Category: Proverbs

An Inheritance

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Proverbs 13:22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 

‘A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.’ A good man leaves an inheritance of prayers, a godly life, a good name, a wonderful example, and many cherished memories, and in some cases, houses, lands, and wealth for his children. In contrast, the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Neither Jewish nor Roman law permitted the father to make arbitrary disposal of all his estate. Only sons received the inheritance; daughters shared if there were no sons (Gen. 31:14; Num. 27:8). Job seems to be a special case (Job 42:15). The first son always received a double portion (Deut. 21:17).

Evil vs Good

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Proverbs 13:21  Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 

‘Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.’ Sinners will reap the evil of their doings, and the righteous their good.

Sinners suffer more pain and hardships in damning their souls than the righteous do following the path of salvation. The way of the transgressor is hard, desolate, and fruitless.

It was Solomon’s opinion that the sinner suffered only to heap up wealth which would be given to the righteous at his death, but this is not an unfailing rule. Many times a sinner leaves his goods to other sinners, and sometimes a righteous man leaves his to other righteous persons.

Be Wise

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Proverbs 13:20  He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 

‘He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.’ One who walks with a wise man will imitate him in wisdom, but one who follows a fool will become base and vile.

Twelve blessings of wisdom: It excels folly (Eccl. 2:13). It does not allow one to be discouraged through questions regarding better former days (Eccl. 7:10). It is good with an inheritance, for it helps one to know how to use what he has received to the best advantage for the future (Eccl. 7:11). It enables man to make profit. It is a defence (Eccl. 7:12). It gives life. It is better than strength (Eccl. 7:19; 9:16). It proves all things (Eccl. 7:23). It provides joy and boldness (Eccl. 8:1). It delivers in war (Eccl. 9:15). It is better than weapons of war (Eccl. 9:18). It is profitable to direct (Eccl. 10:10).

Sweet to the Soul

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Proverbs 13:19  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 

‘The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.’ A complete desire for good is sweet to the soul, but evil desires are never satisfied.

Seven good things: To draw near to God (Ps. 73:28). To give thanks to God (Ps. 92:1). To be afflicted (Ps. 119:71). To give praise (Ps. 147:1). To hope and wait for salvation (Lam. 3:26). To bear a yoke in youth (Lam. 3:27). To be zealous for good (Gal. 4:18).

Six things that are not good: Boasting in the face of unconfessed sin (1Cor. 5:6). To punish the just (17:26). To be without knowledge (19:2). Accept the wicked and overthrow the righteous in judgment (18:5). To have respect for persons in judgment (24:23). For man to be alone (Gen. 2:18).

Regards Reproof

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Proverbs 13:18  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honoured. 

‘Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honoured.’ Poverty and shame come to him that rejects correction, but an honour to him that profits from his mistakes. The righteous man accumulates knowledge so that he can better serve God, but the wicked refuse correction and instruction because correction is painful to the backslider (10:17; 15:10). He who rejects advice hates his own soul, but the one who profits by it gets wisdom and understanding and shall be a companion of the wise (15:31-32).

True riches: Riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). Riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:18). Unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8). Riches of glory (Eph. 3:16; Rom. 9:23). Riches of His goodness (Rom. 2:4). Riches of wisdom, knowledge (Rom. 11:33). Riches in glory (Php. 4:19). Riches of the glory of the mystery of Christ in you (Col. 1:27). Riches of the full assurance of understanding of God’s mystery (Col. 2:2). Reproach of Christ greater riches than in Egypt (Heb. 11:26).

A Wicked Messenger

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Proverbs 13:17  A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 

‘A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.’ A wicked messenger fails to carry out his duty, but a righteous one brings honour and safety to his king.

Five kinds of words: Appropriate words – words that come naturally, that run smoothly as if upon wheels, that are not forced, and that are without design to hurt are like apples of gold upon carvings of silver (25:11). Reproving words – words of a wise reprover to an obedient ear are like the most beautiful and cherished ornaments of fine gold to a refined and beautiful woman (25:12). Refreshing words – words of a faithful messenger are as refreshing and satisfying as a drink cooled by the snow in the heat of the harvest labour (25:13). Vain words – words of the boaster are as disappointing as clouds without rain (25:14). Kind words – by words of kindness, understanding, and longsuffering a judge is persuaded – as easily as a soft answer overcomes obstinacy in others (25:15).

