Proverbs 4:6

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:

Proverbs 4:6 (ESV)

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

love her, and she will guard you.

There are some things we ought to hold onto. For instance, when you fall overboard from a boat and you're in the water you ought to hold on to the lifejacket or life ring you've been given.  When your passing mother or father gives you a memory of their life you ought to hold onto that tightly. When you're given your newborn son or daughter for the first time, you obviously should hold onto him or her with a firm, but gentle grip. However, none of these illustrations comes close to mirroring what Soloman has told us in the above proverb. Wisdom, who is personified in the book of Proverbs as a real person, should be held unto and never let go. Remember, according to 1 Corinthians chapter one, wisdom is Jesus Christ. What we are being told, is that our security in life has to do with what we hold unto in our faith or belief. If, by faith, we hold unto Jesus Christ and to his teachings, then we know that we have security and he will watch over us.  If, on the other hand, our hands, our hearts, or minds are tightly holding to the things of this world, then we will not be protected and they will not watch over us. Holding fast to wisdom secures our place before God. When we forsake wisdom and reach for folly then we need to know that we are reaching for empty air.  Wisdom is ever watching us, it is ever protecting us, it is ever holding us. Love wisdom and be loved by her.

Proverbs 3:7-8

 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: 

Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Truth:  God's Word and the Fear of the Lord produce spiritual and physical blessings.  People tend to go to pastors, priests and//or church for spiritual needs and to the doctors and hospitals for the physical needs.  What if the two were mutually inclusive?   What if  you could go to the church and know that your body of flesh would be better?   We don't like to think this way because it sounds "super-spiritual" or "fringe faith" behavior.   However, note the above proverb and how it applies to this arena of thought.   God is the source of life and love for all things.   It only goes to show that if we walk in the fear of the Lord and turn away from evil our body will benefit.   Note how wrecked the bodies of flesh are of those who turn away from God.  Note what happens when we seek pleasures and sin rather than righteousness and godliness.  God has and will care for those who trust in Him and pursue His ways and His truth.   God can heal the bones of those who put their faith in Him because His ways create healthy choices.  Those healthy choices are refreshing to the flesh and the bones.   Those who make poor choices and simply seek their own pleasures do harm to their health and flesh, because pleasure does not typically come with good choices.  We can, of course, have pleasure when we come to God and seek His ways.  But, what Solomon is referring to in the above passage is the choices of pleasure that are evil.   Paul's lists them in Romans 1.   He talks about those who have rejected God's way and sought their own life.  They rebel against the knowledge of God and seek their own ways.  That always brings about pain and suffering.   Note Paul's thoughts ... this is what happens when we fail to observe the truth in the above passage:

Romans 1:21-27

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Many people, even believers, can relate to this Proverb of Solomon's. We see men and women every day who are "wise in their own eyes." That might be better understood for us today as people who think they are right about their philosophy, politics, mores' and/or manners. We think we are right about what team we root for. We think we are right about products to buy. We even think we are right about what coffee shop to frequent ... really, I said that as I hold a Starbucks in my hand. Don't be wise in your own eyes. This whole book is about fearing the Lord and getting wisdom from Him. I recently spoke to a 9th grade Bible class about the book of Proverbs and challenged them to come up with some subject not addressed in Proverbs in some "root" way. There isn't. God has wisdom and gives it to us freely in His Word. Why be wise in your own eyes? God gives His wisdom away for free!!

Proverbs 2:5

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 what happens when you heed God’s wisdom:

Proverbs 2:5 (ESV)

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

The "then" in 2:5 refers to what happens when you search for wisdom as though you were searching for gold. Before we discuss what that search does we need to remember that wisdom is not for sale. You don't get it by searching for it as though it were some physical item to be discovered like a lotto ticket. Wisdom is a gift from God and can only be gotten by faith. Note:

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV)

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

If you receive the gift from God by faith you will receive discernment ... a commodity that can't be compared to anything earthly. Searching for God's wisdom, via faith, we receive discernment and discover knowledge about God. We need faith to receive the wisdom and the wisdom to get the discernment. It all begins with faith.  Many try to purchase wisdom.   However, you can't buy wisdom with a degree from a university.  Note Solomon's words, here:

Proverbs 17:16

Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

When he has no sense?

