Peanut Gallery Lessons from The Book of Proverbs

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Wise and The Foolish
Prov 13:17-25


17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

From Coffman's Commentaries On The Bible:

"This passage refers to the envoy who was an important government official, or to a scribe,"[26] who was entrusted with some important mission. A wicked man in such a position could bring evil upon an entire nation. Solomon, of course, was experienced in the choice of such messengers.
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In relating this to our spiritual duties, as believers in Yeshua, we are entrusted with an important mission...to be a trustworthy messenger of the gospel of Yeshua. In our speach and/or in our actions we are to portray Yeshua. A person who proclaims Yeshua yet living in wickedness brings evil on everyone who trusts them. It's important to relay the correct message, not a corrupt one.​

18 He who spurns discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever accepts correction will be honored.

A very weak trait is to not be able to accept honest correction. "Pride always goes before a fall" (Prov 16:18). It's difficult, I know but we must work at beating that prideful trait into the ground (1 Cor 9:27).

An example from The Biblical Illistrator:

A minister with more zeal than discretion once called on the bishop and belaboured him with rather a harsh denunciation. Instead of showing the man out of the door, the bishop calmly replied, “My dear friend, I do not wonder that they who witness the inconsistencies in my daily conduct should think that I have no religion. I often fear this myself, and I feel very grateful to you for giving me this warning.” This reply was made in such unaffected meekness and sincerity that the visitor at once begged the bishop’s pardon, and always regarded him afterwards as one of the most Christlike Christians he had ever known. He is doubly the fool who not only flings himself into a pit, but resents the friendly hand that tries to help him out of it. (T. G. Cuyler.)​

19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning away from evil.

Some people enjoy their sin so much they cannot fathom the idea of stopping it. Self denial and self discipline is a foreign idea. In actuality their desires will never be filled in their soul. God has provided for the accomplishment of our desires to take place in a righteous manner. When we choose to do things according to God's plans our desires are met and it brings sweetness to our souls. ​

20 He who walks with wise men is wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

When we hang around godly people, we will desire to be more godly and will begin to follow the godly example. When we hang around the foolish, those who ignore what God says and do what they want to, we begin to act like them and will begin to experience the harm that it brings with it.

That does not mean that we cannot ever hang with ungodly people, but the hanging should be done on your ground, not theirs. Business meetings at the strip club is not OK. ​

21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

Those who are walking and living in sin will have "bad" running after them. On the other hand, the righteous will have goodness and mercy following them (Ps 23:6)​

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

There are many inheritance worthy things and/or attributes that a man/woman can leave their children. It's not just money, belongings, or land which they may have but there is definetely an inheritance of character. If your character is bad, how can you expect to leave anything but bad character to your children and then they pass it on to their children.

The Biblical Illistrator had a very extensive commentary on this verse but it was too lengthy to post here. I encourage you to check it out for yoursef. It will be worth it. ​

Matthew Henry touched on it in less words, in Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary On The Bible:​

See here, 1. How a good man's estate lasts: He leaves an inheritance to his children's children. It is part of his praise that he is thoughtful for posterity, that he does not lay all out upon himself, but is in care to do well for those that come after him, not by withholding more than is meet, but by a prudent and decent frugality. He trains up his children to this, that they may leave it to their children; and especially he is careful, both by justice and charity, to obtain the blessing of God upon what he has, and to entail that blessing upon his children, without which the greatest industry and frugality will be in vain: A good man, by being good and doing good, by honouring the Lord with his substance and spending it in his service, secures it to his posterity; or, if he should not leave them much of this world's goods, his prayers, his instructions, his good example, will be the best entail, and the promises of the covenant will be an inheritance to his children's children, Psalm 103:17. 2. How it increases by the accession of the wealth of the sinner to it, for that is laid up for the just. If it be asked, How should good men grow so rich, who are not so eager upon the world as others are and who commonly suffer for their well-doing? It is here answered, God, in his providence, often brings into their hands that which wicked people had laid up for themselves. The innocent shall divide the silver, Job 27:16, Job 27:17. The Israelites shall spoil the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36) and eat the riches of the Gentiles, Isaiah 61:6.​

23 The fallow field of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away by injustice.

From Commentary Critical and Explanitory on The Whole Bible:

The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.
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Even if we are poor in money and belonging, God blesses the poor person who works faithfully and honestly with what he's got. To the sloth and lazy and dishonest, they lose their hard work by fraud and violence. They think they have enough so they don't work the whole field, or the whole amount of time available. They don't hire enough workers and they don't pay the workers when they are due. They steal from others farms, etc.. Trying to get ahead by unjust practices only brings ruin.​

24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent with discipline.

Many think this means that you are to take up a stick and "beat" your misbehaving children, but I reject that idea. I think something is missed in the translation here, just my opinion though.

The "rod" is a tool of sheep herding and a good shepherd NEVER beat his sheep with it. He did throw it to guide them, but he did not throw it to hit them. He did throw it to kill wild animals who were after the sheep to kill them. We are er, to guide our children by our own behaviior and teaching from their birth, and not wait until the problems are out of control.

I think hitting/spanking is a last resort, when all other methods of correction and guidence have failed to bring the child to correct conduct. That however, does not include beating and injuring where they have to be taken to the hospital and then you're in trouble with the law. One popular myth in Christian circles is that of the shepherd breaking a sheeps leg to then carry the sheep around to keep him in control...It's a myth. He guides, he disciplines, but he does not break their legs.

Yes, there are instructions about putting a dissobedient child to death in the Older Testament, but yet we see no writings of it having ever been done. There are many other ways of guidence and discipline that should be tried first. Teaching with our godly words and godly example is the beginning of correct instruction. If we're not exampling it in a godly manner, it's difficult to teach our children to be godly.

From Whedon's Commentary On The Bible:

Solomon seems to have had no idea that a good education could be secured without correction. It is not necessary, says Stuart, “to understand the word rod in a literal sense; but it at least means correction of some kind for faults.” It must be remembered that moral suasion alone, as the exclusive appliance in the education of children, is a comparatively modern idea. It may be doubted whether it will stand the test of experience, in opposition to the judgment of the wise and good of the past ages. There are, probably, in this matter extremes on either hand to be guarded against, and a golden mean of right conduct, which every parent will do well to seek. There are some children who perhaps, never need corporal punishment; but there are others who are injured by the neglect of it. Compare Proverbs 3:11; Proverbs 23:13-14; Proverbs 29:15.​

25 The righteous eats to his heart’s content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

The righteous is content with his circumstances God has him in. He works hard and diligently and the results bring him all his desires that are within the will of God. The wicked though, are always wanting more, bigger, and better...their appitite is never satisfied.

In bringing all of this portion to a summery, I'd say we start with being a trustworthy messenger with God's word, to our family, our friends, and strangers. When reading God's word we self-discipline where we see that we are comming up short. In this way the hopes and desires God has for us will work in us and they will become our desires too.

We will choose godly friends and avoid close friendships with those who insist on participating in evil activity and talk and try to drag us along with them. In doing this God will bless us. Leaving our children an inheritence is important, especially an inheritence of integrity and honesty. We don't cheat others or steal from them. We guide our families by our example and correct when needed, being harsh only when we have instructed correctly and the child is defiant against it.

When we ourselves walk in the ways of righteousness then we will reap the good that we have sowed and will enjoy it's fruit.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Wisdom Builds Up, Folly Tears Down
Prov 14:1-19


1 A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

From the Adam Clarke Commentary:

By her prudent and industrious management she increases property in the family, furniture in the house, and food and raiment for her household. This is the true building of a house. The thriftless wife acts differently, and the opposite is the result. Household furniture, far from being increased, is dilapidated; and her household are ill-fed, ill-clothed, and worse educated.
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In scripture women are given a great deal of responsibility for the household. They are not just shuffeled off to care for the children and teach the girls how to wash and clean and sew and just teach the boys basic Bible stories.

