Proverbs 27:21

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 praise from others:

Proverbs 27:21 (ESV)

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

and a man is tested by his praise. 

You really don't know what you have in regard to the rock in your hand until you put it to the fire.   So, too, you don't know what you have in a person's character until you put it to the test.   That seems to be what Solomon is telling us in this proverb.   Fire proves the quality of the metal, so too, praise shows the character of the man.    When a man is given praise that is when you know what he is made of.  Does he take credit for "his" successes?  Does he believe "his" talent got him this far?   Does his chest go out as praise comes in?  That is when you know the character.    If, like Paul, you simply realize that your weaknesses are being used by God than you are a man of character (2 Corinthians 12).  There are few who can handle praise.   We were created to glorify God and give Him praise.   However, in the garden Satan tempted man to steal that praise and take it to self.   Man has been on that journey ever since.   If you seek praise you lack character.  If you get praise and can't reflect it toward God you lack character.   Praise is a test.  Don't fail.

Proverbs 26:7

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 a lazy man:

Proverbs 26:7 (ESV)

Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,

is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

If you study the proverbs long enough you will eventually find yourself remembering them and even quoting them (at least the parts you remember).  It is invariable that you will find yourself in a tough situation and having a conversation with someone in the midst of folly, or someone who epitomizes folly.   The temptation will be to provide them with a quick proverb.    To the listening ear you can be assured of some positive outcome from your efforts (Proverbs 25:12).   However, Solomon warns us here that when we give a proverb to a fool we are wasting our time.   Hoping a fool will use a proverb, deliver a proverb, or convey a proverb is like trusting a lame to use his legs.   He may have all the intentions in the world but if his legs don't work that intention won't move him.  The fool can have all the intentions in the world.  But, if you give him a proverb to follow, or he stumbles on it by himself, it won't do him much good.   Fools don't digest wisdom.  Fools don't and can't allow wisdom to move them.   A fool does not revere God (Psalms 14:1) and reverence for God is the first step in leaving folly and pursuing wisdom.    Give a fool a proverb but realize he will not go far with it.  They lack the spiritual legs to allow it to carry them onward and upward.

Proverbs 25:15

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 patience:

Proverbs 25:15 (NASBStr)

By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded,

And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)

With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

There is a real skill when it comes to the art of negotiations.   Few people can actually accomplish the art of persuasion without first stumbling and even touching the hems of offending.   When you have a point to make most people blast it out like a shell out of a cannon.   They wound the other party before they even get a chance to win the other person over to their way of thinking. In the above proverb we read about two elements of persuasion that are a must for would-be negotiators.  In the first line we read that good persuasion takes much time, patience and persistence.   We can't give up in the face of resistance and we can't give in when others don't agree, no matter their station or authority over us.   The second line of this proverb says that the cannon shell should be replaced with the jar of honey.    Perhaps this is were we received the old adage that "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."  We don't have to blast our opinion to convince.   If we have a valuable opinion sometimes the best way to get others to hear it and accept is to create a warm and friendly path to our well and allow them to draw the bucket and drink from it out of their own will.   Simply hitting them with the arrows of our arguments isn't the best way, or a good way at all.   This proverb seems to tell us that if we want others to hear us and accept our view we should be patient, persistent and positive.

Notice how the Apostle Paul explains this to the young Pastor Titus:

Titus 2:9-10 (ESV)

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Proverbs 24:13-14

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 wisdom:

Proverbs 24:13-14 (ESV)

My son, eat honey, for it is good,

and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, there will be a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

Imagine reading this proverb on Thanksgiving Day. There is something about a verse on food.  Our minds pick up on any verse that mentions food. But the above proverbs are more than about food.   These two proverbs show us the sweetness and value of wisdom to the soul of man. To make the point Solomon uses the metaphor of our stomach. His point is that just as we would love and do love the sweet taste of honey so too ought we to love the spiritual taste of wisdom. Honey is good. It goes to our stomach for waste but it does taste so, so good (candied yams anyone?). For those who desire the riches of God spiritually, so too is wisdom. It delights us and will give us spiritual food for the future. Christ is the wisdom of God in body form. When we partake of Him we taste honey for the soul that provides eternal life for the future.

