* See a drawing to the right by an unknown author now in public domain. Proverbs 10:5, 27:6, 29:15, and 30:17 are cited.
>1. Who is stated as the author of the proverbs that follow and what can be deduced by chapters 10 on as apposed to previous chapters?
* Proverbs 10:1 "The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother."
* "The proverbs of Solomon" -The title of a collection of individual proverbs that extends through 22:16. The numerical values of the consonants in the Hebrew word for "Solomon" total 375 -the exact number of verses in 10:1-22:16. 375 of Solomon's proverbs were selected from a much larger number (1 Kings 4:32).
* Proverbs 1:1 states that Solomon's proverbs are presented. It can thus be assumed that chapters 1 thru 9 are also Solomon's proverbs. The difference between chapters 1 through 9 and 10 through 22:16 can best be explained as the first 9 chapters are more of a general introduction and chapters 10 through 22:16 are individual independent wise sayings. Clearly the construction and structure of the first nine chapters is different than the twelve chapters that follow them.
>What relationship is presented in the first proverb?
* "A wise son brings joy to his father" -The dynamics of a father and son is discussed.
* "but a foolish son grief to his mother." -The dynamics of a mother and son is discussed
* A wise son and a foolish son both emotionally affect their parents.
* "joy" -The Hebrew word "samah" appears five times in the Old Testament. "Samah" is one of several Hebrew words translated "joy". The Hebrew "chara" is most commonly translated "joy" and appears over fifty times. Joy appears over 150 times in English translations. Samah is a primitive root Hebrew word meaning rejoice, glad, merry, and brighten up. The expression presented on the face of a person with joy is intermingled with this word. Joy, closely related to gladness and happiness it is not the same. Joy is a state of being rather than an emotion. Joy is internally generated, whereas gladness and happiness are dependent on external influences. Joy in general is often the result of a choice.
* "grief" -The Hebrew word "tuga" appears five times in the Old Testament. "Tuga" is one of several Hebrew words translated "grief". Heaviness and sorrow are equated with this word.
* The parent-child relationship is the subject of either much joy or much grief. The dynamics between parent and child are greater than pollen in the spring breeze. The actions of a child will affect a parent; age, location, society, and appearance does not deter this truth. The choices of a child are the cause of either joy or grief for a parent.
Which do I consider? How do I affect my parents or how do my children affect me? Both.
Looking toward the future is the most important thing to consider. Making wise decisions cannot change the past. However, they will affect the present and future of my parents and my children. Be wise today for the future sake of parents and children.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:1.
>What is ill-gotten treasures? (2)
* Proverbs 10:2 "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death."
* "Ill-gotten treasures"
* "are of no value"
* "righteousness delivers from death."
*
* "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value." I believe that the definition of ill-gotten has become confusing. The original Hebrew word for "ill-gotten" is "resha". It is from the root word "rasha" meaning "wrong" and "wicked". The KJV and LEB translate this phrase as "treasures of wickedness". More simplified the two words mean "treasures gained dishonestly". Determining the root meaning that God is portraying through Solomon by looking at the original words helps only a little in knowing what it means to obtain dishonestly as opposed to honestly.
All gaining is not included in this warning. God even tells us he will shower his people with blessings, which include pecuniary treasures. Though Jesus and the apostles were very poor by all standards of the definition other men with faith in God were monetarily wealthy; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, and David (though not all of their lives), and even the author of this proverb Solomon was very wealthy through noble gain.
The eighth commandment helps in determining what is an ill-gotten treasure; "You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15) Stealing includes gaining through injustice (Proverbs 16:8), through a lying tongue (Proverbs 22:16), through hatching profit that someone else prepared to make (Jeremiah 22:13), as well as through unrighteousness, slavery, and underpaying workers (Jeremiah 22:13).
James 5:1-6 clearly warns, "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." God's stern warning is that workers were not paid proper wages.
