Proverbs 2:2

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 the “gates” of life:

Proverbs 2:2 (ESV)

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

Everyone knows what a gate is for.  In the back yard it locks your toddler in and the neighbor’s dog out.   In a "gated-community" project it keeps the unwanted out and the desired secure.   Gates are a part of life.   We see them every day and encounter their "power" at every turn.   It is doubtful that most people would think of their "ear" or "heart" as a gate.   But in this proverb that is the imagery that Solomon uses.   In Solomon's words of wisdom for us he is equating the ear and the heart as the gate to the soul.   He is telling us that when we open the "ear-gate" to wisdom and the "heart-gate" to understanding, good things will happen in our lives.  In the rest of the chapter he outlines those good things.   As we open these "gates" we allow wisdom and understanding, from God, to enter into our soul.  That is where strength, insight and power come from.  When we close our "gates" to wisdom and understanding we lace the strength, insight and power to overcome evil and sin.   It becomes worse when we not only close these gates to God's wisdom and understanding (His Word!) and open them to the evil and sin in the world.  When we do that, we open our soul to that destruction. God gives us power, through the Spirit, to open and close those gates.  In the Lord's prayer we are actually told to ask God to "keep us from evil."  That is another way of saying, or asking God, to close our gates to evil and open them to His Word.   We are to make our eyes "attentive" to God's Wisdom (Christ is Wisdom).  We are to incline to the Power of Christ and wisdom will flow through us and to us.

Proverbs 1:10-15

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

Proverbs 1:10-15 (ESV Strong's)

My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent without reason;

like Sheol let us swallow them alive,

and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

we shall find all precious goods,

we shall fill our houses with plunder;

throw in your lot among us;

we will all have one purse”—

my son, do not walk in the way with them;

hold back your foot from their paths,

Theme:  The Hunger of the Wicked vs the Righteous

Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, is giving us “sayings” that drive us to “fear the Lord” (which is the beginning of wisdom).   Ungodly men are attempting to lead us astray.   They want us to follow their path of destruction and mayhem.   Notice in the above passage that their desire is to plunder those who are righteous and to “find all precious goods ...”.  They wish to “fill our houses with plunder ...,” and have “one purse ...”.   The accumulation of goods is and always will be a replacement for real hunger and thirst.  In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us this is what our hunger should look like:

Matthew 5:6 (ESV Strong's)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

The wicked hunger for the accumulation of things in their lives and will do anything they have to do in order to fill their “purse.”   The righteous hunger and thirst for righteousness.  This is Solomon’s contrast.  He tells us to “not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths.”  Our hunger ought not be for things and accumulation but for righteousness. That is the only place we find real satisfaction.   

Proverbs 31:12

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 marriage relationships:

Proverbs 31:12 (NASBStr)

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:12 (ESV)

She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

If you want to know if a wife is the women of Proverbs 31 you only have to look at how she treats her husband and how she builds their relationship.  In this chapter we have the description of the Godly Wife.   Solomon had over 700 wives.   That is great research data as to what a good wife looks like.   We see in this proverb that a Godly wife, from beginning to end, brings good to her husband and not evil.   We see character and consistency over time.  That might be a good description of a women of integrity.  Any women can do it before the wedding.  Any women can do it for the first year.   But what about during those tough times? What about during those times when he is unloveable?  When he doesn't take out the garbage or treat you with the respect you deserver or desire?   Remember, the character of a Godly women over time at its highest level is being described here.    She does him "no" evil "all" the days of her life.    The only way this is possible, of course, is to allow the Fruit of the Spirit to reign in your life as you allow the Spirit to lead your life.  Love covers a multiple of sin.  Love allows you to look past mistakes and flaws.   Love flowing through the Spirit, through the life of the believer, allows her to love him and do good all her days.   It allows him to only see good and not the evil that comes from being a human being.   The only way this is possible is if you’re  allowing the Son of God to reign in your life and live through your life through the Spirit of God.

