Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Proverbs 16:31-33

Righteous living.
v.31 Gray hair. The proverb indicates that long life is the result of righteous living. This is a general principle of course and doesn't include the case of an old wicked man or a righteous man who dies young. The idea is that the wise (those that walk righteously) grow old while the fool (those who walk as seems right to them) dies prematurely. See Lv 19:32.
v.32 Slow to anger. He who is slow to anger and rules his spirit is better than the mighty man who conquers a city. Those who are patient can see things more clearly. Strength in war is sometimes needed, but in general it is better to be patient and in control of oneself than in control of others.
v.33 The lot is cast. All decisions come from the Lord, even if die are cast. God determines the future. In the Old Testament, leaders cast the Urim and Thummim because they believed God would determine the outcome. Proverbs 16 ends as it began with a word about God's sovereignty.

Read Proverbs 16:31-33

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