Proverbs 8:1-4

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 contrast between wisdom and folly:

Proverbs 8:1-4 (ESV)

The Blessings of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

On the heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

“To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the children of man.

The book of Proverbs is all about the contrast between the fool and the person who chooses wisdom.   “Folly” is personified mostly as an immoral woman or the adulterous.   In the above portion of this chapter, “Wisdom” is personified, also, as a woman.  Chapter seven through chapter nine should be read as one section.   In chapter seven we see “folly” standing on the corner, attempting to entice the naive young man:

Proverbs 7:10-12

And behold, the woman meets him,

dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

She is loud and wayward;

her feet do not stay at home;

now in the street, now in the market,

and at every corner she lies in wait.

Folly is at “every” corner in “every” street.  Her goal is to entice us to succumb to her waywardness.   But, as chapter eight opens, we see that wisdom is also at every corner, every height, every city gate, at every entrance.   We can be assured that anywhere we turn, God has provided wisdom for those who search for her in faith.   Wisdom is a gift of God that He provides to those who ask in faith:

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

When we are “double-minded” we ought not to expect to find God’s wisdom.   Wisdom is crying out but can’t be seen by those who are walking in the flesh and have the choice of folly on their hearts.   We can’t live in folly and hope to access the fruits of wisdom.   

In contrast to folly, Lady Wisdom is calling out in the most obvious places, it is almost impossible to miss her.  Note where and when folly cries out:

Proverbs 7:6-9

For at the window of my house

I have looked out through my lattice,

and I have seen among the simple,

I have perceived among the youths,

a young man lacking sense,

passing along the street near her corner,

taking the road to her house

in the twilight, in the evening,

at the time of night and darkness.

Wisdom is not in the dark.  At the “entrance” of the city was the most important place of the city.  The city gate is the city’s commerce.  Above the walls (the heights) was so all could see her.  Folly attempts to tempt us in the dark, Wisdom portrays herself in the light.   By faith we can have wisdom.  She calls out to the children of men.  

Proverbs 7:18

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 sins allure:

Proverbs 7:18 (ESV)

Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;

let us delight ourselves with love.

I recently attended the opening day of baseball season.   It was a great day.  The park was packed.   It was the second largest crowd to ever watch a game in that stadium.   As I sat along the left-field foul line I was amazed and, heartbroken, over how the world was sitting there watching a game (with me in attendance) with no cares in the world.   And, this was just a ball game.   Read the above proverb and put Solomon's words into this perspective.   Here in chapter seven we have the picture of folly seducing a young, naive boy with the temptation of a prostitute.  All this is a picture of how sin seduces us.  Folly (sin) invites the young man to enjoy love with him.   This is not a baseball game.   This is intimate love-making.  (Solomon, again, stretching metaphors, equates love-making to eating ... See also Proverbs 9:17; 30:20; SS 4:16; 5:1).  Despite what is about to happen (see the destruction outlined in verse 27) Folly wants us to enjoy the sin, as though we are making love, with no fear or care in the world.   Folly wants us to "delight in caresses" despite death knocking at the door.   Baseball, sex, recreation, it doesn't matter.  The world is passing away and doesn't even notice their headed for destruction.   Like a slow moving baseball game, they enjoy life, get drunk, yell at each other, and after the game move on to some other distraction.   Sin is like that.  It simply wants us to enjoy life and not consider life.   "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning" is the cry from the world.   Too many hear and respond.  The "sex" is too good.   But death awaits when we fail to put our trust in God for our life and salvation.  Solomon wrote all these proverbs (and many more) for us to wake up.  The naive one in chapter seven will die in the end.  So, the phrase, “let us drink our fill of love until morning,” meant just that ... UNTIL MORNING.  

Proverbs 6:18

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 people who plan evil things:

Proverbs 6:18 (ESV Strong's)

a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that make haste to run to evil,

Proverbs 6:18 (NASV)

A heart that devises wicked plans,

 Feet that run rapidly to evil,

Proverbs 6:18 (NIV)

a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

Solomon, in this section, is listing seven things the Lord hates.   He has already listed three: Pride, Lying and Murder.   He now lists two more: Wicked planning and rushing to do evil.   We may think that it is not as grievous if we are planning evil in our hearts against our neighbor, co-worker, ex-spouse, or anyone in our relationship, as long as we don't ever fulfill it.   In this proverb we see that even the planning of it is hated by God.   God knows that what is in the well will come up in the bucket.  In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) we are told by Jesus that if we are angry without a cause at our brother we already are guilting of murder.   If we lust after a women we are already guilty of adultery.    So, too, to plan evil things.    

