Proverbs 19:11

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 about dealing with sin:

Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)

Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to anger has great understanding,

But he who is quick- tempered exalts folly.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot- tempered man stirs up strife,

But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Psalm 38:13

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;

And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

but love covers all offenses.

James 1:19

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

So, what do you think the Bible has to say about being slow to anger?     God tells us that He is slow to anger:

Psalms 86:15

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

If, then, God is slow to anger, how should we respond?   The difference is of course is that God NEVER "overlooks" a transgression.  God can't because He is holy.  God won't because He has PERFECT justice.   We don't and we aren’t, however.   Since we, too, are evil (like the one offending us), we can't be holy in justice.   So, Solomon is telling us we should, at times, over look the transgression.   In the above text in Psalm 39 we see David, Solomon's father, speaking about those who were trying to kill him.  He had to be as a deaf man, or a mute man.   When you think of this Proverb of overlooking a transgression we can't help but think of David overlooking Saul's pursuit of Him.  On two occasions David could have killed Saul.  In both situations he overlooked it.   Allow yourself to be cool and be willing to remember you are not the Judge.  You might and should have to overlook a transgression.

But it seems unfair to overlook it!! In Proverbs 19:11 we see that it is a glorious thing in your life to “overlook” a transgression. It would seem the words are pointing to the fact that when someone sins against us and does us wrong it is to our glory to forgive them and overlook the matter. You can't argue about what is said, but only that it doesn't seem fair. But, when we remember that it is God who is keeping track and keeping score, we can relax. It is only when we understand that God will care for all the injustice in the world and our part is to forgive and move on that we can practice this first. It is truly glorious when we forgive others and overlook a matter. It is only then that God can do His part and take care of the injustice in perfect love and judgment. God will take the sin (offense) of others against us and either apply it to the wrath He poured out on His Son, on the cross, or complete the justice on the person in His perfect way, in His perfect timing.  Be glorious today – overlook a matter!  Think of Jesus:  When he suffered He committed Himself to His Father who “judges righteously.”  Note:

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV Strong's)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

It is our responsibility, by faith, to overlook a matter and allow God to be the judge.  

Proverbs 18:22

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 finding a great wife:

Proverbs 18:22 (NASBStr)

He who finds a wife finds a good thing

And obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22 (ESV)

He who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from the LORD.

We have all heard the phrase, "If mommy is happy, everyone is happy."  This modern day "proverb" is quoted and laughed about by many.    It elevates the woman in the marriage to be a controlling and dominant figure.   It would be foolish to think that is not true in many marriages around the globe.  However, that is not God's view.  Solomon (a man who married many women ... a devotional for another day) tells us in this proverb that finding a good wife is a "good thing" and is something that shows "favor" from God.   So, God uplifts the woman in the marriage as a "gift" from God ... someone special, to be adored and honored.   When man's ways please God then God, in His grace ("favor") provides man with the gift of a wife.  In our society the "finding of a good woman" is a mindset of men. They, like wild hunters, search the land for the "catch" of their life.   However, God sees it completely different.   Man may search and "find" the woman of his dreams.  But that woman is not someone he was "lucky" to find, or "skilled" to find, or "fortunate" to find.  That woman is a gift from God, who is showing His favor to the man.  Thank God today for your spouse.   Only God can provide such great gift.  And then, prepare to treat that spouse as a gift from God.   The mindset that the wife is a gift from God elevates how you would then, treat the gift.   If the wife is looked at as though she were a “catch,” or a “find,” or a “lucky find,” then we would treat that wife incredibly different.  But Solomon is telling us that a wife is a “good gift” from God and shows His “favor” (the Hebrew word for “grace”) on us. Note James take on God’s gifts:

James 1:17 (ESV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

God has given believing husbands a gift .  God has shown His favor on him.   In return we are to honor and cherish that gift.  We are not called to chisel it and hone it and shape it the way we want.  We are called to love it and honor it like we would our own bodies:

Ephesians 5:28 (ESV)

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

A wife is a good gift from God.   Honor her in that way!!

