Proverbs 20:11

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 a child:

Proverbs 20:11 (NASB)

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Bad behavior is, at times, a great form of communication.   When a child is acting out in school we often are being told something about their heart, struggle and/or mindset.   Behavior is a great form of communication ... whether that behavior is good or bad.  Today we would say the above proverb like this: "Make sure you walk matches you talk!"  Or, we might say: "Your deeds tell us your creeds."   The point Solomon is making is the same thing that James tells us in his epistle:  "Faith without works is dead."  Or, like John says in his first epistle: "By their deeds you will know them."   We all know and recognize the importance of our deeds matching our tongues.   A common agreed norm of society is that hypocrites are not well respected.   Too many two-faced people are in authority in our society, however.   Not just in places of non-belief, but in our churches and Christian organisations.   But, we all, are somewhat hypocritical, aren't we?  We say one thing and do another.   We profess one thing, but because of sin we can't find our way without being hypocrites.    Of course God knows this and in grace He forgives us.  But, in this passage, we are told that we will know more about a young man by what we see from them verses what we hear from them.   The reputation of a young man is demonstrated by his conduct.   The word "distinguishes," in the above verse, means that of recognising someone in the dark by their distinct voice.   When we hear their voice we know them and recognise them, even though we can't see them.   So, too, our deeds.  We know who others are based upon their deeds ... the type of person they are.   We know if they are pure or right.   Deeds are like the coloured lights at a traffic signal.  They let us know the differences between go and stop.   True deeds reflect the heart.  What's in the well comes up in the bucket.

Proverbs 19:13

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 family dynamics;

Proverbs 19:13 (ESV)

A foolish son is ruin to his father,

and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

Proverbs 19:18 (ESV)

Discipline your son, for there is hope;

do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 19:26 (ESV)

He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother

is a son who brings shame and reproach.

Proverbs 19:27 (ESV)

Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

It is clear that Solomon wanted children to learn from parents. It is also clear that parents are to speak truth to their children.   Yet, we read that discipline can be given but a child can also reject that discipline. When that happens the child runs into ruin.  The parent then shares in that ruin.   This is one of the saddest cycles of life.    Even the very best parents fall into this story:  Adam (Cain), Issac (Jacob), David (Absalom), Eli (Hophni and Phinehas), and even Solomon (Rehoboam).   We can teach and train and still suffer the consequences of sin in the lives of our children.  They will make bad choices and the parent will, indeed, suffer for it.   We are never done parenting.    We are to continue to disciple and direct our children based upon truth.    But if they cease to listen they will, in the end, bring ruin onto all those in connection with them.   

Proverbs 18:24

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 friends:

Proverbs 18:24 (NASBStr)

A man of too many friends comes to ruin,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Having friends can be a very blessed life.    Proverbs has much to say about the subject of friends.  The Hebrew word for friend in this proverb is used 30 times in the book of Proverbs and is often translated "neighbor" rather than "friend."   Solomon tells us how to treat friends (neighbors) and how to handle how they treat us.   Such is the verse above.   Solomon was wealthy, so there is no doubt he had many friends.   He is telling us that having many friends can bring us to ruin.   There are some friends that can be destructive to us, Solomon warns.   Perhaps by pulling at us to help them.   Perhaps they want more from us than we can give.  Maybe they are pretending to provide something in the friendship but instead take something, or want to take something.  The second line, however, contrasts the first.   Yes, there might be many friends who attempt to hurt us or take from us.   They can bring us to ruin.  But, according to Solomon, there is a friend who is so close, he/she transcends even the relationship of a brother; a family member.   Solomon is giving us the two extremes.   On the one hand we have too many friends, many attempting to destroy us or harm us.  On the other hand, we can have one friend that is so close, they are better than a family member.    Solomon is giving us an admonishment to enjoy friends and be leery of a friend(s) at the same time.   We must be on our guard when it comes to friends.  They are not always what they seem.   Or, they are more than what they seem.   Either version is always possible.

It is not the quantity of friends that make for a good life but the quality that matters. There are some different interpretations of Proverbs 18:24. But, when you look at the Hebrew structure and understand Hebrew poetry the NASV has it correct, “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The point of the verse is simple; a lot of friends (spreading yourself too thin) will cause you to come to ruin. But, selecting individuals for friends who stick by you like a brother is wiser than selecting multiple friends. In our society today (with social media tools) it is not who signs on to your friendships but how many sign on. Solomon is telling us that it is not how many who attend my party but the quality of those individuals who attend. Don't count the number of noses in your life but rather measure the shape of their hearts.

