Seeking Wisdom from Others...

 Proverbs 24:
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside;

    get everything ready for yourself in the field,

    and after that build your house.

28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,

    and do not deceive with your lips.

29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;

    I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

As we approach the latter chapters of Proverbs, we find not only Solomon's sayings, but other wise sayings gathered from various men. He did not have a corner on wisdom; he had to learn it from others. Simply put: stand up for truth and honesty; don't go for comfort before hard work; don't look for opportunities to seek revenge. Ponder all these things. 

The Heart and The Eyes

 Proverbs 23:
25 Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.
26 My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

As wisdom is piled upon wisdom, which is often personified, we find ourselves asking exactly how far to take these statements.  As seen before, a wise son (and daughter) brings joy to his or her parents. This is especially fulfilling if they have lived an exemplary life before them and their child(ren) have "caught" what they have heard and seen. As we think about Solomon's part in this, we find further possibilities here, as he had given his heart to multiple, foreign, pagan women, who infiltrated not only his life, but his palace. The result, at the end of his reign, was that "traitors" rose up disturbing not only the palace, but the whole nation. Wisdom brings what is best for us, our homes, and everyone around us.

Finding Ourselves Caught

 

Proverbs 22:
22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 for the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.
26 Be not one of those who give pledges,
    who put up security for debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
    why should your bed be taken from under you?

Don't take from the poor because they are an easy target. Don't hang with the angry crowd, because you're the one who will get caught in it. Don't live life today paid by tomorrow, or you'll lose it all.  It all sounds easy, till you find that your lifestyle is lived on the backs of the poor, you find yourself yelling at your phone or laptop because you disagree with a post, and you find you have justified some want as a need and experience buyer's remorse. We all fall into the traps. The good news is God allows us to learn and grow from our foolishness. May we learn and see He was right all along and call out to Him for the change we need. 

Losing Prospects

 Proverbs 21:
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28 A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
    but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.

The bookends of this chapter refer to the wisdom of the king and God's sovereignty, showing that these are lessons Solomon had learned. The body itself refers to the driving motivations of our lives that lead to a dead end: lazy greed, evil idolatry, lying and dishonesty. These will not bring the desired results. Why? God's wisdom will prevail. The sooner we confront these motivations in our lives the better. They fail; God will prevail. 

Run Over the Wicked???

 Proverbs 20:
26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
    searching all his innermost parts.
28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

At first glance verse 26 above sounds pretty harsh. It reminded me of a man in a care home who tried to run over a fellow resident because she wouldn't shut up. But that's not the picture here. The wheel is that of the threshing floor where the wheat and tares are separated. A wise leader separates the evil doers from the rest of the people so they will do them no harm. His discerning spirit is motivated by love and godly wisdom.  He acts decisively but not rashly, first evaluation his own heart and motives before seeking to do so with those he oversees. The only way we can ever lead well is by submitting ourselves to the inner searchlight of the Lord.

In General... and Personal

 Proverbs 19:
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

As we read through wise saying after wise saying, we can feel our heads nod in agreement with what is being pictured here for us. Lazy people become increasingly lazy. Discipline is good for all. Dishonor to parents brings shame to the one who does so.  But then, we come to verses like the last one above: "I'm talking to you, son." This is not just general knowledge. It is sage advice given in love to others we care about: children, grandchildren, and spiritual children. This is practical discipleship.  Actions and words reveal character.  An arrogant boldness does not indicate strength, but self-centered overconfidence. Submission and humility reveal understanding and prudence.  May we read these words as spoken to us.

How to Discourage Others...

 Proverbs 17:
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret
    to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father
    and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

Discouragement.  It's one of the favorite tools of Satan.  It comes in different designs: harsh words, injustice, uncontrolled desires, foolish lifestyles, even abuse.  These things can leave a person beaten down, broken, heartbroken, bitter, and hopeless. But the proverbs also point to the opposite. Surrounded by these verses are sprinklings of words of discernment, love, and peace.  We have the potential for good influence instead of bad. May we choose wisely today.