PROVERBS
The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.
1:2,3 To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern
the sayings of understanding,
3To
receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
Like Solomon, I've prayed for wisdom. Thank God, Solomon received it and shared it with us. There are many smart people in the world and keep their knowledge to their own circle of friends. Lord, let me share what You tell me to. (DRM 11/5/2000)
1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in
learning,
And a man of
understanding will acquire wise counsel,
How am I doing? What am I learning here on earth? Is my growth in the Lord (knowledge) increasing or not? Who am I going to with questions about my spiritual growth and problems? Hopefully all of my answers will be pleasing to the Lord Jesus. (DRM 4/22/07)
1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
As Creator of all things in the universe, I fear the Lord as He can change my plans in a second. Still, I feel His love for me and want to love Him also as a "grandfather" type. (DRM 11/7/2000)
1:8, 9 Hear, my son, your father's instruction
And do
not forsake your mother's teaching;
9Indeed, they are a graceful
wreath to your head
And
ornaments about your neck.
When we are young, we get tired of being
told, "don't do that," or "it's time for you to go to bed" from our parents when
we don't agree.
Of course there are other, better, examples of instruction,
but Solomon is telling us that listening and doing our parents instruction
brings glory to the Lord, as it shows our willingness to follow His instruction
as we get older. (DRM 9/7/11)
1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
This series of verses (1:10-19) refer to joining or helping sinners (non-believers) in a violent or bloody (v.11) act. To me the suggestion seems extreme; it makes the point that the minds of unbelievers will not run parallel to ours as believers. A believer will want to glorify God=Jesus, whereas the unbeliever will not even think of that. We (I) are to bring glory to Him in whatever we say or do. (DRM 4/23/07)
1:10,15 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not
consent.
15My son, do not walk in the way with them.
Keep your feet from their path.
Certainly my biggest problem spiritually is my friendship with worldly people who try to pull me away from Him. Let me be a witness to them and show them the way to the Lord Jesus. (DRM 11/8/2000)
1:22 How long, O naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?
The above verse is accredited to "wisdom" in verse 20. I won't say that I understand it all. In some ways I like simplicity, as in a Gospel presentation. I'm not a fool that hates knowledge and know I need it. Lord, give me more wisdom! (DRM 11/9/2000)
1:23 Turn to my reproof; Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
This is another quote from "wisdom." . . . so when I ask for wisdom when I pray, I should expect wisdom to give me a new spirit and an opening of my mind so that the words (in the Bible) are clearer to me. (DRM 11/10/2000)
1:26,28 I will even laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
28Then they will call on me, but I will not
answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me.
Wisdom is still speaking (note the "me" in not capitalized) but it makes me think of the nature of God. When people don't believe in Him, they are subject to His wrath in their lives. People must learn to trust in God through Jesus. (DRM 11/11/2000)
1:29,30 Because they hated knowledge, And did
not choose the fear of the LORD.
30They would not accept my counsel, They
spurned all my reproof.
This is similar to the previous verse, except the writing clearly shows that it is written by "wisdom." This is all about the results of not believing in the Lordship of God in lives. It makes me think, if you don't believe in God, then He won't listen to you. (DRM 11/11/2000)
[re: 1:30] This quote is by "Wisdom" (v.20), but makes me think of our conscience or the Holy Spirit that we receive after becoming believers. As in many other examples, we need direction in life - and I most need wisdom to make the right choices. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are the main sources from which to refer. (DRM 4/24/07)
1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
If we listen to God and obey His will, we
should be safe and at ease.
This means more to me as I always need to know that He is
watching over all my needs and problems and will protect me. (DRM 2/17/87)
This doesn't mean that we won't have problems in life (i.e.
health), but that He will meet our needs and be in control. (DRM 1/11/04)
2:1 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments
within you,
Solomon wanted his son, and also us, to
desire wisdom. Certainly we will not learn without the desire to do so. I
remember this attitude when I was in grade school - as it was repetitious going
every day and learning things I never thought I'd use in life.
Learning is work, but we have to desire the wisdom and
respect the teacher - as it is for our benefit later in life. (DRM 1/3/12)
You can acquire much knowledge, but true wisdom comes only from God. (Radio Bible Class 1/3/12)
2:2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
The topic of wisdom continues here. Without wisdom I certainly wouldn't get very far explaining Jesus to others! I will have to "incline my heart to understanding" just what the Lord wants me to know. [This sounds like formal education, but some, like me, did not get that.] (DRM 11/12/2000)
2:3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for
understanding;
When we follow the Lord and want to please
Him we are going to desire the reading and studying of His Book, the Bible. To
acquire wisdom, we have to go to God.
To cry in this case is like pleading or praying for an answer
from the Lord. To lift your voice is similar - as when we pray we are talking to
Someone higher and more powerful than anyone on earth.
With prayer, God gives more understanding of His Word. Our
"job" is to stay at it = reading and studying it daily. (DRM 2/4/16)
2:4, 5 If you seek her as silver
And
search for her as for hidden treasures;
5Then you will discern the fear
of the LORD
And
discover the knowledge of God.
"She" is wisdom.
Especially with economy we have now, people are seeking
silver as an investment. Really, wisdom is something God wants us to seek - and
spiritual wisdom is discernment on proper choices to follow His will.
The Holy Spirit gives us some insights, but following the
examples in the Bible is the first way of finding His will. (DRM 8/31/11)
2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Before I read the Bible every night, I always
pray for wisdom to comprehend what I am about to read. Sometimes it seems like
it doesn't "work," but other times the words are so plain!
In this verse "his mouth" could be the words in the
Bible or the Holy Spirit who also gives us our knowledge and understanding. (DRM
1/2/88)
2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in
integrity.
For the past two years I've been going
through "employment trials" and sometimes wondered where God was.
Still, I have continued to trust in His provision - both
spiritually and financially. I continue to believe that He will provide for all
of my needs - in His time. (DRM 4/25/07)
2:8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
While the Proverb continues with wisdom, this verse indicates what God does. Since I try to be godly, it encourages me to think how He will preserve my way. With no US President decided, I'm glad that He will also be in control of who finally wins. (DRM 11/13/2000)
2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
This selection generally goes into what
wisdom will do for you. Certainly it is something to be desired and God can give
it to us if we only ask . . .
God, I desperately need wisdom to be able to tell more people
about Your Son. (DRM 11/14/2000)
2:16 To deliver you from the strange woman,
From the adulteress
who flatters with her words;
This verse, and the ones that surround it,
are based on verse six, where the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, directs us in
the path(s) we should follow.
This verse specifically refers to the adulteress women. They
are already in sin, then want to pull you in by their flattering words.
PTL (Praise the Lord), the Holy Spirit within Christians
tells us to keep away from such people. We are to follow His direction, not the
direction of the world. (DRM 6/21/12)
2:20 So you will walk in the way of good men, And keep to the paths of the righteous.
Most of this section shows the difference between the wicked and the righteous. When I read this verse I thought of the narrow path of salvation and God's will. When temptation comes, I must keep "on track." (DRM 11/15/2000)
While this passage generally refers to avoiding evil (v.12), crooked paths (v. 15) and strange women (v. 16); this verse gives me more direction to walk in the path that God directs and to avoid the snares that the world and worldly people set up to keep me (us) from following Him. It's still not easy! (DRM 4/26/07)
3:1,2 My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your
heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of
life
And peace
they will add to you.
This is a couplet were verse one tells us
what to do and verse two is the result.
God wants us to read and study/understand His words every
day. In some way we will then "internalize" His words and commands.
The result of all this time and study? Home time and internal
peace. (DRM 2/20/13)
3:3,4 Do not let kindness and truth leave
you; bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So
you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
Sometimes I take "telling the truth" too literal. To tell others true, but bad points about others, does not seem to help the cause of Christ in my mind. It is sin. Lord, lead me to emphasize the good in others and not all bad. I need wisdom to do this! (DRM 11/16/2000)
While anger is not a sin, it causes us to sin, usually by saying unkind words to the other person. As Christians we (I) must learn to control our temper and try to show kindness and truth rather than anger. Our job is to show the love of God - so they will see that our heart is totally devoted to Jesus, our Savior. (DRM 4/27/07)
3:5, 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In
all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
These are my most quoted testimonial verses. Why? Because they seem so clear. They can't be taken "the wrong way." They are a clear directive. They are a constant goal in life. They show that He cares about me as an individual and will lead me on. (DRM 11/17/2000)
3:5-6 Long comment on separate file linked here => 
3:7, 8 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear
the LORD and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body
And
refreshment to your bones.
Yesterday I wrote a comment about the sin of
pride, and that is also reflected in Prov. 3:7 here.
To "be wise in your own eyes" seems like a definition of
pride, where we think we are better than other people. I (we) just have to
remember that different people have different gifts. We are to turn away from
this attitude of pride.
A result of repentance and attitude change will be God's
healing of our body and better health (bones?) according to this verse. Worth
trying for! (DRM 8/14/13)
3:9, 10 Honor the Lord from your wealth, And
from the first of all your produce;
10So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new
wine.
While I try to give the Lord and His Kingdom more and more of my assets each year, I still haven't reached the tithe. I should redirect my efforts and give more - and need greater faith to do this. (DRM 11/18/2000)
3:13, 24 How blessed is the man who finds
wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Another section on elusive wisdom. As I continue to pray for wisdom - I'm NOT referring to chemistry or physics, but rather theology. As the Lord gives me this wisdom, I know I can trust Him and shouldn't fear for my life as He will provide sweet sleep. (DRM 11/19/2000) Sleep could also refer to being with Him in Heaven. (DRM 1/8/05)
3:14 For her profit is better than the profit
of silver
And her gain better
than fine gold.
Who is she? She is wisdom. Wisdom is better
than silver or gold.
Both silver and gold are commodities that generally increase
in value over time. Even this verse says that we should profit from owning these
items; but wisdom is more profitable yet.
What is wisdom? I think the Bible is referring to the gaining
of knowledge about the Lord God=Jesus, not a degree at a college about
engineering or any other subject except theology.
Knowing and following God=Jesus is the most profitable thing
a person can do with their life. Am I spending time learning about Him every
day? (DRM 5/22/15)
3:16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
Verses 13-18 all refer to the advantages of finding wisdom (v. 13). In this verse, "she" is the provider of a long life and riches, and honor. I don't think wisdom necessarily refers to a college degree, but could include the process of gaining life experiences, or better yet, the filling of the Holy Spirit, and following His direction. (DRM 4/28/07)
3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
I had many nightmares as a child and even occasionally as a young adult. After trusting totally in Jesus they nearly all went away. When a rare 'terror dream' comes, I just pray to Jesus and He helps me through the night. I think the person (Solomon) who wrote this must have had a similar situation. (DRM 4/29/07)
3:25, 26 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor
of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26for the Lord will be your confidence, And
will keep your foot from being caught.
My mind understands these verses and wants me to "go ahead," but "other feelings" in me seem to tell me to "stop" and "I'll get hurt," if I go forward with telling people about Christ. It's the spiritual war within me. Thankfully I know who wins! (DRM 11/20/2000)
3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom
it is due,
When it is in your
power to do it.
I certainly have had hard times when I've
needed help from others - and sometimes I've received help and other
times it was refused. I know what it's like to be in need.
When a person needs help, this verse states that we are to
help them if we are able. I thank the Lord for those people who helped me - and
wonder why the others refused when they knew my needs.
Now that things are better, I try to help others in need - so
long as I know my help will be used for their need and not their greed. (DRM
10/15/15)
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and
come back,
And tomorrow I will
give it,"
When you have it
with you.
This proverb seems to deal with what is right
vs. wrong. It should apply to ALL people, not just Christians.
If someone wants to buy or borrow something that we have, we
should be willing to give it up. Now I can see why people might be attached to a
particular item, but, on the other hand, we can't take it with us when we leave
earth. If the price is right and the two agree, this proverb says to let the
person have it and not hold back - especially if it is already in your
possession.
I can see how this proverb can be difficult, but it's what
God instructs. . . (DRM 4/2/16)
3:33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
"Bad" things happen to good, righteous people. I believe that the Lord wants us to learn from all of our experiences. It's the attitude that we have within. While the "wicked" are "cursed," we who love the Lord know that He is teaching us to change or love Him more. (DRM 11/21/2000)
While this seems clear, I wonder if it should be taken spiritually rather than materially. Christians have had disasters - fires, floods, etc. - in their homes, and non-Christians have been spared. Perhaps if we (I) think spiritually, I'll remember that, in the end, all will work out well for God's people - as He loves us. (DRM 4/30/07)
3:34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to
the humble.
Sometimes it seems that I am being overly criticized for the
things that I believe in. When I have these times of discouragement, I must
accept God's grace and be humble and not return their attacks. (DRM 4/2/87)
4:1, 2 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a
father,
And
give attention that you may gain understanding.
2For I give you sound teaching;
Do not abandon my instruction.
Children need both parents while growing up.
Each parent instructs a child in different aspects of life.
These verses refer to father's instructions for their sons. I
remember my father teaching me how to ride a bicycle and later run the
lawnmower. If I didn't pay attention, I certainly would have gotten hurt.
God the Father also gives instruction in His Book, the Bible.
He wants us (all) to read and comprehend what has been written for our benefit.
(DRM 4/24/12)
4:4 Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words: Keep my commandments and live;
This section is entitled, "A Father's Instruction," but, at least in this verse, I think it should be God's instructions. God, through the Holy Spirit, has been my Instructor so far, and I have come to depend on Him. (DRM 11/22/2000)
4:5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the
words of my mouth.
This verse seems to be the instruction to his
son to go to college, or gain wisdom and understanding in any way possible as it
(she) will "honor you if you embrace her." (v. 8)
It's never too late to learn more. I try to read some in the
Bible and other Christian books daily during lunch, if possible, and hope that
it will help me to gain knowledge of the Lord. (DRM 5/1/07)
4:7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
Learn more about the Lord is my main "wisdom" goal. But knowing isn't enough - it isn't good to keep wisdom to yourself. I must understand the Word and also share this with others. (DRM 11/23/2000)
4:10, 13 Hear my son, and accept my sayings,
and the years of your life will be many.
