Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Verse three tells us that a prudent man, or a man of wisdom, can see danger coming and escape it. But the simple, that out number the prudent, just move on forward without thinking. They go with the crowd even if it is leading to destruction. The punishment ca come from others or from themselves as they go headlong into danger. Verse 4 goes on to tell us as we humble ourselves to God and have a reverent fear of him we will be blessed in ways we cannot imagine. In finances, how people treat us, and with an abundant life. But the greatest thing He gives us is eternal in Heaven with Him where we will have want for nothing.
Proverbs22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
As this chapter starts we see that a good name and reputation are more important than any amount of wealth we can have. Riches of silver and gold and money are not permanent,even though they are nice to have, but not as nice as the good name you gain by living for God and gaining something more valuable, eternal life. Verse two goes on to tell us that God made all men, rich and poor. One commentator said, “God made the poor to work to make the wealth of the rich, and that He made the rich to provide jobs for the poor so they could make a living.” The rich and poor should live in harmony as brothers and sisters in Christ. Everybody is equal before God, rich and poor alike.
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Inverse 30 we see that our wisdom compared to the wisdom of God is but a drop in the bucket. In no way can we pit our wisdom against the wisdom of God, the one who created everything and understands how everything works. The book of Job even tells us in 42:1-3 how great God is. Earlier in Job God ask him where was he when He laid the foundation of the earth. Verse 31 goes on to tell us that we do do not need to depend on anything but Lord for our safe keeping. Horses were used in battle to help protect and fight but even they are not as adequate as the Lord when it comes to our everyday protection and safety. If we put our full faith and trust in God we will have the wisdom we need and the protection from Satan’s’ attacks we need.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Here in these six verses we have six classes of people. First we have the infidel who is arrogant, proud, haughty and conceited. They are unreachable. The slothful who we already know is someone who wants everything but does not want to work for any of it. The idle time he has leads to trouble which leads to punishment.He covets things he cannot have . Then you have the righteous who gives and does not hold back from doing good. The wicked we know is an abomination to God and even more so when it is brought with evil intent. Next the liar or false witness will be found out and no one will believe him any longer, but the man who finds it out will tell everyone he can. Verse 29 goes on to say this person will harden his heart to change, he is not teachable. Then we have the upright of which the Lord directs their paths and they are teachable int he ways of God. They are upright in doing the will of God. Of these 6 verses we 4 kinds of people that the world is full of today and 2 kinds of people who are trying to reach these lost and dying souls, we have our work cut out for us. It may look like we are out numbered but we have a mighty Savior on our side who gives us the advantage.
Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
As we read these verses we see that if we pursue righteousness and mercy we will have eternal life because we walk in righteousness which brings us honor.We are told to be merciful because Jesus was merciful to us first. Righteousness, mercy, and honor for us is a by-product of our salvation. We read in God’s word where people who followed the wisdom of God conquered their enemies. If the children of Israel had listen to God’s wisdom and not doubted that they could take the promised land they would not have wandered for 40 years. When they did enter the promised land and listened to the wisdom of God the walls of Jericho fell. We see in this that Godly wisdom is greater than body strength and shows us that wisdom is mightier than strength. Finally we see the tongue being spoken of again. It tells us what we should already know and that is words spoken in haste will probably be regretted later. The book of James tells us it is better to listen than to talk. Today is Mothers’ day so please attend church today because you know she prays for you to be there every day. Also be sure to wish her a blessed a happy Mothers’ day.
Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Verse 19 tells us that it is better to live in the wilderness than to live in the house with someone who is all the time nagging and complaining about everything. This says a woman that is ill tempered but it could also mean a man. Verse 20 tells us that a wise man is careful how he uses and saves his money so he has what he needs on a rainy day. A foolish person spends everything he gets as soon as he gets it or even before he gets and borrows so he is always having to pay back what he got. This could apply in a spiritual way, a wise persons treasure is eternal life that he works for every day, a foolish person says he wait for a more convenient time and winds up missing his opportunity to be saved. Lets us be careful in who we choose to be around so we do not wind up in the wilderness and always be wise in how keep those things that are important to us.
Proverbs 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
In this first verse we see that wine and oil are associated with unbridled luxury in feasting and that many people in our society today have expensive pleasures like golf, ball games, movies, etc. If people indulge in these things on a regular basis and they will never have anything in life or death.The thing I see in this last verse is that God has always had a sharp separation between the wicked and the righteous. It seems that the transgressor has a price to pay for his wickedness and God will not have the upright to pay. Their debt is paid in full through Jesus. The wicked shall be cut off to preserve he righteous. Again let us strive to do our best to follow the path that God lays out for us
Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Verse 16 talks about someone who has know the how to walk in the righteousness of God and turned away from it . If this person never finds his way back he is condemned to eternal life in hell. It would have been better for this person if he had never known the ways of God than to have known the ways of God and tuned from them. It is faith that keeps us on the right path and when we doubt God that is when we begin to drift away. We need to continue to fellowship with with other Christians, and stay in God’s Word, to help us to stay strong in the Lord.
Proverbs21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
This first verse is the opposite of what we have seen in scripture when it says “give and it shall be given to you”. Those who refuse to listen when they should will also not be heard when they need someone to listen. When you do give gifts it should not be to gain recognition but in secret to possibly prevent someone from getting angry thinking it may be bride. Then when it is a gift from the heart it will stop all anger and hurt and wrath. Last we see it is joy to the righteous that treat people fairly because they know they are pleasing God. But the workers of iniquity are afraid someone is going to find out just how bad they really are while all the time headed for death and destruction. Let us gain from these verse that we do not need to overlook the poor and in giving do it humbly and from the heart and last treat people with respect and that is what you will receive.
Proverbs 21:10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthrowe
These verses we see differences in kinds of people the wicked have no mercy for anyone not even their neighbor.This person seeks to do evil so strongly that he will not even spare his neighbor if he gets in their way. The next verse shows us three kinds of people . First we have the scorner who when punished still does not change his evil ways. Then we have the simple who sees what happens if he does evil and learns to do right. Then you have the wise who are eager to learn and through accumulated learning he gains knowledge .Finally we righteous man who sees and knows what the wicked has done and also knows that in the end this person will be overthrown by God and cast into hell. Again we see in the teaching of Proverbs that we should strive to gain as much knowledge of God and try to live a righteous life in His eyes so we can enjoy that heavenly home that God has promised us.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