In the beginning of these proverbs Solomon makes it clear that the mothers teachings are just as vital as the father's. One is not lesser, they are equal. They may have had differeing responsibilities to manage, but none the less they were equally responsible for the rearing of the kids, all the way through adulthood. (See 1 Tim 3:11; Gal 3:27-29)

A wise woman will not be a gossip or one who accuses her family of things they are not guilty of. She does not constantly argue and scream and yell and upset the household. Such a woman only makes her family want to get away from her.

As women we can choose to either build or tear down, bring peace or disruption. To start with we should marry wisely. Marrying a foolish man can make it much more difficult from the very beginning. Ladies, if he does not care about the ways of God and is walking contrary to godly ways, don't marry him. To the men, I give the same advise.
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2 The one who walks uprightly fears Adonai, but one devious in his ways despises Him.

Again, the fear of Adonai is not a terror kind of fear. It's an awestruck respect, knowing that HE could squash us like bugs, (remember Noah? The earth and sky opened up and everyone was GONE, except for Noah and his family), but because HE loves us HE made a way of escape from HIS wrath. Adonai is NOT our homeboy. Adonai is the King of the Universe, maker of heaven and earth, and there is none as great as HE. We are to respect HIM.

The fool though, treats HIM as their homeboy. They don't respect HIM much less HIS instructions. They easily ignore HIS ways and if they claim they are believers, they are of the opinion they can do what they want and not suffer any negative consequences. However, we are no longer slaves to sin so we should stop living as if we are (Col 3:25; Gal 6:7-8; Rom 6:5-7; Heb 10:26-27) The Apostle makes it very clear we cannot claim to be believers and make sin a lifestyle. True repentence and putting one's faith and trust in the blood of Yeshua covering our sins brings change. It's an on-going and continual change but it's still change. It's not haphazard and flippant toward the grace HE bestowed upon us. (Ttus 3:1-11)​

3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

From Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible:

We have already had many proverbs which are the equivalent of this; and there are many more. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37). Toy's translation is: "In the mouth of a fool is a sprig of his pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them."[3]
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4 Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean, but from the strength of the ox comes an abundant harvest.

The stable may be clean if you don't have the strength of the ox to plow, and plant, and pull the wagon, you have nothing but a clean stable. Laboring workers have some unpleasentness, but without them there is no gain. There will always be inconveniences to getting what we want, but stop complaining about the mess involved.
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5 A trustworthy witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

A witness to a crime does not lie about what they saw, even if it gets their guilty friend in trouble. ​

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge is easy to the discerning.

A scoffer of God's word seeks for wisdom everywhere but where it may be found. For those who love God's word and seek to know Him, what they discover through their searching is easy to understand. Jer 29:13; Act 17:27-28; Heb 11:6; Matt 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; Matt 6:33, just to name a few)​

7 Walk away from a fool—for you will find no knowledge on his lips.

Just walk away. Don't argue with them, just walk away. Trying to reason with a person of the world is throwing our pearls before swine. All the pig will do is trample them and they end up being buried in mud. See Matt 7:6.

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8 The wisdom of the prudent is to consider his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible:

The Hebrew counterpart to the Greek “Know thyself.” “The highest wisdom is for a person to understand his own way. The most extreme folly is self-deceit.” The word “deceit” may, however, involve fraud practiced upon others. The folly of fools shows itself then in their ceaseless effort to deceive.
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Know yourself. Know your strengths and your weaknesses. Don't fool yourself on the very real possibility of falling in your faith. Do everything you have to do to guard yourself against it. ​

9 Fools mock guilt of sin, but among the upright is goodwill.

Guilt for doing wrong is a good thing. If we're guilty then we're guilty and a believer in Yeshua knows WHO to run to, we know we have HIS forgiveness when we confess and repent (meaning turning away from the sin). Those in the world mock those feelings of guilt though. They ignore them and try to cover them up with good works, but we are saved by grace, not our works, and that grace is applied by repentence and putting our faith and trust in Yeshua and His shed blood covering our sins and wiping out our debt to it. ​

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

From The Biblical Illistrator:

The heart knows a bitterness peculiar to itself. This is true in a natural, common, and moral sense. Concerning any man this is true. The shoe pinches on every foot, and that foot alone knows where the pinch is felt. Do not intrude into the hidden sorrows of any. Most solemnly this is true concerning the godless man and concerning the awakened man. When the Holy Spirit begins to convince the man of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, then “the heart knoweth its own bitterness.” And concerning the backslider. And concerning the tried believer. But the singularity of his suffering is the dream of the sufferer. Others have seen affliction too. Know thy sorrow well. And remember that the cure for bitterness of heart is to take it to your Lord at once.
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Each person has some sorrow and each one their own sorrows that are specifically theirs. The joy of the sorrow being lifted is specifically theirs as well.​

11 The house of the wicked will be demolished, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

If we build our house on the sand when the rain comes what we've labored over will wash away, but for the righteous who build on the Rock of Yeshua when the rains come it stands firm and flourishes. (Matt 7:24-27)​

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

The world thinks there are many ways to God, and the paths they are walking on that seem right to them, but the destination is death. If the way is different from what God's word says it is then it's leading to death. ​

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Even though someone may be laughing and joking they may be experiencing heartache. There may be things going on in their life that has them stressed out and fearful. Always be kind to people. Speak words of encouragment even when you don't know what someone is going through. Don't be rough and crass. Don't go up to someone in the market with little kids not wearing masks and scream over them that you hope they die...or their parent. It's not your business to "correct" people you don't know. ​

14 A backsliding heart partakes of its ways, and a good man is rewarded for his.

The one who once followed God's instructions but has now turned their back on what he knows is right will only partake of the fruit of "giving-up". He quit running the race. He quit self-disciplining. He quit trusting in Yeshua and instead now trusts in his own efforts. He will only partake of failure. The one who presses on toward the goal thugh will be rewarded with the prize. (See Phil 3:12-21)​

15 The naïve believes every word, but the shrewd discerns his steps.

Don't just believe every thing you're told. In the world, or in the church. There are many who do not study but they are teaching and they are teaching incorrect things. They are teaching based on what they were told. Some are so led astray by their own selves they are making up doctrines from scripture that the scripture does not teach. Some are being accused of teaching false doctrines, yet upon close inspection are teaching the truth. Study for yourself. Don't pass things on that you have not studied for youreself. In the church or on Facebook or anywhere else.

Continue to study, even the same scriptures over and over. God's word is living and we can see things in it today that we did not see yesterday. Of course, it will never contradict itself either. If you think it does, study it some more. Use several translations and commentaries.

Don't ever think you know it all already. My opinions of some things have changed several times over the years. When you study something and then conclude that you had it all wrong before, be humble and be willing to repent and correct when you can. There are honest mistakes, then there is knowing a mistake was made but in pride continuing to weave the wrong teaching into sounding right when it isn't.

Thank you Yeshua for Your grace and mercy and forgiveness. ​

16 The wise fears and turns away from evil, but the fool is hotheaded and reckless.

When we study God's word and apply it we will recognize evil when it rears it's ugly head. But with the foolish, "if it were a snake it would bite them". ​

17 One with a short temper acts foolishly, and one with crafty schemes is hated.

A person with a short temper acts impulsively. They get angry without even asking what happened. They say things and do things that hurt others and destroy without even knowing the facts. That type of person is hated. ​

18 The naïve inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Do the research. When we don't, we don't know what is expected. Doing the research, whatever it's about, will tell us what we need to know. ​

19 Evil men will bow in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

This makes me think of Phil 2:9-11 "For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord—
to the glory of God the Father".

My Summery: A wise woman is diligent in building her household and is not a slacker letting her family eat or live poorly. The one who has deep respect for Adonai walks uprightly and the words from our lips build instead of demolish.

