Daily Devotional
               Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.   
 

  The Wisdom of God

Verses for the Day:  

Proverbs 30:20-23 (KJV):
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

Proverbs 30:20-23 (AMP):
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, I have done no wickedness.
21 Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up:
22 Under a servant when he reigns, a (empty-headed) fool when he is filled with food,
23 An unloved and repugnant woman when she is married, and a maidservant she she supplants her mistress.

Thoughts for the Day:

These verses from Proverbs describe an array of different people who are rebellious sinners that cause those who know them to be disturbed and troubled.  The first sinner listed in verse 20 is an adulterous woman who simply does what she does, in the same way a person would eat a meal and wipe his mouth after they finish. She is so hardened, she feels no guilt and claims she has done no wrong.  The Bible tells us that we are all sinners in need of a savior; however, to be pardoned we must confess our sins and ask God to forgive us of our sins; only then can we be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:8-10:
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Verse 21 says that the earth is disquieted (disturbed or troubled) by three things and if all four things were true, it cannot bear up under it. The first two things in this list are found in verse 22: 1.) A servant or slave, when he reigns or is in authority.  2.) A rebellious fool, when he is prosperous. 

People suffer greatly when someone who is not trained for the office of a king or ruler obtains that position, because they do not know how to reign. Placing people in the position of authority, without the proper skills for that position, is disastrous, and their decisions can destroy many; especially if that servant also has a rebellious spirit.  Generally when the Bible speaks of a fool, it is talking about a person who is a rebel. When a rebel prospers ( the expression, "one who is filled with food" is referring to one who has plenty to eat, thus they are prosperous), he will use his position and money in wrong ways that do not help others.  In fact, the prosperous rebel will cause major problems for others, as they are selfish and do not consider how their actions will affect others.

The last two things that cause trouble for others are listed in verse 22: 3.) A bitter woman who finally marries. 4.) A servant girl who marries her mistress's husband. A bitter woman can stir up a lot of trouble, not only for her husband and family, but for entire neighborhoods, as well. The Bible instructs women not to become busybodies as they can turn aside from the faith and follow Satan.

1 Timothy 5:13-15:
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

The servant girl who displaces her mistress's position is another grievous thing that is hard to bear in the earth. She could do this by stealing her mistress's husband, or lying about her, to cause her to lose her position. Each one of these things listed in these study verses in Proverbs is not good, but if all of them were true in the life of one person, it would be unbearable.  If the servant who reigned was a bitter woman, who was also a prosperous rebel, and had gained her position by displacing her mistress, this would be an unbearable combination. God calls His women to be holy and admonishes them to be more concerned about having a pure heart, than what their hair and clothes look like.

1 Peter 3:3-5:
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for liberating women to be what You have called them to be. Lord, may we, as women, please You first, and secondly please our husbands. Lord, may we have a submissive spirit toward our mates and seek to minister and serve them as You would. Lord, purify my heart and create a right spirit in me. May Christian marriages be an example of Your love in this earth. Deliver us from all quarrelling, bitterness and anger and give us a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in Your sight, of great price.  I ask in Jesus'  name. Amen.