13Take hold of instructions; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
Wisdom is still the topic here - even though neither verse uses that word. Study the Bible - both verses seem to indicate the importance of daily Bible study. (DRM 11/24/2000)
4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Are all unbelievers wicked? Yes, the Bible seems to indicate that. I think the intent is not to participate in their parties or do many of the things that they do - as they are not honoring of the Lord. Still, I think we should continue to talk and witness to them of our faith in the Lord Jesus. (DRM 5/2/07)
4:15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it
and pass on.
This should be with verse 14 (above) as a
"couplet," as the two go together.
The wicked people of this world seem so numerous today - or
it could be there are a few really wicked people and lots and lots of people who
are just afraid to oppose them.
Here God, through Solomon, warns us to avoid the wicked and
pass on.
I think of the wicked as fortune tellers and people with
horoscopes and others who follow evil practices.
Unbelievers, per se, are not evil; so I think the Lord wants
us to witness to those who aren't involved in these practices and also need to
know Him as Lord. (DRM 3/5/12)
4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
No distractions, no bends in the road. Always pointing forward - that's what the Christian's path should be - getting stronger and brighter throughout my lifetime. Lord, may my love for you keep growing brighter and brighter. (DRM 11/25/2000)
4:19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness: they do not know what makes them stumble.
After spending an evening with the
"wicked," I can easily agree that they do not know that they are
stumbling and holding each other up with their sick jokes and mutual help with
worldly desires.
As I continue to go to these meetings, I see just how
different I am from those who are of the world. (DRM 6/11/87)
4:20, 21 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not let them
depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
These two verses seem to encourage the memorization of the Word of God - the Bible. While I've never been very good at it, I know that having verses in memory helps in times of trial. Somehow Christian hymns are better for me to hum or sing at times when I feel depressed. (DRM 5/3/07)
4:20, 22 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
22For they are life to those who find them, And
health to all their whole body.
I have found that studying the Bible and immersing myself in praising Jesus has helped my life a lot! They [the Bible, Jesus and the Holy Spirit] have given me encouragement and convicted me when I've been wrong. I constantly praise the Lord for my good health. (DRM 11/26/2000)
4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow
the springs of life.
Quite often in the Bible, I think heart
refers to our soul in addition to our physical heart. To watch over my heart, I
would want to keep from doing evil, or things that would displease the Lord
Jesus.
The words from our mouth reveal the state of our soul and
should be pure; thus from it flow encouragement and wisdom to others, rather
than discouragement or bad intents.
We (I) want to show and tell others about the Lord and they
will more likely listen to someone who is encouraging rather then critical. (DRM
10/26/13)
4:24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious
speech far from you.
An aspect of following the Lord is to tell
the truth to others about everything.
A person who is deceitful is not telling the truth.
A person who is devious may be telling a partial truth and
wording it to their benefit.
God doesn't want us to follow these paths, but to share our
experiences and His Word truthfully.
This can be challenging when you are trying to protect
someone else, but the best thing is to follow God's plan. (DRM 5/6/14)
4:25 Let your eyes look directly ahead, And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Straight to Jesus, I surrender! I get constantly distracted from serving Him. There are numerous distractions like TV and the computer that can take hours away from serving Him. I need His help! (DRM 11/27/2000)
4:26, 27 Watch the path of your feet, And all
your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.
The narrow path of righteousness or the will of God is hard to follow! I hope to keep listening to Him for direction and not be distracted. (DRM 11/28/2000)
5:3, 4 For the lips of an adulteress drip
honey, And smoother than oil is her speech;
4But
in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
While this experience is "foreign" to me, I can understand that this woman is a smooth talker and will say anything to separate a man from his God-given wife. Praise God that I've never been trapped like this. (DRM 11/29/2000)
5:3a, 4 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. . . 4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as as double edged sword.
Proverbs 5 lectures men on the sin of adultery - (loving another man's wife). This verse shows how the woman can act so sweet, but eventually she will turn and cut you to pieces like a double edged sword. (DRM 5/5/87)
5:7 Now then, my sons, listen to me, And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
This verse is similar to what I wrote yesterday. Not only is Solomon writing to his sons, but the Holy Spirit wants us to listen to Him. God wants us to read and understand His word, and Jesus was the teacher that should be our example. It seems that I'm aging, like v. 11, but not from the same cause. (DRM 5/4/07)
5:8, 9 Keep your way far from her, And do not
go near the door of her house,
9Lest
you give your vigor to others, and your years to the cruel one;
This continues yesterday's theme. If taken separately it could be used against marriage, but that would be out of context. Knowing society today and how evil some people are, it would seem that their lives would be so much better if they read this Book! (DRM 11/30/2000)
5:12, 13 And you say, "How I have hated
instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
13And I have not listened to the voice of my
teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my instructors!"
How many Bible studies have I gone to in the past 10 years? How many Sunday School classes? Have I avoided good instruction? All of these questions to myself show how I need to learn a whole lot more. While I have heard sermons - the best Book still is the Bible. (DRM 12/1/2000)
5:21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths.
This is a great summary verse. . . Especially for me today as I am in a Chicago Hotel room! Note that this verse doesn't say Godly or Christian men, but seems to indicate ALL men. God knows ALL things about ALL people. He loves the people who follow His paths. (DRM 12/2/2000)
The context of this part of Proverbs 5 is really sexual devotion of a man to his wife (v. 18+) which is really important and exploring other fields will lead to destruction (v. 22). This verse could be applied both to the context and life in general. I must remember that the Lord Jesus is always watching over me. (DRM 5/5/07)
6:6-8 Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her
ways and be wise,
7Which, having no chief,
Officer or
ruler,
8Perpares her food in the summer
And gathers
her provision in the harvest.
Solomon is referring to work motivation here.
The ants have to work all summer to accumulate food for the
winter (besides other animals) and, while we don't hibernate, we also need to
work to earn money to pay for our food and expenses. We can't just take an
extended vacation (v. 10).
The same exists in the spiritual realm. We have to keep
reading the Bible or studying Christian literature to grow spiritually in the
Lord. (DRM 2/21/12)
6:9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
God doesn't want us to be idle, as He has
work for us to do all the time.
Maybe our "job" isn't to be a pastor or evangelist, but
certainly our job is to share Christ's love with other people - and show them
the way to follow the Lord Jesus.
When God is done with us - or has given up hope of our
salvation - we die. Since you are reading this, He hasn't given up on you yet!
(DRM 10/4/11)
6:10, 11 "A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest" —
11Your poverty will come in
like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.
There are a lot of ways that this could be re-worded to today; how about - 'too much vacation and you will run out of money.' As my "vacation" - underemployment continues, I can see how this can be so true. The urgency of the situation increases with each day - but I still depend on the Lord for the solution. (DRM 3/9/08)
6:12, 13, 14 A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, 13Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his gingers; 14Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife.
As I meet people in life, I can find some who have one or more of these "qualities" showing me that they are up to an evil scheme of some sort. These are people to try to avoid, as their heart is not for the Lord God. No matter how bad a person is, I still believe they can be led to the Lord - if they change direction. (DRM 3/10/08)
6:15 Therefore his calamity will come
suddenly;
Instantly he will
be broken and there will be no healing.
This is the final verse of a four verse
statement. In the previous three verses the author (Solomon) describes a wicked
man and some of the things he does.
In this verse comes the end result for the man described.
Terrible things will happen, and he will probably wonder why, as he never
trusted in the Lord God. When he gets sick, there will be no healing according
to this verse.
This should be a motivation to trust in the Lord, follow Him,
do His will and speak well of Him. (DRM 11/18/12)
6:16 There are six things which the LORD
hates,
Yes, seven which
are an abomination to Him.
This verse precedes a list of seven things
that the Lord God hates.
God made each of us with love, he doesn't hate us
individually, but rather the actions that we do when we disobey His will. He
doesn't hate the sinner, but rather the sins that we can devise if we aren't
following Him with our whole heart.
With the Holy Spirit's help, we can avoid these things (v.
7-9) and be pleasing to our God and Savior — Jesus. (DRM 3/23/14)
6:20-22 My son, observe the commandment of
your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
21Bind them continually on
your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22When you walk about, they will
guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
I remember when I was young that I listened
to my parents, but wondered why they were directing me in certain ways.
Still, like this verse states, we are to love and obey our
parents. Like the Lord, they are watching out for our safety and well being.
(DRM 7/14/12)
6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.
Jesus is the light of the world and this
verse reminds me of Him and how His commands are the direction we should
follow.
The Bible contains His commands and will correct us to move
to a better way of life. (DRM 1/7/88)
6:32 The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it.
The Bible is "today's news" especially with this part of Proverbs 6. New York's governor was just caught with being with someone not his wife. Adultery may be someone else's wife and a prostitute is unmarried (?), but the sin is the same - and his reputation is gone now - just as the Bible says. (DRM 3/11/08)
7:2 Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
While this instruction was probably originally written for Solomon's son, I think it could be understood that God the Father wants us, His children, to keep His commandments and teachings in the Bible. By following His rules, we will truly live. (DRM 3/12/08)
7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman.
This chapter tells of the dangers and ways of a prostitute. The moral to the story was in the early verse #4: Not to be led astray, but to rely on you wisdom and understanding instead. For to be deceived is the way to death [from our Lord]. (DRM 7/7/87)
7:18 "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses."
I'm still amazed that this reading goes so well with current events. . . The harlot in this story is the instigator and the speaker in this verse. The whole point is to avoid the temptation and to do the Lord's will - to keep yourselves pure. I thank God that nothing like this has ever occurred in my life - but other things have caused sin in my life. (DRM 3/13/08)
7:24, 25 Now therefore my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths.
The warning is clear, the title of this
Proverb is "The Wiles of the Harlot," and we are not to follow her direction.
God made each of us in a different way, and many men are
subject to the temptations that the harlot proposes. Solomon warns men to avoid
the trap - or face the consequences. (DRM 3/14/08)
8:8 All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.
This chapter is about "wisdom," but I don't believe that it is human wisdom, like the author (Solomon) writing to his son, but rather God's wisdom to show us the way to follow Him. A lot of human "wisdom" takes us away from the Lord. The Holy Spirit must teach us the correct way to follow Him. (DRM 3/15/08)
8:10,11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
This is the verse that caused me to start the
Navigators program, and as I write this highlight, I am trying to find God's
will if I continue in it (Navigators).
While God always desires me to pursue more knowledge of His
word, how do I know in what area I can best learn the most about Him? (DRM
4/23/87)
8:17 "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me."
This refers to wisdom and takes some thought,
as I think it could be written about Jesus.
But Who gives wisdom? Truly it is God, Who is the same as
Jesus. So loving Jesus and gaining wisdom go hand-in-hand. (DRM 3/16/08)
8:19 "My fruit is better than gold, even pure
gold,
And my yield better
than choicest silver."
This section of Proverbs 8 deals with aspects
of wisdom (v. 12).
In this verse wisdom points out that his fruit is better than
gold - how can anything be better than gold? Knowing and trusting in the Lord
Jesus is better than ANYTHING on earth, because it will last forever - whereas
commodities (e.g. silver and gold) are only storehouses of earthly wealth. When
we are no longer on earth, these things will have no value to us.
Trust in Jesus - then you will have a "reward" that will last
forever. (DRM 7/21/13)
8:34, 35 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts." 35For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD."
Like yesterday, I feel that this description
of wisdom and what "he" has done or witnessed to in the past could describe the
pre-incarnate Jesus. Without wisdom, how could the earth - and all that's in it
- be made?
I truly worship my God and Creator who had to have wisdom to
create all things. (DRM 3/17/08)
9:8 Do not reprove the scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
A person who doubts or disagrees would be a
scoffer, I think - and trying to correct him will cause more disagreement
according to this verse.
A wise man will listen and consider a new position - and will
love you if directed to the Truth. The question is how you can tell the scoffer
and wise man apart? (DRM 3/18/08)
9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
It seems that this verse took forever to sink into my mind! I used to say: "Why fear the Lord? God is love." Now I can say to fear the Lord and to pray to Him at any time as He alone will answer all my prayers and needs. (DRM 7/24/87)
9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
This is written by "wisdom," so the desire is to gain more and more wisdom to have a full and long life. My desire is not really for academic wisdom, but rather spiritual wisdom that the Holy Spirit will teach me - if I just listen more and continue to read His book. (DRM 3/19/08)
10:3 The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.
Considering some of my daily diversions and distractions, I wonder if God considers me "righteous." Over the past few years, I have come to trust Him for my daily needs - and He has provided. The wicked don't always have doors opened to them that the "righteous" do, thus explaining this verse. (DRM 3/20/08)
10:14 Wise men store up knowledge,
But
with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
A wise man in the Bible is not a
person who has gone to college for many years, but rather someone who has
trusted in the Lord and wants to learn more about Him and follow Him. Many
people who have today's educational degrees are foolish in the eyes of the Lord
God.
Many people also speak without thinking, and we all are
guilty at times. This verse is a reminder to think before we speak - maybe
that's why I don't talk too much in public; because often whatever I say can be
misinterpreted and I don't want people to misunderstand my thoughts when I say
them. (DRM 3/16/15)
10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
What can I say? I talk too much and say things I know I shouldn't. Only the Lord can help me to realize that I need to be quiet and LISTEN! (DRM 11/9/87)
10:20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice
silver,
The
heart of the wicked is worth little.
I currently live in a senior citizens
apartment house. I have found others living here to be lonely and wanting to
talk to others. Their preference is to avoid talking about the Lord or
Christianity, except for one person. That person want to grow spiritually and
share her faith.
When it comes to other residents the talk is only a time
filler. It is worth little in the eternal destiny of each.
How can I/we lead more to the Lord? Showing
righteousness doesn't seem to be enough. It's hard to bring up a subject (Jesus)
that no one wants to talk about. (DRM 9/25/14)
10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding.
This is similar to verse 11, my second choice today (at least the first part of the verse). God has given the righteous a special gift - knowledge of Him and assurance of salvation through His grace, but the fools don't have this. The righteous need to tell the fools about what they are missing. The problem is how to get the unbelieving "fools" to willingly listen and comprehend His love for them. (DRM 3/21/08)
10:29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to
the upright,
But
ruin to the workers of iniquity.
