Proverbs 25:25

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the power of good news: 

Proverbs 25:25 (ESV)

Like cold water to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from a far country.

See also:

Proverbs 25:13 (NASBStr)

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Solomon lived in a day when social media were not a thought in man's head, much less a habit with their fingers.   News that Solomon would receive would be delivered by a messenger, sent by the author of the message.   Therefore, one can be even more excited when the messenger has come from even a farther distance.   The "good news," coming from a far land is like one who gets a cold drink on a very hot day.   A faithful messenger, in Proverbs 25:13, is like a brief, but refreshing, cold snow storm during the hot days of August - the time of harvest.   Good news is always acceptable.   The fact that it comes from a far land, meaning it was hard to get from their thoughts to your ears, is even more refreshing.   God has sent His Son to give us grace.  The news has come from the throne-room of God.  That is from a far place.  It is carried by faithful messengers, who, upon arrival are like a cold drink of water to a parched soul.   Refreshment is found for the soul by the messengers of God's grace.  Embrace it.   Be the messenger, however, as well.   God wants us to deliver good news to the thirsty souls around us.   We might only have to walk across the hall, step around the corner, or lean over the fence, but the good news of God's grace comes a long way to the soul who is dead in trespasses and sins.

Proverbs 24:26

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about honesty: 

Proverbs 24:26 (ESV)

Whoever gives an honest answer

kisses the lips.

I liked to be kissed. I especially like kissing my wife. In a close second, is getting a kiss from my grandchildren. I don’t like to get kissed by a dog or frog. The above proverb is a word picture proverb that gives us a great picture of a great truth. It is simple, but clear. Getting an honest answer from someone is like getting a kiss on the lips. I don’t think Solomon had the dog or frog in mind, either. I think he was talking about how great it is to come home from a long day of work to receive an honest answer. Or, to sit down for a nice romantic evening and have your spouse pucker their lips and simulate an honest answer. Or, leaving for a long trip and have them blow you a final honest answer. That is the beauty of honesty. It is like a big, fat, wet, juicy kiss. Give one out today. You would be surprised at how others respond. They just might kiss you back … honestly.  When we give someone great answers, words of wisdom or counsel, and it is from God, we need to know it is like giving them a kiss on the lips.   Giving God's wisdom to others is refreshing and soothing.   Honesty is the bedrock for how we build trust with others.   When others are honest they are trustworthy.  Trust is the result of honesty.   Trust is the kiss on the lips.

Proverbs 23:32

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the sting of sin:

Proverbs 23:32 (ESV)

32 In the end it bites like a serpent

and stings like an adder.

Solomon is in the midst of describing what it is like to get drunk.   He starts in Proverbs 23:29 and goes through the end of the chapter.   He is telling us that those who have difficulty in their lives are those who spend too much time drinking.    Those who drink to drown their sorrows, to dull their senses or to impress their friends, will eventually feel as though they have (as stated above) been bitten by a snake.   The marketing firms do such a great job of enticing us to enjoy drinking and to couple drinking with fun and frivolity.   Yet, in truth, there are very few heavy drinkers who don't have a variety of pain and suffering in their lives.  Broken homes follow empty and broken bottles.   That is Solomon's point, above.   Don't believe what you see in a Super Bowl ad about the joys of the booze.   At the end  you will feel the bite of the beverage you laughed over, but now provides of life of sorrow and shame. Sin bites!!    Ask these Bible characters:

1. David - Adultery bites!

2. Jonah - Rebellion bites!

3. Adam - Disobedience bites!

4. Noah - Drinking bites!

5. Nebuchadnezzar - Pride bites!

When we disobey God and indulge in sin, we will be stung by that indulgent.

Proverbs 22:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about humility: 

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

Humility has its rewards. Our society tends to think the meek and the humble have little reward. And, in this life it may be true based upon the world's definitions.  But, in 22:4 we read that God has a reward for humility and the fear of the Lord: Riches, honor and life.  We may not define these three in the same way the Bible does, however.  But we do have the Word of God to tell us that there is a reward for trusting God and walking in His steps.  Being humble and fearing God is a blessing in our lives.  God allows us to walk with Him and He rewards us for it.

