David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Proverbs 10-12, Psalm 135.

Proverbs 10:1-12

The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
² Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
³ The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
⁴ A slack hand causes poverty,
    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
⁵ He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
⁷ The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.
⁸ The wise of heart will receive commandments,
    but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
⁹ Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
¹⁰ Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
¹² Hatred stirs up strife,
    but love covers all offenses.

The movie A Great Awakening is about the relationship between Ben Franklin and the evangelist George Whitefield during the First Great Awakening. An early scene from the movie has Ben with the others in the Continental Congress. One delegate is speaking on and on while Ben sits quietly, seemingly bored by the many words of his political opponent. Suddenly the verbose speaker stops and takes verbal a jab at Franklin. “What about Mr. Franklin? He seems not to have much to say. What do you have to say, Mr. Franklin? What do you think?” Ben answers, “I think that he who speaks much thinks he has much to say.”

That’s a pithy comment, and what’s more it’s a reflection of Proverbs 10:8, “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.” And Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.”

Solomon is writing to his son about the way to make good decisions, avoid failures of all types, and stay on the straight and narrow. These are words of wisdom founded upon the fear of the LORD, and the ways of God’s commandments.

I was struck by the two times in these verses from chapter 10 Solomon mentions babbling fools. He is reminding us that the wise will listen carefully and speak prudently. We need not go on and on to make our point – whether in argument or in an attempt to persuade. Words of truth bury themselves deep in the hearts of the wise. God warns us against getting taken in by smooth talking babblers, and teaches us to speak words that refresh the spirits of all who hear.

Jesus speaks differently than the babblers of this world. His words are not manipulative, deceptive, or empty. His words are spirit and life. He speaks truth that take root deep in the hearts of the wise. He warns, comforts, forgives, and restores. And when he speaks, sinners hear not condemnation, but grace. His word has rung true through the ages and will echo through the eons of eternity.

Click here, or on the image below for the Bible Project Video on Proverbs