Proverbs 17:24

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 on discernment: 

Proverbs 17:24 (NASBStr)

Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,

But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 (AMP)

A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self- confident] fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 (ESV)

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Do most people see what is right in front of them or do they simply miss it?   When we read the Gospels we might be amused by how much the religious leaders missed in regard to Jesus' teaching, as well as the disciples.   Perhaps the above proverb gives us some insight as to why this is so.   Solomon is telling us that wisdom is right in the front of us and those who have understanding (meaning they fear The Lord and have faith in Christ), but those who reject Christ and the fear of The Lord will miss Wisdom.   She is available to all, but the eyes of the flesh miss her.   Instead, the foolish person only sees what is far off and unattainable.  Because they trust in themselves, the fool can only see what he/she can find, or obtain ... on the ends of the earth.  Foolish people don't want to look right in front of them at God's Word.  They see Wisdom as foolish.  They see the Gospel message as too simple (1 Corinthians 1).  When we see God's Word, right in front of us, and we, by faith, believe in it, we can have understanding right in our face.   But, when people reject God's Word they will miss the truth and find themselves looking far into the future and never actually obtain what they see or envision.

Proverbs 16:9

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 our plans:

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.

I am notorious for an active mind.  My mind seldom rests or takes a nap.  In the middle of the night I wake up with ideas of how to help a client, complete a project, or do something innovative.   My mind is constantly racing with big plans and great ideas.   At least, "great" to me.  This is what Solomon tells us in this proverb ... our plans are not "great."   We think they are.  We think what we are planning and churning in our minds is something magical and contemplative.    However, Solomon, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, reminds us that all the designing and deciding and angling doesn't move one step without God's direction.   This proverb very much mirrors what Solomon has already told us in Proverbs 3 about trusting God in all our ways.  God will give us guidance.   In 16:1, 19:21, and 20:24, he further tells us about the relationship between our plans and God's sovereignty:

Proverbs 16:1 (ESV)

The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Proverbs 20:24 (ESV)

A man's steps are from the LORD;

how then can man understand his way?

Solomon is not telling us to not plan.   He is telling us that God is in control of plans ...no matter how we plan them.  This is offensive to the non-believer.  Those who have no faith believe they are the "captain of their own souls" and that they live on an island.   However, God is telling us that we are all within His control and our plans are subject to His direction.  That may be hard to digest. But truth should set us free, not give us fear.   When we make plans and we desire to follow God's way we can be assured that even if we plan poorly God can still directing us.  Rest in this proverb ... don't resist it.

Proverbs 15:14

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 about our mindset: 

Proverbs 15:14 (NASBStr)

The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Proverbs 15:14 (ESV)

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

The contrast here in this proverb is between the mind of the wise and the mouth of the fool.   Such a contrast is consistent throughout Proverbs.   Solomon is well aware of this contrast.  It is possibly at the core of each proverb he has penned.   The wise man has a different disposition than the fool.   The fool is predisposed to feed on folly.  They are the first to commit to juvenile urges.   The fool seeks folly.  Or, as put here, he feeds on folly.   His hunger is for the taste of folly.   Like a newborn's search for milk, the fool has a natural craving for folly and all that comes with it.   But the wise person, the one who is thoughtful about God, will seek out more and more knowledge.   Our carvings ought to demonstrate to us the type of taste buds we possess.   The wise man should naturally crave the things of God (His Word, His blessing, His voice, His ways).   The wise person is not captivated by the shinny things of this world because his eye is the eye of God and he, therefore, looks for the eternal.   As Christ told us, we should set our mind on the heavenly things, not the earthly things.  Wise people continue to be wise because they put wise things into their minds.  Fools will continue to be fools because they crave and eat foolish things.

Proverbs 14:22

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 having goodness and faithfulness in your life: 

Proverbs 14:22 (ESV)

Do they not go astray who devise evil?

Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.

The last verse in Psalm 23 states the following, "... surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life ..."!   Notice that when we follow the Shepherd, we end up having "goodness" and "mercy" follow us.   David, the composer of Psalm 23, is trying to let us know that when we walk after God we will have His blessings (goodness and mercy) follow us all the days of our lives.   His son, Solomon might have had this Psalm in mind when he wrote the above proverb.   Those who follow after evil and devise in their hearts, will never have God's goodness and mercy follow and pursue them.   But, those who fear The Lord will devise good and will have kindness (same word as "mercy" in Psalm 23) and truth as their blessing.  When we have evil in our hearts we will go astray, down the path that is not found in Psalm 23.   But, following The Lord as my Shepherd is the same as the Fear of The Lord in Proverbs.  That brings the blessing of truth and mercy on our lives: Both on our lives and through our lives to others.  Folly's downfall is that she does not provide the safe haven she pretends to provide.   When we allow folly to guide our heart she devises evil into hearts; that affects our minds; and that causes us to direct our feet on a stray path.  But, when we seek truth and follow hard after God, we devise good in our hearts and that caused our minds to make decisions that move our feet to do good things for God.