Dependency. When we, as believers in Jesus,
lean on Him and try to follow His path for our life, we are more confident in
our life and show that in our attitudes toward others.
Those who don't follow Christ and go their own way, or follow
other gods, will see ruin both during their lifetimes and at the end.
The difference is the path we choose to follow. While the
trail may be hard, the goal will be totally different - and that's what
motivates us, as Christians, to continue in Christ's leading. (DRM 11/23/15)
10:32 The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.
I remember at least one person who asked me how I can determine if someone is a Christian. My response was like this verse in that I don't believe Christians would/should swear against the Lord God or Jesus. The words that come from our mouths reflect the heart that is within us. (DRM 3/22/08)
11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But
righteousness delivers from death.
God's wrath can be found in many forms - one can be the weather. A tornado or flood can destroy a millionaire's home just as well as a poor person's home. Money doesn't help. But no matter what happens, the righteous - God fearing - will still receive their reward in the "end." (DRM 6/21/09)
11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Sometimes I feel that I am a gossip. When people tell me something - maybe they don't want me to tell others - and I do. Lord, help me to be discreet and hold my tongue! (DRM 1/20/89)
11:18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
I'm not sure that all non-Christians are
"wicked," but certainly there are wicked people in the world.
The one main directive for Christians is to share our faith
somehow. This could be described as "sowing righteousness" by our words and
deeds. Those who do this will get a reward in the "end" - in Heaven. (DRM
6/22/09)
11:25 The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.
There are several "financial" verses in this
part of Chapter 11. I have observed this verse in action several ways and still
have a hard time implementing it as an "unemployed" person for over four years
now.
A person can be generous with their time or knowledge and
still help in proclaiming the Kingdom of God. (DRM 6/23/09)
12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the
counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
In this world it is nearly impossible not to
have some contact with unbelievers - here called "wicked."
With the Holy Spirit in us, our thoughts are to be just and
honorable to ALL people, but unbelievers don't feel that way and will try to
lead us (me) in the wrong direction - if possible. (I can think of a lot of
examples!) (DRM 6/24/09)
12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
This verse is not just for farmers. A person who follows the Lord is working His harvest. The person who doesn't do God's will is only following his own fantasies. Hopefully this Northfield plan is God's plan and not my fantasy. (DRM 1/21/89)
12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the
fruit of his words,
And the deeds
of a man's hands will return to him.
If you (or me) say good things about others,
they will most likely also say good things about you.
A person who is a productive worker will yield respect and,
generally, continued employment.
The point is to be a good citizen, do good work and don't
criticize others - and things should go well. (DRM 6/25/09)
12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like the
thrusts of a sword,
But the
tongue of the wise brings healing.
I can think of different friends that speak
rashly - which is like speaking before they think - or they don't know all the
facts, but say their slant - which is what they know. Without knowing all the
facts, they jump to false conclusions, and it hurts like the thrusts of a sword.
Others try to acquire all the facts before speaking, which is
God's preference. These people try to understand and bring peace to a situation
- rather than conflict. (DRM 6/17/15)
The writer of Proverbs 12:18 spells out one of the best uses of the tongue: "The tongue of the wise brings healing" (NIV). Imagine how we could glorify the One who made our tongues when He helps us use it to bring healing - not harm - to everyone we talk to. (From "Our Daily Bread" 6/17/15)
12:28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in
its pathway there is no death.
This seems to refer to eternal life. As I
(we) try to serve the Lord and do His will during this life - we should have
enjoyment and assurance of future life to come.
Since we belong to Him, we can be assured that the end of our
earthly path is not death, but eternal life with Him in Heaven. (DRM 6/26/09)
13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advise.
It's easy for me to ask for advise from other Christians and I do enjoy listening to their answers, but, this verse didn't say that - it means more to me. . . listening to advise is fine, but taking the advise and putting it into practice is more important. Studying God's word and taking advise from other Christians could help me immeasurably! (DRM 10/25/87)
13:13 The one who despises the word will be in
debt to it,
But the
one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
I believe the words (word) and (commandment)
refer to the Word of God, the Bible or the Commandments.
An unbeliever most likely won't read the Bible until he/she
is pondering God, thus will be in debt to it for all of the answers in life.
After conversion, a believer will fear and study the Bible,
then be rewarded spiritually from the experience. (DRM 6/27/09)
13:19 Desire realized is sweet for the soul,
But it
is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
Imagine having a goal and working towards it
for a LONG time. It could be a physical or spiritual goal; given by God. It
feels great when the goal is finally achieved! That's sweet for the soul.
Non-believers have other - evil - goals that don't promote
God, nor do His will. They also stick to their evil goals and strive to complete
them. To be corrected by society or God to cancel their goal is an
abomination/revolting to them. They don't want to follow His ways.
Our goals should always promote God and His Kingdom. (DRM
9/12/15)
13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the
companion of fools will suffer harm.
Probably "wise" in this proverb refers to
other believers who love the Lord - as they are most likely to share their wise
knowledge of Him with you.
If we spend all of our time with unbelieving "fools," then
they certainly won't show us how to grow in our faith - and will try,
intentionally or unintentionally, to stop us from our time of worship and
service to the Lord God. (DRM 6/28/09)
14:12 There is a way which seems right to a
man,
But its
end is the way of death.
This verse "seems" appropriate to me as I
have to decide soon about a major change in my life.
Is what SEEMS right, the right thing to do? How do I know
which decision to make? Who do I listen to for advice? Obviously, I need the
Lord's guidance and pray that the answer is truly His will for me. (DRM 6/29/09)
14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
But
happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
Jesus was asked, "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke
10:29) and the response was the story of the Good Samaritan. Truly our neighbor
is everyone - good, bad, poor or rich. So we should love, and not despise,
everyone.
With this definition of neighbor, the second sentence goes
perfectly with the first. (DRM 6/30/09)
14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
It seems that I have lots of
"ideas" from time to time, but never carry them through to completion.
I never have the time to complete one idea before a new one comes along for
investigation.
Lord, help me to find out which of these ideas would help to
glorify You the most, so I can be a servant. (DRM 4/27/87)
14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of
life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
The "fear of the Lord" is defined as reverence. To revere the Lord is to honor Him and desire to do ONLY His will. This is what gives Christians a fulfilled life. We desire to do as He tells us through the Word (Bible), the Holy Spirit, or other Christians' insight. Those who ignore Him get snared by diversions and various sins. (DRM 7/1/09)
15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word
stirs up anger.
When a person comes to me (you) angry, we
have two options. The first is to yell and get into a fight so that you "win,"
or the other option is to just let the person get it out of his/her system, then
talk calmly or not at all. You can't have a fight if only one is in the battle.
Obviously the second choice is advocated here - and that is
what I try to do - how about you? (DRM 11/2/11)
15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Watching the
evil and the good.
This is a reminder that God is watching my (our) every move, and knows our true thoughts and desires. Sometimes I think that I am being videotaped by God (Jude 15) - which causes me to want to please Him more and more. PTL He will forgive my sins - but that doesn't mean that I should continue in them. (DRM 7/2/09)
15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in
it crushes the spirit.
A soothing tongue comes from a calm person
who is not confrontational or angry. When a person has a disagreement with you,
the best thing is to remain calm and talk out the differences to negotiate a
solution.
While I didn't look up perversion in the dictionary, I
think a perverse person has a angry heart and is confrontational.
This person wants to get their own way no matter how it hurts the other person.
(DRM 4/10/12)
15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of
fools are not so.
A person can go to college for many years and
not become spiritually wise - unless they are going to seminary.
Worldly knowledge often is spiritually foolish. Some theories
given by the world are totally against Bible teachings - and Who is right?
That's why many people with educational degrees are "fools" for not following
the Lord and His teachings.
We who know the Lord Jesus are to share what He has taught us
through one of various ways. We don't have to be a preacher or a teacher, but
rather just share our spiritual knowledge through conversation, as the Lord
allows. (DRM 10/21/14)
15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
But
when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
We need a good attitude to be cheerful. When
things are going well, generally we think we are doing what the Lord wants us to
do at that moment. Our face shows that we are happy.
If a close relative dies, generally we are sad and know how
we will miss their presence. Our spirit is broken, and that too shows in our
face and attitude.
We will have hills and valleys throughout life, but know that
God is in control - just remember - He will bring us through the hard times and
we can always hope for better days in the future. (DRM 12/28/17)
A "happy heart" is at peace, content, and yielded to God's best. With such a heart, happy from the inside out, we can respond to surprising circumstances with a genuine smile, inviting others to embrace the hope and peace they too can experience with God. (from Our Daily Bread ELISA MORGAN 12/28/17)
15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the
slow to anger calms a dispute.
I know of people that can get loud and angry
when things don't go their way. Sometimes I wonder how they don't have a heart
attack while they rant. This causes others to react in a defensive way and no
one wins.
I try to be calm - slow to anger - and want to negotiate
differences - which I think the Lord Jesus prefers - especially from this verse.
(DRM 7/3/09)
15:22 Without consultation, plans are
frustrated,
But
with many counselors they succeed.
I have experience with this one!
Sometimes I have ideas that I want to try on my own - and
quite often they fail.
The bigger the project, the more people that have to be
involved. They submit suggestions and modify the plan - that makes them want to
join in the project. With more views the project is more likely to succeed.
It's not good to do things alone. Two, three or more is
always better than one. (DRM 5/16/14)
15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
I still have a problem with my tongue! Every
morning I pray not to say foolish things and by noon I have been trapped or
without thinking came up with a foolish thought or reply.
Lord, only You can put in my head only holy thoughts and not
the evil or foolish ones that seem to come out without prior thought. Help me! (DRM
10/15/87)
15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
In this case, the wicked would be unbelievers and the righteous, believers. God can't hear the prayers of people who don't belong to His family - unless it's the prayer of "admittance" - repentance. But He hears and acts on the prayers of His sons and daughters in the faith. While we (I) don't always like the answer, I know He is listening to my prayers. (DRM 7/4/09)
15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction
for wisdom.
And
before honor comes humility.
Non-believers have no fear of the Lord
because they don't think He exists. They pay no attention to Him and don't go to
Him for help in times of trouble. We do the opposite, and He hears our prayers
and answers them if our requests will bring Him glory.
The second part is related to the first. We must humble
ourselves when we come to pray to the Lord - as He is the Creator of the
universe and every cell in our body. He will honor our requests (prayer) if we
let Him do it. (DRM 2/28/12)
16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.
In 1996, I remember I had a plan - to open a greeting
card store. I said that it would be a way that I could talk to others and be
a witness to the Lord - and hoping that I could make enough money to quit my
full-time job.
The Lord God knows things that I don't and He knew the money
motive was higher than sharing Him - still, He allowed me to continue - until I
realized that my life should be all about Him and not myself. (DRM 11/21/04)
16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
This really, really encourages me as I decide if I should form a business that would sell products that praise the Lord. I always knew that it would be wrong to make money on His word, so was pleased at the thought of a corporation where I would only be working to serve His Kingdom and the stockholders would each be responsible for themselves. (DRM 4/20/87)
16:8 Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income
with injustice.
How did the rich get rich? Did they inherit it? Did they cheat? This verse doesn't say HOW they received their great income, but how NOT to acquire wealth. It's better to have a small income and be pleasing to the Lord God - as a rich man has a harder time entering the Kingdom of God {Matt. 19:4} (DRM 4/11/10)
16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Who gives me the ideas that I get? Is the Holy Spirit directing my actions, or are they all from my own mind? Are my thoughts pleasing to the Lord? Do they bring Him glory? While I try to fill my mind totally on Jesus and His Kingdom, I pray my thoughts will also honor Him. (DRM 4/11/04)
16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he
who speaks right is loved.
A righteous person loves the Lord God. The
words that he/she speaks should reflect the faith they have. I wouldn't expect
"swearing" from such a person.
In this verse the king should be righteous - as referred to
in the verses before and after - the righteousness of the king would then cause
the people/subjects to love his authority.
Jesus is our King. Al that He said was righteous. Those of us
who follow Him love Him.
A righteous king will also love those under him that follow
the Lord. (DRM 2/8/18)
16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
At the time this was written, silver and gold were the most valuable of metals - coins - they were a symbol of wealth to people everywhere. This Proverb reminds me that the wealth of this world will only last while I am here - while the wealth of the heavenly Kingdom should be desired far more. Both wisdom and understanding will last forever whereas gold and silver only have value while on earth. (DRM 4/12/04)
16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.
The Lord's way is the narrow way. The upright Christian at some point has to depart from the evil world - the broad way always leads to destruction. Even when I am on the narrow way, I have to keep watching, as there are diversions that can lead me back towards the broad way. Staying on the narrow way is difficult, and even more so when you are single and have no fellowship with others on the narrow way. (DRM 11/22/04)
16:20 He who give attention to the word will
find good,
And
blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
The word refers to the Word of God, the Bible. As I read more and more of the Word, I find good, or rather, ways to improve my life in following His direction. The second half of the verse refers to trusting in what I just read in the Bible - and acting on what it tells me to do. (DRM 4/12/10)
16:21 The wise in heart will be called
understanding,
And
sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Those who are wise will listen to others and
try to help them with their problems. They will understand the question and
suggest a solution.
A person that is kind and has a good attitude (sweet) will
get a better reaction than a person that criticizes everyone and everything.
(DRM 12/21/12)
Proverbs 16:21 tells us how wisdom can be expressed for the benefit of others: "The wise in heart will be called prudent." The wise person takes heaven's values into view in discerning life's issues. This person is circumspect and honest in dealings with others. Often, his or her insight into life's problems attracts those seeking advice. However, insight without the ability to communicate it is insufficient and ineffective. That's why the proverb goes on to say, "and sweetness of the lips increases learning." "Sweetness of the lips" refers to the kind of speech that influences the behavior of others for the better. The eloquence and beauty of wise speech makes that person's insight more compelling. (INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, 12/21/12)
16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his
mouth
And
adds persuasiveness to his lips.
A wise person follows the Lord's direction,
as directed by the Holy Spirit.. He/she gives their heart/spirit to the Lord.
