Things Unsatisfied, Wonderful, Unbelievable, Unbeatable, Underestimated, Majestic

Proverbs 30:15-33

15 The leech has two daughters—
Give and Give!
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, "Enough!":

16 The grave,
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water—
And the fire never says, "Enough!"

17 The eye that mocks his father,
And scorns obedience to his mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young eagles will eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Yes, four which I do not understand:

19 The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the midst of the sea,
And the way of a man with a virgin.

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, "I have done no wickedness."

21 For three things the earth is perturbed,
Yes, for four it cannot bear up:

22 For a servant when he reigns,
A fool when he is filled with food,
23 A hateful woman when she is married,
And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.

24 There are four things which are little on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk,
Yet they make their homes in the crags;
27 The locusts have no king,
Yet they all advance in ranks;
28 The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,
And it is in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things which are majestic in pace,
Yes, four which are stately in walk:

30 A lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn away from any;
31 A greyhound,
A male goat also,
And a king whose troops are with him.

32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself,
Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33 For as the churning of milk produces butter,
And wringing the nose produces blood,
So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

These things are spoken of for our understanding and wisdom.  They are those unsatisfied, wonderful to behold, unbelievable in being out of place, unbeatable in wisdom, underestimated in wisdom, and majestic in their manner.  The unsatisfied never have enough in their eyes, never learn contentment with God’s sovereign providence and provision.  It is always a cry for more and more that never satisfies.  This is not wise.  The things too wonderful to behold are manifestations of God’s hand which go beyond our understanding, which we can observe but never fully comprehend.  These include the laws of nature and o God’s creation living and interacting in it, things we can observe and try to explain and then see what intricacies are there by His word that made them so.  Those things which are unbelievable when out of their place as God created them try to force themselves out of God’s sovereign control, yet only appear comical in their absurdity and ineffective in their efforts.  The things unbeatable in wisdom seem small and insignificant yet demonstrate wisdom in skillful understanding and action to sustain themselves and find places of honor worthy of our respect.  Finally, the things that are majestic in their lives walked out have confidence and boldness to live as they have been created in the situations and circumstances surrounding them which they daily find themselves in.  It is wise to learn the good and bad in order to live in God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6-7) instead of pridefully exalting ourselves or planning evil out of the image of God we have been fashioned in, for if we force things in other ways than accordingly to His word and design, then it is only like giving ourselves a bloody nose and incurring God’s wrath by our rejection of understanding and wisdom that He wants to teach us.  May we be content in satisfaction of God’s providence and provision, in awe and wonder of all His design, living according to the order He has set instead of rebellion, wise as seen demonstrated in the smallest creature of His creation and not underestimating these things, and above all else learning of His majesty lived out in His creation as a demonstration of a faithful pattern to imitate.  These things are to teach us how to live wisely with knowledge and understanding, not mocking in disobedience (verse 17) or denying our wickedness (verse 20), or foolishly making ourselves to be more than we are in ungodly pride (verse 32).  Amen! 

An Ordinary Man’s God-Given Wisdom

Proverbs 30:1-14

1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance.
This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son's name,
If you know?

5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

7 Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
9 Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

10 Do not malign a servant to his master,
Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

11 There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.

12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

13 There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.

14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.

This chapter is the wisdom of of an unknown man Agur, probably similar to Job in standing among his people who would listen to his words.  It is interesting that wisdom may be learned by people of any nation who turn to follow the LORD, and not just of the twelve original chosen tribes of promise.  We who have the faith like Abraham are also of the faith of God in Christ as Galatians 3:6-7, 8-9 plainly state.  This man Agur told these proverbs to his friends Ithiel and Ucal in a humble way.  He did not see himself as a refined or scholarly man of great understanding or wisdom taught him of the Holy One, but spoke prophetically about the Messiah as God gave him the words of knowledge and wisdom.  He wrote about how nobody has gone to visit God in His heaven nor has God come down to earth except God alone.  This is also quoted later in John 3:13 where it is spoken that it was Jesus Christ the Son of God who descended to earth from heaven as Emmanuel and rose again to return in glory to heaven.  He alone as God controls the wind and rain because He established the created world we love in as the spoken and living Word of God as the Son of the Father (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16-17)!  The word of God here spoke also to ask the reader if we know God’s name and that of His Son because that is our source of wisdom and our work (John 6:28-29) to acknowledge Him and His creation as part of the gospel.  God’s word is to be honored to learn this understanding for wisdom because He is our shield of faith according to His word (Ephesians 6:16) in whom we put all of our trust.  We are warned not to add to the scriptures in verse 6 as it is reiterated in Revelation 22:18, or we will be revealed as liars who twist His words and are rebuked for it; this is a clear warning for bad and false teaching which does not come from the Bible (James 3:1, Revelation 22:19).  Agur then wisely gives an example of what to ask of God (not health and wealth, mind you), knowing the truth and being content (1 Timothy 6:6) by having just what is needed, not more or less.  Truth to not presume upon God and to live a pleasing life, and contentment to avoid self-reliance of having an abundance and forgetting God is the source of it all, or stealing to survive and breaking several commandments in the process.  He reminds us not to slander others other, for those untruths will expose our guilt of lying eventually and humiliate us instead.  Then he finishes the chapter by observing problems with the world around us, an evil generation (Galatians 1:4) that curses parents, is sinful and yet self righteous, ever so proud, and who are brutal at gaining for themselves at any cost over the abuse of others.  There is no love of God or their fellow man, only for themselves.  These things profane God’s name instead of glorifying it in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  May we learn from these wise words of an ordinary man’s God-given wisdom. 