The house may be spotless, but the people inside the house are needed and they are what makes it a pleasant place to be. Don't profess things to be as you say if you personally did not see it. Be discerning. Don't argue with a fool. Consider the ways that you practice and if they are honoring God or not. Don't mock if someone is feeling guilty for a wrong they did. Don't sluff it off, guide them to God to repent.

We all have sorrow and we all feel joy when that sorrow is lifted. We are to build our house on the word of God and keep it maintained so that we will stand firm when the storms come, and they will. Trust in God and HIS ways, not in what seems right to us. Be kind, we don't know what another is going through.

If we don't give up in the race we will receive the prize. Don't just believe what our teacher/preacher tells us...study it for ourselves. When we discover something we are doing is sin, be quick to repent and turn.

Don't be short-temperd and quick to fly off the handle. If we don't know something that we need to know then seek out the answer. And, at the end of life on this earth evil will bow and confess right along with everyone else that Yeshua Messiah is LORD.
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[SpiritPsalmist]

He's Shown Us What To Do
Prov 14:20-21

Question: What is a Biblical Proverb:

A good definition of a biblical proverb is “a short saying that expresses a general truth for practical, godly living.” The Hebrew word translated “proverb” comes from a root word meaning “to be like”; thus, the book of Proverbs is full of comparisons showing us how various images illustrate the fundamental truths of life. The purpose of a proverb is to present wisdom in a short, memorable format. Proverbs are simple yet profound. Many deal with the commonplace yet clarify the deepest realities of life. The Bible refers to proverbs as “sayings of the wise” (Proverbs 24:23) and “sayings and riddles of the wise” (Proverbs 1:6). ~Got Questions~​

20 The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

As long as you are prosperous you have many friends, but when you no longer have any money, or means of doing things for others, the supposed friends are off somewhere else.

That is the way it seems to go isn't it? It's the way of human nature. When someone wins the lottery or in some other way comes into a lot of money, if the news gets out, they are enundated with people asking them for money. They get calls from all kinds of charities, relatives who never spoke to them or didn't even know they had, come out of the woodwork, and thieves start hanging around the house. Lot's of people suddenly like you. But those people who suddenly and only appear when you have something they want will just as quickly disappear when you are in need.

There is no approval of this attitude, just observation, just a statement of fact. It's not supposed to be that way, especially in the lifestyle of a beleiver in Yeshua but is generally how it works out.​

21 Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is gracious to the needy is blessed.

Whoever despises his neighbor, for ANY reason is sinning. To despise someone and/or speak badly about them because they have nothing they can do for you, or to despise them because they have a blemish or something physically wrong with them, or they're a bit odd, or from another country, or have bad hygene or for any reason is not acceptable to God. We need to teach our ourselves and our children these principles and teach by word and example that bullying is not acceptable and we should stand up for the one who is being bullied. Instead of fantasy fairy tales with fake hero's, tell bedtime stories that are based on scripture and teach them Biblical principles. That's how God said to do it (Deut 11:18-21).

We as believers in Yeshua are to be gracious and include the outsiders in our lives. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? (Luke 10:25-37) The parable is abblicable to all human situations where one person is in need from another. We are to NEVER treat anyone like an outsider. Ever.

To be gracious is to be kind, benevolent, and courteous, merciful and compassionate, especially to those of lesser means. We are to give of what we have...if we have only a slice of pizza, we can at least share it. God blesses whoever is gracious to the needy. As the Apostle Paul put it, we are to walk as children in the light (Eph 5:1-5)

Seek God on how to respond to each of the situations that may come your way. Don't be careless, but also don't be rude and obnoxious or begrudging. Walk out God's will and ways to the best of your ability. That's all God asks (Mic 6:8).

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Good Plans, Hard Work, The Crown of the Wise
Prov 14:22-24

These Biblical Proverbs are not guarentees that life will never not go the way we want. In Proverbs there are many exceptions in the way one's life may play out. God makes no guarentee that trouble will not come your way, yet HE does guarentee that if/when it does, if you are putting your faith and trust in HIM, HE is there with you to give you strength and guide you through.

The Proverbs are NOT promises or mandates from God, nor a formula for getting rich or for everything always going right. They are howerver, insights on life according to those who have gone before them and did and/or did not always follow God as HE instructed. We are to go after wisdom and righteousness out of love and obedience to our Father, not to get rich, which is folly, but to seek the face of God and gain integrity and faithfulness. That is one's true riches, not money. See 1 Tim 6:10; Eph 3:16-19; Eph 3:8.​

22 Indeed those who plot evil go astray but grace and truth come to those who plan good.

God created us to be connecd with Him. Not a one of us was created to wander around on our own doing our own thing as we see fit...never seeking His will and way. There are many who think they know best for their own path and don't seek to see the path that God has laid out for them. Their plans are "what is the most comfortable and profitable for me"? They continually stray into the sure dangers that lead off the path of God.

But for those who stay connected to God by His word and constant communication with Him, they will encounter grace and truth. Now that's not to say that we have to ask God what to do in every itty bitty situation. If we're in HIS word we'll already know what we should or should not eat to better suit our body's. If we're in HIS word, we'll already know how best to dress so as to not cause others to stumble, etc.. But unless we hear HIM for some reason that we don't know yet, tell us to wear the blue shirt today there are just some things that are up to us and our personal likes and dislikes. There are many situations though, that require us knowing His word and being able to hear HIS guidence and bring back to remembrance what HIS word says.

Staying connect to God is our life. HIS path is sure and to disconnect is a sure falling off the cliff. HE will never leave us or forsake us, but when we deliberately go off HIS path we are seperating ourselves from Him and HE does not follow us. Yes, HE's there to rescue us when we fall, but we still face any repercussions of our defiant actions. It's best to plan to follow God's plan...period.​

23 In all hard work there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

"Less talk, more work". Any trade that a person works hard and faithfully in will turn a profit. How many times have you heard someone talk about all the things they're gonna do then you meet them years later and they've done none of it. Not only that but they're pretty much doing nothing now. Going from here to there, then back again, never putting themselves into anything, but they have lot's of plans.

I know that it's easy to get discouraged when we have desires to accomplish certain things, and then things don't go the way we plan and our ideas just fall by the wayside. Yet, we should not allow that discouragement to weigh us down. Seek God and ask HIM what HIS plans are in the situation, then go after it with enthsiasm. We are to work with what we got. Improvise...figure it out. Doing nothing but talking only brings us to poverty. ​

24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is foolishness.

Said by the richest man of his age. Going after wisdom though is not just about money.

If we follow HIS instructions we will be blessed, if we don't we will be cursed (Deut 11:26-28). Of course we are set free from the curse of the law of sin and death which is "the soul that sin's, dies" (Gen 2:15-17; Ezek 18:19-20; Rom 6:23). All God's other laws are in full operation.

If we are putting our faith and trust in Yeshua and His shed blood to pay the debt (death) of our sin then we are free from the curse of that law. However, if we continue to live in unrighteous behavior, we still will reap the unrighteous benefits of the unrighteousness we sow (Gal 6:7). Continuing to live as we please will mke our best hope in heaven to be that we will be counted the least. Not finishing the race does not make us steller inhabitants in God's Kingdom (Matt 5:19). I personally, don't want to "just barely" make it in.

I stumbled apon this short video on the Book of Proverbs. I thought it was interesting.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Our Refuge and Our Fountain of Life
Prov 14:25-27


25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is treacherous.

Being truthful as a witness is important. When there is an innnocent person being accused of something that you witnessed and you know they are not guilty as charged and your being truthful in what you saw is vital to that person who needs your testimony to save them from punishment they do not deserve. In the event the person is guilty, then we are to be truthful in that as well.

The only time it is acceptable to God to not be truthful is in situations like in the Holocaust...where innocent people are being hunted down for their being Jewish or Christians, or some other un-godly reason. God's instructions are to not "endanger the life of your neighbor" (Lev 19:16) and telling the authorities where you saw them hiding so the authorities can arrest and/or kill them is evil. We are to not "bear false witness AGAINST our neighbor" nor are we to "endanger our neighbors life".