As a result of this commitment, the person studies and learns
the Word of God. What is learned from the Word and teaching/preaching at church
instructs the persons' thinking.
What the person thinks will affect their actions and what
they will say to others - Christians and non-Christians alike. (DRM 4/30/12)
16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet
to the soul and healing to the bones.
While not stated, this is a comparison to the person who uses "less pleasant" words, and doesn't swear or use God's name in vain. I've also found that anger causes anxiety and health problems - so I just try to let God take care of the interpersonal problems, or work them out without getting angry. (DRM 4/13/10)
16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
When we humans make plans and don't consult
with God, we are acting only on our own will. God never asked us to do those
things and the plan will end in death - of the plan.
As I feel the Lord is leading me to a plan, I must hear
direction from the Holy Spirit. Without His participation there is no direction.
Lord, make it so I only follow Your leading. (DRM 4/13/04)
16:31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
Jesus loves believers who love Him. As they are doing His work on earth, He could give them long lives to continue. It seems to me that people generally over 50 get gray hair, so they have been around a while. As science progressed, more people are living longer - so not all the people with gray hair are necessarily believers - but they should be thankful that God = Jesus has given them a long life. (DRM 11/23/04)
17:2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over
a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in
the inheritance among brothers.
God honors those who do right over those who
act shamefully. It doesn't matter what your position is in life (servant
normally would be lower than a son), but where your heart is.
While the servant may or may not receive an inheritance from
his/her earthly owner, they will receive a heavenly inheritance for doing the
right things. (DRM 4/14/10)
17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
Do I mock the poor or have compassion for
them? Most times I feel inadequate to fulfill all of their needs, so don't help
them enough.
When a disaster hits - like a terrorist attack - some people
rejoice - not thinking of the grief that the families feel. Being poor is a
calamity. Those who mock them will be punished someday. (DRM 4/14/04)
All people sin. All people make bad decisions at times in their lives [certainly I have!]. The poor people are loved by the Lord Jesus just as much as the rich. Just because they erred or their parents did - has nothing to do with the love of Christ, so they shouldn't be cast aside by the mainstream. We shouldn't smile or rejoice when others are hurt, as we will also be someday. (DRM 11/24/04)
17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
No one likes to be rebuked or criticized, but it seems that we are all at the receiving end at some time or another. When God gives us understanding, generally our thoughts are not "worldly" but more "heavenly." With this heavenly thought we are more likely to be rebuked by earthly people - thus hurt deeper by the rebuke. The fool - unbeliever - can get criticized a hundred times and not know why. (DRM 4/15/04)
17:13 He who returns evil for good,
Evil
will not depart from his house.
It's logical that God doesn't like evil people. If that person gives out evil thoughts and deeds, then it's also logical that his house will be full of evil - where the source would be. We are to avoid these people. (DRM 4/15/10)
17:14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Here I am imagining the dam holding water; with a crack in it. If some water gets through the crack, plenty more will follow. When strife begins with someone, it's almost impossible to stop - like the water. The only solution is not to begin a quarrel in the first place. My experience has been if someone else starts it, I don't have to participate, and a quarrel won't last long if only the other person is participating. (DRM 11/25/04)
17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
But
a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Certainly I've had reasons to have a broken spirit over the past five years, and that would cause most people to just want to quit and "dry up the bones." Still, I try "new" ideas and have a joyful heart as much as possible. I STILL have faith that the Lord will provide for my needs. (DRM 4/16/10)
17:27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Sometimes it's not easy, but generally I am
able to keep quiet in group settings. I wonder if I am considered knowledgeable
or ignorant to what is being said. Depending on the setting, it could be either!
A cool spirit is not confrontational; someone who is willing
to go with the flow. To realize that I can't always "win" shows that
other peoples' opinions are valuable. (DRM 4/16/04)
Silence is golden, so they say, and my work environment seems to require it. It seems that I HAVE to keep silent most of the time there and all of the time at home, so when I get anyone to talk to, I can really get going - but they don't always want to hear everything. There must be a proper mix of listening and talking whenever I get an opportunity. With God's help, and His wisdom, I will have more time with other people and will be able to listen to their life stories, and tell them some of mine - someday. (DRM 11/26/04)
17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
I remember times and places where I CAN keep quiet - listening to God's word. The problem is that I also can talk too, too much and can continuously make a fool of myself by what I say or insinuate by my words. Lord, you know how many times I have prayed to keep quiet and listen instead of talking so much. Help me honor You! (DRM 10/8/87)
18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Deep waters are quiet, still and probably
accumulate pollution. Many things go into deep waters just by their size. A
man's mind [mouth] are like that - where ideas and thoughts accumulate. Some
good and some bad.
A babbling brook has a little water that moves quickly. Ideas
can travel quickly if we communicate them by sharing with others. (DRM
4/17/04)
Deep waters are generally quiet waters, but obviously full of water. A person who is learning is acquiring or deepening his knowledge base. He should be speaking based on all of this accumulated knowledge. A babbling brook is always shallow as it goes over rocks. We gain knowledge from the brook or fountain and store it in our deep water. Learning and wisdom are lifelong processes and life experiences are a great part of it. (DRM 11/27/04)
18:5 To show partiality to the wicked is not
good,
Nor to thrust aside
the righteous in judgment.
I'm trying to think of a linkage between
these two thoughts. . .
We should want to talk to the "wicked," as they need to know
and trust in Jesus. As a part of the body of Christ, we are to give Him and our
Christian family priority - but also show the way to unbelievers.
We also should not make quick criticisms/judgments on fellow
believers. The best way is to listen carefully, then explain our view - hoping
the other person can see the reason for our view.
God is the judge of all - not us. (DRM 12/20/13)
. . . fair play should characterize our lives, not partiality (v. 5) (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT, 12/20/13)
18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are
the snare of his soul.
In the Bible, a fool is an unbeliever. While
I've trusted in the Lord Jesus for 28½ years now, I can still do foolish things
. . . which I later regret.
Today's verse refers to how we can determine a person's heart
attitude to the Lord based on what they say. Clearly if a person swears, or says
the Lord's name in jest, or in a derogatory way, their heart hasn't been given
to Jesus. No one who has trusted in Jesus should also curse His name - as the
person would/should know that His Name=Jesus is the name that their soul truly
depends upon. (DRM 7/12/14)
18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty
morsels,
And they go down
into the innermost parts of the body.
I currently live in a senior citizens
apartment house. It's a nice summer day and the residents have nothing to do, so
they sit outside - and talk . . . about the other residents in the building. I
call this gossip. It's their main activity of the day. If I want to live here, I
have to work with it.
How can we be a witness to these people? I say hello and try
to be friendly to everyone - but don't get involved in their discussions/gossip.
If I have anything I want the world to know - I know where to go. (DRM 8/26/15)
18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The
righteous runs into it and is safe.
This is the verse that is on the Chicago Water Tower bookmark that I've given away. The strong tower is the Lord God or Jesus. When troubles - of any sort - come, then we are to run to Him for help - in prayer. This is like going to a fortress for protection. On the bookmark, both buildings can represent the strong tower - stone tower like fortress and modern tower where people live and work. (DRM 4/17/10)
18:11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
And
like a high wall in his own imagination.
A rich person generally desires more wealth
for their own "security." They want to be sure that they have control of
everything in life. If something (e.g. health) goes wrong, they want the
finances to pay for any conceivable problem. They build mansions - partly
because they want to spend more money instead of giving it to the Lord or the
poor. . . or so it seems to me.
As Christians, God wants us to earn money and to share (at
least 10%) what we earn with the church (God) and others in need. We are to
depend on the Lord God and not any money that we earn. (DRM 7/16/12)
18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears,
It is
folly and shame to him.
Don't speak before you think.
I've had this problem many, many times. Then regretted it -
like the second line in this verse.
As Christians, we want to show the love of Christ to others;
by having a quick remark that could be taken the wrong way - we are not acting
like Jesus would.
If given time, think first. Then speak as the Holy Spirit
leads you. (DRM 10/21/17)
18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires
knowledge,
And the
ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The knowledge referred to here is spiritual
knowledge about the Lord God and Jesus our Savior. We want this knowledge to
better understand Him and His ways.
To gain knowledge about worldly things seems useless to me.
These things will pass with life, but learning about the Lord will be useful
forever - and then we will learn even more in Heaven.
We are encouraged to learn more by reading books, etc. and
also hearing from teachers/pastors that have already studied the subject and can
help increase our knowledge. (DRM 11/2/16)
18:16 A man's gift makes room for him
And
brings him before great men.
The word gift had a cross-reference to Gen.
32:20, so I could understand how it was used. It still seems like "bribery" to
me. If I give a gift to someone, I am more likely to get their attention. That
doesn't mean that they will help me, but at least they should listen more
attentively. I know it has worked to get my attention when people help me. (DRM
4/18/10)
. . . consider how God has gifted you (Romans 12:3-11)
with natural talents and spiritual gifts. Then, let your consistent work and
faithful service become your best words of promotion (v. 16)! [Word of
Life Diary]
18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
This verse made me think of the current war in Iraq. When our troops go into a city and one or two people [soldiers] do something offensive to the Iraqi people, the whole army is hated. It makes the war harder to win. While we are trying to help them, they contend against us and put up walls in their minds preventing good relationships in the future. I pray that I am not offensive to anyone in any way. (DRM 11/28/04)
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the
tongue,
And
those who love it will eat its fruit.
If I/we criticize or complain about someone,
we should expect them to do the same thing to us. No one wants to admit they
were wrong - even if they are.
The same thing occurs when we express love or compliment
someone else. They will want to reciprocate by doing the same for you.
The hard part is that sometimes people need a new direction -
especially spiritually - and we need a loving way to point them in Christ's
direction.
Measure your words - show Jesus to your friends and they will
be more willing to listen. (DRM 2/3/18)
18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Sometimes it is nice to say hello to a lot of people (especially at work), but these "friends" are not really friends. Acquaintances would be a better word because only Jesus Christ will stick to me until the end. When is "the end?" NEVER! Jesus Christ is the same and will be with me FOREVER! Thank God! (DRM 10/17/87)
I don't feel that I have many friends, rather
that I have many acquaintances. Friends are great to have - a few of. Otherwise
they divert you from the purpose of life - telling people and sharing the joy of
going to Heaven.
I think a friend who is closer than a brother refers to God
or Jesus; as the Holy Spirit is always with us. (DRM 4/18/04)
19:2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who makes haste with his feet errs.
I think generally someone who has knowledge is a believer in the Lord. Thus it is not good for a person to not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Part two here is reminding me not to jump to quick decisions without praying to the Lord about it, and getting His advice and direction. If I hear nothing for a long time, and still feel the Lord led me, I will do it - carefully. (DRM 11/29/04)
19:6 Many will entreat the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
Certainly half of my postal mail consists of requests for gifts. If I gave to an organization once, I will keep getting requests for years to come! It also seems that when I give a gift to a friend that I am "buying" a friendship. The mark of a true friendship doesn't depend on money, but concern about each others life and soul. (DRM 4/19/04)
19:7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do
his friends abandon him!
He pursues them
with words, but they are gone.
I have found this to be true in my life - especially the last five years. When I had money and could give more to good causes, I had more "friends," but now that I'm poor, some of these friends have "abandoned" me. This shows me their motivation and compassion. It's "interesting" to see this happen over time. (DRM 4/19/10)
19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Think before you act. Anger with others gets
a person no where. It generally hurts yourself more than the other person, so be
slow - or avoid - anger with others.
What caused the anger? Some transgression - or perceived one.
If we learn to ignore or overlook the cause, we will have no reason for anger in
the first place. (DRM 4/20/04)
19:17 He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.
Until I worked at Moody Bible Institute, I never knew the right way to deal with people who wanted money handouts. The "right" way changed my prospective and helped me to show more personal concern for their situation. While this rarely occurs in my life now, my motive to help should be to meet the person's immediate need - and not a future reward. We need every soul we can get into His Kingdom. (DRM 11/30/04)
19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope,
And do
not desire his death.
I have been hearing more of homeless children lately. It's hard for me to imagine a parent NOT loving their children. While the child will not agree at the time, discipline is better than putting them on the street - which is almost like killing them in this verse. (DRM 4/20/10)
19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That
you may be wise the rest of your days.
While I understand the intent of this verse,
it has been a challenge for me. We are to counsel with other believers before
making major decisions.
My challenge is that I do all of this and get several
differing opinions, then I'm back to the original question.
When people give you advice and you don't follow it, they
wonder why - not knowing that others gave the "other" view.
The Holy Spirit is always right. The preference is to hear
His voice and do His will. (DRM 8/26/13)
19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
I could give numerous examples of how true this verse is. So many of my past plans failed, because God was not in them. Hopefully God is involved an desires for me to continue to work for Him in Northfield. (DRM 1/22/89)
19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
Perhaps "the fear of the LORD" and trusting Jesus are the same thing. To fear God, we want to please Him. In trusting Jesus, we also want to please Him for what He has done for us. Now, reading the first line of this verse as "trusting Jesus," the whole verse seems to make more sense. (DRM 4/21/04)
19:27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Discipline for me comes from various sources. Lately, it seems to be from my work supervisor. Sometimes it's from God when He says "no," or "wait." Whenever I receive a clear directive like that, I must listen and CHANGE. This verse is the same idea. If I don't listen to discipline, then I will be turning my back on growing to be more like Him. When discipline happens, pay attention! Change! (DRM 12/1/04)
19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And
blows for the back of fools.
This is the future. An unbelieving scoffer tells you (us) that we are crazy for trusting in Jesus. He will be judged at the end - if he doesn't change his mind before. I'm not sure if the blows refer to this present age or the one to come. (DRM 4/21/10)
20:1 Wine is a mocker; strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is
intoxicated by it is not wise.
Some Proverbs are hard to understand. This
one is very clear. Drinking alcohol affects a person's mind and they are more
likely to fight over disagreements when under the influence.
To even start to drink "is not wise," in my opinion. (DRM
4/22/10)
20:5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep
water,
But a man of
understanding draws it out.
I'm sure I'm not the only one . . . my mind
produces ideas on how to do things differently. Ideas keep coming.
