Proverbs 1:1

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 the writing of the proverbs:

Proverbs 1:1 (ESV)

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

We might be tempted to pass over this proverb as not really a proverb.  It would be argued, quite successfully by some, that it is not.   It is simply an introduction to the proverbs giving us some biographical and historical accuracy.  However, it should be noted that God doesn't put anything in His Word that He doesn't want us to live and learn from.   This verse does tell us that Solomon is the source of these proverbs.  However, it also reveals to us a few truths we need to learn.  The first is that kings "to be" need to learn as much as others.  Solomon is commended by most for asking for wisdom when God gives him a chance to make his "wishes" come true.   Whereas most would have asked God for power and prestige and wealth, Solomon asked for Wisdom.  In Proverbs 4:4 Solomon will tell us the wisdom he is unfolding for us is from his dad.  In 31:1-4, if you believe "Lemuel" is actually also Solomon, simply by another name, he is teaching us what his mom taught him.   I believe when God gave Solomon wisdom it was not so much he poured previously unknown truth into his head, but rather opened his eyes to the truth he had been previously taught.   Like the Pharisees often blinded to the truth of the gospel, many have been given and see truth every day.   But, it is only through faith in Christ through the ministry of the Spirit that we can discern wisdom; or, as some say, use that truth in a way that shows wisdom.   In this first "proverb" we are seeing that not only does a king need wisdom but he attains it through the teaching of parents.  We are able to discern our parents teaching through the eyes of faith and that is what translates simple truth to practical wisdom.   We all know people who "know things."  They are truly smart.  But, they also, at times, show very little wisdom for this life.  They are often head smart and life dumb.  We know others, who through the Spirit, who are challenged in regard to knowledge but are wise beyond their years.   In this first proverb we have more than introductory lanquage.  We have the truth that "kings need wisdom to be taught to them" and that wisdom is "often taught through the parental line."   Embrace both wisdom and how we obtain it.  God doesn't pour things into our heads.  Through faith He opens our eyes to the things we are taught in His Word.  

Proverbs 30:14

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 the wicked and the poor: 

Proverbs 30:14 (ESV)

There are those whose teeth are swords,

whose fangs are knives,

to devour the poor from off the earth,

the needy from among mankind

When we read or hear of tragedies in the news and the world we are sometimes in shock and awe. However, we shouldn't be.   Solomon lays out for us how corrupt man can be.   "There is a kind of man," is a statement we should fully grasp.   Solomon describes him as a man who devours and destroys. Who do they devour?  They devour those who are already "afflicted" and those who are "needy" among men. His life is bent on using his resources (described as teeth like knives and swords) to devour those who can't fight for themselves.   The evil in the heart of man steams from the depravity of man. According to Romans 8 they are hostile to God.  That hostility toward God is reflected in man's hostility toward God's creation: other men. "There is a kind of man ..." should be a warning to us to not be surprised at the evil in the world and what man can do to other men. They will use their resources to destroy and devour. Don't be surprised by tomorrow's news.

Proverbs 29:21

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 relationships:

Proverbs 29:21 (ESV)

Whoever pampers his servant from childhood

will in the end find him his heir.

Most of the older commentaries treat the above proverb in the negative.   They almost unanimously believe that the "soft" treatment of the slave was neither good for the slave or the owner.  According to them, the favored treatment would allow the slave to think of himself more than he was: A simple slave.  It would also hinder the need of the owner, as he would not have anyone to do the work of the slave.  These may well be fair interpretations of the proverb and certainly the word "pamper" leads to some corrupt and negative thinking.    The word is only used once in the the Old Testament, here in Proverbs and only by Solomon. So, it is difficult to remove our modern day thinking as we translate it.   However, perhaps a another interpretation, that fits more of the context of Proverbs and other teaching in God's Word, is that the fair and gracious treatment of those who are subservient will eventually lead to their loyalty and deep relationship with us.   We are taught all the way through Scripture to be gracious, kind and merciful to those who serve us.  We are also taught by our Lord that the servant, who walks humbly with God, will be promoted over others, in the end.    Solomon taught in Proverbs 17:5 that to mistreat the poor (the slave would qualify as to this category) is to insult God.  

Proverbs 17:5 (ESV)

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

In Proverbs 14:35 we are told that the slave who acts wisely obtains the favor of the King.   

Proverbs 14:35 (ESV)

35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,

but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

In today's world the fair and gracious treatment of those we employ (wether in a working relationship; contracting relationship; or customer service relationship) would go a long way to develop a great relationship.   It is better to treat others by God's grace and gain a relationship with them than to treat them harshly and poorly based upon their "status."   Develop relationship - don't damage them.

