Tag Archives: Thru the Bible

Proverbs 23

If you linger, it bites back!

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There is much in this chapter about wealth, the pursuit of it, the rich and the political elite as well as the dangers of yielding to the appetites of the flesh.

These are the recurring themes, while other singular wise saying are peppered throughout, these appear to have been primary on Solomon’s mind.

This chapter ends with a warning about lingering long over alcohol. It is not a prohibition against it, anymore than gluttony is a demonizing of food. It is both the abuse of alcohol and its underpinning drive which is ALWAYS an attempt to find answers outside of intimacy with God. This is why the scriptures encourage believers to “not be drunk with wine, but by filled with the Holy Spirit”.

Contrary to how this sounds, the idea of ‘filled’ means controlled by. If we would put to death the deeds of the body by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit we would LIVE!

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Train Child

Train up a Child?

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Proverbs 22 is a chapter full of some rather well known proverbial statements, a goo number of which are LOADED with buried treasures! By this I mean, that much is missed that is not dug for.

Examples include:
• A good name is better to be chosen than great riches…
• Train up a child in the way they should go…
• Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…
• Do not move the ancient landmarks…
• …a man of skillful work will stand before kings…

In addition to these are many more which are less known, but no less profound. It was enjoyable to unpack these and discover their true meaning, if not their greater meanings within their given contexts.

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Ignore poor

Ignore the poor, and you’ll be ignored

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This chapter 21 begins with a much quoted but misunderstood proverb and is often used in conjunction with misguided uses of 2 Chron. 7.

The proverb says,
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; He turns it wherever He wants.”  

Of course translations vary with some rendering the passage far better than others, but the sad take away for many is completely out of step with the rest of scripture. So we spent time examining this passage and studying some of the often assumed implications using Pharaoh King of Egypt and Cyrus the Great as key examples.

The second verse which really stood out from the rest was a sobering warning regarding the treatment of the poor. The scriptures have much to say about the poor and the blessings to those who give them aid. Here however, is a passage of warning regarding those who shut their ears to their cries for help. We learn that our Maker will treat us in kind when we cry out for help.

“The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.”  – Proverbs 21:13.

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Human spirit candle illuminate lamp

The human spirit ILLUMINATES the soul

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Chapter 20 contains much that is practical.

⦁ Drawing the counsel out of your heart through wisdom and prudence.
⦁ Encouragement to press through difficult situations in view of a future harvest.
⦁ That ending a quarrel is honorable.
⦁ That too much drink mocks the drinker and leads them off the right path.
⦁ That no amount of self improvement can erase your past – for that one needs a Savior.
⦁ That age is no cloak for vice. That even a child is known by what they do – no exceptions!
⦁ That dishonesty and deception are hated by God and therefore by those who are truly righteous.
⦁ That speaking against those in authority (esp. one’s father and mother) will place them in deep spiritual darkness!
⦁ To lay hold of an inheritance before the appropriate time will not go unpunished.

But perhaps the greatest proverb is in the title of this message. It teaches us of our tri-part being. That we ARE a spirit which was breathed out the mouth of God, that we possess an inward soul by which we think, desire and feel and that we live in a temporal, physical body. As such, God so created our true selves – our spirit – in such a was a to provide an inner compass for our souls. It is in fact the voice of our conscience, which was initially created by God. Though it can be darkened through rejection of Him and His word, it can still be influenced again by His Spirit through grace to the humble.

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Contentious Wife dripping

A contentious wife is like a continual dripping!

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This chapter seems largely focused upon relationships, wealth, poverty and the acquisition of wisdom and knowledge.

There are four passages which stand out from the rest and for different reasons.

Verse 7 is perhaps the most complex proverb in the entire book, at least in terms of structure. Out of 375 proverbs, all but this one are two line proverbs – this one consists of three lines. At least in the original Hebrew. When it was translated into the Greek Septuagint they somehow managed to convert the same thought into a 3 two line proverb. In the end, we sided with a translation which largely agrees with the NIV.

Verse 11 says good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. It would be hard indeed to receive more solid life advice!

Verse 19 which talks about men who cannot control their wrath and that punishment is not far off. The second line however, offers piece of advice which is almost satirical in delivery in that it says, “if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again! – sage advice!

Finally is verse 22 which almost seems as if Solomon is pulling back the cover on a truth that once it is read seems so obvious, but which I think rarely occurs to us – “What is desire in man is steadfast love (or faithfulness)…”

In all, this chapter seems almost lack luster if read through without real attention, but there are gems which are buried in plain sight.

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