| Standing Humbly Before Life and God
Within each collection of proverbs we have looked at, there are diverse strands of wisdom woven together chapter by chapter. One of the strands within these chapters is the great value of walking in humility. To walk in humility means to take into account how to respond to the things in life that we have no control over. It also means that what we do control must be handled with wisdom and caution. Who is so prideful to think they actually control the forces of life that will make up our tomorrows? Sickness, politics, and evil can come without warning. It is wise to approach each new day with a humble dependency upon God, for we do not ever really know what each day may bring (27:1). Humility yields to rebuke and warning from a friend, knowing they seek our best interests (27:6, 17). Humility accepts that fulfillment and satisfaction can never be found in endlessly pursuing our own lustful cravings but comes from a life lived with love for God and the desire for the genuine good of others (27:20). Humility takes on the tedious task to know the state of our flocks. It is hard work to give attention to detail. A humble man will bring a selfless commitment to those things under his care (27:23). Healthy humility sees value in personal integrity rather than the outward show of wealth and success achieved by wrongdoing (28:6). The humble will confess his sins and take personal responsibility for his actions. The prideful man instead will endlessly justify himself, resulting in great loss (28:13). The humble finds great strength in the counsel of others while a prideful fool trusts solely in his own conclusions about himself as the basis of determining right and wrong. A humble man watches over his tongue for he knows that, like all others, he can speak folly. He will weigh his words and be slow to speak. Only then will a humble man speak with great passion for he is confident his thoughts have been ordered by God (29:11, 20). Lastly, it is a humble man who fears no man. Humility has taught him to fear only the One who holds the power of life and death—God. | |||
 | |||
| Proverbs 27:1-29:27
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; 3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, 4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, 5 Open rebuke is better 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, 7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, 8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest 9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, 12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; 13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, 14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, 15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day 16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, 17 As iron sharpens iron, 18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; 19 As in water face reflects face, 20 Hell and Destruction are never full; 21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, 22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, 23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, 24 For riches are not forever, 25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, 26 The lambs will provide your clothing, 27 You shall have enough goats' milk for your food, 1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, 2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; 3 A poor man who oppresses the poor 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, 5 Evil men do not understand justice, 6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity 7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, 8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion 9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, 10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, 11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, 12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, 14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, 15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, 17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; 18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, 19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, 21 To show partiality is not good, 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, 23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, 25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, 28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; 1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; 3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, 4 The king establishes the land by justice, 5 A man who flatters his neighbor 6 By transgression an evil man is snared, 7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, 8 Scoffers set a city aflame, 9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, 10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, 11 A fool vents all his feelings, 12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, 13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: 14 The king who judges the poor with truth, 15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; 17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; 19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words; 20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? 21 He who pampers his servant from childhood 22 An angry man stirs up strife, 23 A man's pride will bring him low, 24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; 25 The fear of man brings a snare, 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, | |||