Proverbs 28:2

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 leadership:

Proverbs 28:2 (ESV)

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

its stability will long continue.

Proverbs 28:12

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

Proverbs 28:15

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Proverbs 28:28

When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Healthy Leadership for mankind has a Healthy Relationship with God. 

When we read leadership books we seldom, if ever, if ever hear about the relationship of good leadership to Godliness.   People who are greedy, self-seeking, promotion driven, and/or power hungry are not good leaders.  They think they are.  They are also given leadership positions.   We actually assess leaders with assessment that measure their acumen for drive, structure and analysis.  These assessments are not wrong, but they would not pass the test Solomon has laid out for us in the above proverbs.   As we read the above proverbs (and these are the ones out of chapter 28 ONLY), it is evident that Solomon draws a strong and bold line between leadership and righteousness.   There are many ways to define leadership.  Not one leadership guru defines it the same.  But, Solomon is crystal clear:  Great leaders are righteous and that righteousness produces understanding and wisdom and that makes for happy and healthy followers.  When a “man” of understanding (another word in Solomon’s vocabulary for Godliness) is leading, good things happen around him.   If we want to be good leaders we must find a way to connect our leading with our following God.   We can’t expect to lead men if we aren’t following hard after God.  

However, when sin is allowed to reign in the land (organization, country, family) factions develop! Sin, unchecked, causes splits in leadership. On the other hand, when someone is ruling with justice and mercy through, Bibilical knowledge and Godly understanding, the land endures - the orgainization is stable, the country is prosperous and the family sound. When sin is ignored you will see a split and lack of harmony. When justice is part of leadership than stability in the leadership is demonstrated. It is quite easy to identify poor practices of organizations or governments when there is divisions among the people; especially in leadership.  If you are part of leadership and you have divisions this proverb would challenge your resolve and commitment to deal with "transgressions" (sins). When we deal with sin we have harmony and only then.

After reading all these proverbs written by Solomon you would have to come to the conclusion that Solomon understood leadership.   What you would also read is that the thing that really sets one leader apart from another leader is righteousness.  Whether the proverb is telling us to be righteous or to act in a righteous manner in our dealings with those around us.  We wouldn’t read that in most leadership books.   If we want to lead and connect with others we must first follow and connect with God and His righteousness.  

Proverbs 27:10

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 friendships:

Proverbs 27:10 (ESV)

Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend,

and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.

Better is a neighbor who is near

than a brother who is far away.

Having a friend is an important aspect of our lives.   So much so that Solomon stresses that we not only make sure we keep our "personal" friends but that we also don't forsake the a friend that has been part of your family.   Having a personal friend you can trust and who knows you, allows you to navigate through life's journey.    Imagine having someone who was also an established friend of your father.   One who knows both the family secrets but also the family potential.  He knows you because he knew dad.     But, when we do need help we should be careful who we ask.   Solomon tells us that it is better to go to our neighbor than to a brother.  Family is not always better than a friend.    Sometimes a friend who is close is better than a brother who is far away.   Solomon is expressing to us the value of true friendship.   Solomon’s wisdom in this proverb: 1) Don't forsake your one friend.  2) Don't forsake long established friends.  3) Don't always burden your family in times of calamity.  4) A friend near is better than family far.

Proverbs 26:21

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 people who wallow in conflict:

Proverbs 26:21 (ESV)

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Some people are natural at starting fires.  They are simply contentious individuals who, like wood to fire, keep things stirring.  Our modern-day phrase might be "pot-stirers". In the previous proverb Solomon tells us what to do about these type of people:

Proverbs 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

You can't correct a contentious person. At least not readily or easily. The best thing to stop a fire is remove, or at least, separate wood from other wood.  That is why Solomon tells us to go up in a roof if we are with a contentious women (21:9).  Separation from the contentious person can allow the fire to cool. We all want to "convince" the contentious but we should focus on allowing them to "cool" before we engage.  If not we will might get burnt by hot coals.  Note this earlier proverb from Solomon on the same subject:

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

If you want the fire to go out you have to pull the logs from the fire.  If you want peace you have to pull the contentious man from the strife.   If you try to appease him you allow him to stay in the fire and to keep the heat going.  Pull the logs away by separation and the fire goes down, if not out.