Note the similarity of the above proverb with the following:

Proverbs 21:21 (NASBStr)

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Solomon realizes that humility and the pursuit of righteousness and mercy have the same end ... life and honor.   When you seek to be promoted you lose both life and honor.   But, when you seek humility, righteousness and kindness you obtain the very things the proud, arrogant and powerful want ... life, honor and riches.   Christianity is the upside-down religion.  While other faiths tell you to work hard for your righteousness, Christianity tells you to stop working and simply believe.   When other religions tell you to work for riches and honor, even killing others to get it, Christianity tells you to seek humility, righteousness and kindness to find the same things.   Typically the humble are not rewarded by the world.  The world is looking for the powerful and the aggressive.  Those seeking and fulfilling the "warrior" mentality are much more rewarded in our society than the one who seeks humility, meekness and the fear of The Lord.   James tells us that God rewards the humble:

James 4:6

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “ God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is given to the humble.  Grace helps us to accept the circumstances where we struggle.   Grace helps us to deal with the pain that afflicts us; the disappointment that upsets us; the expectations that fail us.    God gives grace to those who trust in Him.  The proud trust in themselves.   The humble realize they have nothing to offer God and therefore need to simply allow Him to work in their lives and produce something good out of it.   The reward for humility and the fear of The Lord is life.   A great life.

Proverbs 21:25-26

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the sluggard:

Proverbs 21:25-26 (ESV)

The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor.

All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

The psychology of the lazy is so eloquently stated throughout the book of Proverbs.  God has given Solomon great wisdom as to how the mind of the slothful works and what that "work" does to his emotions, thought process, and end.   The slothful desires and those desires are for all the things others have and for the creature-comforts others work for.   But, the desires eventually, for the slothful, kills them.   Since they won't work for the desires the "act of desiring" actually causes his life to end.   Perhaps, more than other place in Scripture, we have in written form the psychology of the mind and how it affects the physical nature of the body.   We were told early in this book that joy and laughter does good to the body (Proverbs 17:22); while here we see that empty desires that are not accompanied by hard work will be the bullet of psychological suicide.  Lazy people might think they are avoiding potential danger (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13), yet, their very inactivity is going to kill them.   These stand in contrast to the righteous who, thinking nothing of self or of desire, simply gives, expecting nothing in return.   Perhaps another way to read this is to say that those who give have no desires to worry about, but those who have only desire will end up in need; grave need.   If you are sitting around "wishing" for something to happen the approach would be to get off your sit and start doing things for others.   One gives everything and never wants.   The other only wants and only gets death.

Proverbs 20:26

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the power of the king:

Proverbs 20:26 (ESV)

A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

Leadership has many important functions.  None may be so vital as what is spoken of in the above passage.  Godly leaders, wise leaders, have a strong responsibility to exact justice within their area of rule.   God ordained it.   He speaks of it, countless times.  In this chapter, alone, Solomon has already addressed this point.  Note the following:

Proverbs 20:8 (NASBStr)

A king who sits on the throne of justice

Disperses all evil with his eyes.

In verse eight Solomon tells us that the Godly king can exact justice simply with his eyes.  He is the best king who does not look away at evil.   The best king is the one who looks at evil for the purpose of dispersing the evil.   In our proverb here, 20:26, it is not the eyes of the king that disperses evil but the threshing wheel.  In Biblical times the threshing wheel was used to crush the wheat to separate the chafe so that the wind would blow the chafe away and the true grain would be left.   Solomon is telling us in this proverb that God wants the King to assure that he has a system in place to assure that evil does not win or corrupt the kingdom.  God wants us to make sure that, as His leaders, we do what is right and we set up a kingdom that will do what is right.   God is a God of justice and hates evil.   So, too, should someone who is leading in His stead.