Discipline Makes a Skillful Man

Proverbs 29:15-27

15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.

17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.

19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.

22 An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.

23 A man's pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.

25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Discipline and rebuke form a skillful man of wisdom, for wisdom is defined as skill and prudent use of the knowledge gained through understanding from God’s word and work in us.  These go against our sin nature and so the things contrary to holiness and righteousness need to be worked out of us as those of righteousness and holiness are formed into us, which is our ongoing sanctification.  The foundation of these things is found throughout the Old Testament, and much is spelled out for us in the proverbs of this book of wisdom.  Yes, a child only brings shame to the one raising him or her if there is no guiding and formative discipline, which holds true for all God’s children which we are because we endure it (Hebrews 12:5-6, 9-10) to form righteousness in us (Hebrews 12:11).  Our correction yields delight and peace to our Heavenly Father as it does in the natural realm.  But those who are left to their sin nature without correction only bring more sin into action and lead to their ultimate fall as we are often able to observe.  Without God’s word preached, taught, read, and studied, people will gravitate to more and more lawlessness, but those who feed on it are truly happy and blessed as a result of its spiritual correction and guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Yet only God’s children can be corrected by His word; mere servants who are not of the inheritance of the household hear and may even understand, but do not respond to the word’s guidance and discipline because it is not their Father’s voice they hear.  It is suggested here that if a master pampers a servant that he or she may be brought up as an honorary child as adopted into the household, a vague picture of how we are brought into the house of the Lord as adopted sons and daughters of the Master in heaven.  Then there are those who are hasty in their speech without understanding and wisdom to guide and correct, and their acts of foolishness make them the fool for not attempting to bring up others into God’s house through instruction of the scriptures.  Their anger only brings strife and sin as their pride lowers them from the Lord’s better plan for His creation; the humble ones know this, and they find honor in honoring their Lord (1 Samuel 2:30).  The thief only comes to destroy people (John 10:10) and those aligned with him do the same because they hate their own life but are too proud to submit to knowledge and understanding to gain a heart of wisdom as a Psalm 90:12 reminds us.  Many fear the approval of their fellow men over God and are ensnared in the lies of pride’s unrighteousness, but those who follow to learn from God’s good yoke in trust of him according to His word are kept safe for eternity!  We should therefore be concerned with God’s favor and not that of our the earthly rulers or political parties, because the true and only justice comes from God.  We seek it in vain elsewhere.  Our righteousness of Christ then is an abomination to the evil ones, but they are the real abomination to the righteous in Christ because they deny the one who can give them peace with Himself through humble and yielding trust in Him for repentance leading to life.  Only God’s correction makes a skillful man of wisdom in these things.  If we do not endure discipline, we are not His children (Hebrews 12:7-8).  This is not wise. 

Wisdom for the Wise and Foolish

Proverbs 29:1-14

1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

4 The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.

6 By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.

7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.

11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

14 The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.

These sayings continue to contrast the wise and foolish ones and provide wisdom for the wise and foolish.  It begins with the hardening of the heart by one not taking correction to heart as we all have done at some point in our lives.  There is no cure for the one who makes this the norm in his or her life, however.  This is why we have repentance and forgiveness to keep us on track with the wisdom of God according to His word in its commands, principles, and examples.  Another example here is for those in authority, noting how the righteous rulers bring happiness to their citizens, while the evil only cause pain and suffering with sounds like moaning cattle.  If God puts any of us in positions over others, from managers to mayors or even a president, it is wise to remember this.  Wisdom makes a father rejoice, whether familial or spiritual, but spending a life on immoral pleasures wastes all a person has been given by God and brings shame instead of honor.  This is why morality is essential for all of God’s people in thoughts and actions.  Justice and not taking favors to pervert it is also required as an example of fairness over other and between us all.  If we falsely flatter others to gain their favor we only lay a trap for ourselves to be caught in.  Honesty is the right policy in ruling and in relationships with everyone.  Sin only traps the unrepentant sinner while a life lived in pursuit of holiness causes us to sing and rejoice in God’s grace.  This also means that we consider and help the cause of the poor to improve their conditions and change them for their good, not just giving a token something to meet the need of the moment that will only soon happen again.  As to responses to righteousness, scoffer cause inflammatory responses, but if we are wise then we defuse the emotions and angry responses instead by not scoffing but encouraging and gently correcting in love.  How difficult that is in practice!  We know as it is written here that reasoning or arguing with a fool never brings real peace no matter their response.  They may laugh off our wise reasoning or they may be enraged at our words, but they do not change regardless.  Wisdom knows who and when to engage with to show righteousness and wisdom (Matthew 7:6).  However, even though the violent men hate the righteous, these upright in God’s grace still seek the well-being of the unrighteous.  This is the grace shown us, sinners all.  We then learn to hold back some things we wish to tell others instead of venting all we really think without self control.  Remember that if rulers listen to the lies going around (as now in social media concerning political aims against common sense and decency) then those under them will follow suit and become just as wicked and influenced to repeat those errors.  This is especially and more concerning as true in the church.  We should also remember that nobody is above another in God’s eyes; the light of wisdom and salvation fills the eyes of both the oppressive rich ruler and the poor man alike.  Humility should keep us from abusing the positions or authority given us.  Only the ruler who governs the marginalized or poor with truth and mercy makes his rule to last.  The King of kings is the ultimate example of this truth, for Christ’s rule is everlasting from before time and into eternity going forward.  His is the example we are to imitate in all these wise sayings. 

