Proverbs

This Proverb says, “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord.” This Proverb, written by Solomon, is best understood if one pictures God speaking through Solomon. In this context we realize that God is speaking about His Word,…

This Proverb says, “He who oppresses the poor to make riches for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.” God is an advocate for the poor people in the world. The Bible says that God hears the cries of the poor. He is also aware of those who take advantage of the poor. It will not turn out well for those who oppress the poor people. Jesus told the people that…

This Proverb says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” I'm sure you have heard the saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” Children need to be disciplined so that their behavior may be changed for the better. All children are naturally selfish. They have needs that the parents provide for them: food, shelter, comfort, and love. They are incapable of providing…

This Proverb says, “The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it.” This Proverb is primarily for men who are tempted to commit adultery, men who are tempted to be unfaithful with their wives. It is also for unmarried men who are inclined to indiscriminately have sex. The consequences of both situations can be devastating. Men can be enticed into a dangerous sexual relationship by…

This Proverb says, “The sluggard says, there is a lion outside; I shall not be slain in the streets.” Those who do not believe in God live in fear. Because they do not believe in God they do not trust God for help or protection. They believe that things happen by random chance with no purpose. This Proverb indicates that a person without God is fearful of perceived dangers that do not exist. This inhibits their…

This Proverb says, “He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.” Solomon wrote this Proverb when he was King of Israel. He was a good king like his father, David. He was a good king who initially walked according to God's guidance. He had been influenced by his father King David to do so. Because Solomon was a good king, he favored things that were also good. These…

This Proverb says, “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” God wants us to be generous to others, especially the poor. He wants us to give to others generously and joyfully. The Bible says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The Bible also says that God will give to us more than we gave. Jesus said during His ‘Sermon on the Mount,' “Give and it will be…

This Proverb says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” In the days of Solomon, people who owed money to others could literally become enslaved to creditors. When they couldn't repay their debt they sometimes worked for their debtors to repay the debt. In effect they became slaves. Today we see people who are deep in debt. They owe money for cars, mortgages, and other items. They have credit cards…

This Proverb says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” It is extremely important for parents to provide a foundation for their children. Parents are responsible to teach their children right from wrong. They are also responsible to teach their children about God and His Word. Teaching children about God is most effective by the example parents demonstrate with their lives. A…

This Proverb says, “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.” What is a naive person? A naive person is one who lacks experience, wisdom, or good judgment. As a result, they are easily mislead. On the other hand the prudent person is one who is characterized by wisdom and discretion. This person proceeds carefully in life and avoids unnecessary risks. A naive person is one who is…