Proverbs 12:5

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 our thought life:

Proverbs 12:5 (ESV)

The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

"A penny for your thoughts?"   That old adage was part of many of our pasts.   People would love to know what we think.   We often believe we know what others are thinking.   We sometimes think we know what others are thinking.   Here, in this proverb, Solomon tells us that God does know the thoughts of people.    He spells it out to us right here:  Righteous people have just thoughts and wicked people have deceitful thoughts.   Our thoughts are simply a fountain that springs from the heart.  That seems to be what God is saying through Solomon's writings.   As much as those who reject God would want to deny it, when you don't fear The Lord your mind will end up with corrupt content.   That is tough for the non-believer to embrace.   They like to think their minds are set on "higher" things.  They want to believe their thoughts are bent on the good of life.  However, God says, "No!"   Deny God and you will corrupt your mind.   Only those who fear The Lord will produce a productive mind and fruitful thoughts.  That's because when God fills the heart He produces fruit and that fruit flows through a sound mind.   Paul told us to "renew" our mind in his writings.  We do that by changing the well.  If you want a pure mind ask Christ to purify the heart.

Proverbs 11:1

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 cheating:

Proverbs 11:1 (ESV)

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,

but a just weight is his delight.

Have you ever cheated at business? Have you ever changed the numbers to reflect something that wasn’t accurate? Have you ever done something a little shady to get an edge over an opponent? In the above proverb, Solomon reveals to us how God feels about cheating in our business. In his day, Solomon could see those in the market place that would use false weights when they would weigh out product. If you wanted to buy one pound of product the market might put the product on one side of the scale and a one-pound weight on the other. However, the one-pound weight might actually be only 15 ounces. They would use a false weight. We don’t measure in that manner anymore, but the principle is still the same. God “abhors” dishonest business tactics. However, He “delights” in those who do things correctly and accurately. Does He abhor or delight in the way you do business?

Notice how God said it in Leviticus:

Leviticus 19:35-36 (ESV) 

“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. And you shall observe all my statutes and all my rules, and do them: I am the LORD.”

Notice how Solomon will say it again, later in Proverbs:

Proverbs 16:11 (ESV) 

A just balance and scales are the LORD'S;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

Proverbs 20:10 (ESV)

Unequal weights and unequal measures

are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

God abhors false business practices.   He delights in those who mirror His character of truth.  

Proverbs 10:28

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 the power of hope:

Proverbs 10:28 (NASBStr)

The hope of the righteous is gladness,

But the expectation of the wicked perishes.

Proverbs 10:28 (ESV)

The hope of the righteous brings joy,

but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

In the above proverb Solomon picks up on a similar theme he previously stated that was recorded earlier in this same chapter:

Proverbs 10:24 (NASBStr)

What the wicked fears will come upon him,

But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The psychology of hope is a powerful force in the human spirit.  It was actually used against Eve in the garden when she was enticed to eat the forbidden fruit.  By eating the fruit she "hoped" to become like God.   Her "expectation was to be something she could later have by faith in Christ; but was not supposed to be obtained by disobedience to God."  The expectation was not wrong, it was the way she went about to get it fulfilled.   So, that is the theme of this proverb.   The righteous can be glad because their hope will be fulfilled as they have faith in Christ.   He will not disappoint.   See these proverbs:

Proverbs 11:7 (ESV)

7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,

and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)

18 Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 (ESV)

14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, there will be a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

Each of these proverbs tells us that the righteous can expect great things by their faith in Christ.  But the wicked are not so.   They can hope all they want, but like Eve of old, it is false hope.   Satan had tricked her into a hope that was empty, futile and vain.   When we place trust in God we have a hope that will not fade.   That is the comparison in the book of the Proverbs specifically and in the Bible as a whole.  God offers true and lasting results, something we can hope in and count on:

Romans 4:20-21 (ESV)

20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 

But those who practice folly, forsake the fear of The Lord and, by flesh, count on their wealth, fame, friendships, etc. will have nothing in the end.   Is your hope holy or hallow?