Selfish Pride or Faithful Trust?

Proverbs 28:15-28

15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, "It is no transgression,"
The same is companion to a destroyer.

25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Do we follow God’s wisdom with understanding to live according to faithfully trust Him, or does our selfish pride lead to our fall?  Rulers who have no understanding follow their selfish desires in prideful oppression for their own gain, but if they hate gaining all for themselves they will have longer on the earth to rule wisely.  Ruling over our own lives is no different (Proverbs 25:28).  If we do not care for what we do to others and do not rule our own lives, we fall into the pit we hew out of the ground for ourselves.  Perverse pride in selfish ways bring hard falls while living in the direction of a blameless life before God leads to deliverance from those falls in life.  He who honors God will be honored by Him.  This means we work diligently, not for our eternal salvation, but for deliverance from God’s displeasure and food for ourselves by our diligence.  This kind of faithfulness leads to blessings which the greedy and perverse fail to see in their rebellious disobedience to God and laziness in not pursuing Him according to His word.  Similarly, showing partiality instead of generous grace to others only causes us to sin more and cause God’s displeasure.  Such greediness to hoard influence and material gain to be rich leads to poverty of the soul and even in life itself.  It is therefore best to correct those running after such gain or even disrespect of their parents instead of false flattery, that the transgressor may repent and find the blessings of Christ instead.  Pride in the heart only causes division and conflict, but if we trust faithfully and follow God diligently, we prosper in our inner man.  The fool trusts his own heart instead, which is desperately evil (Jeremiah 17:9).  Living wisely understands these things and lives accordingly.  May we then follow these proverbs for other’s and our own good in giving of ourselves to not bring sin’s curses of consequences on ourselves.  The wicked will fall away and the righteous will increase towards eternal life.  The world flees to hide from those who do not faithfully trust God in the end.  May we then follow hard after our Lord. 

Those with Integrity are Bold as the Lion

Proverbs 28:1-14

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Those with integrity who follow righteousness ultimately find their righteousness in the Lion of Judah, and are bold in Him.  The evil ones follow the unrighteous and run from themselves in a deep-seated unconscious awareness with conviction of their unrighteousness.  Right can only be maintained in a country by ones with knowledge and understanding of God’s sovereign rule over all and the righteousness which comes from abiding in Him alone.  The sin of many rulers and magistrates in a land come a culture glorifying sin and ignoring Him; they have no knowledge of the Holy and come to nothing.  These are spiritually poor but do not recognize or acknowledge that fact, and so go on oppressing the poor themselves.  They are like a storm driving a deluge of rain which destroys the source of food instead of gently watering the ground to feed others in the knowledge amd righteousness of God.  These deny God’s word and refuse to follow it, leading to the support of sin and praise of those joining them in it.  Yes, they cannot understand justice as those who keep His word and have that knowledge and wisdom to support those who honor Him.  It is therefore far better to be poor in spirit (humble) and possessions and have integrity, especially for those who rule.  Keeping God’s word shows discernment instead of indulging one’s own appetites unchecked and shaming their Maker.  The unrighteous walk over others and cheat them for dishonest gain but may find it goes to others who will take it all and use it rightly for the food of meeting needs.  How many offer empty religious prayers of rote unbelief in empty traditions of men as they ignore God’s word that gives knowledge and wisdom of righteous guidance!  Their prayers as they call them are an abomination according to His word here.  Those teaching these false ways in opposition to the scriptures lead others astray, but they themselves fall into the deep hole that they dig.  However, the humble who are blameless in the Lord and His righteousness inherit good from God.  Those rich in their own eyes think themselves to be good, but are not, and if we have understanding we will find this out in time as we gauge all according to His word.  If we live in this righteousness others will glory in our joy, but the wicked only dive me into hiding from them and from God.  Yes, if we cover our sins we cannot prosper in God’s sight.  If we confess our sins and forsake them in true repentance, He is faithful and just to forgive and restore us in Christ (1 John 1:9).  Happy and blessed are those who are reverent in pursuing holiness in His righteousness, but those who harden their hearts find only disastrous destruction in the end.  May we live in integrity as we are bold in the Lion of the tribe of Judah!  Amen and amen. 

