Really, what does this verse mean?
TODAY'S PROVERB: Where there is no divine vision people cast off restraint, but blessed is the one who keeps Torah. Proverb 29:18
This little proverbs is one of the most misused passages in the Bible. Really.
Respected leaders have used this proverb out-of-context as the basis for their church and ministry vision statements. Typically they will use the translation: Where there is no vision, the people perish . . . And then "blink" past the second half of the verse.
Their interpretation of vision is a GOD-inspired, but nonetheless self-generated vision used to incite passion or a dream for expansion and growth. The leader "receives" the vision and builds based on that vision.
While their congregation and ministry may have the greatest of intentions, their divine compass is a few degrees off "true North."
It may feel like semantics or quibbling over a minor interpretation flaw, but a few degrees off on the compass over a long journey will take us somewhere we never intended.
It is said, "Scripture interprets Scripture." Which means all Biblical text must be kept in context or we can misunderstand, or worse, use for our own purpose GOD's word.
The word in question is the Hebrew word CHAZON. Which means divine vision or prophecy. Divine as in GOD's vision--not GOD-inspired.
There's a passage that is one of those scary verses that speak of the misuse of CHAZON: "Thus says ADONAI-Tzva’ot: 'Do not listen to the words of prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into illusion, speaking a vision of their own heart and not out of the mouth of ADONAI.'" (Jeremiah 23:16) YIKES!
The second half of Proverbs 29:18 gives us the context of CHAZON: "...but blessed is the one who keeps Torah." The context is, GOD's vision for a righteous people has been ignored and people are running amok--the people have cast off restraint. But those who keep the Law will be blessed.
We live in a world of convenience. We can glide through commentaries and find passages we're looking for in seconds. "Living" in GOD's word has become quaint and antiquated. Or relegated to scholars bent over musty books.
GOD's word is alive. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword—piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
We can live in His divine vision every single day by living in His word. Those of us on the Wisdom Journey are doing that, but there is so much more. We'll be talking about that as time goes on.
As we've said over the months, living His word keeps us calibrated to "true North." We all need it, including this wonderful leaders.
May we keep the context of GOD's word, my friends.
Proverbs 29:18, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
This little proverbs is one of the most misused passages in the Bible. Really.
Respected leaders have used this proverb out-of-context as the basis for their church and ministry vision statements. Typically they will use the translation: Where there is no vision, the people perish . . . And then "blink" past the second half of the verse.
Their interpretation of vision is a GOD-inspired, but nonetheless self-generated vision used to incite passion or a dream for expansion and growth. The leader "receives" the vision and builds based on that vision.
While their congregation and ministry may have the greatest of intentions, their divine compass is a few degrees off "true North."
It may feel like semantics or quibbling over a minor interpretation flaw, but a few degrees off on the compass over a long journey will take us somewhere we never intended.
It is said, "Scripture interprets Scripture." Which means all Biblical text must be kept in context or we can misunderstand, or worse, use for our own purpose GOD's word.
The word in question is the Hebrew word CHAZON. Which means divine vision or prophecy. Divine as in GOD's vision--not GOD-inspired.
There's a passage that is one of those scary verses that speak of the misuse of CHAZON: "Thus says ADONAI-Tzva’ot: 'Do not listen to the words of prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into illusion, speaking a vision of their own heart and not out of the mouth of ADONAI.'" (Jeremiah 23:16) YIKES!
The second half of Proverbs 29:18 gives us the context of CHAZON: "...but blessed is the one who keeps Torah." The context is, GOD's vision for a righteous people has been ignored and people are running amok--the people have cast off restraint. But those who keep the Law will be blessed.
We live in a world of convenience. We can glide through commentaries and find passages we're looking for in seconds. "Living" in GOD's word has become quaint and antiquated. Or relegated to scholars bent over musty books.
GOD's word is alive. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword—piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
We can live in His divine vision every single day by living in His word. Those of us on the Wisdom Journey are doing that, but there is so much more. We'll be talking about that as time goes on.
As we've said over the months, living His word keeps us calibrated to "true North." We all need it, including this wonderful leaders.
May we keep the context of GOD's word, my friends.
Proverbs 29:18, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
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