we struggle with a cycle of repentance and sin.
Bourgeois - Joseph recognised by his brothers
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On liars and cheats Proverbs 20:10-12
Diverse weights and measures are a reference to the trading world; traders profit from ignorance and conmanship. Our Lord calls it an ABOMINATION. It’s a strong condemnation. Diverse weights and measures apply to all of commerce. If you take unjustly from a customer, this applies to you. Examples include a Stock trader’s wrong advice and inflated commissions; Contractors using poor quality materials; A butcher that falsifies weights and so on. As for character, even children can be gauged based on action and speech.
On Seeking knowledge Proverbs 20:13-15
Stay away from the slothful, they may infect you. They will always be at your door soliciting sustenance. Stay away from them.
Let your search for knowledge be constant, never relent. Turn to the commandments and understand them. Seek a deeper understanding of each of the commandments, there is a great amount of literature on them. Familiarize yourself with it. Don’t doubt the wisdom of the ages. Simply practice, and the truth will become self-evident.
On inviting grief in your life Proverbs
20:16-21
Never give a guarantee to anyone. Don’t invite grief to yourself, even from offspring. The toil of many years can go up in flames in a single day, and you find yourself destitute. Look for another way to offer assistance, but guarantee nothing.
I like the words because they assume a conscience in the guilty party. If you have done this, pray to the almighty for mercy, and demonstrate your remorsefulness by never doing it again. As for those with hardened or calloused consciences, their lot is between them and their maker.
In all that you do, seek the counsel of the wise. Who is wise? He has developed an insatiable desire to follow the Lord's precepts.
Thought leads to character, which leads to speech, which leads to action. Listen and observe. All this is useless if you have no point of reference. Your point of reference is the commandments and a fear of the most high.
The fourth commandment comes with a promise of a blessed and successful life. It is the first of the commandments to a neighbour, it cannot be overemphasized. If you have vitriol for your parents, for any reason, say nothing, pray on it, but don’t you dare curse them. What are you without the life they gave you?
Need we go further than the parable of the prodigal son?
On being prudent and wise Proverbs 20:22-25
This takes us to the beatitude of meekness and humility. Do not take the law into your own hands even if you are capable of doing so. Subject yourself to the Lord and the relevant authorities to obtain justice.
Any kind of conmanship and all lies disguised as the truth is an abomination to the most high.
A man’s life can have many outcomes, but the Lord in his mercy guides him to what is best. We do have free will and can thus ignore any impulses to the light, but the Lord always guides us.
Making a vow to God is not something to be trifled with. In our society, this reverence for matters holy is not as profound as it was in the ancient world. Even the name of God was never to be uttered aloud, except in a synagogue, and only by the high priest. We may have become more casual today, but the mystery and might if the heavenly has not changed. Let us not treat casually what we do not completely understand.
Judith beheads Holofernes
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On what's in the heart Proverbs 20:26-28
A king’s ability to reach out to his subjects should not be underestimated. He has eyes and ears everywhere. A righteous king will winnow out all who plot against him.
In our Christian tradition, it is the soul that animates the body. It is a part of the most high, and thus guides us to him. Sin leads to callousness, and we ignore the souls calling. Keep sin at bay, and you will act on the yearnings of the soul.
I find those who wield power fascinating. For Kings, people simply accept the authority from one to the next. For republics, voting is done and people ascend to power. This is directed by God but driven by people. In the presence of power, flesh, and blood like you and I, we cower in fear, others curtsy, and bow; all to flesh and blood like you and I. There is a mystery around this, looked at objectively. The people that rule are as you and I, so why do we revere them? It must be wisdom. One cannot rule without a band of wise supporters; springboards to bounce thoughts and ideas off. No man can rule alone, for the thought of all that power, can easily introduce doubt, as to why people oblige. It is a matter of wisdom and to me a great mystery at the heart of our very existence. As for righteousness in the King or President, nothing establishes power so firmly. A population that sees justice served, and has full bellies, will keep you in power for as long as you desire. If the people want you to remain, you will; and their will is a reflection of wisdom.
On righteousness and justice Proverbs 20:29-21:3
The meaning is clear. Strive however to inculcate wisdom into the young. Imagine youth and wisdom together, how very potent. Please understand that book smarts are one thing, that schools and universities give us. Wisdom however requires first a personal touch, aimed at teaching younger minds useful habits, then hopefully they will fly on their own thereafter. Frankly, wisdom can be learned at any time in one’s life and is meant to be a lifelong activity.
This is a reference to sparing the rod and spoiling the child. Unfortunately, while the saying does have much truth, there has also been much abuse around it. I take the view that beyond the age of reason, say 9 or 10 years of age, any form of corporal punishment should stop. It is better to reason with children from an early age, and in the process help them with cognitive development. True love is recognized for what it is and makes children responsive. This is just my idea, am no child psychologist, but for what it’s worth, I use the same ideas on my children.
If you have power and wealth, know that it is the Lord that gives it to you. Reflect on this at all times lest you become puffed up with pride.
Is there anything that can be hidden from the Lord, he who looks into the deepest recesses of our hearts?
Your conduct in life, revering your maker and
adhering to the commandments, solicits favour from wisdom. Alms and sacrifices
of every kind are good to give, but righteous living is even better.
Enjoy