Saturday, July 9, 2016

Instructions

Today let's look at the different Bible versions from Proverb 29:18. As you consider each one ask yourself these questions:

What is the problem in each version?
What is the result of the problem?
How does “But God” change the outcome?
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. (NIV)
If people can’t see what God is doing, They stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Message)
Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws.(LB)
Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,  but those who obey what they have been taught are happy. (NCV)
Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law. (NRSV)
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)
Vision is vital to Christian living. Those who grew up memorizing KJV remember this translation. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (KJV)
The word vision (revelation) means “to mentally perceive or to contemplate”. The word translated perish (restraint) is used in the OT as “to go back”.  In Numbers 14:3 God’s wandering people wanted to “go back” to Egypt. Those who have no vision, no perception of what they could be, seem to have no clear direction in their Christian journey.
Before every great undertaking in life there is someone who has a vision for the task ahead. Every Christ follower needs to discover God’s vision for their life.
Amen?