Also, according to this proverb, is “running to do evil rapidly.”  We have many who fly off the handle, or who "react" to things.   This is evil to God and He hates it.  God is a God of much patience.   He tirelessly waits for the world to repent.  He does not rush off to complete HIs plan.   God hates things that don't reflect His character.   Rushing to do anything is not Godly, much less rushing to do evil.   Moses rushed to hit the rock, not thinking or listening to God who told him to speak to the rock.   That rushing to "do evil" made it impossible for him to enter the promise land.  His rushing to avenge his brother from the Egyptian soldier was still in his heart.   God hates evil plans and evil rushed to execute. 

Proverbs 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 being prepared:

Proverbs 5:6 (ESV)

she does not ponder the path of life;

her ways wander, and she does not know it.

The key thought in this proverbs is: Fail to know, fail to grow! Fail to ponder, prepare to wander.   In the book of proverbs a women is often used to personify both wisdom and folly (Wisdom in chapter eight and Lady Folly in chapter seven). Wisdom is personified as a women on the street who has laid out God's way for us. Folly is a women who is seen as an adulterous. She is in the night calling out to all the naive to attract him/her into mischief. In his verse we see that folly, an adulterous, is failing to "ponder" her path. As a result she is both "unstable" and "ignorant." In our lives when we fail to ponder our path we will eventually be in the dark and in unstable ways. The Psalmist taught us to "number our days" (90:12). We are to measure what we have left in our life and to act accordingly. Folly puts us in the place to pay no attention to the path we are walking. And, when we don't pay attention we have a habit of walking right off a cliff.  If we fail to ponder, we will wander.   God wants us to consider our path.  He says:

Proverbs 5:21

For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord,

and he ponders all his paths.

Solomon told us the same thing in the last chapter:

Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

We can fail to ponder our path, but if we do, we will also fail to have positive spiritual growth.

Proverbs 4:23-27

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

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil.

Solomon knows about this big idea from practical experience. Isn't it interesting that Solomon himself failed to heed this advice? He states to guard your heart is to save yourself from many problems.  Yet, he allowed his many wives to turn his heart away from God.  If you want to protect yourself from evil you have to first protect your own heart and what you bring into it. If you walk off the path you will put some things into your heart that don't belong there. Protect your heart and save your life.

The word "watch" in the above proverb is a very popular word for Solomon in Proverbs.  He uses it almost 20 times to remind us to "watch," "tend," "guard," "keep," or "preserve."  Solomon knows the evilness that is in the heart.   Our hearts are corrupt and, later stated by Jeremiah, deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).   We are bent on sin.   As a result we have to keep watch over hour hearts so as to not allow that bent nature to bend our journey.   All the issues we have in life flow from that same old heart.  Paul knew its evil ways and tells us to not allow our instruments (our eyes, ears, mouth, feet, etc) to be controlled by the heart.  We are to yield them to the Spirit rather than the flesh (the heart).   The person who Fears The Lord and finds wisdom will find that through faith this is possible.   We cannot "watch" our heart in the flesh.   That is like having the bank robber watch the vault.   We must allow the Spirit of God to have control in our lives.  The Spirit can watch the flesh and control the flesh.   The Spirit of God and cause the instruments of the body to be used for the glory of God.   So, the command above is to "watch" the heart, but the method to do so is not our supreme diligence but rather our submitting to God via faith and allowing the Spirit of God to protect us.  The Armor of God is described for us in Ephesians.   That armor allows us to fight the flesh and through faith secure the victory.   So, our watching is done via the Spirit, not the eyes that are actually connected to the heart.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. This proverb is the original “garbage in—garbage out” insight. Solomon tells us in the first line to guard, or set a watch over the things that go into our heart and then in the second line, why we should do so. It is because our heart is the wellspring of the life. Another way to say this is to say, "what’s in the well, comes up in the bucket." One of the reasons we should be careful to guard our ear gates and our eye gates, is because that is the entry point for what gets into our inner soul. What we watch, listen to, observe, enters those “doors” and takes up residence in our hearts. Then, like a spring of water, it comes gushing out at a later time. We can’t expect good gushes if we have bad water in our heart. We are to take the initiative to guard our hearts. Don’t pollute the heart and the life will be fresh. A polluted heart will only produce a polluted life. Keep it fresh by what you allow to come into your heart.

