Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
This first verse simply tells us it better to have peace in the house than to have bitterness. It is better to have poverty and peace than to have plenty and strife.
Next we see that sometimes the servant who has wisdom and is trusted by his master is better than the son that causes strife in the home. the servant would receive an inheritance for his faithfulness to his his master.
This last verse we here we have heard the message it has often. Silver and gold are refined by fire but the souls of men are purified by the fiery trails of God. We should be ever thankful that God tries us everyday to help us grow in knowledge an wisdom of Him.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Here we see it is not enough just to be slow to anger but we need to put it away completely. It does not matter how powerful someone is in conquering something, a man who is in control of his spirit is more powerful than him. This last scripture says that you can cast lots to decide a matter but if it is not how God intended then He will change the outcome to conform to His will. We all should remember that in scripture we told that we can be angry but we are not sin in our anger. Ephesians 4:31 says” Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
Proverbs 16:30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
These two verses are so much a contrast to each other. Verse 30 is talking about the evil man again and how he meditates on devising things to say to talk people into following in his wicked ways. This is helping us to see we need to keep our eyes wide open so we do not fall prey smooth talking this person does to bring his evil to pass. Now the other verse shows us a totally different kind of man. This is talking of man who is on up in age that has lived the righteous life and by the gray hair, being his crown of glory here, is ready for the reward he has worked for in his life. Getting old is blessing and a reward for living the life God has laid out for us. We need to pursue the crown of glory we will receive in Heaven every day by giving God the glory He deserve for doing what He did for us.
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
The ungodly man does all he can to dig up evil to set men against each other as a laboring man does to make a living for his family. He stirs up strife with an evil tongue. This goes on to tell us that a wicked man twists the truth to cause trouble and a whisper is not satisfied till he has said enough to friends against each other by telling lies. Lastly we see someone who is not satisfied until they have lured someone into wickedness with them. We have to remember that the type of people we fellowship with is he type of person we will become. Let us try to be the person that leads people down the right path by leading them to God. Please attend a church today that teaches the truth of Gods word. Again we love to have you Luverne First Assembly of God, 9:30 Sunday School, 10:30 Worship Service.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
We have seen this first verse before in chapter 14 but it bears revisiting. One of the worst mistakes anyone can make is to think that they know best by their own will what to do. When we let the flesh take over in leading us we will wind up in sin and destruction. Next we see the person who really thinks only of himself when it comes to laboring for what is needed. Even if it is a lazy person they will work most of time for what they need. God does not want us to be selfish but wants us to be able to not only help ourselves but be able to help others to. Let us strive to let God take control of our lives and help us make the decisions we make and help the people He puts in our path.
Proverbs16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
We have already learned that from the heart the mouth speaks. The heart is where all wisdom is stored that is one reason God says to hide His word in your heart. The words we speak can bring happiness if we are kind with our words. Pleasant and kind words are sweet to the soul and we know that honey has healing properties and so the analogy to the honeycomb. People are so caught up in there own world today that they hardly have time to share words of encouragement. We should all be mindful that people have problems we know nothing about and when we can share kind words in their lives we will be rewarded for bringing some happiness to their day.
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
This begins by telling us that if we deal honestly in the things we do and say we will experience the good that comes from being thsi way. We also know that because we belong to God and trust in Him we can be happy every day. When we have Godly wisdom people recognize it and have respect for you because of the decisions you have made.It is also easier for someone to listen to a person that speaks nice things and they will learn more from someone like that. The “sweetness of the lips” reflect intelligence, judiciousness and discernment in speech referring to a great teacher of the wise. As this scripture continues we see that as the word tells to hide His word in our heart gives us understanding to know that when we need it it will come forth. It will be just like a well that we continually draw water from over and over the word will continually come to us .A fool has no stored knowledge. He has no well to draw from. Let us continue to study the word of God so we can face any situation comes before us in our day.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
This first verse is one that is familiar to a lot of people. A haughty person thinks to highly of himself and their actions leads to life without God. As the next verse shows it is better to be humble than haughty. By our actions we choose either to follow God or to follow Satan. The humble have chosen God but the proud would rather gain what they can here on this earth by any means possible. We can see in Malachi 4 what will happen to the proud,
Malachi 4:1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”
Let us humble ourselves to God and strive to be in His will daily.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
We have seen in previous verses that gold and silver cannot buy salvation. We should know to that with wisdom, understanding and knowledge we gain gain all the gold and silver we want.. Divine wisdom yields the greatest treasures, riches, honor , long life, profit, peace, and happiness. The next verse lets us know that the road we take should be one of righteousness to lead us away from evil. As long as we stay on this road road we will be safe. Matthew 7:13-14 says it all, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
These scriptures give us a view of social influence whether it for good or bad. Kings in the old testament were usually in place because it was God’s will. They had great responsibility and were expected to set a good example for the people. If they did not God would remove them. Kings in those days believed in telling the truth and preferred others to be truthful with them. The kings also had the power of life and death in their hands and this could be used in a good way or a bad way. Kings would rather be in a good mood than not and when they were it was as when the rain came just at the right time before harvest. You may ask how does this relate today in our government? With the corruption we have seen in last few years we need to concentrate on putting Godly people in office so our nation can prosper like God intended it to. We are seeing some change for the better but I feel we have a long a to go before we get to where the founding fathers intended this country to be. We need to be constantly praying for all the leaders in our government today.
"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