 | |||
| Proverbs 27:1-29:27 v. 1 Boast about tomorrow – To boast about tomorrow is unwise as we have no idea of knowing how the day will turn out (James 4:13-15). Another view: don't delay until tomorrow those things that should be done today, boasting as if there is no hurry. v. 2 Let another man praise you – We are to avoid self promotion. However, it is another matter if someone else is appreciative of something we have done (Prov. 25:6-7). We can be thankful, and it gives us a great opportunity to exalt the Lord. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:16). v. 3 Fool's wrath is heavier – Stone and sand were used as building materials. Both are difficult to manage when hauling to the building site. The burden of foolishness is even harder to endure than the weight of those objects. In addition, it cannot be removed by hard labor, only by trusting in God (Ps. 127:1). v. 4 Jealousy – Proverbs 6:34 tells us that jealousy is the rage of man. We are to have control over our emotions, especially jealousy because it is dangerous and can lead to much worse sins. While wrath and anger are given their due as being unwanted attributes, jealousy (or envy) contains revenge that could be considered the most dangerous of all. Cain committed the first murder in the history of mankind because of the jealousy he had for his brother. Little can compare to the damage inherent in envy. The father of all sin, Satan, was driven to rebellion by jealousy over God's authority (Is. 14:12-15). While the Bible also indicates that our God is a jealous God (Ex 34:14, Deut. 4:24, Deut. 5:9), it is not the same emotion as noted in this verse. God does not want us to worship false gods for our own good, and is jealous for our souls to be set free from the bondage of sin. v. 5 Rebuke – To criticize or reprimand. We are called to be honest and loving to one another, which means that often the best thing we can do is to correct someone for something they are doing or saying. We can say we love someone, but not show it by our actions. True love for our friends and neighbors will show itself by dealing openly and honestly with them. v. 6 Wounds of a friend – To love in the Spirit of God sometimes requires the rebuke of a friend. It is much better to approach them openly and honestly than to hide behind deceit. Jesus sharply corrected His friend Peter when He perceived that Peter was more interested in the things of men than the things of God (Mark 8:33). v. 7 Satisfied soul – The picture here is of someone so full of good food that they cannot eat another bite, especially something sweet. On the other hand, a person who is starving would find any food sweet. The same is true spiritually…the man full of himself hates the sweet message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18), but the soul desperate for righteousness will be eagerly fed the Word of God with joy. v. 8 Wanders – The nest is a place of safety for a young bird, and its home. A wandering bird would expose itself to danger and potential suffering. Jesus used a similar picture when talking about the nation of Israel wandering away from God (Matt. 23:37). The same principle was applied by our Lord when describing the prodigal son wandering away from the safety of his father (Luke 15:11-21). v. 9 Ointment and perfume – Oils, incense, and various other ointments and perfumes were made from flowers or herbs and used to treat various minor ailments (spikenard), provide fragrance to the body (myrrh), and even to embalm the dead (frankincense). Relaxing fragrances are also used today to reduce stress and lift the spirit. Heartfelt counsel to a friend is just as welcome as a soothing aroma. v. 10 Neighbor nearby – This is a very practically applied Proverb. We all need friends, and we need them close by. Once those relationships are in place, we can seek them out in times of hardship rather than have to travel long distances to seek the counsel and support of family. Often our friendships become stronger relationships than even those of our family, especially if those friends are brothers and sisters in the Lord. v. 11 Make my heart glad – A wise and obedient child will add joy to the heart of the parent, as well as reflect positively on the importance of good, sound instruction. v. 12 Prudent – To be wise in handling practical matters, and to exercise good judgment. This is a repetition of verse 22:3, thereby expressing the importance of the matter. The prudent man sees the consequences of his sin, and the sure payment that will follow. He applies good judgment and repents before God, heeding the warning, and accepting His mercy and grace to avoid the coming verdict. The fool will not heed the warnings of God, and continues to harden his heart, sealing his fate of punishment in the Day of Judgment. v. 13 Surety – A promise or collateral. It is wise to avoid being a guarantor for strangers or anyone who intends to use it for evil. It is foolishness to be in business with anyone who wastes their money. This Proverb is essentially the same as found in 20:16. v. 14 Counted a curse – Here the writer addresses insincerity of heart. A person who shouts early in the morning while a friend is resting (even if the words are kind) is not really thinking of the other person, but merely drawing attention to himself. While the blessing on the surface looks to be one of goodness, it is dishonest. The warning here is to watch out for