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 the power of 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 16:7

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 your enemies:

Proverbs 16:7 (ESV)

When a man's ways please the LORD,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

This proverb tells us that there is a direct relationship between our walk with God and our walk with others. This is the “Triangle of Peace.” Draw a triangle on a paper and put God at the point on top, you on one of the points and anyone else at the other. As you move up the side of the triangle toward God (drawing closer to Him) and the other person does the same, you in-turn get closer to each other as you draw closer to God. However, this proverb tells us that as we draw close to God, He will make even our enemies to draw close to us in peace. He did this for Esau and Jacob; for Abimelech and Isaac; for David and his enemies. God did this for Israel.  When they lived in a way that pleased God, God gave them peace with their enemies.   Think about Hezekiah and his war with Assyria. God caused peace and safety in his final years:

2 Kings 20:19 (ESV)

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

We don’t have to worry about agreeing with our enemies or appeasing them. We only have to worry about treating them with love and drawing close to God … God will cause even unbelievers to live at peace with us. This proverb is not a warning but a principle to be lived in faith. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you ... and He alone will give you peace with your most feared enemy.

Proverbs 15:12

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 taking correction:

Proverbs 15:12 (ESV)

A scoffer does not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise.

You can tell the wisdom of someone by the people he seeks out for counsel and/or his willingness to listen to the counsel of others. Those who refuse to listen will reap that failure.

Proverbs 15:31-33 - He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom and before honor comes humility. 

(The reception of wisdom must be proceeded by the act of humility and willingness to listen. Those who refuse to listen will reap the consequences of refusing wisdom. Humility is the first step in the acquisition of wise counsel.)

We can tell if someone is a fool or a wise person by their willingness to take correction and instruction. We sometimes think of receiving instruction and corrections as having to do with "gravity" ... it simply flows down hill. However, instruction and correction are not dependent upon rank or authority, nor is wisdom. Wisdom is dependent upon a heart of humility and cooperation with the one who gives the instruction. Pride hinders wisdom. When we think we know, we are not open to knowing, we are closed to God’s wisdom.  If you want to know if someone is wise, simply try to offer them correction or reproof.   That will tell you the depth of their wisdom.   

Proverbs 14:20

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 poor: 

Proverbs 14:20 (ESV)

The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,

but the rich has many friends.

What a sad but true fact of life, this proverb.   The poor, who we should and are told to care for, are often rejected (hated) in life.   The rich, we should and are told to beware, are often desired (loved) in life.   The contrasts in this proverb are many.  The poor vs. the rich.   The poor is "hated" and the rich "loved."   The poor is hated by his "neighbor" and the rich is loved by "many" (who are not mentioned and don't know the rich).   The self-seeking of those in this world is so apparent.   The poor has nothing to offer and typically only want from those they know.  The rich has everything to offer but typically gives nothing.   But the promise of what they can offer is enough to entice others to be their "friends."   God's law made it so no one could accumulate wealth unfairly or indefinitely.  God has mercy on the poor and claim on the rich.   Christ died for both and there is no difference in the sin of either or the redemption of both.   We are warned by Solomon to not get caught up in the nature of the world.   When we see the poor we are to see them like God does and give them mercy and love and provision.   When we see the rich we are to see them like God does and give them warning to not trust their riches and to seek our needs on a daily basis; not the accumulation of things.

