Proverbs
Discipline Brings Quality to Life
The person who has discipline in his life is an example of one who has a meaningful life whereas those who refuse to learn from discipline cause others to stumble. A person’s conduct affects not only himself but others as well, either favorably or unfavorably (v. 17). It is …
God Chooses to Use Ordinary People
Agar the inspired writer of these verses is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture and even though his father’s name is given there is no clue to his family or tribe in Israel. Ithiel and Ucal are appar¬ently his companions but are also unknown (v. 1). Agar seems to have been a plain and …
The Contrast of Righteousness And Wickedness
This passage contrasts righteousness with wickedness (vv. 25-32). A storm of life may come suddenly and bring disaster to the wicked by destroying lives and property but the righteous are secure (v. 25). Just as vinegar is sour tasting and smoke irritates the eyes so does a …
The Involvement of Wisdom in Creation
The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world (vv. 22-30). How able, is the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Not a speck of matter, (v.26), …
Train a Child Right and He Will Not Depart From It
A good name is far more important in life than to accumulate a lot of wealth (v. 1). A person may acquire wealth (v. 2) but that does not separate him from the poor, for both are creatures whose maker is the Lord. God therefore is concerned about everyone, regardless of their economic status …
A Discussion of Community Relationships
This passage discusses community relationships as it talks about one’s neighbor (vv. 9, 12), the city (vv. 10-11), a gossip group (v. 13), advisers for a nation (v. 14) and a consigner (v. 15). When God blesses his people, their city prospers, but deceitful liars can destroy a ci …
A Contentious Wife Makes Life Miserable
There is no king or ruler so great that he can act in independence of God. Whether he admits it or not God is controlling him just as he controls the water in the rivers (v. 1). A good example of this was Pharaoh. We may think that nothing is wrong in the things we are doing but the Lord knows …
The Son is Exhorted to Heed The Father’s Teaching
The author knowing the depravity of the human heart and the need of continued warning gives another entire chapter against lust and immorality. He starts off by saying that the best advice is useless against strong temptation unless it is taken to heart and is translat …
A Merry Heart Is Like Medicine
Dishonesty does you no good, and telling lies will get you in trouble (v. 20). The person who becomes the parent of a self-confident fool does it to his sorrow, and the father of such has no joy in him (v. 21). When the heart is filled with joy a man’s whole being is refreshed. …
Characteristics of Wisdom That Can Become Ours
We find here the characteristics of wisdom that can become ours (vv. 12-21). It enables a person to have good old fashioned common sense and be able to give wise counsel. The author states that wisdom [from God], makes prudence his dwelling place (v. 12). Prudence is right k …