God considers covenants and contracts very serious. Hiring someone is definitely included. Seriously, I can only think of one or perhaps two people and companies that kept the promises they made when they hired me. This is true even of those who claimed to be serious followers of Jesus.
Something resides at the core of our being that is awakened when we gain authority over others. We either redefine or lose our sense of righteousness. Yet here God promises, "righteousness delivers from death." I learn to maintain righteousness especially when I enter into a covenant and contract with someone that gives me authority. Ill-gotten treasures are of no value on judgment day.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:2.
>What is the difference between hunger and craving? (3)
* Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked."
* "The LORD" -The covenant name of the God of Israel. See verse 22 below for more information.
* "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry"
* "he thwarts the craving of the wicked."
*
* Two opposing and yet related claims are made in this proverb, a common proverb vernacular. A comparison would be looking in the mirror. The appearance is the same, except what is on the left in life is on the right in the mirror; one pertains to self-reality and the other is self-illusion. Understanding and applying opposing truths must be common.
The theme is hunger and cravings; the righteous and the wicked; the Lord's control and interaction are opposite and equal. "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." A bold statement.
Do I believe this? I have never gone hungry though several times in my life I didn't know where my next meal would come from. And I do not personally know wicked people, though I have personally encountered wicked people. Also, I do not know the personal experience of everyone alive today let alone in all of human history. So my life experience cannot say these claims are absolutely true.
However, since I have never gone hungry I can say this has been true for me. During the times that I did not know where my next meal was coming from the peace of God had me comfortably believe that I would be given enough to eat.
Jesus said, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:31-34)
As for the cravings of the wicked let me resist them. What are they? Galatians 5:19-21 states, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:3.
>2. Name a practical way to exercise the wisdom needed to become wealthy. (4-5)
* Proverbs 10:4-5 "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son."
* "Lazy hands make a man poor"
* "diligent hands bring wealth."
* "he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son."
* "He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son"
* The Lord indeed does not let the righteous go hungry (3). Yet that does not mean that baloney and cheese sandwiches will appear on the table every day. The Lord gave me abilities and provides situations for me to use those abilities to plan and obtain seeds, plant the seeds, and gather crops at harvest. Yet, he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6)
So I work with the knowledge that God provides for he is in control. If I were lazy and remained a poor man expecting others to put baloney and cheese sandwiches on a table before me then I cannot blame God. "Lazy hands make a man poor (4) not God. "Diligent hands bring wealth (4)" as God enables.
Wisdom is not as hard as I think. In fact, verse 5 is very simple to understand. "He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." Wisdom is applying the truth, and that is often the hard part.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:4-5.
* This image by unknown author is now in public domain is titled "He that Gathereth in Summer". Proverbs 10:5 is cited.
>What is a blessing?
* Proverbs 10:6-7 "Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot."
* "Blessings" -The original Hebrew word in verses 7 and 8 is "beraka", meaning God's gifts and favors in the form of prosperity. Old Testament passages often equated wealth and prosperity with spirituality. Blessings were either monetary and/or spiritual.
* "Blessings crown the head of the righteous" -The original Hebrew word for "crown" is "rosh" meaning "upon the head" as in a "crown". The phrase "blessings crown the head" is more than a physical crown. It is a special anointing and blessing of God.
* "violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." -Whereas the righteous' head is mentioned, only the mouth of the wicked is mentioned.
* "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing" -Memory here is either when absent as in on a journey or no longer living in the world.
* "the name of the wicked will rot."
* God's blessings; meaning his gifts and favors are the desire of all, though for many this hunger is hidden. Though all receive some blessings to see what we do with them; only the righteous are crowned with blessings. God puts blessings on their head.
Crowns date back to over 2000 BC; the oldest being a copper headband found in Jericho that dates from about 2000 BC. A crown in antiquity represented high merit and honor. Tribal leaders, kings, and high priests wore crowns symbolizing power. When Jesus was crucified the soldiers put a crown of thorns on his head as they mocked him. God blesses the righteous to show that he honors them for they seek to live his way.