This verse reminds me/us that ideas/plans come all the time
and they just accumulate like deep water. Plans go nowhere unless they are
implemented.
Then comes the person who does something with the idea/plan.
It could be the same person or a different person.
Everything here can be done by anyone in the world. We need
discernment as Christians. Is this plan/idea honoring to Jesus? Would He approve
the plan? We always need to pray for wisdom and direction. (DRM 6/21/17)
20:9 Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin."?
There was only one sinless Person, Jesus. We can ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we can name as many as we can think of, but never be aware of them all. Every day, we commit more sin - even when we aren't aware of it. I can never achieve righteousness on my own. I have to depend on the forgiveness of Christ. (DRM 4/22/04)
Sin is like an endless ball of string. I can try in my own power and desire to stop sinning, but after reading more of the Bible, discover another sin that I am or have committed. While new sin keeps coming along the ball of string, we do have a way to cut off all of the sin that we have committed to date. The scissors are available in the Person of Jesus. I ask for forgiveness for my sins and try to stop committing them, and He will cut the string. (DRM 12/2/04)
20:11 It is by his deeds that a lad
distinguishes himself
If his
conduct is pure and right.
The old lady down the street needed her lawn
mowed. She couldn't do it herself.
You (the lad) decided to help as it was a nice summer day.
There are now two options: (1) doing the good deed and mowing the lawn for free
or little payment, or (2) charging a lot of money for the work done.
Good deeds are "good" - something to be remembered for as
good. The lad should have charged little or nothing for the work - as a good
deed.
Everyone can do good deeds for others, but that won't get
them to Heaven. All people need to trust in Jesus first, then good deeds come as
a result of our faith. (DRM 5/1/17)
20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them.
When I am in church, is my ear hearing [listening] or is it turned off from what is being said? Occasionally I have to say to myself, "concentrate," as my mind can be on other things. The best thing to do before a service is pray to God to clear my mind of all the other things, so I can really hear Him for that time. The same thing with my eyes - they shouldn't be distracted by things that He didn't create or don't honor Him, not to say that we shouldn't have a little leisure. . . (DRM 12/3/04) so long as it is something that Jesus would do. (DRM 8/3/05)
20:13 Do not love sleep, or you will become
poor;
Open
your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
This seems like the source of a Ben Franklin
statement, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
I have been guilty of "loving sleep" during my early years of
"retirement," but now that I'm running a store, I'm back on a schedule, and feel
more productive - which hopefully will lead to the second part of this verse.
(DRM 4/23/10)
20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
Money drives this world. Trusting in Jesus
and learning more about Him, will bring you to the next world - Heaven.
Most people want more and more money to buy more and more
possessions to be comfortable while on earth. When life is over they will have
been so diverted towards greed that they will not have thought about the next
life. Serving the Savior [after trusting in Him] has better rewards. (DRM
4/23/04)
20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil;"
Wait
for the LORD, and He will save you.
When things don't go "my" way, and I lose thousands of dollars, I want to "get back" at the person who led me astray. With time, I have learned that God knows the situation and He takes care of what happened - His way. God has a plan for every life and I (we) must depend on Him for the outcome. (DRM 4/24/10)
20:24 A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Why do I trust myself and "my
plans" and not consider what the Lord has planned for my life? I know that
the Lord has a plan for my life, and it is to serve Him.
Let my plans and steps be directed by Him and not me. (DRM
5/28/87)
20:26 A wise King winnows the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
This made me think of the wheat and the tares. The tares [weeds] surrounded the good wheat and made it difficult to harvest. Because of the tares of today, His harvest can also be difficult. As shown in this verse, a wise king winnows [cuts out] the wicked weeds to make the harvest easier. I can not think of ANY Kings like that today - thus the wicked tares are slowly taking over society. (DRM 4/24/04)
20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
I think the spirit referred to here is the Holy Spirit. When we Christians ask the Holy Spirit into our hearts, He searches our whole body for sins and convicts us of them as they are found. Since Jesus = God knows everything, certainly He awaits our daily confession of sins that we [I] are aware of. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to convict me of my sins and I will confess them to Jesus and try to grow more and more like Him. (DRM 12/4/04)
21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs
the hearts.
This is about motives. I may plan to do
something and think that it's a good plan (of course), but does it include the
Lord? Does this show others that Christ lives in me? Is it honoring to Him?
God knows our hearts and motives, and will bless those things
that bring Him glory. (DRM 11/21/10)
21:3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord rather than sacrifice.
This answers the following question: {How do my actions for the Lord demonstrate that my attitude is right?} What does God want me to do? It's clear here that He wants me to do righteous things - like telling people about the Lord. If I am obedient to Him, He will see my actions as love for Him. (DRM 10/28/01)
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
This answers the following question: {How is the character quality of diligence evident in my life?} Planning ahead is important. There must be a system in which the job will get done. If I don't plan ahead most likely I will forget to do a major item which will cause the plan to fail. (DRM 10/29/01)
21:8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
This answers the following question: {How does my conduct differ from the wicked and guilty?} The guilty man is described as crooked - he must lie to hide the things in his heart. He is deceptive, most likely. As a Christian, I try to be pure, honest and upright in all my dealings - truthful. (DRM 10/30/01)
21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
This answers the following question: {How do I exhibit a teachable spirit in my life?} I must be willing to listen to different ideas. I have to admit that all of my thoughts aren't necessarily right. It's good to share thoughts with others - but better to listen and learn. (DRM 10/31/01)
21:13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.
This answers the following question: {How do I respond to the cry of the poor?} Not well enough. When some have "confronted" me in the past, I have offered to feed them. I also occasionally send money to two missions, but I don't think I do enough. (DRM 11/1/01)
21:15 The execution of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.
This answers the following question: {How does true justice affect my life?} True justice should be implementing God's Law on a society. Some "justice" implements man's thinking on society. I prefer God's true justice over the justice of men's minds. (DRM 11/2/01)
21:19 It is better to live in a desert land
Than
with a contentious and vexing woman.
As a single man, I get lonely often. This
verse reminds me that it could be worse.
To live with a contentious or argumentative woman would be
draining as I'd always be criticized. Of the two choices, living alone is better
according to this verse. Generally friends help in this situation. (DRM
11/22/10)
21:21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.
This answers the following question: {In what ways am I pursuing righteousness?} I try to be devoted to reading Bible passages daily, writing some comments in this book, praying as the Lord leads, and talking more about the Bible to others as the opportunity arises. (DRM 11/3/01)
21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, keeps himself from calamity.
Today my father wanted me to go the whole day
without criticizing. I did a pretty good job - not perfect, but it's a start.
So many times I've written that my tongue causes most of my
sins.
Lord, help me to stop criticizing for more and more days in
succession. (DRM 6/20/87)
This answers the following question: {How can I keep my tongue under control?} Dwell on His Word. In the past I have said things that I have regretted later. After doing this SO many times with negative results, I am TRYING to control my tongue more and leaving more of my concerns in God's hands. (DRM 11/4/01)
21:25,26 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work; 26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.
This answers the following question: {To what extent are the characteristics of a lazy person true of me?} As I am getting older, I get tired quicker. I have numerous breaks in a task and get diverted when I see another job that needs doing. While I don't think I'm lazy, certainly I don't do enough for the Lord. (DRM 11/5/01)
21:29 A wicked man displays a bold face,
But as
for the upright, he makes his way sure.
Perhaps the "bold face" is confidence. Wicked
- or unsaved - people feel that their plan will work - and go ahead in
confidence.
A Christian can also have confidence, but he knows to pray
and listen, then do the Lord's plan and to do it His way. (DRM 11/23/10)
21:30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.
This answers the following question: {How might my current actions and desires be against God's will?} I want to do it "my way." I have 'free choice' and don't have to do it the Lord's way. — Yes, I have been guilty of the first statement. Now I'm trying to listen and do things His way. (DRM 11/6/01)
21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.
This answers the following question: {How am I placing my trust in the Lord?} It seems that I am always waiting for something. I wonder why I'm still at NYS [New York State Government] work and not ministry and waiting for a door to open. I know I have little control and He is in charge. (DRM 11/7/01)
22:1 A GOOD name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold.
This answers the following question: {What can I do today to uphold, at any cost, a good reputation?} Honesty, truthfulness, and faithfulness to the Lord are important things to me. If others see these aspects in me - hopefully they will see the Holy Spirit in me - and a good reputation. (DRM 11/8/01)
22:2 The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The LORD is the
maker of them all.
As Christians we have a common bond - we are
the same spiritual family. It doesn't make any difference if we are rich or
poor, our mutual faith in Jesus brings us together where we want to help each
other.
God made everyone that has ever lived on earth. Even though
we have far different backgrounds, He is our Creator. No matter what faith each
person has - or no faith, God is still our Creator. God willing, each person
will come to trust in Him and His Son, Jesus - so they can live forever in
Heaven with Him.
(He knows which ones will, we don't.) (DRM 8/15/16)
22:3 The prudent sees the evil and hides
himself,
But the naive go
on, and are punished for it.
I no longer have a television. Now it's been
nearly five years. I could see that the television was taking a lot of my time -
and the news for hours a day was like watching a crime show. I saw the evil and
turned it off, then my TV broke; got a loaned TV and returned it when I moved to
another city and never purchased another.
Most people have become addicted to watching ANYTHING on TV.
It has affected their thoughts and now these thoughts of watching others' sin
has convinced them it is okay to do the same. If they act out some of these
things, the police or God will eventually punish them for what they have done.
(DRM 9/4/14)
22:4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
Oh, to be more humble! Why do I talk so much?
Especially at work, I say so much and think so little.
Only the Lord can provide all these things, and I must depend
on Him to show me just how bad my ways are, and to lead me into His direction.
(DRM 8/22/87)
This answers the following question: {How am I demonstrating humility and the fear of the Lord in my life?} I know that the Lord provides for everything I "need" in my life. When He gives me a gift, I should be humble and accept the gift - as I know He can also take away gifts (fear) as quickly as He gave them. (DRM 11/9/01)
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old
he will not depart from it.
When I was a child, my "training" was not the Biblical standard. I don't recall any discipline, but was taught to honor and obey my parents. I was taught not to swear or drink or do anything illegal - but had no teaching to trust in the Lord as Savior - that didn't come until my 30's. (DRM 11/24/10)
22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.
This answers the following question: {How does this principle affect my view of borrowing?} If I had taken this seriously in 1996! I think the word "rich" could be replaced with "banks!" A person can pay over and over for what they borrow. There is no freedom when we are slaves to banks. (DRM 11/10/01)
22:9 He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some
of his food to the poor.
It's only logical . . . the rich don't need
our assistance financially or for food, but they probably need spiritual help if
they will take it.
I can think of two ways to give food to the poor - maybe
three. We can literally donate food to them, or money to a mission that
distributes food to the needy. But what about the spiritually needy? Almost
everyone could use some spiritual food. The problem is making people want and
desire the Word of God. They need that food also - starting with "milk" then
with "meat." Will we provide when they ask us? (DRM 1/23/16)
22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.
This answers the following question: {What is the desire of my heart and the manner of my speech?} The desire of my heart is to have more people know Jesus Christ as their Savior. The manner of my speech needs improvement. Lord, don't let me get diverted from giving a clear presentation of Your words. (DRM 11/11/01)
22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
This answers the following question: {In what areas am I stubborn and in need of restraint or correction?} Probably self-centeredness. I worry too much about my health and need to trust in the Lord for all of my provisions! (DRM 11/13/01)
22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make much for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
This answers the following question: {What does the desire for money affect my actions and attitudes?} Until recently my desire was to get as much money as possible with the idea that it would make me happy. Without that desire, I can now give money away without feelings of guilt. (DRM 11/14/01)
22:18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them (Words of the Lord) within you, That they may be ready on your lips.
This answers the following question: {What results am I having for paying attention to wise sayings?} I feel that I am slowly comprehending what the Lord wants me to do - by reading His words every day. I know I should be memorizing more of His Word. (DRM 11/15/01)
22:24,25 Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, 25Lest you learn his ways, And find a snare for yourself.
This answers the following question: {What steps am I taking not to associate with a hot-tempered person?} In some work situations it is inevitable that we meet. I try to "keep my distance" from the person and pray that they will change their ways. Certainly they aren't friends. (DRM 11/16/01)
22:26 Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become sureties for debts.
This answers the following question: {What course of action am I taking in respect to debts?} I'm trying to pay them all off! I realize that I can't realize my goals very easily and still be in debt. What I really neglect is my debt to others - in thankfulness for their help. (DRM 11/17/01)
22:27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why
should he take your bed from under you?
This sounds like the early Dwight L. Moody
story - where Mr. Purple took all of Mrs. Moody's possessions to fulfill her
debt obligation.
This verse pleads for compassion on the poor and reminds us
what is "right," but like in the 1840's, all people aren't Christians and
the Bible has no relevance to them. Don't get into debt that you can't get out
of. This is easier said than done for me today. (DRM 11/25/10)
22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will stand
before kings;
He will not
stand before obscure men.
This answers the following question: {How am I exhibiting diligence in my work?} Lately I have just been "filling time" and not doing anything extra. I have been doing my work, but feel convicted that I am not doing what I am capable of. Lord, may I be more diligent! (DRM 11/17/01)
23:3 Do not desire his [a ruler's] delicacies, For it is deceptive food.
This answers the following question: {In what ways do I need to restrain my appetite?} Eating wholesome food is always better than fancy, high fat delicacies that the rich enjoy. A consistent diet of these delicacies will eventually ruin my health. Wisdom and control = restraint. (DRM 11/18/01)
23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.
This answers the following question: {It took me nearly half a century to realize the correctness of this verse! Now I am selling or giving away more than I am buying. Eventually I will have less "stuff" and live for Him more. (DRM 11/19/01)
23:5 When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth
certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that
flies toward the heavens.
I have had a "fleeting money" problem for
over 5½ years now. No matter how much I had, and was sure I had enough, it's
gone now. There are always surprise expenses and daily living adds up without a
regular paycheck!