See also: Proverbs 14:21,31

Proverbs 13:12

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 hope:

Proverbs 13:12 (ESV)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

If you have ever had a dream fulfilled, you know what the above verse is talking about. If you have ever had a dream delayed, then you really know what the verse is saying. When we dream and reach those dreams they become like a tree of life to us. A fulfilled dream is like a tree of life in that it gives you more than just the dream, but actual life. When we have a dream delayed (deferred) our hearts become sick. We need to remember that God is in charge of our lives. He leads us to where He wants us to be. When we are going through the difficulty of waiting for a dreams to be fulfilled, we need to remember that God is the fulfiller of dreams. He leads us into our dreams and is the one who fulfills them. Note also what Solomon will write later in this chapter:

Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

When we have a death it can be the worst thing to happen to us.  So, too, a death of a vision can be devastating.  Often, however, our vision is limited by our inward desires.  A hope fixed on Christ can never be deferred.  It is secured in the promises of God.  That is the only way to have a life of hope.  So, perhaps using the word dream is the wrong word to use.  Perhaps we should simply stick with the translations and focus on hope. For the believer,  hope is our strategy.    We hope in Christ by faith.   That is our entire blueprint for life.   It is interesting that Solomon writes that a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Earlier in the book we read:

Proverbs 3:18(ESV) 

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed.

The she in the above verse is wisdom.   So, when we tie all this together we see that when our hope is deferred we might become depressed and suffer in an unhealthy manner, but when we see it fulfilled it is wisdom in our lives.   Solomon is speaking into the psychology of our lives.   When the thing we hope for is delayed our psychological emotions take a hit.  But when we have that thing we desire come to fruition, we experience psychologically the tree of life. That is why we should seek wisdom (personified in Christ) because that brings satisfaction both psychologically and spiritually.  When we focus on Christ we have enough.  

John 14:8 (ESV)

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”

Proverbs 12:12

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 the fruit of one’s life: 

Proverbs 12:12 (ESV)

Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

This is a contrasting proverb.  It contrasts the desires of the wicked for what others have with the fruit that is naturally produced by the righteous.   Could there be a more contracting dichotomy?   The wicked, according to Solomon, doesn't work for what he/she has, but simply desires the totality of what others have produced.   The reason for this type of approach to life is because they only have desire.  They won’t achieve things on their own.  They simply desire the booty of other evil men and will take it by hook and by crook.   They don't desire Godliness.  They desire the booty of evil men.  This proverb is about what they desire.  They want what other evil men have.    However, the righteous person is said to yield fruit.   The fruit comes from where the righteous person has planted his/her roots.  Righteous people yield fruit because they have good roots.   The wicked have nothing because they desire nothing (the booty of evil men is truly worthless) and produce nothing with their desire.    When we plant our roots in Christ we can truly yield fruit.  We see good come from us.  Fruit is wholesome and good for others.  Fruit can only happen as our roots go deep into the right soil.   God's word is soil.  God's Son is soil.  God's Spirit is soil.   Let's go deep into the soil and yield fruit.  You can walk around and desire what evilness produces.  But that is dead fruit.  It yields nothing good for us.  The righteous yields food that others can enjoy.  

Proverbs 11:8

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 righteous:

Proverbs 11:8 (ESV)

The righteous is delivered from trouble,

and the wicked walks into it instead.

This chapter of Proverbs is about the righteous.   The righteous are favored by God.   They are blessed by God.   And, as we can see in above proverb, their place in the unfolding of "trouble" is taken by the wicked.   But before we break this verse apart it might be wise to talk about the concept of the "righteous."   Even though this is the Old Testament, you can't change the method by which someone is "declared" righteous.   Righteousness (or, justification) is by faith in both Testaments.   So Solomon is not talking about being "self" righteous.  Nor can he be talking about righteousness by works.   He is talking about those who are truly righteous and the only way to be truly righteous is to have faith in God that He will justify you.   Once we know who is truly righteous, then, and only then, can we appreciate the above Proverb.  When we are declared righteous by God we can praise God that we will be delivered from any trouble (Psalm 45).  But not only are we delivered, but the "wicked" actually take our place, or, literally in the Hebrew, they "enter" into trouble.     Let's rejoice that God saves the righteous from trouble.   The wicked are not as fortunate.  They may delay trouble, but they will never avoid it.   The righteous are cared for by God.  The wicked are judged by God.   The judgment of the righteous is taken care of by Christ.

