Sunday Devotions - The Book of Proverbs

STUDY OF PROVERBS

Source of Commentary:  Woodbridge Bible study Course, the Expositor’s Study Bible, the Life Application Bible, and Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries for Proverbs. 

08-27-2023. Preview

            The date and authorship of Proverbs is sometimes difficult to determine, as it is a collection of wisdom (wise sayings) from various places over a long period of time.  King Solomon is first acknowledged as an author/collector of much of the content of Proverbs.  But other sections are attributed to Hezekiah (25-29), Agur son of Jakeh (30) and King Lemuel (31).

            The Book of Proverbs was edited over several centuries, from as early as the time of Solomon (10th century BC) to possibly as late as 330 BC following Alexander the Great’s conquest of Palestine.  Precise dating is uncertain, however, due to the lack of historical specificity in the book.  Most Biblical scholars view Proverbs as an earlier work, completed sometime between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.  Additionally, Proverbs appears to incorporate wisdom from other traditions and cultures such as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, some of which predate Solomon.  This may not be considered unusual as Solomon is credited not only as a writer of wisdom but also as a “collector” of wisdom.

             Proverbs provide universal wisdom.  It is a book of wise sayings, a textbook for teaching people how to live Godly lives through the repetition of wise thoughts.  Its key verse is found in chapter 1:7 which says:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but the fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

            Proverbs uses various literary forms that include poems, brief parables, pointed questions, and couplets as well as literary devices like antithesis (meaning opposition and contrast of ideas), comparison and personification (meaning attributing human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions).  This book is organized in a way that provides wisdom for young people in chapters 1 through 9. Wisdom for All People  in chapters 10 -24, and Wisdom for Leaders in chapters 25-31.  This Book has five distinct themes.

            The first is Wisdom.  God wants His people to be wise.  He uses two kinds of people to portray two contrasting paths of life.  The fool is a wicked, stubborn person who hates or ignores God.  Whereas the wise person seeks to know and love God.  When we choose God’s way, He grants wisdom.  God’s Word, the Bible, leads us to live good lives, have lasting relationships and make sound decisions.

            The second theme is Relationships.  This Book gives us advice for developing our personal relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers.  To relate to people, we need consistency, tact, and discipline to use the wisdom God gives us.  In every relationship, we must show love, dedication, and high moral standards.  If we don’t treat others according to the wisdom God give us, our relationships will suffer.

            Theme number three is Speech.  What we say shows our real attitudes toward others.  How we talk reveals our real character.  Our speech is a test of how wise we have become.  To be wise in our speech, we need to use self-control.  Our words should always be honest and well chosen.

            The fourth theme is Work.  God controls the final outcome of all we do.  We are accountable to carry out our work with diligence and discipline, not laziness.  Because God evaluates how we live, we should always work with a purpose.  We must never be lax or self-satisfied in using our God-given skills and talents.

            The fifth theme is Success.  Although people work very hard for money and fame, God views success as having a good reputation, high moral character, and spiritual devotion and obedience to Him.  A successful relationship with God counts for eternity.  Everything else is perishable.  All our resources, time, and talents come from God.  We must always strive to use them wisely. 

            Finally, remember when Soloman became King of Israel, God asked what he wanted to be given to him to rule the land.  Soloman’s answer was wisdom.  God granted his request and because he had chosen well, God also gave him riches.  Trusting God with how we live our lives will always bring positive results for us. As we begin to study the book in depth next week, we should all use it as a time to examine our own life to ensure we are applying wisdom from God in every choice we make and every situation in which we find ourselves.

 9-3-2023.  Proverbs 1:1-9 Purpose and Theme.

            The book of Psalms shows us how to have a proper prayer life and show our devotion to God. whereas the Book of Proverbs shows us how to live our daily life.  It’s not just a collection of homey sayings.  It actually gives us practical suggestions for everyday living with deep spiritual insights that have come from experience. 

 1:1.  King Solomon was the third king of Israel, and the sone of King David.  He reigned during Israel’s golden age.  When God said He would give him whatever he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-14).  His request pleased God so much that in addition to wisdom God gave him great riches, power, and an era of peace.  Solomon also built the grand and glorious temple in Jerusalem and wrote or compiled most of the book of Proverbs.

1:2.  The purpose of the book is stated in verses 2-6.  To know wisdom as found in God’s  Word or for us today is the Bible, which is the sources of our learning wisdom.

1:3.  Studying this book allows us to receive instruction, wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; therefore, if we know the Bible, we will receive its instruction

1:4.  If we ‘know’ the Bible then ‘receive’ its ‘instruction,’ we will then be able to ‘give’ the benefit of our knowledge to others.

1:5.  If we know the Bible, the Holy Spirit then considers us ‘wise,” and we will continue to increase learning through His wise counsel.

1:6.  Nonbelievers receive nothing from the Holy Spirit.  Because it is what guides us in our understanding of what we learn in Proverbs, we can also gain knowledge about what might motivate  unbelievers allowing us to approach them to share God’s good news.

1:7.  As mentioned last week, this is the key verse of the entire book and shows us how our understanding of it comes about.  Nonbelievers do not know God and most never will accept Him because they have no ‘fear’ meaning belief and respect of God and treating as He deserves to be treated.  All who ‘fear’ God will be recipients of His wisdom and instruction.  Those who reject Him are fools, who typically know-it-all, and are closed minded.

1:8.  This verse reinforces the role of parents in training their children.  Parents are to bring their children up to honor God and know His Word. They should also read the Bible and look for help from wise Christians.  The result will be that children will learn to obey and respect God and their parents. 

1:9.  Fear of God and obedience to parents are what form the foundation of a just relationship with God and man.  The ‘chains of gold about the neck’  is symbolic because it usually is a symbol of political dignity.  As used in this passage says that  the rulership of men must be preceded by loyalty to God’s commands, showing the dedication of parents to God’s Word, and submission by children to Godly parents.

 09-10-2023.  Proverbs 1:10-19.  A Warning.

            This passage is a warning of the consequences for those who don’t accept the ways of the Lord that should be taught to them as children.

1:10.  Instructing children about God will give them what they need to fight sin as they grow into adults; however, there will be too many who will still reject God when tempted.

1:11-14.  There verses speak of the evil pushed by Satan to turn them from God.  It will happen if they lack wisdom that parents can provide.  The consequence of the lack of this wisdom will affect the who world because of Satan’s lies.  The purse in v. 14 carries the wages of sin, which is death.

1:15-16.  The only way to reject the evil of Satan is to stand firm in the foundation of the teaching of God’s word – the Bible.  Those who reject God will turn to the evil of Satan.

1:17-18.  This is a symbolic reference.  A bird that flies into a trap set with a net with its eyes wide open will die.  Those who turn to evil with their eyes open will also die.  Those who kill others will also kill themselves.

1:19.  Speaks of Satan’s surest traps and reinforces the warning that the majority of the world is in it for the greed and personal gain and will do anything up to and including murder to accomplish their purpose.  When caught it is almost impossible to break free unless you daily ask God for help and the wisdom to recognize and escape the trap or better yet to avoid the trap altogether.

            Sin can often be enticing because it’s disguised to be fun, pleasure, riches, comfort, popularity, and fame.  It convinces us that we deserve these things at any cost.  When we refuse to listen to and live by God’s truth, our appetites become our masters, and we’ll do anything to satisfy them.  Sin, even when attractive, is deadly.  We must learn to make choices not on the basis of flashy appeal or short-range pleasure but in view of the long-range effect.  Wisdom for this is clearly outlined in God’s Word.  Sometimes this will mean steering clear of people who want to draw us into activities that we know are sinful.  But we can’t be friendly with sin and expect to remain unaffected.  Instead, enjoy the life God has given us but enjoy it without the boundaries articulated in His Word because any other way will always lead to devastating consequences.

 09-17-2023.  Proverbs 1:20-33.  Wisdom’s Disapproval.

            This passage uses the literary tool called personification where the writer gives human characteristics to a thought, idea, or inanimate object.  We see this in many places throughout the Bible, particularly in the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels.  In today’s lesson, the concept covered is wisdom and it is treated as a woman speaking to us.  This message is given to us as if a woman is talking as she  scolds us while telling us what it takes to be wise in how we live.

1:20-21.  The first 2 verses have lady Wisdom calling to us from everywhere and scolding us for hanging on to our simple ways or life without the wisdom that comes from God.

1:22.  When the Book of Proverbs refers to people as “simple” or “fools,” it doesn’t mean they have a mental deficiency.  It means they have character deficiencies. The simple reject the ways of the Lord and the fools happily mock His knowledge which is a display of their hatred.

1:23-25.  God wants us to repent when He disciplines us because He wants to share His thoughts and teach us. 

1:26-32.  The danger comes when we ignore Him.  We are telling Him we know better than Him.  So, He, in turn will laugh and ignore us when we experience disaster and misfortune in our life.   At difficult times, we may call on Him but He won’t answer because we choose instead to ignore His wisdom, reject His discipline, and refuse His advice.  The results of disregarding the wisdom offered by God will lead to Death.

1:33.  But there is hope.  Lady Wisdom tells us that whoever listens to God will live in the cover of His safety and will be free from the fear of harm.  Even if we experience pain, difficulties and disasters in the present, He will get us through it and more importantly, our future is secured with Him.

 09-24-2023.  Proverbs 2:1-11.  The moral Benefits of Wisdom.

 2:1-2.  This is an indication that God gives His words and commandments but does not force us to receive them.  If we chose to receive them, we should make them a priority in our lives signified by the words “incline” and “apply.’

2:3-6.  Shows us that wisdom comes in two ways.  It is both a God-given gift and the result of diligent searching.  Wisdom’s starting point is God and His revealed Word, the source of knowledge and understanding (2:6).  In that sense, wisdom is God’s gift to us.  But He gives wisdom only to those who earnestly seek it.  Because God’s wisdom stays hidden from the rebellious and foolish, it requires effort on our part to find and use it.  The pathway to God’s true wisdom is often difficult, it will always be worth the effort because it is only on God’s path that we discover His true and reliable wisdom that He will guide us to and then reward our sincere and persistent search.  We will come to respect and trust God and all that He shows us.

2:7-8.  God gives us wisdom and victory only when we act responsibly with the gifts and resources that He gives us.  If we are faithful and live out His purpose for our lives, He will protect us from fools and temptations, allowing us to focus on a building and living a life of integrity.

2:9-11.  Becoming wise as in the things of God is a constant process of growing.  As we grow in wisdom four things happen:  we trust and honor God, we realize that the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us; we make a lifelong series of good choices and avoid decisions that compromise our integrity; and when we make sinful mistakes, we learn from our errors, ask forgiveness, and recover.  These things don’t happen in us all at once.  It happens with trial and error backed up by a diligent prayer life to help us through the rough patches and to learn from the mistakes that we will make.

 10-01-2023.  Proverbs 2:12-22.  Rewards of Following God’s Wisdom.

 2:12-15.  These verses are telling us that the world is filled with evil that, without the wisdom and knowledge that only God can give, will pull people into the darkness.  Those who are caught leave the path of uprightness and enjoy living the evil ways.  The “crooked” path of evil is contrasted with the “straight” path God offers.

2:16-17.  Speaks of two of the most difficult sins to resist which are pride and sexual immorality.  Pride tells us “we deserve it” and sexual desire demands “we need it.”  In combination their appeal is deadly.  Pride appeals to the empty head and sexual enticement to the empty heart.  By looking to God, we fill our heads with His wisdom and our hearts with His love.  We have to ask daily for His wisdom and love so that there will be little room inside us for these temptations to take root and grow.

2:18-19.  Warns us that these ways will lead to death because once they take over there is no going back.

2:20-22.  We have seen in Chapter 2 that evil and strange people and also good people. Only if we accept the wisdom offered by God we will become “upright and perfect.  The perfection comes to us from faith in Jesus and our reward will be eternal life.  Those who reject God will be lost forever.

 10-8-2023.  Proverbs 3:1-10.  Urgent call to Obedience.

             Chapter 1 gives us the foundation for true prosperity and life, which is Wisdom.  This Wisdom is the Word of God.  Chapter 2 tells us how to receive God’s wisdom and now Chapter 3 tells us that when prosperity comes, we must not forget where it comes from.

3:1-3.  When we listen and practice the Wisdom offered by God, we will have peace and long life.  Remember, after our earthly existence we have eternal life.  We are to take the truth and mercy offers by God and keep them in our heart so we can live the life He wants us to live.

3:4.  To find favor with God, we must allow Him to come first in our life.  To do otherwise will only lead to disappointment.

3:5-8.  These two verses should be memorized and used every day of our life.  We tend to rely on our own experience and knowledge or that of trusted family, friends and mentors.  But the truth is we should put all our trust in God and acknowledge what He shows us in His Word and the blessings He freely gives us.  We, and other humans don’t have the depth and breadth of knowledge and information that only God possesses.  Only He knows us inside and out, from before birth, to our physical death, and eternally.  To be wise in our own eyes is the dangerous sin of pride and unless we let it go, it will lead to the path of evil.  When we acknowledge God and allow Him to direct our path, it will make us spiritually healthy and afford us all of the things we  are promised in His Word.

3:9-10.  Here we are reminded of the importance of tithing and planning to make this the first thing we do.  We should always give back to God some of what He gives to us.  This is in the form of money, donations of material things, and service to help others.  We shouldn’t make this a process of giving God our leftovers.  When we give back to Him, we acknowledge that He is first in our lives and that all of our resources belong to Him.  We are only managers of what God gives to us in this life.  Giving to God first helps us to conquer greed, prioritizes our role in contributing to God’s Kingdom, and opens us up to receive the special blessings He promises to those who put Him and His purposes above everything else.

10-22-2023.  Proverbs 3:11-21.  God’s shows us love with discipline.

            To Discipline means to teach and to train. The idea of discipline by God is sometimes thought of as negative to many because of the kind of discipline they received growing up without loving parents.  But God is the source of all love, and He doesn’t discipline us because He enjoys inflecting pain but because He is deeply concerned about our spiritual growth and wants us to develop in character and maturity.  He knows that for us to become people of spiritual strength and integrity, we must learn to know the difference between good and evil.  His loving discipline enables us to do just that.

3:11-12.  These verses tell us that sometimes we don’t know when God has been disciplining us until we look back on the situation later.  Not every calamity that happens to us comes directly from God, of course but if we reel against God and refuse to repent when He has identified some sin in our lives, He may allow guilt, crises, or bad experiences to bring us back to Him.  Sometimes though, difficult times come even when we have no flagrant sin.  Then our response should be patience, remembering that God loves us, and have confidence that He will show us what to do.

3:13-14.  Happiness and Joy are two different things.  Happiness applies to external things that are enjoyed even by the ungodly.  Joy comes from with and can only be enjoyed fully by those who know the Lord and have the Holy Spirit living within.  Precious few – even among Christians – understand that knowledge of the World of God is more valuable than silver and gold.

3:15-16.  “She” in verse 15 is the valuable wisdom we receive from the Bible.  Most, if not all Christians will agree with what the verse says, yet they don’t live by it.  If they did, they would devote more time and attention to continually studying the Bible. Verse 16 is telling us that the very thing we think we must spend the  most time doing – acquiring silver and gold – will in fact come to us if we place the Word of God first!

3:17.  A lot of what we do in life has its negatives but when we rely on the Word of God, we will reduce the negative effects of everyday life and see joy in each day. 

3:18.  Here we see another reference to the “tree of life.’  It was first mentioned in Genesis 2:9 and the loss of mankind’s access to it but then we learn in Revelation that it will be restored.  By absorbing the wisdom of God from the Bible, we are assured of the promise of access to the tree of life once again.

Proverbs contains many strong statements about the many benefits of God’s wisdom.  If you think you aren’t experiencing these benefits, does it mean you’re short on His wisdom?  Not necessarily.  Instead of guarantees, Proverbs give us general principles to make us think and reevaluate what we are doing and how we are living.  They aren’t written to be absolute promises.  In a perfect world, wise behavior would always lead to these benefits.  Even in our troubled world, living by God’s wisdom usually results in obvious blessings – but not always.  Sometimes we must “live by faith and not by sight” as we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:7.  But we can be sure that the wisdom of God will ultimately lead to blessings that only He can provide.

 10-29-2023.  Proverbs 3:22-26,  God is With Us When we live by His Wisdom.

            We ended last week by being encouraged to live by the sound wisdom and discretion found in God’s Word.

3:22.  Shows us that when we do this, only then will we truly find what we are looking for and we will have a life filled with the grace of God.

3:23-24.  These verses show us the positive outcomes that will happen as a result of living by God’s wisdom.  Our lives will be secure, and we won’t fall over the obstacles the world throughs at us.  The safety that we have then will lead to confidence as our faith grows our fear over being attached for it lessens ultimately allowing us to enjoy a peaceful life under God’s care.