God=Jesus knows all of our trials and He will open a door or
send help in some way - so long as we honor Him and give Him the glory. (DRM
11/26/10)
In verse 5, when he speaks of "setting your eyes" on riches, he is referring to one's priorities in life. In this case of wealth, the priority being addressed is one that the person does not possess but is still striving to obtain. This priority becomes the focus of his or her life. (Word of Life Diary)
23:6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;
This answers the following question: {How am I heeding the warning given here?} Selfish people think they can keep it all for themselves. When they give you something it is not with a caring attitude. These people are to be avoided - if you can determine them ahead of time! (DRM 11/20/01)
23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
This answers the following question: {How does this instruction affect my conversations?} This one I don't understand, as I think we should tell of Jesus to the lost. Perhaps talking to those who are outright critical of the message should not be pursued as the Holy Spirit will have to convict them. (DRM 11/21/01)
23:12 Apply your heart to discipline, And your ears to words of knowledge.
This answers the following question: {What personal disciplines do I need to apply these attributes?} As a heart devoted to Christ, I need the discipline of constantly studying His Word, and listening to people who have more knowledge about Him [Pastors] = Christian Leaders. (DRM 11/22/01)
23:13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you beat him with the rod, he will not die.
This answers the following question: {How does discipline affect my life and attitude?} We all need correction. Even adults who are children in Christ. When things don't go the way we want them to - the Holy Spirit is possibly redirecting us. Correction is necessary for growth. (DRM 11/23/01)
23:14 You shall strike him with the rod
And
rescue his soul from Sheol.
This goes with verse 13.
Clearly these verses (v. 13-14) indicate that parents should
discipline their children for wrongdoing.
While I don't recall being struck as a child, I can see that
a child should be struck for doing something that could affect their adult life
(e.g. stealing from others, inflicting harm to others.)
According to this verse, discipline is better than having the
child grow up and go to Hell. (DRM 7/18/12)
23:15,16 My son, if your heart is wise, My own
heart also will be glad;
16And my inmost being will rejoice, When your
lips speak what is right.
This answers the following question: {How can I make my acquaintances glad and rejoice?} To be wise is to know Christ and do His will. We are glad when others that we know feel that way. When Christ is in a person's heart, they should be glad and rejoice that their eternity is secure. (DRM 11/24/01)
23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
One of my great sins is envy of others' possessions and/or position. I know that God can help me to become an individual without being wrapped up in things or materials of this world. (DRM 11/6/86)
This answers the following question: {What are some ways I can reverence God all day long?} Instead of envying the accomplishments of non-Christian sinners, I should be putting all my thoughts in serving the Lord in some way. Since my work is NOT serving the Lord, I can at least prepare by studying His Word on breaks, etc. (DRM 11/25/01)
23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way.
This answers the following question: {How can I improve my attitude towards those who give me instruction?} Rather than just sitting there and letting the words pass by, I should LISTEN and concentrate on the instructor! I must internalize what I am learning and give my heart to the cause. (DRM 11/26/01)
23:20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
This answers the following question: {How can I avoid those who have questionable personal habits?} While it's easy to avoid bars and grills, it's more difficult to avoid people we work with. My answer has been to hope that they see a difference in my life and not join them in theirs. (DRM 11/27/01)
23:22 Listen to your father who begat you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
This answers the following question: {What are some ways I can honor my parents?} Obviously, from the verse, listening is an important aspect. Thankfully, in my instance, my father has a great memory and STILL tells me how to do things right. (DRM 11/28/01)
23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.
This answers the following question: {In what ways am I applying wisdom to my life to bring others joy?} I don't know that I am bringing others joy. The way I should would be to keep reading and studying the Bible and telling others who would become joyful if they also came to have faith in It. (DRM 11/29/01)
23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let
her rejoice who gave birth to you.
This is a good verse to choose today, as my
birthday is tomorrow. . . This verse goes with v. 24 where parents are glad for
the righteousness of their children.
All parents want to see the success - both spiritually and
materially - of their children. There are several factors that determine the
fate of the children, and I believe that "God's will" is one of them. (DRM
11/27/10)
23:26 Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.
This answers the following question: {In what ways can I apply wisdom's plea with me?} While referring to wisdom, I also feel this verse could refer to the Holy Spirit. After giving my heart to Christ and the Spirit, I will want to do His will and be pleasing to Him. (DRM 11/30/01)
23:27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And an adulterous woman is a narrow well.
This answers the following question: {What am I doing to remain faithful and pure in my relationships?} What relationships? If I had a relationship, it would be to one woman. Others might try to entrap me, to seeing them, but, with God's help, I would be so thankful just to have one. (DRM 12/1/01)
23:31, 32 Do not look on the wine when it is
red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it goes down smoothly;
32At the last it
bites like a serpent
And stings like a viper.
While they say that liquor is worse than wine
(alcohol content), I have avoided all the types.
This verse shows that wine can look very appealing and tastes
good, but also has aftereffects.
The Bible does not condemn drinking wine (Jesus did), but
rather to drink in moderation. (DRM 11/28/10)
23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your mind will utter perverse things.
This answers the following question: {Why should I abstain from intoxicating beverages?} While it goes down smoothly (v.31) it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper (v.32). Drivers lose control under its influence, then seek more. I truly want to be under the control of God. (DRM 5/5/02)
24:1,2 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2For their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.
This answers the following question: {Why should I not envy wicked men or desire their company?} Quite often it's easy to tell non-believers by their language. They think and speak garbage. When I stay in their company too long, my mind starts to compromise and I will become more like them to be accepted. (DRM 5/6/02)
24:3,4 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
This answers the following question: {How am I filling my life with knowledge?} The basis of true knowledge is the Bible. Studying and reading the Bible daily is essential. I pray that I am honoring the Lord by trying to learn more of His Words. (DRM 5/7/02)
24:5,6 A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. 6For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
This answers the following question: {In what areas of my life do I need guidance?} Since this is the Bible, I believe I need spiritual counselors. When I understand how to think and serve the Lord, then the rest of my life should be easier to handle. (DRM 5/8/02)
24:8,9 He who plans to do evil, Men will call him a schemer. 9The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
This answers the following question: {What is my response to the type of people mentioned here?} Some people spend their lives trying to hurt others in some way. They must have demons (or similar) in them. The only way they can change is to know Jesus in their heart. (DRM 5/9/02)
24:10 If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.
This answers the following question: {How can I be stronger in times of crisis?} Remember that God is in control. Verse 12 seems to remind us that God remembers everything and knows our hearts. I must trust God more every day - and more in times of crisis. (DRM 5/10/02)
24:12 If you say, "See, we did not know this,"
Does He
not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And
does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And
will He not render to man according to his work?
This seems to answer the common question, "What happens if someone dies and never knew of Jesus?" God knows everything about each one of us. If someone lived far in the woods and never talked to anyone else, would he/she see God's creation? Would he worship the Creator God? God knows the heart and will take everything into account on the last day. (DRM 11/29/10)
24:14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; [like honey, v. 13] If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
This answers the following question: {What action am I taking to acquire wisdom?} Spiritual wisdom (and other types, too.) comes from acquiring knowledge. Studying and meditating on the Bible should eventually "sink in" and, God willing, will show in my actions. (DRM 5/11/02)
24:16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
This answers the following question: {In times of calamity how do I differ from a non-Christian?} The best example was last September 11th. I got nervous like most other people, but eventually recovered and determined to continue with my life. I need to "recover" more quickly! (DRM 5/12/02)
24:17, 18 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18Or the LORD will see it
and be displeased,
And turn His anger away from him.
[Re: 24:17] This answers the following question: {How should I respond when my enemy falls? Why?} I should remember that no one is perfect, including me! If something happens to my enemy, it could just as easily happen to me also. Eventually it could be my turn. (DRM 5/13/02)
This is a "couplet," where the two verses go
together.
Several people have done "mean" things to me in the past and
later - usually years later - I hear of something that has happened to them. God
wants us to know He has taken care of the offense - but doesn't want us to be
glad. It's a matter of attitude. (DRM 11/30/10)
24:19, 20 Do not fret because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked 20For there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
This answers the following question: {What steps can I take not to envy the wicked?} If I dwell on the gift of God's salvation, and thank Him for it, there is nothing on this earth that compares to it. Why should I desire earthly fortune or strength when I know how temporary it is? (DRM 5/14/02)
24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the King; Do not associate with those who are given to change;
This answers the following question: {What is my response to unstable people who are always changing?} A person who is always changing gives the impression that they are searching or confused. With Christ in our hearts, we have a new direction - following Him. (DRM 5/15/02)
24:23 There also are sayings of the wise.
To show
partiality in judgment is not good.
When I was on jury duty, I had to be screened
to be sure that I didn't know anything about the arson case. This was to make
sure that I wasn't prejudice for one side or the other - as I had nothing to
lose whatever way the decision was made.
God wants us to have a clear, open mind on judging others'
actions - even when we aren't on a jury. (DRM 12/1/10)
24:25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
This answers the following question: {To what degree do I show partiality in my dealings with others?} God doesn't want us to say or indicate that the wicked are righteous. He wants them to be corrected of their ways. My preference should be toward believers - if at all. (DRM 5/16/02)
24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me. I'll pay that man back for what he did."
When I read this verse, I immediately thought
of a person who often says, "I don't get mad, I get even." Deep inside
I knew she was wrong, but never knew where to refer.
This verse states "DO NOT SAY" that I want to get
even. We don't have to think about "getting even," the Lord will take
care of that on the Judgment Day! (DRM 1/30/88)
This answers the following question: {How can I improve my response when I am offended?} "Getting even" never works. When someone offends me, I should show them Christian love and not try to "get even" for what they have done to me. Be meek, not weak. (DRM 5/17/02)
24:33, 34 "A little step, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest," 34Then your poverty will come as a robber, And your want like an armed man.
This answers the following question: {What steps do I need to take to become more diligent in my daily life?} We have to do things to make any progress. While my priority has been in bookmark evangelism, I have not taken care of enough things at the house. Priorities are necessary and eternity awaits. (DRM 5/18/02)
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
This answers the following question: {In what situations do I search out God's rather than men's wisdom?} God wants us to know and trust in Him. We can learn more about God and Jesus by studying the Bible. Scientific learning without God leads to many fruitless theories. (DRM 5/19/02)
25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
This answers the following question: {What impurity needs to be removed from my life?} While I try to help and be compassionate to others, I think I'm still too self-centered. I should think more of others instead of promoting only myself. (DRM 5/20/02)
25:5 Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will
be established in righteousness.
Solomon seems to have some prophecy in this verse. Of course
any king would like to have no opposition, thus he could be referring to
any nation.
I believe that without the wicked in the world, King Jesus
will rule in righteousness, as all believers will follow Him. (DRM 12/2/10)
25:6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in place of great men;
This answers the following question: {What should be my response to seeking promotions?} From this verse, we should not seek promotions, but rather accept them as they are offered. We should be doing such a good job at work that we are noticed and promoted. (DRM 5/21/02)
25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another.
This answers the following question: {How am I to handle my personal disputes with others?} I'm still not sure from these three verses. At least I know that I shouldn't tell everyone else of our dispute. The question is how to confront the person who has wronged me? (DRM 5/22/02)
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
This answers the following question: {Who needs to hear some encouraging words from me today?} Everyone needs encouragement for what they do, but it's rare to hear these days. Certainly I don't know very many that encourage me in my pursuits. Let me try harder. (DRM 5/23/02)
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament
of fine gold
Is a
wise reprover to a listening ear.
Gold has always been considered valuable in a material way. A wise reprover is a person who helps to correct another to go in a better path. Still, the listener has to be willing to take action based on what the reprover says. The listener will then be enriched spiritually and perhaps materially based on the action taken. (DRM 12/3/10)
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
This answers the following question: {How can I demonstrate, today, that I am trustworthy?} After a hot summer, cool air is refreshing and desirable. Showing my love of Christ is an evidence that I am trustworthy. It also is refreshing and desirable. (DRM 5/24/02)
25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.
This answers the following question: {What unfulfilled promises have I made, bringing disappointments?} I get upset with people who promise me something [like a visit] then don't show up. Being subject to that many times, I try not to promise anything I won't do. God convict me if I say something that doesn't please You. (DRM 5/25/02)
25:15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
This answers the following question: {In what ways can I respond to someone who opposes me?} When someone opposes me, the best thing to do is NOT to oppose them and start an argument. Generally I keep quiet, but if that is not possible, responding with kindness helps. (DRM 5/26/02)
25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house - too much of you, and he will hate you.
When you are trying to be someone's friend (neighbor) sometimes you are really forcing yourself upon them. These same people will learn to hate you because you are always there. This was the opposite of what you wanted! (DRM 1/23/89)
This answers the following question: {Where am I being excessive in my interpersonal relationships?} I have few friends and am rarely invited to other houses. With the exceptions of work and bookmarks (80%), I would rather stay home and get some things done most of the time. (DRM 5/27/02)
25:18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against a neighbor.
This answers the following question: {How can I correct a false testimony I have given about another person?} All three objects here are weapons of pain. By telling false information I would also be creating pain. If I do that, I should go back to the person I told - and tell them the truth. (DRM 5/28/02)
25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is
confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
A bad tooth is weak in some respect. It
depends on what the problem is - but it's not dependable. The same applies to an
unsteady or weak foot - a person needs to lean on more stable things than weak
things.
A man or woman that has no faith is thus weak in their faith.
They are not to be depended on. We need to depend on someone who is strong - a
person of strong faith - or better yet - the Lord Jesus to Whom we are to depend
on for everything anyway.
When in times of trouble - go to the Lord - or a strong
Christian, and not to your unbelieving friends. (DRM 10/13/14)
25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.
This answers the following question: {How can I be more sensitive to someone who is hurting?} I know that I'm not sensitive enough. Maybe I don't know enough hurting people. I try to help the people that the Lord has placed in my life and hope that He understands. (DRM 5/29/02)
25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
This answers the following question: {How can I demonstrate an ethical standard with those opposing me?} Thank God, I am not aware of any personal enemies. It would make sense to do as shown in this verse, then they wouldn't be my enemies much longer. (DRM 5/30/02)
25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.
This answers the following question: {How can my words be more comforting rather than cutting?} Criticism hurts people, unless done in a very concise way. Recently I've tried to encourage someone who has been criticized far too much. Encouragement is comforting. (DRM 5/31/02)
25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory.
