Archive for Proverbs
Proverbs 21
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1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
Eight times in this chapter the wicked are referred to (vv. 4, 7, 10, 12, 18, 27, 29).
God Directs the Hearts of Kings
• Pharaoh Exodus 10:1-2
• Tiglath-Pileser Isaiah 10:5-7
• Cyrus Isaiah 45:1-6
• Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21; Nehemiah 2:1-8
• God is sovereign Proverbs 21:1, 30
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
This is the man who did not know what true happiness was until he got married—and then it was too late! Adverse examples: Job; David & Michel(Saul’s daughter). The statement about a quarrelsome wife is repeated in 25:24.
Prov 21:10-15
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Poverty (masôr) is yet another word for being poor: “deficient, destitute, or in need.” It is used in Proverbs more often than in any other OldTestament book (Proverbs 6:11; 11:24; 14:23; 21:5, 17; 22:16; 24:34; 28:27).
Proverbs 21:17a does not argue for a dismal, stoic life, but against living only for pleasure and self.
Prov 21:18-31
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 There is desirable treasure,And oil in the dwelling of the wise,But a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man — “Scoffer” is his name;He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him,For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,But the righteous gives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,But deliverance is of the LORD.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth (2 Corinthians 13:8).
“The Word of God is like a lion: turn it loose and it will defend itself.” –Charles Spurgeon
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident (Psalm 27:3).
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Proverbs 20
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Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
“Wine”: !yIy: yayin, most common word for wine, usually referred to fermented grape juice; vAryTi tirosh fresh grape juice;
“Srong drink”: rk’ve shekar, referred to drinks made from barley, dates, or pomegranates.
Intoxication
This was forbidden for priests (Leviticus 10:9); Nazirites (Numbers 6:1-3); and others (Isaiah 5:11). Other passages that condemn drunkenness (Proverbs 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:4-5).
2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.
4 The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?
7 The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin”?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures,
They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his deeds,
Whether what he does is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The LORD has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
14 “It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer;
But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.
Laziness vs. diligence… the keys to failure and success
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel;
By wise counsel wage war.
19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
A person who cursed his parents violated the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and committed a capital offense. Death was the penalty for cursing (and rebelling against) parents (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9). To have one’s lamp snuffed out was a picturesque way of referring to death . (Pitch) darkness is literally, “pupil (of the eye) of darkness,” referring to the darkest part of the night.
21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning
Will not be blessed at the end.
Cf. Prodigal son: Luke 15:11-20.
22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”;
Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
To take vengeance in one’s hands is wrong (cf. Proverbs 17:13; 24:29; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD,
And dishonest scales are not good.
24 A man’s steps are of the LORD;
How then can a man understand his own way?
25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,
And afterward to reconsider his vows.
26 A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.
The first of these responsibilities is suggested by winnowing and the second by threshing. In farming, grain is threshed before it is winnowed. In threshing, a sledge with spikes is pulled over the stalks of grain toseparate the grain from the stalks and to free the seeds from the seed coverings (the chaff). In winnowing the farmer tosses up the grain so that the wind can carry away the unwanted chaff.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
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Proverbs 19
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1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the LORD.
4 Wealth makes many friends,
But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go far from him!He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
Much less for a servant to rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
I can testify to that!
15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of his ways will die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
And He will pay back what he has given.
18 Chasten your son while there is hope,
And do not set your heart on his destruction.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel — that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
An alternate translation is: “A slothful man buries his hand in the dish.”
Now that’s lazy!
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;
Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A disreputable witness scorns justice,
And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And beatings for the backs of fools.
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Proverbs 18
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Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
This is a difficult verse: Some take it as a rebuke to an affected singularity.
Alternatively, it could be an enticement to diligence in the pursuit of wisdom. We must separate ourselves from all those things which would divert us from noise of this world’s vanities, and seek and inter-meddle with all the means and instructions of wisdom, that we may prove all things and hold fast that which is good.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
Ever meet one of these folks?
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
Amen!
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
It is so easy to fall captive to the desires and self-sufficiency of the flesh
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
Very interesting verse. I see a parallel in Colossians 3:23.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Your tongue can be used to give out the Word, and this will give life. It can also be used to drive people away from God, which makes it an instrument of death.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
A good wife is a gift from the Lord!
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Proverbs 17
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1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Cf. Proverbs 15:17.
2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the LORD tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.
Grandchildren: if I’d known how much fun they are, I’d have had them first.
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27 He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
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Proverbs 16
Posted by: | CommentsShort sentences drawn from long experience…
1 The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
“Man proposes, but God disposes.”
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the spirits.
Cf. Proverbs 14:12.
3 Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.
4 The LORD has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s;
All the weights in the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good. 30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
There is no randomness in the Universe! Both the concepts of randomness and infinity exist in mathematics but are not to be found in the physical universe!
Book of Esther: God intervened and delivered His people; and the Jewish Feast of Purim (meaning “lots”) is a celebration of that providential day.
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Proverbs 22
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">RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! -- Jon Clayton1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
“Good” is supplied: “A name is rather to be chosen…” Cf. Benaiah, (2 Samuel 23:20,22). In our society, we have disconnected character from destiny. This is a serious disconnect.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common,
The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards his soul will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11 He who loves purity of heart
The Sayings of the Wise Men: Proverbs 22:17-24:34
• The 1st part is introduced as “the sayings of the wise” (Proverbs 22:17).
• The 2nd part is introduced by the statement, “These also are the sayings of the wise” (Proverbs 24:23).
• This section includes 20 instances in which two verses express a complete thought, rather than one verse as in Proverbs 10:1-22:16.
– 7 verses have 3 lines rather than the normal two lines (Proverbs22:29; 23:5, 29, 31; 24:14, 27, 31
– 2 verses each have 4 lines (Proverbs 23:7; 24:12). Also, “my son” occurs five times (Proverbs 23:15, 19, 26; 24:13, 21) whereas it occurs 15 times in Chapters 1-9 and only once in 10:1-22:16 and twice in the remainder of the book (27:11; 31:2).
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD;
I have instructed you today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth
To those who send to you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the LORD will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
25 Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.
26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is surety for debts;
27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark
Which your fathers have set.
Cf. Deuteronomy 19:14: Six times the Bible mentions the sin of moving boundary stones (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Job 24:2; Proverbs. 22:28; 23:10; Hosea 5:10)
Moral landmarks and doctrinal landmarks are included.
29 Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.
God always rewards the diligent! (He will never become your debtor!)
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