3:25-26.  Our passage closes by reminding us to not be afraid of an unexpected terror or disaster and even less so, the ruin of the wicked.  Tragedies may come, but the reason for not being afraid is because as we are told in verse 26 that the Lord will be our confidence and He will keep us from falling.  The word ‘confidence’ is often translated as being at our side.  So, the takeaway is that in times of uncertainty or fear, we need never worry because God is with us.

            By studying and living by God’s Word, we can take comfort that when God is on our side, nothing can harm us.

   11-5-2023.  Proverbs 3:27-35.  The Treatment of Others. 

            So far, we have learned that we must learn and then live by the wisdom that we can only get from the Word of God.    Now we will learn how to apply that to our lives. 

As Christians, we are to be kind, courteous and generally treat people like we would like to be treated.  Jesus cemented this when He taught what we know as the Golden Rule.  We are not to do this expecting that we will be treated the same way but instead, it must come from the goodness of our heart because it is the Spirit of Christ that should characterize all of our actions as Godly.

3:27-29.  Shows us if we ignore opportunities to do good to others, especially those who need help, we are selfish, uncaring and  unjust.  We must always be helpful and generous to other not because of any reward we might receive, but because doing so is the mark of a committed follower of God.  The evidence of this kind of attitude is shown in our actions such as helping an elderly neighbor with yard work, visiting someone in the hospital, or buying a meal for a homeless person.  Withholding what is in our power to give begins to create in us an attitude of greed and a lack of compassion.  We must always be eager to do good to others as we are to have good done to us.

3:30-34.  Yes, there will be times for fighting and especially to push back against injustice and resisting sin.  Evil must be confronted wherever it appears.  But we aren’t to waste time and energy on needless fights, such as arguing about trivial matters or personal inconvenience.  We must save our energy for the real battles against sin and enemies of God.  When you do this, God will always be on  your side.

3:35.  When we treat others this way all the time, we are promised that God will honor us, and we will live with Him forever in Heaven.  God will shame those who behave wickedly and ultimately banish them to an eternity in hell.  Leave the punishment to God.   Our job is to kill them with kindness because, as Pastor Magaw used tell us, it will drive them crazy.

            As Christians, we are to pursue the way of the upright and reject the path of the wicked every day of our lives.  Never give in to the evil of this world.  Always look to Jesus are our example.  Remember He forgave those who crucified Him.  That is the kind of goal that we should work toward.

11-12-2023.  Proverbs 4:1-9.  A Father's Wisdom and Advice.

            Chapter 4 is divided into sections; each begins by telling us to "Hear."  The first section is somewhat of  conclusion of the first 3 chapters, as shown by the repetition of what was shown in those chapters.

4:1-2.  This verse tells the children how important it is to listen to the instructions of their parents.  Parents this puts a lot of responsibilities on you to teach your children and in order to do that you have to know what you are teaching Bible.

4:3-4.  Solomon tells us how he learned from his father, King David.  He encouraged him to seek wisdom  (the truth of God's word) when he was young.  This encouragement may have prompted Solomon to ask God for wisdom above everything else when he became King of Israel.

4:5-7.  He goes on to tell us that if we want wisdom, we must make the decision to pursue it.  This means we must have the determination and resolve to study God's Word.  It's a choice each one of us must make.  Solomon did so because of the encouragement he received from David, his father.  He learned that it was the most important choice he could make, and he learned it well, at least initially.  Like Solomon, we too should make God's wisdom our first choice.  We don't have to wait for God to reveal himself, he has done that in Jesus and in the Bible.  We can also ask Him to grant us wisdom each day through daily prayers.

4:8-9.  If we respect, trust, and embrace the wisdom of God's Word offers it will bring us honor in the sight of God.  We are to wear the Word of God with all its wisdom like a crown of glory. 

            We can never go wrong by applying the wisdom of God that is found in the Bibie to our daily lives.  It will show us how to have a close and loving relationship with God and Jesus and will always be what we lean on when making every single decision on  how to conduct ourselves.  Never sell it short and always use it as your guide in everything you do.

11-19-2023.  Proverbs 4:10-19.  Righteous or Wicked.

            Here we see the advantages of following God's wisdom and the warning should we decide to chose the past of the wicked.

4:10-13.  Show the positive consequence of choosing the way of wisdom and right paths (which are found in the Bible), beginning with a call to hear meaning learn what is written to guide us to the right paths,   and using it every day of our lives.  We are to keep hold of its instruction, don’t let go, for it is our life. Living by God's wisdom will give us a rich life. 

4:14-15.  Tells us to avoid the paths of the wicked and stay away from evil.  We are to avoid it, not pass by it, turn away from it, and pass away.

4:16-17.  Speaks of the life and practices of the wicked.  It's not a path of restfulness because they don't sleep until they commit further wrongdoing.  If they don't cause others to stumble, they are robbed of rest.  When they cause someone to fall, they eat and drink the spoils of their evil doing and relish the fact that they have inflicted pain, harm, and suffering on their victims.

4:18-19.  Here the two paths are compared.  The path of righteousness is one filled with light that shines to light our way every single day.  In contrast, the path of the wicked is one covered in darkness.  The lack of God's light in their life cause them to stumble or trip up because they are incapable of seeing the obstacles or traps in their way of life.  The path of Wisdom sheds light on our daily life so we can walk confidently and securely, while the path of the wicked makes everyday living more problematic.

 1-26-2023.  Proverbs 4:20-27.  Embracing God's Wisdom.

            The third and final section of chapter 4 shows us how to embrace God wisdom in our lives.

4:20.  As with the two previous sections, this one starts off by reminding us to pay attention to what the father or teacher is telling us.

4:21.  By The reference to our eyes and hearts tell us that this is what controls how we think and feel and allow us to let the Word of  God shape us outwardly and inwardly.  His Word determines how we relate to the world and what we value within ourselves. 

4:22.  The Word of God is literally life and health to all who will listen to what He says.  While God's wisdom sometimes speaks specifically of long life, the focus here is on the quality of our life -- real and true life.

4:23-24.  Our hearts are  the source of our feelings and desires, dictate to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy.  Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on the desires that will keep us on the right path.  We are to make sure our desires push us in the right direction, the one that will please God.  We are to discipline our speech by not lying or talking vulgar and convey only things that bring about the truth of God's love for us.

4:25.  This verse further explains the metaphor of our eyes from verse 21.  We are not to be distracted from living wisely by the attractiveness of possibilities in our peripheral vision.  The things of this world may look good, but ultimately, they are not.   We must keep our focus on the thing of God.

4:26-27.  The metaphor of walking is used to describe our actions because our actions need to be shaped by God's wisdom, reflecting outwardly what we are like in our heart and not to swerving left or right off the straight path of wisdom because that will only lead us to evil. 

            What we have seen in chapters 1-4 is a continual call for us to use the Word of God to build a godly character intended transform every aspect of our lives.  The intention of the Book of Proverbs is to train a person, to actively form character, to show what life is really like and how to best cope with and manage it.  God, through wisdom, is active in shaping our lives.

12-03-2023.   Proverbs 5:1-6.   Warning of  Wild,  Reckless Living.

 5:1-2.  Soloman is urging his son, and by extension all of us to learn and understand the lessons he is teaching.  Wisdom and understanding  are  two distinct concepts.  Wisdom is the knowledge of what is true and right combined with appropriate judgment regarding action or insight.  Understanding is the process by which wisdom is organized and acted upon.

5:3.  The woman is likely an adulterous woman, or prostitute which is used in Proverbs as a metaphor for apostasy, temptation, wicked lifestyles, recklessness and anything that pulls us away from the wisdom and laws of God. 

5:4-5.  When we give  in to the temptation, we find out that what we thought was attractive is actually a sword that will result in death and eternity in Hell.

5:6.  Wisdom -- the Bible -- shows what  true salvation is and how to attain it.  The 'strange woman' is Wisdom's enemy and rival. The teachings of God's word always has been and is unacceptable to the world. 

            False teachings -- the drops from the honeycomb -- have been and will always be attractive to the world but the honey is poisoned and ends in death.  We must guard against being drawn in and the only protection we have is the Wisdom offered by God.

 12-10-2023.  Proverbs 5:7-14.  The Dangers of Apostasy and Temptation.

            Last week we talked about the need to fight apostasy and temptations that are always before us.  The warnings continue in today's reading.

5:7-8.  Solomon warns us to listen to what he is telling us. We are to stay as far away as possible from the temptations of this world and be on the lookout for false teachers who will try to pull us away from the word of God.

5:9-11.  If we don't, we will be taken over by Satan and instead of the good life that he likes to promise us, we will become slaves to his evil and be lost for eternity.

5:12-14.  We may not always like what God's Word tells us about how we should live, but if we allow temptation to overtake us, it will be too late to ask for preventative advice.  Studying and taking God's Word to heart give us the weapons we need to resist temptation.  Resistance is a lot easier when to resist when you are prepared for that resistance and know what will looks like when you are confronted with it.

            Evil is all around us and too often it is packaged to look far different than what it actually is.  Like an addict taking their first hit.  It is never done with the intent of becoming an addict but that is what happens.  We must work to arm ourselves against the evil that will try to take us down.  It can even happen in churches when the Word of God is not followed and instead given over to what will be easy and comfortable for the congregation.  Christianity is not an easy life.  We will be ridiculed and thought of as crazy.  But as long as we keep to God's Wisdom for our lives, in the end we will be victors with Jesus Christ.

 12-17-2023.  Proverbs 5:15-23.  Faithfulness in Marriage.

 5:15-17.  This is a picture of faithfulness in marriage.  We are to enjoy the spouse God has given us.  In the dry lands of the Bible world, water was precious, and a well or cistern (an underground water storage tank cut in a stone) was a family's most important possession.  It was considered a crime to steal water from someone else's cistern, just as it was a crime to take up with another person's spouse.  In both cases, the offender endangered the health and security of the family.

5:18-12.  God doesn't intend faithfulness in marriage to be boring, lifeless, pleasureless, or dull.  Marriage is a gift from God for the mutual enjoyment of the couple.  Real happiness in marriage comes when a person decided to find pleasure in the spouse God has given or will give them and to commit themselves to meeting their spouse's needs. 

5:20-23.  The real danger comes when we doubt that God really knows or cares about what we really need in a marriage relationship.  We then may resent His timing and then carelessly pursue outside pleasure without His blessing.

12-31-2023.  Proverbs 6:1-5.  Advice Against Guaranteeing a Debt.

            These verses are not against helping someone financially but rather about overextending your own financial resources and acting irresponsibly in ways that could lead to squandering money.

6:1-2.  When you take on the financial debts of someone else, you think it through have to think it through very clearly and make sure you aren't wasting your money on something that will never be paid back.

6:3-4.  Be sure you know the person you are choosing to help so you won't end up being used and left hanging with a bill that may break you.

6:5.  Taking on the debt of another can be a noble thing to do.  But is something that prevents you from using your money for your own needs.  So ,when you make the decision to do this, do it with a clear mind and a plan that you have thought through from all angles, particularly if the person doesn't end up paying you back.

            God wants us to help our friends and those who are in need, but he doesn't  promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make.  We should act responsibly so our own families don't suffer.  It's important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship. 

01-07-2024.  Proverbs 6:6-15.  Warning about Laziness.

            Chapter 6 speaks of absurd, foolish behavior.  Last week we were given advice about lending money to others.  Today's topic is a warning about laziness.

6:6-8:  It starts out with the lazy person being instructed to act (go to the ant), think (consider her ways) and become wise.  The example of the ant shows us the importance God gives even to the most delicate of His creations.  We are also being shown how we can learn from the natural world about life and work.  But observation isn't enough.  There must be action.  The hardest action for a lazy person to take is to actually get up and get going because it involves taking initiative and responsibility to bring about change or some action in their life.

6:9-10:  Think about the last few minutes of sleep.  We all love them as we resist beginning another workday and are often tempted to just stay in bed.  But these verses warn against giving in to the temptation of laziness, sleeping instead of working.  This doesn't mean we should never rest.  God gave us the Sabbath, a weekly day of restoration and rest.  We should not rest when should be working.  The ant is used as an example because this tiny creature utilizes its energy and resources economically. 

6:11:  If we allow laziness to keep us from our responsibility, poverty will soon become the condition of our life it will come suddenly as compared to being robbed by a thief or assaulted by an armed man.

6:12-14:  These verses describe the worthlessness (the meaning of naughty) of lazy people.  They are people of Satan and lie (the meaning of  a forward mouth) with no remorse to cover their laziness.  And they are compared to apostates or those who deliberately mislead and lie.

6:15:  Lazy people and the traits they embody should never be underestimated.  In the end, no good will come to them and they will be broken with no chance for redemption.  Their ways are  not harmless but are a a serious threat to those looking to honor God.

01-14-2023.  Proverbs 6:16-19.  Seven Sins of the Wicked.

            The seven sins of the wicked are pride, lying, murder, wicked imaginations, feet running to mischief, and false witness.   At quick glance they seem to be and unrelated list, but they all contribute to the breaking down of the harmony and wholesome relationships which God sees as critical to people leaving peacefully together.

6:16:  "Six, yea 7,"  is an indication that this list doesn't include all the sins of the wicked but are important enough to watch out for and do your best to avoid.

6:17:  Pride leads the list.  Prideful people see themselves as better than others.  A  lying tongue breaks trust, friendships and families.  Murder  undermines justice and causes needless grief.  While we don't necessarily connect lying with murder, when you lie about someone you are essentially murdering their character.

6:18:  The heart of prideful people devises wicked imaginations or wicked schemes because their hearts have not been changed.  Just as pride is deceptive, people with feet running to mischief or running to evil believe they are doing something right!  Both traits describe those who ae only concerned for themselves, regardless of the cost to others. 

6:19:  The difference between the lying tongue of verse 17 and the false witness of verse 19 is that the lying tongue will only tell the truth if it gives them an advantage.  Otherwise, they will lie.  The false witness plans their lies, concocting schemes that are made up of lies in order to carry out a deliberate deceitful or evil plan that often results in injustice and destroying the character of good people.

            These seven sins are socially destructive relationships and the community of people.  God longs for peace in the community.  His idea of community peace is not simply the absence of outright conflict, but more so the presence of wholesome relationships across human divisions.  The language used in this passage is very strong:  God hates and detests these human failings.  This gives us some idea of the extent to which God is committed to building up the community.  Conflict, deceit, and hatred must not be allowed to fester because when it does, the community breaks down.

            To recap the last three sections, folly or foolish decision making is evident in many areas of life.  The example we looked at was how being foolish with finances can put us in a bind that is extremely difficult to get out from under.  Then there was laziness.  Failure to work hard leads to a lack of any achievement at all.  And associating with troublemakers leads to irreversible disaster.  Finally,  the picture of the seven sins of the wicked draws attention to behaviors that lead to the breakdown of all kinds of relationships in the community.  So you see, folly or living foolishly as we learned in the first 16 verses of Proverbs 6 will have serious and deadly effects in all areas of our everyday lives.

01-21-2024.  Proverbs 6:20-13.  Embrace and Live Wisdom Taught by Parents

            Today's reading and the rest of Chapter 6 echo what was taught in chapter 1, verses 8-9.

6:20-21.  It is natural and good for children, as they grow toward adulthood, to become increasingly independent of their parents.  Young adults, however, should be careful not to turn a deaf ear to their parents by rejecting their advice just when it's needed the most.  If you are struggling with a decision or looking for insight, check with your parents or older adults who know you well.  Their extras years of experience may have given them the wisdom you seek.  The image of wearing the teaching is one of accepting and adopting them so that they characterize  your life.  While binding them on your heart is not physically possible, it is a metaphor that has the sense of wearing a necklace that will sit close to your heart.  As a metaphor, it  sits incorporating these instructions into the very core of who you are.  Tying them around the neck implies that they are to be lived out in your actions as well.

6:23-24.  These verses outline the benefits of being shaped by the wisdom of your parent's instruction.  The trinity can also be seen in verse 22:  the Lamp is God the Father guiding us.  The Light is God the Son Guarding us, and Reproof, which means corrections and instruction, is God the Holy Spirit teaching us through God's Word.  There is no flame or light in the world other than the Bible that guides or teach us better than the Bible.

01-21-2024.  Proverbs 6:20-23.  Embrace and Live Wisdom Taught by Parents.

            Today's reading and the rest of Chapter 6 echo what was taught in chapter 1 verses 8-9.

