Proverbs 25:6-7

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 self-promotion:

Proverbs 25:6-7 (ESV)

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

Proverbs 27:2

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

a stranger, and not your own lips.

Solomon was sought after by kings and rulers and the people he lead.   They all wanted his wisdom and understanding.  They wanted to hear his thoughts.   Rather than allow himself to get into self praise and self promotion, he allowed God to direct him to where he needed to be and to be honored the way God wanted to honor him.   Solomon, because of his wisdom, knew the pitfalls of seeking one's own glory.   Balaam is a great example of a man of God who attempted to seek his own glory, especially for the riches that might be involved.   Elijah's servant, Gehazi, also is a great example of "seeking" one's glory for greed (2 Kings 5:15ff).   God knows our skills and our ability.  He will honor us the way He wishes to honor us.  He will use us the way He wishes to use us.  Self-promotion is a world system.  They tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote their names and skills.  God simply says, let others do that and simply use the skills I give you to accomplish my plan.   God says I will promote you in due time.  Daniel and Joseph are perfect examples of this way of living.   Allow God to uses us and promote us in His way and His timing and His plan.  That is Solomon's life, as well.   It should be ours.  

In these two proverbs Solomon gives the principle he wants us to follow and then, just in case we don't get it, he gives us an illustration of what he means. We are not to seek honor in front of people. Self-promotion is what Solomon has in mind. As a published author I have this challenge everday. I am asked every day by my "Christian" publshing company to hawk my books on the road when I speak. This week I am speaking at a Christian College in Pennsylvania. They have asked if I want to sell my books. The answer is no. Do I want people to buy my books? Yes! Do I have to hawk them to sell them? No! That is the point of these proverbs. Solomon is not saying that honor is bad and that people shouldn't be honored. He is saying that "self-promotion" is evil. It is better for someone to want to sell the books than for me to hawk them. Did I bring books. Yes and I will give away plenty of them. And, if someone else wants them and wants to pay for them, I will sell them. But, I cannot and will not violate this principle of God's Word.

Proverbs 24:5-6

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 benefits of wisdom, the theme of Proverbs:

Proverbs 24:5-6 (ESV Strong's)

A wise man is full of strength,

and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Wisdom brings many benefits to our lives.   In the above proverbs we see that wisdom aides us in our battles.  We see that by wisdom and understanding (synonymous terms in Proverbs) we gain both strength and guidance.   Many go to war on their own strength and in their own wisdom.  But, when we fear God He gives us wisdom that enables us to be strong and wise in our battle.  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.   When we have God’s wisdom we know how important it is to seek out wisdom from others.  We don’t rely on our own instincts and counsel.  That is the difference between those who Fear the Lord and those who don’t.   God speaks to us through the words of others He has given counsel to for us. We do wise to ask them and to hear them.   The benefits of wisdom is  to get counsel on what to do and to have the wisdom and the strength God provides to also carry it out.   Wisdom is the source of knowledge and the source of strength, according to this proverbs.  That is some powerful combination.

Proverbs 23:9

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 speaking to a fool:

Proverbs 23:9 (ESV)

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

for he will despise the good sense of your words.

It is hard to understand how those in Jesus' day did not get what He was saying. They had God in front of them, doing miracles, sacrificing His life and teaching the most divine truth in the best divine way. Christ was the best teacher, yet they were incredibly dull of hearing. So, it is with the unbeliever.  Do not speak in the hearing of a fool for he will depise the wisdom of your words. The unbeliever not only doesn't listen, the unbeliever actually despises your words. I work in the unbelieving world. I walk in their world and they often, reject my words and my counsel. They often despise me and what I say. But then again, I am a sinful man and make hundreds of mistakes. I am flawed and my counsel is flawed. But the unbelieving world will often reject sound counsel as though it is flawed. They don't have an ear for it. They will not only reject it, they will despise it. Don't be alarmed and don't be hurt and don't be embarrassed. They rejected the perfect wisdom from a perfect teacher. They despised Christ. Why should you be any different?  

Proverbs 22:12

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 wisdom and truth:

Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Proverbs 22:17-19

Words of the Wise

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my knowledge,

for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

if all of them are ready on your lips.

That your trust may be in the Lord,

I have made them known to you today, even to you.

Proverbs 22:20-21

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of counsel and knowledge,

to make you know what is right and true,

that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

We live in a society that celebrates and rewards those who seek knowledge and claim to have it.   Going to "college" after high school is "almost" (for some) a natural thought process.  Those who don't consider or don't extend for further education are often, in our society, looked upon as less valuable.   The problem is that knowledge does not belong to man.  As you can see in the above verses, knowledge belongs to God.   God is the keeper of all things "truth."   God disperses it as He will and He lets some know it and, to others, He hides its beauty.   When we seek knowledge from God we can be assured He will deliver it to us .  But it begins by fearing Him.  Those who do not fear Him might "know" things, but they don't "know" what they could if they only feared and reverenced God.   Notice what Solomon wrote earlier in this book of his many proverbs:

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

You can have knowledge of things without God, but you can't have insight.   God gives both knowledge and insight to those who fear Him.  He gives it through His Word.   

