Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

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We are slowly working through the book of Proverbs, and this week Prov 12:15 is our text. 

Looking through the book for references to the same topic (as has been our process for opening this book) we find Prov 21:2, using the same turn of phrase... "in his own eyes".

This phrase is found in three additional places in the OT. Can you say where?

Students of the Bible will immediately say "Judges" , and they get 2/3 of the answer:

Jdg 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Jdg 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

The 5th place is in the Law.

Deu 12:8  Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes..... [ continuing ] ... " For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;

Then there shall be -a place- which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.

Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in --every place-- that thou seest:

But in the place which the LORD shall choose in --one of thy tribes,-- there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there ----thou shalt do all that I command thee." - (Deu 12:8-14)

Interesting group of 5 verses aren't they? 

Lets look at them from a couple of perspectives :

A. Who is foolish ? ( the opposite of wise )

From our first text : One who clings to their opinions, even when such, fly in the face of facts or alternative counsel. The wise person, at a bare minimum, is open to listening to other thoughts and to balancing multiple considerations, as S/he formulates a plan or decision.

From our second text : The company of fools seems to be expanded... ? .... --every-- man/person-- thinks they are in the right, but only God knows their TRUE motives and rationale for pursuing a given course of action. 

The difference between the two? 

The first shows us a person who is unswerving in their convictions, and ignores counsel. 

The second tells us that, this self-righteous behavior is in our VERY NATURE... and only God knows what are the motives in our heart... doesn't say anything about our ability/openness to listen to reason/alternative counsel. The wise will listen, the foolish will not.

B. How should one worship God?

The Judges texts show us a society where there is no benchmark or law, or any Authority (king) to enforce the law.   The Deutoronomy text shows us something very different. 

Honoring God with religious worship is what man seeks to do, and pre-law, everyone would have had household shrines ( e.g. Laban/Rachel ) or a local place/grove/tree/altar ( like Abraham ). This was "status quo ante" for the Israelites. This form of worship is what was to be REMOVED by the legislation in the LAW.

One place, from One tribe, and all must worship there -- regardless of what one "thinks" is the right way to worship God ! 

This form of worship was destroyed along with the temples that were razed to the ground, but it WILL RESUME in the future... where there is just ONE city ( a v v big one ) and there is no temple there but God Himself is present!!! 

"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." - Rev 21:22-27

Christ says of this intervening time ( no temple/one-place) " ... Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:21-24

We are not to worship God the way WE WANT, but must be open to the counsel of HIS Word as to what is the right way! 

Doing otherwise.... is foolishness!!!!

C. Why would God legislate only ONE place? 

Interesting question, and we can only speculate as to the possible answers...

a. Setting a template/foreshadowing our ultimate destiny as revealed in Revelation 21?

b. Bring people together three times a year to party? ( Yes, because the text explicitly states that partying and rejoicing is indicated ! )

c. To reinforce His One-ness as opposed to the pantheon of images ?

d. To centralize the Temple treasury and offices for ease of management and distribution?

e. To be a single "go-to" place ( call 1800TEMPLE ) for all His peoples needs....

Probably all of the above!!! ?

Let us be wise, and listen to the counsel of the Lord -- to walk in Grace and Truth, till the time comes when we will worship Him face to face!!

Hallelujah!!