The Word – Part 2

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Proverbs 13:13-16 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding gives favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. 

‘Good understanding gives favour.’ Seven examples of obtaining favour: Abraham (Gen. 23:10-11); Joseph (Gen. 39:2); Joshua (Jos. 6:27); David (1Sam. 18:14); Abigail (1Sam. 25:3, 18-34); Daniel (Dan. 1:8-9; 6:3) and Samuel (1Sam. 2:26)

‘Hard’ [Hebrew: ’eytan] strong, rough. Sinners suffer more pain and hardships in damning their souls than the righteous do following the path of salvation. The way of the transgressor is hard, desolate, and fruitless.

‘Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly.’ The wise man does all things with understanding, but a fool opens himself to folly.

‘But a fool lays open his folly.’ Three examples of opening self to folly: Balaam (Num. 22:29-30); Ahasuerus (Est. 3:10-15) and Herod (Matt. 14:7; Mark 6:23).

The Word – Part 1

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Proverbs 13:13-16 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding gives favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. 

‘Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed.’ This is the 9th prophecy in Proverbs (13:13) and it is being fulfilled. Four examples of destruction: The world (Gen. 6:1-22; 1Pet. 3:20); Israel (Deut. 28:15-68); Jehoiakim (Jer. 26:20-24) and Amaziah (2Chr. 25:16-27).

‘But he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.’ Four examples of being rewarded: Pharoah’s servants (Ex. 9:20-25). Amaziah (2Chr. 25:6-11). Ebed-melech (Jer. 39:15-18) and Josiah (2Chr. 34:27-30).

‘The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.’ The law is a fountain of life to the wise, for by obedience he escapes the penalty of breaking it.

To be continued…

Hope Deferred

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Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 

‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.’ Hope, when delayed in its realization, sickens the heart, but when it is realized it comforts and invigorates body and soul.

1Corinthians 15:19 warns that we shouldn’t only have hope in Christ for this life alone, for then we are most miserable because we trust God only for earthly things and blessings instead of Godly things and eternal life.

Eight Christian hopes: Salvation (Rom. 8:20-25; 15:4, 13; 1Thess. 5:8; 2Thess. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:1-25). Righteousness (Gal. 5:5). God’s calling (Eph. 1:18; 4:4). Eternal inheritance (Col. 1:5; Eph. 1:11-18; Heb. 9:15; 1Pet. 1:4). God’s glory (Rom. 5:1-5; Col. 1:27). Resurrection (Acts 23:6; 24:15; 1Thess. 4:13; Tit. 2:13; 1Jn. 3:3). Eternal life (1Cor. 13:13; 15:19; Eph. 2:12; Col. 1:23; Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18, 19; 7:19; 1Pet. 1:3-13). Converts safe in heaven (1Thess. 2:19).

‘The heart sick’ – Three examples of heartsickness: Abraham (Gen. 15:2-3); David (Ps. 42:1-3) and the disciples (Luke 24:17, 21).

Labour

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Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase. 

‘Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase.’ Ill-gotten wealth shall not be permanent, but that received by honest labour will continue to be blessed.

The righteous labour to support life and then have to divide with the poor, but the wicked live to produce sin. They live to satisfy their appetites (10:16). All labour profits, but all talk and no work brings poverty. A man of words is not always a man of deeds (14:23).

Three examples of labouring for riches: Lot (Gen. 13:10); the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20); rich men (1Tim. 6:9-10; Jas. 5:1-6).

Two things not to labour for: To be rich only (23:4). To have temporal food only (John 6:27).

Eight things to labour for: Eternal food (John 6:27). To help the poor (Eph. 4:28). To win lost souls (Php. 2:16). To support the weak (Acts 20:35). To perfect the saints (Col. 4:12; Eph. 4:11-14; Gal. 4:11; 1Thess. 5:12). Not to burden others (1Thess. 2:9). To enter eternal rest (Heb. 4:1). To be accepted by God (2Cor. 5:9).