Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30 Jan 11
Greetings, dear people.
Yes…it’s afternoon now, we’ve been to church, and eaten some lunch. I had actually composed this devotional early…but Becki wasn’t here to critique it for me and serve as editor consultant. So I’ve waited it till now.
Last evening, Becki and her sister, Lorna, were returning from a family event in Portland. Lorna was driving her vehicle. With no warning, after passing through an intersection, THUMP!—they hit a pedestrian. Following all that trauma, Becki decided to spend the night with her sister. Fortunately, there were plenty of witnesses to attest to the fact that Lorna was definitely NOT in the wrong. The young lady was life-flighted to a hospital with multiple injuries…but I understand is not in critical condition…thank the Lord! She is 20 years old. Pray for her. Anyway…that’s why Becki was not here this morning.
We have a lot more on the day’s agenda. Better get. Blessings.
Love, Dad/Ray
30 January 2011
Proverbs 30
Focus: “The leech has two daughters. ‘Give, give!’ they cry.” Proverbs 30:15.
Verse 5 of this chapter says, “Every word of God is flawless.” I believe that. However, sometimes the translation and meaning of parts of what we call THE WORD OF GOD (the Bible) presents some real linguistic challenges and difficulties. We have some of that going on surrounding the theme verse I’ve selected above.
The KJV translates the subject of this thought as “horseleach,” which some have taken to mean something like reins used in guiding and controlling a horse. But here in the NIV it is translated “leech”—one of those ugly little creatures that live to attach themselves to a host and suck their blood. That’s quite a contrast in meaning. Without taking a lot of time to study original words and texts, I did take some time to compare this verse in several translations. It looks to me like the leeches win—most all Bible scholarship translates the main idea as “leech.”
So what? Is there any worthwhile meaning here for us? My own imagination says, “Yes.” All I need to do is consider the word “leech” as it is commonly used to describe people who are lazy, irresponsible, and unproductive members of society. Their lifestyle and attitudes seem to say to others around them, “Give, give to me…so that I can take, take!” The similar word used in Proverbs (NIV) to describe this kind of person is “sluggard”—not a very respectable or successful state of being.
Consider these admonitions from Paul (which we believe to be expressions of God’s FLAWLESS WORD): “He who has been stealing ( or “leeching”) must steal (or “leech”) no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands…” (Ephesians 4:28) “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) “’If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle (or “leeches”)…Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).
An overarching bottom line to this approach is: God blesses godly perseverance and despises “leeching.”
“He who rolls up his sleeves seldom loses his shirt.”