Proverbs 30:29-31

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

Proverbs 30:29-31 (ESV)

Three things are stately in their tread;

four are stately in their stride:

the lion, which is mightiest among beasts

and does not turn back before any;

the strutting rooster, the he-goat,

and a king whose army is with him.

At first glance we might ask, "Why these proverbs? What is gained in wisdom from this observation in life?"   Solomon is telling us that by nature there are some things that are "stately" in their walk ... how they march or stride.  Their tread, or stride is showing their confidence. They walk with little fear and with power in their hearts.   The three examples from nature (the lion, the rooster and the male goat) all demonstrate an attitude unparalleled by other animals or creation.   They are provided to us by Solomon to demonstrate to us the feelings of the unnatural leader ... the king with his army.  A leader, fortified by an army of obedient men, is hard to miss.  They are stately in their walk.   We might recall a poor example if this when Israel wanted to turn to Egypt for their salvation when the attack of the Assyrians came.   On the other hand, despite his defeat and loss, we can see the foolish confidence Pharaoh felt when he pursued the Israelites through the bed of the Red Sea.   Solomon knows the power of pride and the ego of men.  Solomon is not stating this is  good or a bad.   He is just stating an observation.   If the king is self-centered this "march" (confidence) would be for evil.  If the king is God-centered this "march" (confidence) would be for good and God's glory.    God made the strut of the lion, the rooster and the male goat.  He makes the powerful walk of a king, as well.  No king (leader) has power except it is given to him by God.   Pilate felt powerful when he condemned Jesus to the cross.  But, it was God’s plan and God allowed and willed Pilate to act in this manner and with that plan.   Think of the confidence of the Pharaoh during Joseph’s days.   He thought he had it all, but it was God who sent Joseph to give him wisdom, which allowed him to strut for 14 years.   Think about Nebuchadnezzar and his pride and arrogance and confidence.  It was Daniel who gave him insight from God.   Leaders with confidence should realize, like the lion, the rooster and the male goat, confidence is a gift of God.   Solomon said this way, earlier in Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:1 (ESV Strong's)

The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Confidence seen via a stately walk ought to be generated by our relationship with God through the righteousness He gives us. 

Proverbs 29:1

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 taking correction:

Proverbs 29:1 (ESV)

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,

will suddenly be broken beyond healing. 

Being corrected is tough on most of us. We don't like it when our spouses correct us. We certainly don't like it when our children correct us. And we hate it when our parents correct us. But, what about when God corrects us? What about when He "chastens" us. We are told not to "dispise" the chastening of the Lord. We are not to look at God's correction as something light or something wrong. God chastens every son He receives, Hebrews tells us. So, when we are corrected by God we should be careful to not reject that correction - the alternative is that God will stop correcting us and allow us to just live our lives the way we want ... there is no remedy for that. God is in the process of perfecting us and purifying us. That is called sanctification.. If there is no willingness to take that correction than their remains no remedy and only brokeness. And, there is no warning for this. God will not give a three count that he is about to do something. Failure to allow reproof to correct us is suddenly stopped and brokeness is left. We all must ask if we are being corrected and shaped by God's correcting, done in grace.   If not, their is no remedy remaining.  Perhaps Esau gives us an example of this, as the writer of Hebrews points out:

Hebrews 12:15-17 (ESV)

15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

He was beyond healing!

Proverbs 28:10

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 deception:

Proverbs 28:10 (ESV)

Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way

will fall into his own pit,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

This three line proverb gives us some great truth about God's sovereignty, man's evilness and the blessings of the righteous.   There are those in our society who have a desire to lead others astray.  They are selfish and wish to use the "upright" in a way that will promote themselves.   In an effort to "cause the upright to fall" they (the unbeliever) will apparently dig a pit ... a trap that the righteous might fall into.   With the evil in man's heart, they not only hurt themselves with their choices, but also hurt their fellow man.  It is utterly amazing what destruction they can do.   But God is sovereign.   God sees the trickery and deception of the evil man and will eventually turn the very pit they dug for the righteous to become their demise.   The story in the Book of Ruth shows us this truth.   Hamman, an evil man, hated the righteous Mordecai.   He even built gallows where he was to watch Mordecai hang.   But, God, in a sovereign act, turns the tables on him and he is hung himself.  A living example of Proverbs 28:10.   The same is true of the wise men who wanted Daniel tossed into a pit.  Daniel did go into the pit because he continued to pray.  But, God saved him.   Then, God had Daniel's opponents tossed into the Lion's pit, where the lions no longer could keep their mouths shut.   The same is true of Daniel's three friends and the fiery furnace.  God will bless the righteous.  They may have to visit the lion's den, the fire, or, like Joseph and Paul, the local prison.   But, God does deliver and the pit that was set for them will destroy the unbeliever, who not only wishes his/her own destruction, but the Godly as well.  God is sovereign and in control.

