Thoughts From Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25: 6-7

⁶ Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,
⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

Pride is a commodity that no one can afford. One of the results of pride is self-promotion. The writer in the verses above examines this.

A.    Self-promotion has danger attached.

B.     Promotion is available where talent is recognized.

C.     Demotion is more likely after self-promotion.

D.    Demotion is far more embarrassing after self-promotion.

Two applications we can make:

1. Pride is subject to make mistakes when self-evaluations are required.

2. Others who make evaluations are not subject to the same mistakes.

Proverbs 25:11

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

There is a right time and a right way to complement or to reprove. Good words have both beauty and value when spoken with affection.

Proverbs 25:22

²² for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

You may have wondered at times about this verse as I have. It is an illustration of a good deed done to one’s neighbor. Feed him, give him water, and give a fire starter thus showing yourself a good neighbor and the Lord will reward you.

Thoughts From Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24: 17-18

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
¹⁸ lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

Just as God denies the desire and any acts of retaliation, so He forbids gloating. This is unnecessary, undesirable, and ugly. Gloating will always carry with it both pride and the motivation for retaliation, all of which are sin.

24:19-20

¹⁹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,
²⁰ for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

This is wisdom that is repeated in Proverbs and elsewhere. The 73rd Psalm is about this concern. Envying the wealthy and the wicked is failure to understand two truths about them. First their influence is limited by both time and space. Only a few will ever know them. Secondly it is brief. I think of a relative who was very wealthy. The few who knew her were concerned about her opinion and affection. But she is gone and few even know her name, and she was not wicked.

24: 30-34

³⁰ I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
³¹ and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
³² Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.
³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
³⁴ and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

The writer of Proverbs has no patience with the lazy person. Why? They are like the barren fig tree in Luke 13. They are not productive and they take up a spot where a productive tree would grow!

Verses 33-34 were for years my incentive to rise early. I would awake quoting them and committing myself to escape the danger there.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23:3, 6-7

⁶ Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies,
⁷ for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

This is another warning against deception. God's warning to and against liars are so many in Proverbs that they need not be listed.

The deceiver is always with us. He will use any means, the scales, a meal, whatever is handy to practice his deception. He moves the widow’s boundary stone, and he buys cheap, brags about it, and then sells high.

In times past it was the horse trader, now it’s the used car salesman. As disgusting as these crooks are to us so they draw God’s warnings and His judgement. But because of the warnings we have we do not need to be fooled by them.

Proverbs 23:15-18

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
¹⁶ My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.
¹⁷ Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
¹⁸ Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Among other things to note:

1.      When are we are to do this, now and always

2.      We are guaranteed a payday someday.

Proverbs 22:23

²³ Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Just a quick note. Neither foolishness nor falseness can ever make you wise.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:3

³ The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There are two reasons this is so.  First is the history behind it. If the Puritans did exploit the natives, I don’t think you can find intent there.  Second it’s on Thursday and that gives a four day holiday.  Good.

There is much “to do” about Saudi’s murderous activity.  What are we to think?

1.       There is nothing new about this among Muslim nations.  It doesn’t excuse it, neither should it surprise us.

2.      The caution that there are two sides to every quarrel is overstated but it is a worthwhile caution.  I have read some accounts of the other side. There is no excuse for Saudi, but this man was a lot more than just a reporter and received the fruit of intrigue in which he was involved.

3.      Though his statements were rough, somewhat cruel, and certainly naïve, the President was correct in placing U.S. policy and well being above the internal working of another nation.  The excuses made for Israel and England should acquaint us with that fact.

4.      Remember the President and I are nationalists.  Protect our borders and put the U.S. first.  Happy Holidays.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:31

³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the Lord.

A statement that is directed to the believer. All his accomplishments come under this condition, "the victory belongs to the Lord."

What we know as the Cavalry was the greatest war engine an army had. Victory was assured by the horses, both ridden and in harness, an army was able to mount. The best and most was assured victory ordinarily.

But not so when contested by the Lord’s army. The battle is to be fought with His weapons, in Psalm 23 they are the rod and the staff, and for His glory. Note David's statement to Goliath, this day I will kill you and by this, all will know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s. We very often lose because we are fighting the wrong battles with the wrong weapons.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:12

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
    the Lord has made them both.

A.    The ear announces that a person is to hear.

B.     The eye announces that a person is to see.

C.     The creator put them on man for their particular task.

D.    It is a great loss for a person to fail to use them.

I read a long article on the Internet yesterday.  It sounded very good.  It touted the need for honesty, compassion, integrity, and a global concern. It was written well and as I read it I thought “how convincing that is.”

