Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Our homes need to be a place of refuge and rest from the problems of this world. If the place is a battle ground it does not matter how small or big the house is it will be in constant turmoil. It does not matter how small the the house is if there is love in the home, but you cannot get a house big enough if there is constant fighting. The house tops in the days this was written were open spaces on patios, with a small arbor or enclose in the corner, which was a very inconvenient place to live. This verse kind of shows us why the Bible tells us not to be unequally yoked. It is setting the stage for a bad relationship if a Christian and a non Christian are married but if this happens it does not mean the lost one cannot come to Jesus. It will just take a lot of praying an forgiving to keep the house at peace til this happens.
Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
This first verse deals with the difference between someone who works hard for what they have and someone who who wants all he can get in short amount of time with out having to do much and end up still wanting.The second verse tells of the one who lies to get what he has and we know God does not like lying but coupled with deceiving people for gain just adds to the punishment that will dealt them. Verse 7 talks again of the ones who rob people to get what they have not realizing they are only robbing themselves of eternal life with Jesus. Lastly we see that that the way of man without God is crooked and perverse and is a stranger to God, while the pure in heart that desire to follow will do what is right in the sight of God In these verses we see more ways man can lose sight of salvation so attend a church today of your choosing and let God fill you with His Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
This verse deals with three common sins that are present in the lives of to many people that feel they are walking in the righteousness of God. The first being someone who believes they are just a little better than everyone else and really has no time time for anyone but themselves.The next one is one that is hard for a lot of people to overcome and that is pride. Pride keeps people from sharing the love God the way He wants us to. If we cannot share the love of God we are sinning against God by not doing His will. The last part of this verse sums up the first two parts because it refers to what these two two things can cause. If a person is stuck on themselves and prideful they will be sowing their wicked ways in everything they do. A saying that I have heard many times says ” Sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay.” These three things in this verse can carry you down that path.
Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Most leaders believe they are always in total control but God controls even the hearts and minds of kings. God gave the children of Israel kings because they ask for them but He controlled them. A good kings heart can be pliable with God to mold as He will, just as irrigation channels are controlled by the gardener. As verse two goes on we see even man thinks most of his ways are right in his own mind. This is a false security for man because God determines whether are motives are good or bad. Man needs to keep uppermost in mind that God looks at he heart to see if it wicked or good. Lastly how we look we look at people is important to God because He wants us to treat everyone fairly. He wants us to be just and judge people righteously if we love Him like we should. If we love people like we should it is better than sacrifice because the greatest sacrifice was Jesus dying on the cross for those that will accept Him.
Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
This first verse shows us that young men are proud of the physical strength in their body they really do not care to seek the wisdom and knowledge of God.The beauty of an old man is his gray hair, for one because he has lived long enough to have it. Also at this time his life he is not worried so much about physical strength but is more concerned about the wisdom and knowledge he has acquired from God.This last verse deals with discipline. When children are disciplined sometimes it may leave a mark but it helps them to learn to be a better person later in life. When it talks of the inward strips it is talking about the punishment that is felt within our inner most being.We are supposed to see in the bruises and in the stripes that correction has come for the sins in our lives.
Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
This first verse is kind of like the way they did wheat when they separated it from the chaff . They would run a ruff shod wheel over it to push the chaff out and it would be scattered by the wind. Likewise the king would sift out the bad people so he could keep his kingdom righteous.The second verse lets us see that God uses the spirit of man as a light to search out the the inward parts to determine which is good or bad.We are told by Jesus in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. God’s light shining within us separates us from darkness because that light is Jesus. This last verse tells us that if a leader wants to stay in power and be trusted by the people he needs to merciful and truthful in all things.
Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
This scripture begins with a subject we have already seen of how God hates dishonest people who use trickery of any kind to deceive people. I believe when things are repeated in the word of God then He really means for us to pay attention to what He says. The next verse shows us two kinds of men. The first is one who walks with God and follows His leading. If we are children of God then it does not matter what happens to us God will still direct our path. the next is a worldly man who has no direction that comes from God and because of this is constantly trying new and different things to try to figure out his life. He will continue to stumble around until he finds Jesus.Since a man cannot comprehend the unfolding purposes of God’s providence in his life, he has to walk in faith. This last verse simply tells us not to promise God something if we do plan to go through with it. In Acts 5 we see a good example of this with Ananias and Sapphira. When we promise something to the Lord, it is very important to keep the promise.
Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
As we begin here we know scripture says honor thy father that thy days may be long on this earth. Now we see the opposite, if a child cures their father or mother they will run the risk of suffering a spiritual death. To curse either of your parents is to curse yourself. Next for those who think that they need their inheritance quickly usually wide up wasting it on sinful pleasures. This is why we say easy come easy go. God knows just how much He can trust you with. Be content with what you have. This last verse reminds us that “vengeance is mine saith the lord” . We would always like to go and get even with someone who has done us wrong but God tells us to do good to those who persecute us . God already knows and sees our problems and will deal with the min His time for us. These three verse tell us that we should always honor our parents, use Godly wisdom when He blesses us financially, and let God fight our battles for us.
Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
These two verses give us some good council. First it reminds us to listen to good council before making decisions.Although most wars are begun because someone wants to show how powerful they are, wars should should not start without good council. The greatest war we fight is the one with the devil and unless we are well prepared from good council and the word of God we are not ready to fight that war. Then we have the person that likes to run around and talk about people and if they do this with you then you should know they will talk about you to others.We need to stay clear of these people as they are only out to flatter themselves Theses ow verses tell us we need to listen to wise counsel and stay away from people who like to spread rumors. Please attend a church of your choice today and I pray that it will be one that teaches the true word of God and you get the blessing you need today.
Proverbs 20:16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
We begin here seeing again that we should be careful about taking on the burden of someone else debt. Back in biblical times it was customary to offer a garment to cove a debt. Today if we stand for someone else debt it usually costs a lot more and so it is not a good practice.The second part of this verse making sure you have what is needed to take care of a stranger, this refers to a woman but it could be for anyone. Next verse tells us the bread of deceit, on how good it taste when we partake of it, but the effects of it afterwards leaves us feeling the results of sin. Sin seems to be pleasure, but the end is sorrow and regret. The last part of this verse sounds a little like what happens in hell where there is gnashing of teeth. Let us strive each day to be aware of the ways God wants us to deal with people and know enough of His word that we not easily deceived.
"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