the one who is praising you more than they should. In 2 Samuel 15, Absalom rose early to meet the citizens at the king's gate and flattered them, pretending to show an interest in the cases they were bringing before King David. His real motivation was to gain their support when he took over the throne, and "steal the hearts of the men of Israel." God knows the motivations of our heart, and holds people accountable for their actions (Heb. 4:12). v. 15 A contentious woman – Defined as one who is given to arguing, or is eager to fight. A heavy rain would often spring leaks in the roofs of the ancient world, creating a continual dripping inside the home. This annoying sound is compared to the argumentative way of this type of woman. This type of woman has been discussed earlier in Proverbs (21:9, 19; 25:24). v. 16 Restrains the wind and grasps oil – Referring back to the contentious woman in verse 15. It is impossible to stop the wind by sheer effort, and just as difficult to keep oil from running through our fingers. So is the prospect of quieting a contentious woman by force. v. 17 Iron sharpens iron – Sharpening occurs when rough edges are smoothed off. A substance as hard as iron requires another that is equally strong to provide the strength to sharpen it. It takes a special kind of person to help us smooth away our rough edges. To have a spiritual friend that provides encouragement in the Lord is highly prized (1 Tim. 6:20-21). v. 18 Waits on his master – Eating the fruit from a fig tree (or any other tree, for that matter), requires patience because the fruit grows slowly. The fruit is the reward for diligently waiting for the tree to produce it. Taken too early it will not be pleasing. Proper care of the tree will produce a bumper crop of figs. The servant who patiently waits for his master is given the reward of honor. The fruit of waiting is realized by what is done with the time that we are waiting. We are encouraged throughout scripture to wait on the Lord (Ps. 27:14, Is. 40:31). v. 19 Heart reveals the man – Water is essentially as reflective as a mirror, so looking into still water would produce a clear likeness of our face. We could see details and imperfections. And though we may all have a different outward appearance, each of us were born with the same evil and corrupt heart. God does not look upon the outward appearance, but at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Though we can not really know what is in another person's heart, the Lord certainly does. He sees our heart as if He were looking at it in a mirror, and this reveals the true nature of the person. The unrepentant man's heart reveals wickedness and rebellion. God, by His Spirit, wishes to exchange that "stony" heart of sinful man, with a "fleshy" one (Eze. 11:19). v. 20 Hell and Destruction – These words are used to describe death and judgment for the unbeliever. In this verse the Hebrew word for Hell (Sheol) describes the place of torment for the unjust…the world of the dead. There will be room in that place for everyone who chooses to go there, just as there will be room for those that choose the glorious alternative, Heaven. The lust of the eyes will always want more, and are never full, because the carnal mind is insatiable, just as Hell is for more souls. Sin appears fulfilling on the surface, and can be enjoyable for a season, but is always ultimately found lacking and leads to destruction. Only in Jesus Christ can we find that which we yearn for and truly satisfies our soul (Is. 58:11) v. 21 Refining pot – Silver is heated to a liquid, where the impurities (or dross) are scraped off the surface and discarded, leaving a purer form of silver. Likewise gold is refined in a furnace to produce a higher quality of material. A man is tested by what people say about him. Whether it is a good report that results in pridefulness or humility, or a correction spoken about him that prompts denial or self examination, it is his reaction to the purification process that makes the man who he is. v. 22 Grind a fool – A mortar is a bowl-shaped container, and a pestle is a hand tool. Both are used together for grinding spices, herbs, and other foods. These implements are used to change the original form into a desired consistency; however they still retain their essential elements. Punishment will not force the foolish man to turn from his ways. The Proverb gives the sense that nothing physical will change who he is, as it is embedded into his being. v. 23 State of your flocks – The shepherd would daily examine his sheep by close inspection. He would always know where they were and what they were doing, making sure that their needs were attended to. As the Good Shepherd, this quality of knowing His sheep is attributed to our Lord (John 10:14). v. 24 Riches are not forever – Material wealth is temporary; we will not take any of it with us. The crown mentioned here is also considered temporary. Though a king wears a crown, and even passes it on to his son, it will not last forever. Saul is an example of a king who continually worried about his own throne enduring. The exception of course is found in our Lord, Jesus Christ. His kingdom has no end (Luke 1:31-33). We find our riches and inheritance in Him (James 2:5). v. 25 You shall have enough – These verses provide comfort by using the example of farming and ranching, living off the land. As a person diligently cares for the crops and herds, the Lord provides what they need to sustain their lives. God is very aware of the necessities of life, and