Jul 3 – 2 Kings 6:24-33, 2 Kings 7, 2 Kings 8:1-15 Acts 22:22-30, Acts 23:1-11 Proverbs 16:8-17
Acts 23:6
Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Nobody was on Paul’s side up until this moment. The tribune was ready to fold him, but was afraid and did not when he discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen. But Paul does something very dangerous here – he aligns himself with the Pharisees – he was one and then he brings up the topic of the resurrection of the dead.
Well that was a hot button topic! That was the main cause of arguments between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Saducees didn’t believe in life after death. (Which I like to think is where their name comes from… they had no hope after dead, so they were “Sad… you see?”)
This has the effect of escalating the entire situation. Paul was almost ripped to pieces. But he now has an interesting ally – the Pharisees now say they find nothing wrong with him.
Prov 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice
This Is great wisdom. One the world today largely ignores. Everyone is after more. Bigger. Growth.
This proverbs doesn’t say there’s anything wrong with that. It just asks, what is the cost? If the economy grows, but only because of injustice… then it’s not worth it.
We are better off with little if that little comes from a righteous place.
Great revenues can be helpful, but if it means people suffer a good thing has become a bad thing. The end doesn’t always justify the means.
Prov 16:9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
This is a great proverb. We make our plans, yes. But we don’t know how they will turn out. Some of our plans and be selfish, others can be righteous. Either way, we still don’t see the end picture. But God does. That’s why he’s the one who orders our steps. We can have a destination in mind, but the route… that’s something God knows.
It’s good to plan. But it’s better to trust Him on the route.
