A Dry Morsel and a House Full of Sacrifices - Proverbs 17:1

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD”, and in chapter seventeen and verse one of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “a dry morsel” and “a house full of sacrifices” where we read,

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

The verse begins, “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, ...” Solomon began with the words, “better is a dry morsel” or “more good, pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable exists a desolate, wasted, ruined and parched fragment, piece or bit of meat”, “and quietness therewith” which means “and ease, peace and prosperity with the dry morsel” than the following. Solomon shared how possessing only a parched fragment of meat while enjoying peace and prosperity exceeds having the following.

The verse continues, “... than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” Solomon added the words, “than an house” or “compared to a dwelling place, habitation, abode and household” “full of sacrifices with strife” which means “complete, furnished and fully stocked with covenant thank offerings and slaughter while having controversy, dispute, quarreling and discord”. Solomon said possessing a parched fragment of meat is “better” than having a dwelling place fully stocked with slaughtered offerings accompanied with controversy and discord.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we discover the value of peace and calm in our lives compared to quarreling and discord. When a person has an abundance of material goods but controversy is in their lives, they are miserable, and when a person has little supplies but have tranquility, they live in calm and quiet. God wants us to trust Him with our lives, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He gave the opportunity for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the peace of God regardless of how much we possess in our homes. (See Romans 15:13)

Next time Solomon says, “a wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".