July 30 – Proverbs 30:11-14

These four “generations” are more than individuals but less than periods of time. I believe they are the social norms of a culture and therefore, more than one can exist at one time, much like the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. The first are those without the natural affection and respect for their parents and elders. They refuse to take instruction or learn from people who have gone before them, so they are doomed to replay all the mistakes of the past instead of build on the successes. The second are the self righteous who use their own code of morality to gauge their actions, but that is not the standard by which God will judge them and their own opinions will not justify their sinful actions. The third are the proud whose high opinion of themselves corresponds to their low opinion of everyone else. The last are a cruel and vicious group that do not spare the weak and needy but would rather prey on them. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.