Daily Bible Reading “A Soft Answer” (Proverbs 15:1-11)

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

A Soft Answer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 15:1-11. In this Scripture, we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath: but a harsh word stirs up anger. Have you ever noticed how someone’s tone of voice can make a difference in how you respond to them?

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge for good: but the mouth of fools overflows with foolishness.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching for good and evil.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverse speech crushes the spirit.

A fool despises their parent’s instruction: but those who heed correction show good judgment.

There is much treasure in the house of the righteous: but the profit of the wicked brings trouble.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge: but the heart of the foolish is not wise.

The LORD despises the sacrifice of the wicked: but He takes pleasure in the prayer of the righteous.

The way of the wicked is disgusting to the LORD: but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

Correction causes distress to those who abandon the way: those who hate reproof will die.

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more the hearts of humans!

We are reminded again in this Scripture how our mouth can be used for good or for evil. In verse 1 we are told that a soft answer will help keep rage at bay, but offensive, hurtful words cause anger.

We need to learn to think before we speak. We also need to remember how it makes us feel when people use a harsh tone of voice or offensive language with us. We need to remember to do unto others as we would have them do to us.

Sometimes it is not what we say as much as how we say it. Our tone of voice can make a huge difference in how the message is received when we’re communicating with others.

I remember an incident that happened with my daughter’s dog that reminds me so much of this verse. One day, as I was arriving home, a thunderstorm was beginning to brew. I opened the car door to get out and about that time a big clap of thunder sounded. My daughter’s dog was deathly afraid of thunder so he jumped in my car and buried himself under the front seat. I couldn’t get him out for anything. I tried everything. I tried to pull him out. I hollered at him and told him he better get out of my car, but he wouldn’t budge.

I called my daughter and told her that she better come get her dog out of my car. It was hot, summertime weather; I couldn’t leave the dog in the car. I couldn’t leave the windows or doors open because it was about to rain.

She came over and with a sweet, tender voice, she spoke to the dog and he came right out from under the seat. I had been trying for thirty minutes or longer to persuade him to get out of the car, but I was using the wrong approach.

Here are a couple of quotes that I thought might help us remember to watch what we say and how we say it when dealing with others.

“Harsh words make no friends.”
“A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.”
“Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.”
“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 15:1-11

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Things to think about:

What does a soft answer do?
What do we cause to happen when we use harsh words?
Are you bothered when other people speak to you in a harsh tone?
What other lessons can we learn from this Scripture?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in Proverbs we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Help us to keep this in mind when dealing with others. Help us to treat others as we would have them treat us. Help us to put a guard over our mouth and use our words for good and not evil. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. – Proverbs 15:1

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Daily Bible Reading “Cain and Abel” (Genesis 4:1-8)

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Deborah H. Bateman

Cain and Abel

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Genesis 4:1-8. In chapter four we learn that Adam knew his wife, Eve; she conceived, and gave birth to a son which they named Cain. The name Cain means “possession.” Eve said, “I have gotten a man from the LORD.”

Eve conceived again and gave birth to a second son, which they named Abel. The name Abel means “breath.” The boys grew up and Abel became a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer. Considering the occupations of the men, we may conclude that Cain was physically the stronger of the two men.

In due time, Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground which he had worked. Abel also brought an offering of the best first born from his flock.

The LORD respected Abel and his offering: but God didn’t have respect for Cain and his offering. We aren’t told why God rejected Cain’s offering. Could it be because Cain’s offering was from the ground, which God had cursed when Adam sinned? Could it be because a blood sacrifice was more acceptable to God? Cain became very angry and upset. Cain became jealous because his offering was rejected, while Abel’s was accepted.

The LORD asked Cain, Why art you angry? Why are you sad? God told Cain, If you do well, won’t you be accepted? If you don’t do well, sin will lie at the door and to you will be his desire, and you will rule over him.

One day Cain talked with Abel his brother and while they were in the field, Cain attacked Abel, his brother, and killed him. Can you imagine what would cause a man to kill his brother? Personally, I find this hard to understand. I love my brother and sisters and can’t imagine being that angry with them. Things like this do happen in families and it has to be devastating to the family. Can you imagine the heart-break that Adam and Eve must have felt?

Abel hadn’t done anything to Cain. Cain was jealous of Abel because God accepted his offering. In Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Jealousy of this kind not only happens in families, it can happen at work, school, among friends, colleagues, or even in churches. It is one of those things that the enemy likes to use to cause division among us.

We are told in Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

Hate, anger, jealousy, and resentment are like cancers that will eat at you, if you let it. It will cause you to do things that you thought you’d never do. Is there something you need to make right with someone today so you can live at peace with God?

Daily Bible Reading:

Genesis 4:1-8

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Things to think about:

Who was the first-born child of Adam and Eve?

Who was the second-born child of Adam and Eve?

What were the occupations of the two men?

Why was there jealousy between the two sons?

What ended up happening because of this jealousy?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this passage we see the power of anger, jealousy, and resentment. Help us not to hold grudges against others. Help us to be forgiving toward others. Forgive us of the times we have failed in this area of our lives and help us to do better with it in the future. Remind us of the story of Cain and Abel when we need to remember this lesson. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

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