Promise vs. Principle

Daily Reading: Proverbs 2

Scripture Focus: For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2.21-22)

Devotional Thought:  Proverbs 2.21-22 demonstrates that the Proverbs should be read as Principles, not Promises.  Reading these verses as Promises, we have trouble reconciling them with reality.  Not just our own reality, but the reality encountered on other pages of the Bible.

The problem with reading these as promises is twofold: 1) What is the timeframe, and 2) to whom is the promise made?

1)     Proverbs 2 was written at a time when the nation of Israel was at its zenith.  Solomon was king, the economy was good, and the outlook was bright.  Later history and even current events reveal that geographical Israel has not remained the exclusive domain of upright people.  It has not even remained the uninterrupted home of the Israelites!  There have been times throughout history when the people of Israel were scattered and occupying peoples lived in the historical land of Israel. Reading these verses as Promise presents us with some difficulties.  That brings us to the second question…

2)     If these verses are Promise, then was it made to someone else besides the people who experienced occupation and exile?  Perhaps it didn’t apply to those generations when Israel was in exile.  But if we go there, then we in effect lose the power of a Promise, for we can’t say who is its recipient.  There is no hope contained in a vague promise.

 If, however, we view these verses as Principle, then our hope can flourish even in the midst of delay, defeat, and yes even in death.  The principle around which I will build my life is that of being upright and having integrity.  When I do that, I can know that my life will tend toward blessing and security – no matter what the outside forces and conditions may be.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for both the promises and principles of your Word.  Help me to claim what is a promise and to live by the principles - and to understand the difference - so that my faith may flourish.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 2.1-6

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,

3 "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."