This answers the following question: {Why is it important that I control my selfish, greedy spirit?} To dwell on the self-righteousness of our own thoughts and deeds will not lead to a complete understanding of the Lord. I must try harder to help and love others. (DRM 6/1/02)
25:28 Like a city that is broken into and
without walls
Is a
man who has no control over his spirit.
In the "old days," cities were built within
walls to keep out enemy invasions. If a city had no walls it could be easily
taken over.
A person can be the same without a Leader and faith. Others
can come and try to convince him/her to go a different way - either spiritually
or materially, but Christians have to stay fed in the Word (Bible) and not be
distracted by the enemy forces. (DRM 12/4/10)
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
Sometimes it seems that the criticisms I receive from unbelievers (fools?) are deliberately attempting to start arguing or verbally fighting back. I try to understand the statement and make a correction and not "fight." (DRM 11/3/02)
26:5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise
in his own eyes.
When a foolish person suggests another
foolish scheme, are we to give them a foolish answer?
In today's world it seems to me that some foolish ideas are
what people like. (e.g. pet rocks), so I don't know how to classify a fool
anymore.
This verse also tells us that we are not to encourage a fool
in his ways, or he will think he is smart. That's easier, as I wouldn't
encourage anyone to invest in pet rocks - even though others did.
God will give us discernment on who to encourage and who to
"discourage" on their pursuits. (DRM 8/4/15)
Things to keep in mind: Is what I am saying true, and is it loving? What is my motive? Will it help anyone? Will this reflect the character of Jesus? (from Our Daily Bread 8/4/15)
26:6 He cuts off his own feet, and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
Perhaps the point of this verse is not to trust a non-believing person (fool) with an important message that can be delivered personally. My example would be that it is foolish to have non-believers as pastors of churches. (DRM 11/4/02)
26:7 Like the legs which hang down from the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
If a person is lame, their legs are not functional. Today they would probably be in a wheelchair. So a person who is not fully functioning mentally would not understand the application of proverbs - as they require thought. (DRM 10/16/05)
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eye? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
People who think they are smart or wise are less likely to admit they need help, and thus aren't willing to trust God for direction. People who know they are in need are more likely to ask for His direction. PTL I know I need His help! (DRM 11/5/02)
26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!"
So, what does the sluggard do about it? Nothing, he tells others. The sluggard should DO something to move the lion! We should not just observe the world going wrong, but rather DO something! (DRM 11/6/02)
26:18, 19 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"
After I get to know someone, occasionally I will "kid" them about something. I have found that some people don't like my humor, as they take it too personally. One person in particular asked me to say in advance if I say anything kiddingly, so it's probably better not to start in the first place. (DRM 10/17/05)
26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
I have spread gossip and am trying to stop it. (Not hearing any, helps.) There is nothing productive in telling others rumors and gossip. If the gossip is false, a quarrel may develop and all this is not benefit to anyone. Without gossip there is no quarrel to begin with. (DRM 2/1/87)
Slowly, I am learning that disagreements or contention between people requires both to exchange attacks. If one doesn't participate, then the contention fades. While I may not defend my actions, no battle is preferable. (DRM 11/7/02)
26:22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the inner-most parts of the body.
Today I think of a whisperer as a gossip - and how people love to talk about others. Talking about others in itself is not bad, but sharing criticisms and lying about their actions is sin and has to be confessed to God. (DRM 11/8/02)
26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
The interpretation of this verse can't be literal. If I attack someone else behind their back (dig a pit), then I should expect someone to do the same to me. What I do to others, they will do to me - so why not love all people and not dig pits? (DRM 11/9/02)
27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
I can take this literally! No matter what my plans are for tomorrow, I know that the Lord Jesus is truly in control of it all. Only with His help can all our plans succeed. (DRM 11/10/02)
27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
Even when someone like the "works" that I might do, God should get ALL the glory, as He is the One who gave me the ideas. Lord, keep me meek and honorable to You and the glory of Your Kingdom today. (DRM 11/11/02)
27:4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?
A jealous person has something set in his mind that is very hard to dislodge - either good or bad. Usually wrath and anger are temporary. Lord, teach me not to have any of these. (DRM 11/12/02)
27:5 Better is open rebuke
Than love that is
concealed.
There are some secrets that should be kept,
but when it comes to relationships between two people, it's better to tell the
other person your true feelings, even if the other person is doing something you
disagree with; it's better to tell them than to think you agree on things you
don't. Be honest about your feelings.
The same with love. The point is to express your feelings and
not conceal them. Honesty is the best policy.
As Christians we should be known for being open and honest,
not secretive and deceitful. (DRM 12/12/16)
{True friends} tell us not only what we like to hear but also what we need to hear. (from Our Daily Bread, 12/10/16)
27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
A true friend is someone that you can point our their faults an they will understand, as you are trying to help. An enemy can say nice things to you, but, behind your back say deceitful things. Lord, let me be a true friend. (DRM 11/13/02)
27:8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home.
"Home is where the heart is." Like a bird, people (like me) want to go home where there is safety and comfort. We don't like being away for very long. I also don't like being away from the Bible or Jesus for very long. He's comforting. (DRM 11/14/02)
This is a similarity that I can relate to now. The bird went through a lot of grass and twigs to build that nest, then it became a home to raise the young. The bird always will return to it's nest. People also want to return to the "nest" where they lived or do live. "There's no place like home." (DRM 10/18/05)
27:9b, 10 So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend. 10Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
It's encouraging to think that others value my counsel. Sometimes it appears they aren't listening. (DRM 10/24/1999)
27:12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
This makes me think of terrorism of today. The government is trying to advise us of the possibilities, whereas the naive choose to ignore the warnings. The same thing happens spiritually - that we should prepare for our eventual arrival in Heaven. (DRM 11/15/02)
As I have gotten older, I've gotten more conservative in some ways. It seems that I've learned that generally crime goes up with the temperature, and to keep inside after dark if possible. It's hard to hide from heat, but staying home after dark is easier - except in early winter when the days are shortest. (DRM 10/19/05)
27:14 He who blesses his friend with a loud
voice early in the morning,
It will
be reckoned a curse to him.
I get early morning phone calls from a
friend, so know that experience.
The point of this proverb is that the friend was speaking
loudly - like in an argument. That wouldn't be called a "blessing" in my mind.
When someone starts an argument in the morning, most likely
we will think about what he/she said all day and perhaps think of a response.
The best thing is not to get in any arguments at any time of
the day, least of all in the early morning hours. That's a time for peace and
quiet. (DRM 7/26/16)
27:15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;
verse 16 shows that the contentious woman can not be held on to, or stopped. While I would love to have a wife, these verses warn me that some women are to be avoided - as they will require more and more that isn't of God. (DRM 11/16/02)
27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
I immediately thought of my fellow Christian
friends who think enough of me to explain basic Bible truths that I still have
trouble comprehending at times.
Thank you Lord, for giving me the friends that will explain
things to me when they can! (DRM 10/27/87)
Communication, friendships and sharing come to mind with this verse. If I continue to be a "loner," I will have none of these things. Talking with others is vital! (DRM 11/17/02)
27:17, 18 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 18He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit; and he who cares for his master will be honored.
I need the encouragement of talking to
others. Men or women. I feel I learn more when we are both talking about the
SAME subject.
Prophetic Israel? Is God the tend(er) and (M)aster? (DRM
10/26/1999)
[re: 27:18] A gardener or arborist must take care of fruit trees to receive the most fruit possible. In the same way, the Christian who cares and wants to obey his Master - God will receive spiritual fruit. - His love and caring and direction. (DRM 11/18/02)
27:19 As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.
I have been told that I am transparent. Like the man in this verse, if I am sad, my face apparently reflects my sadness. The same person told me transparency is good, so I just have to remember on "sad days" that others probably don't want to talk to me. . . (DRM 10/20/05)
27:21b, 25 and a man is tested by the praise accorded him. 25when the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
While I personally get little praise for my
work, maybe I should be glad, because those who do, have to be able not to let
their ego get too big.
It seemed that these verses were describing things that
happen in the Fall season. (DRM 10/26/1999)
27:22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his folly will not depart from him.
The foolish unbeliever very often will not change his ways. No matter what we may do to him, he is the same. While this seems final, I know that the Holy Spirit can change the heart of a fool. (DRM 11/19/02)
27:23 Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;
Things can change overnight. This verse refers to flocks, but also possessions for us "non-shepherds," I know of people who let others invest for them and lose everything. Here, God wants us to be aware of our gifts and manage them properly. (DRM 11/20/02)
28:1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
I can apply this verse to fear. Non-Christians fear terror even when they don't know where it might come next, but the righteous Christian won't fear the unknown and can trust in Christ for protection. With God's help, fear can flee from my life. (DRM 11/21/02)
28:1, 6 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, then he who is crooked though he be rich.
Me, bold as a lion? I have a LONG ways to go
on my walk with the Lord!
How is money obtained? Through integrity it seems that I get
less, but many rich people get it by crooked ways. (DRM 10/26/1999)
28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things.
If evil men DID understand justice, they would remember that they would get punished for their deeds - thus they don't care or think of their punishment. We who seek and love the Lord Jesus understand these things and want to serve Him as #1 priority. (DRM 11/22/02)
28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
Money isn't everything! It's better to be poor in this world and know Jesus as Savior than to be rich in materialism and ignorant about Jesus' grace. Jesus is far more important than money! (DRM 11/23/02)
28:10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good.
This proverb could refer to either the spiritual or material parts of society. A business leader or a pastor could lead his followers astray from honesty or a clear walk with the Lord. The deceptive leader will be punished eventually, but the misguided followers will not be blamed. (DRM 10/21/05)
28:9, 11 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
I think the word law should be capitalized
here to refer to God's Law, the Bible. If you don't listen, or believe the
Bible, then your prayers won't be heard.
The rich in money and education usually don't believe the
Lord, where often the poor understand Him. (DRM 10/29/1999)
[re: 28:11] This is similar to yesterday's verse. The rich think they know everything - and don't need Christ. When confronting rich people, the "poor" can see that the rich are really the needy ones - the ones that need Christ more than themselves. (DRM 11/24/02)
28:13, 18 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. 18He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once.
We all sin. I sin, but to conceal my sin from
God is unacceptable. I must confess my sin to the Lord to receive His
compassion.
My only way to be delivered from this life is by walking
blamelessly or depending on His forgiveness [as mentioned] above. (DRM
10/29/1999)
[re: 28:13] My attitude is that God already knows everything, thus it's impossible to keep a secret from Him. When I sin, I confess it immediately - if I know it was a sin - and hope He will forgive me. Thank you Jesus for your love and compassion. (DRM 11/25/02)
28:15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
The lion and the bear can be unrelenting when they are angry. Likewise, a ruler with a lot of control can use it for evil deeds. This strong ruler with a lot of control can use it for evil deeds. This strong ruler can choose to be kind or oppressive towards his subjects. Of course we want him to be kind - as Jesus is. (DRM 11/26/02)
28:18 He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.
This is an inspirational verse to me. I must keep trying to walk in a Godly or blameless path and not be tempted by those who have perverse thoughts and deeds - as they will eventually fail. (DRM 8/28/87)
28:20, 23 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. 23He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
After all of these years that I have tried
and tried to open a business "to get rich," and failed, now I should
finally realize that I should just try to be faithful to God.
I have to learn to rebuke or defend myself more. (DRM
11/1/1999)
[re: 28:20] What is my priority? From 1966 to 1999 it was to become rich and live in comfort, then I felt the Lord's leading to abandon the quest and depend on His provision. I am far less nervous about bills, etc. now as I know He will provide. (DRM 11/27/02)
[re: 28:20] I'll do this in reverse. Money seems to be a primary motive in this country. Everyone seems to want to get as much as possible, then what good is it when they die? A man/woman of faith will not necessarily have money, but rather grow in their trust in the Lord Jesus. Those people will abound in His blessings either now or in eternity. (DRM 10/22/05)
[re: 28:23] I haven't done well on this verse! I am reluctant to rebuke others for their actions and would rather see the positive side. Lord, teach me how to tell others when You want me to tell them they are disobeying You. (DRM 11/28/02)
28:26, 27 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. 27He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
A friend suggests that I trust in my own ways
and not ask His direction. I believe that I must depend on Him to "walk
wisely" and be delivered.
I don't feel that I give enough to the poor. While I don't
shut my eyes, I need improvement in helping them more. (DRM 11/2/1999)
[re: 28:26] How many times have I trusted in my own heart? My reasons for that have been that I haven't heard the Holy Spirit. I have been foolish in not waiting or listening long enough for an answer. Lord, let me walk wisely, hear Your voice and do Your will - to be delivered. (DRM 11/29/02)
[re: 28:27] I have been aware of the poor and needy all of my life, but have helped very little. Now that a Christian friend has reminded me, by his dwelling on them continuously. Thank you Lord for reminding me that the poor are in need of you and generally more willing to listen! (DRM 11/30/02)
29:2, 6 When the
righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when the wicked man rules, people
groan.
6By transgressions an evil man is ensnared, But
the righteous sings and rejoices.
Good over evil. People can easily see both by
the actions of others: What is inside a person usually comes out in their
actions.
The same idea is in v. 6. This country (USA) doesn't seem to
think the President has transgression, but God knows!
Let my singing and rejoicing be in the Lord! (DRM 11/3/1999)
[re: 29:2] The war is over, the Iraqi's are free. The wicked man is gone and the citizens complain. What is wrong? Are their minds seared? They need Christ and the Holy Spirit to tell them what is good and what is evil! (DRM 5/4/03)
29:7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.
A lot of poor people made wrong decisions some time in their life and can't get out of the trap. They need compassion and help to get back on track. Generally Christians want to help [I should more] and the wicked want them to fix themselves. (DRM 5/5/03)
Now that I live in a big city, I encounter far more people who are poor - or tell me they are. They have convincing stories for their plight, and I have concern for their plight, but can't help very much, as I have no income either (today). I can't understand why the rich - wicked - can't help with their abundance. (DRM 10/23/05)
29:8, 11 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise
men turn away anger.
11A fool always loses his temper, But a wise
man holds it back.
