Category Archives: Devotional

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:14, “Deep Pit, Living Stone”

“The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
     he who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.”
 
Here, we have the preeminent member of folly’s household.  The adulteress is the eldest of their number for she garnered special attention for her notoriety in earlier chapters.  The development of Folly’s house throughout the book of Proverbs seems to have had its beginning at her corner, at the time of night and darkness.  The simple go there, those who ‘lack sense’, 7:7-9.  In verses 10-20 we heard a clear picture of what she wants and what happens to those who heed her call.  7:27 revealed the ultimate destination of those who enter ‘her house’, which becomes the end for all the members of Folly’s House.
 
After being exposed to the Adulteress’s wicked ways early on in chapter 2:16-19, it is easy to develop a hatred for her.  After all, “For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.” 2:18.  The opposite belong to those who avoid her words, “Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble,” 3:23.  Other members of Folly’s house- the violent man, perverse man, and mocker, find their first mentioning after the adulteress at the end of Ch. 3; the sluggard in 6:6, scoundrel and villain v. 12, and the false witness/gossip v. 19.  No other member holds the seat most opposite of Wisdom.  This is most clearly seen when comparing chapters 4 and 5, 7 and 8.  “I guide you along the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths,” 4:11, resounds clearly against 5:5-6 and even in the previous verses of 2:13-15.  We are given the clearest definition possible of the adulteress along with instruction to avoid her at all costs.
 
Where do we find Jesus?  John 8:1-11 was the most dramatic response He was forced to give to the teachers of the law and to the Pharisees.  In verse 7, He summed up the state of mankind, for all will fall before the judgement seat, Romans 14:10.  The stones Jesus said to cast will be our only rescue as our sinful lives seek a covering- to be buried under mountains, Isaiah 2:19, Luke 23:30.  Unless we are made into new creations and washed in His blood, 1 John 1:7, we are bound to our previous lives, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.
 
When we looked further, we even found Jesus among the ridiculous verse of Proverbs 5:16.  It summed up a good description of where we find Him and the blood He shed for all who believe in Him.  His streams of Living Water pour from His throne, Revelation 22:1, and are given to all who ask, John 4:10.  Come to Jesus today and receive the gift of eternal life, Romans 6:23.  For He is called the Living stone, 1 Peter 2:1, and instead of being cast on us for sins, He is the cornerstone and “the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame,” v. 6.
 
In a way, we saw how Jesus cast Himself into the pit and became the only stone high enough to lift out those trapped there.  As they stand on Him, they hear His parting words to the adulteress in John 8:11, “Then neither do I condemn you.  Go now, and leave your life of sin.”

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:13, “The Sluggard’s Vaccine”

“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!’
     or, ‘I will be murdered in the streets!’”
 
For my family, the ‘sluggard’ has become the comic relief in the book of Proverbs.  This approach was first shown to me  by my Old Testament professor who enjoyed describing the sluggard’s inability to feed himself in Proverbs 19:24.  For this verse, my daughter took a turn at reading it in her most terrified voice.  We pictured him giving these excuses to be his justification as to why he shuts himself inside and refuses to work.
 
Today, we have COVID-19 and this lion is invisible.  It keeps many inside for fear of bringing it to susceptible loved ones.  For just like a lion, it often preys on the weak.  Though, unlike the sluggard whose ‘imaginary’ lion was a means to an end and was what kept him in bed, COVID-19 is a very real virus, and the fear is also very real.
 
I have spoken with people across the globe who are so afraid of the pandemic infecting loved ones that they have sealed themselves inside, and only leave when necessary.  Government restrictions, however oppressive, are nothing compared to their own self-inflicted ones.  The promise of the incoming vaccine is the only hope they hold onto for deliverance.
 
For my family, regarding our devotion time, we asked ourselves “Where is Jesus?”  We saw the lion as Caiaphas, the high-priest, and we saw Jesus being led to Pilate for his inevitable execution.  After being witness to the book of Proverbs and the teachings handed down for generations from Moses to Solomon that were originally from God, we saw the wave of religious fervor that fashioned the cup Jesus prayed to be spared from, Matthew 26:39, but it could be no other way.
 
Because of Adam and Eve’s original sin, Genesis 3, humankind’s approach to the Divine had to always be behind a covering.  The Law and the temple’s veil were both such coverings and were given to us because of sin.  It could be seen then that Jesus’ death was to free us from our desperate need for a covering, and was the price that needed to be paid for that freedom- the tearing of the temple’s veil.  
 
