Proverbs

This Proverb says, “The wicked desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. An evil man is ensnared by the transgressions of his lips, but the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man's hands will return to him.” This Proverb contrasts the wicked and the righteous in two distinct areas. First, it points…

This Proverb says, “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vain things lacks sense.” This Proverb indicates that success is the result of diligence. In ancient Israel everyone had land. The land was essential to their survival, as it was the source of their food. The land had to be tilled and planted to produce food. That required work and diligence. If a person didn't properly work their…

This Proverb says, “A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” As this Proverb indicates, the way a person treats animals they own is a revealing characteristic. A righteous person is compassionate and kind to their animals. Whereas, a wicked person is mean and cruel toward their animals. A wicked person will try to hide their mean and cruel nature when dealing with other people.…

This Proverb says, “A man will be praised according to his insight, but one of perverse mind will be despised. Better is he who is lightly esteemed but has a servant than he who honors himself and lacks bread.” The first of these two passages speaks of a person with insight. A person with insight is one who can apply the wisdom of God's Word to life. This person offers sound advice to others by clarifying…

This Proverb says, “The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.” These passages contrast a righteous and a wicked person’s thoughts and words. The righteous person seeks to help, encourage, and motivate other people.…

This Proverb says, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is as rottenness to his bones.” I know this Proverb is true because I have an excellent wife. When a man has an excellent wife he and his wife are welcomed wherever they go. People enjoy their company, and they are invited to many events. As a result, an excellent wife may enhance her husband's career. Additionally, an excellent…

This Proverb says, “A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.” When a person lives rightly before God by living according to the Word of God, they are building a strong foundation for their lives. They are building a foundation that will withstand the inevitable storms of life.…

This Proverb says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” God is our Heavenly Father. As a father He disciplines those He deems to be His children. Who are His children? The Bible says that those who believe in God and Jesus Christ are His children. When we become one of God's children we desire to obey Him and live according to His Word, the Bible. However, like children we sometimes…

These Proverbs say, “He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, and the foolish will be servant to the wise hearted. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.” The first of these Proverbs indicates that our behavior toward our families will return to us. If we love and…

This Proverb says, “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.” The Bible says that where we put our heart is vitally important to our spiritual health. The Bible specifically says that we can love either money or God. We cannot love both. Money and riches are temporary. God is eternal. Money and riches can be a real stumbling block or barrier to walking the pathway of…