encourages us not to worry about them (Matt. 6:25-33). All things belong to God (Deut. 10:14), and thus He will meet our basic needs. While we are to work hard, God is the one who gives the increase (Ps. 85:12). Not only for ourselves, but also our family and those who depend upon us. Proverbs 28v. 1 Bold as a lion – The first half of this verse speaks to the defensiveness that the unrighteous have when they are convicted of their sin. Guilt and shame are things that the natural man tends to avoid at all costs. Note that the righteous are just the opposite: there is nothing to be afraid of, just as the "king of the jungle" is bold and unafraid. v. 2 Transgression of a land – The Bible teaches that transgressions are not only personal, but also national. A country in turmoil will often have a number of leaders, each of them in turn taking the nation further into sin. A wicked nation is doomed. However, a righteous leader who seeks to repent of the sins of the country, will be blessed (2 Chron. 7:14). v. 3 Rain which leaves no food – A hard rain that washes away all the seeds and crops is not a useful thing. The same can be said of a poor person who treats other poor badly. While he should be an advocate for the poor, and reach out to help them, he makes it worse on them. v. 4 Praise the wicked – They say that birds of a feather flock together. In an effort to justify their actions and world view, the wicked will promote the same in others, while at the same time opposing those who seek to live righteously. The unjust approve of those that participate in the same activities as themselves (Rom. 1:32). v. 5 Those who seek the Lord – The book of Romans tells us that all men have a conscience but the unjust suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 2:15, 1:18). While the wicked man may think he is being just when he judges, he is merely manipulating the law for his own personal benefit. On the other hand, the righteous man who seeks the Lord will be given understanding and wisdom to guide him (Prov. 3:5-6). v. 6 Walks in his integrity – God is concerned first and foremost with our spiritual condition. It is far better for us to be poor in material things as long as we are also poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3). He will bless the righteous man who seeks to do the right thing. Being rich does not automatically disqualify anyone from the Kingdom of Heaven, but only when it comes between them and their relationship with the Lord (Luke 18:18-25). While absence of money is certainly a cause for hardship on earth, it is nothing compared to the sorrow to be experienced by those who reject Jesus Christ. v. 7 Keeps the law – A son who seeks to obey God's commandments will be a blessing to his father, and will be wise in the eyes of the Lord (Ps. 19:7). But a son who devours the excesses of life is shameful to his father. v. 8 Usury and extortion – Usury is defined as an excessive or illegally high rate of interest charged on borrowed money. Extortion is the unlawful exaction of money or property through intimidation or undue exercise of authority. Both of these acts essentially do the same thing…take advantage of another person, and are considered wicked in the eyes of God (James 5:1-4). Possessions that are increased by unjust means may initially seem to be good business, but in the long run will not benefit their account (Jer. 17:9-11). v. 9 Prayer is an abomination – The Hebrew word for abomination is defined as something that is repulsive or disgusting. In the Old Testament, no one could approach God unless they carefully observed the laws and ordinances set for forth. To disregard them would result in severe punishment, even death. The lesson is that we must always come to God on His terms, not our own. Peter tells us that God is open only to the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12). The good news is that because of what Jesus has done for us, anyone can now boldly approach God's throne of grace, provided we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:16). v. 10 Fall into his own pit – It is the plan of the devil that wicked set a trap for the righteous to ruin him, but to no avail. Though it may appear that he is temporarily successful, the inheritance we have in our Lord is one that nobody can steal. No one can separate us from God's love (Rom. 8:38-39). The unrighteous will pay dearly for their wickedness (Ps. 7:11-16). v. 11 Wise in his own eyes – The self-made man often loves to boast about his accomplishments. He is further encouraged because the world feeds his pride by seeking his council on worldly matters. God will reject that man in the end, and instead has fellowship with the one who is poor in spirit. God searches for those with a humble and contrite (or repentant) spirit (Is. 66:2, Ps. 51:17). v. 12 Righteous rejoice – No one worries about their safety when righteous men rejoice and glorify God. On the other hand, when wicked men commit wicked acts, people fear for their lives. v. 13 Will not prosper – Prosperity means to thrive or flourish. Not only does Solomon encourage us to confess our sins, but also to forsake (or abandon) them. As Jesus began His own ministry, His first word was repent (Matt. 4:17). To attempt to cover or hide our sins does not cure our bad conscience. This stunts our spiritual growth and we fall short of the glory of God. At the heart of every person is the desire to be free from the guilt and shame of sin. Psalm 1 gives a distinct comparison between a prosperous man who delights