Other than that specific type of situation where the lie will save an innocent life truthfulness is vital. A person who cannot be trusted in their words is a pitiful person. They cannot be trusted and even if they are telling the truth, they've lied and made up stories so many times that they are not believed. ​

26 In the fear of Adonai one has strong confidence. It will be a refuge for His children.

Treating Adonai with the high respect that is His and He deserves brings a confidence in His mercy and goodness. We can know with certainty that when God sais it, He means it and unless we get in the way with our own schemes, what He said will happen without a hitch. When we walk in awe and respect of Adonai, our children will see and learn to put their confidence in HIM too. ​

27 The fear of Adonai is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

In our high reverence of God there is life...not just a little trickle but a whole fountain. Our reverental trust in HIM keeps the fountain flowing. It's when we begin to treat HIM with flipancy that the fountain begins to dry up. Don't ever treat God like He's just your "buddy". Here are some of God's attributes that show we owe HIM more respect than we often give HIM. Walking in reverential fear (respect) of God keeps us from falling into the snares of sin.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Citizens of Adonai's Kingdom
Prov 14:28-30


28 A large population is a king’s glory, but lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

A king who had a a large amount of people freely serving and living their lives, happy and joyous make the king quite popular. It is obvious by the joy of the prople living and working there that the king is a good king and he treats them well. People's from other lands want to come and live there and be under his rule in his kindom. But if one visited a kingdom where there were not many who lived there and those who did were poor and lived in squalor, and the visitors were treated poorly, no one would want to live there.

This of course could be applied to many differeing situations: bosses and their employee's, parents and the way they run their families, city's over their residents, etc..

It can also be applied to the believer in Yeshua and their citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Happy and blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! See Ps 144:15. We bring great honor to our God by serving HIM faithfully and joyfully and will be a draw via the Holy Spirit of others to join us in the Kingdom too. HE's a good God and gave HIS only Son so that any who believed could have eternal life with HIM (Jon 3:16-17).​

29 One who is slow to anger shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one exalts folly.

Patience is a virtue. One who is patient and does not blow up (whether outwardly OR inwardly) at the slightest or even biggest failure of others show themself to be an understanding and wise person. Not that foolishness is accepted and ignored but angry outbursts where we curse at and rip apart others with our words and/or our actions is just not to be part of who we are. Those who act in such ways and riot and are destructive whether in word or deed, only show how foolish and debased they are. Such behavior would definetely be the cause of your personal kindom losing supporters. ​

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

Physically speaking, remaining calm is healthy to our body. Putting our faith and trust in Yeshua and that He will take care of us brings calmness to our body and spirit. He knows what we need before we do and will be with us in whatever situation we are in. Envy of what we don't have though (physically or emotionally) is rottenness to our bones. It brings on stress, high blood pressure, etc., which bring on heart problems, and a number of other ailments. A heart that is happy and puts it's trust in the Lord is healthier than when it doesn't.

When Yeshua left He told the disciples, "don't be afraid, I am giving you shalom" (Jon 14:27). Not just any shalom of course but His shalom. Shalom that does not come from the world but comes directly from Him. As we learn to draw close to Him and lean on His will and ways we will grow deeper in His shalom and find that peace that surpasses all human understanding (Phil 4:7)​

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Kindness and Hope In Adonai
Prov 14:31-32


31 The one who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

Kindness toward others who are poor is commanded. It's not to be our version of kindness either, it's to be God's version. Our version of kindness is giving to the poor but then watching and waiting to see how they spend what we gave them. Some people want to call that responsibility over "their" money. The problem though, is once we give it, it's no longer ours.

If we think it's still ours to control where it goes, then we did not really give it. Giving it means we are no longer holding any strings to it. If God told you to give, then you give...no strings attached, no watching to see if they buy something with it that we disapprove of.

If we give to someone because they told us they needed bus fare and instead that person buys booze with it, I can understand the irritation. Perhaps next time, you can just buy them the bus ticket instead of handing over money. Or if you're standing in line at McDonalds and someone asks you for money to get a hamburger, buy the hamburger and add any other itmes the person may like. Be creative but by no means should we make the person "beholden" to us.

I know today's pay system works differently but when someone is first hired and they do not receive their fiest paycheque for 2-4 weeks, it puts that employee in a real bind. It may be the way the world works but I think it's deolorible and oppressive to make a person work for 2-4 weeks before they receive the moeny they've earned. They need it now, not a month from now. (Deut 24:14-15) I don't know what to suggest, but a godly employers should find a way to get around that some how so that no person in your employ is going without food and shelter because they are waiting for delayed pay. Just my opinion. ​

32 The wicked is brought down in his calamity yet the righteous has a refuge even in death.

When the wicked die they die with no hope...only eternity without God...nothing buy hopelessness.

However, a person who has put their faith and trust in Yeshua for the forgiveness of their sins has a place of refuge when they are in need, be it physically and/or spiritually, and/or emotionally. God is ever-present, giving comfort and refuge only HE can give. When a person who has put their faith and trust in Yeshua dies, they still have great hope. They have hope of eternal life with Adonai in HIS Kingdom. In the death of a righteous person they are removed from evil, they enter into Shalom (Is 57:1-2). Whether we live or die, we are assured that we belong to the Lord (Rom 14:8). In death we are at home with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8).


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[SpiritPsalmist]

Wisdom In Our Actions
Prov 14:33-35


33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools she is known.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

Observe, 1. Modesty is the badge of wisdom. He that is truly wise hides his treasure, so as not to boast of it (Matthew 13:44), though he does not hide his talent, so as not to trade with it. His wisdom rests in his heart; he digests what he knows, and has it ready to him, but does not unseasonably talk of it and make a noise with it. The heart is the seat of the affections, and there wisdom must rest in the practical love of it, and not swim in the head. 2. Openness and ostentation are a mark of folly. If fools have a little smattering of knowledge, they take all occasions, though very foreign, to produce it, and bring it in by head and shoulders. Or the folly that is in the midst of fools is made known by their forwardness to talk. Many a foolish man takes more pains to show his folly than a wise man thinks it worth his while to take to show his wisdom.
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I'm reminded of the reality show Survivor. Several times, a character would find an idol or some other special atvantage and at some point they would share the information with another. I'd be screaming at the TV saying, "No, you don't tell anyone, they will use the info against you". And, sure enough, the person they shared the info with would use the knowledge of them having the idol against them. One person even connived the giving of the atvantage to their self by helping to vote the person who had it out.

In today's world it seems that airing everything about yourself is popular. All your personal and private thoughts and actions are just flung out there for everyone to see and then we wonder why we get hurt when others don't praise us for it. It's wisdom to keep some things to yourself.

We need to be cautious even when sharing something that God has told us personally. Many things God tells us are for us (you) only and our (your) sharing it only brings criticism and ridicule and with that, discouragment of whether God really told you or not. I'm reminded of the time I shared with some Pastor friends something God had shown me regarding my continuing in the faith. I was surprised that they took offense to it. They responded with, "well, my son did that as he grew up and he's not still serving God. Why would God do that for you and not him?"