Sharpening Iron and a Reflecting Heart

Proverbs 27:15-27

15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day
And a contentious woman are alike;
16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face,
So a man's heart reveals the man.

20 Hell and Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26 The lambs will provide your clothing,
And the goats the price of a field;
27 You shall have enough goats' milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And the nourishment of your maidservants.

These various sayings of wisdom seem centered around verses 17 and 19.  These tell us about a man sharpening the understanding and knowledge of his friends that they may gain a heart of wisdom, and about how what is in a man’s heart is what comes out (Mark 7:21, Matthew 12:35, Proverbs 23:7) to reveal who he really is before God.  This is why the argumentative woman is used as an example of constant dripping out of a troubled heart, and others are unable to stop the incessant flow of what comes out the mouth from that heart.  We reap what we sow and a servant receives a well done when doing his or her duty (Like 17:10).  Yes, Hell and destruction are constantly receiving new people who are never satisfied with what God’s grace daily supplies as they seek greater gain for themselves.  God wishes to refine us like precious metals to remove the dross of sin and other pollutants of the heart.  The results are often noticed by others and we hear of the sanctifying metamorphosis from their accolades.  But foolish ones cannot have their foolishness ground out of them or removed like dross because they do not listen to wisdom not heed God’s commands for change.  We are to be diligent with sharpe each other (Hebrews 10:24-25) for lasting crowns and works which last as given to us (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 3:12-13).  The grass of growth is revealed when the loose hay is taken away and we reap of the fruits of the land.  Yes, we will have enough for ourselves and our households of faith if we remain faithful.  These are wise sayings to sharpen each other in fellowship of the word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) in a reflecting heart of wisdom.  

Wisdom to Avoid Evil

Proverbs 27:1-14

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
But a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
But who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend,
Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may answer him who reproaches me.
12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;
The simple pass on and are punished.

13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.

14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
It will be counted a curse to him.

It is wise and prudent to see evil coming and avoid it, not ignoring or charging into it.  Such pride assumes we can make tomorrow what we can make it to be instead of what the sovereign God has for us.  If we do well, others will tell us.  We dare not puff ourselves up by our own inflated words as if all is in our power and planning, especially when we do not even avoid evil around and before us.  The anger of fools in denying God’s sovereign work in us is heavier than rocks and sand, and the torrent of anger from cruel burning wrath (2 Corinthians 12:20) in rebellion against God reaches its pinnacle in outbursts of jealousy (Galatians 5:20) when denied self-exaltation.  This is why rebuke or required to help each other from acting foolishly, even when wounds hurt from the love spoken in truth.  To conceal care in the name of love and let these things fester and grow is not love at all; even God corrects us with strong discipline when required in love.  Who are we to do otherwise?  If we hunger for righteousness then we yearn to do things God’s way, the sweetness of the suffering and of the joyous moments all are worth pursuing for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).  If we wander from these things we become like a lost bird without the safety of the nest.  If we then counsel each other to identify evil and then to avoid it, this instruction and discipline of obedience is a sweet scent of love as Philippians 4:18 brings to mind.  We should not forget or ignore a friend in need, but seek wise counsel and solace as we give the same to each other.  The writer taught these things out of his own failures and found joy in the ones who listened to wise advice.  Then he could confidently bear witness of his faithfulness when asked.  Yes, we teach each other to be prudent in wise avoidance of looming evil and due punishment instead of charging into it as if we have superhuman strength instead of supernatural wisdom to deal rightly with the clear and present danger we face.  We are to look after each other and not falsely shout hollow blessings as if to wake the dead.  Private counsel and correction is  what helps settle pride and allows Christ to bring His sanctifying work into each of us in honing each other as we see later in verse 17.  These are lessons of gaining wisdom to avoid evil, teaching us to develop and use Wisdom to Avoid Evil, not to proudly charge into it as if to overcome it in our own strength and ability. 

Busybodies, Instigators, Slanderers, Haters, and Liars

Proverbs 26:17-28

17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, "I was only joking!"

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Here are abominations of the heart which understanding and wise listeners will hear and heed to avoid.  There are busybodies who cannot pass past a conversation without entrenching their opinions and bad advice into only to stir up arguments.  The picture here is as a man who grabs a dog by the ears which leads to an angry animal with aggression to swiftly follow.  So does the one who sticks her or his nose into other’s business (2 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Timothy 5:13) and stirs things up like making a dog snap and bark.  The instigators deceive others and cause great contention and worrying anger, then pretend it was all just a joke for the fun of seeing them get wound up and angry.  Take away the fuel of opportunity for these instigators and the contention ceases.  Slanderers also generate great strife among people as they say false and hurtful things as if a game in order to satisfy others who play along in defaming others to see the wickedness they can create in the hearts of people.  They love the taste of wickedness and hold it in common vessels of God’s wrath disguised as valuable containers but holding malevolence.  Their fuel must be taken away from them by not going along with the evil disguised as fun that others are not drawn into such unloving and destructive behavior either.  Haters cover their words and actions as well like actors covered in makeup of deceptive words to mislead from their true actions and intent.  As Solomon warns us, do not believe these people!  They only deceive themselves and we do not want ourselves or others to be drawn into their deceit leading to the contagion of hated spreading from a darkened soul to those drawn into the lies.  Yes, the concealed hate of darkened hearts needs to be exposed (Ephesians 5:11-13) by truth in wisdom and understanding in our knowledge of what is behind these acts.  Liars will be found out or exposed (Luke 8:17) and buried in their own deceit eventually.  They dig themselves into a pit and their mounting lies will bury them and their wagging tongues will be crushed in their false flattery in the end.  Judgment and justice will prevail at last on the world at the return of Christ, and all hearts will be exposed in truth to stop the ruin of flattering words of deceit forever.  He who has wise ears to hear, let him hear and heed the warnings against busybodies, instigators, slanderers, haters, and liars.  May we recognize any elements of these in ourselves and do the opposite according to His word instead.  Amen.

