Proverbs
Only The Righteous Have a Secure Future
In an agricultural society, where grain was a major means of exchange, the hoarding of corn could drastically effect prices. The person who sold his grain and did not hoard it was a blessing to others and would be blessed by God (v. 26). We might compare this today with someone w …
A Bad Temper is a Sign of Weakness
The riches of a wise person tend to shine as a testimony of his wisdom. On the contrary, no matter what possessions a fool may possess, they are filled with folly and nothing he has can bring him any ultimate profit. People who witness in a court of law have a big respo …
The Natural Man is Never Satisfied
Just as water, like a mirror, reflects a person’s face, so will a person’s heart and thoughts reflect what he is really like (v. 19). The natural man is never satisfied (v. 20). The more he gets the more he wants. It is reported that John Rockefeller was once asked how much money it would take to …
Who Can Find a Faithful Man?
Many people seem honest. They say the right words, but a closer look reveals their unfaithfulness (v. 6). Our children are like mirrors, reflecting our attitudes in life (v. 7). We need to be careful …
Drunkenness Leads to All Kinds of Problems
In Proverbs being wise in God’s view means being godly or righteous (vv. 24-25). Wise, godly living, in obedience to the parents’ discipline, not only benefits the child; it also benefits the parents. Again, the son was exhorted to follow his father’s teaching (vv. 26- 28). The words “give me your …
Wealth is Very Inferior to Honor
Most of the verses from here to the end of the chapter refer in some way to the rewards of righteous living. It begins with a contrast between men and women. The gracious woman is able to retain honor, whereas the energetic man is able to retain riches (v. 16). It seems th …
Pride And Anger Work Against Humility
IV. Four Unbearable things in Leadership (vv. 21-23). a. Inexperience / unqualified people elevated to leadership (v. 22). b. A fool with plenty to eat while others go hungry (v. 22). …
It’s Important to Listen to Instruction
Men often are too proud to listen to instruction. Lasting honor only comes to those who humble themselves and receive instructions from Godly men (v. 18) while poverty and shame will come to those who think themselves too advanced for such instruction. I find this often …
Refusal to Take Correction Brings Discipline
God blesses the house of the righteous (v. 6). Whatever riches the wicked may pile up, he shall never be truly rich. Note other verses in Proverbs that speak of true riches; (Prov. 3:16); (Prov. 8:18); (Prov. 8:14); (Prov. 8:24) and (Prov. 22:4). A person’s words reveal wha …
Refusing to Obey Brings Disastrous Results
A guilty conscience and cowardice go hand in hand. The guilty run from imagined pursuers while the righteous are as bold as lions (v. 1). Throughout Israel’s history, the stability of the nation nearly always depended on the wisdom of its leader (v. 2). It’s often the poor who are the most …