You can't buy it.   You can’t manufacture it, either.  Wisdom is not something you create in your own mind.  The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom so you can’t create it in your self.   Yes, ungodly men and women come up with great truths about mathematics and medicine and technology.   However, that knowledge came from the common grace of God He gives to all.   You can't get discernment through your efforts for wisdom.  It is a by-product of a life of faith that gives wisdom.  Wisdom then gives discernment.

Proverbs 1:13

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 how choosing wisdom is better than the temptations of folly: 

Proverbs 1:13 (ESV)

we shall find all precious goods,

we shall fill our houses with plunder;

Whoever put together Solomon's collection of proverbs that we call, "Proverbs" put this first collection because it should be first.  This chapter is a microcosm of what the Proverbs is all about.   The chapter is demonstrating the acts of those who reject wisdom (the fool) and the cry for wisdom and the blessings she offers.  It particularly outlines the acts of the fool as they attempt to ruin the lives of others and fill their own pockets.   This proverb, above, is the reason they (fools ... Satan and all his system and all his power) wish to harm others: The innocent and naive.   Evilness is always about getting ... someone getting something.  Here is the root of evil acts.  Paul tells young Pastor Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 3:16).   Just think of what people kill each over.   If we read the local and national news people kill for all kinds of precious wealth.  They want to fill their pockets and homes with the spoil.   Folly leads us to make such poor and wicked decisions.  We want to kill and eat and consume.  There is a reason we are called consumers.  When we reject wisdom we invite evil thoughts that lead to evil deeds and the death of others so that we might have their stuff.   That is the world's central theme: Consume others and their stuff.

Proverbs 31:14

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 a Godly women:

Proverbs 31:14 (ESV)

She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

This proverb may seem, at first glance, to be one of the few in the entire chapter that is less applicable for today.   After all, when it comes to securing food for the family, the long trip of a merchant ship is a bit extreme as to the analogy.    Today's women can travel a few miles to the store, find everything she needs, and more, and return home with a well prepared meal, already in a box or boxes.  She can even order it and have it all delivered to her.  She does not even have to travel to the store if she prefers on-line shopping for groceries.    If that is too much work there is always drive up and/or take out.   However, in listing the virtues of the worthy women perhaps what Solomon was trying to teach us is not the women's ability to secure a good meal but her industry, enterprise, creativity and/or high risk in so doing.   The merchant ship in the ancient world was not what we envision today.   It would have been very dangerous to take on the high seas.  Ships were hand made, not machine manufactured.   The industry of travel was so different in her time than in our time.   Simply getting water in a pot was a long process.   Solomon is here describing a women who is "like" a merchant ship: She explores.  She takes chances; she takes risks; she is adventurous.   Merchant ships sailed in dangerous waters and dangerous times.   To get food (the needs of her family) this is a women who would do what it takes to make sure the family was well feed and cared for.   This is not a timid women.   She is not a "stay at home mom" icon.   This is a women not afraid to take on the world for her family.   She is like a merchant ship!!!

Proverbs 30:5-6

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

Proverbs 30:5-6 (ESV)

Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Do not add to his words,

lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Our faith in God is based upon our belief that God's Word is true. Faith takes root in God's Word and these two verses tell us that God's Word cannot only be trusted because it has been tested, but also that He watches over His Word to assure that no one adds to it. Reproof awaits Him who tries to add to His Word. God shields us by His Word. So, we can have faith in God's Word. We need to seek refuge in the Word. Many trust in the counsel of their friends when in trouble. They should seek refudge in the Word. What makes this tough is we are typically in trouble when we forsake the Word.   We will only be able to return to safety if we find refuge in the Word. That makes it hard to repent and return when we were running away in the first place.  It is amazing how many people will believe the owners manual of their car, the science book of their teacher, or the words of a politician they love.   Yet, each are full of flaws and produced nothing toward life.   Only God's Word is tested and true and a place we can rest assured that He is using it to protect us and He is protecting it, as well.   The Apostle Paul said the same thing, this way:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

We can trust God’s Word and we can lean on to it and lean in to it and know it will hold our fears and guide us to His pleasure.   