Not to say we cannot brag on God, but some personal insights just need to be kept to ourselves. ​

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

I'm reminded of a song I learned in Kindergarten: "There was a little girl, who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead; and when she was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad she was horrid". LOL The things that sometimes come to my memory during these studies make me laugh. Hopefully they will cause you to remember and apply the points made. As a Kindergartner, I remember not thinking very highly of that little girl with the curl. The times she was good did not mak up for nor undo the way she was when she was horrid.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

Note, 1. Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honour upon it. A righteous administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man, public countenance given to religion, the general practice and profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men, charity and compassion to strangers (alms are sometimes called righteousness ), these exalt a nation; they uphold the throne, elevate the people's minds, and qualify a nation for the favour of God, which will make them high, as a holy nation, Deuteronomy 26:19. 2. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: Sin is a reproach to any city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among their neighbours. The people of Israel were often instances of both parts of this observation; they were great when they were good, but when they forsook God all about them insulted them and trampled on them. It is therefore the interest and duty of princes to use their power for the suppression of vice and support of virtue.
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We cannot demand that everyone else around live righteously, especially un-believers since they are only doing what un-believers do, but we can demand righteous behavior from our selves. Be good, not horrid. ​

35 The king shows favor toward a servant who acts wisely, but his wrath is on one who is disgraceful.

Wisely choosing the right person for the job will go to the person who acts wisely. A person of sound judgement, merciful when mercy is needed and firmness when firmness is needed. Choosing someone with a hard disposition, who relishees in their authority and who just looks for things to write people up for will bring the business (kingdom) crashing down.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Using Our Inside Voice
Prov 15:1-6


1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I grew up in a household where there was a lot of yelling. In order to be heard above all the clamor one had to yell. It's not an easy thing to get rid of when you enter the regular world and you don't realize that you're talking to everyone louder than most and they think you're yelling at them and become offended. Answering softly is one thing then answering softly and not having it come across snidly is another. I also have a dry sense of humor. I'm learning mostly that it's probably best that I don't answer at all than to say something and have my tone of voice come across in harshness when I did not mean it that way. Then again, sometimes I did mean it that way , so an attitude check is in order.

Mild words, gentle expressions, delivered with kindness and tenderness, humility and submission; these will work upon a man's passions, weaken his resentments, and break and scatter the storm of wrath raised in his breast, just breaking forth in a very boisterous and blustering manner; so high winds are sometimes laid by soft showers. Thus the Ephraimites were pacified by Gideon's mild answer; and David by Abigail's very submissive and respectful address. ~
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible~ (See Judge 8 and 1 Sam 25)​

2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

"This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men" ~Adam Clarke Commentary~
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The knowledge that we have on anything, is to be treated with wisdom. It's not wise to just blurt out everything we know. I have two different friends who are what some might say "know-it-alls". They come across as knowing everything there is to know about everything there is to know. One is just being informative and works their extra info into the conversation and is not putting anyone down. The other though, will completely shut the conversation down with, "why are you telling me this, I know all about it already". In their opinion their knowledge on the issue is way more accurate than anyone else's. They correct everything a person says, even to the pronouncing of a word. Very, very irritating. ​

3 The eyes of Adonai are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

There is nothing that anyone, good or evil can do without God knowing it...nothing. We think that no one see's us, but God see's all, and we will reap what we sow whether we sow to righteousness or evil. (Gal 6:7-8) ​

4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful one crushes the spirit.

When we speak we are to always speak words that will bring life to the hearer and not death. Telling someone they are crazy or stupid or idiots (some do this to their children or their elderly parents ), is not be be found in the vocabulary of a believer in Yeshua. See Eph 5:1-20.

Build a person's spirit up, don't crush it. Being honest with someone should not crush the life out of them and degrade them. ​

5 A fool despises his father’s discipline, but one who accepts reproof is smart.

It is a wise person who does not try to ignore the short-comings that a trusted friend may point out to us, or what they may even see in themselves. The Apostle Jacob (James Hebrew name) compared it to (paraphrased), "Looking in a mirror, seeing the dirt on your face, then walking away without cleaning it off" (Jacob 1:22-25). When the advise is wise, good, and profitable, it is a good thing to accept it and apply it to yourself. ​

6 The house of the righteous has great wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

Tje referemce tp, "Great wealth" is not only or limited to money and things like jewels, land, clothes, shoes, etc.. The house of the righteous is rich in integrity. They may not have more than what they need, but they definetely have all they need and are satisfied with what they have. The household of the wicked though, may have lots of money and jewelry, cars, etc., but they lack in integrity. They stress themselves out trying to get the riches they have. They are stressed about being robbed, and having their things stolen. If they don't have these things, they're constantly stressing about how to get them. They get themselves in debt by being discontented with what they have. They are continually discontent, even when they have more than they need.


The bottom line is always to put our faith and trust in Yeshua. Through Him is the only way to be righteous. It's only through Him that we are changed into the people He can live with. Be incouraged that we all are in the same situation. None of us have arrived...even Paul knew that he was not perfect at it all (Phil 3:12-16). We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:6-7).

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Growing In The Lord
Prov 15:7-12


7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

The wise person devotes themself to knowledge on life in general and on the things of God. They freely share the info and are a blessing to the hearers and not a burden. We should freely share in order to bless and be careful to not be like my one friend that I shared about yesterday who corrects and informs on everything to the point of burdon. My friend is by no means wicked, she loves God and applies what she understand to her own life, but just like the rest of us needs the skill of properly dispersing her knowledge without putting others down in the process.

A wicked person has no understanding nor do they care or apply the ways of God to themselves. As believers in Yeshua, we are not automatically wise, it is a learning/growing process for our entire life. By the end of our earthly life we will likely never "arrive" yet we are to be found by Him to be at least working toward it and running that race to win it.​

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Adonai, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

I'm reminded of Cain and Abel here (Gen 4:1-7). Cain became a worker of the ground, a farmer, and Abel became a Shepherd. It came time for them to offer offerings to the Lord and Cain brought from his produce and Abel brought from his flock. Scripture says that God looked favorable upon Abels offering but did not look at Cain's with favor. Cain became angry and depressed and was moping around over this rejection from God regarding his offering. God came to Cain and asked him, (paraphrased) "why are you all down and depressed? If you would do the right thing, your spirits will be lifted, but if you refuse to do what's right, sin is crouching at the door ready to claim you. You must overcome it".

We don't find the instructions for offerings given to them in the scripture but obviously God had given them instructions. Instructions which Abel followed, but Cain refused. Cain gave an offering but it was not what God had asked for so HE saw Cain's offering as done in rebellion and not obedience. Somehow Cain had allowed bitterness to begin to grow in his heart and it showed through his offering. God warned him that if he would do it the way HE'd instructed him to, his bitterness and depression would be lifted and also, if he continued to refuse, that which was behind his rebellion would overtake him. Of couse we know that Cain did not overcome, but allowed sin to overtake him instead.

The point is, our obedience and attitude toward obedience to God and HIS instructions for us to live righteously, matters. Because of Yeshua, we are saved by grace through faith, and obedience to HIS will and ways, shows that we are believers in Yeshua. Begrudgeing obedience is not good either though. Obeying God because we love Him is what HE asks for, not doing it because we think it saves us...it doesn't. But, it is a sign that we are (James 2:18). It's a continual growing and learning process. As we fall in love more with Him, it's inevitable that we grow in love and obedience.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

The Joy of The Lord
Prov 15:13-17


13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

I think this is just a simple observation of how the way we "feel" shows up in our face. When a person is happy their face is lit up. They're smiling and laughing, and there is hope for a good future. When a person is sad, their face kinda sags, there is less color, their voice is lacking vitality and they look as if they've lost hope.

Whether we've had something wonderful happen or whether the rug has just been pulled out from under us we generally cannot keep it from showing on our face. I think though, that even during sad events, letdowns, and disappointments, those of us who have put our faith and trust in Yeshua always have hope. See Neh 8:10.

He is our refuge and strength. Having HIS joy gives us the strength needed to overcome. We have someone whom we can cling to and cry on His shoulder and we feel His comfort. True joy is not always being giddy and unaware of your circumstances but a contented settling in our spirit that we are in the palm of His hand and we have nothing to fear. We can feel sadness but we who have put our faith and trust in Yeshua have confidense in him. See Matt 9:1-2.​

14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

A person who seeks after the wisdom of God will have a heart that knows what they need to be doing and is not lazy in doing it. This does not just apply to spiritual things but every day life as well. They plan ahead and don't wait until the last minute when the things they need are now hard to find and cost an arm and a leg when they do find it. A discerning heart also does not just believe the rumors. They check for the facts and don't speak their opinions without doing so.

