Proverbs
A Contrast Between Diligence And Laziness
A simple contrast is made between the ability and inability to keep quiet (v. 23). A fool is prone to blurt forth all that he knows (which may not be much) while a wise man is careful to practice silence in the presence of others. Next we see a contrast between diligence an …
Right Thoughts Result in Right Actions
When men reject Divine wisdom and true knowledge they become like animals (Rom. 1:21-24). To willingly accept correction shows that a person loves knowledge. To hate correction shows that one is ignorant like an animal. Men who are trained to live like animals act like animals. I …
Wisdom Gives Strength And Security
It is not physical strength alone that gives us the ability to break through seemingly impossible positions. Wisdom gives strength and security (v. 22). This lesson is very important for us to learn when we are up against spiritual foes. Unwise words, however true they may be, are often the cause …
Tell a Person His Fault Alone
About 250 years after Solomon wrote them, Hezekiah’s men grouped many of these proverbs in units of similar thoughts (v. 1). Man is constantly forced to confess the limits of his understanding (vv. 2-3). God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts (Rom. 11:33-34). God has not chosen to reveal …
Some of The Consequences of Adultery
This chapter is filled with strong warning against sexual sin. If any fall prey to a strange woman and her wicked seduction it is not because of lack of warning but because of willful neglect of instruction. Temptation in these matters has always been in the forefront of man’s problems. The …
Wisdom Offers Her Service to All
In chapter seven we read how the adulteress went out in the streets to seduce the young man. Now we see how wisdom, like a virtuous woman, is seen crying in the streets offering services to all who will receive them:Where she cries – in “high places†and at …
No Work Means No Harvest
A wise woman will lead her household in the right way while the foolish brings grief to her offspring by her unholy influence (v. 1). The foolish woman through her wild behavior and bad instruction brings sorrow for herself and grief to her children by her unholy way of living. A …
What is in Your Heart Comes Out in Your Talk
The glamour of the world often arouses envy in the minds of young and old alike. A Christian should not want what the world has to offer or even want to be with worldly people (v. 1). The best thing the world has to offer is only temporary no matter how attractive it may seem. If we hang …
Pride Causes Us to Be Contentious
A person may be rich and have all kinds of material things but have nothing spiritually. Another person may be poor materially speaking but rich spiritually (v. 7). It is sad to see but those who posses riches often put their trust in their possessions. The rich man may need to u …
Better to Have Wisdom Than Gold
Rulers should hate wrongdoing and value honesty (v. 12). They should value honesty not only in themselves but in others also. Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speaks what is right (v. 13). If someone angers a king he runs the risk of being put …