Proverbs 19:27

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about asking for directions:

Proverbs 19:27 (ESV)

Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

If you are lost do you stop and ask for directions? I know most men don’t, but women might be as equally guilty of this poor practice. I stop and ask for directions, but I don’t always listen when they are given. I get back into the car and realize I didn’t hear a word they said. So, I take off and immediately turn the wrong way. So, too, with God’s Word. When we stop listening to God’s Word (instructions) we will eventually veer down the wrong path. People who quit reading His Word; quit listening to it preached; and, stop putting themselves in places where God’s Word is magnified, will eventually find themselves on the wrong path. Stop listening to God’s word and you will find yourself looking for God’s Word. Once I find myself lost, I find a map to lead me back.  You can’t find your way back, however, if you don’t search God’s Word.    God’s Word gives us knowledge and understanding.    Note what Solomon’s father, King David said about God’s Word and our walk with Him through it:

Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Without the light of God’s Word we are lost in the darkness of this world. 

Proverbs 18:8

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about gossip:

Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Each line of a Hebrew poem works in conjunction with the other. In this proverb the second line gives further information about the first line. The subject mentioned here is on gossip. The first line characterizes the “words” of gossip as choice morsels; sounding delicious and delectable. When a person spreads gossip they make it sound as though they are taken aback by the subject and they are sharing something of “grave importance” about another. But, in the end the words go to the very inner being to hurt those who are being talked about … “to the man’s inmost parts.” When people gossip they may make it sound delightful and others may lean in a little closer to hear the beauty of the words being spoken, even though they are harmful. But, in the end, they are like spears in the stomach of the person being spoken about. We need to be careful as we listen to a great story told by a great gossip. Remember, however, it is piercing someone, some place.   James warns us that words are like a match that starts a forest fire:

James 3:5-6

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

The words of a gossip can set an entire organization on fire.   Don’t be the one with this type of match in your mouth.

Proverbs 17:1

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about strife: 

Proverbs 17:1 (ESV)

Better is a dry morsel with quiet

than a house full of feasting with strife.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements called parrelism (see the bottom of this web site).  This proverb gives us insight on the importance of peace. If given the option to win the lotto or have a little peace and quiet, most of us would choose the cash payoff. Solomon gives us insight, however, and states that it is better to have a simple crust of bread and still be able to maintain peace then to have it all and be beat up by strife. Our society doesn’t put much value on having little. We are hit by advertisements every day that tell us that we need “their” brand to attract others to us; or, a specific car to reach social acceptance; or a certain credit card rating to know we have it made. Solomon tells us that having little is better than having much when the little is accompanied by peace. It is amazing how families fight over what is left behind after a death of a loved one. This proverbs tells us that a lot of stuff can’t give us peace. Peace is being content with what God has given us … even if it’s just a crust!  Our enjoyment of life is enhanced by peace in our lives, not by stuff in our lives.   Jesus said:

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

We want stuff so we can feel secure.  God gives us His peace for security.  Solomon was writing about the pease that Jesus is talking about for our lives. 

Proverbs 16:27

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about a worthless person: 

Proverbs 16:27 (ESV)

A worthless man plots evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire. 

You can always tell when someone who is talking to you has pour motives and has questionable value ... watch their conversation and observe what they talk about.   According to this proverb, the first line tells us they will dig up evil things to talk about.   The second line tells us about the consequences of that digging ... they scorch those around them like fire.   A discussion with a "worthless" man (a person without Christ) is one of danger and peril.   They will dig up past events even though true love keeps no records of wrong.  True love, according to 1 Corinthians 13, doesn't dig things up.   In fact, love seeks to cover sin.    Beware of conversations with evil men.  You will more than likely get burnt.   Solomon says on two separate occasions, in this book, that dwelling on a roof top is preferable to being in a house with a contention women.   Heed the warning in this proverb and protect yourself from bad conversations.

