Proverbs 17:22

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 a joyful heart:

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Because of a heart attack a couple of years ago, I am on a regiment of medication. Every week my wife lays out pills in piles and I dutifully take them morning and night. When I had the heart attack there was plenty of speculation as to the cause. Along with food habits and no habit of excercise, most of the advice I received was that I had to slow down and figure out how to reduce my stress levels. If I would have followed the medical "advice" of the above verse I probably wouldn't have to take the meds today. Putting yourself under stress is one sure way to "dry up the bones." This contrasting parallelism give us the wisdom that trusting in God (the real source of joy) is good medicine, while living without joy will dry the bones. The best medicine is to be controlled by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, "joy", etc. A joyful heart comes from the fear of the Lord and trusting in Him and allowing the Spirit to rule. Without it you are under stress with dried up bones that produces a broken spirit and ... eventually a broken heart.  We don't muster-up a joyful heart.  We don't wait for circumstances to produce a moment of happenstance.   Happy is a word that comes from a root word, "hap," which means something just "happened" to produce the moment.   People get happy because some particular circumstance changed to their favor.  Happiness is not a joyfulness. A joyful heart comes from allowing the Spirit of God to work within us, based upon the truth of God, sharpening us into a deeper knowledge of and shape like Christ.   That is great medicine.   I will take heart meds the rest of my life for the way I lived without Christlike joy.  One of the "pills" I take every day, now, is to allow the Spirit of God to shape my life.   He is good medicine for a guilty and shameful soul.  

Proverbs 16:21-24

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 how sweet speech persuades: 

Proverbs 16:21-24

The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

The key thought in these proverbs is that those who take wisdom into their hearts and minds will produce a speech that is life giving and sweet to the hearers.   The words on the lips of someone who fears the Lord should produce a sweet taste to those who hear it.   If we look at Christ’s life we can see that.  People were attracted to His teaching.  Something was different about it.  Note:

Matthew 7:28-29

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

There were still those who rejected His teaching (the Scribes, etc.), but His message was rejected, not how He said it.   The Apostles are the same way.  The crowds came to hear them.  They often rejected the message out of the hardness of their heart, but the words were still sweet to the hearers, meaning, they were receiving great truths that would heal their souls.   When we take in Christ and speak of Christ we are giving those to hears us, life giving words.  That is something to rejoice over.   

Wisdom in our hearts gives us the ability to be persuasive.  Paul’s life surely exemplified that.   When people hear wisdom from us it is enticing to them and we can use that wisdom to win souls:

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

The evidence of God’s Wisdom in our hearts and minds is the words that flow off our lips.

Proverbs 15:15

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 cheerful heart:

Proverbs 15:15 (ESV)

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Conditions can determine your attitude, but they don't have to! Solomon is giving us great insight into the human spirit in this proverb. He notes that for some, their life conditions can make their life and attitude miserable. But for those who have contentment in their heart, they will have a celebration in life. In the first line he tells us that those who are oppressed, afflicted, or humbled will be in misery. However, the contrast is in the second line. He tells us those who have something in their heart that gives them cheer will begin to celebrate life and continually do so.  The Hebrew word for cheer in the above proverb is the Hebrew word, tob.  It is used over 500 times in the Old Testament and is typically translated "good". The first time it is used it is used in Genesis when it says God made the light and it was "good. " What Solomon is saying to us is that a good heart, a heart that is focused on God and made good by God, will have a continuous feast and celebration in life. The heart that relies on circumstances and therefore becomes afflicted and humbled and oppressed, will be in misery all their days.  It is better to put your trust in the goodness of God as he changes your heart, than to hope that your circumstances will be changed. There is never celebration in the latter, only in the former.