in God's ways, and the fate of the wicked man who does not. The simple solution is to confess our sins and be forgiven (1 John 1:9). v. 14 Always reverent – The New American Standard Bible says, "How blessed is the man who fears always." We are to have a heart condition that is humble towards the Holy God, and to respect Him. This attitude of gratitude will fill our hearts with joy. The person who purposefully rejects His saving grace will face destruction. For a study on someone who hardened his heart before the Lord, read about Pharaoh in the Exodus 5-14. v. 15 Roaring lion and a charging bear – The image here is designed to give us a feeling of dread from a potential ruler who exudes the harshness and terror of large, furious mammals. A man in power who is not under the direct authority of God will rule like an angry beast. v. 16 Who hates covetousness – In the tenth commandment we are told not to covet anything that belongs to our neighbor (Ex. 20:17). To desire the possessions of another is evil, and we are told to fear the Lord and hate evil (Prov. 8:13). The one who understands this will add stability and length of days to his life. v. 17 Let no one help him – A murderer of an innocent man will naturally flee from society. Though he attempts to hide from man he is actually heading down into the pit to face the judgment of God. All others are advised to stand aside and let the Lord deal with the sin. Judas Iscariot was a perfect picture of this situation, as he betrayed the innocent blood of our Savior, then went out and hung himself (Matt. 27:3-5). v. 18 Walks blamelessly – To be blameless is to be declared not guilty of the sins we have committed. This is another term used to describe being justified before God. Those declared blameless in the Bible were ones who had put their faith in God's grace (Job 1:8, Ps. 18:23, 2 Sam. 22:24). The perverse, or unrighteous, are separated from God and do not enjoy the peace of being called blameless. They face certain judgment for everything they have done that offends the Lord. However, if anyone will repent and believe in His Son Jesus Christ, they shall be saved (Rom. 10:9). v. 19 Tills his land – A farmer must do this most basic work in order to receive the fruit of his labor. Paul the Apostle urged us to mind our own business and work so that we would not lack (1 Thess. 4:11-12). This is unlike the Prodigal Son, whose laziness, foolish and wasteful living found him in desperate circumstances. Jesus communicated a similar principle when He said that He must work while it is day, for the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). v. 20 Faithful man – Faithfulness pleases God, and it is impossible to please Him without it. In this verse as well as other places in Scripture, we find that blessing follows faith (Gal. 3:8-9). The faithful man believes what God has told him. The man who chooses the riches of this world rather than the riches of God makes a foolish choice (Matt. 16:26). v. 21 Partiality is not good – Our Lord is always good, and we are told in Romans 2:11 that "there is no partiality with God." We are not to pay special attention to a type of person, or prefer one group of people over another. Often the person who pays special respect to individuals is doing so in the interest of personal gain. Not only is it warned against in scripture to be partial, but it is just an unwise thing to do as anyone can be led astray by the smallest thing, even a morsel of bread. v. 22 Hastens after riches – Jesus tells us in Luke 11:34 that the eye is the lamp of the body. The eye of the person living in sin and darkness will seek out the things of this world with eagerness; he loves the darkness because his deeds are evil (John 3:19). This man in his haste to be rich forgets the disaster that is sure to come upon him if he neglects the grace of God. v. 23 Rebukes a man – The Hebrew word for rebuke means to dispute, to judge, or to correct. While it often seems easier to avoid confrontation, we are encouraged to exercise sound spiritual judgment when dealing with our fellow man. In fact the Word of God promises better results when correcting individuals than just telling them what they want to hear. v. 24 Robs his father or his mother – We are told in the 6th commandment to honor our father and mother, which or course is a much higher calling than to just not rob them. To further compound the problem, the person in this proverb denies any wrong doing by declaring his innocence. As heirs to the parent's possessions, it is suggested that the children are merely taking what will be theirs someday anyway. This practice is not condoned by God, and we are exhorted to give to our parents willingly rather than take from them by force. v. 25 Proud heart – By nature man is prideful and self-reliant. We are born into the sin of looking to ourselves for deliverance. We are urged to have no confidence in our flesh (Phil. 3:3), but instead to trust in the Lord with all our heart (Prov. 3:5-6). These verses remind us of the folly of self dependence, but also point out the wisdom of trusting the Lord for all we need. v. 27 Hides his eyes – In other words, he who looks the other way. It is wrong to see people in need and not try to help them (James 2:15-16). We are to give freely and joyfully as we serve our Lord. Once we do give, God will not be in debt to anyone. He increases the blessing in our life as we respond to Him in obedience (Luke 6:38). v. 28 The righteous increase – The wicked tear down, but the righteous builds up. The