Proverbs 27:18

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 hard work:

Proverbs 27:18 (ESV)

Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,

and he who guards his master will be honored.

Labor is tough.  Getting up every day to go to work is tough.   We don't like to work.  In Genesis 3 the penalty given to Adam for sinning against God was labor "by the sweat of the brow."  Until we sinned through Adam, work was not to be laborious. It was to be a pleasure to work in the garden ... Adam had that and lost it all for us.  You can't read the above proverb without that thought in mind. Solomon is telling us that "tending" the fig tree allows us to eat the fruit of the tree, but the implication is that the "tending" takes work.  It takes attention and effort to make sure the fig tree produces fruit.   Remember. Jesus cursed the fig tree that didn't bring forth fruit (Luke 11).  The labor to get the fruit is only worth it if you know the value of the fruit.  In this area the fig was used for so many aspects of life.  The farmer had to remember the value each time he attended the tree.  The same is true in the second line.  It is not easy working for someone.   Our "master" is not always in a place we can honor him.   But, when we "care" for him/her we do ourselves good.  We will be honored.  It is laborious to honor the master and tend the fig tree, but the result is that we have fulfilled God's Word and should be blessed and feed.   It should be noted that the proverb doesn't say to care for the master if he/she "deserves" honor.   We are to care for them and their needs, period.   Then we will be blessed.  God uses authority in our lives to give us wisdom.   God gives us wisdom through a variety of means.  Those might be "fig" trees in our lives.   We are to tend them so that we can glean the wisdom from them.   Abraham was the authority in his nephew’s (Lot) life.   Lot didn't listen to Abraham and lost that wisdom.    He neglected his "fig" tree.  Nathan, the prophet, was the fig tree in David's life.   When David was told by Nathan that God knew about the adultery with Bathsheba, David listened and we have his repentance recorded in Psalm 51.   Find your "fig" tree and "tend" it ... you will be honored with wisdom.

Proverbs 26:3

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 how to correct a fool:

Proverbs 26:3 (ESV)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the back of fools.

A horse is quite a large and powerful beast.    In order to move them and change their mind Solomon is telling us that we would have to use a whip to make them move or stop or turn.   For a donkey you might need less power but you still need something to make it move where you want it to go.   A bridle in the month will work fine.   But you have to have something.   So, too, says Solomon does a fool need something to correct them.  They will not be corrected by mere words.  Even though truth is available they will not buy it, or listen to it if they do buy it.  Solomon is telling us that we will have to do some extreme measures to get the fool to take correction.  A time out does not work for the fool.   You need to drive the foolishness out of him.   Solomon tells us a rod for the back of the fool might correct them in the same way a whip for horse or a bridle for a donkey does.   Don't expect simply words to change the heart of a fool.  You will need a stronger tool.  God often uses His mighty hand to correct a fool.  Remember, a fool is someone who denies God, or His authority in a life.   Notice the “whip” God used to correct Nebuchadnezzar after he inflated his ego to believe it was HE who built his kingdom:

Daniel 4:29-33 (ESV)

29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” 33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

That is a very large whip.  That is what God does for those who do not recognize God and will not heed His correction.