But then I saw their compassion included partial birth abortions which are cruel, senseless murders of the most helpless.  Their honesty had repeatedly said there was no need to worry about the caravans…. this would never get to the border.  Their integrity promotes those who are declared Socialist and cannot with integrity take the oaths they are required to take.  Their global concern denounces nationalism.  I despise all white nationalist organizations.  They are haters and most are cowards.  But there is a nationalism which is patriotism and whats wrong with that?  In 1990 I came to the opinion that illegal immigration was, and I think still is, our greatest problem.  Just hearing and seeing.

 ,

Some Thoughts From Romans

Romans 5:12

¹² Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

This departure from Proverbs is a result of some research on the Revoice Movement and the “gay” conversation in the Reformed and Presbyterian Church.

I am not unfamiliar with the “gay” movement and their social and personality peculiarities.  There is one compelling rule above all others to attempt any understanding of this social minority.  Do Not Stereotype, for there is none.  From the most conservative Republican to the most macho policeman to the most feminine school teacher.  There is no stereotype.

Our text above gives us this information.

A.     There is a single origin for sin; one man.

B.     There is a single identifying characteristic, “death”.

C.     There is a universal certainity “death passed upon all because all men sinned.”

Look from here to Romans 3:23, and fell short of the glory of God.

There are no unique catagories but the two in the summary of the Law.  “God haters” and “neighbor haters”.  Sinners qualify.  All qualify.  The cure?  Repentance.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:24

²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is thought that the true friend who is closer that a brother is our Savior to each of us. But in the context of Proverbs this seems very unlikely.  The writer both describes and promotes common social friendship.  And that is most assuredly the subject here.  But there are two very important truths in this verse.

1.       The number of companions does not equal friendship. There are any number of reasons people become companions of others.  Wealth, liberality, protection, and personality are but a few.  These companions are ordinarily temporary.  When what they want is taken away they depart with it.

2.      True friendship is no less a reality.  I heard this illustration in a sermon. “There are four things that cannot be bought; a baby’s smile, the love of a good woman, the friendship of an honest man, and the Grace of God.”  How true.

There is a wealth in having true friends that has no other equal.  I cherish mine.

Thank you fellows and girls.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:2,7

² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the hearts of fools.

What a contrast these two verses show.  The contrast is both internal and external.  This contrast reveals the great truth that is what is set in the mind that we hear from the speaker.

Charles Spurgeon wrote that much of what is spoken in jest is the real intent of the speaker.  And that is why we are told in Scripture that we will have to account for every idle word.

The wise teach the truth and commend themselves to those who hear them.  But not so the fool.  For out of his thoughts his folly pours as the bucket overturned pours out its contents.  If there is content less than folly do not expect it to repeat itself.  For as a fool is so is his folly.

It is worth noting in chapter 15 three times, verses 8, 9, 26 the Lord announces his hatred for man’s worship, his daily activity and his thoughts.  Bearing in mind we are to love our enemies who may be wicked what does this mean?  Whatever it means it is co contradiction to Psalms 97:10A.

¹⁰ O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
    He preserves the lives of his saints;
    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:5

⁵ A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.

1.      There are some to whom the truth is precious.

2.      These alone are reliable witnesses.

3.      An honest witness is a precious commodity.

4.      The false witness is false by nature and character. To lie is the result.

5.      Lying, for the liar, is as his breathing.  It is natural to him.

6.      The liar does not confine himself to a single lie.  He “breathes” them.  As he breathes all day, so he lies repeatedly.

Proverbs 14:16

¹⁶ One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.

“Is cautious”.  What a descriptive word! He looks before he leaps.  He considers before he buys.

He is slow to speak and quick to listen. He reserves his accusations.  He does not answer before he has heard.  He seeks to understand the needs of others. He does not assume to know before he has the facts. He knows man’s nature but does not forget the dignity of his creation.

“But a fool rarely does any of the above and most often will be found doing the opposite of all.”

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:15

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.

Whenever I think of a man with good sense I think of my grandfather Fitzhenry.  I was with him enough through my early years into my teens to form a good understanding of his character and reputation.  I never knew of anyone who did not respect him and only a few who did not like him.

My grandfather was not a man of emotion but of principles.

