Proverbs

This Proverb says, “A wicked man receives A bribe from the bosom to pervert the way of justice.” When we hear the word justice we generally think of our legal system. We think of people who are placed in positions of justice. We think of judges and others who administer justice. Additionally, we think of prosecutors, those who bring charges or indictments against people who have committed a crime. We expect people placed in these positions…

This Proverb says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Having joy or being joyful is good for a person's health. Joy enhances both physical and mental health. On the other hand, a broken spirit or sorrow degrades one's physical and mental health. Unfortunately, there are situations in a person's life that produce sorrow and mental anguish. Death of a loved one or a broken relationship are examples of…

This Proverb says, “He who has a crooked mind finds no good, and he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.” I am amazed at the use of vulgarity in today's world. As I was growing up in the 1950s, I occasionally heard some students use vulgar language. However, it was not the norm. And the degree of the vulgarity was not as it is today. Today, vulgarity is common in movies and in…

This Proverb says, a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A person can choose their friends. However, they cannot choose their relatives. Our friends are those with whom we are compatible. Generally speaking, our friends value the same things that we value. They also see things like we do. They likely share our world view. However, a sibling doesn't necessarily share our values or our world view. We are more likely…

This Proverb says, “Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?” There are things that money cannot buy. In fact, money cannot buy the things that have real value. Among these are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Bible calls these things of real value the fruits of the Holy Spirit. A person cannot enjoy these fruits unless the…

This Proverb says, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. Analyzing this Proverb leads to a discussion about what is righteous and what is wicked. America today is divided over this perspective. Each group views the other as evil and holds themselves to be righteous. Which group is right? Who sets the standard for righteousness and evil? I believe that God sets…

These passages contain two Proverbs. The first Proverb says, “Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.” A bear robbed of her cubs is very dangerous. People have been attacked and killed when they surprised to bear in the wilderness who had cubs with her. She became very protective of her cubs and attacked anything that posed a threat. That is a very real physical danger. However,…

These passages contain two Proverbs. The first Proverb says, “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.” The Bible says gossiping as a sin. We should not reveal the secrets of another who has confided in us. Nor should we tell others about a transgression we have observed. Doing so would harm that person’s reputation. It may also destroy a friendship. The Bible says that we are to love…

This Proverb says, “Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; Much less are lying lips to a Prince.” Excellent speech is motivated and enabled by wisdom. A person must be wise to choose words of excellence that motivate and edify another person. Therefore, a person must believe in God to be able to speak in such a manner, because only God grants wisdom to a person. The Bible says, “The fear of God is the beginning…

This Proverb says, “Grandchildren are a crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.” Having children is a blessing from God. In ancient Israel women wanted to have children. If they were barren, they and others around them thought God had cursed them. The Bible says, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior so are the…