Proverbs 15:21

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about those who lack sense:

Proverbs 15:21 (ESV)

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

The world loves a good party.   The Super Bowl is watched my millions.  Saturday night, at any bar in any city, the world laughs and rejoices.  They embrace silliness on TV and laugh (and scream) at movies with no moral or spiritual significance in their (our?) lives.   We tend to enjoy laughter so much that we, often, forget to take life serious as to our spiritual plight.   There is, it is said, a case to be made for not taking yourself or life too seriously.   Solomon knows the value of enjoying life (read the book of Ecclesiastes).   But, in the above proverb the message is true, firm and illuminating:  If you enjoy your sin so much that you never repent you lack good sense.    Like a man who is driving his car off a cliff for the fun of the ride, we have a society who won't stop laughing at beer commercials long enough to see their own sin and come to faith in Christ.  We see a society comfortable enough to use Jesus Christ as a swear word, while never coming to the knowledge that He is the Son of God and master of the universe.   The person who so loves folly and the enjoyment of his sin is in direct contrast to the second line above: The man who does understand, adjusts his walk and walks straight (implied ... according to God's Word and Wisdom).   When we come to the knowledge of the Holy One and Fear The Lord, we will adjust our walk ... or, better, have our walk adjusted by the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.   If we laugh, let's us laugh and not, at the same time, jeopardize our walk or final destination.   The end result may be years away but the journey is significant to day for what the end may look like.  Laugh, but do so in the fear of The Lord and in the knowledge of the Holy One and wisdom of Christ.   The first Biblical use of the Hebrew word translated "joy" above is found in 1 Sam. 18:6.   That is where David danced at the bringing home of the Ark.  That is a time to have joy.    However, in Jeremiah 50:21 the same word is used to describe the joy the nation of Israel experienced in their rebellion against God.   If folly is a joy to you, you lack sense.  If God is a joy to you, you have understanding of real life.

Proverbs 14:18

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the naive:

Proverbs 14:18 (NASBStr)

The naive inherit foolishness,

But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 14:18 (ESV)

The simple inherit folly,

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs is written to the naive.  Note what Solomon writes:

Proverbs 1:4 (NASBStr)

To give prudence to the naive,

To the youth knowledge and discretion,

However, not everyone that is naive would want to turn toward God and Fear The Lord.   Even though God sent Solomon to write and organize these proverbs, not everyone would listen to them.   That is why Solomon writes the above proverb about the simple person.   Those who wish to remain naive will inherit foolishness as a result.   On the other hand, the "sensible" would be someone who was crowned with knowledge of God.   Those who heed God's Word will be crowned with the knowledge of God.   That is why He gave us the Proverbs.   However, if we remain in our naive state ... absent from the fear of The Lord, faith in God, we will be rewarded with foolishness and all that coms with a life of folly.   The book of Proverbs was written to show us the path of these two journeys.   Naivety is rewarded as a life of folly.   Yielding to God's way will result in a sensible life that is crowned with knowledge.  Faith in God will be given prudence and knowledge.   A life of the flesh is rewarded, as well ... a life of folly and all that comes with rejecting God's Word.  Remember what was already stated in this chapter:

Proverbs 14:14 (ESV)

The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,

and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

Proverbs 13:23

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the poor:

Proverbs 13:23 (NASBStr)

Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,

But it is swept away by injustice.

Proverbs 13:23 (ESV)

The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

There are many causes for “poor” in society.   Solomon addresses some of them in Proverbs.

1). For instance, God is the maker of the rich and poor:

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the maker of them all.

2). God also punished wickedness by removing wealth and needs:

Proverbs 13:25

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Proverbs 10:2-3

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

but righteousness delivers from death.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

3).  Being lazy and unfocused can cause someone to be poor:

Proverbs 28:19

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

4). But, as we see above, in Proverbs 13:23 someone can be poor because of a lack of justice.   In this proverb we see that the poor has, before them fruit.  But, an unjust act makes it impossible for them to experience the harvest they would otherwise have.   We live in a world where oppression of the poor is ignored.   It is easy for us to simply think a person is poor because of their own lack of diligence, foolish choices and/or laziness.   However, there are many poor due to a lack of justice in our land.  We can’t make someone be diligent or wise in their choices.  But, we can make sure the system is just and gives opportunity for all to achieve.   But, by simply providing the opportunity to plant does not guarantee someone will plow the land in front of them.  That still comes down to their choices and commitment.  God made sure that the fields were open to the poor to harvest along the edges of the crops.   Those who owned the land were supposed to leave the edges for the poor.  But, the poor still had to go forth and glean on their own.   In God’s system justice is married to diligence.  It is not just to give someone something they did not work for.  But, it is not just to deny them the opportunity either.