Never become satisfied in your knowledge of HIM. Always seek and search for more. I'm reminded of Paul's sermon in Athens where he said, when God created the nations HIS intent was that "they were to search for Him, and perhaps grope around for Him and find Him." (v27) See full sermon in Acts 17:22-31.​

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

There are many heartaches in this life on earth for both the just and the unjust. A life without Yeshua only coupounds the issue. There is no hope. Because of God's love and care for us though, we have nothing but hope. Yes, bad things still happen, but we have hope of getting out of the bad. We have all of our sins forgiven and we have hope of living eternally with Him in His house. That alone should cause a cheerful heart.

We should also encourage each other in the faith. We are not to judge each other in the situations that are being experienced. We are to lift each other up and help where we can. See Rom 14:13-18.​

16 Better is little with the fear of Adonai than great wealth with turmoil.

It is better to have just a little food and a small house and a relationship with God than to be wealthy and have continual problems with no relationship with God and have no hope. We are not to worry over our needs. God is our supplier. See Matt 6:31-34.
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17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

It is better to have just vegetables to eat if the people you are sharing it with love each other, than to have a huge feast with all the meat you like where everyone hates each other. Whatever situations we are in we are to love one another. See Phil 2:1-5.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Good Reactions
Prov 15:18-23

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

This is pretty straight forward, if we have a bad temper and fly off the handle at the slightest little thing, it's our own fault that there is strife in our life. A quick tempered person not only lives in strife but they are often the cause of it. However, one who is slow to anger is the calming agent of a quarrel.

It is not always easy to remain calm but for me, the more time I spend in the presense of the Lord, the more He calms me down. Then when someone does or says something that would normally upset me, I notice the infraction, but have a calm reaction. In the past I've had people get upset at me because they thought I should have a bigger reaction and their opinion was that I was just to dumb to realize the seriousness of the situation, but I had fully put it in God's hands. I knew I had done all that I could do as a human and that God was in control. God always came through for me, and those who had judged me, were dumbfounded.​

19 The way of the slacker is a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Slackerds always have a million reasons why they cannot do what they need to do. They imagine all kinds of things that could go wrong so they just do nothing. More often than not they actually do encounter many of the things they fear, but it's due to their lazyness. The good worker though, uses the obstacles thrown in their path to get ahead. I'm reminded of the story of a donkey who fell into a deep hole. The farmer tried and tried to get the donkey out of the hole but he couldn't. Finely he gave up and just began to shovel dirt into the hole to bury the donkey alive. However, the donkey, with each shovel of dirt that came down stepped on top of it and soon the very dirt intended to bury him, was what became his way out. He didn't just lay there crying about the situation.​

20 A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

"Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise)" (Eph 6:2). This is easy for the one who have a wonderful relationship with their parents, but not so easy for those who do not.

As an adult, honoring does nto mean jumping to their every whim...some parents can be very demanding and also be huge problems between their children and their children's spouces. We can find ways to honor without being manipulated by them.

Most important of all, don't despise them. They did give birth to you and clothed you and fed you. And even if they did'nt do so well in that department, still don't despise them. Forgive and live your life in a better way, serving God and learning to be good parents yourselves. ​

21 Folly is joy to one who lacks sense, but one with discernment walks straight.

Sure a partier has fun all the time, but generally become poor due to lack of sense in holding a job and being a good parent. A person who discerns right from wrong and when it's time to party and when it's time to work will be successful in his indeavors. ​

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

It is good to seek advise from others who are successful. If you're going to go into the coffee business then get with other people who have been making coffee and seek their thoughts and advise. It's not wise to jump into things without checking it out before you jump. You will avoid a lot of failure.​

23 A person has joy in an appropriate answer—how good is a timely word.

What an incouragement it is when someone speaks the right words at the right time. Not a lecture, not a snide remark, not judgement, but a word of of incouragment and direction. ​

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Remaining Humble
Prov 15:24-33


24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to Sheol.

The road that leads to life is the higher road. Staying on the path that God leads you on will never lead you to trouble. That's not to say that one does not encounter trouble along the way but that staying on that road and not wandering off in another direction will not lead you to destruction.​

25 Adonai tears down a proud man’s house, but He maintains the widow’s boundary.

A widow is always portrayed as the extreme type of poverty. The widow is more safe under the protection of the Lord than a proud, rich man is in his own strength. I am not a widow, but I have experienced and many have witnessed the Lord's deliverence of me in situations that were bleak. Several stood in judgement of me, but in my total dependance on God He delievered me. ​

26 Evil thoughts are an abomination to Adonai, but pleasant words are pure.

God knows the thoughts of all. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination and out of their mouth spew wicked things, words and plans of destruction. The thoughts of the pure though seek only to build and lift up. Their words bring life and joy.​

27 One greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

A greedy person is a distressing person to be around. Think Scrooge, a person so called after the Dickens character Ebnezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He was mean and cruel, unfriendly, and put down everyone he talked to. A greedy person burdens his whole family and gets down on them if they reach out in kindness. They are always concerned about their own selves and if it's going to take anything from them. They don't share unless it's to benefit themselves in some way, offering only as a bribe. Such actions bring only death in spirit, and physically. ​

28 A righteous heart thinks before answering, but a wicked mouth blurts out evil things.

A righteous person thinks before he answers. Not like the political debates where they say whatever comes to their mind and then try to cover it by saying,"it's just politics". If we blurt out things that we have no intention of following through with we are wicked. We are to think befroe we speak and answer with wisdom and thoughtfullness, not lies and tales.​

29 Adonai is far from the wicked, but hears the prayer of the righteous.

Adonai does not answer the prayers of the proud and the wicked. If they are not wiling to humble themselves before Him why should He listen to their prayers of greed and haughtyness. It is when we humble ourself before God that God responds and when we pray in accordance with His word hears our prayers.​

30 Bright eyes bring joy to the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.

It's a delight to see the light of joy in the eyes of others. We should rejoice with others when good happens to them and not be a downer to their spirit. Some people get upset when things work out for others when it didn't work quite the same for them. A righteous person, even in their own troubles can rejoice with others. ​

31 One whose ear heeds a life-giving reproof dwells among the wise.

It is good to follow correction that will save us lots of trouble in the future. We should not be too proud to at least listen, pray, and consider what we are told...become wise in the process.​

32 Whoever avoids correction despises himself, but whoever heeds reproof acquires understanding.

When we don't even allow others who've "been there, done that" to give us advise we acting hatful toward ourselves and don't want to succeed enough to learn to avoid the pitfalls of others. When we listen we gain understanding.​

33 The fear of Adonai is the discipline of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Properly viewing Adonai as our Creator and our God is important. Being humble before God and others, treating Him with honor and glory that is HIS alone and not being disrespectful and treating Him like Hes our "homeboy" brings discipline, wisdom, and honor.​

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

The Plans of Adonai
Prov 16:1-6

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the tongue’s answer is from Adonai.

The preparations of the heart in man - The Hebrew is לב מערכי לאדם leadam maarchey leb, which is, literally, "To man are the dispositions of the heart; but from the Lord is the answer of the tongue." ~Adam Clarke Commentary~
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We can ask of God whatever we desire, however, God will answer in accordance with His will and plans for our life. I personally don't believe that just because we desire something does not mean it's God's will to work it out that we get everything we ask for. Jacob said in Jacob (James) 4:1-3 that we have not because we ask not and also when we do ask we ask amiss (meaning what we've asked for is not in accordance with God's word). In Ps 37:3-6 it says, "Delight yourself in Adonai and He will give you the delights of your heart". Do you see that qualifier? When we delight in God, putting Him as the ONLY ruler of our life then the things we desire will be according to His will and then He will give us what we desire. ​

2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but Adonai weighs the motives.

