September 18, Day 261 – “Do Not …”

Proverbs 22:28-23:9; Isaiah 41-42;

Galatians 3:10-25

"The Place of Safety" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Panel

Today’s readings in Proverbs 22:28-23:9 contain practical wisdom about ordinary activities in life – honoring our forefathers, recognizing skilled workers, dining as the guest of a dignitary, pursuing money properly, and using our words prudently. Here in these chapters, the writer includes fourteen “do not” statements, of which we encounter six – almost half of them – in our verses for today.  These negations are strong admonitions of conventional wisdom – not necessarily the rule of law – but they reflect a person’s motives.  The writer warns, “Do not move an ancient boundary stone; do not crave the delicacies of a ruler; do not wear yourself out trying to gain wealth – have the wisdom to show restraint, for riches are quickly gone; do not eat the food of a stingy man whose heart focuses merely on the cost but not on the welfare of his guest; again, do not crave his delicacies [either]; and do not speak to a fool because he will scorn your wisdom” (verses 22:28-23:9).  The lesson here is clear:  our behavior should be grounded in impeccable motives, and we should not invest our time, efforts, and resources in foolish people (verse 9).

In Isaiah 41-42, the LORD reveals that “He is the One Who called out Israel to be His servant – to “thresh the mountains” (verses 9 and 15).  God intended that Israel should serve His purposes.  But Israel fell into idolatry, and in doing so, the people rejected God’s call to His high and holy purpose.  Thus, in Isaiah’s format of a court-case, God established a proof-test for Israel and all its false gods:  “Present your case,” says the LORD.  Set forth your arguments … bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen … declare to us the things to come … tell us what the future holds … so that we may know that you are gods” (verses 21-23).  This is the real test of truth.  Because God alone orders the future, only He knows what it holds.  Idols – which “are less than nothing” (verse 24) – cannot know anything, cannot determine anything, and cannot answer anything.  As such, false gods are thus contrasted in chapter 42 with the One true Servant of the LORD.  Of course, this literary motif pictures the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.  The book of Isaiah contains four different “Servant of the LORD” songs, and chapter 42, verses 1-4 is the first one.  Of Christ, the LORD says, “He is my chosen One in Whom I delight” (verse 1).  Here, we see the Servant’s ministry (verses 5- 17) and His reprimand of “deaf and blind Israel for overlooking the true Servant of the LORD” and for failing in their own servant ministry as “a light for the Gentiles” (verses 6 and 18-25).

In Galatians 3:10-25, we learn that our inheritance depends, not on the law, but on a promise, which God in His grace gave to Abraham (verse 18).  Grace is something altogether different from law.  Paul says that “the law was added because of transgressions, until the Seed (i.e., Christ) –  the One to Whom this promise referred – had come” (verse 19).  The law was “put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” in Him (verse 24).  Although the law does not oppose the promises of God (verse 21), it “cannot impart life” (verse 21), therefore, righteousness can only come to us “through faith in Jesus Christ” (verse 22).  Under the law, we are bound to it, and we must keep and uphold it.  However, our universal inability to keep the law becomes a curse  – a noose around our necks. By His substitutionary death on our behalf, Christ took upon Himself  that curse so as to secure our redemption, to justify us, and to liberate us from the stranglehold of the law of sin, slavery, and death (verses 23-24).