6:20-21.  It is natural and good for children, as they grow toward adulthood to become increasingly independent of their parents  Young adults, however, should be careful not to turn a deaf ear to their parents by rejecting their advice just when it's needed the most.  If you are struggling with a decision or looking for insight, check with your parents or older adults who know you well.  Their extra years of experience may have given them the wisdom you seek.  The image of wearing the teaching/is one of accepting and adopting them so that they characterize your life.  While binding them on your heart is not physically possible, it has the sense of wearing a necklace that will sit close to your heart.  As a metaphor, it suggests incorporating these instructions into the very core of who you are.  Tying them around the neck implies that they are to be lived out in your actions as well.

6:22-23.  Outline the benefits of being shaped by the wisdom of your parents' instruction.  The Trinity can also be seen in verse 22:  the Lamp is God the Father guiding us.  The Light is God the Son guarding us.  And Reproof,  which means correction and instruction, is God the Holy Spirit teaching us through the Bible.  There is no lame or light in the world other than the Bible.

01-28-2024.  Proverbs 6:24-29.  Warnings Against Spiritual Adultery.

            Solomon warned us earlier in our reading about the dangers of adultery.  Aside from the sexual aspects, the remainder of Chapter 6 uses adultery as a metaphor to warn us about false religious teaching and ignoring what is expected of us as Christians for temporary satisfaction.

6:24-26:  All too often there is an attraction to false teachings,   Perhaps you are having a problem coming to terms with something in the Bible that hits a little too close to home and to get around the guilt you may feel, you look elsewhere for something that might justifies what your are doing or even thinking.  But you aren't alone.  Most of the world behaves this way and "lusts" for things that justify their pursuit of the "strange woman" or forbidden behaviors.  This is just another way of how Satan steals a "precious life" from God.

6:27-29:  These verses make the comparison of broken marriage vows  to spiritual immorality.  Just as fire will burn your clothes, or stepping on hot coals will burn your feet, you can't go after what is expressly forbidden by God and come away unscathed and innocent.  The weakness of our faith shows when we actively look for ways to justify not doing the things that God expects from us. 

02-4-2024. Proverbs 6:20-35.  Warnings Against Spiritual Adopters Continued.

            Again, infidelity to the marriage vows is being likened to spiritual immorality.

6:30-32:  Again, infidelity to the marriage vows is compared to spiritual immorality.  And the message is clear. Both will destroy your soul. 

6:31-35:  Many try to argue that marital infidelity is ok if no one gets hurt but that is simply not true.  Spouses are devastated and children are scarred.   We do the same thing when we ignore the instruction in the Bible as how we are to live.  We think we are only hurting ourselves.  Think about how you are hurting those you love when you ignore living how God wants you to live, and they know that you risk spending eternity in hell.  What kind of example are you setting to your children and those who love you most?  If you continue down this kind of path, it is just as devastating as marital fidelity. 

            Too many times we try to find ways to justify doing what the Bible tells is us wrong.  We use the excuse that nobody is getting hurt, who is going to know, or I'll ask for forgiveness later.  All of us do it but we must work very hard not to.  The phrase, 'don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness' comes to mind.'  But if you know your Bible and what God expects of us, we should always be working to keep ourselves away from situations that will require forgiveness of things that we knowingly did wrong. When you continue to do what you know is wrong in God's sight, there will come a time when your request for forgiveness will be ignored, and you will be lost forever.

02-11-2024.  Proverbs 7:1-5.   The Seducing Power of False Teaching.

            Chapter 7 continues the warning of the dangers of false teachings still using the metaphor of an evil or adulterous woman that allures young man to do evil.  When we don't know the teachings of the Bible, we are susceptible to the false teachings of evil people.

7:1-2.  While the teaching advice is directed to young men, it applies equally to young women who also can be seduced by evil.   The Bible is the Word of God and as such contains the only teaching that leads to life.  The phrase 'the apple of your eye' applies to the very tender and delicate portion of the eye that must be treated with care.  The lesson is to treat the Word of God just as we would a sensitive part of our body.

7:3.  This is telling us that the Bible should be used by all Christians as much as  they use their fingers.  In other words, we must use it all the time to guide our lives so we are living as God would have us live.

7:4.  The terms 'sister' and 'kinswoman' refer to very close relatives.  This tells us that we should treat the Bible as much a part of our family as our own blood relatives.

7:5.  This verse tells us why it is important to hold the Bible, and its teachings close to our hearts using the metaphor of the 'strange woman.'  To the Hebrew people the strange woman refers to an Israelite woman who has given in to the idolatrous impurities of heathen religions.  The 'stranger' is a foreign woman that does not worship the God of Israel and is a worshipper of heathen idols which were false doctrines to the ancient Israelites and to Christians even today.

02-18-2024.  Proverbs 7:6-14.  Captured by False Teachers.

            Using the adulteress as a metaphor for false teachers, we are shown how they capture the vulnerable.  While the lesson is presented to young men, young women must pay attention as well because they are as susceptible to the false teachers just as young men.

7:6-9:  These verses show Satan's ministers search for their prey.  They are constantly looking for targets in those who have no spiritual purpose, have doubts about their faith, are naïve about the things of.  While the text speaks of the young, it doesn't refer just to age.  Those who are young, or new to their faith are also prime targets.

7:10-13:  The tactics of false teachers include being loud, and stubborn with feet outside the house which are meant to capture the attention of those who are most vulnerable.  Loud and stubborn refer to resistance to societal norms, rebellion.  Feet outside the house means they are like high pressure salesmen.  They sell their message, which is the perverted teachings of God, anywhere and everywhere.  When they capture the interest of their target, they appear to be confident, friendly, kind, and sincere about what they are offering in order to fully draw them in.

7:14:  This verse speaks of peace offerings and prayer and is the key to knowing that the teacher is deceptive and false.  They use parts of God's Word to give the appearance that they are godly,  but then leave out the most important part of salvation and forgiveness of sins, which is the burnt offering which -  the precursor of the Cross.  The Cross is the only guarantee of salvation and peace with God.  The 'strange woman' claims that she can have peace with God without the Cross which is why she doesn't mention of burnt offerings.

            Once Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, burnt offerings were no longer required for the forgiveness of sins.  Belief in and acceptance of the death and resurrection is the only way to be forgiven of sins which is why the starting point of all false doctrine is ignoring or misunderstanding the purpose of the Cross at Calvary.

02-25-2024.  Proverbs 7:15-20.  Tactics of False Teachers.

7:15-17:  The false teachers capture their targets, who are those that are ignorant of what God's teachings are about, so they can spread their false teachings by presenting them as attractive and enticing.  The metaphor of myrrh, aloes and cinnamon was a description used in Psalm 45:8 to describe the coming Messiah -- Jesus Christ

7:18:  The false doctrine usually centers on love because it is an excellent tool to capture the most vulnerable people.  These teachers will also use the plural term 'loves' because their work goes in many directions, purposefully looking for as many victims as possible.  This is the opposite of the love of God which is pure and singular to each person who wants and accepts it.  God doesn't force or trick anyone to come to Him.  He has made Himself and His plans for us know through the Bible and leaves the choice to every individual.

7:19-20:  The 'goodman' is a metaphor for the Watchman or those who have true and honest faith in God and all that He does for us and are eagerly looking out for the return of Jesus.  But the false teachers try to convince the naive believer or unbelievers that the Watchmen don't have time for them because they are busy elsewhere and neglect those that need them most. which is the meaning behind the bag of money because they are gone for a long time.  When you know the Word of God, you know all believers are Watchmen.

            Satan is cunning and trains his minions very well.  He shows them exactly to capture their targets and will do anything to trap as many as he can before the return of Jesus.  We have to train ourselves to be aware of what Satan is attempting to do, and the best way is to know exactly what God tells us in the Bible.

3-3-2024.  Proverbs 7:21-27 Consequences of False Teachings.

7:21-23:  These two verses show that the false doctrine is so subtle, its appeal is tantalizing, and its power is strong because of the Power of Satan.  This description of what happens when someone falls for it is pretty graphic leaving no misunderstanding that the result will be death.  And that is what Satan is after

7:24:  The writer is pleading with his children to listen to him.  The children are the true followers of the Lord.  The message is that even true believers aren't immune from Satan's power and his attempts to pull them away from God.  But he can be successfully resisted as long as believers are vigilant and well versed then things of God as found in the Bible and know how Satan works.

7:25-27:  We end with a clear warning.  The 'strange woman' has been extremely successful and has taken down many people.  The strong as just as susceptible as the weak.  All those who are caught will surely pay the price.  The only way to a life of eternity in Heaven is through Jesus Christ because of His death on the cross.  All who don't accept and live that will be banished to an eternity in Hell with Satan.

            Satan has no interest in sparing anyone from eternal damnation.  His absolute goal is to take as many of God's most prized creations with him.  He knows what his fate is and doesn't care.  We are part of a supernatural battle between God and Satan so we have to prepare ourselves by studying and living the Bible and trusting, through the work of Jesus on the cross, that God will help us and spare us from what He has planned for Satan and his followers if we truly want to be His followers.

3-10-2024.  Proverbs 8:1-12.  A Fuller Picture of Wisdom Begins.

            Last week we finished looking at how we can be easily convinced to believe false teachings.  This was done by using the lure and excitement by an illicit woman. Chapter 8 shows us the opposite side of that trap and is personified using the concept of Wisdom while again applying a female face to it.  Wisdom is what is gain by studying, learning, and living God's Word.  We are being shown how seeking true wisdom can be just as rewarding as seeking false wisdom; but the final outcome is better.

8:1-3:  Introduces Lady Wisdom emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is found at any time in our life always ready to show us how to live by God's Word.

8:4-5:  Shows that the voice of Wisdom is available to the young and old alike.  The Bible is difficult to understand, and it requires time to study its true meaning.  Those who don't want to take the needed time to understand and study it are referred to here as 'simple' people.

8:6-9:  Tells us that the Wisdom of God's Word is excellent, right, and true.  It is the only standard for mortality and righteousness.  And it is understandable to those who truly want to know Biblical Knowledge that comes from God.

8:10-12:  The Wisdom of God's Word is more valuable than silver and gold and can't compare to anything that the world sees as desirable.  The phrase 'witty inventions' in verse 12 refers to the questions in life that non-believers have but can't find the answers, such as where did man come from or what happens when we die?  All such answers can be found in the Bible but only for those who have the heart to look for them.

03-17-2024.  Proverbs 8:14-21.  The Truth of Wisdom.

8:13-14:  God's Word -- or Wisdom -- shows us that evil is what God hates and it is not and never can be not part of Him.  He alone shows us what is right, good and strong in how we live.  We should never be swayed by false teachers.

8:15-16:  The world would like us to believe that those who believe in and study the Bible are simple minded and are looking for a crutch to get them through life.  This is the truth:  God still rules the world, and His Word will stand forever.

8:17-19:  God promises here that if anyone looks to know and understand His Word, He will guarantee that they will find the wisdom that He wants to share with them.  The riches that can be found by knowing and living by His Word are durable and will not pass away like gold and silver.

8:20-21:  Only the Bible will show us the way of righteousness and the paths to judgment.  The past to success, honor, durable riches, righteousness and judgment is all found in the treasure house of the Bible.

03-24-2024.  Proverbs 8:22-31.  Wisdom is Everlasting.

8:22-27:  God tells us that Wisdom is primary and fundamental part of the foundation on which all of life is built upon.  The truth is that the Word of God didn't come about as a result of His creation, but in fact, is the cause of His Creation. With His word, God created the earth and all that is in it.  Then, when it was ready, man was added -- and Jesus was there with Him.

8:28-29:  Reinforces how all this was done by the Word of God.

8:30-31:  These verses speak about Christ, who is wisdom, the word, and was with God before the beginning of our world.

            God and Jesus preceded the creation of earth and man, so they are both woven into every particle of the creation of earth and the life that lives here.  Without them we would not exist.  We can take comfort from that because the Wisdom of our Lord and Savior will stand for all eternity and will never change. 

03-31-2024.  Proverbs 8:32-36.  Invitation to Seek Wisdom

            Here we are being told to listen, accept, and live by the wisdom offered to us by the Word of God.

8:32:  We have a choice  of choosing the ways of the world that are really the ways of Satan or choosing Gods ways that are found in His Word.

8:33:  The wise are those who accept the instruction offered and the unwise are those who reject the instruction.

8:34:  The wisdom of God will not be forced upon anyone.  It is a choice that all  must make on their own.

8:35:  Those who choose God's way will find life in the Lord God, will be blessed and will become part of His plans for them. 

8:36:  Those who choose Satan's way will condemn their own soul to an eternity with Satan.

04-07-2024.  Proverbs 9:1-12.   Invitation to Wisdom's Banquet.

            Again, in chapter 9 we will see Wisdom and Foolishness portrayed as rival young women, each preparing a feast and inviting people to it.  Tod 9:1-9ay, we will see Wisdom is a responsible woman of character while later we will see Foolishness is as a prostitute.

9:1:  We start out with Wisdom, building her house from seven pillars.  Seven is God's number of perfection, totality, completion, and universality.  Wisdom's house  is the same Church for all mankind.

9:2:  The killed beasts are the required animal sacrifices before the Cross.  Mingled wine is the joy that comes as a result of salvation.  The furnished table symbolizes that all our needs are provided for with Wisdom.

9:3:  The handmaidens represent those sent as missionaries throughout the world. Using every means possible to get out the Gospel.

9:4-6:  These verses present  the invitation of Wisdom to the lost, in comparison to the invitation extended by the 'strange woman' of Chapter 7.  The bread and wine are a foretelling of the broken body and shed blood of  Jesus on the Cross.  We must turn a deaf ear to the strange woman and go the way of truth understanding, which is God's Word -- our Bible.

9:7-12:  Lady Wisdom asks us if we are mockers -- those who ridicule others -- or wise people.  You can tell by the way you respond to criticism  Instead of replying with quick put downs or clever retorts when reprimanded, listen to what others tell you.  Learn from those who correct you as this is the path to wisdom.  Ignore the initial sting of embarrassment and look for helpful ideas.  Wisdom begins with getting to know God.  He gives insight into how we should live because he created life.  To know God means more than just knowing the facts about Him.  We must respect His mighty power and cultivate a relationship with Him.

04-14-2024.  Proverbs 9:13-18.  Avoid False Teachers at All Cost.

9:13-1:  The "foolish woman" is similar to the "strange woman" that we saw in chapter 7:5 and is compared to a prostitute.

9:14-17:  Why a prostitute?  Because wickedness has a hypnotic and intoxicating quality that can be very attractive.  Sinful behavior seems more exciting than the disciplines of the Christian life.  But the thing is, one sin leads us to sin more.  That's why many people put aside all thoughts of Wisdom's sumptuous banquet shown to us chapter 9:1-5 and instead, eat the stolen food of foolishness.  We have to be careful not to be deceived by the false teaching of those who want to pull us away from our faith.  Sin corrupts and destroys.  Before giving in to any temptation to do that which we know in our hearts to be wrong, we have to take a long look at what the consequences will be. 

9:18:  As this verse tells us, the guests of the one prostituting our faith will end up in Hell.

            Now that we have been schooled in the difference between false teaches and the wisdom of God's truth, when we move into Chapter 10, we will see the short sayings, known as proverbs, that cover a wide range of topics to show us how to live for God.

04-21-2024.  Proverbs 10:1-8.  The Proverbs of Solomon.

10:1.  The wise child follows the Word of God and pleases both his earthly father and his Heavenly Father.

10:2.  Some people bring unhappiness upon themselves by going for a fast return.  But craving instant gratification can destroy their chances of ever achieving true happiness.

10:3.  As Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live Godly, righteous lives.

10:4.  This proverb doesn't allow us to ignore the poor as lazy.  Lack of effort and refusal to work will lead to poverty.  But poverty can occur due to sickness, death, injustice or other tragedies.  No matter the cause, those with means to help others in need have a duty to respond with compassion.

10:5.  This is a proverb of diligence.  Each day presents opportunities to grow, serve and be productive, yet we waste time .  Refuse to be a lazy person, wasting the hours meant for productive work.  See time as God's gift and seize opportunities.

10:6-7.  These verses tell us that a righteous person is a fountain of blessing to society, but an unrighteous person is a source of injury, even though he tries to hide the fact with deceitful words.

10:8.  The wise follow the Word of God whereas the chattering fool will become lost.

04-28-2024.  Proverbs 10:9-16.  Solomon's Proverbs Continued.

10:9.  Live life with integrity and you will be trusted.  A life without integrity will make you an outcast.

10:10.  In many parts of the world "to wink with the eye" is a way of signaling a bride to a judge or society in general.  Those who behave this way  are fools.

10:11.  The only acceptable kind of life is the one given to us by Jesus.  Living as He wants us to live makes us a blessing to others.  To live otherwise lands us among the wicked.