The head of the wicked is not honored by God. Violence and cruelty are hidden in the words of the ungodly wicked. Therefore, God lets all know that he does not give merit to those who live this way. Violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
"Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue, they speak deceit." (Psalm 5:9)
Sometimes I consider the words spoken by others, especially if they have authority over me and others. Recently these thoughts had made me realize the importance of the motivation behind the words that I speak. In order to be crowned with blessings from God I need to control the words I say to others and about others.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:6.
* What do people remember about me when I am not around? What will people say about me when the Lord takes me from this earth to paradise? When others speak my name is it in love and respect or do they curse and swear?
Remembrance is important because "The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked rots." I watch drama and sci-fi movies and shows as much as I watch historical documentaries. History documentaries often revolve around people, wars, tragedies, and their dates. However, the Bible also talks about people; their life, their faith, and their character.
Men and women of faith and self-sacrifice are remembered as a blessing. Faithless and wicked men and women rot. Since I want others to remember me as a blessing I want to be a man of faith like Mary (Jesus' mother), Abraham,. and especially my Lord Jesus.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:7.
>3. What does it mean to accept a command? (8-9)
* Proverbs 10:8-9 "The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out."
* "The wise in heart accept commands"
* "a chattering fool comes to ruin."
* "The man of integrity walks securely,"
* "he who takes crooked paths will be found out."
* The wise in heart accept commands. Accepting a command starts with agreeing with it, though obedience does not always require accord. Accepting a command continues with believing it, though obedience does not always require faith. Accepting a command is finalized by putting it into practice, the part that is a must. Yet God is not pleased unless we accept, believe, and put it into practice.
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Though some say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:17-18)
When Jesus washed his disciple's feet at the last supper on the night his suffering would start he told them, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) Jesus was not saying agree and believe. He was saying agree, believe, and put love into practice.
A person standing on a pulpit chattering about love, but not practicing it is a fool who comes to ruin (8.). "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10) "This is how we know what love is: Jesus the Messiah laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16)
*
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:8.
>What is the attitude of a person who winks?
* Proverbs 10:10-11 "He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked."
* "He who winks maliciously causes grief"
* "a chattering fool comes to ruin."
* A person winks for several reasons. Here a wink is a signal that a person is about to do harm, deception, or speak malicious lies. When I interact with others do I intend to do them harm? A way to determine if I am winking the eye is to answer the question, "Would I want this to be done or said to me?"
I do not want to be the subject of grief. Therefore, I should not be the cause of someone else's grief. When I wink my eye, thus signaling I am about to become malicious I should remember that a chattering fool comes to ruin and keep my mouth shut.
My mother use to say, "If you don't have anything nice to say keep your mouth shut." A better thought is, "If you don't have anything nice to say keep thinking and pray for that person and you will."
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:10.
>Does our mouth have power?
* "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life"
* "violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked."
*
* The proverb in verse 11 can be flipped for self-examination purposes. Reviewing the words I spoke in my past 24 hours through prayer and meditation I can determine if I was righteous or wicked. If my mouth was a fountain of life for others then I was righteous. If my mouth was overwhelmed with violence towards others then I was wicked.
Jesus' mouth was a fountain of life. Words like cool spring water flowed from him to others. "The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing." Jesus said after feeding the 5,000, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." Many left Jesus at that time, but the 12 remained.
Jesus asked the 12, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:63-70) Am I like Jesus speaking words that give hope, faith, and love? Or do I speak words that take away hope, faith, and love?
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:11.
II. He Who Heeds Discipline (10:12-22)
>4. How can love cover all wrongs? (12-13; 17:19; 1 Peter 4:8)
* Proverbs 10:12-13 "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment."
* 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
* Proverbs 17:19 "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."
* "Hatred stirs up dissension"
* "Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning"
* "a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment."
