Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Bitterness vs Joy

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Proverbs 14:10  The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy. 

‘The heart knows his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy.’ The heart knows its own bitterness, and let no man hinder its joy.

From Genesis 37:11we see bitterness in the form of envy where Joseph’s brothers reacted towards his dreams and this envy was added to their hatred. Envy is a selfish grudging of what another enjoys (Job 5:2; Pro. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 1Tim. 6:4; Tit. 3:3). It is associated with bitterness, strife, murder and other sins (Eccl. 9:6; Rom. 1:29; 13:13; 1Cor. 3:3; 2Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Tim. 6:4; Tit. 3:3; Jas. 3:14-16; 4:5). Joseph’s dreams incited envy in his brothers but deep thought in Jacob who took them as divine indication of events that would affect his family. They also helped prepare Joseph for his coming sufferings in Egypt (Gen. 42:8-9; 45:4-8; 50:15-21). Ephesians 4:31 warns us to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice, for these are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the LORD is our strength, we thus cannot allow bitterness to steal His joy from our hearts. 

Go from the Presence

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Proverbs 14:7-9 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceives not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 

‘Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceives not in him the lips of knowledge.’ Never associate with vain, empty, ignorant men who can neither convey nor receive the truth (Matt. 7:6).

‘The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.’ The wisdom of the prudent is to direct his way rightly, but the folly of fools is to live deceitful lives.

‘Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.’ Fools make sport of sin and live in disfavour with all who are good, but the righteous find favour.

A Scorner

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Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeks wisdom, and finds it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understands. 

‘A scorner seeks wisdom.’ Rebels seek wisdom but don’t find it because they reject God, the source of wisdom (1:7; 9:10).

‘Finds it not’ – Three examples of not finding truth: the Jews in Christ’s ministry (Matt. 13:15); the Jews in Paul’s ministry (Acts 13:41) and the Athenians (2Cor. 1:23; 2:8).

‘But knowledge is easy unto him that understands.’ Knowledge is hard for the one who rebels and won’t believe the truth when he hears it, but it is easy for him to understand who is open to truth and will believe what he hears (Matt. 13:10-17).

A Witness

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Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 

‘Faithful witness’ – Five examples of faithful witnesses: Joseph (Gen. 37:2); John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1-17; John 1:7-28); Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5); the apostles (Acts 5:32) and Paul (Acts 20:21-27; 22:15).

Joseph reported on his brother’s evil doings because of his dreams which made a deep impression on them. Envy, selfishness and pride were the roots of the crimes that they committed against him.

John the Baptist was sent by God to testify of Christ’s first ascension (John 1:6-8).

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness as noted in Revelation 1:5. It is the Greek word martus, meaning witness and martyr. Jesus was both a witness and a martyr (Rev. 3:4; 1Pet. 2:24; Heb. 3:2).

The apostles were the witnesses of Christ whom God had exalted to His right hand to be the Prince and Saviour of the world. 

‘False witness’ – Four examples of false witnesses: Ten spies (Num. 13:32); False prophets (1Kin. 22:6-27); Jewish men (Matt. 26:60-61) and Tertullus (Acts 24:1-9).

Oxen

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Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 

‘Oxen’ – The ox was the most profitable farm animal. It excels the horse in every respect except speed.

Twelve ways an ox is better than a horse: It lives longer. It is not as likely to be diseased. It is a more steady worker. It fattens and maintains its strength on what a horse will not eat. It costs less to feed. Its manure is more profitable. When worn out, its flesh is still good for food. Its horns are useful. Its hide is more valuable. It doesn’t need shoes. Its harness is cheaper and simpler. It is more patient and docile, and less dangerous.

‘Increase is by the strength of the ox.’ An increase in material prosperity comes by utilizing the oxen for labour.

A Rod of Pride

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Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 

‘In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.’ The words of the foolish man are a source of pride causing his fall, but those of the wise man keep him from falling.

The pride of life are mainly caused by: (1) Self-righteousness (Job 32:1). (2) Positions (Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6; 3Jn. 1:9). (3) Power (Lev. 26:19). (4) Riches (Ps. 39:6; Ezek. 28:5). (5) Beauty (Ezek. 28:11, 17). (6) War strength (2Chr. 26:16). (7) Constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures; and all the vanity of life (1Jn. 2:15; Ps. 24:4; 36:2; Isa. 3:16).

