The lesser-known part of Proverbs 31

Today: Proverbs 30-31

Proverbs 31 contains perhaps one of the most talked-about passages in the Bible, particularly at womens' conferences (though I think there are now books and messages about "The Proverbs 31 Man," too!). This famous part of the chapter describes characteristics of a good wife (if you want to read my thoughts about it, check out this old blog post called "The Prov. 31 Woman: Mother Teresa Meets Ivanka Trump?").

I'm not going to write more about that part of the chapter today. Instead, I thought it would be interesting to think and write about the part of Proverbs 31 that precedes it. It's a section labeled "Speak out for Justice." This section records advice given to a man (King Lemuel, to be exact). His mother warned him not go after women who are gold-diggers or promiscuous. She also encouraged him not to get drunk and to stay level-headed. Her key advice for her son the king?

"Speak up for the people who have no voice,

for the rights of all the down-and-outers.

Speak out for justice!

Stand up for the poor and destitute!"

I love this. I love that it encourages leaders to use their voices, power and hands to help those in need. Another thing I find interesting? These are instructions directed to a man (though I think they really apply to anyone). I find that interesting because today, compassion-oriented causes are often driven by female volunteers and leaders. I'm not saying that female leadership is bad or that male leadership is better. But I do wish more men realized that "compassion" causes aren't just women's causes. When we work together--as men and women, as teens and Baby Boomers, as couples and singles--the better we can serve the people who need help from all of us. If you're breathing and you've got a voice (or a laptop or a pen and paper or some influence), use it!

Tomorrow: Ecclesiastes 1-4

What stood out most to you?

Today: Matthew 27-28

"What stood out most to you?" is probably one of the best questions for starting a discussion. (Try it some time after a movie, art exhibit, vacation or at a small group meeting).

After I read today's passage, I asked myself that question. I can't think of a specific theme today, so this will be a somewhat random collection of things that stood out:

• What would it be like to be infamous--marked by history as part of something evil? I'll admit--this is a really odd question. But I thought of it after reading about how the Pharisees purchased a field with the money Judas was paid to betray Jesus. Their actions were prophesied by Jeremiah--but a priest part of the situation probably felt like he was just "part of the crowd."
  
  
• The actions of one generation impact the next...and beyond. The people who demanded Jesus' death pleaded with Pilate to crucify Him. They said, ""We'll take the blame, we and our children after us." What kind of actions are we taking today that will impact the next generation?
  
  
• The patient love of Jesus. It baffles my mind to think of what He endured--unjustly--on the cross. He was beaten, mocked, misunderstood, and tortured by people who just didn't see Him for who He is. Yet through it all, He remained strong, kind, compassionate and determined. Wow.
  
  
• Something I never noticed before--people who came to life as Jesus died. This was an interesting thing to discover. What would it have felt like to be one of those people or one of their family members? What would be like to suddenly come to life again because someone else lost His? How would your life be changed?
  
  
• The resurrected Jesus first appeared to women. This is kind of interesting to me because of the culture at the time--women were second-class citizens. Why would God in the flesh show up first to them? Why would He entrust the message of His resurrection to them? Maybe it's just because they were there and they were faithful. I honestly don't know--but I think it's interesting.
  
  
• Some of the disciples missed out on seeing and worshipping Jesus after He came to life. I never really noticed this before, either. It says, "Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally." Hmm...this reminds me of the "What kind of investor is God?" post from a few days ago. All of Jesus' friends and followers weren't ready to go "all in" or live "all out" for Him.
  
  Can you imagine being one of those people...a few days or a few years later? I think I would have always wondered, "What would have happened if I would have been there? What if I could have seen Jesus one more time? What if I had lived on the edge and worshipped Him?"
  
  
• Before He left for heaven, Jesus made a promise. When I started reading Matthew, one of my first posts was about how God keeps promises...and how the writer of Matthew continually reminded us of them. It's interesting that as Jesus left the earth, His last recorded words in Matthew are a promise to us, "I'll be with you...day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
  

Tomorrow: Mark 1-3