Honor Does Not Fit a Fool

Proverbs 26:1-16

1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
So a curse without cause shall not alight.

3 A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool's back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 The great God who formed everything
Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!"
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.
15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Honor is no more fitting to he foolish than a snowstorm in summer.  The example of a purposeless curse on someone who by like a bird makes us think of undeserved curses not lighting on those not foolish, like the inability of Balaam to curse God’s people in Numbers 23:8.  The foolish think the wise deserve the curse, but God let’s it fly past them.  Just as horses need a whip to get them moving and donkeys need a bridle to guide them, so the fools need harsh correction at times to move and guide them from their foolhardy ways.  When we are told not to answer a fool in the same foolish manner he acts and speaks, then are told to give him an answer so he does not think himself to be wise, the two verses appear contradictory bit are really complementary.  On the one hand, verses 5 and 6 mean “avoid the temptation to stoop to his level”; that is do not use his methods, “Otherwise you . . . will be like him.” On the other hand, they mean to “avoid the temptation to ignore him altogether”; to respond in some way, or else he will become wise in his own eyes and his folly will get worse.  Honoring a fool does him no good, nor is it good for us to become the same in dealing with the foolishness.  Let us honor God in knowledge, understanding, and applied wisdom instead.  We do not send messages in the hands of a fool nor listen to proverbs from their lips which truly are lame, nor do we honor such because it is like tying a stone in a slingshot and have it go nowhere without the wisdom on proper use and truth.  That is like the current reliance on foolishness emanating daily from social media and sensational news headlines in our current day.  We dare not trust those foolish and empty bits of misinformation and misleading arguments against God’s truth of the scriptures.  There are many lessons to learn here!  The supposedly wise utterances of foolishness are no more felt by the speakers than a drunk man feels pain, yet God shines mercy on the fool and the wise just like on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45).  The foolish one is oblivious to the truth and cannot even feel it.  Yes, the fool even continues to repeat the same mistakes as a dog immediately eats the same food he vomits up - this is a proverbial warning to not foolishly call on Christ and then turn back to sin (2 Peter 2:21-22).  Not only that, but if we proudly consider ourselves to be wise as we judge the fool, we have less Hope than the fool who does not do so.  Humility is required in us and forbearance for fools instead of judgment; it is God who judges both.  Along with this pride is the laziness of those proud wise ones in their own estimation who believe they are so much smarter than those with sensible answers according to God’s word.  Beware the lazy man who stirs up fear and yet does little or nothing to help himself.  Listen to sense and not the conspiracies of foolishness.  This sense is found in a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) of those secure in Christ and His word in all its truth and principles for understanding and living.  May we listen to sound teaching and understanding from God’s word to avoid the foolishness.  

How Much Honey?

Proverbs 25:16-28

16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So to seek one's own glory is not glory.
28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.

The scriptures first tell us if we find some honey to not eat too much because we may vomit if it fills our stomachs, then later we are told it is not good to eat too much as a parable of seeking our own glory, only to find it does not fill us as glory (but is then as too much in the belly which causes it to be lost in throwing it up).  In between verses 16 and 27 we are given parables describing excess and self-control, culminating in the final verse telling us that a lack of self-control makes us as vulnerable to ruin as of an ancient city with no walls of protection left.  The examples of excess and moderation include overstaying our welcome by coming too often to visit, not giving them time with their families on their own, and of going further to lie about a neighbor so that they get into trouble or gain a bad reputation.  This may be related to overstaying the welcome and finally be told to leave and taking vengeance by such slander.  Excess of confidence is one who is not to be trusted because of their unfaithfulness is misplaced and crippling trust which could be avoided by our self-control in giving too much credit to one known not to be a credible help in times of trouble.  Our excess can also be like singing to cheer someone up when they are depressed instead of being there to comfort in presence and with few words to not be overdoing with words of honey that may make the person feel worse.  Then there is the verse quoted in Romans 12:20-21 as our response to those who mistreat us, not with vengeance but by covering them with doing good in return for their evil.  This may be in reference to the practice of coals being carried on the head as a sign of repentance practiced by some Egyptians in that time, that in returning good for evil and showing the warmth of kindness a person might motivate that enemy to turn from doing evil to doing good.  We do this by avoiding the excess of vengeful retribution in feeding them and caring for their needs instead.  The excess of backbiting others brings only an angry response and living with a contentious person without self-control of their words make some wish they could hide in the attic to avoid such an argumentative companion, let alone a spouse.  Self-control instead brings words of good news, words of life and peace with God and man as if from a far away land.  This is also a picture of the gospel which is good news from the heavenly country far from us apart from Christ.  The failing to speak this news can be likened to falling into unrighteous behavior or speech in the presence of evil and ungodly people who will use this to discredit us and our message of the righteousness of Christ we all need.  Self-control overrides the excess of joining in with worldliness in association or vengeance in speech.  Yes, it is not good to eat too much of a good and sweet thing such as honey, a picture of self-seeking glory over seeking God’s glory.  This only causes us ruin as the defenseless city told of here.  The question then is how much honey do we take and eat? 