Proverbs 13:14

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 about the teaching of wisdom:

Proverbs 13:14 (ESV)

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death. 

I once taught the truth of this proverb to a group of 250 teenagers.  To illustrate the power of the proverb I brought in a chocolate fountain and surrounded it with toothpick lanced marshmallows.   In between the teenagers and their toothpicked marshmallows was restrictive items that prevented them from reaching into the chocolate spraying out of the fountain.   The lesson was obvious, God gives us truth like a fountain and Satan is in the business of turning us away.    If we can get to the fountain, avoiding Satan's weapons of distraction and harm we can find the truth to make wise decisions in the future - avoiding more of Satan's snares of death.  Satan prohibits us from reaching the fountain - at least he tries.  He lied to Eve in the garden to keep her from seeing the truth of God's warning.   But, the teaching of God's truth is a fountain of life.    The more we can dip our lives into it the more we have life and escape Satan's snares.    God wants us to drink from His wisdom and offers it freely through His Word.  His Word, the Bible, is the most sold book in the world.  However, how many have it in the homes but no place near their hearts.   The fountain is there on the coffee table ready to spew out wisdom for life.   Yet, too many are distracted by the snares of death.  The very way to escape the snare is found in the Book that Satan hinders us from reading and obeying.

Proverbs 12:14

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 about producing righteous fruit in our lives:

Proverbs 12:14 (ESV)

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

Making sure our words match our work is the content of this verse. Both lines are written in conjunction with the other. You can’t have good come from your lips and not have good works from your hands. You can’t wish someone a Merry Christmas with your lips and not give them what they need with your hands. That is hypocrisy. Solomon is telling us that we will be rewarded if we have consistency between our lips and our lives. Doing what we are saying is a theme in the book of James (see James 1:22-27). Those who “walk their talk” will have great reward from God. He does not mention what the reward will be. However, there are plenty of verses in Proverbs that tell us what the penalty is for not matching the two. We must make our walk match our talk.  Folly does not do that.  She talks a good game, but in the end she is death.   That is what Solomon has been trying too tell us throughout the book.   Each, single, proverb is to drive home the point that Lady Wisdom can be trusted (her works match her words) but Adulterous Folly can’t be trusted (her works do not follow her words ... they go in opposite directions).    

However, another way to read this proverb is that when speak (the fruit of his mount) and it is intended to be something good that we say, we can be satisfied, as those words won’t come back to hurt us.   The second line, then is to warn us and remind us, that our words come back at us.   So, we should be careful what we say about life, about others, about our views, about our actions.  Because, our words can bite us in the end.   If we have a pure heart and speak from a pure heart, we will be satisfied, because those words will come back and satisfy us.   Either way we interpret this proverb our heart must match our words and our words our heat.  If we are doing that, we will be satisfied.   

Proverbs 11:10

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 on leadership:

Proverbs 11:10 (ESV)

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

Leadership is sometimes overrated.   Sometimes it's not.   Solomon is telling us that it is not just leadership that matters, but it is "righteous leadership" that matters.   When the righteous rule a city things go well and the city can rejoice.  People who are lead by righteous leaders should be able to rejoice (see the story of King Josiah).   Solomon goes even further by saying not only is it good when the righteous rule it is even better when the wicked rulers perish.   We can shout for joy when the wicked ruler is gone.   It is true that God tell us to pray for and submit to our rulers (Romans 12 & 1 Peter 4).   However, the balance in the equation is found in this proverb.  It is okay to rejoice when the wicked rule no more.   Leadership is never overrated when it  is righteous leadership.   Rejoice if you have a righteous leader.   In the political world we see this play out all time, obviously.  It is actually hard to find a “righteous” politician.  That is not a knock on politicians.  It is a statement based upon observation.   We need more “righteous” people in politics.  But, the system does not support those who really want to follow righteous.   But, Solomon recognizes the beauty of those in position of leadership and the impact of righteous behavior on a community.  

Proverbs 10:5

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 labor vs leisure:

Proverbs 10:5 (ESV)

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,

but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

Being industrious and productive is rewarded by God.   God put man in the garden to "keep" the garden.   When man sinned, the penalty, along with loss of possession of the garden, was that his "keeping" the garden would turn to "working" the garden.  There is a difference.     In Ecclesiastes we see that enjoyment of our work is a "gift" of God - that is because only God can take the penalty He gave Adam (and all mankind) and turn it into a gift.  

Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 (ESV)

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;

In the above proverb God is further telling us about His view of labor vs. leisure.   Our society is bent on leisure.  As I write this I am also watching a football game at Buffalo Wild Wings (it’s half-time).   This is an entire restaurant dedicated to games and leisure.    God isn't against leisure, however.  What this proverb is telling us is that the time for harvest calls for work.   If you take your nap during times of harvest you are shameful.   God wants us to fulfill what His purpose is for us.   We can enjoy leisure but we must gather when we are called to gather.   And, we should gather even when it is not time.   The first line of the proverb tells us we are wise if we "gather" in the summer.   That is actually before the harvest.   Typically we are not “gathering” in the summer.   We gather in the fall.   So, Solomon is telling us that God rewards those who are diligent to work and gather, even when the time says go ahead and relax.  That is wisdom.   But don't sleep when you must work.  That is shameful.

Proverbs 9:9

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 given instruction to the wise: 

Proverbs 9:9 (ESV)

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

When you correct someone it reveals what their character is like. In Proverbs 9:7-9 we have a series of Proverbs that talk about what happens when you try to correct a scoffer … a fool. If you do you will only compile hurt to yourself. But, if you correct a wise person they will become even wiser. So, how a person takes your correction gives you a good indication as to how much more correction they should be given. Don't waste your time on the fool who rejects sound teaching and correction for it will only hurt you and do nothing for them.  The fool is someone who so rejects the truth of God's Word that they fail to understand and respond.  Their hearts will become hard and you will see that hardness in their reaction and rejection of God's truth.  It should be noted, however, that Proverbs is about wisdom.   When we see what the fool does, we need to know that wisdom responds differently.   Those who are wise will take the correction when it comes.   The righteous accept teaching ... in any form.   Even discipline and suffering is a teacher to the righteous.   The fool can not take correction.  The righteous can.  He learns from every teacher. We can become stronger as we listen to righteousness.

Proverbs 8:4

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 wisdom crying out:

Proverbs 8:4 (ESV)

“To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the children of man.

God wants to give us His wisdom.  Note what James says about this thought:

James 1:5-6 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 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.

In chapter eight of Proverbs we have the voice of Wisdom crying out.   She is crying out for us to follow her and embrace her.   The entire chapter is about Wisdom telling us about her beauty and about her benefits.   In the above verses we see “who” Wisdom is calling.   She is calling to all mankind.   She is calling all mankind and their children.   There is no one She is not calling out to hear Her benefits.   The issue is not the call.  The issue is the response.   Note what Solomon tells us in chapter one of this book:

Proverbs 1:23-28 (ESV)

23 If you turn at my reproof,

behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25 because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when terror strikes you,

27 when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

When the world rejects God’s Wisdom, God rejects man’s reaching out to Him when they need Him.   He will “laugh” and when they call, He “will not answer.”    Wisdom is crying out and waiting for mankind to respond.   That is what Wisdom does every day.  Remember, Wisdom is the personification of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1,2).   

Proverbs 7:21

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 the persuasion of folly:

Proverbs 7:21 (NASBStr)

With her many persuasions she entices him;

With her flattering lips she seduces him.

Proverbs 7:21 (AMP)

With much justifying and enticing argument she persuades him, with the allurements of her lips she leads him [to overcome his conscience and his fears] and forces him along.

Proverbs 7:21 (ESV)

With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

The women in Proverbs 7 is a picture of folly, as has been stated in these observations many times.   Her arguments for following hard after her are quite enticing and persuasive.   According to the above proverb she has a special sway on the simply one:  The naive one.   Those who have spiritual understanding have a way to fight off these persuasive messages.   Folly wishes to entice us to fall into her trap.  She uses her smell; her beauty (false as it might be); her comfort (brief as it may be), to seduce us and entice us.  Remember that God gives us warnings about how to avoid this enticement.   God speaks truth and allows us to know truth by following His Word.   If we are void of God's Word or not thinking of God's Word, we will fall into folly's enticement.  Notice how Solomon starts this chapter:

Proverbs 7:1-3

My son, keep my words

and treasure up my commandments with you;

keep my commandments and live;

keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

The one who is naive has no guideposts in their lives to protect them from seeing these enticement and seduction.   Seduction is not meant to be seen or observed.  That is what makes it seducing.   The only way to avoid her sweet whispers and tasty words is to be understanding God's Word and trust it and follow it.