Walks in His Uprightness

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Proverbs 14:2 He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him. 

‘He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.’ The upright fear the Lord, but the perverse man despises Him.

To fear God doesn’t mean the dread of a vengeful Being ready to punish man for the least infraction of His law. Rather, it has to do with respect and reverence for God as Father and Benefactor. Men must learn to respect God as the Lawgiver and Judge, keeping in mind the justice of God as well as His mercy and longsuffering. No man can walk with Him safely who has lost the fear of God.

Fourteen kinds of fear God delivers us from: [1] Fear of man (Gen. 15:1; Luke 12:5; Heb. 13:6). Referred to 35 times in Scripture. Fear of God is referred to 160 times. We are to respect, reverence, and honour God and have no fear of man. Man is told 80 times not to fear, referring to fears that should not distress anyone who trusts in God. [2] Fear of death (Gen. 21:17; 35:17; Heb. 2:15)[3] Fear of the future (Gen. 46:3; 50:19-21). [4] Fear of danger (Ex. 14:13). [5] Fear of idol gods (Jdg. 6:10; 2Kin. 17:35-38). [6] Fear of dreams (Job 4:14-16). [7] Fear of evil (Ps. 23:4; Pro. 1:33). [8] Fear of war (Ps. 27:3). [9] Fear of nothing – imaginative fear (Ps. 53:5). [10] Fear of enemies (Ps. 118:6). [11] Fear of punishment (Pro. 1:26-27). [12] Fear of darkness (Son. 3:8). [13] Fear of ghosts (Matt. 14:26). [14] Spirit of fear (2Tim. 1:6-7).

A Wise Woman

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Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands. 

‘Every wise woman … foolish.’ Six contrasted classes: The wise woman (14:1) and the foolish woman. The righteous (14:2). The wicked and perverse. The foolish man (14:3). The wise man.

‘Wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.’ The wise woman through proper management increases the property, furniture, food and clothing of the household, but the thriftless woman causes these blessings to depart.

Thirty-one characteristics of a virtuous woman from Proverbs 31:10-31: Morally perfect (complete) and invaluable. Trustworthy. Inherently good and true. Ingenious – proficient. Thrifty – laborious. Dutiful – considerate. Versatile – judicious. Tireless – healthy. Joyful – efficient. Watchful – cautious. Thrifty – skilful. Charitable – benevolent. Generous – merciful. Fearless – provident. Clever at decorating – furnishing. Refined in taste. Respected – popular. Industrious – prosperous. Dependable – honest. Confident – hopeful. Wise – discreet. Kind – understanding. Prudent – practical. Energetic – ever active. An ideal wife and mother. Honoured by her family. Excels in virtue. God-fearing – humble. Deserving – successful. Honoured by the public.

The Belly of the Wicked

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Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. 

‘The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.’ The righteous are content with moderate desires and pleased with their lot in life, but the wicked are never satisfied.

All classes of the wicked are like the troubled sea that cannot be still and constantly stirs up the mire and dirt of sin and corruption. They have no peace (Isa. 57:20-21), no calmness of soul or spirit; their passions and appetites keep them in continual turmoil seeking something satisfying; the wealth, business, pleasure, pride, pomp, flattery, and unrest of the world only keep them dissatisfied; and strong undercurrents of malice, jealousy, lust, revenge, strife, and ambitions to outdo others keep them at war with God and fellowmen. The guilt of a past life and the burning memories of wrongdoing agitate the sinner day and night to cover up his evil, but he cannot escape the fear of hell and future reaping.

Hates His Son

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Proverbs 13:24 He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes. 

‘He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes.’ He who withholds chastening from his son hates him, but he who corrects and trains his child has his future at heart. Four examples of failure to correct sons: Jacob (Gen. 37:1-36); Eli (1Sam. 3:13; 4:11); David (2Sam. 13:39; 14:25) and Samuel (1Sam. 8:1-9).

Silliness and perverseness are born in every child, but the rod of correction is the remedy. It is necessary to drive such things from a child; hence, he that spares the rod hates his son (13:24; 19:18; 23:13-14).

Whoever fears God will endeavour also to bring his children up to fear Him and live holy in both word and deed (2Cor. 7:1; Eph. 6:4; Php. 2:12; Heb. 12:28).