Category: Doctrine

Wisdom

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Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 

‘Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.’ A wise man does not display his wisdom, but a fool parades all he knows.

Blessed and happy are they who keep God’s ways, and whoever finds wisdom obtains favour or grace from the Lord (8:32-35). The one who rejects wisdom and sins does so to the damnation of his own soul (8:36). It is therefore not so much sin and satan, but the man himself who is responsible for his rejection or reception of wisdom, which leads to eternal life. If he receives the teaching of God, sin will not have dominion over him, and if he resists satan, the devil will flee from him (Jas. 4:7; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:12-13).

God will bring to nothing the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent (1Cor. 1:19), and the wisdom of the world will be exposed as foolishness (1Cor. 1:20). God’s least wisdom might be shown to excel man’s greatest (1Cor. 1:25).

Wicked vs Righteous

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Proverbs 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death. 

‘The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.’ The wicked have no hope in the harvest of their life of wickedness, but the righteous have hope of reaping life eternal (Gal. 6:7-8).

‘Driven away in his wickedness.’ Seven examples of destruction through sin: Dathan (Num. 16:33); Israel (Ex. 32:28; 1Cor. 10:1-11); Balaam (Num. 31:8-10; Rev. 2:14); Canaanites (Deut. 9:5; Jos. 2:9; 5:1); Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 4:11); Baal’s prophets (1Kin. 18:40) and Belshazzar (Dan. 5:2-6, 30).

‘The righteous has hope in his death.’ Six examples of righteous hoping in death: Jacob (Gen. 49:18); Joseph (Gen. 50:24-25; Heb. 11:22); David (2Sam. 23:5; Ps. 17:15); Stephen (Acts 7:55-60); Paul (2Tim. 4:6-8) and Peter (2Pet. 1:14-16; 3:13).

His Maker

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Proverbs 14:31 He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honours him has mercy on the poor. 

‘He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he that honours him has mercy on the poor.’ Don’t oppress anyone who struggles; help them in ways that they can benefit from without trying to fix their circumstances, which is God’s first task for anyone who actually trusts in Him and doesn’t rely on others to fix their consequences.

God has always willed for His people to be free from poverty, weakness, and sickness, and enjoy an abundance of good things. All the patriarchs were healthy, wealthy, and wise. Abundant life for body, soul, and spirit is promised every man today in Christ (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 10:10; 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26). It is God’s will that all His children prosper and be in health, even as their souls prosper (3Jn. 1:2; Ps. 1:3; 23:1; 34:9-10; 84:11).

‘Maker’ – An ancient title of God found here (17:5; Job 35:10; Isa. 17:7; 51:13; 54:5). It refers to God as Creator of all, whether weak or strong.

A Sound Heart

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Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 

‘A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.’ A strong heart has good blood circulation, producing health and longevity; but envy, jealousy, and passionate hatred produce corruption. This also leads to various bone diseases and is a cause of many curses in one’s life that entertain envy, jealousy and hatred.  Forgiving others and oneself for sins and wrongdoings is as necessary as breathing is to life. To live with a sound heart IS life to the flesh.

From 3John 1:2 we see the apostle utter a blessing for us to prosper and be in health, as our souls prosper. 

One of the blessings that are God’s will for His children is physical healing and health (3Jn. 1:2; Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91:1-16; 103:3; Isa. 53:4-5; 58:8; Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24; Jas. 5:14).

Two things the sick are to do (Jas. 5:14-15): Call an elder [an individual who has been saved, tested and tried] to anoint him; and confess sin if it has been committed.

Four things an elder must do for the sick: Pray over them (Jas. 5:14). Anoint the sick with oil. Invoke the name of the Lord. Pray the prayer of faith (Jas. 5:15).

Slow to Wrath

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Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly. 

‘He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalted folly.’ A wise man is slow to wrath, but a fool is hasty of spirit and magnifies folly.

‘But he that is hasty of spirit.’ Four examples of a hasty spirit: Rehoboam (1Kin. 12:1-33). Jehoram (2Kin. 5:7). Jonah (Jon. 4:8-9). Martha (Luke 10:40).

Man is advised to be “slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19). Anyone slow to anger is “of great understanding” (14:29), “appeaseth strife” (15:18), and “is better than the mighty” (16:32).

There are seven commands to Christians: Be swift to hear (Jas. 1:19). Be slow to speak. Be slow to wrath. Lay aside all filthiness (Jas. 1:21). Lay aside all overflowing of wickedness. Receive the Word with meekness. Be doers of the Word (Jas. 1:22).

The King

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Proverbs 14:28 In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 

‘In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.’ The popularity of a king is his security, but the rebellion of the people is his downfall. The king in these Scriptures refers to one’s ruler.

When a king is merciful and truthful, his subjects have confidence in him and they uphold him as their leader (20:28).

A good king’s heart is as pliable in the hands of God as the small irrigation channels are controlled by the gardener (21:1).

He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the king shall be his friend; this is the reward for purity of heart (22:11).