Proverbs 25:12

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 how to correct someone: 

Proverbs 25:12 (ESV)

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

People have a hard time listening to correction.   In Proverbs a constant theme of Solomon's admonition is this arena of listening to God's Wisdom when it is presented by a "wise reprover" and coupled with a "listening ear."   This combination is such a great thing Solomon compares it to seeing a fine earring or fine gold jewelry.   Gold sells.   Put gold on something and you get someone's attention.  We see it from Madison Avenue all the time.   Look at a bill board or a TV commercial or a magazine ad and you will see many with sparkling jewelry and shinny ornaments.  It attracts our attention.   It shows something refined and it shows us something of value.   In this proverb Solomon uses the same thought to demonstrate not some material and temporal possession but an eternal and remarkable event ... someone listening and applying God's truth from someone who has skill to deliver it.   It is a matter of importance that Solomon draws attention to the fact that someone is not simply listening to God's Word but also that God's Word is being delivered in a wise way by the "reprover."   Sometimes it is in the delivery that we see fruit.   God's Word needs to be delivered to the ear in a manner worthy of God's Word.   We can't simply fling the Word around and use it as a battering ram on those who need to hear it.   A wise reprover invites a listening ear.   Yes, there are some who won't hear us because they reject the truth of God's Word no matter how it is delivered.  But there are far too many who are beat over the head with God's Word and they find the method offensive more than the truth.   Make sure you take as much care in the delivery of God's truth as you do the importance of the delivery.   Maybe there would be more listeners and others would see the beauty of them hearing and responding.

Proverbs 24:10

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 raising up after falling down:

Proverbs 24:10 (ESV)

If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength is small.

Proverbs 24:10 (NASV)

If you are slack in the day of distress,

Your strength is limited.

The word slack in this verse is a word meaning to "sink."   The picture we have of this word is that of hay as it burns.  The flames lick away at the hay and as it burns the weak stock begins to fall into the flames, given very little resistance to the consuming fire.   The proverb means, that, like hay that is eaten by the torch of the flame because of the weakness of its stock, so too, those who have not strength about them will fail.  When our strength is "limited" we will soon be lost to the distress of the day, event or conflict.   The conflict reveals the weakness of our training; the frailty of our character.   In the day of distress, what we are is revealed.   If we are slack it is because we have not relied upon the strength provided by God in Christ through the Spirit.    Remember, distress will reveal our strength.  If we are slack it is because we haven't allowed the strength of God to fill our lives.  But, remember, the real truth here:  We are not strong.  It is in our weakness that God's grace and strength are made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:8).   We were made frail.   We will fall in the time of distress when we try on our own.  But, in the time of distress IF we fall on faith we, too, will be in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11).  That chapter of God's Word is full of all those, who in the time of distress,  did not sink.  They stood strong ... in faith.  But, they strengthen their character, faith and attitude before the stress and suffering come.   You can get strength from suffering (after it is over) and you can gain strength before suffering, but strength is "revealed" during suffering.   Notice what Solomon later says about the righteous and wicked:

Proverbs 24:15-16 (ESV)

Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;

do no violence to his home;

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,

but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Proverbs 23:15

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

Proverbs 23:15 (NASBStr)

My son, if your heart is wise,

My own heart also will be glad;

Proverbs 23:15 (ESV)

My son, if your heart is wise,

my heart too will be glad.

Have you ever watched a parent who has just witness their child(ren) accomplish something great or of worth? No matter the age of the child(ren) their chest will puff out and their heads will raise high. That is what Solomon is describing in this proverb. We are so proud of our kids when they make great decisions. We should be elated when they make a decision that reflects glory to God. "If your heart is wise" is the conditional aspect above. But we have to be ready to rejoice over this aspect of our children's lives. We often get happy when they "score a goal" or when they "get an 'A'" or when they "graduate from ...".  Those are, indeed, great things to celebrate. However, we ought to really rejoice over their accomplishment of spirituatl things. Do our children know that we "rejoice" over spiritual accomplishments? Do they realize we get excited about "wise" choices of the heart? Perhaps that is the problem. When they see us get more excited about grades, goals and graduations and accomplishments similar to those three, we will see them strive more and more for those things. If, however, they see us get more excited about spiritual things they will walk with God in the Spirit and desire to achieve spiritual things.   In the psychology of life, you get what you honor. You honor something by praising it.   If we want to raise spiritual giants we have praise spiritual accomplishments.   