Proverbs 14:12

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 our direction in life:

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

There are those who have an opinion about what they should do or the direction they should go. They boast about "knowing" the direction of life. They proceed in a particular direction they chart out ... only to find out in the end that the way they are going is death. They don't know that when they start out. They actually think they are going the right direction. There is one thing to find out you are headed for "death." It is another thing to find out you actually "planned it.” It "seems" right but ends in death.  They "think" they are heading in the right direction only to go over a clift. The lost and dying world "thinks" it is headed in the right direction. However, this proverb lets us know they have two problems: They are headed for death AND they think they are heading for safety. Their path does not reflect God's Word. They rely on themselves and not on Godly wisdom. If we rely on your words and not His Word they you will end up in death and not life. Notice what Paul tells the church at Corinth:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The god of this world has blinded the minds of the non-believers.  They tend to believe they are going the right way, but are actually being lead astray by the god of this world.   The god of this world makes the non-believer think they are headed for life.  But folly is like that.  Folly never tells the truth.  Folly would rather lead us to death, with us thinking we are headed for life. 

Proverbs 13:17

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 how we communicate truth:

Proverbs 13:17 (ESV)

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

The ability to give a "good word" to others in their time of need does not rely on technique, charisma, or formal training.  That is the world's thought, however.  The world thinks that your ability to communicate is the foremost aspect and value needed in counseling with others or encouraging them or correcting them.   And, communicate does help.   But when we can't communicate, God can supply the mouth piece ... ask Moses.   But in the above proverb, Solomon tells us that the key to giving a good word relies on the character of our heart not the talent of our tongue.   When we have faithfulness in our heart we will bring healing to the one we are talking to.   Faithfulness to God; faithfulness to God's Word; faithfulness to God's purpose, plan and people.   Our character carries more weight than our talent.   Someone with malicious, selfish, and personal agenda thoughts (the wicked) will cause both the one they are counseling and themselves to fall into adversity ... so warns Solomon.   If we want to bring healing to others we need to make sure our hearts are pure before we offer them our counsel.   I believe that is why Jesus told us to get the log out of our own eye before we try to remove the speck in our neighbor's eye.   Let's clean up the heart before we motor the tongue.

Proverbs 12:21

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 security: 

Proverbs 12:21 (ESV)

No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

Those who are "in Christ", at times, may forget the blessings of this proverb on a day-to-day basis.  Those we have been declared righteous by God have an umbrella of protection over them.   Psalm 91 is another example of this declaration. Solomon, no-doubt, read that Psalm and many others speaking of God's watchful eye over His children.    Those who are truly righteous will always be under the shadow of God's wing.   The wicked, certainly, don't reflect on the second part of this proverb.    The wicked, those who live in contempt of God and do not fear Him, will find their fill of trouble.  Yes, like Aspah in Psalm 73, there are times when we observe the wicked "living at ease".   However, God knows the terror in their hearts at night and the shame and guilt of their conscious.   They may be able to mask the "trouble" well.  What we see as being the "good life" is, in reality, the their hearts filled with trouble.  They will end in shame.   The contrast between the two life styles is striking.   Only God can protect us.  Though the wicked trust in his riches to cover him they, too, will fail.  The story of Job might cause us to second guess this proverb.  Job certainly was righteous. God said he was in the first verse.  However, he had “harm” befall him.   God, in the above proverb is speaking about a righteousness that is protected by the love of Christ (Romans 8).  Yes, this world will attempt to corrupt us.  But, our final walk with God spiritual is established by the righteousness of Christ and not our own.  In the end, Job was justified.   In the end the righteousness of the believer will save him.  

Proverbs 11:19

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 11:19 (ESV)

Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,

but he who pursues evil will die.

Our world is lost in their pursuit for life, enjoyment, entertainment and fun.  They continue to follow the same paths as their fathers and hope to find the nirvana that alluded their predecessors.   Yet, they follow the same path.  They continue to walk the same steps and hope for different results.  Their fathers died in pain and sorrow and have nothing to show for their life of labor and pleasures' pursuits.  God has warned us countless times that a life absent Him will  end up in destruction and death.   Here, in the above proverb, we have another warning.   Like an expressway lined with sign after sign that the left lane ends ahead, we keep driving in that lane, as though we need no concern.  We drive like we think the lane will remain open just  for us.   Of course on the highway we see cars cram  over at the last minute and people let them in.   However, in God's Word there is no cramming at the end.  God is telling us that those who pursue evil will bring about death.  Those who pursue righteousness that is found in the atonement of Christ will find life.  Christ has pursued life for us and will give it to us freely as we repent and ask in faith.   The world simply keeps trying to obtain something that is not theirs to have.  Only Christ can give life and we pursued it by faith.   When we do that we attain life.