The Glory of God and of Kings

Proverbs 25:1-15

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7 For it is better that he say to you,
"Come up here,"
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

These further wise saying of king Solomon begin with the differences of the glory of God and the glory of kings like Solomon.  The glory of God is concealed and revealed in His times and ways (Deuteronomy 29:29), yet He expects the kings to rule wisely by seeking out matters, especially from God’s revealed word to them and to us.  We may not be rulers of countries but we are kings in God’s kingdom (Revelation 1:6, 5:10), and our glory remains in searching the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11) to know the matters of life and at hand.  Yet the hearts of kings and of us are unsearchable to all but God, and we only reveal what little we actually know and understand about ourselves.  God is omniscient and has no such limitation.  For a ruler to found his kingdom in righteousness, he must root out the evil ones in that kingdom first; but God waits until the final judgment day to expose them all at once like harvested wheat burned in the fire.  The servants must also therefore remain humble in service to their king, not demanding position or taking it upon themselves as if it is theirs by standing or being seated there.  Jesus reminded us of this in a parable as well (Luke 14:7-11) as a warning for us against presumption and pride in His kingdom.  We stand not to demand, but humbly serving and accepting grace from His hand.  Likewise we are warned not to sue our neighbors hastily at the smallest matter, for it may be to our shame for frivolous lawsuits with a resulting ruined reputation.  It is advisable by scripture to talk things over with the other or just accept the wrong (1 Corinthians 6:7) instead.  Loving and caring words are as fine jewelry when spoken at the right time in the right setting, as in private when pleading your case with your neighbor who you are at odds with).  This is counter to our culture on earth, but is the rule of law in the heavenly realm.  Wise rebuke is also equally valuable when taken to heart for repentance of a change in heart and living.  Faithful servants of this heavenly kingdom bring good news along with the bad (just as the gospel of grace includes news of His wrath on sin) to bring glory and honor to the one sending them.  Are we faithful to bring the whole gospel, bad news with the good, to refresh our Master who sends us?  Then we see here that false accounts of our accomplishments or giving are as empty as the rainless clouds of Ananias and Sapphira’s lies concerning their false boasting of giving (Acts 5:2-4, 8-9) to meet each other’s needs.  This false charity has a price; may we heed this warning and be open and honest without embellishments or lies in our own giving.  Finally, forbearance is needed to make changes with earthly rulers using gentle persuasion to break through difficulties and opposition, not rash attempts to attack, slander, demean, of force with rhetoric and even violence as we have seen in recent history.  May our primary kingdom guide our motives, thoughts, emotions, and actions in these temporal ones,as we seek out the glory of righteousness in following the revealed word of God as our guidebook.  Remember the differences of the glory of God and that of government rulers. 

Be Fair, Diligent, and Forgiving

Proverbs 24:23-34

23 These things also belong to the wise:

It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous,"
Him the people will curse;
Nations will abhor him.

25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?

29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
34 So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.

These wise sayings tell us to be fair and not false towards others, to be diligent in the work God gives us to do for Him and others before our own aspirations, and to be forgiving instead of planning vengeance when wronged.  Partiality is not just being unfair to give to some and not other based on their friendship or social standing (James 2:2-4), but also calling the evil person good and righteous when they clearly are not, just to gain personal favors or advantage in return.  Eventually others will detest the ones dealing so unfairly with blatant favoritism.  We are to be lovingly merciful, but also honest and true.  If we call out the sin for what it is instead of covering it, God will bless us, just as a fair and just account is like the pleasure of a kiss before God and men.  It is more pleasing to be honest than purposefully lie to deceive in covering someone’s intentional sin from an evil intent.  We are also told not to build our own house before working diligently in God’s field and doing the work outside ourselves for the good of others; our aspirations and efforts should not be kept as the highest priority in life, just as Jesus and the scriptures tell us to do (Luke 16:10-12, Philippians 2:3-7).  Our fairness in justice then does not allow our own goals in life to deceive others and defame our neighbors with false testimony with no other reason but our own profit.  We are furthermore not to seek vengeance when wronged to render to the evil of others just what they did to us in return as Romans 12:17, 19 say.  In a following verse, Romans 12:21 we are reminded never to return evil for evil done to us, but to give good in return for the evil we receive unjustly.  Christ gave the example as the just suffering injustice for we the unjust (1 Peter 3:18) in order to deliver us from God’s wrath of just judgment.  This is grace and mercy which we can never deserve or earn in any way; if God is so merciful to us, how can we be vengeful to others to hurt them back as they have hurt us?  We each and all answer to God.  Finally, we are given a clear command to be diligent and not empty of understanding as the example of a farmer neglecting the vineyard and reaping only thorns, letting the walls fall down in disrepair to allow animals to further destroy the work.  That has effect on our own lives as well if lived without discipline and hard work (Proverbs 25:28).  We are to consider this well to understand the long term effects of laziness and the poverty of possessions and spirit which follow.  May we be valiant and diligent for the Lord and His work therefore. 

