Today, I'm sharing some thoughts from Proverbs, which was written approximately 300 years before Christ. It is a collection of moral and religious instructions. Imagine, if you will, an old rabbi talking to a group of young boys. He saves the deep theological and in-depth Torah until they reach an age where the law must be understood and obeyed. How does he teach? Well, by using easily memorized sayings, stories and around the campfire tales.

I'll bet you can remember hearing grandma saying stuff like, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. A stitch in time saves nine. Look before you leap," which gets in the way of, "He who hesitates is lost." And one I particularly like, "He who turns and runs away, lives to fight an-other day." Oops, I almost forgot, "Put your money where you mouth is."

Back to Proverbs, "Put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite."

Here's a few from granddad. "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Late to bed, early to rise, makes a man baggy under the eyes. I see you have furniture disease as your chest has fallen into your drawers." Okay, I'll finish with Ben Franklin, "Fish and visitors stink after three days."

When our Lord taught, he used the language of the people, the wisdom of the elders and the comfort the family felt when they used to sit on the porch and shared stories old and new. We kids didn't understand everything, but listening is easy when we got a dish of ice cream and an old blanket to keep us warm.

As Jesus had the crowd leaning close so as to not miss anything, He said, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better to cut off your hand and toss it away than sin. Put a knife to your throat before you swallow something that could ruin you." He certainly was not speaking literally! He taught the crowd like the rabbi would talk to his young boys. "This is very important! Listen and learn. Living a life that is good, meaningful and honorable requires personal discipline."

I have always imagined that when Jesus taught, He also listened to those in the crowd that might want an explanation. "What do you mean, Lord? Must we hurt ourselves to prove that we are worthy?"

Jesus would have loved those questions because He had the answers.

Proverbs begins by giving to the reader reasons to make earthly life worth living. This is what God wants. Be wise, loving, honest, honorable, trustworthy, kind, gentle, supportive and do the right thing at the right time, in the right way and for the right purpose.

Proverb's purpose is to teach wisdom. The purpose of Jesus Christ is to grant salvation. The choice is ours.

Be wise, choose life. Be saved, choose Jesus Christ.

Thanks, God!