Proverbs 9:17

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 the trick of Folly:

Proverbs 9:17 (ESV)

“Stolen water is sweet,

and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Folly has such charm.   Like Wisdom she sits along side of or proverbial journey and calls out to us.  That is where the similarity between wisdom and folly ends, however.  Wisdom seeks to convey truth, no matter how brutal and blunt it may be.   However, Lady Folly is not so.  She attempts to cover up the stink with a sweet.  She tries to put lipstick on a pig by calling something other than the swine that it is.   She tells those who pass by that stolen water is somehow sweeter than earned and deserved water.   Bread, eaten in secret (symbolizing something deceitfully obtained) is pleasant.   However, Folly seldom mentions guilt, shame and the destruction of reputations from those who do such things.   She tells us the candy bar, shoplifted from the grocer's shelf, taste great after you leave the store.  However, she fails to tell the bitter aftertaste.  She doesn't tell you what happens when your mom finds out (not that I would know about any of this from a first hand experience ...).   Folly makes it all sound great.   But, her lies are quickly discovered.  Her empty and vain tricks are too quickly exposed to those who fall into them.  Stolen water taste stolen.  Bread in secret like bread in secret.  They come with guilt, fear, regret, etc.  Don't follow her lies and remember she is very, very charming.

Proverbs 8:30

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:

Proverbs 8:30 (ESV)
then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,

When Solomon describes wisdom in the book of Proverbs we should take long, lengthy and meaningful notes.  In this section of chapter eight of Proverbs we read that wisdom is not a new commodity, as it was there from the beginning.   If you read 8:22-36 you see Solomon building a case for wisdom's eternal spirit.  The reason for that is that wisdom is eternal.  Jesus Christ is wisdom (2 Corinthians 2).   God "possessed" wisdom in the beginning to create mankind and the earth he lives in.  If you study the human body or the elements of the earth you can help be see how "wisdom" played a role in it all.   The way DNA works is beyond our understanding is the culmination of wisdom.   The same is true about every system in our body and every element of heaven and earth.   You can’t study a humming bird and not see the wisdom of God.  You can’t observe the weather without seeing wisdom.   You can't see any animal and how it perfectly fits its world without seeing wisdom.   As this proverb says, wisdom was "beside" God and was a "master workmen" in creation.   God rejoices in wisdom.   When we Fear The Lord and act in wisdom we have the response from God.  He rejoices in us as we demonstrate His wisdom.   Wisdom is the personification of God.  God delights in our living in Wisdom.  That's what it means to be in Christ.

Proverbs 7:11

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: 

Proverbs 7:11

She is boisterous and rebellious,

Her feet do not remain at home;

What does folly look like?   Solomon, in chapter seven, gives us one of the best looks at folly and her seductive ways.  In this particular proverb we see an unusual characteristic of folly.    Solomon gives us three aspects that should warn us about her ways.  The first is that she is "boisterous".  Note how he says the same thing in this proverb:

 Proverbs 9:13 (ESV)

The woman Folly is loud;

she is seductive and knows nothing.   

He states she is LOUD!!  Folly can be deceptive and secretive.    However, in most cases, as here, she is loud.  She wants people to see her, hear her, and embrace her.   She will not be hidden and stuck in a closet.   However, folly is also "rebellious."   She does not tolerate or stand under law.  She wants her own way and her own laws.   She will not submit.   Lastly she has no “security.”   When the last line says she will "not remain at home" we must understand that this is Solomon's way of saying that Lady Folly has no security or place to lay her head.   She doesn't want something to hold her down, like a home.   She sees a 'home" as permanent and stable.   Folly is not stable.  Folly offers only transitive life.  It offers only temporary satisfaction.   If we hope to resist folly we must identify it when it comes around.  Folly is today's entertainment: It offers nothing stable, is full of noise and doesn't succumb to rules.  Folly is today’s political structure:  It offers nothing stable.  Folly is today’s societal whims:  They offer nothing stable.  Folly is today’s work world:  It offers nothing stable, only a hamster wheel going no where.   Folly offers but does not deliver because she is loud, rebellious and unstable.   