Jesus bravely went to the sluggard’s lion and was indeed ‘murdered in the streets’.  He paid that price to free us from fear.  Jesus is the only vaccine we will ever need.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:12, “The Eyes of the LORD”

“The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
     but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.”
 
Here, the picture of the LORD keeping watch is reminiscent of a father keeping guard over his son.  He does this by frustrating the foolish words of the unfaithful.  Knowledge is then protected and the path to Wisdom’s house is secure.
 
If the words of the unfaithful were true and contained in them the blessings and benefits of Wisdom’s house or led to another house altogether which claimed to be greater because the reverential awe and fear of God isn’t there, then the entire matrix of the houses would be broken by folly.  Discernment, which stands as the sign differentiating between the houses, would be meaningless.  And the doom of Folly’s house would reign supreme.
 
But it is the LORD who keeps watch over knowledge, and He does not sleep, Psalm 121:1.  The words of the faithful pour forth from a pure heart.  The LORD allows them knowledge and gives them access to its hallowed halls.  It is faith that is the key, Hebrews 11:6.
 
We then spoke of Jesus, who is the Father’s Son.  It is said that God spoke 3 times regarding Jesus: Matthew 3:17- after Jesus’ baptism, Mark 9:7- during His transfiguration, and John 12:28- before His crucifixion.  2 times God spoke directly about how proud He was of His Son.  God’s eyes were fixed on Jesus, His eyes were finally upon the One who would obey Him, 2 Chronicles 16:9.
 
Jesus went to the cross and was obedient to death, (Philippians 2:8), so that all who believe in Him might be saved.  His death and resurrection fulfilled the houses, the Law and the Prophets.  He brought hope to Qoheleth, the author of Ecclesiastes, who denounced the point and purpose of discernment, Ecclesiastes 2:12-16.  He fulfilled knowledge and wisdom providing the way for us to become new creations by our faith in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:17.  He opened the way for us to gain eternal life, John 3:16.
 

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:11, “My friend, the King”

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
     will have the king for his friend.”
 
We live in a “Who Do You Know?” kind of world.  The proper connections can open doors to places that would have been closed before.  Gaining entry to such places sometimes requires a bribe, or a secret password.  Nepotism, the right clothes, and the right ethnic background can also gain you access.  For this proverb, we must go straight to the heart.  It must be pure, not fettered with selfishness, nor boastful and filled with brash arrogance.  Having a ‘pure heart’ is mentioned many times throughout Scripture as being one who loves self-sacrificially, 1 Timothy 1:5, and it is a necessity to gain the blessings of God, Psalm 24:4-5.
 
Having gracious speech is not always easy on the road or behind the wheel.  We are more prone to speak out of anger there for the price of foolish driving is too high.  Filling our mouths with wholesome words even for the foolish so that we may be regarded as obedient to Him is an area beyond the ability of many, save One.
 
When I asked my kids “Where is Jesus?”, they said, “He has the purest of hearts and the most kind of words.”  We considered Him who, on the cross, gave us the utmost definition of sacrificial love, and when He could have called down judgement on those who had crucified Him, He beseeched God to forgive them, Luke 23:34.  Jesus fulfilled all of this so that we may take on His righteousness and be made among His friends, the King of kings, John 15:15.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:10, “The Mocker’s Arsenal”

“Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
     quarrels and insults are ended.”
 
This proverb gives us an understanding of the arsenal the Mocker uses against its victims.  We mentioned before how:  “Mockers stand just off the path to Wisdom’s house, scoffing and casting stones of derision upon those who walk it.  They offer nothing of themselves and only find purpose in assaulting the pilgrims.”  According to this proverb, they also cause the strife of quarrels and insults.  
 
When I asked my kids if they’ve ever felt the sting of the Mocker’s weapons, they said they had.  Mockers, it seemed, also attended their junior high.  They were there leading their little groups, mocking and laughing at kids that were brave enough to try the different activities, often for the first awkward time.  We’ve all been there.  It’s almost as if it was a rite of passage.
 
Then I asked, “Where’s Jesus?”  Since we couldn’t find an example in Scripture of Jesus mocking anyone, we again looked at the reflection and saw Him there.  We restated this proverb according to what we saw:
 
“Invite Jesus into our lives, and in comes life:
    peace with God and blessings will begin.”
 
Again, we were privileged to see how Jesus fulfilled this verse by giving us His peace, John 14:27.  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” KJV.  
 
