Law of Love - Proverbs 18:18-30

A few weeks ago, we learned about the winnowing out (removing) a good king does as well as us for sin in our lives. We’ve heard about the life choices we make as well as the importance of our words. This week we see the law of love. A question I have for you: What do you need to be loved?

Example: I need physical touch and presence. Being away from home and my family the last two weeks was not great. I missed out on snuggles, games, meals, bed time, and so much more. They visited for a few days in the middle days, but it was still 12 days away from home.

READ Proverbs 20:18-30 (NIV)

{PRAY}

We see a law of love at work in these verses

One must seek advice to establish their plans; especially getting guidance for war (v. 18).

Advice and guidance remind us that we do not know everything. We are not sovereign and in control of all internal and external variables. We are not omnipresent and able to see everything going on. We need others we trust and love to provide insight we need to live well. We need a community to support us and walk with us in the joys and trials.

A gossip betrays confidence (lit. - reveals secrets), and should be avoided for talking too much (v. 19)

In short, do not surround yourself with liars. They do not provide sound advice or guidance. If they reveal secrets of others to gain position or preference, they will betray your confidence as well.

Person curses mother and father, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness (v. 20)

The 4th commandment we read: Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: that you may live long (temporal and eternal implications; not a promise for us to live long in the Land God gave to the people of Israel).

Take an inheritance too soon from your parents and it will not be blessed (v. 21)

Think the young prodigal son in Luke 15. He wanted his inheritance before his father died. He lost every penny. He gained his life when he humbled himself and repented, but until that moment, all was lost, nearly his life.

Do not say “I will pay you back for this wrong (evil)!” but wait for the Lord and he will avenge you (v. 22)

This is talking about personal vengeance, which we are not to take against others

We are to wait upon the Lord, be patient, and let him judge

The NIV renders it “avenge,” but a literal translation is to “wait for the Lord and he will save you.” God is merciful and just.

Lord detests differing weights and dishonest scales (v. 23)

We have seen this several times now in Proverbs, lying and robbing others is not pleasing to God. They are counter to the commandments we read about not stealing and coveting.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord, how can anyone understand their own way? (v. 24)

Goes back to v. 18 and seeking advice and guidance. Plans need input to be established. God is sovereign. God is omnipresent. God guides all of time from beginning to end. God’s plans are in place and no one can sidetrack them. He provides a lamp and a light as we will see shortly.

Do not make a rash vow as it is a trap, but consider it before making it (v. 25)

Even the best intentions can lead to the greatest losses. We are to let our “yes be yes and no be no.” We do not need to make promises we cannot keep.

Consider Jephthah in Judges 11:29-40

In short, he did not think. He made a rash vow saying something like this: “Lord, help me defeat the Ammonites in war. If you do, the first thing that comes out of the door of my house I will sacrifice to you as a burnt offering.”

WHAT?! It’s not like goats, sheep, or cattle came out of houses on a regular basis! What was he doing!

His young daughter (sub-12) came out of his home, and it was she that he offered up as a burnt offering to the Lord.

Jephthah made a rash vow without considering the Lord’s character. Jephthah was foolish. Yet his daughter was merciful and gracious and did not plead with her father to give up his vow, but keep it.

A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives a threshing wheel over them (v. 26)

Seen two weeks ago in v. 8 of this chapter

A wise king separates the wicked from the righteous as a threshing wheel separates wheat from the chaff, outer covering of the grain

The wheat kernels would fall to the ground as the outer covering is knocked into the wind to blow away

We see this in earthly judgment sometimes, but in Godly judgment always

If we look at Matthew 24:36-41; this passage is speaking of Jesus’ return and judgment

In the days of Noah, the wicked were taken and Noah and his family remained.

The same will be in judgment, the wicked will be removed and the sons and daughters of God will remain. This is not a rapture of the righteous but a removal of the wicked.

Human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being (v. 27)

God knows us completely (15:11 - human hearts lie open before the Lord)

God exposes sin in our lives, taking them from darkness into light.

Those that fail to have their sins exposed to repent and be renewed, their lamp is snuffed out as in v. 20

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe (lit. Keep, guard, preserve); love secures (upholds) his throne (v. 28)

God’s love and faithfulness to the king? Or a king’s love and faithfulness to God and/or his people?

