The Eyes of the Lord
Comments for Study 22

Memory Verse: 4

Questions

Outline

SORRY, THE COMMENTARY FOR THIS STUDY IS NOT FINISHED.

I. Humility and the fear of the LORD (22:1-16)

* This drawing in public domain by Holbein, Hans (1497-1543. Totentanz) is from a book titled "Les Images de la mort [de H. Holbein] : avx quelles sont adioustées douze figures ... La medecine de l'ame. La consolation des malades. Vn sermon de mortalité, par sainct Cyprian. Vn sermon de patience, par sainct Iehan Chrysostome ... The image title is "The Advocate ". A skeleton, representing death, holds an hour-glass, representing time, over an advocate. The 54 images of Hans Holbein's "The Dance of Death" (Lyon, 1538) were cut by Hans Luetzelburger and here appear in the 1547 Latin edition of the work. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>1. What does it mean to have a good name?

* Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

* "A good name"

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* "to be esteemed"

* "than great riches... than silver or gold."

* The statement here, "A good name and being esteemed are better than great riches, including silver and gold" is not easily accepted. Doesn't the fallen human mindset esteem the rich? Sometimes, but not always. If a rich person becomes immoral and unethical, including harming others for their benefit, then they are disdained. It is not that I esteem the rich. Rather, I want to be as rich as others are. I, perhaps wrongly believe that wealth will not be the cause of falling into a selfish and harmful lifestyle. However, Paul warned Timothy, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10) The Lord through Solomon tells me, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12) He also tells me, "I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner," (Ecclesiastes 5:13) Considering all that the Lord tells me, the fact of this proverb can be accepted. "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Respect and love are two of the most Godly desires placed in mankind. Therefore, I will seek a good name and seek to be esteemed. (3:4, 10:7; Ecclesiastes 7:1)

>What is inferred by the proverb in verse 2?

* Proverbs 22:2 "Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all."

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>How can the prudent see danger where the simple do not?

* Proverbs 22:3 "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."

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>2. Why might God remind us that humility and fear of him bring wealth and honor?

* Proverbs 22:4 "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."

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>What is the way like for the two life styles in verse 5?

* Proverbs 22:5 "In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them."

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>What is promised for even rebellious children in verse 6?

* Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

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>3. What financial principle is to be heeded in verse 7?

* Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

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>What does it mean to sow wickedness?

* Proverbs 22:8 "He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed."

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>How is God involved in verse 9's proverb?

* Proverbs 22:9 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

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>4. Why is driving out a mocker in any social group important? (10)

* Proverbs 22:10 "Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended."

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>What kind of king befriends pure hearts and gracious people?

* Proverbs 22:11 "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend."

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>What does it mean to keep watch over knowledge?

* Proverbs 22:12 "The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful."

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>5. Why might a lazy person make the statements in verse 13?

* Proverbs 22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

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>What can be learned about the LORD's wrath in verse 14?

* Proverbs 22:14 "The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it."

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>What does it mean that folly is bound up in the heart of a child and what is it's remedy?

* Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."

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>Is verse 16 true?

* Proverbs 22:16 "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."

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II. The Saying of the Wise - Part 1 (22:17-29)

>6.

* Proverbs 22:17-18 "Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips."

* The ending of Solomon's proverbs in verse 16 and thus, begins of the sayings of the wise starting in verse 17 thru 24:34 seem to indicate that the rest of Solomon's proverbs starting in 25:1 added by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah could indicate several possibilities which are examined in the introduction.

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* Proverbs 22:19 "So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you."

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* Proverbs 22:20-21 "Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?"

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>7.

* Proverbs 22:22-23 "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them."

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>8.

* Proverbs 22:24-25 "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared."

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>9.

* Proverbs 22:26-27 "Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."

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>10.

* Proverbs 22:28 "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers."

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* Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men."

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