1.       He did not lie.

2.      He was a kind man, never vindictive.

3.      He was able to receive an insult or be cheated without bearing a grudge.

4.      He was, until health prevented him, a man of industry and frugality.

5.      He gave counsel when he was asked but he did not burden others with his opinion.

In the 20 years that him I knew him I saw him angry once.  Though it was not an excuse I do know he was extremely provoked.  And I also know that the man who provoked him was both before and afterwards a thorough-going scoundrel.

There came a time when I needed a model.  He provided that for me.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:2

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with the humble is wisdom

I Peter 5:5-6

⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

The most beautiful of all graces given to the believer is humility. We're told in Phil. 2:5 the mind we are to have. It is the mind of Christ who though owning the very being of God went to the cross. And we are show humility not only to those who have status, and to those whom it is expected, but to each other. None are too low but who deserve our respect and who we are to consider better than ourselves.

I've only met one man in my life who exemplified this grace. He was a laborer in one of the places where I was employed. He had this witness from a supervisor who both worked with him and supervised him. “I’ve worked with that man closely for 18 years.  I’ve never seen him mad or heard him say one bad word about anyone else”.

How I would be pleased to match that.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 9

The Invitation of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:4A

⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who lacks sense she says,

Often the word "turn" in the Old testament equals "repent " in the New, cf Ezekiel 33:11. But if

"turn" in this verse does not mean repentance, it does plainly teach that a separation is necessary.

The idea of “gay" Christians is absurd. There are no Christian “hitmen.” There are no Christian congenital liars. There are no Christian sexual predators. There are no Christian professional thieves. There are may-have-beens and used-to-be's, but no practicing or even lusting after these past lives.

Can a homosexual man or woman be converted? Paul writes, such were some of you, not “such are.” The requirement of repentance is universal as is the requirement of faith.

The provisions of Wisdom are manifold and gracious. This description of provision is very similar to Isaiah 55:1ff. There is no price required. But they are there only for those who turn.

Acts 2:37-38

³⁷ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:14-15

¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Of this you can be certain, you cannot repent and continue in your sin.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:1-11

¹Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
² On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,
⁷ for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
⁹ They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

The writer commends wisdom to his readers. There is here certain truths about wisdom that we need to understand and accept.

1.      Verses I-4 - Wisdom is universally useful and applied. Its availability and use is as broad as our race.

Verses 2-3 - shows presence in all areas of man's habitation. It is not confined to either city or country. Its presence and usefulness is as broad as the voice which broadcasts it.

2. Verses 5-6 - It matters not who receives and uses wisdom, its origin and intent are always “noble" and ''right". If those who hear it are "simple" or" fools" it does not change the content of that directed to them. The failure to benefit is their fault alone.

3. Verses 7-9 - Wisdom, truth, and righteousness are synonymous. These are the content of wisdom but they are also its purpose, never wickedness.

4. Vesrses 10-11 - Now we are told of its value. A. It is better than the most valuable treasures.   B. It so valuable that there is no comparison. The accomplishments of wisdom are always intended to be faith and obedience.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 7

Proverbs 7:1ff

¹My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
² keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
³ bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”  and call insight your intimate friend,
⁵ to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

This is the last of the "my son" passages. The writer gives a description of the simpleton and the adulteress. It is noteworthy that adultery is of considerable concern to the writer. It is a part of the constant warning he gives.

In this passage he describes her dress, her speech, her seductive cleverness, her disregard for loyalty, and her casual religiosity.

 In his description of the man he begins by saying, "he is a young man lacking sense," or a simpleton. He then puts him in the wrong place at the wrong time. A careful examination of adultery will show that this is nearly always an ingredient of the sin.

 He is persuaded by her seductive speech. But I would venture this youth seeks and desires persuasion. "As an ox goes to the slaughter," what a compelling picture because it leads to the most pitiful of all the words in this context. Verse 23 C "He does not know it will cost him his life." And in that moment he does not care.

Some Thoughts From Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5:12-14

¹² and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
¹³ I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.
¹⁴ I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

The adulterer is guilty and without excuse. He has not heeded the simple fail-safe in vs 8. In 5:12-14 he examines himself:

 A. Verse 12 There is personal recrimination. He is without excuse. It was not from ignorance nor deception. He and he alone must bear the blame.

  B. Verse 13 Now there is regret, but it is too late. He did not do what he should have done to prevent his fall. But regret satisfies nothing

  C. Verse 14 He must bear the reproach that is due him. He faces the rejection of those he knows he should prize most.

Be sure there are sins that deserve and require the reproach of the congregation. The church is a home for repentant sinners. But it is equally true that the church must have discipline. And rebellious offenders left undisciplined will bring the discipline of God on the church as sure as it did on Israel.