* "Love covers over all wrongs" (also in Proverbs 17:8) and "He who covers over an offense promotes love." The apostle Peter wrote, "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)
When someone expresses unkindness, injustice, and hate toward me I am to respond with love. Love can turn a cold heart warm. Hatred only stirs up dissension. Dissension is a quarrel that separates.
Jesus used an illustration when he taught the principle of love overcoming wrongs. "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42)
Jesus wants me to be a person who promotes forgiveness by performing acts of love even when someone does not love me. Loving those who do not like me is not at all easy. Loving a person who hates me over and over takes wisdom and courage that comes from the Holy Spirit. Indeed to love as Jesus love takes Jesus living inside me. Lord help me love over and over again with your passion.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:12.
>How is knowledge equated to wealth and poverty in verses 14 and 15?
* Proverbs 10:14-15 "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor."
* "Wise men store up knowledge"
* "the mouth of a fool invites ruin."
* "The wealth of the rich is their fortified city"
* "poverty is the ruin of the poor."
*
>Is wages and income in verse 16 monetary?
* Proverbs 10:16 "The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment."
* This drawing in public domain from a book by Schwertfer, Wenceslaus (1617-1680) titled "Micae panis caelestis : De mensa Domini deciduae, pro catellis famellicis colllectae, sive, Doctrinae morales, ex sacrosancto Eucharistiae Sacramento, eiusque speciebus, in gratiam animarum venerabili sacramento specialiter affectarum deductae / à R.P. Wenceslao Schwertfer".
The titled "Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard" depicts Jesus' parable in Matthew 20. An angel presents a denarius to a believer while, in the background, the landowner pays each of his vineyard workers a denarius.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
* "The wages of the righteous bring them life" is similar to Romans 6:23, "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And "The income of the wicked brings them punishment" is similar to Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death."
The wages are the gift and the gift is the wages. The promise to the righteous here is not wealth, but eternal life in paradise with God for God is paradise. Heaven would be just another place if God wasn't there. The coming Messianic kingdom on earth would just be another realm if Jesus isn't going to rule on earth.
The promise to the wicked is a punishment of death. God promised Adam and Eve if they ate the forbidden fruit they would die. When they did the Glory of God left their being and their heart and mind were forever changed for the worse. Later their physical bodies also died.
The coming death for the wicked is the second death. (Revelations 21:8) "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur." Punishment by fire and sulfur is prominent in both Biblical and non-Biblical Jewish writings and ancient cultures. The place where God is not is equated to a fiery lake with its endless pain, suffering, agony, and torment of what will remain.
So the choice is mine. Today, will I have the quality, state, and characteristic of being right in God's eyes and ways? Or will I have the quality, state, and characteristic of being wicked in God's eyes and ways? More than I am saved from punishment by my actions, for all sin and sin cannot be in paradise, is that I will receive God's gift by not being punished for he forgives me in Christ.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:16.
>5. How are disciple and correction related? (17)
* Proverbs 10:17 "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
* A good parent will discipline their child because they want their child to be happy and successful in life. A good athletic coach will discipline the members of the team because he wants them to play their best and win. A good teacher will assign homework and projects because they want the students to learn information and how to think. God is my heavenly Father who disciplines me because he loves me and wants me to be like the perfect human, his Son Jesus the Messiah. (Hebrews 12:5)
I want to be on the highway to life. The Hebrew word "orah" here can be translated as "highway, path, and way". Therefore I need to heed God's discipline. If I ignore it I will be led astray from life. He who ignores warning strays from the way to life. "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:32)
Jesus taught, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:6,7)
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:17.
>6. How should a believer in Christ respond to lying lips and slander?
* Proverbs 10:18-19 "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
* ""He who conceals his hatred has lying lips"
* "whoever spreads slander is a fool."
* "When words are many, sin is not absent"
* "he who holds his tongue is wise."
