Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear people.
Becki just exclaimed at how pretty the sky is to the east—with its blending of brilliant magenta. But then there’s the warning—“Red at night, sailor’s delight. Red in the morning, sailor’s warning.” But, since I don’t plan to go sailing today, I think I’ll be OK.
I had better get on with the day. Places to go, people to see, and things to do. Blessings.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Solomon is here describing the mindset of an adulteress. She is a demonstration of the lifestyle that easily flows from the NATURAL SIN NATURE—which could also be tagged LIVING STUPID. It’s a lifestyle and worldview governed by feelings rather than any serious search or concern for truth and accountability to Sovereign God—the Maker of life—yet “She gives no thought to the way of life.” “IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT!” is a standard that resonates with this typical self-centered mindset. But it’s not exclusive to a female adulteress—it defines the male adulterer too. In fact, anyone, even unmarried people, even youth, can be caught up in the essence of adultery—even without engaging in sexual perversity—when we understand that God has created us all to serve Him faithfully and exclusively in a close passionate love relationship. Once again, that’s why we’re here. If we entertain any kind of argument against that fundamental thesis of Biblical revelation, we too can fall prey to at least giving inadequate “thought to the way of life” prescribed by our Maker, and be like one who “knows it not.”
David expounds on the same phenomenon of godlessness. “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin” (Psalm 36:1-2). I accept his observation as consistent with healthy balance. It’s not necessary to view David as being consumed with arrogantly throwing stones of contempt at those rotten sinners. Rather, it’s a way to identify an ugly option available to all of us as we navigate the mine field of life within the context of a fallen world. It just makes so much sense to do life in harmony and partnership with the One Who made life. “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Wow! Amen! So be it!