Proverbs 6:6-8

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 the antidote for laziness:

Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)

Go to the ant, O sluggard;

consider her ways, and be wise.

Without having any chief,

officer, or ruler,

she prepares her bread in summer

and gathers her food in harvest.

This is an Emblematic Proverb (word picture poem) and the meaning is rather obvious. Those who have trouble being self-motivated are to consider the ways of the ant. The ant doesn’t have anyone to tell him (or, her) what to do. They simply do what they do best (what they are made for) and don’t need to be instructed. Our society today could use a lot of the ant’s character. We pay men and women a lot to simply motivate others to work and watch them do it (we call it leadership). But, the wise person needs no external motivation. Our motivation to work and to plan and to be prepared for the “winter” of our life ought to be something we do naturally. But, we rely upon society to push us. True wise people don’t need society to push us. We should be more like the ant at work rather than the slug! Which are you?

I don't know what is more impressive about this proverb: 1) that Solomn uses something so little and insignificant as an "ant" to teach us something so big, Or, 2) by observing the ant we can learn wisdom? I can imagine Solomon sitting on the deck of his house eating a sandwich and thinking of something wise to write to you and me. As he reaches for the roast beef on rye bread he spots a single ant working his way up the table leg with the mindset of a noon snack. Solomon observes that the ant has to go a long way. He doesn't stop for anything. He has no one yelling to him to move along. He has no one to "command" him. He is coming to get food for tomorrow and refuses to wait for tomorrow to get it. The ant waste no time.  The ant does not do unprofitable activities.   The ant is our example and our "ant-te-dote" for being the lazy sluggard, or wasting time. The ant - the little guy who can carry much more than his weight. The little guy who goes to work every day without complaining or worrying about the weather. Solomon gives us a large picture through a small example. Go to the ant and be wise.

Proverbs 5:22

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 future of the wicked:

Proverbs 5:22 (ESV)

The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,

and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.

Unbelievers don't think they have much to worry about.  They seem to live carefree and footloose ... Ask the poet Aspah (Psalm 73).  The wicked gather their treasures and embrace their risks. They seem to fear nothing, especially God.  They walk through life with nothing to think about but today. Their only concern about the future is what will retirement look like and will I have enough to sustain my desired lifestyle while doing nothing at all in life.   They live in their own bubble hoping for the best and acquiring everything they can to get it.  While believers fret and worry about how God feels about them the unbeliever never gives a thought to God's presence, God's promises and certainly not His punishments. Yet, in the above proverb we read the real story. The sins of the wicked eventually catch him/her. He cannot escape his own cords. The future is bleak for the wicked.  He must use the world now to reduce his pain.  To decrease the pain that is coming he increases the pleasure that is here.  The future of the wicked is death.  They may not show it but their inward captivity to sin is radiant in their behavior.  In the end, the fruit comes to bear.   You can know the root by the type of fruit you see.  If someone spends their life in seeking pleasure and living for today, they will never hear these words from God tomorrow: 

“Well done, good and profitable servant.”

Proverbs 4:18

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 path of the righteous:

Proverbs 4:18 (ESV)

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

 A proverb is a tool to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. In this proverb the second line expands the thought of the first line and uses a simple picture to convey truth. When we walk in ways that please God (in the path He directs us to walk according to His word) we are on a “righteous” path. And, we are on a path that is visible and shines bright like the dawn of a new day. As we keep walking on this path it gets brighter and brighter as we walk and our life grows older. It will increase in brightness until we have the light of a full day. Such is the walk for the believer who walks according to God’s word. The more you walk on that path and in obedience to His word the clearer things become. In contrast, those who walk according to their own wisdom and map are never sure what is ahead. God’s word tells us they walk in darkness and it gets more and more dark as they walk that road. So, walk in the light as He is in the light and be assured the walk is right.