Faith and Fear in our Falling

Proverbs 24:13-22

13 My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not plunder his resting place;
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

There is faith and fear in our falling; we fear God as our sovereign Lord and fear His displeasure, yet know in our stumbling and falling along the way we rely on His grace and mercy to pick us up again, unlike the evildoers set against His wisdom.  When we eat of His word as it it was sweet like honey, then we gain the knowledge to understand Him and His working in us to make us wise for living.  When we find that knowledge know our end and understand that our hope is steadfast, unable to be cut off by us by our falling and not by Him according to His promise.  This is our eternal security to persevere to the end.  We do not live for plundering others as the evil-minded, but fall again and again to be picked up by mercy and grace to follow the path of continuing sanctification set before us (Hebrews 6:18, 12:1) as we confess and turn away from our sin each time we stumble (1 John 1:9).  Since we do not deserve to be lifted up from the muck we fall into, we should be humbled and not be happy and point fingers when another falls, as if we were somehow any better than they.  This is not pleasing to the Lord.  He may even prosper our enemy whom we so treat and gloat over in their falling if we do not instead pray for them and know apart from God’s grace so would we go.  The scriptures here remind us not to worry when evil men seem to prosper then, nor be envious of what they fleetingly possess in this world.  They have no future in their end to come at the judgment seat.  Their lamp will be extinguished without the hope of grace and mercy if they die in their sin (John 8:21).  We are to plead with our enemies and pray for them that they may also be given this grace in which we stand (Romans 5:2) and likewise fear the Lord as their sovereign and His wrath over their unrepentant sin of rejecting Christ as the wisdom of God, the living Word speaking life to us (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30, John 1:1, 14).  We are also to honor the rulers set over us with a lesser fear to their punishment, for their authority comes from God and it is His correction we should fear through those He puts over us (Romans 13:1-2, 3-4).  There is also a warning not to associate with those who constantly seek to change God’s word (wisdom) and put aside the clear teaching of the scriptures established over time.  They and their ways only end in abrupt ruin.  We hold therefore to the established foundational truths of fear and faith and falling, for we have a certain hope in the good news given us. 

Wisdom is the Foundation for Deliverance

Proverbs 24:1-12

1 Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.

3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate.

8 He who plots to do evil
Will be called a schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, "Surely we did not know this,"
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

We should not be wise if we envy others who have things we want, but lack what we really desire.  They pursue evil against God’s word and design and do not have what the wise aspire to.  They only seek out trouble and violence, sometimes even disguising the rhetoric as a righteous cause when their actions and words are neither wise nor honoring to God.  Instead we look to the scriptures to build a sound and immovable foundation for our life’s house to dwell in.  We fill the rooms, not with material wealth and perishable objects, but with what accompanies righteousness as true precious and pleasant riches that endure the rest of time into eternity.  If we are wise then we exercise ourselves to godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8) for spiritual strength and seek wise scriptural counsel to fight the good fight of faith.  This means that we do not risk listening to only a single counselor for wise guidance and understanding, but a multitude to see God’s leading and the truth He shows to His people who are the assembly of the righteous (Hebrews 12:23), the universal church of regenerated believers.  May we not be foolish and consider gaining knowledge and understanding to be unnecessary or even too lofty to attain, as if it was bad to know sound doctrine and good to live by feelings alone.  Beware that bad counsel!  The schemes of the devil are known to us (2 Corinthians 2:11, Ephesians 4:14) and we avoid those who stir up hate and sin with evil intent disguised as righteousness, but to God is abominable and foolish.  We must not faint in this fight to be valiant for the truth.  Why then do we seek knowledge, understanding, and wisdom?  Is it not ultimately so that we can have a sound house from which to deliver others from the foolishness of sin and death?  This is especially apparent now that the gospel which was hidden from the beginning has been revealed to us (1 Peter 1:10-11, 12).  The wisdom personified is the Messiah as the revealed Word made flesh who speaks life to us even now.  He delivers the foolish and sinner from stumbling in darkness towards an eternal death of suffering as dumb cattle to be slaughtered.  He calls us who have this foundation to account as well that we may consider these heading headlong into dest that they may hear and find the same deliverance we have been given.  God knows we know, and holds us accountable to tell others (Psalm 126:5-6, Romans 1:16).  May wisdom and understanding lead us into the fields to harvest God’s work to set men free.  Wisdom is the foundation for deliverance. 

Do Not Sell the Truth

Proverbs 23:19-35

19 Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.

