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Proverbs 17

Good Morning “Bear Wrestlers.”  Today we are in Proverbs 17.

Up here in the mountains we see bears often.  It’s not unusual to see them on our deck with just the thin layer of glass in our sliding door between us and them.  We’ve had pretty good size males, smaller ones, and even big females.  We’re never very alarmed.  A swift tap on the glass or a stomp on the deck and they normally run off.  However, on one occasion we had a momma with her 3 cubs.  Ummm… NOPE! Don’t mess.  Gun in hand.  Let’s pray she doesn’t see in through the glass as she walks by, and feel threatened.  It’s well known you simply don’t mess with a momma bear and her cubs!  Yet, Solomon uses her as his analogy when referring to the fool bent on folly.  THAT gets my attention as it speaks to the seriousness of the pending doom we’re talking about.

“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The fool in his folly is bent on destruction and we are easily sucked in - especially in a world so focused on “fun” and flesh indulgence.  The principle - DON’T MESS!  “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our world is now in a place where we have turned right and wrong on its head.  At least we’re trying.  One look at the media or internet and we see - we now condemn the innocent and feel sorry for, celebrate, and protect the guilty.  

“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Review Romans 1:18-32
“Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yes forgiveness is offered and even commanded… (Ephesians 4:32) when repentance is demonstrated!  In the absence of repentance it is discipline that brings it about (Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:6,11)
Even in forgiveness there are often consequences that God will not set aside nor suspend!!! E.g. Moses, Numbers 20:12 & 27:12-14; w/ Deuteronomy 3:26. Don’t think for a second that God turns a blind eye to our responses regarding the innocent, and the guilty.  (Psalm 82:2-4)

Love you all!  Dig in!