Proverbs 3:3

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 practicing kindness:

Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

What a glorious proverb to memorize, mediate upon and apply to one's life. If this one proverb were practice by a simply majority in our world just think of the change we would see. Having the art of practicing "kindness" is one thing, but to do so "truthfully" is quite another. The combination of these two is dynamic to say the least. The first, "kindness" is the act of doing good deeds for the benefit of others, often overlooking one's own needs. If we just had a few people doing that, just think how that would go over for us in our relationships? What if husbands did just a week worth of "kindness?" But it is not just random kindness (although that isn't a bad thing), it is kindness based upon "truth." Christ said He was "truth" so these acts of kindess are done in a Christ-like attitdue. Doing kindness in the way Christ does is something special. Doing kindness in sincerity and truth is pure and powerful. We ought not to think of doing kindness in a hap-hazard manner. We ought to bind truth-kindness on our hearts and around our necks. Apply this proverb to your life only "half" the day and you will see a "wholesale" change in your life and that of those around you.The combination of kindness and truth yields a powerful result.  In 3:3-4 we read that if we practice kindness and truth it will result in favor with God and man.  This is a tough verse to apply to life.  To practice truth is not so hard but to do it with kindness makes the task more difficult.  Peter, Paul and John all add something about this in their own words (1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; 1 John 3:18).  Solomon said it and the others echoed it so that we would live it.  Add to your wardrobe today the concept of kindness and truth.

Proverbs 2:1

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 obeying God’s word:

Proverbs 2:1 (ESV)

My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

To obtain wisdom and the benefits seems to be a two-fold process, accourdning to this proverb of Solomon.  Some might say it is a three-fold process. In the first line of 2:1 we read that we are to "receive" wisdom's words. Wisdom "received" is as simple as "accepting" (4:10) them. It is amazing how many people will accept Satan's flattery and bent truth that leads to destruction, but will reject the words of life offered by the King! So many are lost and staggering in darkness and refuse the light and the map to find safety. It makes no sense but is an obvious truth we see everday. In the second line of 2:1 we read that after receiving wisdom we are to "store" it or "treasure" it. Wisdom, once received, is not to be treated as an object to discard or treated carelessly. We are to treat it as a great possession. It is reusuable, not to be discarded after one use. It is long lasting, not temporary. It is valuable, not perishable. We are to hold on to wisdom as we would silver or gold ... better than we would silver or gold. Perhaps a third element of wisdom is not only does it need to be received and treasured but we need to realize where it comes from. In the above verse the speaker is the "father" of the son. I don't think this verse is claiming all fathers offer wisdom in their words. Certainly not all fathers, all the time. But, I do think we have here an indication that wisdom can and is received from those in authority over us. God can use them, as long as they walk with God, to give us His Wisdom. Let's not forget that God has choosen to use men to speak to man. He ordained preaching. He used men to write the Words of this Book. We are to receive wisdom and treasure it from those God provides it. We will be better off with it.

Proverbs 1:8-9

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 receiving instructions:

Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

for they are a graceful garland for your head

and pendants for your neck.

As Solomon moves his pen against the scroll, he is about to layout for all parents and children great truths on how to live their lives in a way that causes them to fear the Lord.   He has just stated in verses seven the main premise of the book:

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Therefore, since that is the beginning of knowledge and instruction and wisdom, what will that look like if we actually take it to heart?  I will look like a garland for the head and a pendant around your neck.  Notice that wisdom, instruction and knowledge are all internal, but the garland and pendant are external.   The point that Solomon is making is that what we think, believe and set our hearts and minds upon will show in the way we behave and interacted with the world around us.  It does not take us long to tell how someone is built based upon observing their behavior.  This is going to be the constant theme of the book of Solomon’s proverbs.  Notice how Solomon will eventually say this same truth:

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV)

As in water face reflects face,

so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

When we fear the Lord it is reflected in our walk of life.  When we fear the Lord it is like a garland on our head and a pendant around the neck.  All will know.  

