The Plumbline

3   God  won't starve an honest soul,    but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.  (Proverbs 10:3) The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon to his sons.  He desired nothing more than to have his sons know the truths God had taught him over the course of his life.  Throughout the book, he writes about various relationship issues, how to be a good spouse, what value words have, and how not to live your life as a fool.  The instructions of a father to his sons - how fortunate that we can benefit from the lessons of a life of such a wise man.   God won't starve an honest soul - the thought provokes us to consider what it is to "starve".  What is it that Solomon could have been referring to when he spoke of the "starvation" of a soul?  First, let me say that starvation is more than the effects of a lack of food in the natural sense.  There are many forms of starvation - emotional, spiritual, intellectual, etc. ...

  11-14   God  answered the People of Israel: "When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, Sidonians—even Amalek and Midian!—oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, I saved you from them. And now you've gone off and betrayed me, worshiping other gods. I'm not saving you anymore. Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you've chosen—let them get you out of the mess you're in!"   15  The People of Israel said to  God : "We've sinned. Do to us whatever you think best, but please, get us out of this!"   16  Then they cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshiped only  God . And  God  took Israel's troubles to heart. (Judges 10:11-14) A lot has happened in a few short chapters.  Gideon defeated the Midianites by doing things God's way.  The people are at peace in the land during his lifetime. The final verses that sum up his life are that he had lots of wives, fathering him many sons.  He leaves about 7...