Non-Christian scorners (or non God-believing
people) get upset and angry - leading to riots, but believers know God is in
control. e.g. Y2K
Both verses are similar. Without God in your heart, a
person's violent nature will come out. The Holy Spirit restrains us. (DRM
11/4/1999)
[re: 29:11] While I get frustrated, I rarely lose my temper - because I have no one to lose it to. When things go wrong, I usually give up and walk away - and hope that I am doing the right thing. (DRM 5/6/03)
29:16, 18 When the wicked increase,
transgression increases; but the righteous will see their fall.
18Where there is no vision, the people are
unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.
As I'm writing this, I plan on going to
Northfield today - where the wicked increased. This verse gives me the hope that
the Lord will prevail in that place.
Lord, let me have the vision to do Your will in all of my
plans and may I remember to keep Your laws and depend on Your grace when I fail.
(DRM 11/5/1999)
[re: 29:16] Evil - bad people will always be around. They will continue to oppose God's children. We [I] know in the end that we will win Heaven, and they will suffer in Hell for their actions . . . and there is always hope for change. (DRM 5/7/03)
29:19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.
Actions speak louder than words. When a new job is to be done, the best way is to SHOW someone how to do it. The same thing in spirituality. We can't just tell someone about Christ, we must SHOW how Christ indwells our life. (DRM 5/8/03)
29:20, 23 Do you see a man who is hasty in his
words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
23A mans pride will bring him low, but a humble
spirit will obtain honor.
Yesterday I was probably hasty in my words
twice at Northfield. The first in desperation, the second in my excitement.
Lord, let me THINK before I speak and forgive me for anything that could be read
the wrong way.
Let me be humble, knowing that all events are in Your hands.
(DRM 11/6/1999)
[re: 29:20] Maybe another way is to say a man who is quick to criticize others. The Lord does not like criticism - as we should know we will never be perfect ourselves. A fool is an unbeliever, and that can change quickly. Lord, don't let me criticize others. (DRM 5/9/03)
29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
Obviously both of these things are sin. Only with God's help, will I continue to avoid them. (DRM 5/10/03)
29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
At times my mind tells me I'm "somebody" that's better than someone else in some special knowledge. It doesn't last long, though! If I am on a topic I know, Lord, let me listen to others and be humble in my speech. (DRM 5/11/03)
29:25, 26 The fear of man brings a snare, But
he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
26Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for
man comes from the Lord.
Fear is my middle name. When will I learn not
to fear man or earthly things when I know the Lord is watching over all - to
trust in Him!
When I seek earthly favor or possessions, I should think more
of eternal values that come from the Lord. (DRM 11/6/1999)
[re: 29:25] Probably my biggest sin is FEAR. My life is a series of "what ifs" and He always makes provision for me - so why fear? Lord, help me to overcome fear and truly, truly, truly trust in You for ALL of my needs. (DRM 5/12/03)
[re: 29:25] I have a fear or am intimidated by a few men. It could be because of the position they hold in this world. When I have the opportunity to speak to people like that, I crumble - and I have to remember they are just like me. I must trust only in the Lord Jesus, as He truly is the One with the power over all. (DRM 10/24/05)
[re: 29:26] My translation: Many seek the government's handouts, but the Lord will provide for those in need. (DRM 5/13/03)
29:27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.
This is a full circle. People who love the Lord detest lawbreakers as we know they destroy. The dishonest likewise detest the upright as they are "different" from themselves. (DRM 1/24/89)
30:2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And I do not have
the understanding of a man.
Agar who wrote this wasn't really as stupid
as he wrote in this verse. As he continued with the chapter, he pointed out that
people who don't have wisdom or knowledge of the Lord God (v. 3) are the stupid
ones.
Agar had other questions about God and His Son (v. 4) - so he
knew more than other people of his day.
We don't want to be stupid, either. The goal is to keep
learning about the Lord and consistently growing in knowledge and faith. This
will go on for eternity. (DRM 5/28/15)
30:3 Neither have I learned wisdom,
Nor do I have the
knowledge of the Holy One.
Agar had questions for the Lord God. He knew
he didn't know everything and wanted to know more.
Even so, he seemed to know that God had a son (v. 4) that was
unnamed.
We all have questions to ask various people - especially God.
Sometimes we get answers as the years go by, and some things will go unanswered
until we can ask God=Jesus directly in Heaven.
Patience - some day all that we want to know will be
available to us. Learning will never end. (DRM 11/15/14)
30:4 Who has ascended into heaven and
descended?
Who has gathered
the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the
waters in His garment?
Who has established
all the ends of the earth?
What is His name or
His son's name?
Surely you know!
Questions and Answers. This verse has five
questions and we are left with the obvious answer.
Again, Agur - the writer - had a prophecy in this verse - he
referred to the son of God and Jesus hadn't been born yet.
Since Jesus wasn't born, the answer, of course, is God. God
was in the garden with Adam. God creates hurricanes and tornadoes. God fills the
clouds with water (Job 26:8). God created the division between the land and the
sea (Gen. 1:9). (DRM 3/12/13)
30:5, 6 Every word of God is tested; He is a
shield to those who take refuge in Him.
6Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you,
and you be proved a liar.
Why do people say the Bible is a group of
fables? Here it says that the Word is tested (and true) and we should take
refuge in Him.
I need help in memorizing verses. When I quote the Bible
incorrectly, I could be proved a liar. (DRM 11/6/1999)
[re: 30:5] After thousands of years of existence, the Bible and the prophecies in it - have been proven true. Just that statement should cause people to trust in Him, as everything He has and will say is true. (DRM 5/14/03)
[re: 30:6] God wants us to refer to the Bible and only to what it says. He doesn't want misinterpretation of what He means. Since I can't quote many verses exactly, I should always have a Bible with me, so I can read the exact verse needed. (DRM 5/15/03)
30:7-9 Two things I asked of Thee, Do not refuse me before I die: 8Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, 9Let I be full and deny Thee and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.
As David asked these questions by writing this verse, I also must ask the Lord to do the same for me. I have tried to obtain riches and failed, and now want to serve Him. So I will need Him to feed me and keep my NEEDS met. (DRM 11/7/1999)
[re: 30:8] There are three thoughts in this verse, all of which are important. Perhaps the point is that we can petition the Lord with all of our needs - spiritual and physical - and He really listens to us! He cares about us and loves us. (DRM 5/16/03)
[re: 30:8] There are things that the writer asked of God [v. 7] and I feel they also apply to me. The first section seems to surround me, as I remember a person who always liked to tell untrue stories about me. I still ask to have an income and to avoid poverty - it's easy to avoid riches - by giving to the Lord. I also need food and trust that He will fill my needs. (DRM 10/25/05)
30:8b give me neither poverty nor riches; but give me only my daily bread.
As I continue to think about changing jobs and getting a smaller salary, I keep asking God how I would be able to meet my expenses. My old goal was to make lots of money, but now all that I ask is to meet my expenses. I know that as time goes on, He will find a way for me to meet living expenses and also serve Him. (DRM 12/8/86)
30:11 There is a kind of man who curses his father, And does not bless his mother.
When my parents were alive, I complained that it seemed that they were asking me to do too much. As time has passed, I know this was wrong. While I wasn't allowed to do much {sports}, I am thankful for their love and protection. (DRM 5/17/03)
30:15 The leech has two daughters, "Give," "Give." There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, "Enough":
When I read this verse, I wonder if I ask my friends to "give" too much. It seems that I always want help and someone to share time with. It sure gets lonely without anyone. (DRM 5/18/03)
30:15a The leech has two daughters, "Give," "Give."
Sometimes it seems that I am a leech. I ask and ask for people to help me, but rarely do the same in return. At least not enough. Lord, forgive me. (DRM 11/8/1999)
30:15b, 16 There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, "Enough:" 16Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, "Enough."
A lot of people are like Satan, in that they always want more - especially of money. Sheol is where they will be going, and Satan wants as many as possible. Only God can explain the barren womb to me. Rain continues to come, and the earth (as a whole) always needs it for crops. Fire also is hard to stop. (DRM 10/26/05)
30:21, 23 Under three things the earthquakes,
And under four, it cannot bear up:
1. a slave when he becomes king
2. a fool when he is satisfied with food
3. an unloved woman when she gets a husband
4. a maidservant when she supplants her mistress
All of these things are major changes for the
person involved - dramatic changes -
While I can see how these change people, the change that
accepting Christ as Savior can lead them all! (DRM 11/9/1999)
[re: 30:21, 22a] For decades now I have been a slave in a different way. I have been a quiet clerical employee and someone who quietly sat in church to learn. To share all of this knowledge with ANYONE or to lead them to a closer walk with Christ would be an Awesome privilege - but still a servant to Christ, the real King. (DRM 10/29/05)
30:24, 25 Four things are small on earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25The ants are not a strong folk, But they prepare their food in the summer;
I think ants are VERY strong for their size. I've seen them carry objects larger than themselves! How does this help me spiritually? Advance planning is necessary to do any big job. As God leads, may I be prepared for the task. (DRM 5/19/03)
30:27 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks.
I think the locusts have a King — their Creator! While it may appear that they are leaderless, the true King has and will direct their work and thoughts. We should be the same. (DRM 5/20/03)
30:29, 32 There are three things which are stately in their march, even four. . . the lion . . . the strutting cock, the male goat also, and a king when his army is with him. 32If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Stately in their march = confidence? This is what people SEE as an exterior appearance, however v. 32 doesn't want it to be what is in your heart. God, don't let me exalt myself in any way - but rather to lean on You. (DRM 11/10/1999)
[re: 30:29] Why are they stately? Confidence. The lion knows he is strong, the cock know he's in charge, the male goat probably depends on his horns and ability, and the king depends on the loyalty of his army. I should consider these to increase my confidence. (DRM 5/21/03)
[re: 30:32] Sometimes I think I talk too much. It's so rare that I get a chance to speak my mind, that, when given the opportunity - I keep going. God, may my sharing of experiences NOT be exalting myself, but rather You. (DRM 5/22/03)
30:33 For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning of anger produces strife.
All three of these lines require input or action. I think the point is that if we don't have anger to input, then there won't be any strife between two [or more] people. I must learn to be satisfied with what the Lord has given. (DRM 5/23/03)
31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
What could this mean? Men have different abilities than women and probably should do the "harder" tasks that require more strength. Verse 4 refers to drinking, so the destroyer of kings could be alcohol. Lord, help me to grow more like You in all my ways. (DRM 5/24/03)
31:4b,5 It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
I wonder how many of the leaders of today's world would/could obey this verse. Even many Christians think drinking is now acceptable. I pray our leaders make sensible decisions. (DRM 5/25/03)
31:5, 8 Lest they [kings] drink and forget what is decreed And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 8Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate.
There are a few verses in here referring to
drinking and getting drunk. Here the Bible shows how drinking makes people
(kings) forget and pervert rights given.
This second verse is personal in telling me to open my mouth
more to defend others that are worse off. (DRM 11/11/1999)
[re: 31:8] Our society in the USA generally wants to pass by and ignore those in need. Especially where I live now, I see a lot of poor people (spiritually and physically) asking richer people for money. The rich pass by. As a believer, I must learn better how to help those in need without fueling any addiction they may have. (DRM 10/30/05)
31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
I'm too quiet and meek. I am aware of the needs of the sick and elderly from my father's nursing home, but do nothing about it. While I don't have a plan of action, I hope that God will tell me how they can be better served. (DRM 5/26/03)
31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
I never found "her." I feel that I have waited too long to encounter her. I've always felt that the Lord would bring us together in His time. . . without parents, I really feel lonely at times. (DRM 5/27/03)
31:13 She looks for wool and flax
And
works with her hands in delight.
The later part of Proverbs 31 refers to "an
excellent wife." (v. 10)
Until about 100 years ago, few women worked outside the home,
certainly this was the case when Proverbs 31 was written.
A man went to work and his wife stayed home and did
"housework." This wife was productive with her time and made garments with wool
and flax to keep her family warm in the colder months.
A woman's work is never done. (DRM 5/13/12)
31:15, 16 She rises also while it is still
night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it; from her
earnings she plants a vineyard.
Referring to Godly women. I slightly remember
when my mother got up early to prepare breakfast before my father went to work
40+ years ago.
Here I see that the Bible suggests that women work to earn
money and profit from it. They are NOT slaves. (DRM 11/11/1999)
31:17, 20 She girds herself with strength, And
makes her arms strong.
20She extends her hand to the poor; and she
stretches out her hands to the needy.
Now that was a surprise! Today's woman is NOT known to be strong. Most people think there is something wrong with women like that now! This is an independent woman! . . . but also caring, because she cares about the needs of others in need. I'd sure like to meet someone like that! (DRM 11/12/1999)
31:25, 30 Strength and dignity are her
clothing, And she smiles at the future.
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a
woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
This continues the strengths of a woman. Certainly a woman with dignity and looking forward (and upwards) are great qualities. Most men look for beauty, but a woman who fears the Lord is far more important! (DRM 11/13/1999)
31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Where is this person? I know women who fit one part of this verse, but not the other. It seems that since I am looking for both parts that I am too selective. Now I see that God also desires these attributes. (DRM 5/29/03)
31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
What should women's work be? She should be busy keeping the house orderly, etc. This doesn't say if she should be employed or not, but certainly not idle. I still wonder if I will ever have a person like that. (DRM 5/28/03)
This section titled "Description of a Worthy Woman" is idealistic considering my singleness. If I were to meet and marry a Godly woman, like in this verse, I would hope she could run the affairs of the household, the budget, cleaning, cooking etc. and not just sit and watch television etc., as our time on earth is short, and we are here for more Godly-serving purposes. (DRM 10/31/05)
31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: . . . 29you excel them all.
This makes me think of my mother. She was a good person. She helped me a lot and wanted me to earn more money - but she never wanted to talk about Christ or thought that I should. I would "require" a believing wife. (DRM 5/30/03)
31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Charm can be manufactured. We can all be good for a little while. Thinking totally of appearance [beauty?] is also fruitless as our bodies will deteriorate eventually. But a person who listens and does God's will shall be welcomed both here [somewhat] and when we go home to be with Jesus. (DRM 5/31/03)