Honey was one of the most descriptive terms in the Old Testament.   The land that the Israelites hoped to enter was described a land flowing with milk and honey.   Often, of the 58 times the word is used in the Bible, it is used to refer to the land.    John the Baptist was said to eat honey.    It is no wonder that God uses it in His Word to describe Wisdom and His Word (which brings forth Wisdom).   Solomon, no doubt, must have heard his father David quote the following Psalms, perhaps around the dinner table.  These verses may have inspired Solomon's proverb:

Psalms 19:10 (NASBStr) (In speaking about God's Judgements ... His Word)

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

 Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalms 119:103 (NASBStr)

How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

John the Apostle of the Revelation referred to God's Word as greater than honey:

Revelation 10:10

I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.

God has given us a great proverb to understand the value, beauty and satisfaction of God's Word.   Just as honey is sweet, satisfying and pleasing to the senses, so too is God's Word, when mixed with faith.    Enjoy God's Word as you would honey and you will find, spiritually speaking, it is equally as delicious.   Trusting it your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18

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 hope:

Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)

Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

This proverb comes on the heels of the previous, which tells us not to envy sinners.   Solomon wants us to be careful that we don't cast our gaze onto those without Christ and faith in God. That type of gaze might cause us to start thinking that what we are seeing in our sight is actually what is truly in focus.   In our sight we see the wicked playing; loving life and spending time in frolic and fun.   But, the true focus ... our long-term vision ... the future, what we see that life takes on a different look.   In the future, we have hope.  We have something that is coming that others don't see.   In the future we have "hope."  That is something the unbeliever can't say.   We have a blessedness coming that can't be compared to anything we see the world doing or getting.   When we look with the eyes of faith we, like Abraham, see a city in the distance, Who's maker and builder is God:

Hebrews 11:9-10 (ESV)

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. sin.

Faith asks us ... demands us ... to look not with fleshly eyes but with eyes of hope.  We see, through faith, what God will do, not what is being done.   Look in faith today.  Your hope will not be cut off.  When we are in suffering we typically see with our earthily eyes.  We see the look in the mirror and see that cancer has ravished our hair.   We get up to work and discover time as stolen our step.   But God gives us hope.  He has a future for us.  We might see one thing with our eyes of flesh, but we see something completely different with our eyes of faith.  We see hope.   

Proverbs 22:24-25

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 anger:

Proverbs 22:24-25 (ESV)

Make no friendship with a man given to anger,

nor go with a wrathful man,

lest you learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

I don't purposely touch hot objects with my bare hands. Picking a piece of toast out of the toaster is about the extent of my willingness to touch flesh to flame. However, there are times I find myself in committees and group-think-tanks that combines me with some angry people. Solomon tells us in the above verses that having such a relationship endangers me. If you are with hot tempered people, don't be surprised if you get burnt. That seems to be Solomon's thought here. We are to avoid those who lose their temper. He often tells us in Proverbs that is better to dwell on a rooftop than to dwell in a house with someone who is having anger issues. We are to avoid those with anger issues not attempt to appease them. We are and will be influenced by them. We will create a "snare" for ourselves if we associate with them. Don't get burnt by hot tempers!

Proverbs 21:10

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 the wicked neighbor:

Proverbs 21:10 (ESV)

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

How we get along with our neighbors says more about us than them.   It is amazing how we can mistreat one another in the close proximity of a neighborhood.  In this proverb Solomon tells us how we treat our neighbor says something about our heart.   If we show "favor" to them it demonstrates our righteousness.  But, those who have a wicked heart will not show them "favor."  The word "favor" here is "grace" or “mercy” to us.   Showing grace/mercy means we recognize the need for grace/mer y and we allow God to show grace/mercy through us.   Wicked people can't show grace/mercy because they haven't humbled themselves to show grace/mercy.  This is what is so important about our lives as believers.   If we have been given grace/mercy we should show grace/mercy.  We should show others the same measure of grace/mercy God has shown us ... unlimited.   That will demonstrate we are not the wicked and desire evil for them.  Show someone grace/mercy today and show all that God has done a good work on the inside.

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.