10:12.  Ungodly people love to stir up trouble and call out the faults of others while ignoring their own shows their hearts are filled with hatred.  But loving others as Jesus commands us to do, shows a heart that is filled by the love of Jesus and is forgiven of their sin. 

10:13.  Those who believe and understand the Bible will have wisdom.   Those who refuse to will eventually be punished by God.

10:14.  Those who truly know the Bible will not repeat the negative things they hear about others; whereas the fool will not hesitate to spread negativity about others every chance they get happily causing hurt  and dissention.

10:15.  In order to accumulate more and increase their wealth, the rich and powerful will often end up destroying the lives of the poor without caring about the result of their actions.

10:16.  The Holy Spirit teaches us how God wants us to live as well as how He doesn't want us to live.  Living how God wants us to will result in eternal life.  Living an unrighteous life will result in death. 

05-12-2024.  Proverbs 10:19-24.  Solomon's Proverbs Continued.

10:17.  The way of life spoken here refers to the Bible which instructs us how to live.   We will make mistakes and perhaps be punished by God.  To ignore the lessons of punishment is a mistake for us and misleads those who look to us for guidance.

10:18.  Concealing our hatred for others makes us hypocrites because we are to love one another.  If we spread gossip, we are fools in God's eyes. 

10:19.  Sin can't be covered up by talking our way out of it especially when we are gossiping about other people.

10:20.  The righteous are quick to hear but slow to speak;  thinking of  appropriate response.  The unrighteous will waste no time in responding with words of little value.

10:21.  The words of the righteous will bless those who hear them whereas the words unrighteous will bring result in their death.

10:22.  Those who ignore the Word of God may  be blessed for a period of time, but eventually they will pay the price with eternity in Hell.

10:23.  Anyone who doesn't know the Word of God will end up doing a great deal of harm to themselves and those who listen to them and take pleasure in doing it.

10:24.  Wickedness carries its own fear, but righteousness takes away all fear.

05-19-2024.  Proverbs 10:25-32.  Solomon’s Proverbs Continued

10:25:  This is the same message Jesus gave in Matthew 7:24-27 when He spoke of the wise man building his house on the rock and foolish man building his house on the sand.  There will come a time when sin will be no more and only the righteous will live for eternity.

10:26:  The Holy Spirit labels who reject the truth of God's word as sluggard which is inactive or lazy.  They will ultimately prove no good to those who associate with them.

10:27-28:  Respecting the Lord, accepting His plan for us through Jesus, and living for Him will result in a happy eternal life whereas those who reject God will live eternally in Hell.

10:29-30:  These two verses point to the time of the Kingdom Age after the Second Coming.  Those who choose to live for God will live happily for eternity those who don't chose God will be removed from the earth to face eternity in Hell.

10:31-32:  The "forward tongue" refers to the tongue of the wicked and that everything they speak of will eventually pass away.  Those who live by God's truth have His wisdom, know His Word and live by it.

            So even 1000 years before Jesus was born, the message of God was the same as what He brought with Him.  God's wisdom gives righteousness and eternal life in paradise and those who reject God for the ways of Satan are damned to an eternal life in Hell.

05-26-2024.  Proverbs 11:1-10.  Solomon Continued

            This reading puts focus on character in different contexts. 

11:1:  This verse is about honesty in business.  When dishonesty prevails, injustice, dishonesty, and cruelty would become the norm.  This tends to hurt the poor and less fortunate the most.  Fraud in business is an abomination in God's sight. 

11:2:  Pride is dangerous because it will lead to disgrace, but when we live a humble life, we become an example to others and please God.

11:3:  When we live a life of integrity based in God's standards we please Him.  Those who choose otherwise and live by deceit, eventually they will be destroyed.

11:4:  Many spend their lives working very hard for all the money they can get but wealth is worthless when we stand before God on the day of judgment.

11:5:  In this verse 'perfect' means blameless.  Those who live by God's righteousness will remain close to Him, whereas those who reject God's righteousness will be brought down by their own wickedness.

11:6:  This verse speaks of two types of righteousness:  that which comes from God and is given to believers upon acceptance of Jesus into their lives; then there is the self-righteousness of unbelievers which will never be accepted by God, leading to their destruction.

11:7-8:  These two verses contrast two paths in life but are not intended to apply universally to all people in all circumstances. God's people are not exempt from problems or struggles.  Those who follow God's path can be rescued from trouble.  Those who reject God's path will fall into their own traps with no help available to them.  When God's people suffer, they have assurance they will eventually be rescued from eternal pain and death, living with God for eternity.

11:9:  Words can be used as weapons to destroy  or tools to heal and rebuild.  Sadly, there is more use of words to destroy than to heal in this world. Our words have meaning, and we can choose to use them as a way to destroy or to build others up.

11:10.  When righteous people prevail and prosper everyone around them reaps the benefits.  The opposite is true when the wicked prevail and prosper, which is why people are happy when they fail and die out.

06-01-2024.  Proverbs 11:11-20.  The Proverbs of Solomon.

11:11.  Sadly in today's world, those with Godly views and beliefs in government at all levels are too often ignored or ridiculed by those with ungodly beliefs.  

11:12.  The relationship between neighbors is always tricky.  You want to be a good neighbor and keep the peace, but you also don't want to be taken advantage of.  Solomon is telling us that keeping the peace in these situations is easier for the righteous because they have the wisdom found in the Bible to guide them.

11:13.  A Talebearer is what today we call Gossip.  One of the goals of Gossips is to reveal secrets. People who behave this way will always bring pain and  upheaval to any relationship.  As Christians we must resist this kind of behavior.

11:14.  A good leader needs and uses many wise advisors. The advice of only one other person usually lacks different perspectives and all the available information.  To be a truly wise leader at home, church or work, we should always be open to the advice of others then make decisions relying on the advice that most closely aligns to what we know of how we are to live and behave based on God's word.

11:15.  Surety is an act of extending security against loss or damage for the payment of a bill or other type of obligation.  The reference to a stranger is someone who is untruthful and also ungodly people.  So, we must be careful when we extend 'surety' to people before ensuring that such an act won't come back to hurt us. 

11:16.  Addresses two thing:  a woman with grace and men who have strength.  Both of these traits are given us by God and should be used with Him in mind.

11:17.  Tells us that the condition of our hearts affects our overall physical health.  When we let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with kindness and mercy toward others, we will be better off physically.  Those who do not have the Holy Spirit guiding and shaping them will often have many physical ailments.

11:18.  So much of the sorrow and sadness in the world is because too many people are guided by the acts of Satan and will eventually be punished.  Godly people will work to provide help and happiness to those around them and as such will ultimately be rewarded for all they do.

11:19.  Reinforces that the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life with God and those who reject God will be banished with Satan for eternity.

11:20.  The word 'forward' in this verse refers to those who constantly oppose the will of God.  Such people are an abomination to Him; whereas those who seek to do His will are a delight to Him.  We all choose which way we want to be.

06-08-2024.  Proverbs 11:21-31.  Contrasting the Righteous and Wicked.

11:21.  No matter how strong the wicked may seem, they cannot avoid the coming punishment.  Their day will come, and it will be with Satan not in Heaven with Jesus. 

11:22.  The world is obsessed with physical attractiveness.  But that is external.  True beauty comes from within and has the character and qualities that come from God,

11:23.  More contrast between the righteous and the wicked.  Desire is felt by both.  But the outcomes of the righteous are good whereas the wicked are bad.

11:24-25.  These verses are a paradox.  How can we become richer by generous?  When you give you get and when you keep you lose.  Other meanings:  It is better to give than receive.  Righteous people are giving and the wicked gather only for themselves.  But eventually the wicked are the losers.  In verse 25 the liberal souls belong to those who scatter or give liberally.  These are Godly people and not false or deceitful people.

11:26.  Speaks of individuals who take advantage of the needy by increasing prices regardless of the hardships it causes. 

11:27.  Righteous people that look for the good in others will be rewarded.  Those who look for the bad will find it and may also be stung by it.

11:28.  Describes those who trust in God as a beautiful branch that continues to grow and flower but those  themselves and what they have will lose.

11:29.  Family is one of the greatest resources God give us because ideally that is where we find acceptance, encouragement, discipline and wise counsel.  Anyone who brings trouble to the family is foolish because it cuts them off from the good that they can receive.  We should always work for healing, communication, and understanding in our family.

11:30.  Leading people to God is important because it keeps us in touch with Him while also offering eternal life to others.  Receiving God's wisdom is the first step in influencing others to have faith in God.

11:31.  Reminder that no one sins and gets away with it.  God's justice and holiness ensures that all will eventually be made right.  The Godly will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished.  Even those who know God should never think that they can do something bad and get away with it.  All will reap what they sow.

06-16-2024.  Proverbs 12:1-9.  Contrasting the Foolish and the Wise.

12:1.  All the schooling available won't help those who don't want to learn.  There is no end to what you can learn if you are open to being taught.  It requires discipline, correction and a willingness to learn from the wisdom of others.  Refusing constructive criticism is nothing more than pride and will limit your ability to learn.

12:2.  Speaks clear and concise that good people are favored by God but the wicked are condemned by Him. But the goodness is that which only comes from God and not the things that the world sees as good.

12:3.  Real stability and success in this life comes only to those who do right in God's sight even though it seems that the ungodly enjoy great success.  Success for Godly people include a joyful eternal life whereas those who cheat, lie and steal to gain success will be rewarded with eternity in turmoil with Satan.

12:4.  Solomon speaks of the effects of good and bad wives, but the truth is it applies to husbands, children, and all people in the world. The effects of the good and bad are always the same.

12:5-6.  It has been said these verses wrap up the troubles of the entire world.  There are precious few that are righteous as compared with those who are deceitful.  If the numbers were reversed, this world would be a much better place. Upright people are those who benefit society whereas those who are wicked and deceitful destroy it.

12:7.  The house of righteousness refers the same story the Jesus talked about concerning those  who built their houses on the rock and the sand.  Put your faith and trust in the triune God and you will stand forever with Him.

12:8-9.  Another contrast between the wisdom of God and the world.  The wisdom gained from the Word of God is far better than that gained by those with evil in their hearts.  God despises those who ignore His Word.

06-23-2024.  Proverbs 12:10-18.  Contrasting the Righteous and the Wicked.

12:10.  Wise people care for their animals whereas the wicked are cruel to them.

12:11.  Honest labor brings prosperity whereas a poor work ethic promotes vanity and lacks understanding about living.

12:12.  Those who are wicked want to drag more people into their world but when your roots are anchored in righteousness, you can resist the pull of those who are evil.

12:13.  Wicked people become trapped by their evil ways, twisting facts to support their claims.  Living a life grounded in God's truth leads to a life of confidence and peace.

12:14.  Righteous people show it by how they conduct themselves because it comes from the wisdom they find in God's Word

12:15.  Wicked people are right only in their own eyes, but righteous people will look for and listen to wise advice.

12:16.  Evil people are easily offended and will quickly show their anger, which solves nothing.  Righteous people remain calm and respond in a more thoughtful manner that will have more positive results.

12:17-18.  Righteous people will always be truthful and use their words carefully to bring about healing.  But the words of evil people cut like knives, and they think nothing of lying to suit their own purposes.

06-30-2024.  Proverbs 12:19-28.  Contrasting Righteousness and Wickedness Continued.

12:19.  All that is true will last forever but lies and falsehood last only as long as the next lie is told.

12:20.  Those with evil hearts will always deceive others.  Deception is Satan's greatest tool.  Those who have joy in their hearts because of God will bring peace when and where they can.

12:21.  Those who have the wisdom of God within them will never be destroyed by evil even though the wicked will try to undermine their faith and trust by causing turmoil when they can.

12:22.  Knowing and living God's truth delights Him but He detests those who ignore His truth.

12:23.  Wise people will often conceal God's truth because they know it will have no effect on the fools that that refuse to hear it.

12:24.  This speaks of work ethics.  Those who adhere to the Bible will have a strong work ethic and prosper because of it.  Those without the Bible as part of their life will not prosper and may end up in debt.

12:25.  When you have God's word in your heart, you can get through anything.  Those who don't will be crushed by life's difficult events.

12:26.  Wicked people will deceive everyone whereas righteous people will bring joy and blessings to everyone they meet.

12:27.  People who  make their living using deceit contribute nothing to the community whereas Godly people will use their resources to help and heal wherever they see a need.

12:28.  Only those who choose a righteous life through Jesus Christ will have eternal life.

07-07-2024.  Proverbs 13:1-8.  Proverbs of Temporal and Eternal God

13:1.  Constructive criticism by the wise is always needed.  Those without wisdom mock the instruction and continue in their wrongful ways.

13:2.  People who are faithful and have good hearts will enjoy good things but those who don't have faith will have an appetite for evil and violence.

13:3.  Words can cut and destroy.  Those who live by the Word of God will think before they speak whereas those who chose not to will hurt and deceive many times over.

13:4.  This is another example of work ethic.  Those who are lazy will never have much of whatever it is they may want.  But those who work hard and are honest will receive many blessings.

13:5.  Righteous people don't lie, nor do they accept it.  Those who are controlled by Satan will lie and cheat in everything they do and say making them hated by all who know them.

13:6.  While not perfect righteous people try to live good lives.  While they will make mistakes, God's righteousness is like a guard around showing them that what they let in and out of their hearts helps them to be Godly people.  Evil inhabits the hearts of those who reject God and His righteousness have no remorse for their ungodly lives.

13:7.  Having money isn't a sin.  What is wrong is when those who have a lot of money are selfish with it and only use it for their own pleasures.  This makes them poor in the eyes of God. Those who use what comes to them to help and bless others makes them rich beyond measure.

13:8.  Hoarding great wealth turns it into a kind of ransom because it makes those who have a target of many people who only want something from them.  Those without great wealth don't have such problems.

07-14-2024.  Proverbs 13:9-17.  Proverbs of the Temporal and Eternal God Continued.

13:9.  When we live a righteous life, we have light which means happiness and joy.  Those that don't live righteously have no happiness.

13:10.  Pride will always cause conflict and divide people.  Humility, the opposite of pride, heals.  Be open to advice, ask for help when needed and admit your mistakes.  These actions keep pride in check.

13:11.  Money made honestly benefits society but when its made by gambling, crime, or any other means, it's nothing more than vanity and useless to the community.

13:12.  When we hope for things that are outside of God's Will, they will only cause us pain, but when we put our faith in the promises of God, we are sustained until they are realized.

13:13.  God is the only answer to all the problems in the world and its people.  His Word, our Bible, is our "owner's manual" giving us all the answers we need to live a life of purpose and peace.

13:14.  The wise are those who have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and the Word of God is their fountain of life.  Those who ignore God and His Word face an eternity with Satan.

13:15.  Those who ignore the Word of God will have a hard life.

13:16.  True knowledge comes from the Bible.  Wise people live by this knowledge but those who chose not to are fools.

13:17.  Those who are faithful to God's Word offer good news.  The unfaithful offer only trouble.

07-21-2024.  Proverbs 13:18-25.  Proverbs of the Temporal and Eternal God.

13:18.  If we disregard constructive criticism we will suffer shame.  But when we listen, learn, and use it  we will be better off.  This applies to what we learn from studying our Bible and listening to teachers in all aspects of our life.

13:19.  We feel good when we achieve worthwhile goals, but not all goals are worthwhile in the sight of God.  We must be careful that our wants and desires don't pull us away from the will of God for our lives otherwise, if they are achieved, it could cause more trouble than we ever realized.

13:20.   Our friends and associates affect us, sometime profoundly for good or bad.  As Christians we must be careful who we choose to be around.  When we spend time with the people that bring out the best in us, we are likely to grow in character for the better.

13:21.  Because Satan is in currently in control of this world, his minions will look for those who are the weakest in terms of belief and trust in God.  We always have to be strong and resist the evil and ungodly things of the world.  When we do this, we will be rewarded.

13:22.  Godly people leave good examples for others even after they are gone.  God will treat those who are ungodly, or evil will the same way they lived when this life is finished.

13:23.  This isn't a blaming of the poor.  It speaks of how an unjust society can victimize those who are poor by unjust behavior on the part of those with power over them.  Christians should work to fight injustice in society wherever it is found and look for ways to help those who are less fortunate and have needs. 

13:24.  No parent likes to discipline their children, but it's necessary for their growth and development into good and self-sufficient adults. Sadly, today too many parents don't discipline and instead want to be 'friends' with their kids which does them no good when they grow to adulthood.

13:25.  Godly people are content with moderate wants desires and pleased with their lot in life.  With the ungodly, no matter how much they have, it is never enough, they are never satisfied and will stop at  nothing to satisfy their desire to get more.

7-28-2024.  Proverbs 14:1-12  The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

14:1.  House in this verse is not an actual building but rather a household community where members are urged to follow God's wisdom as those who don't will not be contributing members of the community.