Invite Jesus into your heart today.  Let His peace unite you with God, and may you be blessed.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:7 “The Borrowers”

“The rich rule over the poor,
     and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
 
It was a statement, a definition of how things were.  For my kids, it was a quick summary of the facts of life.  They understood it in terms of ‘owing favors’.  “If you wash the dishes this time, then you get to decide tonight’s movie,” is a common weekend arrangement in our house.  Though this proverb had more to do with social classes and financial hierarchy, I think they got the point.
 
When we looked for Jesus, we saw that He showed us a different Way.  In this world and in many cultures, the rich do rule over the poor, but in the Kingdom of God, Mathew 5:1-12 gives us a different understanding of a different economy.  In His Kingdom, it is not to the rich that inherit anything, but to the poor, humble, and meek who shall inherit the earth.  In His Kingdom, we are all the ‘borrowers’ of Jesus’ righteousness, Romans 3:23.  And though we, like Paul in Romans 1:1, are servants to such a glorious Lender, in His Kingdom, He calls us sons and daughters, 2 Corinthians 6:18.
 
So, suffice to say, yes this Proverb is right.  It is an accurate description of how things work, but Jesus fulfilled that economy on the cross and paid all our debts.  He provided a way for us to be free of its burden- meant to oppress, and He lifts up the downtrodden- meant to bless and reinstate us as citizens of His Kingdom.
 
It’s hard for the rich to even enter His Kingdom, Matthew 19:23.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:6 “The Cup of Wrath”

“Train a child in the way he should go,
     and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
 
There were many questions at the beginning of this proverb:  “What does it mean?”, “Is that what Spiritfire is?”, “It says ‘child’ and ‘old’, does that mean ‘middle-aged’ people will leave ‘the way they should go?’”  We spent some time trying to navigate these and others as we examined the seed of wisdom this proverb contained.
 
This proverb has been used over the years to calm the fears of generations of parents who do their best to raise their wayward children ‘in the way’ they should go.  As we have read and witnessed throughout this journey, there are many traps and pitfalls along the paths of this life.  Arming our kids with the discernment they’ll need to traverse these paths is key to gaining wisdom.  The warnings of traveling the path to Folly’s house have been quite clear for those who hear them.  Yes, it is the ‘hope’ and ‘goal’ of Spiritfire to help my children understand the paths, to know where they lead, and to hear what’s been done by Jesus to fulfill them beyond our ability to obey.  This is the Good News Jesus came to give us which makes the ‘old ways’ new, and gives us the hope to be made into new creations according to His work within us, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
 
When we began thinking about Jesus and how He fulfilled this proverb, we saw Him as a youth, Luke 2:40-52.  He was ‘filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was upon Him,’ verse 40.  The explanation Jesus gave to Mary and Joseph mapped out ‘the way He should go’.  It was for Him to be at His Father’s house, the focus, and definition of Wisdom’s house.  This journey led Him to many traps and pitfalls, beginning with Satan’s temptations, Matthew 4:1-11, to His time in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-56.  We again see Psalm 91:11-12, the very verse Satan used to tempt Jesus with, to show us the battle that was truly being waged, verse. 53.  Though He prayed that this cup of wrath be taken from Him, Matthew 26:39, it was the way in which He was trained to go.  He fulfilled our salvation by not turning from it.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:5 “The Cost of the Path of the Wicked”

“In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
     but he who guards his soul stays far from them.”
 

One can imagine the wicked person barreling down such a path, legs scratched through their hole-torn pants, snagged by the thorns and snares that should hold them back but are disregarded because of the foolishness that drives them on.  Folly’s house is their destination and the stench of death is the mesmerizing aroma that they cannot resist.  This terrible place is where their soul is captured and begins to rot in the blinding darkness of worldly desire.

The righteous person is one who values his soul like a treasure and is repelled by such a path.  Even if they naively wander down this path they quickly turn away at the first prick of the thorns.  Wisdom’s house is their destination and the waft of a blessed life is the captivating aroma that invites them in.  This wonderful place is where their soul is free to thrive.

So, where is Jesus?  Because He is the Righteous One, He saved our souls not by avoiding the path of the wicked but by paying its price and redeeming those at its end!  Its thorns were placed on His head as a crown, and its snares lashed out at His body and tore His innocent flesh.  He cleared the path by taking the sins of the world on His own shoulders, carrying the punishment of death to the place of destruction, and crucifying it with His own body.

Jesus gave us a new path.  It broke the old paths of fear and shame by giving us Himself.  “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6).  This path is straight, narrow, and direct to the eternal inheritance that is free to all who confess Him.