Ultimately, an earthly king must love and be faithful to God to live and rule well

God is PERFECTLY loving and faithful to all generations; infinitely merciful, gracious, and just

Young men glory in their strength, and old men are honored in their gray hair (symbol for wisdom) (v. 29)

Young men should not flaunt their strength before the old, but help and assist them

Old men should not flaunt their wisdom before the young, but share and guide them

Strength and wisdom are given by God. Not to boast selfishly, but in praise to him!

Blows and wounds scrub away evil and beatings purge the inmost being (v. 30)

Discipline winnows out evil

When an offense is committed, justice must ensue, whether earthly or eternally

Discipline is to correct. It will hurt physically or emotionally, but the purpose is to lead to correction and appreciation

Discipline is not negative or taboo. It is purposed for pointing towards God’s love and justice.

These passages point towards the law of God’s love!

You would not feel loved if someone gossiped and told lies about you (v. 19)

You would not feel loved if your children hated you, cursed you, abandoned and avoided you (v. 20)

You would not feel loved if someone made a claim on what is not yet theirs or wanted to take vengeance on you (v. 21 & 22)

You would not feel loved if someone cheated you out of money or valuables (v. 23)

You would not feel loved if someone made a promise they did not keep or made foolishly (v. 25)

God does not do these things, but judges them and removes such evil

You would feel loved if someone gave you guidance or sound advice (v. 24)

You would feel loved if someone helped you through trials and taught you good character (v. 25 & 26 & 27)

You would feel loved if someone displayed and taught you love and faithfulness (v. 28)

You would feel loved if someone disciplined you because they love you and want what is best for you (v. 30)

You would feel loved if someone took the punishment you deserved and gave you the freedom and grace you do not deserve (v. 30)

God’s Law of Love is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus

Jesus did not lie, cheat, steal, curse, gossip, avenge, or rashly vow

He offered love, mercy, and faithfulness to lead many to repentance and belief

Jesus lovingly offered forgiveness to the wicked so they would not be blown away like chaff, but collect like the grain.

Jesus bore the blows, wounds, and beatings we deserved to purge our sin from this world so we may remain

Jesus’ love, the love of the Father is displayed in his joyful obedience to the law; not out of compulsion but out of love

Jesus remained loving and faithful to the Father and loving and faithful to his creation; never faltering or failing, but persevering

Do you have a genuine affection for God’s law? Do you have a genuine affection for God’s Word?

If you have a genuine love for someone or something, you think about it regularly, if not daily.

{Use examples from board; to feel loved by your spouse, you are around them daily; To feel loved by your child, you pray for them and interact with them daily; To feel loved by your do, you do not want them to poop in the house; etc.}

You want to know God’s love daily? You’ll find it in his Word, from beginning until the end, from Genesis to Revelation, God’s love is easily felt when one response in joyful, loving pursuit and obedience.

God did not give us the law and statutes (rules) to burden us, but to display his loving, gracious character. You cannot point to a law of his that lacks purpose or meaning. Some are universal and others are context driven and time bound. It takes work to recognize which are which, but can only be done by looking to and being in God’s Word daily.

You want to feel loved by God, begin reading his Word.

You want to know God’s grace, begin reading his Word.

You struggling with temptation, begin reading his Word.

You struggle with depression, sadness, hurt, begin reading his Word.

You want to understand God’s character, begin reading his Word.

You want to know what true love is, begin reading his Word.

You in need of hope, begin reading his Word.

You want to know the extent of God’s love for you, begin reading his Word.

You want to know the extent of God’s love for you, turn to Jesus, repent of your sin, believe in him, and entrust your life in his hands. His law is perfect and loving. His justice is fair and perfect. His mercy and grace is abounding. When you turn to him, truly and fully, his love emanates from you. When you turn to him, relationships can be healed, fears removed, and hope abound. Life may not get easier and there will be trials, but it will not be alone or in vain, but for God’s abounding work in and through you. In need of love? Are you avoiding it or looking for it in the wrong places? I’ve told you where you can find it. Need help, there are some here already seeking God daily who would be happy to walk with you. Do not know who to ask? Ask me and I can help you find a faithful saint to walk with, guide, and love.

COMMUNION PREPARATION