14:2.   Once again we see a contrast between those who follow God's Word and those who don't.  To fear the Lord doesn't imply we are to be afraid of Him but rather respect and trust Him believing He has our best interests in store for us.

14:3.  Pride is the foundation of all sin and unbelief and those who live by it are fools whereas those who have faith and trust in God are wise but also humble causing them to have favor with God.

14:4.  A modern version of this proverb is that 'you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.'  If there is activity, there's going to be some untidiness but there will also be prosperity.  We are also reminded that we are to help and serve others as best we can.

14:5.  People aren't liars because they lie, they lie because they are liars.  God fearing people resist this tendency of our sinful nature.

14:6.  We all know people who resist advice or instructions because they think they know it all, yet they always seem to have problems.  This relates back to pride.  God-fearing people put pride aside and take all the help they can get.

14:7.  We are to stay away from people who openly resist and ridicule the Godly life because they are fools and will come to a bad end.

14:8.  The only way that we can "understand our way" is to know what the Bible teaches us.  This is what gives us the wisdom needed to live a good life.  Those who ignore this wisdom are fools.

14:9.  The lack of civility in society today is at an epidemic level.  But it is a common bond among the Godly.  They admit their shortcomings and think the best of others, they have good motives and try to always do what's right.  The challenge comes when we encounter uncivil people and feel our anger starts to boil, instead think of how we can temper the situation.

14:10.  This pertains to Godly people.  All of us have things that cause bitterness in our lives but there is more that brings us joy and happiness.  Strangers to God and His ways will never understand how to accept the bitterness and allow the joy of God to overcome it.

14:11.  Life on earth for God's children is like a nomadic journey because this world isn't our home.  Instead, we are looking and waiting for a place whose Builder and Maker is God.  Those who don't will end up in eternal despair.

14:12.  Situations often give us many choices.  Some require sacrifices other may not.  But this is a warning to rethink easy choices.  The right choice often requires courage, hard work and self-sacrifice.  We have to watch out for shortcuts that seem good but will cause further problems and perhaps end in spiritual death.

08-04-2024.  Proverbs 14:13-24.  The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

14:13.  This verse is telling us that it may appear that there are many ways to obtain salvation which may bring us temporary happiness.  But accepting Jesus is the only way for that happiness to remain for all eternity.  That temporary happiness will turn to eternal grief.

14:14.  Christians who backslide and commit sins have already made that decision in their heart before committing the act of sin.  We must quickly ask forgiveness and make needed changes in our hearts when this occurs.

14:15.  The "simple" are those who believe every word they hear except the Word of God.  The "prudent" are those who are called through the Holy Spirit to continually read and study the Word of God.

14:16.  Those who respect and trust God and live by His Word avoiding the evil things of this world.  Those who don't are hotheaded and enjoy their life of evil.

14:17.  Those who are quickly angered will always deal with the situation foolishly,  those with cooler heads will wait to decide what to do.  But all those with cooler heads are not Godly, they may just be scheming for their own personal gain.

14:18.  This is not a restatement of verse 15, it’s the Holy Spirit reminding us to understand that those who don't believe the Bible are simple irrespective of their level of formal education.

14:19.  Good will ultimately triumph over evil even though it might seem impossible as we look around at the world we live in today.

14:20.  This is a reminder that the Christian walk is not easy.  Isaiah tells us that even Jesus was despised and hated by most of the people.  The same will happen to all believers.  But it will be worth it in the end.

14:21.  No matter how others treat us we are not to hate them.  And we are always to look for ways to help those who are in need.

14:22.  All those without God choose to live an evil life and will pay the consequences. Those who choose God will live by mercy and truth and be richly rewarded.

14:23.  All work brings a profit, but those who just talk about working hard will not see any profit or results.

14:24.   Wealth doesn't  make the fool -- one without God -- stop being a fool.  Eventually their wealth will be lost.  Those who are wise -- live as God would have them live -- will receive their wealth in eternity never to be lost.

08-11-2024.  Proverbs 14:25-35.  The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

14:25.  True witnesses of Christ follow the Bible and use it's teachings to help others whereas false witnesses injecting modern beliefs lead others to destruction.

14:26-27.  Fear of the Lord means we respect Him and do our best to live by the teachings of the Bible.  This is the foundation of righteousness that is necessary in the Christian life. It also is what will prepare us for eternity in Heaven.  We are to love, serve, and follow Jesus and what we are taught by His example.

14:28.  The 'king' is a reference to Jesus who at the moment doesn't have 'the multitude' on His side.  But that will change in the Kingdom Age when all people will worship and serve Him.

14:29.  Those who have a quick temper can be like an out of control fire.  It's also a display of pride, selfishness, and a lack of trust in God.  Being 'slow to wrath' is an example of those who are understanding and depends on God rather than themselves.  God will help us to control our anger and allow us to conquer selfish anger through humility and repentance.

14:30.  A sound heart is one that is one that is right with God; without envy, jealousy, pride, malice, greed, or hatred and will lead us to eternal life with God.  A heart that not right with God will 'rot the bones' or lead to eternal damnation.

14:31.  Most of the world despises and even helps to oppress the poor.  This kind of behavior shows contempt for God. He has a special concern for them and expects us to be generous and help them to the best of our ability.

14:32-33.  Those who reject God and what he teaches will be driven to destruction and will openly live a life of evil.  Those who accept God as Lord of their life live with the promise of a future with Him but will not display their knowledge of God in a proud or superior way.

14:34.  Biblical principles makes a nation great.  Basically, much Bible = much freedom whereas no Bible = no freedom.  Sadly, we are heading more and more toward no Bible.

14:35.  Those who choose to serve God will always be in His favor, but His wrath will be shown to those who choose to reject Him.

8-18-2024.  Proverbs15:1-11. Contrasting Righteous and Wicked

15:1.  Discussions using loud harsh language quickly gets out of control and leads to more anger. Calm gentle language  curbs anger

15:2.  The wise are those who know their Bible and speak with wisdom. Those who don't speak with foolishness.

15:3.  The Omnipresence of God sees everything.  No one can hide from His eyes.

15:4.  The Christian speech is a tree of life whereas unchristian speech crushes the spirit.

15:5.  Those who despise parental discipline are fools but those who accept it are wise.

15:6.  The house of the righteous are overflowing with God's treasures but the wicked only find trouble.

15:7.  The righteous including spread knowledge but the unrighteous spread the evil that is in their hearts

15:8-10. God detests the chosen life of the wicked but loves those who follow in His ways.

And warns of the punishment that awaits those who reject God.

15:11.  This is similar to verse 3 indicating that God knows of the Hell and destruction that awaits the wicked.  Again, there is a warning that God knows the hearts of all people.  No one - good and evil -- can hide their hearts from Him.

08-25-2024.  Proverbs 15:12-22.  Contrasts Between Righteous and Wicked.

15:12.  Those who mock others resent being corrected by those who know more than they do because they think they know more than they do.

15:13.  When people are happy it shows on their face but when they are facing heartbreak, their whole body shows it.

15:14.  We have to be careful of what we use to feed our minds because it's more important than what we feed our bodies.  Books, people we talk with, websites, music, and videos are all part of our mental diet, and we should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in all these areas.

15:15.  Attitudes color the personality.  We can choose what our attitudes are toward each situation we face.  The secret to a cheerful heart is filling you mind with God's Word, focusing on the good things He has for us.

15:16.  Life is better for those with the fear of God in our hearts than for those with great wealth but no God.

15:17-19.  The path of the righteous isn't always easy but the path of the unrighteous will be filled with hatred, anger, dissention, and laziness that leads to problems the righteous don't have to face because they travel an even road built on the solid foundation of God.

15:20.  Wise children honor their parents whereas the foolish despise them.

15:21.  Understanding is happiness to the righteous but the unrighteous are fools. 

15:22.  People locked in one way of thinking will miss out on many possibilities and opportunities because their minds are closed.  We should always seek the advice of trusted counselors, so we don't miss out on other possibilities and opportunities that are open to us.

09-01-2024.  Proverbs 15:23-33.  Difference between Righteous and Wicked.

15:23.  We find joy in giving the right advice at the right time and the best source of our knowledge for advice is God's Word.

15:24.  The path of a Christian life leads to eternity in Heaven and spares us from eternity in Hell.

15:25.  The widow is a symbol of those who are humble. and it is the humble that God will watch over and praise as opposed to those who are full of pride.

15:26. God detests the thoughts and words of the wicked.  Pleasant thoughts and words come from knowledge of the Bible and are pure in God's sight.

15:27.  Money is the route of all evil and greed only brings trouble to households and the inhabitants. The righteous rely on God to provide for all their needs.

15:28.  This expands on verse 23. The righteous fill their hearts and minds with the Bible in order to know what God says about any question.   Those who ignore the Bible spout dangerous and often times evils answers to questions.

15:29.  This is a confirmation that God will always hear and answer the prayers of His children.

15:30.  The light in the eyes of Godly messengers shows the happiness they have in their hearts and what they have to offer is good for the body as well.

15:31-32.  The "reproof of life" is the instructions found in Word of God.  Those who hear follow it are wise but those who ignore it despise themselves.

15:33.  Humility is the foundation of Christian life and shows that we respect and honor God.  This is the kind of life that Jesus showed us, and we are to follow His example.

09-08-2024.  Proverbs 16:1-11.  The Fear of the Lord and Obedience.

            Chapters 10 to 15 affect our relationships with other people.  Chapters 16 through 19 are about our relationship with God.

16:1.  This is a reminder to us that God control the final outcome of all the plans we make. 

We are to coordinate our efforts with God’s control.  God gives us free will to plan and work out details because He wants us to use our minds, to seek the advice of others, and to plan  But He delivers the final results.  Good planning seeks God’s desires and leads to our acting His way. Live for Him, asking for His guidance while planning and then trusting Him as we act out our plan.

16:2.  People can rationalize anything if they have no clear standards for judging good and evil.  Before putting any plan into action ask if it is in harmony with God’s truth and if your attitude is pleasing to God.

16:3.  We must trust God as if everything depended on Him, while working as if everything depended on us.  Give everything we do over to God’s control letting Him guide us down the right path and always doing our best to please Him from start to finish.  This is how we walk in the spirit.

16:4.  This doesn’t mean God created some people to be evil.  But that He uses even the activities of wicked people to fulfill His good purposes.  No matter how smart we think we are, we will never be able to understand God completely.  But we can accept by faith that He is all powerful, all loving and perfectly god because we know He doesn’t cause evil.  We can also be confident that there are no loose ends in His system of justice and that one day, He will destroy all evil.

16:5.  Pride is the inner voice telling us that we can do things without or better than God.  We must never overplay our own abilities and contributions.  Letting go of pride allows God to help us  become the best we can be.

16:6.  God’s truth, love, and mercy prepared a way through the Cross to atone for our sin allowing it to be removed from us so we could be restored to His family.  For that we should fear - respect Him and run from the evil of this world.

16:7.  It’s human nature to want people to like us.  But God wats us to put our energy into pleasing Him first.  Our efforts to make peace will be appealing to those around us, even if they are against us.  If it doesn’t happen, we are still pleasing God by trying.

16:8.  This calls attention to the fact that little is much when God is in it.  The payoff of our effort doesn’t always have to be huge if we are working with God’s help.

16:9.  This relates back to verse 1.  We should never do anything without relying on God’s help.  Regardless of possible dangers, God will make sure we are safe.

16:10.  This speaks to  kings or magistrates of any nature using the Bible as the guide for all judgment.

16:11.  When we buy, sell, make products or offer a service, we know what is fare and honest and what isn’t.  We must resist pressure to be dishonest in order to advance ourselves or increase our profit.  We must avoid the middle ground when it comes to right and wrong.  God demands honesty in every business transaction, and God requires that we be honest, trustworthy, and loving in all that we do.  Never hesitate to ask Him for the ability to be honest and fair.

09-15-2024.  Proverbs 16:12-22.  Respect and Obedience to the Lord.

            Solomon is teaching about the foolishness of pride, particularly as it relates to wealth.  It is ultimately self-destructive, and we must always choose the wisdom of God over what the world offers.

16:12-16.  All speak of the danger leaders who use bribery, deceit as they govern or to get ahead.  Their actions negatively affect all those who they lead.  Trusted advisers can help keep them on a straight path but the best path for them is to follow the wisdom of God.  Sadly, most regardless of their position, will spend most of their time and efforts chasing wealth rather than following the Word of God.

16:18-19. This is a pretty well-known proverb.  Those consumed with pride think they are better and smarter than others but sadly, their pride keeps them from anticipating potential stumbling blocks which ultimately lead to their fall.  Christians are to always be humble as Jesus showed us during His time on earth.  Soloman is telling us that when we listen to the Word of God, we will always find good and ultimately be happy.

16:21-22.  To be prudent is to exercise discretion in practical affairs and be careful in providing for the future.  When we know the Word of God and use it in all aspects of our life we are able to do everything in ways that will please God and make ourselves happier and more secure in our future.

9-22-2024.  Proverbs 16:23-33. Respect and Obedience to the Lord.

16:23-24.  Wisdom learned from the Bible allows us to live and teach the things of God that really matter.  When we use God’s word to guide our speech we can bring calm to hurting souls

16:25-27.  People who live without God may think they are doing right but in the end it will lead to eternal death.  They think selfishly and behave in ways that are ungodly and even evil.

16:28-30.  Wicked, ungodly people are always looking to cause trouble.  They will look for ways to cause conflict and try to tear people apart by doing so.  They turn a blind eye to the destruction they cause.

16:31.  A ‘hoary head’ is a head of gray hair.  And God see’s it as a crown of glory if it comes from a life of righteousness.

16:32.  A patient spirit is better than a warrior spirit.  Self-control allows great things to be accomplished.

16:33.  We face many decisions in life.  When making them we outcomes will be better when we use the wisdom of God to guide us.

10-06-2024.  Proverbs 17:1-20.  Good and Evil Speech.

17:1.  Poverty with peace and contentment is better than being well off with conflict.

17:2.  Regardless of  your status in life, God will elevate all those who follow Him and live by the wisdom of the Bible.

17:3.  Silver and gold are precious because they are put in the furnace to remove impurities.  Believers will have to go through the heat of trials to remove moral and spiritual impurities.

17:4.  Those who listen to the gossip of liars become liars as the pass on the gossip of other liars.

17:5.  Those who take advantage of the poor will be punished by God.

17:6.  Grandchildren are the happiest thing in the life of the grandparent.

17:7.  Godless princes and fools can easily lie. 

17:8.  When we thank the Lord for the gifts He gives us then use them for His honor and glory.

17:9.  Forgiving faults and overlooking offenses will build and restore relationships

17:10.  A wise person will take a mild scolding to heart and correct the situation.

17:11.  Those who foster rebellion against righteousness will eventually face death.

17:12.  It’s better to encounter a bear that has lost her cubs then to become entangled with a fool who has no regard for the Bible as the Word of God or it’s contents.

17:13.  We can never reward evil as though it was good.  God will not allow that.  But He will forgive evil when it is left behind and the heart is changed.

17:14.  Starting a fight is like a crack in a dam.  It’s best to settle disagreements before they cause big problems.

17:15.  Dismissing the guilty while condemning the innocent is an abomination to God.

17:16.  A ‘fool’ is one who does not know God and ignores is Word.  They are incapable of understanding God’s wisdom.

17:17.  A true friend will always be there regardless of the situation and circumstances.  Sadly, many so called friends will leave when needed the most.  We need to understand the difference and choose what kind of friend we are going to be.

17:18.  This is a warning not to make a foolish bargain that results in taking on the debt of an unreliable person.

17:19.  Relates back to verse 14.  Those who like to argue and fight sooner or later destroy relationships.

17:20.  Those with evil hearts and lying tongues will ultimately come to no good.

10-20-2024.  Proverbs 17:21-28.  Moral Virtues and Contrary Vices.

17:21.  This tells us that raising children without teaching them about God and the Bible is foolish and will result in problems for the parents and the child.

17:22.  A happy attitude is better for the spirit and the body then being sad.  We are able to be this way when we make the decision to trust God with our lives.  Then we are able to offer others words of encouragement, be enthusiastic about the things we must or want to do, and we can maintain a positive outlook about the future even though we experience problems and heartaches along the way.

17:23.  Those who are evil accept bribes to circumvent the course of justice.

17:24.  While it’s ok to have big dreams, this points out the foolishness of chasing unreasonable fantasies.  Everything that we need to find our hopes and dreams is found in the Bible.

17:25.  As in verse 21, this reminds us as again that raising children without God and the Bible results in raising a fool.

17:26  To punish one who has truly repented of their sin and is now on a just path made possible because of the grace of God is a gross injustice.  It’s the same as anarchy that leads a church, community, or nation to ruin.