20 Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

22 Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
25 Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who bore you rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.

27 For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
28 She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.

29 Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?

30 Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;

32 At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.

34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35 "They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"

We are to buy the truth and not sell it; this means that we treasure the truths of God we acquire from Him so highly that we could never part with them, not even to buy something else as a replacement or substitute.  Wisdom, instruction, and understanding are also not to be sold off like truth either, for they are begotten out of the truth of God according to His word.  If we are to be wise, then we will listen to our Father as Solomon pleaded for the readers to listen to their godly earthly fathers.  The goal is to aim the direction of our lives toward these things and not to part with them at any cost, not to waste our lives as drunkards or gluttons in satisfying our carnal drives and passions.  The righteous and wise child is a joy to the parents.  We are much more to give our hearts to our Heavenly Father so His eyes can observe the ways we go in pleasing Him as we were made to do (Ephesians 2:10).  This means we avoid passions of the flesh and steer clear of the seduction of sexual gratification outside of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman.  Any other relations are immorality and lead to destruction.  Who wants to be such a victim and become unfaithful to our Father in shame and disgrace when we meet Him face to face?   Likewise, sorrow drowns the one always looking to get drunk (not just alcoholics), for all that results from that lifestyle are arguments, complaints, and physical suffering.  Dwelling on and lingering in the wine instead of a single glass end up losing focus while staring into that snake which bites back like a poisonous viper, causing vision to be lost and perversion to come out of the heart in speech unbecoming to a God follower.  Our Father is not pleased with anything like these things which entrap and destroy us.  He offers knowledge and understanding of them in His word to make us wise in skillfully applying these guiding truths to our lives instead of selling them off for the passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25).  These sensual things drown a man in sorrow as much as pursuing material wealth (1 Timothy 6:9) and numb him to the goodness of God’s grace of wisdom, leading to addictive paths toward destruction.  We have been called to much better things in being taught by God and following His way instead as wisdom lived to treasure and truth to stand firmly upon in the storms and temptations of life waiting to ensnare the ignorant or rebellious.  Thanks be to God for His triumphant victory (1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14) and indescribable gift of grace and understanding of His word (2 Corinthians 9:15)!  Let us never part with this truth, but treasure it as a pearl of infinite price.  Amen and amen.  Let it be so! 

As You Think in your Heart, So You Become

Proverbs 23:1-18

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.

4 Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of a miser,
Nor desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
"Eat and drink!" he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
11 For their Redeemer is mighty;
He will plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction,
And your ears to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14 You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
18 For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.

There are many warnings of wisdom to avoid the excesses of the world set in opposition to the will and word of God.  The temptation to associate with corrupt important men of position and power is a tale that has found its way into many works of fiction, but is all too real in life as well.  The advice here is to carefully consider what is offered to you as a meal to consume and to watch your own desires for the delicacies in the process.  If the craving for more of the good and best begins to take over your thoughts and desires, it is better to cut your throat in a manner of speaking to keep the spiritually unhealthy from entering into your inner being.  The delicacies of the love of gain are like temptations of greed and self-service of desires which deceive us into compromising God’s commands and principles of scripture.  Similarly, it is unwise to be a workaholic just to gain more and more material wealth; if we have understanding, we will stop ourselves from traveling down that path of destruction.  By focusing our vision to see only gain, we see transitory possessions which often are not really going to materialize and if they do, they fly away from us as we run in futility to grasp the them as a passing wind (Ecclesiastes 4:6).  We are also advised against the opposite pursuit of being overly frugal as a miser with an evil eye.  This one becomes what he thinks and feels in his heart, desiring delicacies not to be shared with others even when it appears he is offering them to you.  In the end, consuming this offer only comes back up from you as vomit from his bad food, and all your words of consent turn unpleasant.  Yes, speaking good advice to such people only bring the fools to utterly despise your good words of counsel because they do not want to hear what you offer in place of power, greed, or selfish evils.  Furthermore, we are warned about taking away the markers of righteous living as landmarks along the way in human history which God has given throughout the scriptures for our example to learn wisdom from (Romans 15:4).  By doing so and harming others, we forget that God watches over His people as their Redeemer with power and justice.  Knowing this, our mindset must be to hear words of knowledge from the Bible and listen in order to learn and do as He tells us because of His redeeming grace for us, and not to tear down the sound doctrine passed down to us from faithful and godly men through the ages (2 Timothy 2:2).  We should accept God’s discipline to correct us as we wander into sin and bad teaching that removes the old landmarks of truth meant to lead and guide us on the path of righteousness and wisdom of holiness that deliver us from God’s wrath and judgment.  Instead wisdom causes us to speak right things according to His word, and that wisdom causes rejoicing to God and to those who go before and alongside us in this pilgrimage of faith.  We do not envy the sinners who seek their temporal gain (Psalm 73:3, 17-19, 27-28), but are zealously valiant for the truth in the fear of the Lord and with an undying hope in a resurrection to an eternal future to come.  Wisdom encourages us to become what we think in our hearts, followers and lovers of God in Christ, and not fill our hearts and minds with the world’s goals of power, greed, and self-seeking.