God is in the business of watching over truth and protecting the delivery of it. He will go to such an extreme that He will "overthrow" the one who tries to pervert truth for his or her own good. The root word behind the English word, "overthrow" in the above proverb is, "to twist." God will twist the words of the man who attempts to pervert knowledge (truth) to make destruction of them. God is sovereign over the affairs of man and over the words of his/her mouth. God will not allow falseness to be spread throughout the land. God preserves His Word ... the ultimate truth ... over and against the treacherous man who attempts to pervert judgment and sound truth. God "overthrows" those who stand against the Lord and His desire to preserve knowledge. In your arguments and in your fights of words, make sure you preserve knowledge ... God is!

Proverbs 21:3

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 doing right before doing things:

Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Making a sacrifice of your time, talent or treasure is a commendable thing. Giving someone your afternoon to help them move, or using your talent to encourage someone or putting money into a charity bucket is always good. But according to Solomon, in the above proverb, that is not what God wants, only. That sacrifice of time, talent and treasure is only the trailer being pulled behind the vehicle of Doing Right and Acting Just. You can’t do the sacrificial things without first doing the right thing and the just thing when called upon. We all think that doing good acts is what God wants. And, He does. But doing good acts must flow out of a heart that is just and right. Don’t get caught up in doing until you are first right with being. It is a lot easier to do right when you first and foremost are right by being IN CHRIST (Romans 5 and 6).   Remember, one of the issues with the nation of Israel was their willingness to go through the motions to do sacrifices:

Isaiah 1:11-14 (ESV)

11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of well-fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

or of lambs, or of goats.

12 “When you come to appear before me,

who has required of you

this trampling of my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

God wants our hearts, not our works.   

Proverbs 20:4

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 the sluggard:

Proverbs 20:4 (NASV)

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,

So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Proverbs 20:4 (NIV)

A sluggard does not plow in season;

so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

Proverbs 20:4 (ESV)

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;

he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

It is not hard to find people who beg.  In communities they stand on corners.  In churches they sit in pews.  In families they make calls to other family members.   They often, if not always, have great stories of why they are in great need.  There stories are believable and, typically, accurate.  But, they are not always complete.  In the above proverb we see Solomon is giving us one possible variable to help us complete their story.  He tells us how those in poverty often got to the place that they are in need.  While others are out working and planting when it is time to work and plant the sluggard is doing nothing.   Remember, Solomon is talking about the “sluggard.”   There are certainly people in need who are NOT sluggards.  This proverbs is not speaking to them.   Solomon must have seen a numerous about of “sluggards” in his day.  He even wrote this:

Proverbs 24:30-34 (ESV)

I passed by the field of a sluggard,

by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,

and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want like an armed man.

As a result their lazy approach to life, the sluggard begs later.    They don't want to do some type of work.  Or, they don't want to do work at a particular time.  Or, they don't want to work at all.  Whatever the reason the sluggard begs in the community, the church and the family.    They find nothing as a result of their work so they are left to beg.   The sluggard would rather play, rest or think.  As long as they don't have to work.  But, they also will beg when everyone else is reaping.

Proverbs 19:6

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 wealth and friends:

Proverbs 19:6 (ESV)

Many seek the favor of a generous man,

and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Rich people have lots of friends. Build a pool and see how many people come over. Buy a boat and see how many people want to go to the lake. Be generous and you'll find someone suddenly hungry and want to go to dinner. When someone is truly generous with others they will have many “others.” Many will seek their "favor." Perhaps this why so many people with money don't act generously? Riches seem to draw others. The power and prestige that comes with riches seems to be attractive to others. Many desire to be rich. And, when you think of it, being rich only matters if others know. Most people want others to know they have money. When you show others that you have wealth you will draw many to you. So, beware of trying to accumulate wealth. You will not only get money you will get many who want to share in it.  The second line in this proverb talks about how people are attracted to free stuff.  They want to know when someone is going to give them a gift.   The proverb is not saying we should not be wealthy.  It is not saying we should not be generous.   What it is saying is that wealth and generosity attracts others.  We need to be aware of that.   We don’t have to stop doing what we do, but we do have to beware of the possibility that others may be coming to us only because we have wealth.  Although the “proverbs” are not written and compiled interrelated as other chapters in the Bible, note what the very next proverb of Solomon states:

Proverbs 19:7 (ESV)

All a poor man's brothers hate him;

how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

Friends can be fickle!!

Proverbs 18:17

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 first impressions:

Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)

The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

When you are working through a dispute, no one wants to go through an inquire.   Questions seem intrusive when you are pleading your case.   We don't want to be interrupted, we want to be believed.  When you are telling your side of the story you want others to know your version.   Yet, what Solomon is telling us in this proverb is that inquiry is the key to finding truth.   Those who want truth have no need to fear of questions and investigation.   When we examine both sides of the issue we find the truth.  Plodding through the evidence we need to find the truth.   If we don't examine the "stories" we will tend to believe the first thing we hear.  Most of the "first time stories" seem right.  It is only after investigation that we find truth.  So, don't be lead astray by the sound of the first story.   Take time to examine the facts.  Seek truth.  Let truth be found.   Don't resists examination.

