Provoking Proverbs: Wisdom and the Ten Commandments

 

Published by Concordia, who kindly sent me a copy to review, Provoking Proverbs by David Lawrence Coe takes the unique approach of linking biblical wisdom with the Ten Commandments.  

 

This study guide, which can be adapted for personal use and/or group discussion, displays bars and side bars laid out nicely, so readers can readily find what they’re looking for in a font that’s easy on the eyes.

 

In 160 pages, the paperback connects scriptures, quotes from Martin Luther, thought-provoking questions, and suggestions for applying biblical truths. Anyone interested in biblical wisdom in general and God’s guidance in particular will likely come to new insights as study progresses.

 

To give you an idea, Chapter 3 of Provoking Proverbs focuses on The Third Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” The author then asks, “What does this mean?” and offers a response in a subsequent paragraph:

 

“If keeping the First Commandment is fearing, loving, and trusting in God with your heart, and keeping the Second Commandment is fear, loving, and trusting in God with your lips, then keeping the Third Commandment is fearing, loving, and trusting in God with your ears. Luther teaches that the Third Commandment is a gift of time given by God (1) for rest and refreshment after a week of work and (2) for hearing and learning God’s Word. In this chapter, we’ll learn that the Third Commandment pairs labor with leisure, vocation with vacation, and responsibility with recreation. God wants us to work hard and play hard.”

 

The chapter continues with relevant proverbs from the book of Proverbs, but also from other wisdom books in the Old Testament and the New. You’ll even find commonly accepted social proverbs often quoted by one’s parents or culture!

 

Then as with each chapter, a pertinent prayer concludes the discussion as does this one from Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation:

 

“We thank You, kind Father, that You give us time to hear Your Holy Word. Grant that fearing and loving You, we may set aside our work to receive Your Son’s words, which are spirit and life, and so, refreshed and renewed by the preaching of Your Gospel, we might live in the peace and quietness that come through faith alone; we ask it for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

 

May the Lord give us ample wisdom in the days to come.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, poet-writer, reviewer

 

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Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible

The Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible, which Concordia Publishing House kindly sent me to review, makes a wonderful Christmas gift (if ordered right now!) However, in its attractive gift case, this hardback edition makes a thoughtful gift any time for anyone, especially since it uses a 10.5 font size that most of us can easily read.

In addition to the accurate and clear English Standard Version, this Bible includes over 700 devotions relevant to the text. For example, the heading “Delight In God” quotes Job 27:10, “Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?”  In the devotional that follows, “Job asked if the godless would take delight in the Almighty and call upon Him. The obvious answer is no. Why would they? But do we delight in God?” If so, then….

“How do we reveal our delight in God? One way that Job indicated is to ‘call upon God at all times,’ especially in thanksgiving and praise. But how can we do this when we go through suffering as Job did? Our delight in God does not depend on our outward circumstances, but on who God is, on what He has done and continues to do for us.”

For another example, the prophetic word of Hosea 6:2 tells us, “On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” Then the devotional entitled “For A Little While” reminds us:

“Though we suffer now, we have an eternal perspective. For a little while, the Lord says, we will suffer the woes of the sinful flesh. But the third day is coming – the third day of resurrection.

“Easter morn meant that no suffering, disease, or death could touch Jesus again. It was also God’s promise to us of our resurrection day to come….”

With Christmas presently only a few days away, we’re reminded of Luke 2:20 when, “…the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” 

The devotional “The Night of Hope” follows that scripture of the Nativity then goes on to say:

“As you read the Christmas story anew, focus on Jesus. Focus on God’s love for you in the babe of Bethlehem, born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. There He is in an animal shelter, having come to be your Savior. Don’t focus on your losses, failing health, tragic disappointments, or wretched sins. Focus instead on that glorious One who came to remove the stain of your sins and fill your heart with hope. This hope is for you and all humanity.”

As occurs in each devotional in this edition, those faith-building words end with a pertinent prayer:

“We praise You, Lord Jesus, begotten of the Father’s love from all eternity, and born to be who You truly are – the Prince of Peace. Amen.”

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, poet-writer, reviewer

Portals of Prayer Devotional Bible, ESV, hardback, gift case

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