Proverbs 10:17

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: 

Proverbs 10:17

"He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray."

Perhaps the hardest thing for a child growing up is their ability to be told they are wrong and they need to correct their behavior. However, it is the same with adults. We tend to not like correction—whatever form it comes in. This proverbs tells us the danger of rejecting instruction. If we heed correction it puts us on the path of life. If we don’t and choose to ignore correction we will go “astray.” The word astray actually means to err, to wander about as intoxicated, or to stagger. Correction is the one thing that allows us to stay on a stable path. When we receive correction we are able to find a sure path that leads to life. The words path of life give us a picture of a road surrounded by green and fruitful fields. It is a choice based upon faith in the words of correction we are receiving. Correction, no matter how hard it comes, assists us in moving in the right direction. Choose life!  Perhaps Christ was thinking of this theme or these proverbs when He spoke the following in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 7:24-27

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

God's Word is sound counsel.  When we fail to listen to it in faith and act on it in faith we will suffer for it.   It is that simple.  

Proverbs 9:4

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: 

Proverbs 9:4 (ESV)

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks sense she says,

(This is the same proverb as 9:16)

If you were going to have a party who would you invite?  If you were going to put out the fine linen and most expensive tableware, who would be the invited guests.   If you wanted to brag about a party you had just put on, would not you top the description of the layout with the names of all those who attended.  Imagine a high school senior who threw a party and invited the simple and the naive, those lacking sense.   Would they go back to school on Monday and report back to others who attended?   Imagine a mom or a business man in the same situation.  Do they not measure the success of the party based upon the number and the names of those who attend?   Fortunately Wisdom is not like a high school senior, a social-lite mom, or a businessman.  Wisdom is not looking for the person who majored in philosophy, psychology or even theology.   Wisdom is offering herself to those who need her and know they need her: The Naive.   It is those who can say, "I can't do it and don't know how, " who are best suited to attend the party Wisdom is throwing in Proverbs chapter nine.   In 1 Corinthians 1-2 we see that the wise are confounded by Wisdom of God.   They think the gospel is foolishness.  Yet, it is the very Wisdom of God because it is Jesus Christ, Wisdom personified.   In Luke 14 we read the story told by Jesus of the wealthy man who gave a banquet.  But, the rich and the popular had too much to do to attend his meal.  So, he sent out his servants into the highway and the byways to invite those who had no food; the poor and the destitute.   That is who Wisdom is calling.  Until we realize we have no understanding, we can't appreciate God's Wisdom.    She is calling those who need it and know they need it.

God is calling out and will not stop calling out. God is not willing that any should perish, but wants all to come to repentance. Some will still perish, of course, but God calls, through Wisdom. Wisdom is Christ personified. In 1 Corinthians 1 we read that Christ is the Wisdom of God. So, Wisdom, Christ, is calling out to the navie and to the one who lacks understanding. Christ is calling and wants the navie to "turn in" and those who lack understanding to listen to what wisdom has to "say." The "whoever" is navie is an important aspect of this proverb. We all have a bit of "naivity" in our blood and demonstrated in our life. When we are in a naive state and in a lack of understanding mind we need to find God's wisdom ... Jesus Christ ... and respond appropriately. If you are naive, listen.

Proverbs 8:18

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 wisdom’s benefits:

Proverbs 8:18 (ESV)

Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

Wisdom is boasting.   Some people boast and can't deliver.   Wisdom boasts and can deliver.   In this section she is telling us that with her are "riches and honor" but the riches and honor are "enduring" in their wealth and prosperity.   When we first read the proverb we may conjurer up vision of bank accounts and material possessions.   But, those type of wealth are not "enduring."   Those things are where moth and rust corrupt.   We are told by Jesus to lay up treasures in a way and place were moth and rust can't corrupt.   That is what wisdom provides.   God is in the business of giving us wisdom so we make wise choices to obtain heavenly treasures.    We can expect Wisdom to deliver long lasting and eternal riches.    Don't lower yourself to earthly blessings as a sign of Godly wisdom.   God is in the business of blessing us with heavenly, enduring, riches.   That is what wisdom provides us.   When we lower ourselves to think of only earthly blessings we fail to see that God really wants.   He is not going to tell us on one hand to avoid moth and rust treasures and then on the other provide them as a way to show our wisdom.   Now, wise living will give us the ability to invest, work and be honored in this world with material things.   That is not wrong.  God gave Job twice the possessions he had in the beginning.   God blessed Abraham so much he had to separate from his nephew Lot.    So, God will provide that type of thing.  But, that is not enduring riches and prosperity spoken of here.    God blesses us with crowns we will eventually cast at His feet.   God gives enduring wealth.

Proverbs 7:24

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 listening to the words of folly or wisdom:

Proverbs 7:24 (ESV)

And now, O sons, listen to me,

and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

The word "listen" in the above proverb, in the Hebrew, is used over 1,000 times in the Bible.  Like trees on the road you might simply pass it by without noticing.  Solomon, in chapter seven, is describing for us the perils of an adulterous women (code-speak for the deceptions of folly in our lives).   After describing at length what she looks like and how she approaches the "naive one,” he is now giving us the one proverb solution to avoid her charms that lead to her sinful crimes, and eventually her crushing blows.   In the first four verses of this chapter and the next verse (25) Solomon gives us the key to unlock the chains of seductive sin.   HIs solution?  Listen!!  Pay attention!!   The words might cause us to pause and think this is too simple.   Yet, that is his solution.   He is telling us that the way to avoid the sin of folly, especially as it manifests itself in the seductive nature of adultery, is to hear God's Word and pay attention to the wisdom found in it.   But, the listening is not simple grade-school-passive-hearing.   To listen to God's Word is to digest and allow the things it teaches us to impact, motive and direct our lives.   If we get caught "listening" to the seductress; or, paying attention to the flattery of her words, we will be lead astray.  It should be noted that the seducer in this chapter gets the attention of the naive one through his senses and then has him "listen" to her.  Her lipstick gets him to "pay attention."  The words lead him to listen and fall.   We listen and obey many things.   But, the solution to avoid sin is to use those senses to listen to truth, rather than deception.  If you want to avoid the pains of death listen to the words of life.

Chapter seven is all about the naive young lad who is lead astray by the experienced lady of the night. Her seduction maneuvers are classic and appeal to his base nature.   He is sucked into the vortex of her charms.  She has appealed to his most vulnerable passions.  He has a passion for attention (she tells him she came out on the street to meet "only" him).  He has a passion for pleasure (look how she describes her bed).  He has a passion for safety (see where she promises that her "husband" won't be home until a certain date).   He had all kinds of passion but not the passion for his Maker or his Savior.   As a result his wicked passions will bring him straight to Sheol (to the grave).   His accepting her offerings will produce a life of shame, guilt, and sin.  Instead of “listening” to the Word of God (as Solomon recommends), this young man is listening to his passions, that are being pulled away by Lady Folly.   We will listen to something.  We must make it God’s Word, not our passions.   

Proverbs 6:23

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 correcting our walk in our life:

Proverbs 6:23 (ESV)

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,

and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

The word "light" in the above proverb is used over 200 times in the OT.   It is found in almost every book.    The most popular or known use might be in Psalm 119:105 where we are told that the word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light onto our path.   Solomon might have heard his father, David, say that many times as he ruled Israel and simply repeated it, here, in this proverb.   The commandments are a lamp and the teaching (Hebrew word: Torah) is light for us.   God has not left us in the dark.  He has given us light for our path and that light is the glorious splendor of His Word.    Paul told Timothy that the Word of God is profitable to teaching us and correct us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).    Perhaps Paul was reading this proverb when he wrote to young Pastor Timothy.   He is telling us that the Word of God gives us “light” to set the necessary boundaries for our lives.  Not only is the teaching of God a light but the corrections of God are the way of life for the one who seeks God's face.   God will continue to lead us and, if necessary, correct us.   Especially if we go out of bounds.  If His Word isn't followed, or ignored, or forgotten, or disobeyed, His correction will be there as a way of life.   God gives us a road map and, if we wander from the map, a hand to correct us and jar us back to the right path.   David was about to do something wrong when he attempted to number Israel.  God sent Nathan the prophet to jar him back to his senses.   This is the same Nathan who came to David after he committed the sin with Bathsheba (Solomon's mom).   When David failed to obey the light of the Word, he experienced the hardness of God's faithful hand.   Either way God guides His children.  One is light and the other is hard.

