** Post includes this week’s reading summary of Proverbs and check-in.
February Bible Reading Challenge
Friday is here and today we check in for the January Bible Reading challenge. I’m so excited about continuing to focus on Proverbs again for the month of February! We will read one chapter a day except the last three days of the month, we will read two chapters a day. This plan will take us through the book of Proverbs during the month. Let’s continue to check in each Friday and share what God is teaching us with one another.
This Week’s Reading Summary
This week, we are summarizing Proverbs 23-29. the chapters we read from last Friday through today. Was there a particular chapter that stood out to you this week? Let’s take a look at each one individually.
Chapter 23
Chapter 23 focuses on the foolishness of alcoholism and specifically outlines all the marks of addiction. I was able to hone in on verse 12:
Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
Listening and applying are the key words in this chapter.
What kind of action did this chapter evoke from you?
Chapter 24
I love the emphasis of hard work that Solomon places in this chapter. My parents always taught our family to work hard and I can easily picture Solomon lecturing his sons about the importance of honesty and good work ethics. Really this entire chapter would be an excellent employee handbook.
Chapter 25
Feed your enemy. Not the typical words you anticipate from a very wealthy king. Solomon was surely the exception to the rule with his wisdom from God. In this chapter, I found myself focused on a single key verse, verse 11:
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Which verse captured your focus in chapter 25?
Chapter 26
Chapter 26 is the comparison chapter; did you notice all the “like’s?” The word pictures Solomon paints offer common sense warnings to the one who will listen. Isn’t the timeless nature of these comparisons ever so classic?
Chapter 27
My husband and I joke about verse 15 of chapter 27 quite often. There are a few other similarly-themed verses we throw back and forth in best marriage jesting as well, but this one is interesting.
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
I don’t have a fond appreciation for rainy days. Oh I make the most of them, but you know those days that you simply must go out of the house for whatever reason and a continual drizzle of rain is nothing but flat out annoying? It never stops, you never get a break, and well, no matter what you do, you wind up soaked? If anyone knew what a quarrelsome wife was like, the man was Solomon; guess that’s what happens when you have over 700.
Chapter 27 is full of wisdom nuggets, bit after bit of food for thought. One more verse that stood out to me:
Chapter 28
I feel that this chapter is another one difficult to summarize because there are many conclusions and thoughts you can pull from each verse or section of verses.
If you’ve been around here long, then you know that I have a radar for verses that are prayer -related. I found verse 9 quite interesting:
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
As Christians, if we don’t do what we know to do, which is listening to what God’s Word says, then our relationship with God will not grow.
What is your application from verse 9?
Chapter 29
In chapter 29, Solomon is warning his son of the pitfall of pride. Many of the verses speak to how a person of character should speak and act. Because I’m a word nerd, verse 20 called out to me…
“Haste makes waste” applies to words as well.
Why do you think Solomon feels words are so very valuable?
I apologize that the post is going up a bit late and hope that you’ll still have a moment to discuss your study for the week. I can’t wait to keep going in Proverbs for the month of February! Let’s soak up the wisdom together.
Rachel
I’m not sure why Solomon focuses on words, but I am so glad he does. This is something I need so much. I have been working really hard on thinking and speaking prayerfully. I can feel it working through the readings this month. It feels so good to know that I am finally getting to this place where I am obeying the voice of the spirit within me! Two verses stand out to me this week. One is Proverbs 28:23 ” He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.” It doesn’t feel like the most Christian thing when you have to correct a fellow Christian, or when they correct you, but Soloman reminds us that it really is necessary, and in my own notes, I wrote that just because we rebuke or get rebuked, doesn’t me we can’t guard our tongues when it is happening.
Finally, I love the verse about one woman “sharpening” another. As women, we are so competitive, so quick to judge one another when we should be lifting each other up in spirit and in prayer. I love this bible study – so much good stuff!
Angie
I think chapter 23 is about having the right motives.
Ever since watching “One Night With the King”, verse 25:2 has stuck with me. I’m not sure if it applies but searching out the scripture truth is like finding the hidden treasure.
To me verse 28:9 means if you’re not going to take instruction then you’re full of pride which is an abomination.
I think Solomon feels it takes wise thought and consideration to speak correctly.
Just found your blog and can’t wait to participate! Is Feb 1 going to start with Proverbs 30? Or will you post more info Sunday?
So glad to have you! Feb 1 starts with Proverbs 1. We read one chapter a day and double up the last three days of the month. We check in with each other on Fridays. 🙂
Been following you on Pinterest and LOVE your resources! Currently participating in the OBS “Keep It Shut” and craving more!! I am very excited you are repeating Proverbs in February….it’s my favorite book and I can’t wait to start here with you
Thrilled to have you join us, Heather!
In chapter 25, I too like verse 11. “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Aptly means: suitable, appropriate, unusually fitted, and keenly intelligent. This verse is such a good visual. Suitable words, appropriate words, words that seem fitting, and as a bonus–words spoken with keen intelligence–is an area I need to work on. Proverbs is so helpful in this.
Which verse captured your focus in chapter 25? Verse 19: “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.” I find this a good reminder on how important it is to “be there” for friends, family, and co-workers when they need me. To be sensitive, observant, and in tune with them and others—sense when they need me and DO something.
In chapter 28: What is your application from verse 9? “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” If I turn away from God, not listening to his message nor reading His Word—or worse—I do listen and I do read yet I turn away and, therefore, turn my back on God and what is important to Him, my prayers are not worthy of Him. They are seen detestable in God’s eyes.
Still reading…still loving this challenge…so excited about re-reading Prov. I agree with the points Elaine made…this verse reminds me of Pastor David Platt’s book, Radical, and causes me to ask myself, “Am I following God’s direction for my life with RADICAL obedience?”
Thank you Tonya:-)
I am looking forward to re-reading Proverbs again too.
Is it too late to join??
Not at all!! Today we’re reading Proverbs 4; we’d love to have you.
I am confused, why are we reading back over what we read in January?
Well, I wish I could give a logical explanation, but really it’s just because I felt like I personally couldn’t spend enough time in Proverbs to get all the richness of it and I wanted more. So I believed that to be God whispering “Do more then.”