Chapter 14

Proverbs 14 (Tim)

Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (NLT)

Wow! 3000 years ago, Solomon penned this warning to us from God. And today, we see countless examples of its truth all around us. Moral relativism and the decline (if not outright extinction) of absolute right/wrong. People forsaking God and His Wisdom because "being good" and "doing no harm" to others is all it takes to please Him. 84% of American's are happy with the personal situation yet 70% believe the country is a mess and heading in the wrong direction. ... Huh???

But rather than bringing out the fire and brimstone and condemnation on this age (which would be far too easy), I want to point out that which is inspiring in that verse. Yes, there is great hope in a verse that talks about death.

1. The Word of God delivered to us 3000 years ago applies to us today! It is not outdated. It is just as true today as it was when it was written. As Solomon saw it and wrote this verse then, we see it all around us today. If you can trust someone after a couple years, what does that say about guidance that is proven over 3000 years?
2. A great burden in life is lifted from us. We don't have to know the right path from the day we are born because God already knows it. He has a plan for us and has done all the hard work of preparing the way. We "simply" have to follow it.
3. God provided a way for us to know His plan. The key words in the verse are "each person". By ourselves, we can eventually talk ourselves into justifying anything. So, while we can prayerfully attempt to discern God's Will, we can't know His plan without the wise counsel from other believers.
4. The Word of God not only provides guidance but also the results of obedience to God. At face value, the verse is dark and foreboding. But the converse (The path of righteousness leads to life) is reassuring and builds confidence for us all to live a life for God. An example? The Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed for anything other than the cross but only if it were God's Will. As God continued to work His Will, Jesus continued to follow. Clearly, God's Plan for Jesus was the better way (salvation for us all can't be that bad, right?) By the way, as Jesus also showed in the garden, it's all right to wish and pray for different circumstances but we can't let an easy way out derail us from God's Plan.

So, in short, a microcosm of Christianity all bundled into one itty-bitty verse. Neat, eh? By the way, the converse I quoted above ("The path of righteousness leads to life") is essentially Proverbs 12:28 " In the path of righteousness is life, And in the way of that path is no death!" (Young's Literal Translation).