Today, we'll focus most of our attention on our Proverbs reading with only a brief comment on Exodus 26. May God bless our study!
Read Proverbs 18:1-12
Many of today's proverbs have to deal with how we use our speech. We are wise if we guard our mouth and choose our words carefully. We see in verse two that the fool delights in expressing his opinion (even though he doesn't know what he's talking about), but the wise takes pleasure in understanding. How often have we heard fools spouting off at the mouth when they should have kept silent. It makes me wonder if people have thought the same thing about me. I'm sure they have. We all like to express our opinions - often when we shouldn't.
Are my words a fountain of wisdom, a bubbling brook, meaningful as deep as deep waters (v. 4)? Or are my words full of contempt and dishonor (v. 3)? Do I spread gossip and listen to slander (v. 8)? Or do I keep quiet, restrain words, and rejoice in understanding (17:27)?
It is easy to recognize which is the better when we sit and think about it. It's easy to resolve to be wiser, smarter, more careful with our words. It's hard to live that out.
Jesus chose his words carefully. He never slandered, never gossiped, never spoke ignorantly or rashly. He spoke Words of wisdom, words of grace, words of love. Even in his final hours he was silent when it was wise for him to be quiet, and he called out when it was for our good. He called out for our forgiveness as he was being nailed to the cross. He called out to his Father, commending his spirit into his hands. He sighed. He died.
He rose. He sends his Spirit. He fills us, enlivens us, and makes us wise. Through Jesus we have forgiveness for all our foolish words. Through Jesus we have the Spirit of strength to help us choose our words more carefully. And above all, we are privileged to speak words of grace, words of forgiveness, words about Jesus.
Read Exodus 26
The reading from Exodus is a little tedious, but we must remember that this is still God's Word, and therefore has something to say to us. A quote from the Lutheran Study Bible will help unpack the meaning for us: "The tabernacle is laid out according to the specifications God gave on the mountain...Worship is not spontaneous or haphazard but is carefully organized to honor the Creator, who set creation in order by carefully arranging space, boundaries, and the passage of time...Today, organized worship, patterned on God's Word and the life of our Savior, honors God's works of creation, redemption, and sanctification, by which He makes us His beloved people" (TLSB p. 142).
Pray:
Heavenly Father, teach us by Your Holy Absolution to keep both our lips and our ears from the evil that may be spoken of others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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