17:27-28.  Those with sound Biblical knowledge don’t need to have a know-it-all attitude.  There are several benefits to speaking judiciously:  (1)  it’s the best policy if you have nothing worthwhile to say; (2) it allows you the opportunity to listen and learn; and (3) it gives you something in common with those who are wise.  Make sure you pause to think and listen so that when you do speak you will have something positive and informative to say.

10-27-2024.  Proverbs 18:1-8.  Foolish and Wise Words.

18:1.  When people become so self-absorbed the tend to separate themselves from others and look for answers and wisdom in all the wrong places rather than from the Bible.  This leads only to their ultimate destruction.

18:2.  We all know those who need to ‘find themselves.”  But the proper understanding of oneself only comes from the Bible.

18:3.  Ignominy means disgrace, dishonor, shameful conduct.  The less one values the wisdom of the Bible, the more they disgrace, dishonor themselves and others and prefer to associate themselves with the same kind of people.

18:4.  Wisdom gained from the world is like a pool of water that quickly dries up; however, those who live by the wisdom of the Bible will have knowledge like a clear rushing stream.

18:5.  The only correct judgment in the world is that which comes from those who are righteous in the sight of God.  Sadly, those are the ones who are typically ignored.

18:6-7.  Spiritually fools are those who don’t know the Bible.  Because of their lack of knowledge, they will quickly find trouble because their words  guarantee their physical harm and ultimate destruction.

18:8.  A ‘talebearer’ is one who likes to share rumors and gossip to hurt others.  For too many people, ignoring rumors and gossip is as hard to do as turning down a delicious dessert.  Taking just one bite of either one only creates a taste for more.  We can resist rumors and gossip the same way a determined dieter resists candy:  never even open the box.  If we don’t nibble on the first bite of gossip, we can’t take the second and third.  It is our knowledge of the Word of God that will give us the strength and the courage to ignore this kind of behavior.

11-03-2024.  Proverbs 18:9-16.  Foolish and Wise Words continued.

18:9.  The “great waster” is someone who doesn’t properly care for anything that is entrusted to them.  Those who are slothful meaning lazy or careless are part of the same family.

18:10.  Christians should always be afraid of Satan and never to try to face him alone.  Instead, quickly turn to Jesus and safety is guaranteed.

18:11.  The rich mistakenly believe their wealth is their strongest defense.  Money can’t guarantee safety.  It can lose its power in too many ways.  But God never loses His power and can always be depended on for security and safety.

18:12.  The spirit of the world is pride and haughtiness and ultimately leads to destruction.  The spirit of Christ is humility and ultimately leads to honor.

18:13.  No one is so brilliant or intelligent that they can make a proper decision before getting all the facts.

18:14.  The world and sometimes even the church are full of manmade solutions for the ‘wounded spirit.’  But the ONLY answer is faith in Chris and His atoning work on the Cross.

18:15.  Be open to new ideas but understand that the only true knowledge if found in the Bible.

18:16.  Whatever success we achieve because of the gifts we have been given should always be received with the full understanding and acknowledgement that we are what we are because of the gifts that are given to us by God. 

11-10-2024.  Proverbs 18:17-24.  Foolish and Wise Words continued.

18:17.  This is telling us that we should always hear both sides of the story before making a judgement or decision.

18:18.  The “lot” has to do with the Old Testament “Urim and Thummim.”  These were tools used to determine the Will of God in specific matters.  This verse reminds us that we must see God’s will in all matters, for He alone hold the solution to any issue.

18:19.  Settling differences between brothers can be harder than breaking through a strong city gate or a castle with bars.

18:20.  When we fill our hearts and minds with the things of God, we will have inward contentment and a satisfied life.  If not we will feel separated from God and be dissatisfied with life.

18:21.  Christian who constantly talk about doubt, in effect are talking about death.  Those that speak the Word of God are talking about life.

18:22.  Married people are to look at their partner as a great gift from God.  God created marriage and pronounced it to be good as found in Genesis 2:21-25.  A strong marriage will be looked on favorable by God.

18:23.  The poor and needy should never be looked down on or insulted.  Having poor among us is a fact of life.  When they ask for help, they should be given what they need by anyone who is able to help.

18:24.  There is loneliness everywhere and those who experience it often feel isolated even when in a crowd.  People need friends who will stick close, listen, care and offer help when needed in good times and in bad times.  It is better to have one friend that will help than many acquaintances that tend to look the other way when you are in need.  When you find that one true friend, thank God for the gift He has given you repay it by be a true friend to others.

11-17-2024.  Proverbs 19:1-10.  Proverbs of Personal Character.

19:1.  The intent of this proverb is that property with integrity is better than wealth with dishonesty.  We must never sacrifice our integrity to increase our wealth.

19:2.  Enthusiasm is useless without knowledge.  Never rush into the unknown without understanding what you’re getting into and where you’re going.  No one knows the future so be sure you are following God in everything you do.

19:3.  Self-will causes people to make fools of themselves.  Always look to God in all that you do.

19:4.  While wealth may attract many friends, most of them are fair weather friends.  Lack of money may mean you have few friends, but they can usually be counted on when most needed.

19:5.  God hates a liar and will certainly judge those who lie.

19:6-7.  Many powerful people will help anyone for the right price.  This shows their hypocrisy.  While the hold their power everyone is his friend.  But when the power is lost, the so-called friends will leave.

19:8.  Wisdom and Understanding in this proverb means Heavenly knowledge that only comes from the Bible.  It will never steer you wrong and will give you a wonderful life.

19:9.  This is a repetition of verse 5 where the punishment for lying is dictated.  But it emphasizes God’s anger toward lying and details the type of punishment.

19:10.  The fool referred to in the first part of the proverb is one of royal birth.  Their rule will bring no delight to those being ruled.  The servant in second part refers to one who somehow finds himself in a position of authority.  When this happens, the servant is cruel and tyrannical.

11-24-2024.  Proverbs 19:11-19. Proverbs of Personal Character continued.

19:11.  A forgiving spirit marks the true Godly person both under the Old Testament Law and the New Testament Covenant.

19:12.  Obedience to a lawful government ensures just suffering, but obedience secures prosperity.

19:13.  A foolish child is a parent’s ruin, and a quarrelsome spouse is like a leak that never ends. 

19:14.  Houses and wealth are inherited from parents but a prudent spouse, unlike the one in verse 13, doesn’t complain unless necessary.

19:15.  Habitual laziness leads to constant sleeping and can result in hunger, physically and spiritually.

19:16.  To obey the instructions that God gives us in the Bible is life giving.  Those that ignore His instructions will ultimately die.

19:17.  God values all of us, regardless of our circumstances.  When we  help people less fortunate, we honor both the Creator and His creation.  He accepts the help we give to those in need as if we are offering it directly to Him.

19:18.  This speaks of the importance of discipline when raising children.  It may be difficult to listen to their tears and tantrums, but it is necessary to develop them into good self-sufficient adults.

19:19.  Those who do wrong must suffer the punishment for their actions.  Otherwise, they will have no incentive to change their ways.

12-01-2024.  Proverbs 19:20-29.  Counsel and Instruction.

19:20.  Understanding that wisdom comes from the Bible, we should always listen to advice and accept discipline because in the end we will be better off and counted among those who are wise.

19:21.  There are many plans in a person’s heart but when we study the Bible and learn the purpose God has for us, our plans will be in keeping with His purpose assuring us of the right outcome.

19:22.  All of us want unfailing love and kindness  in our life.  A little kindness received from a poor man is better than the false promises of a rich liar.

19:23.  To love and serve the Lord leads to an endless life of bliss.  It doesn’t mean we will never have trouble in our earthly life, but we have eternity to look forward to.

19:24.  Lazy people often claim to be sick and won’t work.  Instead, they would rather have others  put food in their mouths.. 

19:25.  How we accept discipline and criticism determine whether we grow in wisdom.  The next time someone criticizes you listen carefully to al; that’s said, and you might learn something.

19:26:  One of the 10 Commandments tells us to honor or father and mother.  Those who don’t will one day have to answer for their actions.

19:27.  Anything advice or instructions that aren’t Bible based will cause trouble for us.  We must know the Word of God to know what is right and wrong and will keep us on the straight path.

19:28-29.  Liars and evil will not go unpunished.  In the end, all will face judgement from God and be rewarded or punished accordingly.

12-08-2024.  Proverbs 20:1-10.  Moral Virtues and Contrary Vices.

20:1.  We must be careful if we are going to drink alcohol.  If it makes us become stupid and out of control, perhaps we shouldn’t drink at all.

20:2.  The government’s wrath can strike terror like the roar of a lion.  Those who disobey laws may pay with their lives.

20:3.  Those who are confident in their own strength never have to parade it around.  They don’t go around looking for ways to prove it, instead trying to avoid fights and tense situations.  Foolish people find it almost impossible to stay out of trouble.

20:4.  We must never shy away from doing what needs to be done.  God wants us to prepare for future needs and not expect Him to come to our aid when we cause our own problems.

20:5.  The things of a person’s heart are often deep and difficult to understand and figure out.  A person of understanding and insight will be able to find out the truth.

20:6.  Boasters and braggers make themselves known very quickly to everyone, but those who are truly trustworthy must be sought out.

20:7.  Righteous people of integrity work hard to live blameless lives and are a blessing to their children and all those around them.

20:8.  A righteous leader judges evil, rejects personal moral perfection and protects the poor and less fortunate against the injustice of those with evil intent.

20:9.  No one is without sin.  As soon as we confess our sins, sinful things creep back into our lives and our actions require more confession.  The only way to have pure hearts and lives is to remain focused on Jesus and what He has done on the cross.

20:10.  This is a reference to dishonesty and a warning that all dishonesty is an abomination to God.

12-15-2024.  Proverbs 20:11-20.  Moral Virtues and Contrary Vices Continued.

20:11.  Even children are known by their behavior so it’s important that they be raised with the training that is found in the Bible.

20:12.  Because God has made both the ears and the eyes, we should use them to learn and live as God wants us to live.

20:13.  Again we are being cautioned about the dangers of being lazy.  God values good honest work but not laziness. 

20:14.  Two-faced people will complain about the price of something they want in order to buy it cheaper, then brag about the bargain they got for something of high quality.

20:15.  There is gold and there are rubies but those who speak with the knowledge of God are rare jewels.

20:16.  This verse speaks of those who follow corrupt religions.  Christians should be mindful of them and steer clear.

20:17.  Wealth that is gotten by fraud will eventually become a problem.

20:18.  Whenever we make plans, we should first seek good advice and counsel so that the outcome will be good.

20:19.  Those who thrive on gossip will flatter people to learn their secrets so that they can spread private information far and wide.

20:20.  Those who dishonor their parents will now receive God’s blessings and instead, end up with big problems.

12-29-2024. Proverbs 20:21-30.  Moral Virtues and Contrary Vices Continued.

20:21.  Money that we don’t have to work for generally brings heartaches and not blessings.

20:22.  We are never to repay in kind whatever wrong is done to us.  Instead, wait for the Lord to take care of those who work to hurt us. 

20:23.  Dishonest is often a sin that is easy to get away with and sometimes hard for us to avoid.  But it does affect the core of every individual who is dishonest.  They lose the trust of others and sooner or later they get caught.  And it kills your spiritual life because God detests it.  The best path is to always be honest in everything you do and all your personal interactions.  Once trust is lost it is close to impossible to restore it.

20:24.  This proverb is a key to our success or failure.  When things happen that we don’t understand, and the world seems to be spinning out of control, we are to trust God.  In time it will become clear.  When we live as we are taught in the Bible, eventually all things become clear because God knows what He is doing even if his timing or design isn’t clear to us.

20:25.  This verse talks about making a promise on impulse then after thinking it through, we have to take it back.  When we make a promise or a vow, God takes that seriously and wants us to carry them out.  We often have good intentions because we want to show God we are determined to Please Him.  Jesus cautions us in Matthew 5:33-37 that we are better off not making promises because He knows they are difficult to keep.

20:26.  A nation is blessed when they have a leader who will protect it from the “wicked” and punishes those that do evil things.

20:27.  The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that shines a beautiful light on our innermost being.  When we are led by God, others will see that light in us.

20:28.  Whether we are a king or a commoner, the mercy and truth of God will preserve us and give us strength and courage every day of our lives.

20:29.  Glory for both the young and the old should be their knowledge of the Word of God.  Strength fades with age and the “gray head” will soon pass away but the Word of God lives forever.

20:30.  The metaphorical bumps and bruises we experience in life will help remove evil from our hearts and the beatings purge the innermost being.  Life is going to be difficult and there will be problems along the way.  But as long as we stay close to God and trust Him in all things, we will be ok.

01-05-2025.  Proverbs 21:1-10.  Moral, Ethical, and Spiritual Teachings Continued.

21:1.  The general sense of this verse is that “kings” or leaders may think that they aren’t control by God, but this is telling us otherwise.  Good or bad, they rule because God has a purpose in them

21:2.  This is a reminder that mankind looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the content of the heart.

21:3.  If our personal and business dealings are not characterized by justice, no amount of generosity will make up for it.

21:4.  Proud people don’t consider it a sin so there is no need to confess it.

21:5.  Faithful completion of our  mundane tasks is a great accomplishment and best carried out according to a plan.  This action doesn’t come naturally to most but as a result of building strong character.  Don’t look for quick easy answers, but rather be a diligent servant of God

21:6.  Getting what we want by lies and deceit are eventually taken away from us the same way.

21:7.  Violence of the wicked will eventually be their undoing because they will answer to God.

21:8.  The way of the guilty is devious but the conduct of the purehearted is upright to God.

21:9.  Happy wife, happy life.

21:10.  The wicked crave evil and they can’t be trusted by anyone.

01-12-2025.  Proverbs 21:11-20.  Moral, Ethical, and Spiritual Teachings Continued.

21:11-12.  It’s better to learn from the mistakes of others than our own.  We can do this by observing other people’s lives and listening to their advice.  Take counsel from others instead of plunging ahead and learning the hard way.  But know your Bible to determine that the advice is what God would have you do.

21:13.  As God’s people we are called to love and help others, especially those who can’t help themselves.  If we don’t when we are in need there may not be anyone to help us.

21:14-15.  Righteous people act justly under all circumstances including taking responsibility and accepting punishment for wrongdoing.  They never try to bribe their way out of trouble when they do something wrong..

21:16.  Disregarding the teachings of the Bible in how we should live will result in eternal death.

21:17.  Lack of diligence and responsibility produce laziness and are condemned by God.

21:18.  It sometimes looks like the bad people suffer no consequences but be assured they will ultimately be judged by God and rewarded accordingly.

21:19.  Both men and women get mad,  but men typically get over it and move on quicker than women who tend to make men suffer longer.

21:20.  This speaks of the importance of saving for the future.  Don’t engage in excessive spending to keep up appearance.  Instead save for the future when you may be hit with hard times.  God approves of such foresight and restraint.

01-19-2025.  Proverbs 21:21-31.  Moral, Ethical, and Spiritual Teachings Continued.

21:21.  When we look for righteousness and love we will find life. Prosperity and honor.

21:22.  Wisdom from the Bible is far greater than might.  It will bring strength and confidence.

21:23.  Always be careful not to talk when you should be listening.

21:24.  Beware of the proud and arrogant people.  To be like them will only bring trouble.

21:25-26.  The lazy want others to take care of their needs, are greedy, and will never amount to anything whereas the righteous are not greedy and will give as much as they can.

21:27.  Many will offer sacrifices to God without any intention of stopping their sinful life.  This is an abomination to God.

21:28.  Liars will be found out and punished but the truth will always stand firm.

21:29.  The wicked will put on a bold front but the righteous show strength by their deeds.

21:30.  Worldly wisdom won’t win if it goes against the wisdom of God.

21:31.  All our preparation for any task is useless is it is done without the help of God.

01-26-2025.  Proverbs 22:1-10.  Choosing a Good Name.

22:1.  Sadly in this world too many people are willing to give up anything, even their good name, in order to get something they desperately want.  But this is wrong in God’s sight.

22:2.  God has made us all – rich and poor – and we are all equal in His sight.

22:3.  Godly people see danger and evil and stay away from it whereas unbelievers are drawn into it and will pay the penalty for it at some point.

22:4.  In contrast to verse 1 this verse tells us that honoring and respecting God will bring benefits in this life.

22:5.  The word forward in Proverbs describes unbelievers and this verse is telling us their lives will always be full of trouble.

22:6.  It’s very important to give children Biblical training early on.  It’s never too early to begin as it will stay with them all their lives as they make choices.

22:7.  Warning that we should never take out a loan that we are certain we can pay back.

