Proverbs 23:29-35 focuses on one topic and begins with six interesting questions: “Who has woe? … sorrow? … strife? … complaints? … needless bruises? … and bloodshot eyes?” (verse 29). In answer to these questions, the writer of Proverbs shares his divinely inspired observations and gives us the answer: “Those who linger over wine … who sample bowls of mixed wine …” (verse 30). He advises us not even to “gaze at wine” because alcohol is so deceptive. “It bites like a snake and poisons like a viper” (verse 32). The person who drinks alcohol – especially to excess – is “like one sleeping on the high seas lying on top of the rigging” (verse 34). Such a person cannot even find his way to bed and has no idea that he is being violently acted upon by something incredibly monstrous and way more powerful than he. Alcohol is like that. A drunken sailor does not know how he is mocked by it; he feels nothing until he awakens; and then he questions how he got so bashed up, bruised, and bloodshot. He wonders how his subtle, eventual addiction got such a hold on him. What he once thought he could control now controls him. Thus, he can’t wait to “find another drink” (verse 35). Chapter 24:1-4 tells us that wicked men can be monstrous, too. Wisdom suggests that we read the inspiration of Proverbs 20:1, and then commit ourselves before God to stay away from monsters.
Zephaniah is a very short and neglected prophecy. Zephaniah lived during the reign of the good king – Josiah – and he warned the people of Judah and Jerusalem that God was going to bring judgment on them for all their past sins of rebellion and rejection against God. In chapters 1:1-3:20, Zephaniah said, “‘I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,’ declares the LORD … ‘I will cut off man from the face of the earth’” (verses 2-3). This is a universal judgment that is yet coming, and it relates to “The great day of the LORD, which is near and coming quickly” (verse 1:14). The little book of Zephaniah contains at least nineteen direct or indirect references to the day of the LORD. Specifically, Zephaniah identifies judgment to fall on Judah (verses 1:4-1:13) and Jerusalem (verses 3:1-5). From this truth we can understand that – in the face of Jerusalem’s clear unbelief – Zephaniah was trying to hammer home the reality of God’s judgment. Notice what he said about Jerusalem: “She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God” (verse 3:2). But God will also judge her enemies – Philistia (verses 2:4-7); Moab and Ammon (verses 2:8-11); Cush (verse 2:12); and Assyria (verses 2:13-15) will all come to ruin. Thus, Zephaniah the prophet calls on all mankind to repent now - in the face of God’s full, forthcoming judgment. He warns, “Before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff … before the day of the LORD’s wrath comes upon you … seek the LORD …’ (verse 2:2-3).
Philippians 1:1-26 is such a joy to read! It informs us of Paul’s genuine love for the Lord and for the saints at Philippi – in spite of his chains. Paul wishes the Philippians “Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 2), and he says, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now …” (verses 3-5). Paul’s chains and his prison status have little effect on his life or testimony, for he says, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart” (verse 7). Their partnership with him and place in his heart meant everything to Paul – far more than the shackles on his arms and legs. He continues, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ” (verse 8). This whole chapter is a fitting illustration of how the love of Christ can bind us together in spite of the powerful control that others may exert over our own lives. If we must be bound by something external to ourselves, may we ever – like Paul – find our attachment to the Lord and His people ... and under His control.
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