Wisdom in Small Packages

 Proverbs 30
24 Four things on earth are small,
    but they are exceedingly wise:
25 the ants are a people not strong,
    yet they provide their food in the summer;
26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
    yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27 the locusts have no king,
    yet all of them march in rank;
28 the lizard you can take in your hands,
    yet it is in kings' palaces.

Often, we humans boast in our position on the earth.  We think we would be better off without some of those other "creatures" and view them as pests to be eliminated. But before we do away with them, let us learn the lessons of wisdom God gives through them: hard work, good planning, unity, and just plain persistence.  Now let's apply that to other pesty people, and maybe they will be less irritating too. 

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.

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.

Words for Evaluation of Both

 

Proverbs 16:

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.

As we look at these proverbs, we cannot help but notice that these clusters of truth help us not only to look on others and determine how to weigh their influence on us, but also to use them for self-evaluation.  Do my words, as well as those I interact with, contribute to peace and encouragement, or to strife and disunity? As I look ahead, where will this path lead? Am I looking for fulfillment by using what God has entrusted to me, or am I always looking for the easy way out? These questions help us evaluate our own speech and actions, and the validity of what others send our way.

It All Comes Out Somehow...

 Proverbs 15:

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

    but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

In Proverbs, Wisdom(personified) makes it clear to us what God is looking for in our lives. He is looking at our words, motives, words, and actions to see how we really feel towards Him and towards others. The thoughts and motives end up coming out somehow in words and actions. Eventually we say something that shows what we really believe - be it in hasty, impure, or vicious words to or about others, or in our words to or about God.  It's not just a matter of putting a filter on your mouth, but pondering and purifying your heart and mind.

Rapid Fire Wisdom

 

Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

When we get to the middle of the Proverbs, we find one after another wise sayings which go from one topic to another.  Such is the wisdom Solomon had asked of God as he began his rule. Wisdom helps whatever comes up during any day in life, be it finances, speech, relationships or faith.  Wisdom includes hard work, self-control, honesty, humility, and sincere faith in God. It's one big picture of life worth living as opposed to the foolishness of life lived without God and His truth. Each proverb is worth savoring and taking to heart, as well as bringing together with all the others about the same topic. They give life stability.

Diligence Does

 Proverbs 12:24-27

The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

We live in an anxious generation. Many live in a constant state of worry and waiting for the worst.  To be sure, there are many concerns in the world, near and far, but there always have been since the Fall.  Wisdom speaks up and says: "Be Diligent. Do what you can and trust God for the rest.  You will be blessed and bless those around you.

Whoever...

 Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Don't hold back from giving to others.  If there is one principle threaded throughout these verses, it is that one needs to hand whatever he has wisely and generously. The one who holds back, always wants more, and puts his trust in his wealth will only bring trouble not only to himself, but to his household and others who need his help.  Such a way of living misses out on much: other blessings God has for us, watching our family flourish, and experiencing the joy of watching others have their needs met by God working through us. Don't miss out!

Righteousness Is No Joke

 

Proverbs 10:23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
    but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
    but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
    but the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy,
    but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

We've all known people whose lives are blatantly sinful. They live with no thought of God and ae without hope. Then there are those who "acknowledge" God and laugh off their wickedness They are indeed foolish and revel in it. All of us need the same thing: righteousness. We do not have it on our own. God offers and provides it in Christ. He brings the change we all need. He gives us the desire to do what is right and the hope, joy, and fulfillment we all need and desire. Don't try to laugh off your sin. It will only haunt you.

Ageless Wisdom Is Watching, Cheering Us on...

 

Proverbs 8:
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

As we continue to listen to wisdom personified, we are reminded that she has always been around, watching us from the creation of the world.  She is cheering us on, reminding us of what God has told us and taught us and how much He cares for us.  Wisdom does not keep us from enjoying life; rather she guides us into the abundant life God gave us to enjoy.

It's Deeper than You Think...

 Proverbs 7:24 

And now, O sons, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
    do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
    and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
    going down to the chambers of death.

As we look at Solomon's call to his sons (and all young men by extension, we find that his warning is more than a physical and emotional one.  A close look at this chapter reveals that this tempting woman of foolishness, who leads one away from wisdom, is also very involved in idol worship, having come from worshipping a pagan god (verse 14). Solomon knew what he was talking about, as we find he himself had been led astray from God through his many wives and concubines from pagan peoples.  It's all wrapped up together.  Satan's attacks are not merely physical and emotional; he is aiming to draw us away from the true and living God. Be on your guard in every situation, relationship, and encounter.

Don't Get Burned!

 Proverbs 6:25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
    but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
    and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
    and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
    none who touches her will go unpunished.

Proverbs is full of practical wisdom for daily life, including relationship advice.  These principles come from the heart of an all-wise God, who gives not only commands, but warnings against breaking those commands.  Such is the case of relationships. It begins with a glance that turns to a stare, then goes deeper into the mind and heart. It is ensnaring. As the old saying goes: "It is playing with fire."  Don't go there. You'll only get burned.  God has made a safe haven for intimacy between husband and wife. Anywhere else and people get hurt.