A man diligent in business shall be honoured by kings and respected by his subjects. Speedy execution of a king’s command is a virtue that he appreciates. Kings search for the most diligent and capable businessmen of their realm to place over certain affairs of the kingdom (22:29).

Worship and obey God, and respect and obey the king [leaders]. It has nothing to do with anarchists who are always trying to change government and religion. Anarchy is the most dangerous spirit that can get hold of men (17:11; 24:21; 2Pet. 2:10).

The Fear of the Lord

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Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 

Four blessings of the fear of God: Strong confidence (14:26). A place of refuge – security. Eternal life (14:27). Holiness of life and conduct. To depart from evil through the fear of God is to obtain eternal life.

Seven examples of strong confidence: Abraham (Gen. 22:3-10; Heb. 11:19). David (1Sam. 30:6). Hezekiah (2Chr. 32:7-8, 22). Three Hebrew children (Dan. 3:17-27). Habakkuk (Hab. 3:17-19). Peter (Acts 12:6). Paul (2Tim. 4:6-8).

To fear the LORD thy God is not because of 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.

Feared God [Hebrew: yare’] to revere; be afraid of; to have deep respect for (Job 1:1; Ex. 9:20; 1Kin. 18:3; 2Kin. 17:32-34, 41). True religion in Scripture is often represented as the fear of God (Pro. 1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 14:26-27; Isa. 11:2; Acts 9:31).

Four things the fear of God is the hatred of: Evil, evil ways, arrogance and pride.

A True Witness vs A False Witness

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Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies. 

‘A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies.’ A true witness delivers the innocent, but a liar slanders him.

Ten sins of the wicked: Bearing false witness (Ps. 35:11). Accusing others wrongfully. Rewarding evil for good (Ps. 35:12). Seeking the destruction of others. Rejoicing in the adversity of others (Ps. 35:15). Uniting together to sin. Secretly planning murder. Attacking the righteous (Ps. 35:16). Joining hypocritical mockers. Hating and slandering others.

Twelve things to hate: Vain thoughts (Ps. 119:113). Every false way (Ps. 119:104, 128). Lying (Ps. 119:163). Evil (Ps. 97:10; Pro. 8:13; Amos 5:10). A proud look (6:17). A lying tongue (6:16). Hands that shed innocent blood (6:17). Heart that plans wicked imaginations (6:18). Feet that are swift in running to mischief (6:18). A false witness (6:19). One who sows discord among brethren (6:19). Iniquity (Heb. 1:9).

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).

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

The Crown of the Wise

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Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 

‘The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.’ The crown of the wise is their riches, but the fool produces folly by his acts of foolishness.

In Psalms 112:3, we see God sanctions wealth and riches for the righteous man. How foolish to condemn wealth and class all rich men as wicked just because of their prosperity. Wealth is a blessing if used as God intended. It was God’s original plan that all men be prosperous and use all things in creation for their own good and God’s glory. It is still God’s purpose, and when the Messiah reigns, every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, which indicates there will be universal peace and prosperity (Isa. 2:2-4; 65:20-25; Mic. 4:1-8).

One of the blessings that is God’s will for us is material prosperity (3Jn. 1:2; Jos. 1:5-9; 1Sam. 2:7-8; 1Kin. 2:3-4; 1Chr. 29:12; Ezra 8:22; Job 36:11; Ps. 1:1-3; Matt. 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 15:7, 16; 2Cor. 9:6-8; Php. 4:19).

Six blessings of wisdom and knowledge: Length of days (3:16); riches and honour; pleasantness (3:17); peace; the tree of life (3:18), and happiness.

In All Labour There is Profit

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Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury. 

‘In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.’ All labour profits, but all talk and no work brings poverty. A man of words is not always a man of deeds.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 warns that if any would not work, neither should he eat. This is a principle based on the part of the curse to make a living by the sweat of the brow (Gen. 3:19). Idleness has always been a curse and always will be. It is wrong to support men who will not work and share their own responsibility.

The wicked are often reduced to poverty and forced to borrow. He doesn’t pay back either because he’s wicked, or because he has no money. The righteous shows mercy and gives his bountiful blessing from God (Ps. 37:21-22, 26).

Twenty statements about God, the rich and poor: Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness (Ps. 107:31). Oh that they would praise Him for His wonderful works. Let them exalt Him in the congregation (Ps. 107:32). Let them praise Him in the assembly of the elders – those who have served God for years. He turns rivers into a wilderness (Ps. 107:33). He turns water springs dry. He makes the fruitful land barren, because of the sins of men (Ps. 107:34). He turns the desert into a well-watered land (Ps. 107:35; Isa. 35:1-10). He turns the dry ground into water springs. There He makes a place for the hungry to live (Ps. 107:36). There He prepares them a site for a city. There He causes them to sow in fruitful fields (Ps. 107:37). He causes them to plant fruitful vineyards. He blesses them with children (Ps. 107:38). He increases their cattle. Again, because of sin, they are brought to poverty (Ps. 107:39). He pours contempt upon princes [leaders] who cause the people to sin (Ps. 107:40). They again wander in barren lands that are cursed because of sin. He blesses the poor (Ps. 107:41). He increases them like a flock.