22:8.  This means we reap what we sow and a warning to be careful how we treat others and conduct ourselves.

22:9.  We are to be “givers” in this life.  We will be happier and it’s what God wants us to be.

22.10.  The scorner is one who chooses to ignore the Bible.  We will have to give up on them to make our life easier.

02-9-2025.  Proverbs 22:11-20.  Choosing a Good Name (continued).

22:11.  When your heart is pure and shows grace, there will be no friction between you and others.

22:12.  When we have the knowledge of God as taught to us in the Bible we can live for Him.  It will take discipline, determination and hard work but God will protect and reward us when we commit to Him.

22:13.  Shows that lazy people will devise any excuse to remain lazy.  Be responsible and work hard.

22:14.  The ‘strange women’ is a reference to all those who have taken on false religions and doctrines.  God will deal with them as He sees fit.

22:15.  Childish foolishness can and should be .  Parents must discipline their children to help them learn boundaries and how to tell what is good from what is bad.

22:16.  Those who take advantage of the less fortunate for their own gain is abhorrent behavior to God.  He will eventually cause them to lose everything. 

22:17-19.  This tells us to listen to what is preached in church and study our Bible every day so we can fill our hearts and minds with how God wants us to live and we are prepared to share it with others.  It is impossible to have trust in the Lord unless we adequately know what is in the Bible.

22:20.  This is confirmation that the Bible does contain excellent things that counsel us and give us knowledge of our God.

2-16-2025.  Proverbs 22:21-29.  Choosing a Good Name (continued).

22:21.  This verse reaffirms that God’s Word is truth.  It doesn’t just ‘contain’ truth, but in fact it is truth.

22:22-23.  We are not exploit the poor just because they are poor, neither should we try to crush them in court.  God will deal with anyone who does this and exact the appropriate punishment.

22:24-25.  People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time.  So we have to be careful of our choices of friends and companions to ensure that their bad habits and characteristics don’t become part of our way of life.

22:26-27:  Don’t be quick to agree to do something unless you know exactly what it requires of you.  Never agree to something unless you are prepared to pay the bill yourself for what you have to do.

22:28:  The landmarks are the land boundaries marked for the tribes of Israel when they reached the promised land where Moses warned them that on arrival they were not to try to move them and cheat their neighbors.  Today it is a reminder that God observes everything we do so we must always be honest in everything we do

22:29.  Those who are not diligent concerning their dealings with others will never get ahead.  Always be honest and true to your word in everything you do.

02-23-2025.  Proverbs 23:1-12.  Gluttony.

23:1-3.  The first three verses are telling us to be careful when we interact with influential people because they may be trying to influence us into doing things that go against God’s will for us. 

23:4-5.  Don’t spend time chasing earthly treasures.  They can be lost in the blink of an eye.  Instead, store up your treasures in Heaven because you will never lose them.

23:6-8.  A warning not to envy the life of those who became rich by being stingy and miserly.  Their friendship is phony, and they will just use you.

23:9.  The ‘fool’ is one who rejects the Bible and its wisdom, and they will make fun of you when you try to share God with them.

23:10-11.  These two verses refer to a dishonest seizure of what once belonged to someone who was defenseless to fight for what was theirs The term ‘redeemer’ in verse 11 refers to a family member and got back what was taken from the defenseless relative.

23:12.  The knowledge and instruction referenced in this verse is that which is found in the Bible.  Those most likely to gain knowledge are those who are willing to listen and learn about what it contains.  Pay attention to what others have to say so you can expand the limits of your own knowledge.

03-02-2025.  Proverbs 23:13-25.  Parents Desire for Children:  Wisdom.

23:13-14.  Strong statements regarding parents’ discipline of children. Appropriate use of physical discipline will not harm children.  Withholding discipline due to fear of alienating or stifling the development of children can lead them to a destructive or even deadly path.

23:15-16.  When properly disciplined, children learn how to behave and live properly and will bring extreme joy to parents.

23:17-18.  It’s easy to envy those without conscience or moral responsibility yet appear to have everything and no problems.  But we should instead remember that all that they have is temporary and there will come a time when they will be held accountable for how they lived their lives.

23:19-21.  Good parental advice for raising their children using the wisdom using found  in the Bible as their guide.

23:22-25.  When parents raise their children with Biblical wisdom, they will grow to wise, God-fearing adults who bring their parents joy and happiness.

03-09-2025..Proverbs 23:26-35.  Parents Desire for Children:  Wisdom.

23:26-28.  Prostitutes and evil women are used as symbols of evil that takes us away from God and His teachings for us.  This is a warning that parents should teach their children the wisdom in the Bible so they will learn to recognize and stay away from such evil.  Bible.  Here

23:2-35.  Israel was a wine producing country and in the Old Testament, wine presses that produced a lot of wine were considered a sing of blessing.  But the writers of the Old Testament were aware of the dangers of overindulging in wine because it dulls the senses and limits clear judgment and lowers the capacity for self-control and efficiency in actions.  To make wine a vehicle of self-indulgence or an escape from life is to  misuse it will result in negative consequences. 

            The soothing comfort of alcohol, or any mind altering substance, only give temporary relief to those struggling with anxiety, anguish, problems or sorrow.  It also makes the user susceptible to false teachers.  Real relief comes from turning to God for help in dealing with every problem in your life.

            It’s not a sin to drink alcohol, it’s a sin to misuse it as an escape from dealing with pain and problems we all must face in life.  This is an important lesson parents should teach their children early in life so that when the time comes when they are confronted with it, they will be able to fall back on the teaching parents provide them before they get into trouble.

03-23-2025.  Proverbs 24:1-12.  Wise Living.

24:1-2.  No matter how much it seem that evil people don’t seem to have problems, Believers should never envy what they because in the end, we have eternity to look forward to.

24:3-4.  The wisdom to build an enduring home comes from the Bible that includes eternal life.  This is a contrast to verses 1 and 2 which remind us that life on earth is temporary.. 

24:5-6.  Reminds us that those who know the Bible are both wise and strong.  The counselor is the entire book and the multitude of counsellors are the lessons gained from each individual book.

24:7.  The term ‘in the gate’ refers to the action of city leaders who in ancient times had their judicial and civic buildings near the gate of the city.  Leaders without biblical knowledge are considered fools in God’s eyes.  Sadly, then as up to the present many fools sit in the seats of government.

24:8.  Planning to do evil is as wrong as doing it and they too will be punished by God.

24:9.  The foolishness spoken of is anything that is contrary to what is found in the Bible.  Those who mock God and His teachings should be detested by believers.

24:10.  Moral strength based on earthy wisdom fails when tested.  But Heavenly wisdom gives a strength based on the Bible and can never fail.

24:11-12.  It’s the responsibility of governments to protect the innocent from punishment and death.  But it’s the responsibility of every Christian to rescue those who are lost and do their best to save them who are headed to eternal death.  To do otherwise will bring judgment from God.

03-30-2025 Proverbs 24:13-22.  Advice to Children.

24:13-14.  Comparing the knowledge children gain from the Word of God is a good for them as the taste of honey is sweet.  Studying and understanding the Bible will always bring great blessings.

24:15-16.  Bad things may happen to good people and at times overtake them.  But anyone that attempts to take advantage of such a situation are considered by God to be wicked and eventually will be punished accordingly.  The wicked will never ultimately succeed nor will the just ultimately lose.

24:17-18.  To gloat over the misfortunes of others is to put yourself in the place of God who alone is the proper and fair judge of all mankind.

24:19-20.  We shouldn’t worry about evil people or be envious of what they have because it is only temporary.  There will come a time when they will be punished unless they turn to God. 

24:21-22.  Teach children to always respect and follow the Lord and those in government as appropriate.  “Those given to change” speaks about anarchy against the government which is dangerous .  As Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, render unto Caesar the things hat are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are Gods.  The Holy Spirit commands us to respect civil government.

04-06-2025.  Proverbs 24:23-34.  Advice and Commands.

24:23.  Those who must sit in judgment of others must not show partiality.  Equal justice for all is a virtue in God’s sight.

24:24 -25.  Those who call guilty people innocent will be cursed instead of being blessed.  No favor is done to the guilty or to the one ignoring the guilt.

25:26.  We should never bend the truth to spare feelings.  We show respect by being truthful.

24:27.  Carry out our work in proper order.  If a farmer builds his house first he could lose the opportunity to plant his crop in time for harvest.  The foundation of a business should be laid properly in order for it to prosper and grow.  We can work hard and still lose everything if we don’t do things in the proper order.

24:28-29.  Revenge should never be carried out by Christians.  We are to always treat people how we want to be treated, even if they don’t respond in kind.  Payback and getting even can start cycles of retaliation that can last for generations.

24:30-34.  These 5 verses are one proverb that speaks of the danger of slothfulness  which is being lazy and irresponsible.

04-27-2025.  Proverbs 25:1-14.  Comparisons, Instructions, and Warnings.

25:1.  Hezekiah was one of the few Kings of Judah who honored the Lord.  He ordered that these proverbs written by Solomon be copied from the original manuscript so they could be remembered and followed.

25:2-3.  God conceals just how bad man really is because of His merch and grace.  On the other hand, authorities are honored when they investigate a matter and bring it to a righteous and lawful conclusion.  Its also a reminder that people only know the external actions of others, while only God knows the heart.  The actions of people are often unstable, changeable, and variable whereas only God can be depended on to do the same thing in every situation every time.

25:4-5.  It’s impossible to have pure silver unless the dross, or waste, it taken away.  Likewise wicked counselors must be taken away from the kings or the leaders

25:6-7.  Jesus taught these proverbs in a parable in Luke 14:;7-11.  We should not look for honor in our actions.  The better approach is to quiets and faithfully accomplish the work God has given us to do.  Others will be drawn to us when they notice the quality of our efforts.

25:8-10.  When you have conflict with others, every effort should be made to work it out especially when you must be around them all the time.  

25:11-12.  ‘Fitly spoken’ means timely or appropriate and the word ‘pictures’ can be translated to ‘baskets.’  Solomon is telling us that the only true word that fits the description of “apples of gold” is God’s Word or our Bible.  The ‘wise reprover’ is the one who knows their Bible and kindly shares its wisdom with others.  The ‘obedient ear’  is the one who take the advice that is found in the Bible.

25:13.  It’s hard to find people you can really trust.  A faithful employee (messenger) is punctual, responsible, honest and hardworking and is invaluable because they take pressure off their employer.  Find out what your employer needs from you to make their job easier, then do it!

25:14.  When you commit to give or do something follow through.  Otherwise you become worthless just like dry land without rain is to the crops.

05-04-2025.  Proverbs 25:15-28.  Comparisons, Instructions, and Warnings.

25:15.  Patience when making decisions results in the best outcomes that will have positive effects for all concerned.

25:16.  When we don’t give into the temptations like the greedy, the good things in life will come to us and will be appreciated and we will build goodwill with those around us.

25:17.  This tells us that we should never wear out our welcome or make pests of ourselves.

25:18.  Telling lies about others is as bad as an act of physical violence on them.  Often the hurt caused can never be undone.

25:19.  Trusting people that have problems with the truth in our times of trouble is like trying to eat with a broken tooth or run with a foot that is out of its joint.

25:20.  Most approach those with broken hearts trying to get them to snap out of it.  That’s like taking away their coat in the cold or pouring vinegar on an open wound.  We should pray for them, console them, and point them toward Jesus who can ease ever broken heart with God’s peace.

25:21-22.  This is God’s form of retaliation.  Helping those that hate us has the effect of fire melting the hardest metal.  Love toward others melts the hardest of hearts.

25:23.  Gossip is a terrible thing.  Christians shouldn’t participate and instead, when hearing it should stop it.

25:24.  This tells us that it’s better to be in a small room with a few Believers than in a large house with many who are being taught false doctrine by “brawling women”

25:25.  Very similar to verse 13.  The good news of the Gospel is refreshing to a lost world.

25:26.  Christians who give in to the sinful world are like polluted wells.

25:27  Always looking for honor and recognition is always harmful.  Just like eating too much honey makes you sick.

25:28.  When we can’t control our temper or our passions, we are as defenseless as a city without walls.

05-11-2025.  Proverbs 26:1-12.  The Arguments of a Fool. 

26:1.  A kind way of saying that the Lord labels all those who don’t know and abide by His word as fools.

26:2.  An unjust curse – insult or putdown --has no effect and we should shrug them off because they can’t hurt us.

26:3.  Those who repeatedly break the laws of God are fools and will end up in dire straits.

26:4-5  These two verses demonstrate two different situations.  We have a choice to make depending on the nature of foolishness.  Some don’t deserve an answer because they will never listen.  Don’t stoop to their level to argue with them.  On the other hand, answer the fool to expose their pride and foolishness.

26:6.  Doing business with a fool is like one who cuts off their own feet, becoming helpless.

26:7-8.  Fools are unreceptive to wisdom offered by God’s Word and are as useless as a paralyzed body part.  There are many of these in the world past, present and future causing heartache and pain.  When we must deal with them, we should never give them a place of responsibility.

26:9.  Fools have no idea of the true worth of the knowledge of God’s word,  They’re like drunks that can’t feel pain of an injury,

26:10.  Hiring a fool  will have the work spoiled. 

26:11.  This is a reference to backsliding back into sin.  Peter referenced it in 1 Peter 2.  We are all subjected to doing the same thing.  Recognize it and ask for forgiveness and work hard not to keep doing it.

26:12.  A lesson of self-importance.  God considers such people lower than fools who don’t know His Word.

05-18-2025.  Proverbs 26:13-28.  The Arguments of a Fool Continued.

26:13-16.  People who aren’t willing to do work can find endless excuses to avoid it.  But laziness is more dangerous than a prowling lion.  The less we do, the less we want to do and the more useless we become.  To overcome laziness, set a concrete realistic goal, figure out the steps needed to reach it and follow those steps.  Pray for strength and persistence to keep your excuses from making you useless.

26:17.  If you take a stray dog by the ears, it’s likely  you will be bitten when you let it go.  The same thing happens when you try to meddle in arguments that are none of your business.

26:18-19.  To purposefully deceive your neighbor then saying you were only kidding, makes you as bad as a maniac shooting a flaming arrow.

26:20-22.  Like wood and burning coals keep a fire going, Gossip is the fuel that continues to cause trouble.  It becomes like a sickness to the one that engages in it.

25:23.  A broken piece of pottery covered with a thin silver coating is still worthless,  Hypocrites will soon be found out to be worthless because their hearts and words are wicked.

26:24-26.  Still referring to hypocrites, these verses continue to warn that the truth about them can’t always be seen on the surface.  They reveal themselves in how they treat others at home or how they act when inconvenienced.  They may sound pleasant enough but be observant and cautious about trusting them or believing what they say.

26:27.  This is a reminder that our bad actions will always come back to haunt us.  David had Uriah murdered with a sword so he could take his wife.  Eventually his son was killed with a sword.

26:28.  Liars and robbers hate their victims.  But the law of God requires the injured forgive.

05-25-2025.  Proverbs 27:1-9.  Instructions and Admonitions for Children.

27:1.  Never brag about tomorrow because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

27:2.  Praising oneself is an example of self-pride which is a sin toward God.

27:3-4.  Fools lose their temper, hurting everyone around them with no sense of understanding what damage they have done.  But while anger is cruel, but not as deadly or destructive as the hatred that comes envy or jealousy.

27:5.  A love that says and does nothing is not as valuable as one that expresses disapproval or reprimands.

27:6.  A friend will kindly tell you of your mistakes or faults which lead to correction.  Anyone who flatters you and says everything is wonderful when it isn’t is only deceiving you and causing you harm.

27:7.  Anyone who has become rich without earning it don’t understand what they have and can’t appreciate it.  The hungry soul, whether rich or poor, that has earned what they have finds value in things that seem to have no value.

27:8.  God proposes a place for each of us.  Self-will will cause us to leave it which is compared to a little bird that wanders away from the next and the care of its parents,, exposing itself to danger.

27:9.  Ointments and perfume can make the heart happy just as good and sincere advice from a friend 

06-01-0205.  Proverbs 27:10-18.  Instructions and Admonitions for Children Continued.

27:10.  When we become a Christian our allegiance, affection, and relationships change.  Fellow Christians become even closer than one’s own blood relatives that don’t know Jesus.

27:11.  This is telling us that God’s Word (our Bible) is the only teaching and instruction that can produce good character. 

27:12.  Those who study and live God’s Word are ‘prudent’ or wise in God’s sight.  Those who ignore it are ‘simple’ or foolish and will suffer consequences.

27:13.  Those who worship strange gods or cast aside the one true God can’t be trusted.  The only honesty in the world is that which is taught by the Bible and given to us by Jesus Christ.

27:14.  This is an example of what happens when we do things for selfish purposes or out of pride.

