July 13 - Morning
"A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control."
- Proverbs 29:11
but a wise man keeps himself under control."
- Proverbs 29:11
Know When and How to Be Angry
Self-control is a character trait praised by the wise men and the sages in all of the ancient world.
Proverbs 29:11 literally says, “but the wise person stills it back.” This idea is captured in the ESV translation when it says:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11, ESV
Proverbs 29:11 is part of a four verse collection that make up the unit of wisdom found in Proverbs 29:8-11. This four verse collection contrasts the chaos brought to society by mockers and fools with the restoration of order by the wise and upright.
29:8 simply, but clearly, states the contrast: Mockers stir up unrest in society, but wise men resolve the conflict and restore order.
29:9 describes the basic situation between the mocker and the righteous if they take their conflict to the courtroom for a legal decision. In the courtroom the mocker will demonstrate their folly and try to stir up anger in the legal system. The idea is that the fool and mocker are exposed in the court of law, but the wise man will be vindicated.
29:10 describes the conflict if it is taken to the streets. The “bloodthirsty man” is the mocker who was rebuked in court by a just legal system. They now take matters into their own hands as vigilantes, gangsters, mobsters, terrorist, etc. In the street they seek to kill the men they hate which are the wise men who demonstrate integrity and righteousness. The second half of 29:10 is translated “seek to kill the upright” in the NIV, but the ESV has another translator in its footnotes that says, “but the upright seek his soul.” This would make this verse read: “Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, but the upright seek his (the bloodthirsty man’s) soul.”
This agrees with other translation of the Hebrew which say, “the upright avenge him,” (meaning, “the upright avenge the man of integrity who is abused by the bloodthirsty man.”)
The point of 29:10 is again the same as 29:9. The wise and righteous men will set things right and restore order to society if it be in the courtroom or in the streets.
Now, 29:11 – this final verse returns to the crucial defining character trait that will secure victory for the righteous man in the courtroom battle or in the street fight: Know that the fool will give full vent to his anger in his sinful soul, but the wise man must control his anger and not lose focus of his mission.
The ESV translation of Proverbs 29:11 reads like this:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11, ESV
Understanding this provides insight into Paul’s words to the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:26:
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” – Ephesians 4:26
Paul is not saying never be angry. Instead, Paul is saying, “do not sin in your anger.” There are times to be angry in order to make things right and restore order. Paul also says in Ephesians 4:26, when those times arise do not let the sun set until you have taken action and set things right. For the righteous man it may be dealing with the mocker in the courtroom or in the streets. So, Paul is saying do not let things you know are wrong be left to chaos. Instead, fix them before the sun goes down. But, while you are engaged in the conflict that has caused you to rise up in righteous anger be sure you do not sin!
Paul says, “Be angry!...but, make sure you do not sin while you are setting things right.” Proverbs says, “Let the fool expose himself as he lets sin rule his anger, but in your anger maintain self-control and do not let your anger rule your judgment and your action.”
Notice that you are never told, “Do not be angry.” Wickedness, foolishness and sin should make the wise, righteous man angry.” If these things do not anger a man then it is likely he does not have the insight and understanding necessary to deserve his “righteous” reputation.
Zabach (Hb) – to slaughter or sacrifice (Eng) - The Hebrew word zabach is used to refer
to killing an animal to eat and to killing an animal to sacrifice.
I will not call all anger sin, but will not allow myself to be angry about things that do not matter.
When I am angry about something worth being angry about, I will seek to set things right.
When I am angry about something worth being angry about, I will seek to set things right.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Fruitfulness in your personal ministry
Church
Hearts of servants
Nation
National Revival
World
Indonesia
A model of the gate system at Megiddo. Notice the "L" shape. There is first an entrance into the gate. This is followed by an gate system with six chambers that lead into the city.
(Details)
Below is Galyn's video showing details of Solomon's Six-Chamber Gates (Gezer, Hazor and Megiddo):
Below is Galyn's video showing details of Solomon's Six-Chamber Gates (Gezer, Hazor and Megiddo):
Someone to Quote
"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
Something to Ponder
Monarchians, or Adoptionism, was a Trinitarian heresy from 190-300 AD. Jesus became Christ at His baptism, was adopted by the Father after His death. God existed in Jesus in a powerful way. By 300AD the Manarchianists had joined the Arians.
Here’s a Fact
The monumental steps and gates on the south side of the Temple Mount along with the many ritual baths (mikveh) played an important role in accommodating all the Jews who daily attended the Temple services and the masses of Jews who visited on feast days. Benjamin Mazar said, “during the entire Herodian period this area played a very important role as a center of public life in Jerusalem.” Jesus walked these stairs and used the mikveh for ritual bathing throughout his life. In fact, Jesus likely taught on these stairs as did Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), who, according to a passage in the Talmud, stood at the top and spoke on these stairs.
“Gamaliel and the elders who stood at the top of the stairs of the Temple Mount.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 2, 2)
(Details and Photos)
“Gamaliel and the elders who stood at the top of the stairs of the Temple Mount.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 2, 2)
(Details and Photos)
Proverb
"He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded."
- Proverbs 13:13
- Proverbs 13:13
Coach’s Corner
Personal growth increases your personal potential. The failure to learn and the refusal to change is the rejection of increasing your opportunity for success.
2 Samuel 21
New International Version (NIV)
The Gibeonites Avenged
21 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”
4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.
5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”
So the king said, “I will give them to you.”
7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.
10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.
14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.
Wars Against the Philistines
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”
18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.
22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
New International Version (NIV)
The Gibeonites Avenged
21 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”
4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.
5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”
So the king said, “I will give them to you.”
7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.
10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.
14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.
Wars Against the Philistines
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”
18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.
22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
Ezekiel 9
New International Version (NIV)
Judgment on the Idolaters
9 Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.” 2 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.
3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
5 As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. 6 Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple.
7 Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. 8 While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9 He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’ 10 So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.”
11 Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”
New International Version (NIV)
Judgment on the Idolaters
9 Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.” 2 And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.
3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
5 As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. 6 Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple.
7 Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. 8 While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”
9 He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’ 10 So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.”
11 Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”
2 Chronicles 27
New International Version (NIV)
Jotham King of Judah
27 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices. 3 Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel. 4 He built towns in the hill country of Judah and forts and towers in the wooded areas.
5 Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat and ten thousand cors of barley. The Ammonites brought him the same amount also in the second and third years.
6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
7 The other events in Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and the other things he did, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. 9 Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.
________
Isaiah 9
New International Version (NIV)
9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
The Lord’s Anger Against Israel
8
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.
9
All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart,
10
“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
11
But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.
12
Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
13
But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.
14
So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day;
15
the elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16
Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.
17
Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
18
Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.
19
By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another.
20
On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring:
21
Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
New International Version (NIV)
Jotham King of Judah
27 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices. 3 Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel. 4 He built towns in the hill country of Judah and forts and towers in the wooded areas.
5 Jotham waged war against the king of the Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand cors of wheat and ten thousand cors of barley. The Ammonites brought him the same amount also in the second and third years.
6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.
7 The other events in Jotham’s reign, including all his wars and the other things he did, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. 9 Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.
________
Isaiah 9
New International Version (NIV)
9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
The Lord’s Anger Against Israel
8
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.
9
All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart,
10
“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
11
But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.
12
Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
13
But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.
14
So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day;
15
the elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16
Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.
17
Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
18
Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.
19
By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another.
20
On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring:
21
Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