Proverbs 25:1

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 the Proverbs:

Proverbs 25:1 (ESV)

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

Apparently Solomon had some proverbs that he composed that weren't originally put into "Proverbs."   So, this "proverb" acts as an introduction to these "copied out" writings.   It would be hard pressed to say this verse is a proverb but it does provide some valuable teaching for us.  Obviously the implied teaching in this verse is that there were some proverbs which "Hezekiah, King of Judah, did not copy and add to the book of Proverbs.  Some might suggest that there are additional "inspired" pieces of God's Word floating around someplace.   But true belief in the sovereign acts of God in preserving His Word, would tell us that if those proverbs Solomon wrote were inspired they should be part of the canon of Scripture.    Another implied truth is that Solomon must have written some proverbs that weren't inspired.   It is important to know this distinction.  God has preserved what is His Word and has kept out of the Scriptures what is not His Word.   Everything the writers of Scripture wrote is not inspired.  But, everything the wrote that is inspired we have in our Bible.   Let's rejoice that some men, in this case, men who were appointed by Hezekiah, copied out God's Word.   Let's also rejoice that these men were prevented from copying and transcribing material that wasn't God's Word.

Proverbs 24:30-34

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 24:30-34 (ESV Strong's)

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,

by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,

31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want like an armed man.

A Lazy Man Gets Robbed 

In the above proverb, Solomon is trying to tell the reader that laziness, in the end, will leave you with nothing,   He observes a field that is apparently owned by a sluggard.   This person has in front of them a field that contains a vineyard.  It should be noted that in Biblical days this would be a blessing for anyone.  To have both the land and the opportunity would have made this a wealthy person.  But, this person’s opportunity soon became a witness to their lazy approach to life.   Rather than till the land they decided to take a nap instead.   The result is that this laziness robbed them of the very riches they could have had.   There are a lot of people who have opportunity in front of them.  But, they would rather sit on the couch than avail themselves of riches that comes from hard work and diligence.   God gives us opportunity to harvest what is in front of us.  But, those who are lazy would rather sleep and fold their hands in rest.   Laziness is a thief that steals the riches that are available to us.  Most lazy people would rather have what others own than to go out and work for what they themselves could have.   A lazy man gets robbed by himself. 

Proverbs 23:1-5

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 leadership and their deception:

Proverbs 23:1-5 (ESV)

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite.

Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

When your eyes light on it, it is gone,

for suddenly it sprouts wings,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

We like to be around wealthy and powerful people.  We like to seat around their table and partake of there food, entertainment, fellowship and, we think, friendship.   Solomon knows our hearts, however.  He knows that when we sit with them it is not for the purpose of giving.  It is for the purpose of receiving.  We don't wish to add to their wealth with our visit, but rather add to ours.    The first five verses of this chapter should be read in unison and hinged together.   You could consider them separately, but in reality Solomon is telling us that our hearts are bing lead astray if we sit with rulers and have an eye for wealth either with them or through their provisions.   Our desire for food and wealth (used here as metaphors for folly) shows the deception of our hearts, the rulers real purpose for allowing you to sit at his table and the deceptive nature of food and wealth.   We only want something from rulers; rulers really only want something from us; and, food and wealth are deceptive by offering satisfaction only to be later useless and temporary.   When we engage with people of means we need to guarded that our members (lust for things) are used as instruments of unrighteousness (Romans 6-7).  Only Christ can guard us against these desires and ultimately satisfy us.

Proverbs 22:8

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 

Proverbs 22:8 (ESV)

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,

and the rod of his fury will fail.

Solomon's wisdom was given to him by God.   So, when we read something written by Solomon we need to realize the vast depth of his writings.  Though mere words they carry insights deeper than we can imagine. In the above proverb we have a psychological dissection of the inner man and how he works ... in his sin.  Solomon shows a complete correlation between sin (sowing injustice) and anger.    Yes, Paul told us we could be angry "without" sin (Ephesians 4:26), but that is for righteous anger, not human, flesh anger.   Solomon also shows us a correlation between the sowing of sin and producing of anger.   The interchanging of these symptoms (?) or actions or fruits gives us much insight into how to "change" problems.  Anger flows from a life of sin.   People who live in sin and who refuse to repent are destined to produce an empty life and a life that has the fruit of anger.   That anger, will eventually, says Solomon, be quenched by the life of emptiness. If we were to paraphrase this proverb we might say it this way: He who sows sin will reap emptiness and all that anger will soon perish with the one who sows sin.    A reader of Solomon’s words might say it this way: A life of unconfessed sin produces shame ... shame will eventually produce an angry soul ... an angry soul will eventually be evident by a life that seems empty and full of nothing ... because it is.

James 1:20 (ESV)

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 21:30

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: 

Proverbs 21:30 (ESV)

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

can avail against the LORD.