-Betsy

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:4, “Signs, signs, everywhere are signs”

“Humility and the fear of the LORD
     bring wealth and honor and life.”
 
Here we found a road sign on the path to Wisdom’s House.  If you want these three things in life, you will only get them through the narrow gateway of ‘humility and the fear of the LORD’.  Narcissistic and arrogant leaders in the Church and home lead down a different path to a different end.  The gateway they need to use is much too wide.  It has to be for their egos to fit in.  If you don’t enter through the gate of humility and fear, those holy twins, you will never find the right path.  As is typical of the Proverbs, we read of wealth and honor and life as being received in this life much like in Joseph’s after he was made 2nd in control of Egypt, Genesis 41:41.
 
When we looked for Jesus and His fulfillment of this proverb that we may be made into new creations for His kingdom, my daughter saw Him washing His disciples’ feet, John 13.  Here we see the ‘fullest extent of His love’, 13:1.  In Philippians 2:1-11, we see Jesus enter by and fulfill the gate of humility and fear receiving praise and being ‘exalted to the highest place’.  Not only did Jesus fulfill humility and fear (the love of God and others), but He also fulfilled wealth and honor and life by His resurrection, Luke 24.  He awakened us to ‘an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for us,’ 1 Peter 1:4.  He made us vessels of His righteousness, Romans 3:22.  He welcomes us to life eternal, 2 Peter 1:11.
 
As I looked deeper at the three rewards of this life, I noticed something familiar.  I saw the temptations Satan set before Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.  The order is switched a little- life, honor, wealth, but it is there.  Unlike Adam and Eve’s failure with the serpent in Genesis 3:1-6, Jesus resolutely stayed at the gateway of humility and fear as is reflected in His answers to Satan.  In this way, we witness exactly how this gateway was first broken and is now fulfilled in Jesus.  Though He was tested in every way, Hebrews 4:15, He knew no sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
 
There are many road signs to various destinations of wealth and honor in this life, but only one has been fulfilled for our salvation.  Enter in the narrow gateway, Matthew 7:13-14, and follow His ways to ever more than this world can provide.  For Jesus fulfilled the way to real wealth, honor, and life that we can keep forevermore, John 3:16.

Spiritfire- Proverbs 22:1, “Hello, my name is…”

“A good name is more desirable than great riches;
     to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
 
Betsy opened this one with a brief explanation of Caleb. He was a spy sent with 11 others to get intel on Canaan, Numbers 13.  Moses wanted it explored to see what they will be faced with before they make it their home.  Most of the spies’ report said that it was a no-go, verses 26-33.  Caleb, however, gave this report in verse 30, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”  Because of his favorable response and that of Joshua’s in Numbers 14:6, God showed them favor by allowing them to enter the land they had spied on.  While the naysayers, along with those who should have known better, will die in the wilderness, Numbers 14:26-35.
 
Finding an Old Testament example of one who had great riches but not a good name seemed easy.  There were plenty of examples for both Israel and Judah had a number of wicked kings.  Hezekiah, king of Judah, however, did not start out that way, 2 Kings 18:3.  Perhaps it was the security of his great riches that led him to foolishness in 20:12-15.  For he showed all of them to a sympathetic ear during his time of sickness, who also happened to be the king of Babylon.  The prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah that because he did that, all of his treasures will be taken by Babylon and some of his descendants will become their eunuchs, verses 17-18.  Instead of repenting and pursuing a good name, King Hezekiah said in 20:19, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not good, if [at least] there will be peace and security in my lifetime?” AMP
 
The question I then asked my kids of “Where’s Jesus?” brought complete fulfillment to this proverb.  For though the best we can gain of ourselves is a good name and even great riches, Philippians 2:9-11 says,
 
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
 
We can gain His ‘Name above every other name’ in our lives by our faith in Him as Lord, John 3:16-21.  If we call on His Name we are saved and included in His Kingdom, Romans 10:13.  We will not be left to die in the wilderness of this life.  Call on His Name, His ear will not betray us, 1 Peter 5:7.  If we repent and believe in Jesus, our old life is gone and we are made new, 2 Corinthians 5:17.  We are even given new names, Revelation 2:17.  The riches in Jesus are boundless and unfathomable, Ephesians 3:8, they won’t ever perish, spoil or fade, Matthew 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:4.
 
‘Peace and security’ in this life are not to be found here, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, but only in His courts gained for us by Jesus.