* The next verse in the journey through the proverbs of Solomon is fitting because for four straight days FaceB00K has put notices on BDBD posts stating that independent fact-checkers say that they contain false information and yet they say that they have not checked the information. (Their notice to me has conflicting information and poor English.)
Facebook does not state the fact checker's name, which fact was false, nor why they say it is false, and no way to challenge the claim. I cannot defend myself against my accuser.
"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool."
How I respond to slander and lying lips is important to God. 1 Peter 3:14-17 states, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:18.
* I learn from this proverb to be careful, concise, and accurate with words. Sometimes it may even be best to not say anything at all. Many words involve the risk of sin. Dragging out a point is seldom necessary.
Matthew Pool wrote, "People that love and commonly use much talking, do frequently run into many miscarriages, because such people, for the most part, (lack) wisdom to order their words aright and speak hastily, without care and consideration." He cites Ecclesiastes 5:3, "As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words."
Peter comes to mind. He often spoke before thinking and made himself look foolish and on one occasion Jesus even harshly rebuked him. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain top Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (Matthew 17:4) Jesus ignored his request.
Just before that when "Jesus explained to his disciples that he would suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:21-23)
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:19.
>What does verses 20 and 21 means that our tongue is choice silver and nourishment?
* Proverbs 10:20-21 "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment."
* "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver"
* "the heart of the wicked is of little value."
* "The lips of the righteous nourish many"
* "fools die for lack of judgment."
* God's righteousness is what He does in fulfillment of the terms of the covenant that He established with His chosen people through Christ. The righteous person in the Bible is one who meets the demands of a variety of social relations (wife, children, family, friendship, city and nation, servants, foreigners) and has done righteousness before God in their covenant with him, though the requirements of righteousness varied within the covenantal/relational context.
Therefore, the tongue and lips of the righteous are choice silvers, nourishing many. If I want to be righteous I need to speak words of praise about God and be helpful and life-giving to others. Are there any words that I said yesterday that I should correct today? Did I speak God's name in vain? Did I give him credit for what he's done? Is there someone today that needs kind and uplifting words from me?
The heart of the wicked is of little value and thus their tongue and lips do not speak words fitting for a covenant with God and others. They are fools that die for lack of judgment. The heart is the control of the tongue. If I speak poor words then I need to ask God to enrich my soul through Jesus. Peter wrote, "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God." (1 Peter 4:11)
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:20-21.
>What promise does the Lord make in verse 22?
* Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it."
* "LORD" -The covenant name of the God of Israel, a translation of the name "Yahweh", "Jehovah", and "YHWH". Lord is YHWH in Hebrew. The most widely accepted pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) is Yahweh, though Jehovah is used in many Bibles, but in few modern ones. It is connected to the passage in Exodus 3:14 in which God gives his name to Moses, "I am that I am" (or "I Will Be What I Will Be", "I Will Be What I Am"). The Israelites consider it the name of the covenant at Mount Sinai.
* "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth"
* "he adds no trouble to it."
* The Lord is Jesus, the God of the covenant with Israel, the church and me. He spoke from the burning bush to Moses saying, "I am who I am" when Moses asked his name. He told Moses, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3 ) When Jesus was conversing with the religious leaders they challenged his sanity and identity. So he stated, "Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58) John records seven of Jesus "I am" proclamations.
Now Solomon writes,, "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it." Jesus brings wealth. This simple truth is executed in my life so complicated that it takes much thought and investigation to see how he blesses with wealth.
Jesus created the world and gave me life. He gave me a brain and educated me. He gave me the Word and lead me to people to show me The Way. He gave me a job and occupation, and help me succeed when it was good to do so and then lead me to another job. He set the price of that which I bought and blessed the land that I live in with abundance. When needed he kept my expenses down. He gave me health as well as my children. In so many more ways the Lord Jesus' blessing brings wealth. I acknowledge his grace, mercy, and blessing.