We are often blind to our own faults. We can see ourselves as seeking God with all our heart and then ask for something and not get it and then be upset with God wonding, "well I'm doing everything right, so why is God not answering me the way I'm asking Him to?"

To "delight in God" is to come to a place where we are thinking of nothing BUT Him. Where we are resting in His love and hearing His voice in our heart and relishing in His delight in us...the one's Who's only begotten Son's blood covers our sins and makes us holy before Him. See Zeph 3:17.

That does not mean that we get nothing else done in our lives. It's not a "too heavenly minded to be any earthly good". It's out of our relationship with Him that He flows over into all our other relationships and responsibilities. We find there is more than enough to go around.
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3 Commit whatever you do to Adonai, and your plans will succeed.

Whatever we do, commit it to God. God will show you what it is you need to do and what you don't need to do. Often times we just take on too much. Don't be quick to commit to things. And, don't be quick and pushy to try and commit others to things when it's just too much for anyone. Today's world is so busy that people have no time to even think much less actually do all that they are trying to do. Don't be too busy and don't be too lazy. Your plans will succeed when you commit them to Adonia from the beginning. ​

4 Adonai works everything out for his own purpose—even the wicked for a day of disaster.

God has a plan for each of us. For His children (those who have put their faith and trust in what His Son, Yeshua did on the cross) it is a plan of good and not evil (Jer 29:11). Again, "a plan for good" does not mean that life will be all sunshine and lollypops but that "all things will work out for good for them who love God" (Rom 8:28-30). For the wicked though, the plan is destruction.​

5 Adonai abhors all the proud in heart. Be assured, they will not go unpunished.

No matter what the wicked person does to try and avoid distruction (other than putting their faith and trust in the shed blood of Yeshua to cover their sins) will not be successful. God hates wickedness and it will be punished.​

6 By mercy and truth is iniquity atoned, and by the fear of Adonai one avoids evil.

By God's mercy of sending His son to pay the debt for us and His truth that there is no possible way that we could do it on our own, and by our putting our faith and trust in Adonai and accepting His gift of eternal life we are saved. That is the only way to avoid distruction.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Adonai's Guidance
Prov 16:7-12


7 When one’s ways are pleasing to Adonai, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.

We are not required to be perfect in order for Adonai to be pleased with those who have put and continually put their faith and trust in the shed blood of HIS Son, Yeshua. There is no need for paranoia that in the event that we fall short, because we will, that our Father is going to cast us out of His Kingdom. The very fact that we desire Him, and we desire to do what is pleasing to Him (obedience), and continually come before Him and aknowledging our failure and seeking His help is pleasing to Him. See Rom 7:21-25.

It's an attitude of "I'm forgiven and I can live as I please" or running away from Him when we fail that it is not pleasing to Him. It's not an "angry" displeasure, it's a sad displeasure. He so wants to have a relationship with us. It's when we walk in close fellowship with Him, and choose to walk in His ways and run to Him when we fail, and seek to do better that Adonai's intense desire to help us is manifest. HE is so overcome with our running to Him for saety that even those who hate us and seek to harm us will not be able to follow through with all their wicked plans.
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8 Better a little with righteousness than much income without justice.

As many of the Proverbs point out, it is better to be content with the little we have than to be continually seeking more. See 1 Tim 6:6-10. It is better to live in a righteous manner and have just enough to get by on than to have more than enough and live unrighteously. ​

9 The heart of man plans his course, but Adonai directs his steps.

We make our plans, we have our life all planned out and we're gonna do this and that and go here and there and then life happens. We can plan all sorts of things but it's God who does the directing. If we try and force all our plans into place, and it's not God's will, we will become all manner of frustrated and angry and bitter. Not a good look for anyone.

Seek God, make plans, live, and know that if things don't go exactly as you planned, there is nothing that will stop God's plans for you. Even in the event of life just happening, and things seem to be going really bad...HE works all things together for good to them that love HIM (Rom 8:28). Hang on to Him, don't let go, cling to Him. Put your hand to the plow and don't look back. See Luk 9:62.​

10 An oracle is on the lips of the king—let his mouth never be treacherous in judgment.

The pronouncements of a just king are righteous and Adonai certainly is a just King. The plans He has made for each of us and the way that He directs our feet when we're following Him closely are just and righteous. They may not be exactly what we had/have planned, but we can trust in our Heavenly King and Father. His goal is to train us up as son's and daughters who are properly dressed for His Kingdom. See Matt 22:1-14.​

11 Honest balances and scales are Adonai’s. All the weights in a bag are His handiwork.

All the weights in God's bag are balanced. He is not a cheater and does not want us to be cheaters eather. God will not use evil to guide our steps. If the means of our getting where we want to be are evil, it's not God. See Matt 4:1-11. ​

12 Wrongdoing is an abomination to kings, for a throne is established by righteousness.

God abhors wicked rulers. God's throne is established in righteousness and He expects that those He's given authority to practice it too. ​

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Adonai's Delight
Prov 16:13-19

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. He loves those who speak honestly.

A great and righteous king takes pleasure in truth and justice and those who speak and act on it. Adonai takes great delight in us when we speak and act righteously. Those who have put their faith and trust in Yeshua are made righteous through Him, however, we generally do not just begin to act and speak in righteous ways. In Yeshua we begin to practice self-discipline in righteousness and we perseverence in that self-discipline.

God is delighted when we make the efferts to seek His ways and to act upon them. It does not make us more saved, but it's a visible proof overflowing from us that we are.​

14 A king’s fury is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it.

With an earthly king, just as quickly as he can be pleased, he can become displeased and send a person to their death. Our Heavenly King though, while not fickle does express displeasure with unrighteousness. While we are made righteous though the blood of Yeshua, it is expected that we allow His righteousness to work in us every good work (see 2 Tim 3:14-17) and that change comes to our speach and actions. A wise person will submit to His ways.​

15 In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor like a cloud of spring rain.

A kings subjects, when it is obvious on his face that he is pleased with them, brings great releaf to their spirits. The same with our Heavenly King, when He see's us actively attempting to obediently follow Him, He is delighted and in Hiis delight, His favor on us is like a cloud of spring rian, refreshing our souls and lifting our spirits. Our obedience is not rigid adherence but rather a serving at the pleasure of the King. It's not always fun, but it is enjoyable do what is delightful to God. ​

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver.

It is better and wiser to go after wisdom than going after money. If you can do both, that's great, but if a choice has to be made, choosing wisdom is the better of the two. ​

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil. He who guards his way protects his life.

An upright person will avoid evil. Example would be our current Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence. He loves his wife and he loves God. He is not willing to comprimise his relationship with either. He was mocked by many in the world and even some "Christians" for his refusal to be alone with any woman other than his wife because even if nothing evil happened, he is not willing to even give the appearence of evil and infedelity.

When I worked for Campus Crusade for Christ years ago I remember hearing of Dr Bill Bright, when travelling without his wife, would not even enter a hotel room until his male assistants entered the room first and made sure no was hiding in the room in order to make it appear as if he was being indiscreet. He was not willing to give place to the possibility of being put in a comprimising situation even if it were a set-up.

A wise person will not even put himself into position where it can even look bad. He's guarding and protecting himself.​

18 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

When we allow pride to make us think we are better than someone else, or when we are too proud to admit to someone we have wronged that we were wrong, we are setting ourselves up for destruction. Of course there are many ways in which a person can be prideful and not dealing with it in ourselves (self disciplining) will bring us down. As a song says: Always be humble and kind.
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19 Better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoil with the proud.

It is better to live among the poor than to be rich and sharing the spoils of wicked gain. Which, I'm wondering, if we are rich in money, it is still better to live with the lower class and not put ourselves among the rich and mighty and share in the spooils with the proud...just a thought.