Proverbs 10:3

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 on how to assure satisfaction in life.  

Proverbs 10:3 (ESV)

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

When studying Proverbs you have to work through the differences between a Promise, a Precept and a Principle. Whether a proverb is one of these three (or all three) has often perplexed the readers of Solomon's prose. If this verse is a promise we can pray and thank God for the fact that He is going to provide something for us based upon "His" character, not our life. If it is a precept we relize there is something we must do to obey it and then the precept kicks in based upon that "instruction" to us. As a principle we understand that as we incorporate the principle into our daily walk we know that God will incorporate the aspects of this verse into our daily lives. There is a lot of different views as to whether a proverbs is anyone of these three or all three together. I think you have to allow the proverb to carry its own water and allow other teaching to make the character of the proverb known to you. In this case I think the proverb is telling us that those who put their trust in God for their righteousness can be assured that on top of His providing righteousness for the soul He will meet the needs of the body. That same truth is not so for the wicked. We know, based upon other teachings (Matthew 6), that this teaching is true. God will provide for those He regenerates. Those who He make righteous, He will also care for (Psalm 138:7,8)

God provides for the righteous that are diligent in their work. In 10:3-5 we read that God rejects the cravings of the wicked and if you neglect your work He will not provide for you. But, if you are righteous, that doesn't guarantee anything unless you are diligent in your work. God does not just “give” things to the righteous. He honors those who walk with Him but who also demonstrate the character of hard work and diligence.

Proverbs 9:6

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 walking in light:

Proverbs 9:6 (ESV)

Leave your simple ways, and live,

and walk in the way of insight.”

This proverb is a simple but solid truth.   When we "forsake" folly, we indeed put ourselves in the path for living.   That allows us to "proceed" further on the way to understanding.    This is a complementary proverb where the second line compliments and further defines the first line.   We can't have the second line if we don't do what is required in the first line.   If we do what is required in the first line we can be assured of the results of the second line.   We are being told to "forsake" our folly first and then, obviously, God can bless us with life - not just life, but an understanding life.   We ought to make sure we know that beauty of a life that has understanding.  It is a life of clarity.  It is life of knowing what is happening and a life that gives some sense of control and peace.   When we choose to hold to folly we miss that understanding and we choose to miss the opportunity to live life the way God wants us to.   It is all contingent upon our ability to "forsake" folly.     Can we on our own?  NO!  But, by faith in Christ we can turn away from folly and find ourselves in the place God can bless us.   It all starts with faith in Christ to turn us from Folly.

Proverbs 8:2

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 folly and wisdom:

Proverbs 8:2 (ESV)

On the heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

Proverbs 9:3

She has sent out her young women to call

from the highest places in the town,

Why do corporate executives get the top floors?  Why is the house on the hill, typically, worth more than one in the valley?  Why do we lift people up and put them on our shoulders after they have accomplished a great battle, or moment?   In fact, why do we put people “up” on a pedestal?  Why is it putting them “down?”  In the above verses we read that wisdom is on the “heights” and in the “highest places.”  Solomon is concluding the first nine chapters of his book on wisdom.   He wants us to know that this wisdom of his is highly available.   He wants them to know that he is not hiding this wisdom. It is not under a bushel.  It is at the heights for us to see, observe and know.    Wisdom does not hide.    The writer of this song in the Psalms states something similar:

Psalms 19:1-3

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,

whose voice is not heard.

But, wisdom is not the only thing that can be seen at the heights.   Notice what Solomon also states about folly:

Proverbs 9:13-14

The woman Folly is loud;

she is seductive and knows nothing.

She sits at the door of her house;

she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

Both wisdom and folly are at the heights. Both call out.  Both make noise.  But, only one satisfies.   That is the choice of man.  He can see both.  He won’t be able to say, later in life, “I did not see wisdom.”    It is signing and shining at the highest places.