III. The Fear of the Lord Adds Length to Life (10:23-32)
* This drawing is in a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) titled "De onwaardige wereld : vertoond in vyftig zinnebeelden, met godlyke spreuken en stichtelyke verzen / door Jan Luiken". The title is "The Important Distinction". The pious Spirit, with his feet still on the World, stretches his wings out in order to ascend as soon as Death, knelt next to him and following the direction of Time, has cut the last remaining tie. A man sinks in a pool at the right side, although he keeps clutching the World, and thereby catches the few drops of a liquid given to him by Vanity. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture texts are Proverbs 10:28 and Luke 21:28.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
The pious Spirit, elevated to his God,
Has longingly spread his wings;
To glide free and liberated, in the open sky,
When Death cuts the tie of the earth.
Through one act, by one single cut,
A substance of twofold nature is separated;
The one rises, and the other sinks down,
Like joy and suffering, born through one passage.
The earthly being, imprisoned on the same chunk,
Is constantly threatened with his downfall,
And with passion continues to hang onto his prison,
Through false hope; anxious and scared of separation.
Still vanity, called pleasure and joy,
Stops with some sweets, the gaping of his mouth,
And makes him only forget the great danger,
Until he begins to sink to the ground.
Oh Difference! how large you are experienced!
As the one hopes, and the other anxiously fears,
To be cut loose from the ties of the earth
This is the fruit of the seed, in flesh or spirit.
Virtue's Child is steady, on his feet;
But the earthly child is steady in his desires:
Examine these, when they must separate,
By one path welcomed, and surprised.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
>7. How does what we find pleasure and delight in tell us the state of our character? (23)
* Proverbs 10:23 "A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom."
* "A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct"
* "a man of understanding delights in wisdom."
*
>Considering the contrast in verse 24 how is our future determined?
* Proverbs 10:24 "What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted."
* "What the wicked dreads will overtake him"
* "what the righteous desire will be granted."
*
>What could "the storm" be referring to in verse 25 considering the word "forever" at the end of the verse?
* Proverbs 10:25 "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever."
* "When the storm has swept by"
* "the wicked are gone"
* "the righteous stand firm forever."
* Jesus taught a parable about a wise person building a house on a rock and a fool building a house on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) Solomon's proverbs revolve around that popular parable. The fool and the wicked experience the same fate. When troubles come the foolish wicked person has been swept away. Yet the righteous wise person stands firm forever.
The fool is not necessarily without perception of the future. They dread a storm overtaking them (24, 1:27). Fear is a powerful motivator. The wicked's quagmire is that they risk preparing for that which they dread because their heart, mind, and will find pleasure in evil conduct, the sand on which they build their life (23).
The wise perceive the future too. They do not want a storm to come. However, they know it will. Because they delight in wisdom they forgo evil and delight in righteous diligence preparing for the storm (23). The preparation is because they believe God will grant their desires (24).
Jesus is the cornerstone, "a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:8)
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:23-25.
>8. What is a sluggard and can they be trusted to do what is required of them? (26)
* Proverbs 10:26 "As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him."
* "As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes"
* "so is a sluggard to those who send him."
*
>What can be learned about the fear of the LORD from verse 27?
* Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."
* "The fear of the LORD adds length to life"
* "the years of the wicked are cut short."
* Solomon has at this time in his proverbs well defined the righteous and the wicked. Simply looking at what each type of person loves and fears assists in understanding and believing this verse. "The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short." The things each believe in and does either extend their life or shorten it.
The righteous fear the Lord (also in 1:7, 29; 2:5, etc.). The righteous will not join the sinner and the violent (1:10-19; 2:12-15) and keep away from immorality with the adulteress and prostitute (2:16-20), they are full of love and faith (3:3), they trust in and acknowledge the Lord (3:5-6), they have sound judgment and discernment (3:21), they are humble (3:33), the Lord is their confidence (3:26), they are generous (3:27), and they are teachable (9:9).