It's not bad to be rich, just that generally, the rich are proud and haughty and think more highly of themselves than they ought.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Insight and Wisdom
Prov 16:20-26


20 One prudent in a matter will find good. Blessed is the one who trusts in Adonai.

"The true way of dealing wisely here is believing in Christ, trusting him fully". (C. H Spurgeon.)
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I can't add much to Spurgeon. Trust and obey, for there's no other way. ​

21 The wise in heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases persuasiveness.

Being wise in our heart is to know ourselves in the ways that we fall short and also having the reverential fear of God and doing what is necessary to bring ourselves in line with HIM. There is sweetness on the lips of those who are able to persuade and instruct others. ​

22 Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

A person who follows the word of God will avoid many errors in life. The foolish person just does whatever he wants without thinking and finds themself in trouble frequently. ​

23 A wise man’s heart teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

When a wise person speaks it is out of the knowledge of his own heart and its fallings short. Their words are in good judgement and persuavesive. ​

24 Pleasant words are honeycomb—sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

It's always right to use pleasant words...not words of sarcasism, insult, hate, etc.. Pleasant words are healing to the heart, soul, and the bones. ​

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Lots of paths look and sound right but if we have not sought the Lord and His ways before we started down the path, we're quite likely to find it leads to the tunnel of an oncoming train. Know the LORD, know His word, and obey it. There is no other way to not meet with disaster.​

26 A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger drives him on.

When a person is hungry enough they find a way to earn their keep. The person who doesn't is just lazy. My cousin was telling me of a friend who had gone overseas and encountered the homeless people on the streets there. These people were not just sitting and begging though, they would keep the outside of the shops they were in front of clean. Of their own accord, they would sweep and pick up trash, wash windows, etc.. As a result the shop owners would give them things they needed. Hunger is good. It incourages us to work.​

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Slow To Anger
Prov 16:27-33


27 A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and on his lips is a scorching fire.

Wicked people search and scrounge for evil, even devising it when they cannot find it with all the digging. On their lips are a fire of lies that will, in the end, consume them.​

28 A perverse person sows strife, and a gossip separates close friends.

A person who sows strife is perverse. They are not people just being different, they are purposely going against the norm in order to stire things up. A person who gossips, seperates close friends by telling everything they've heard, whether it's true or not. Gossipping is evil, and so is listening to it. ​

29 A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him down a path that is no good.

A violent person is not just someone who goes into rages of hitting and throwing, and burning things down like we're seeing in our streets right now in America. The instigators are also violent. Even though they are not out actually doing it themselves, they are telling others to act out what they say. It is also violence to portray situations in a wrong manner, to make them appear as what they are not. They are full of unbelief in God's ways and they blaspheme what is Holy. They take pleasure in twisting righteous activity and intentions into appearing as unholy. They are deceitful and those who listen to them, are led down a destructive path.​

30 One who winks his eyes schemes deceit, one who purses his lips is bent on evil.

The one who devises ways to bring deceit to those he is around is wicked. They are always planning and scheming to try and cheat others. They are bent totally on evil.​

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory, found on the path of righteousness.

Gray/white hair is a crown of glory IF found on the head of a righteous person. There is nothing worse, in my view, than and old man or woman who is bitter over their life and who is still indulging in the ways of the flesh. However, the gray/white haired person growing older in the ways of the Lord are a delight to all they come in contact with. The older person of rughteousness expounds in words of wisdom and helps in leading and guiding othes down the righteous pat. ​

32 Better to be slow to anger than a mighty warrior. One who controls his temper is better than one who conquers a city.

It is much easier to subdue the neighbor who is an enemy than the enemy within your self. Self-discipline is difficult and we must learn to practice it. Being a great warrior who conquers a city is easy compared to conquering a spirit of anger...but it's not impossible.​

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but their very decision is from Adonai.

There is nothing that happens in our life that God has not decided should happen. In the life of a believer, whatever happens in our life is used to work it all together to form us to look more like HIM. ​

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[SpiritPsalmist]

The Refiner's Fire
Prov 17:1-4


1 Better is dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

It is better to have only a dry, crusty loaf of bread to share with your family who loves each other and gets along in peace than to have a huge, fancy feast with people who are all arguing and bickering with each other.

What a sad thing to have our family meals upset with fighting and hateful words and activity toward each other. I don't remember any bickering at our table, but I do remember the sarcastic words said to each other, especially between my parents. I would much rather have gone by myself to eat in peace and allow my food to digest properly. Sending a child off to school in the mornings with hateful words toward them, often times while they are eating breakfast and reminding them of all the mistakes they made the day before is unacceptable.

If this type of activity takes place in your home at meal time, or any time really, do what you can to change it. Stop being so petty toward your family. Stop creating arguments. Start loving them as scripture instructs us to. You can't change them, but you can change yourself, and allow God to work in you Himself.

See the teaching from Ephesians here. What Paul is saying in Ephesians does not just apply to people outside of our families but our families especially.​

2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance with the brothers.

A good and faithful servant may get the inheritance over the son who is disrespectful and a disgrace to his family. ​

3 A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but Adonai tests the heart.

The fining pot is for silver - When silver is mixed, or suspected to be mixed, with base metal, it must be subjected to such a test as the cupel to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the fire. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all the dross. ~Adam Clarke Commentary~
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Just like silver and gold is tested for impurity by the fire of the furnace so Adonai tests the hearts of those who have put their faith and trust in Him. It's not a test like in school where you give correct answers to the questions, but it's a test of our character. Not so much for God to find out where we're at, He already knows, but for us to see where we're at and to improve our quality and fitness for the Kingdom of God.

In our submissing to His "fire" of cleansing, the stuff that keeps us from being as righteous as we are called is removed. Until we see Him face to face there will always be dross to be removed from our heart. ​

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

An evil doer enjoys listening to bad reports of other people...they even help make them up.

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[SpiritPsalmist]

Respect
Prov 17:5-9


5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker. Whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

We are not to mock the poor and insult them because in doing so, we are insulting God, their maker. Remember we reap what we sow. If we sow mocking and insulting, we will reap mocking and insulting. No jokes or snide remarks about the homeless person, no mocking at their situation, none, nada, nyet.

Don't make fun of the mentally and/or physically handicapped and teach your children to not make fun of them as well. Don't make fun of those who are different from you. In doing so you are mocking their Maker...GOD. Just don't do it. Period.

We are not to rejoice over the bad things that happen to people, even our enemies. We are to rejoice for the Lord delivering us out of their hands, but we should not rejoice at their downfall. ​

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly and the glory of children is their parents.

When your children are raised up and they walk in the ways of God and in turn train up their children to walk in the ways of God, they are a crown of glory to not only their parents but their grandparents. Their pride and joy, the apple of their eye. ​

7 Arrogant lips are not fitting for a fool, much less lying lips for a ruler.

How pointless it is for a person to talk as if they know everything there is about everything there is yet act in foolishness. To talk all high and mighty, yet have no demonstration of it as reality in their own life. Just as pointless is a ruler, or leader to try and make themselves look grander by telling lies. ​

8 A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner. Wherever he turns, he succeeds.

The Amplified Bible put's it this way:

Prov 17:8 "A bribe is like a bright, precious stone that dazzles the eyes and affects the mind of him who gives it; [as if by magic] he prospers, whichever way he turns".
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For a wicked person who has something of value, it is often used like it's a magic charm in order to get their way. A bribe, "If you give me or tell me what I want, then you can have this", and they dangle it in front of the person and tempt them into telling things that can hurt or takes away from someone else. ​

9 Whoever covers up an offense seeks love. Whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

It is a good thing for a persn to not continually bring up the offenses of others, especially when you have already discussed it with them and they are working to overcome it. Also, repeating the matter to others who were not part of the initial situation then the repeater is guilty of gossip and the seperation of friends. Unless it's a matter of life or death directly involving the person whom you're telling, then don't tell. ​