Humility, Honesty, and Hope

 Proverbs 29:
23 One's pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

What is it that keeps the righteous going, even in a world filled with hate, injustice, and evil? To be sure, first and foremost is one's trust in God. Trusting Him to keep us safe from it all and to help us know how to respond to it all.  Add to that the character that God develops within us when we do trust in Him: humility instead of mirroring pride; honesty even when it will turn others against us; hope when everyone and everything seems stacked against us. God carries us through not when we are true to our old selves, but true to who He is making us to be in and through Christ. 

Whoever...

 Proverbs 28:
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
    and says, “That is no transgression,”
    is a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife,
    but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
    but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Now that we are almost through the book of Proverbs, we take notice of this word: "Whoever." It makes us think maybe we should go back and review all the "Whoever's."As we can see in this short segment, there is a certain kind of "whoever" the writer has in mind: the heartless one.  He has no care for his parents or compassion on the needy. He also does not care about wisdom nor the effect his actions has on others.  He is a fool. There is, however, another kind of "Whoever" to whom he is compared: the one in verse 27: the one to whom he is contrasted, the one who trusts in the Lord.  What kind of "Whoever" are you?

Take Care of What You've Got

 Proverbs 27:

23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
    and give attention to your herds,
24 for riches do not last forever;
    and does a crown endure to all generations?
25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26 the lambs will provide your clothing,
    and the goats the price of a field.
27 There will be enough goats' milk for your food,
    for the food of your household
    and maintenance for your girls.

The problem with affluence is that we begin to take things for granted; we do not value what we have, always looking for more, new, better. It's the I-phone syndrome: the next one comes out before this one is paid for, and we think we need to have it. Wisdom says: "Value and take care of what you have. Invest in it - be it possessions, relationships, or abilities. Take care of them and do not treat them as disposable or unwanted. You never know when you will need them again and not be able to afford to replace them. Be a good steward. 

Smooth Talkers...

 Proverbs 26:
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Satan is the author of deceit, and he knows how to do it well. He is a smooth talker, who makes everything "easy to swallow," but once it is taken, it works its wickedness. This world, as his roaming place, is full of deceivers, who are only out to destroy. On the outside, they seem honest and sincere, but withing their motives are selfish and injurious. They are in the pop-up ads, on the billboards, and in the gatherings of politicians and sadly, the religious at times. But notice the promise: the deceiver is exposed "in the assembly." It is as we gather together, with true believers committed to truth, that deceivers are exposed. We need one another.

Time-Tested Wisdom

 Proverbs 25:
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
28 A man without self-control
    is like a city broken into and left without walls.

The title to this chapter tells us these were proverbs of Solomon passed down and recorded centuries later in the days of Hezekiah the king. He too was a man who sought and responded to wisdom.  Those above help us examine our motives and priorities for important aspects of our lives like marriage, integrity, and character. They beg the question: "What do I want to end up with at the end of the day and end of my life. Such wisdom is not elusive; it waits for us.

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.