devil takes, but the Lord gives. Proverbs 29v. 1 Hardens his neck – The comparison here is drawn from oxen, which fight against the yoke that is placed upon them by stiffening their neck. A hard, or stiff-necked, person despises the correction of the Lord and is intent on going in his own direction. God requires that all people repent, or turn from their evil ways (Deut. 10:16). Note that the person is "often" rebuked; the picture describing a stubborn individual. Unfortunately, if this attitude continues God will eventually give the person over to his desires, and the judgment will be permanent and severe. v. 2 Wicked man rules – This is essentially a repeat of verse 28:12 and 28:28. Oppression reigns when the wicked rule. On the contrary, freedom reigns where men who are in authority are led by the Spirit of God (2 Cor. 3:17). v. 3 Wastes his wealth – A harlot is a prostitute. No father in his right mind wishes for his son to spend his time in the company of prostitutes. Like the Prodigal Son, foolish living will leave a person bankrupt (Luke 15:11-17). A wise son brings joy to his father because he chooses to avoid the pitfalls associated with living a wicked lifestyle. Paul the apostle warned us about this very topic in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. v. 4 Receives bribes – Leaders who receive bribes are beholden to those who provide the money. He can no longer rule justly, but by the selfish desires of fallen man. God showed King David the requirement of how to rule over men (2 Sam. 23:3). v. 5 Spreads a net – Overly complimenting someone for they way they are or the things they do, promotes pride in the one receiving the adulation. Often, the compliment The net spoken of here is the trap of conceit and self-confidence that it promotes. The one setting the trap is set on taking advantage of his neighbor by speaking insincere words. We are told to love our neighbors, not deceive them (Zech. 8:17, Gal. 5:14). v. 6 Transgression – Willful deviation from, or rebellion against, the way of godly living. Though the wicked man takes pleasure in his disobedience to God, in the end it becomes his downfall. The righteous are kept away from snares, and they walk in liberty, which produces songs of joy (Ps. 27:6). v. 7 Cause of the poor – Psalm 41 tells us, "Blessed is he that considers the poor." The Lord has a heart for those who are needy. In fact, He set up a welfare system in the law so that all could have food to eat despite their circumstances, all they had to do was go out and collect it from the fields (Lev.19:9-10). Those with a heart after Jesus Christ will also take up the cause to help those who are impoverished. However, since there is little personal gain from helping the poor, the wicked don't view their suffering as significant. v. 8 Scoffers – Defined as someone who mocks (also translated as scornful; contempt or disdain). These people break the laws of the city, disrupting the peace and causing disorder. They scoff at goodness, and instead fan a small ember until the city is on fire in wickedness. On the contrary, the good men of God are those that stand in the gap for their city (Eze. 22:28-31). v. 9 There is no peace – It is foolish to dispute with a fool, regardless of what he is doing. Contending with him robs the wise man of any peace he may have had to begin with. v. 10 Bloodthirsty – Someone seeking violence with another begins with hatred, and in this case simply because they are righteous. In Genesis 4 we saw that Cain began the murderous plot to kill his brother Abel with hating him because he was righteous (1 John 3:12). Holy men seek to restrain those who would do evil, which creates even more hatred. Wicked men are often provoked into hatred because blameless reveal to them their own unrighteousness. The upright, or just person, seeks to make sure the righteous are doing well, rather than intending harm. They prefer to protect and save instead of hate and destroy. v. 11 All his feelings – The fool will tell everything, regardless of whether it has any merit or truth to it, or to whom it may have an impact upon. Who he likes, who he dislikes, and all the details why. The righteous are not so; they guard their tongue so that others are not offended unnecessarily. We are called upon to be slow to speak (James 1:19). v. 12 Pays attention to lies – Lies will be told to those that will listen. A ruler's servants will appear wicked because eventually they will have lies told about them. We also follow the example of those that are in leadership above us. Whoever listens to lies makes a foolish decision to do so, because they are from the pit of Hell (John 8:44). v. 13 Have this in common – Though these two men are at opposite ends of the economic spectrum, they have the commonality of God's basic gifts (Matt. 5:45). There is more common among men than not, yet we tend to focus on the differences. We shall all stand before God, whether in the judgment seat of Christ to receive the rewards for things done as a Christian, or at the Great White Throne judgment of sinners (2 Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:11-15). v. 14 Judges the poor with truth – The king who is faithful to judge the poor righteously, his kingdom will prosper. Jesus Himself is the best example of how we are to treat the less fortunate. However, we are also told not to treat anyone better than others (Lev. 19:15, Deut. 1:17). While we are called to reach out to the poor, all people need the love of Jesus Christ. God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35). v. 