This proverb is a reminder to us about how to survive in life and how to find our way. It is important to see the "parrelellism" in this proverb. The first line and the second line are not saying the same thing. So, this is not a synonymous parrelellism. The second line further explains and developes the first line, so this is what is referred to as synthetic parrelellism.  The second line here is telling us that our life journey (the road "way" is actually a Hebrew word that pictures a "road" or a "journey on a road") is one where we will encounter "reproofs for discipline" or perhaps another way to state it; we are all going to experience difficulties in our life that can produce correction and wisdom. Wisdom is available through all our reproofs and difficulties.   However, the only way that it is going to work is if we look at the content of the fist line; God's Word is a light that reveals the meanings and purpose of the reproofs and corrections. God gave us His Word so that we can use it as a light when the darkness of life troubles us and is there to prefect us and refine us. His commandments are those lights we need to see the meaning behind the dark reproofs of life.  Proverbs is about wisdom.   Solomon gives us insight into how to find it ... look in our reproofs.

Proverbs 5:9

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 the cost of sin:

Proverbs 5:9 (ESV)

lest you give your honor to others

and your years to the merciless,

The warning is here in Proverbs 5, to let us know when we give in to "folly.”  Folly is personified in this chapter as an adulterous woman and throughout Proverbs.  When you do give in to folly, you will give your best to become your worst.   Sin costs! It ALWAYS costs! And the cost is always paid to others. They win and you lose. We are warned about sin because it is so "cruel" to us. We need to remember that although sin looks so good (see Proverbs 7) it always cost us a wage. Romans 6:23 states that "the wages of sin is death." The ultimate wage is death. But, the payment is done over time and when we sin we give our good years to cruel gods. Be warned.  In the immediate context of Proverbs 5 we are being told that when we fall into the sin of adultery we might experience a euphoric sensation physically, but we begin to pay for it immediately in a spiritual, psychological, and, in this context, materially way.   Solomon is telling us that when we choose to sin, using adultery as an example, we will lose out in our material goods.   He uses one of the greatest and most personal aspects of our lives to illustrate the cost of sin.   We love our stuff.  To think we may lose it over a momentary tryst, seems cruel.  But it is the truth.   The truth is we don't know it but it will happen.  Sin takes away what you love and what you own.

Proverbs 4:4

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 into teaching children God’s Word:

Proverbs 4:4 (ESV)

he taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

We have all kinds of focus in our country on "how" to teach kids, "where" to teach kids, "who" should teach kids, and, "why" we are to teach kids.   There is even considerable amount of time spent on "what" we should teach kids.   The "what" can focus on the basics of math, science and reading.   It can boil down to thinking skills.  Solomon gives us God's formula.  It is simple and to the point.   We are to teach our children to hold fast to God's Words.  We are to instruct our children how to "keep" God's commandments.  The Hebrew word here, "keep", does not mean to keep as we would keep money in the bank.  That is passive keeping.  The word "keep" here is an active word.  God told Adam to "keep" the garden in Genesis 3.   So, the first use of the word is more in line of "tending" over the word. We are to "tend" it.  We are to cultivate it.   We are to put it in the right place to produce fruit in our lives.  We have to be careful that we don't "keep" the Word in the sense that it sits on our shelf via a dusty Bible.   Our responsibility is to teach our children to "keep" the word - put the Word in a place in our hearts that will allow us to be exercised by it (Hebrews 4:12).  This answers all the questions.  The what, why, how, when and even the who to teach kids.