The wicked are the opposite. They do not fear the Lord. They shun him. They are violet and lay with the immoral adulterous and prostitutes. They do not love others and do not have faith in God. They trust and honor only themselves. They lack sound judgment and discernment. They are proud and boast in their deeds and self. They have confidence in only themselves. They hoard and steal. They are not teachable.
The things that the righteous love and fear adds length to their life. While the things that the wicked love and fear shorten their life.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:27.
>9. What are the prospects of the righteous?
* Proverbs 10:28 "The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing."
* "The prospect of the righteous is joy"
* "the hopes of the wicked come to nothing."
* Have hope for joy is in your future. A better day is ahead, a day of joy. The prospect of the righteous is joy. Though today might be mixed with doubts, fears, and disappointments, these will turn into joy. The hope of the righteous is gladness. Though I wake up in darkness, the sun will rise. The hope of righteous people leads to joy.
Peter denied Jesus three times after saying confidently that even if all fell away he would not. A short time later his Master walked with him on the beach giving him a promise and joy. Abraham waited 24 years for a son. Then he said his servant will end up owning all he has. His Master came to his tent with two angels giving him a promise and joy. One year later he held his son in his arms.
The hopes and expectations of the wicked come to nothing. and so end in sorrow. Judas followed Jesus expecting wealth, power, and prestige. He betrayed Jesus and ended up swinging from a loop in a rope. Hope not rotted in truth shall perish.
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:28.
>Does the way of the Lord refer to the law or perhaps something else? (29; Galatians 3:10-13, 19)
* Proverbs 10:29 "The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil."
* Galatians 3:10-13 "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise."
* Galatians 3:19 "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law."
* ""The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous"
* "but it is the ruin of those who do evil."
*
>10. Why is the promise in verse 30 true?
* Proverbs 10:30 "The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land."
* "The righteous will never be uprooted"
* "the wicked will not remain in the land."
* Joining verses 29 and 30 brings forth one of the themes of proverbs. "The way of the LORD is a refuge (strength) for the righteous; they will never be uprooted. The way of the LORD is the ruin of those who do evil; they will not remain in the land." The way in the Hebrew here is "derek" from the root word "darak" meaning literally "a road" and figuratively "a course of life or mode of action." So this is the LORD Jesus' course of life. In the first century, others called those who followed Jesus' teaching as belonging to the Way. (Acts 9:2, 19:23, 22:4, 24:14,22)
Jesus used parables to help me understand how to live according to his course. He also used those who lived before him as examples of righteous living. The apostles who learned at his feet used direct speech when instructing the way of the LORD. Reading and thinking about Bible passages is guide posts on the way to live eternally. (Isaiah 35:8-9)
Jesus claimed in one of his parables, ""Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
The destiny of walking the LORD's way is set forth in Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Jesus clearly proclaimed, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:6-7)
Listen to the above comments on Proverb 10:29-30.
>What can we learn about being careful about our words in verse 31?
* Proverbs 10:31 "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out."
* "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom"
* "a perverse tongue will be cut out."
*
>How is verse 32 a continuation of verse 31?
* Proverbs 10:32 "The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse."
* "The lips of the righteous know what is fitting"
* "the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse."
* Contrast is used in verses 31 and 32 (as in other verses in the book) to reveal another truth. A righteous mouth versus a perverse tongue. Righteous lips versus a wicked mouth. These have been common subjects in Solomon's proverbs. The object of the lesson is to examine me, not to judge him or her.
When I speak I want to be wise, clever, funny, spiritual, and heartfelt. When I am not, one of several emotions hangs onto my heart like a leech onto my skin. Am I wrong about my conclusion that my lips are faulty? Jesus tells me that the source of my words comes from my heart. When he rebuked Peter he said, "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
I am amazed that Jesus always had the right words to say when he spoke to people. Some people consider some of his words hard and/or harsh. If I were to say some of the things he said I would be self-conscience for quite a while. Frankly, I do not know what to think about my words except I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit who is the source of wisdom and love.