Proverbs 30:24-28

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 wisdom using examples from the animal world: 

Proverbs 30:24-28 (ESV)

Four things on earth are small,

but they are exceedingly wise:

the ants are a people not strong,

yet they provide their food in the summer;

the rock badgers are a people not mighty,

yet they make their homes in the cliffs;

the locusts have no king,

yet all of them march in rank;

the lizard you can take in your hands,

yet it is in kings’ palaces.

In this chapter of Proverbs the author uses a collection of "eblematic" parallelisms to covey his truths. In these particular parallelisms he shows us by picture four animals that display God's wisdom in their daily lives. The ant, not a strong image of strength, but uses wisdom to prepare for the weather and stock pile food. That is wisdom! 

The "badger" (shephanim) is a small animal and makes its home in a well protected place in the rocks. That is wisdom!  It uses his size to its advantage by finding a small place to hide.

The locust, without a leader, is a unison band of workers. That is wisdom! In a band of locust there is no general or king or queen.  They just form a collaborative approach to attack their target. 

And, the lizard, a small pest to most, because of its stealth and quiet demeanor hangs out with kings (much to the king's anger). That is wisdom! 

Using this animal imagery wisdom is demonstrated as the ability to plan for oneself, to protect oneself, to produce for others, and to use a palace as your play land. Wisdom is something given to us by God to do and accomplish practical things. Each one of these animals God has given wisdom to accomplish their functions in life. They don't argue with God about their role in life. They just fulfill it. Man has a role, as well. Our job is to fulfill it. That is what wisdom does for us. It allows us to honor Him and fear Him in all that we do.

Proverbs 29:27

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

Proverbs 29:27 (ESV)

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

When you read the above proverb think Cain.   Cain, and his brother Abel, came to God to worship.  They each brought a gift.   Abel, who was a Godly man, brought a gift of the heart.   Cain, who had evil in his heart, brought a gift; but not with a pure heart.    Since Cain had evil in his heart, out of jealously, he killed his brother.    Perhaps Solomon was thinking of that story when he penned the above words.   The wicked hate the righteous.  They despise them. They will do anything they can to shut off the righteous.  Look what they did with Christ.   There was such envy and jealousy in their heart that they killed Jesus.   The hatred of the wicked for the righteous is renown.  However, we seldom think about the fact that the upright, the true upright, are to also hate the wicked.   This fact is not as renown.   In fact, the righteous often try to be liked the wicked.   The righteous try to mimic and reflect the wicked.  We look like them and act like them.  We dress like them and even create a worship service that mimics them.  Yet, the true righteous, according to Solomon, are to hate wickedness.   We don't think of ourselves (believers) hating anything. Yet, Solomon uses the word abomination to describe what the true righteous are to feel about wicked.   The next time you feel like warming up to the wicked, remember this proverb.

Proverbs 28:9

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 what happens when you turn away from God’s word. 

Proverbs 28:9 (ESV)

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Some people openly reject God's Word.  Others just ignore it.  Still some question if you can believe it.  Many simply say it is a collection of old sayings by normal men written a thousand years ago without much pertinence.   They deny the inspiration of God’s Word and certainly are oppose to the authoritative nature it claims.   They have truly "turned their ears" from hearing the Word.   There are others who aren't as bold or brazen, but they ignore God's Word.  It is a book on the shelf or an heirloom handed down from a faithful grandmother ... to be cherished, but not chastening.    They simply believe the Word is a good collection of sayings that, in their day, were inspirational. The authority of God's Word is never question and, perhaps, even acknowledged in debate.  However, the Word has as much practical authority in their day-to-day lives as the owners manual is to their car ... in a glove box and only used when a bulb burns out.   The above proverb gives us an amazing insight into how these types of attitudes affect our prayer life.  It destroys our prayer life.   When we fail to honor God's Word in us, we should not expect Him to honor our words to Him.   But, it goes farther than just to tell us our prayers are not heard.  Solomon tell us our prayers are an abomination to Him when we reject God's Word.   An Abomination!!!   The next time you have a "bulb" go out in your life and you turn to the "Owner" and ask Him for help, you may want to remember you've rejected the "Manual" and He isn't listening. Read and honor HIs Word and He will ear and respond to yours.