The clear path or dark path is our choice. In this proverb we see that Solomon talks to us about the type of path we have in life before us. For those who choose to walk in the way of righteousness there is a clear and bright path. It is filled with understanding and wisdom about what to do in life. But, for those who forsake God's righteous ways there is another path. This path is vague and dark in what is before you. You don't know where you are, or have little understanding about life. When we meet with an group of people who do not have God in their lives you see this darkness; their vague understanding about the better things of life. They seem to love the most trivial and argue about the most mundane things. That is the path you are on when you choose not to follow God's righteous ways. We choose the path we follow when we choose to obey God's righteousness.

When we think of the righteous and their battle with sin we get much from the Apostle Paul in his writings. However in Proverbs 4 Solomon gives us some added insight. Paul tells about the struggle we still have over sin despite being set free from the penalty of the sin. In Romans 6 and 7 he tells us that the power of sin has been wounded but even its weakness combined with its sheer presence it can still render us it's victim. Paul let's us know his own on-again-off-again walk in Romans 7. But, shouldn't we have more victory and less defeat if Christ is truly living in us, for us and with us? Solomon adds some great truth in Proverbs 4:18. He tells us that the walk of the righteous should be one that gets "brighter and brighter" as the walk draws closer to the "dawn.". Solomon tells us that victory is inevitable (the "dawn") but also growing in brightness (victory) each step. The believer goes forward into ultimate brightness. He doesn't shrink back into the dark. The unrighteous (verse 19) are entirely in darkness and don't know what they stumble over. Believers should be experiencing and realizing a brighter walk as they draw closer to their ultimate glorification. But, until then, we have perfect brightness in an ever growing bits and pieces. Rejoice in the brightness of the walk. It will be even brighter tomorrow; then even more brighter next week, next month , next year until we are home.

Proverbs 3:31

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 envy:

Proverbs 3:31 (ESV)

Do not envy a man of violence

and do not choose any of his ways,

After reading this proverb one might ask, "Why would you envy a man of violence?"    Certainly a violent man is not someone to desire to be with or be like. Yet, Solomon seems to be going to great extent to make sure we don't follow them.   Apparently there is some temptation to follow such a person. It would be inferred that those who would follow such a man have not read the rest of Solomon's proverbs.   In other parts of this book we read that violent (wicked) men are going to meet a certain end of destruction.  Apparently we are being told this because the acts of the violent man and the destruction of the violent man is not, at this point, visible.  We only see the "peaceful and prosperous" life the violent (wicked) man portrays. We see their prosperity and we might be compelled to desire to be like them.   Notice how the song writer, Asaph, describes it in one of his many psalm songs:

Psalms 73:1-3 (ESV)

A PSALM OF ASAPH.

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

But, we are not to envy their prosperity for we are to know of their destruction.   We are not to follow any of their ways since those ways lead to that destruction.   In Proverbs 7 we see a real example of such ways.   Lot saw those ways and Sodom and Gomorrah ended up in destruction.   He lost his wife and needed his uncle Abraham to rescue him.   Scripture says Lot saw the prosperity of that city and wanted it, with all its ways.   Solomon tells us not to be envious of the wicked.   Don't copy their ways.  Destruction may not be visible but it is inevitable.