Those who refuse to examine themselves are destined to failure.   Socrates is credited for saying, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”    But, Solomon may have said it a few hundreds before Socrates:

Lamentations 3:40 (ESV)

Let us test and examine our ways,

and return to the LORD!

It is only examining ourselves for the purpose of returning to the Lord that makes life worth living.   Paul would go on to say it again to the first century church:

1 Corinthians 11:28 (ESV)

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

We are examine ourselves before we come to God in worship.    Failure to examine can be meet with disqualification.  Paul would go on to say to this same church:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Proverbs 17:9

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 gossips:

Proverbs 17:9

He who conceals a transgression seeks love,

But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

Proverbs 17:9 (ESV Strong's)

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,

but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Have you ever been approached with a "Did you know ..." or "Did you hear ..." comment?   There are people who begin ever meeting or conversation with that phrase (in life we often call them journalist ... they believe their job is to tell others what happened with others ... we have other names for them, but let's stick with professional terms).  When Elisha was going to be given the same spirit as Elijah in 2 Kings 2 we read about the "sons of the prophets" who came to him with a "Did you hear ..." line.    He told them, politely, to "be still" (in the Hebrew the word means "Chill out guys").   In this proverb Solomon is speaking to these type of people who have nothing better than to repeat a matter.   People love to repeat what they have heard and not seen or experienced.  They repeat it and, as Solomon states, it separates good friends. Too many times we don't heed this warning. If we "conceal" a matter it is often seen or characterised as not being "transparent."  Another Hebrew word here ... Hogwash!   Solomon tells us that love seeks to conceal.   See Proverbs 10:12; James 5:20 and 1 Peter 4:8 for further support of Solomon's claim. It is easy to repeat a matter.   It is easy to relay what you don't know ... profound as that statement may be. Like runners on a track relay team we hand the baton of false statements from one to another hoping to get to the finish line.  In reality we just run around the track of falsehood, destroying relationships as we go. Transparency is not repeating everything you know and making it available to all you know.  Transparency is seeking purity by covering sin with God's love.

Proverbs 16:2

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 purity: 

Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.

When you and I measure our goals, purpose and desires of life we might view them through our own rose colored glasses. We might look at what we do and why we do things with a bent of purity and a mind of piety. We typically would use the measuring stick of the man next door. Since we are better than the neighbor to the left we must be really good. And if the neighbor to the left is actually better than us, we simply use the neighbor to the right, or someone else of lower stature. But, we are not the measurement. God is the measurement. His standards are what is on the other side of the scale. So, even though we might look good to others, let us remember that God is weighing out our spirit and our real motives. We might look awful humble but He sees the wicked pride underneath. Let Him be our measurement! And, let's rejoice in the fact that God places Jesus Christ on our side of the scale to even things out. Now that is a new way to weigh things.

Proverbs 15:28

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 pondering how to answer:

Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

I need to follow the truth in this proverb.  When we have been declared righteous we need to remember that God gives us, with that, the Spirit of God who produces self-control, patience, and many more fruit in our lives.  Instead of just blurting out responses and reactions and rebuttals the proper response is to "ponder" how to answer.   When we have the Wisdom of God indwelling us (1 Corinthians 2), we have the ability, through faith, to ponder.   We may not think so, but we do.  We may not believe so, but we should.   Moses had the same thoughts we do ... "I can't do it!"   God sent him a "helper" in the form of his brother who was a "type" of the Spirit.   Aaron was there to speak for and with Moses.   So, too, the Spirit for us.  Don't just blurt out.   The mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.   The mouth of the righteous doesn't.

Proverbs 14:14

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 faithless:

Proverbs 14:14 (NASV)

The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

Proverbs 14:14 (NIV)

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.

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.

Satisfaction and reward await everyone; just not in the same way or with the same spirit.   It is obvious that Solomon is telling us that both the foolish and the wise will be rewarded.    However, the approach he uses to tell us this should be noted.    Both will find a full reward for their approach to life.    Faithless people get rewarded but the reward is hollow, like their lives.   The good man, or faithful, will also be rewarded but that reward will be something that satisfies him.    Paul tells us in Galatians that "we reap what we sow."   He may have been reading Solomon's words in this proverb when he penned those words.    When we lose faith in God and act like "Lot" we fall into certain peril and receive a reward worthy of having no faith.    But, when we continue to believe like Abraham we receive a reward from God for that faithfulness.   We are all rewarded.   It just may mean different rewards.  See how Solomon further develops this thought a couple of proverbs later:

Proverbs 14:18

The simple inherit folly,

but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

We reap what we sow ... Sow faith!