Proverbs 29:4

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 bribes in government: 

Proverbs 29:4 (ESV)

By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

Everyone in leadership has a different vision of success. Some see success as harmony and will even avoid any conflict to get it. Some see success as productivity and will run people into the ground to get it. In this Proverb we read Solomon's definition of success: Success is a stable culture based upon justice. The word "stable" in this proverb carries an added meaning of "taking a stand." So, it is not just a culture that can "stand" the test of time or the storms of life, it is a culture that takes “a stand” for what is right and what is just. A leader who takes bribes "overthrows" a stable culture. Taking bribes is another way of saying, "rather than doing something in a just way we do it for money, or power, or influence, or something they deem valuable,” instead. A good leader will not worry about harmony or productivity. They will worry about treating people with truth and in justice. If that brings conflict, that is okay. If that produces productivity, that is okay.   If it hinders productivity and produces harmony, that is okay. Ture Biblical leadership seeks stability based upon justice.  A true leader will want everyone in the land to accumulate wealth and to have access to what he/she has access to.  This proverb talks to us about what can happen when the leader gets selfish and wants to take a bribe (personal compensation) to simply satisfy self.   Stability comes when we build up the culture for everyone, not just the leader.  

Proverbs 28:13

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 those who conceal sins:

Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Solomon might have been thinking of his father, Kind David, when he penned the above proverb.    Perhaps he had even read one of David's poems that morning before he recorded his observation.  In Psalm 32:2-3 we read, 

Psalms 32:2-3 (NASBStr)

How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away

Through my groaning all day long.

Solomon might have even recalled the circumstances behind David's confession.  David had tried to hide the sin with Bathsheba (Solomon's mother) when he committed adultery with her and had her husband killed.   He couldn't hide it.  It burned within him.   Maybe Solomon was reading Moses' account of the first family and thought of Cain who slew his brother Abel.  Abel, though dead, cried out from the ground to God for justice.   Abel could not hide.   Maybe he was reading Joshua's record of the entry into the promise land and the story of Achan jumped off the page.   Achan hid the treasure he stoled from Jericho under his tent.  Joshua casts lots and it fell on Achan.   Imagine the look on Achan's face. He couldn't hide the look or the treasure from a God who sees all.   As one commentator put it: 

One can "cover" the faults of another (Proverbs10:12), but not one's own sins (World Biblical Commentary).   

On the other hand, when we confess to God and forsake our sin, God will have compassion on us.  Maybe Solomon's words would play into Jonah's confession later when he would repent in the belly of the fish.   Maybe John was reading this proverb when he wrote to the early church 1 John 1:9; God is faithful and just to forgive our sins.   God knows we sin.  He knows it before we know it.   He is not worried about the sin; he made an allowance for that through His Son's death.  He is concerned about our response to sin.   Hide it and you will not prosper.  Confess and forsake it and He grants compassion.

Live openly and receive open prosperity.  We read in this proverb that a person who “conceals” a matter or a sin will not prosper.  But, a person who confesses it will have compassion.  When we live an open life we can experience the forgiveness of God and of others. When we don't confess our sins we lose out on the prosperity of forgiveness because God can't and others won't be able to forgive what they don't know.  And, for those who don't want forgiveness the lesson is simply: No forgiveness, no freedom from guilt.  We have the great hope of compassion, prosperity and freedom when we confess our transgression to God and others.  See the last verses of the Book of James.   God honors and sends healing to those who confess their sins.

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!