Proverbs 2:16-17

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 companionship:

Proverbs 2:16-17 (ESV)

So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words,

who forsakes the companion of her youth

and forgets the covenant of her God;

Wisdom has an important responsibility in our lives.  She keeps us from evil.   More importantly, from evil people ... in this case, an evil woman.  In verse 17 above we read that this evil women "leaves" the "companion" of her youth and "forgets" the covenant of God.  The first thing we can see in this passage is that folly (personified as a woman in this proverb) doesn't keep her commitments.  Those who are affected by folly don't keep their obligations.   In fact, failing to keep your commitments is a good litmus test to indicate someone is controlled by folly.   Those who don't keep their commitments will eventually want to lead us astray.   Wisdom is there to keep us from her.   We might ask, "Who would leave or forget their commitments? Why would someone leave their commitments?"   Evil will drive people to do this.   Those caught in sin will often demonstrate that sin by breaking their covenants and companions.   When we love God we have the ability to make and keep our vows.  He empowers us to do so.    However, when we walk away from God we make it easy to walk away from our obligations.   Evil does that.  It makes it easy.  Wisdom is given to us to prevent that. 

Proverbs 1:2

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 the purpose of Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:2 (NASB)

To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,

Proverbs 1:2 (ESV)

To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

Solomon wrote Proverbs for a specific purpose. And, like a good writer or speaker, he outlines that purpose right off the top of the writings. In these few verses of Proverbs, Solomon tells us that he wants this collection of proverbs to assist us in "knowing wisdom and instruction" and to equipped us in the "discernment" of these very sayings of understanding. Stated another way he wants us to know what wisdom and proper instruction of life is all about and to have the discernment to know how to exact it. Our libraries and book stores are full of words from mere men who hope to give us wisdom and instruction. They hope to provide us with discerment in our lives. In reality, God's Word is the only book that can accomplish that. Solomon doesn't try to hide that fact. He bodly states what all should know: God's Word provides all we need for wisdom and instruction in life to be discerning. Yet, the world doesn't see it. They ignore the Word and they search through meaningless pages of wit looking for real wisdom. The God of the universe has given it to them. Right here in Proverbs. Read them with the faith that what Solomon hoped to accomplish will be accomplished in the lives of all who read here.

Proverbs 31:6-7

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 drinking:

Proverbs 31:6-7 (ESV)

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more. 

Apparently strong drink and wine, at the proper levels of consumption, does exactly what it is supposed to do.   Solomon, who undoubtedly was surrounded by good drink in this form and manner, must have had plenty of chances to see the affects of strong drink and wine.  Think of this verse when the new year comes around.   I have no doubt many are planing on getting wasted at a New Year’s Even party.   They are doing so for many reasons, of which "tradition" may lead the list.  On New Year's Eve we get drunk ... it is what people do.   But there may be other reasons.   The last year wasn't all that good.   The next year doesn't look that much better.  Many are poor and many have seen trouble after trouble.   Many see their lives through "bitter" eyes.   Solomon says when you see someone like that, give him wine and drink to cause him to forget his state and his status.   It is possible that this proverb by Solomon is stated in a tongue-in-cheek manner.   Since their lives are so bitter and in a state of poverty, Solomon gives in and says let them get drunk, there is little left for them.   It is doubtful that fatalistic view was on his mind (however, if you read Ecclesiastes, you can see where that thought is often echoed).  Solomon could be saying this in a sarcastic manner, as well.   Give them drink to get wasted since they have wasted their lives.   It is possible, however, to believe that  Solomon is telling the person who is perishing and in bitter poverty to relieve their stress with something God created, strong drink and wine.   The purpose of the two is to relax the senses and to forget the day(s).  The problem comes when we use this God-given creation to excess and fail to come to God, the ultimate comfort for the perishing, bitter soul.  The key to the passage is that the strong drink and wine is to be given to those "who are perishing."  This is for someone who is ready to depart and in dire straights.   This is not a verse for New Year's Eve.  It is a verse when you might not see another year.   Understand God does provide some comfort to those who are perishing.  We can not miss this portion of the text.  Solomon is writing to give comfort to the “perishing.”   It is probably more practical to think of this passage as medicinal than in the context of excess and experiential.   Those who are perishing are in pain and on the verge of death.   The medicine for this during Solomon’s day would have been strong drink and wine.  It would be used to ease their pain as they do, indeed, perish.