"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:3, 4
In ancient times, when potters would make jars or other types of pottery, they would place them outside in the sun to harden in the sun. In many cases, this would cause tiny cracks throughout it, barely visible to the naked eye, because the heat causes it to shrink and dry quickly, challenging the structural integrity of the jar.
In an attempt to still sell the faulty pottery, they would rub wax on the jar which would cause it to appear smooth, without cracks. But the jar would still be structurally unsound. This was not a truthful practice, but a careful check, usually holding the pottery in the light of the sun, would show that the vessel was not sound. Some feel that our word sincere comes from the Latin words sine cera, without wax.
In our series Hope For The Harried Household, our focus last Sunday was on the guidelines outlined in Proverbs 3:21-35, the value of wisdom and discretion in our lives. Pastor Tom listed a number of points that come from this passage. First, we're given the benefits of wisdom and discretion. We will have good inner and outer health, assurance of success in our activities, peaceful rest, no anxiety of what lies ahead, and the promise of provision and protection from the Lord. Take a moment to go back and read Proverbs 3:22-26 and check to see if you are sincere in your effort to keep wisdom and discretion in your life.
Proverbs 3:27-31 holds your life to the telling light of the sun, searching for those cracks which you may have tried to hide with wax. Are you self-absorbed and stingy? Would examination show that you're insensitive and manipulative? Do others say that you're deceptive? Could it be that you're contentious and combative? If asked, would your family say you're domineering and oppressive?
Proverbs 3:27-31 serve as a ray of sunshine to expose the cracks in our lives. Finally, as you examine your life in the sun, reflect on this verse and allow it to guide you. Be sincere...without wax.
"The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor."Proverbs 3:35
In an attempt to still sell the faulty pottery, they would rub wax on the jar which would cause it to appear smooth, without cracks. But the jar would still be structurally unsound. This was not a truthful practice, but a careful check, usually holding the pottery in the light of the sun, would show that the vessel was not sound. Some feel that our word sincere comes from the Latin words sine cera, without wax.
In our series Hope For The Harried Household, our focus last Sunday was on the guidelines outlined in Proverbs 3:21-35, the value of wisdom and discretion in our lives. Pastor Tom listed a number of points that come from this passage. First, we're given the benefits of wisdom and discretion. We will have good inner and outer health, assurance of success in our activities, peaceful rest, no anxiety of what lies ahead, and the promise of provision and protection from the Lord. Take a moment to go back and read Proverbs 3:22-26 and check to see if you are sincere in your effort to keep wisdom and discretion in your life.
Proverbs 3:27-31 serve as a ray of sunshine to expose the cracks in our lives. Finally, as you examine your life in the sun, reflect on this verse and allow it to guide you. Be sincere...without wax.
"The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor."Proverbs 3:35
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