The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV.
Most Gracious God and Heavenly Father, we rejoice that we can meet and study Your Word in complete freedom. We pray that You will continue to grant us this privilege, in order that every person might have an opportunity to make their decision for You, and be saved at last in Your everlasting kingdom. This is our prayer, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today as we continue studying this portion of God’s Word, we will stop and consider the phrase, “doing what is right and just and fair[.]” This phrase turns our attention to the ethical aspect of life. It is an aspect that is all too often pushed to the side; unfortunately, even by Christians. As I thought about that, it brought to my mind, the prophets of old. Their voices were constantly raised against the unjust practices in the land. In their minds, denouncing injustice was Godly behavior! And they were right! It is!
According to Solomon, one of the purposes for writing the Proverbs was for people, especially in their youth, to practice righteousness (right doing). The prophet Micah speaking on behalf of YHWH, to the children of Israel, reasoned with them in the following terms:
” ‘ “ O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me. For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab counseled, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Acacia Grove to Gilgal, that you may know the righteousness of the LORD.” With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul” ‘ ” (Micah 6: 3-7)?
From the words of the prophet we may conclude that Israel of yesterday, is very much like spiritual Israel of the twenty-first century. We offer God, the things we believe will appease, or please, Him. We treat Him like a human being, and we bring to Him those things that we consider fit for a god “made in our image and after our likeness.” But He will not have it! He is not a blood-thirsty god who delights in the unnecessary shedding of blood of innocent animals. He certainly does not require the sacrificing of the fruit of our bodies.
The sacrifices in which the LORD delights are those that are offered in love to Him and our neighbors, by not sitting quietly and folding our hands, while injustice takes root and thrive. We must take a stand against the wrong, in whatever form it appears. We must be a voice for the voiceless. The desire of His heart for His people is expressed in the following verse:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” ‘ ” (8)? In other words, let me live My will through You; “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
May we allow the LORD to impress upon our minds lessons of “what is right and just and fair.” May we also remember, as we endeavor to be obedient to His divine will, that, “knowing is not enough.” Since He has “shown [us] what is right,” let us be diligent in doing it!