Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
Why I Support The UN
The verses here talk about diplomatic counsel. I would interpret this as not only wise internally, but externally as well. Of course there are maverick and rogue nations in the world, but states should talk without the primary objectives being their ‘own interests’. This is not the path of wisdom in the Kingdom of God. The path of wisdom seeks to walk the road toward God. God says that discussion and counsel are wise to obtain. For example, rather than engaging in a spiral of vendetta and violence, it would be good to find out why someone has attacked key points of interest. What is the perspective of foreigners on US and UK industries selling weapons overseas? Although the sales make economic sense, do they make theological sense? Why do Russia and China often veto resolutions made by other members of the security counsel? Is it just so that power-crazed leaders like Putin can seem stronger to disillusioned Russians? Isolationists who want the USA to pull out of the UN and take US financial support and reinvest it domestically ignore the principles of responsibility in wisdom literature. Those who God has blessed with much are held responsible to use those resources for others. Although some may have theological reasons for wanting the USA to withdraw from international politics, I think many have a thinly veiled xenophobia and lack of compassion for those with whom they don’t have direct contact.
Questions
- How does Proverbs support the idea that conflict is resolved by strategy and not by strength?
- What should be entertained rather than gossip when making decisions?
- Why did my father post Proverbs 20:20 on my door (he really did)?
- Is the United Nations a valid use of US resources and energy?
- What is the role of self-interest in theologically correct thinking?
Plymothian 