15 Child left to himself – The rod is a shepherd's tool that was also used to correct Hebrew children with. While the scriptures do not advocate child abuse, they certainly condone spanking. In this proverb, we are shown what happens when a child is not rebuked for disobedience. Nothing could be worse for a child than for a parent not to correct him. Proverbs 13:24 tells us that whoever spares the rod hates the child. Children posses a sin nature, and it manifests itself at a very early age. A child must be trained, taught, disciplined and kept in check. We are told in 1 Kings 1:6 that David never disciplined his son Adonijah, which led to his ruin. The shame to his mother that is mentioned here will not only be in the present, but lasting, as the child grows into a disobedient adult. We also see that the Lord chastens His own children because he loves them (Heb. 12:5-6). v. 16 Righteous will see their fall – As the number of wicked people increase, the number of evil deeds also increases. However, in the end, the righteous will be left standing as the wicked are crushed by God. Psalm 37:11 tells us that despite the growing wickedness of the world we live in, the meek shall inherit the earth. v. 17 Correct your son – As shown in 29:15, correcting a child is essential to their development. Here we are shown the blessing produced from obedience…rest and delight. The difficult part is over, and the fruit of the labor will be enjoyed. It is not easy to proactively train up children, but if we do, they will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6). v. 18 No revelation – Revelation is defined as revealing or uncovering the knowledge of God. In this case, the sense is that any place where there is not a public ministering of the Word of God will be unrestrained in its wickedness because there is no understanding of what is right. The only hope we have is when God is speaking to the hearts of people. We are encouraged to not only keep the law, but to love it (Ps. 1:2, Ps. 119:97). That is, not the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law through faith (Rom. 7:6). v. 19 By mere words – The Septuagint says, "stubborn servant." Though the servant is told the will of his master, he does not do it because they are only words. When the Holy Spirit accompanies words spoken in truth, people will respond (John 14:26). It then follows that we are to be agreeable and obedient to what our Master tells us to do (Titus 2:9). v. 20 Hasty in his words – There are few things that are worse than being considered a fool; one of them is someone with hasty words. Reckless words are often filled with exaggerations which lead to problems when challenged. Hurried speech is most often found with an unbroken spirit. A man filled with the Spirit of God will learn to temper the things he says. v. 21 Pampers his servant – If you indulge an employee as you would your own child, they will grow to expect and demand to always be treated as such in the future. This will create an environment where hard work is no longer acceptable. v. 22 Stirs up strife – Fury is contagious; it leads others into various forms of sin. This is a picture of the evil nature of men if left unchecked. The natural man knows of no other way. v. 23 Humble in spirit – The natural way of man leads to death (Prov. 14:12). It is full of pride and self-seeking. Though it seems correct in the flesh to pursue after personal gain, the end is destruction. Adam sought after the pride of life only to cause sin to enter into the entire human race. Only one who voluntarily humbles himself before God will stand before Him in honor (James 4:10). Not by words only, but a truly humble heart. This is the only attitude that is acceptable before the Lord (Psalm 34:18). v. 24 Partner with a thief – To join forces with a robber is to become one with him. His conscience will remind him of his disdain for thieves, but he will be powerless to do anything about it for fear of implicating himself. We are exhorted to not share in the sins of others (1 Tim, 5:22). v. 25 Fear of man – Rather than fear man, we are to trust and obey God (Heb. 13:6, Acts 5:29). There is safety and security that is only found in God. He who fears God will not have a fear of man, but the man who fears other men has a deficient relationship with God. v. 26 Justice for man – The natural man thinks he wants a leader who will take up his cause. Though he seeks favor from the most recent one in power, there is only One who can actually deliver what he is really looking for. While we are to be obedient to those in authority over us, we do not look to them to fulfill our needs (Rom. 13:1-2). v. 27 Abomination – In either category (righteous or wicked), the opposition's actions, deeds and characteristics are despised and detested. There is an eternal conflict between the two groups. A peace treaty will never occur between them, though the world declares it so, thus war is waged until sin is finally extinguished by God. | |||
 | |||
| "Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth." –Proverbs 27:1 It is humbling to read these words, Lord. We truly do not know what the next day will bring, nor the next minute. Keep this in our hearts, God, as we make our plans for the future. Remind us of this as we seek to share Your offer of salvation with others; for some, time is very short and eternal life is at stake. | |||
 | | ||
| |||
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
Benevolence Ministry
No comments:
Post a Comment