27:15-16.  Nagging and a steady stream of unwanted comments can feel like torture.  People, whether they be spouses, family, friends, or acquaintances, nag because they think others aren’t listening or agreeing with them.  But nagging hurts communication more than it helps.  When tempted to engage in this destructive habit, stop and examine your motives.  Are you more concerned about yourself in that you want your own way or be right than about the person you’re nagging to help you?  If you’re truly concerned about other people, think of a more effective way to get through to them.  Surprise them with words and actions of patience, love, and encouragement, then you will be happily surprised at the results you get.

27:17.  Menal sharpness comes from being around people who will sharpen us.  A meeting of the minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine those ideas, and shape them into brilliant insights.  This requires discussion partners who can challenge us and stimulate our thoughts.  It requires that egos be set aside and attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who challenge each other can help each other to become sharper.

27:18.  With all the problems and concerns a leader has, it can be easy to overlook the very people who most deserve attention – faithful employees or volunteers, or those who “tend the fig trees.”  If you are in any kind of leadership position, whether permanent or temporary, the people who stand behind you who work hard and help you get the job done deserve to share in your success.  Be sure that in all your planning, organizing and working, you remember the people who are helping you the most.

06-08-0205.  Proverbs 27:19-27.  Instructions and Admonitions for Children Continued.

27:19.  Just like water reflects the face, one’s life reflects the heart.  This is a wakeup call for everyone.  Looking into the heart of the vilest criminal, we see our own heart reflected because there is no difference because we have all sinned.  What makes the difference is when we are saved by Jesus Christ.

27:20.  People are never satisfied because they don’t look for the thing that will satisfy them.  That is Jesus Christ and letting Him into your heart.

27:21.  Gold and silver as tested -or refined - by fire, we are tested and refined when we praise God for what He has done for us.

27:22.  Fools are those who want no part of God or His Word in their lives.  This proverb tells us that fools can’t be ‘educated’ out of their foolishness because they have no desire to want to know Him or His Word.

27:23-27.  Using farming as an example these proverbs together tell us that because life is short and our futures uncertain, we must be even more diligent in what we do with our lives.  ‘Diligent’ means we should pay very close attention to what we are doing and how we are doing it.  We must always look ahead as we take care of our homes, families, and careers.  We are to be responsible stewards with what we have been given just like farmers are with their flocks, lands, and herds.  For God’s people, thinking ahead is a duty, not an option.

06-15-2025.  Proverbs 28:1-9.  More Comparisons.

28:1.  This proverb shows us that because the wicked have done wrong, they see harm coming from every direction.  The righteous have harmed no one, and as a result have no one.  They are bold because of a clear and conscience because of following the Lord and the Bible.

28:2.  For a government or society of any size to endure, it needs wise, informed leaders – and those are hard to find.  The term “it has many rulers” may refer to anarchy that is happening.  Each person’s selfishness quickly affects others.  When people live for themselves with little concern for how their actions affect others, the moral rot quickly contaminates the entire nation, government, or society.

28:3.  This proverb is all too often the rule than the exception.  Seemingly, the ‘poor,’ if given the opportunity to serve in even the least position of authority, will usually ‘oppress’ their fellow poor.  They could be poor in money, knowledge, or attitude.

28:4.  Those who ignore the Bible applaud the enemies of the Bible, but lovers of the Bible oppose and condemn them.

28:5.  Because justice is part of God’s character, His followers must treat others justly.  It begins with concern about what is happening to others.  A Christian can’t be indifferent to human suffering because God isn’t.  And we must not contribute to human suffering through selfish business practices or unfair government policies.  We must be more concerned about justice and not our own interests.  We can’t claim to follow God and ignore our neighbors.

28:6.  It’s better to be poor and righteous than rich and wicked.  But just as wealth doesn’t excuse sin, poverty can’t affect goodness.

28:7.  This tells us that an appetite for the Bible is good but greediness for worldly teachings causes shame.

28:8.  Evil people who profit off the poor will be justly rewarded because in the end God, who is the One who does ‘pity’ or care about the poor will ultimately ensure that a just accounting will happen. 

28:9.  Outward worship that doesn’t come from the heart with the intent of living a Godly life, is an aversion to God and will ultimately bring shame to those who behave this way.

06-22-2025.  Proverbs 28:10-19.  More Comparisons Continued.

28:10.  If your heart refuses to obey God, then your worship is an aversion to Him

28:11.  Money has no relation to a person’s character.  Without God in their lives the character of the rich is hollow.  Through dependence on God in their struggles, the poor develop a richness of spirit that no amount of wealth can provide.  The rich can lose their material wealth, but no one can take away a poor person’s character. 

28:12.  Any nation, city, or community that is privileged to have “righteous leaders will see rejoicing, and this will bring great glory.  But when the wicked are in positions of leadership,  the righteous must hide.

28:13.  Human nature will make us cover our sins and hide our mistakes.  This behavior doesn’t allow us to learn from our wrongdoings and make needed changs.  By confessing our sins and fixing our mistakes we receive forgiveness by the mercy of God.  Remember, everyone makes mistakes but only fools repeat them.

28:14.  This is a warning about being stubborn which happens when we rationalize the wrong that we do or cut ourselves off from God’s Word, church, friends, and other Christians who might challenge our ways.  Over time we become insensitive to God’s leading and lose the desire to change.  Respecting and fearing God means keeping an open mind and open heart toward Him.

28:15.  Roaring lions growl when devouring their prey and raging bear prowl when looking for prey.  Both actions express the conduct of wicked leaders against their defenseless people, especially the poor.

28:16.  Leaders who lack the understanding found in the Bible will oppress those they lead due to their thirst for power.

28:17-18.  Helping a murderer feel better is not an act of kindness.  The more gilt a murderer feels, the more likely the person is to turn to God and repent.  If we console or comfort someone in some other serious sin, we make it easier for them to continue sinning.  Guilt can lead to repentance.

28:19.  This is a contrast between those who work for what they get leading having plenty verses and those who try to get what they want by illicit means which will lead to poverty. 

06-29-2025.  Proverbs 28:20-28.  More Comparisons Continued.

28:20.  Faithful people will be richly blessed but those eager to get rich by any means will become poor.

28: 21.  Showing partiality is wrong and will cause people to be willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder.

28:22.  The stingy are eager to get rich but in the end, they will become poor.

28:23.  Those who reprimand with the truth rather than using flattery to gain favor will be most respected.

28:24.  Those who rob their parents and don’t consider it wrong, are no better than thieves

28:25.  The greedy always cause conflict and are never satisfied but those who trust the Lord will prosper.

28:26.  Those who walk wisely are those who follow God’s Word.  Those who don’t and rely on themselves are fools.

28:27.  When we help those in need, we will never lack anything, whereas to purposefully ignore those in need will cause us misery.

28:28.  When the wicked rise to power many people hide themselves but when they are gone the righteous will thrive.

07-06-2025.  Proverbs 29:1-9.  Comparisons Continued.

29:l.  When one refuses warnings from God, they will eventually be lost.  Warnings don’t come with countdowns, and we don’t know when they will end.  Refusing to accept criticism leave up open to sudden danger.

29:2.  Governments that follow Biblical principles will cause their people to thrive.  Those that don’t cause their people to groan.

29:3.  Those that love God’s wisdom bring joy to their fathers whereas those who love sin will waste away economically and spiritually.

29:4.  The downfall of any government will come from accepting bribes or kickbacks for favors.

29:5.  Flattery is another word for lying so if you do that you will eventually be caught and brought down.

29:6.  Wrongdoing leads to trouble, but doing right leads to happiness. 

29:7.  Righteous people care about justice for the poor but the wicked have no such concerns and ultimately will be punished.

29:8.  Mockers stir up the people but the wise turn away from anger.

29:9.  When the wise, armed with the Word of God , go against fools who don’t care about God, the fool will always lose.

07-13-2025.  Proverbs 29:10-18.  Comparisons Continued.

29:10.  The blood thirst hate people of righteousness and integrity and will try to kill them.  The righteous will try to point them toward God.

29:11.  The fool spews outrage and anger but the wise bring calm in the end.

29:12.  Wicked leaders will surround themselves with wicked advisors that will bring down the government.

29:13.  Even though the poor and deceitful are different, God knows the hearts of both and the will ultimately be brought to account.  The deceiver may deceive the poor but can’t deceive God.

29:14.  This is a description of the future Kingdom of the Messiah.

29:15.  Discipline teaches about consequences for behavior.  Children without discipline bring heartache and shame to their parents.

29:16.  When the wicked thrive so does sin.  But the righteous will ultimately see their downfall and destruction.

29:17.  This goes hand in hand with verse 15 and is one of five times Proverbs mentions the importance of disciplining children.

29:18.  Where there is ignorance or rejection of God, crime and sin run wild.  God’s Word means nothing if it’s not followed and obeyed.

07-20-2025.  Proverbs 29:19-27.  Comparisons Continued.

29:19.  A disobedient servant need something stronger than stern words to correct improper behavior.

29:20.  The term ‘hasty words” implies the person has a fiery temper and is more concerned with their own self interests.

29:21.  The implication here is that a servant brought up from a child and taught responsibility will ultimately conduct themselves as a son.  An example  of this is the servant Eliezer born in the house of Abraham found in Gen 15:2-3.

29:22-23.  Both angry and furious are the result when people are led by their own pride. Whereas the outcomes of those who are humble bring honor.

29:24.  Accomplices of thieves do damage to themselves willingly

29:25.  As used here ‘fear’ isn’t afraid, it means respect and trust.  If we ‘fear’ man over God, we will never be safe.  Safety can only be found by fearing God.

29:26.  Earthly rulers are subject to errors in judgement and acts of injustice whereas our God is just and incapable of making mistakes.

29:27.  The righteous detest the dishonest and the wicked detest the upright, therefore there will never be agreement between the two.  Living righteous will bring a more peaceful existence.

07-28-2025.  Proverbs 30:1-11.  The Sayings of Agur.

30:1.  Chapter 30 is believed to have been written by a man named Agur and thought to be a wise teacher.  Agur was one of the names of Solomon,  Jakeh was another name for David and Ithiel and Ucal may have been disciples of Agur or Solomon  who may have come from the king Lemuel who received wise teaching from his mother.

30:2-3.  Solomon didn’t consider himself special because the wisdom he had came from God.  Verses 2-3 show us why he loved God so much.  The greatest commodity in the halls of Heaven is humility. 

30:4.  The knowledge spoken of in this verse came from the wisdom given to Solomon by God and not by education and knowledge acquired by the normal means of study.  It was a revelation from God

30:5.  This is a confirmation that every word in the Bible is ordained and inspired by God.  It is reaffirmed in Matthew 4:4.

30:6.  Unfortunately today people either take away or add things to God’s Word to suit their own needs and desires.

0:7-9.  Before he died Solomon asked for two things:  1.  That everything should be removed from him except the Bible because anything else was vanity and lies.  2:  That God would give him only what God thought was best for him.

30:10.  One of the reasons God takes such a dim view of this kind of this kind of sin is because there is no defense against a lie.

30:11.  Sadly, the present generation falls into this category.  When raised without the Bible, children will not honor their fathers and mothers.

  08-03-2025.  Proverbs 30:12-23.  The Sayings of Agur Continued.

30:12-13.  This verse speaks of the self-righteous generation and the church where they justify themselves as pure but are pure in their own eyes but are filthy in the sight of God.  They are vain, full of pride and disrespectful of the things in God’s Word.

30:14.  This describes the Pharisees because they ignored the poor and needy Man from among men who is Jesus. 

30:15.  “Three things….yea four” is a poetic way of saying the list is not complete.  When people live not being satisfied with what they have, they will go to any lengths to get more. 

30:16.  The grave in verse 16 is a reference to Hell and it is a place that will never be full even though most of the human race will end up there. The barren womb represents cravings for more and more of what the world offers and is compared to the dry earth needing water to quench its parched land.

30:17.  Father and mother refer to those who follow God’s Word.  If they are disrespected destruction is a certainty.

30:18.  Again a list is referenced that shows the difference between God’s and man’s wisdom.  Our wisdom will never equal that of God. 

30:19-20.  The way of the eagle, serpent and ship speak of thing that leave no trace of its path and compares that to an adulterous woman who claims to do no wrong because there’s no trace of what she has done.  But God knows every action of the ‘adulterous woman’ which can include anyone who thinks that God isn’t aware of their deceit and wrongdoing.

30:20-23.  Another list of things that are abhorrent to God:  a servant who will lord it over all who are under him,  One who is a fool that things his stomach is filled because of his ‘great wisdom,’ a woman who is hateful and disgusting before marriage will be the same once married, and the handmaiden that steals her mistress’ husband.

08-10-2025.  Proverbs 30:24-33.  The Sayings of Agur Continued.

30:24-28.  We can use the things that God created to teaches us.  Ants teach us about preparation.  Hyraxes (small rabbits that resemble oversized guinea pigs) teach us about wise building.  Locusts about cooperation and order, and spiders about fearlessness.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 that an effective way to resist worry involves a careful observation of the birds and the lilies.

30:29-30.  There are four things that are graceful in their actions:  the lion, strongest of all animals retreats from no one.  The greyhound runs races and is very graceful, the ‘male goat stands at the head of the sheep, and a king who deals honestly and correctly with his subjects can’t be toppled

30:32.  Confess your sins unto the Lord, Who forgives, and not to man, who will not forgive.

30:33.  The reference to ‘churning milk to bring forth butter speaks’ of God’s will, which will always end in fulfillment, development, rejoicing, and righteousness.   But the ‘forcing of wrath’ speaks of self will, or the way of man that will always end in strife and confusion. 

 08-17-2025.  Proverbs 31:1-9.  The words of King Lemuel (aka Solomon).

31:1.  Lemuel was another name for Solomon.  The sense of this Proverb is that his mother, who was Bath-Sheba,  was a constant teacher to him.

31:2.  This tells us Bath-Sheba dedicated Solomon to God before his birth.  He was a child of repentance and of faith.

31:3.  At first glance this speaks of immorality.  It’s deeper meaning pertains to idolatry – the false woman – that can take down kings.

31:4-7.  Drunkenness  can be understandable among dying people in great pain, but it is inexcusable for leaders in any circumstances.  Alcohol clouds the mind and can lead to injustice and poor decisions.  Leaders who anesthetize themselves with alcohol will eventually compromise their principles.

31:8-9.  We are to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. and for the the rights of the poor and needy.

08-17-2025.  Proverbs 31:10-19.  Epilogue:  The Wife of Noble Character.

            The Book of Proverbs says a lot about women often presenting them in a negative light.  But as we near the end of the book, it’s fitting that it ends with a picture of women of strong character. 

31:10..Speaks of how valuable a wife of noble character is. 

31:11-12.  Her husband will have complete faith and trust in her, and she will always be good to him.

31:13-15.  She manages money wisely and is not lazy in any way.  She is an example within the household for everyone to follow

31:16-17.  She constantly plans how to best provide for her growing family in order to keep them safe and healthy.

31:18-19.  Her skills and value are not only confined to household matters but include matters of economy and growth of her family’s assets.

08-17-2025.  Proverbs 31:20-31.  Epilogue:  The Wife of Noble Character Continued.

31:20.  When women help the poor and needy they are doing it because they know God honors this kind of work.

31:21.  The Godly woman thinks ahead so that coming difficulties don’t catch her by surprise.

31:22.  Even though she is very conservative. Money isn’t her god.  She doesn’t skimp in providing the necessities for her home, or her own personal clothing.  It depicts one who is blessed by God and is a Child of God.

31:23.  Because her husband was guided by God in his choice of her, she is also guided by God in her choice of him with both being leaders in their community.

31:24.  Her business abilities make her equal to her husband.  She is capable of being a captain of industry and a maker of excellent decisions.

31:25.  She does everything with done with quality.

31:26.  When she speaks she does so with wisdom, honesty and kindness.

31:27.  Even though she is greatly blessed, she is never lazy in her thinking or actions. 

31:28.  A Godly woman will be continually praised by her husband and children

31:29.  Shows the husband of a Godly woman will be thankful for having her as his wife and for all he does.

31:30-31  The last two verses are the words of the Holy Spirit and apply not only to this chapter but to the entire book of Proverbs.

 In Closing………

            We began the Study of Proverbs on Aug 27, 2023, and finished it today, two years later.  The book begins by stating the benefits of fearing (respecting) the Lord and ends with a picture of the kind of women who fulfill this command.  Her qualities of hard work, fear of God, respect for her spouse, foresight, encouragement, care for others, concern for the poor and wisdom in handing money are mentioned throughout the book.  Proverbs is practical for men and women today because it shows us how to become wise, make good decisions, and live according to God’s ideals.