There are several points and applications that can be drawn from this proverb.   To think that there are some who believe they can outthink God, or outsmart God, or out-know God is humorous, if it were not so sad.   Here are some lessons from the verse:

1.  Wisdom, understanding and counsel are a gift from God (See Proverbs 1:3-5).  Yet, those gifts still are but a shadow of God's wisdom, understanding and counsel.  Even though they are a gift of God they cannot stand against The Lord.   

2.  Men who begin their arguments, thoughts, or presentations based upon God's Word will not be foolish before men and will never be outdone by man's argument (even though men might think them foolish).  You can be assured that when you follow God's Word that the thoughts of man will still be lost before God's messenger.  You can think Daniel, Jeremiah or Paul as an example of this truth. Mankind may say you are foolish. Mankind may believe you are foolish.   But, wisdom and counsel from God’s Word can never be outdone by man’s foolish minds (1 Corinthians 2). 

3. Men, no matter how powerful, how politically correct, or how connected in life, or backed by the world's system will never stand before God and God's people.   Men tend to think they know better and yet, no matter how educated, they fail to realize that God and His Word trump them every time.

Proverbs 20:30

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 discipline:

Proverbs 20:30 (ESV)

Blows that wound cleanse away evil;

strokes make clean the innermost parts.

It is not fun to be disciplined, but this proverb tells us that outward discipline will correct an inward problem. Hebrews 12:11 tells us that no discipline seems good at the time, as it is affecting the outward parts of our life. 

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

But afterward it produces an inward change characterized by righteousness. The above proverb tells us that same thing. Some people need extreme discipline. Some need stronger "blows." This verse isn't telling us to "beat" someone, but that harsh, outward discipline, is sometimes needed to cleanse the inward issues. We are not always aware of how hard discipline can reach the innermost parts.   We only see the emotional bruise it causes.   Sometimes God has to use extreme tools to reach the inner heart.  Yet, we don't like to see the pain of discipline.  We don't want our children, our family, our friends, our nation to experience pain.  We are a "comfort" driven society.   We get upset when we have to wait in traffic (such an inconvenience).   We don't like to wait in line at the coffee shop (how rude that these people are in front of me).   But, above, God warns us through the pen of Solomon.   Don't try to rescue when God is disciplining your children, your family, your friends, or  your nation.   Sometimes the pain they are experiencing is necessary to see the fruit they should be producing.   In the end, the fruit of discipline produces a the fruit of righteousness.

Proverbs 19:2

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 thinking before you move:

Proverbs 19:2 (ESV)

Desire without knowledge is not good,

and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

It is not difficult to grasp the meaning of this proverb. We live in a society where Satan has convinced us that "thought" is not required for most things and "discernment" is for those who spend too much time in analaysis. We actual say great leaders are able to "think on their feet" and "paralyses by analyses" is bad. Don't get me wrong, there is room in the believers life for quick and diliberate decisions. But taking time to discern and to gather appropriate knowledge is in the wheel house of the wise. God wants us to discern (the entire book of Proverbs is about "discernment" - Proverbs 1). He wants us to avoid quick and rash decisions. Great leaders plan and gather data and make sure they are not making rash and uninformed decisions. When you make quick and uninformed decisions we will make errors in our steps. When we fail to see the end of the things we find ourselves in the same situation as the man in Proverbs 7 ... going astray as an ox goes to the slaughter. In Proverbs 5:6 we learned that when we fail to ponder we fail to know. Fail to ponder, prepare to wander.   In the above proverb we learn that if we fail to know we fail to go ... safely. Take time today to avoid rash decisions and use discernment.

We are in such a hurry in this life.   We want what we want fast.   We seldom see people take the necessary time to develop, learn, train, explore or practice before they want to achieve and succeed.   In the above proverb we see Solomon address this issue.   He tells us that "it is not good" to be without knowledge.   He uses the word "good" in this proverb which is used over 300 times in the Bible.   It means to be pleasant or agreeable.   So, what he is telling us is that when we don't have the knowledge we need for something we will run into a disagreeable path.   In the second line (synonymous with the first) we read, in one version, that to rush into something will err.   The word "err" means to "miss." The Theological definition and Biblical definition of sin is to miss the mark.   So, to hurry your steps is to miss the mark, or, to sin.   Knowledge, in Proverbs is referred to as wisdom, discernment, and/or prudence (See Proverbs 1:5-7 ... these words are used interchangeable in this text).   When we have knowledge we have Christ.   Without Christ we have no knowledge and we rush our steps.    Without knowledge (Christ) we err or sin.