Proverbs 22:16

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 those who oppress the poor:

Proverbs 22:16 (NASBStr)

He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself

Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:16 (ESV)

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,

or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

You would be hard pressed to make an argument from Scripture for Capitalism.   The shear making of money is not God's plan for man.   With that said, God does not forbid the making of money and accumulation of wealth.   God wants us to use our riches for the promotion of God's work and the Glory of God's name.   Although God does not promote the earning of money for the sake of earning money, He does give us some guidelines about making money.  In the above proverb we see that God talks to us through Solomon's words about how we make money.   Making money, in God's eyes, is not to be on the back of the poor.  Nor is it to be used to impress and buy off the rich.   Making money in the wrong way and using money in the wrong manner are both abhorred by God.   And, He will punish those who do either or both.   We can expect to be in poverty ourselves if we attempt to make money by oppressing the poor.    God is a merciful God.  He does not reward those who don't show mercy.    But, God is also a God who deserves and demands worship.   When we use our money to give to the rich, those who already have money, we are putting them into the place of our worship.  We are using our money to gain access or impression.   God's character is that we honor Him.   Getting money from the poor and giving it to the rich is anti God's character and His Word.

Proverbs 21:7

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 violence of the wicked:

Proverbs 21:7 (ESV)

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

Before we can read this verse and make sense of it we have to understand how Solomon uses the word "wicked" throughout Proverbs.  The term "wicked," in Solomon's glossary, is used for anyone who disobeys God.  That doesn't have to be a permanent state of disobedience.   It can be an act of "wickedness" and not simply a state.   Solomon is telling us that those who disobey God and use violence (in the Hebrew it simply means creating a "disturbance" or "havoc" that becomes a catalyst for violence) will come back on them and "drag" them away.   When they refuse to act in a just manner - seeking justice at all cost - they are being violent.  That violence will turn on them and bring upon them that very violence (disturbance or havoc).   In time the wicked will fall into their own pit.   By faith we believe this.   We may have to wait.  We sometimes wait to see what God "may" do.  But, God keeps His Word.  We don't have to worry about what God "may" do, but what He "will" do.  He will keep His Word.  Those who stir up strife and havoc will eventually fall to that strife and havoc.  Balaam was a prophet of some sort in the days Israel was entering the wilderness.   King Balak wanted to pay him to bring down violence on Israel.  God told him no!  Yet, he did it anyhow.  That violence he created eventually fell on him.  God’s anger was against him.  Note how God uses it later to teach us:

Nehemiah 13:2 (ESV)

2 for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Revelation 2:14 (ESV)

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 

This is the meaning of Solomon’s proverb.   

Proverbs 20:8

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 leadership:

Proverbs 20:8 (ESV)

A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

Leadership has so many responsibilities that any leader can quickly fall into the "manager" mode.   There has been much written about the differences between leadership and management.  This small devotional won't do much to exhaust that debate.   However, Solomon does give us a keen insight into the leader's mindset and implies something about leadership that far exceeds management.   A leader is responsible for the flow of justice - doing what is right - within the country, organization, institution, etc.   In this proverb Solomon stresses that the leader (the King) is so in tune with justice that he "sits on the throne of justice."  This implies it is not a mere thought that crosses his mind but the actual core of his culture.   His throne is known for being just.   The throne is where he makes all his decisions. The throne is the symbol of his authority.    A king who sits on the throne of justice has established a culture of justice.   But it doesn't end there.   Not only does he sit on a throne of justice but his presence and power are so filled with justice evil runs from his sight.  He "disperses all evil with his eyes."  Think through that thought.   He merely looks and evil has no place to hide. That is leadership.   Managers could not do that if the leader in the group didn't support that type of culture.   Leadership ... Godly Leadership ... disperses evil by a mere glance.   People would not do things around that type of leader they would to others.   If you want to be a leader in your home, your business, your office, your community, be a Proverbs 20:8 leader.   Sit in justice and disperse evil with your eyes.