Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:1-29

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

• No one gives a eulogy focused on how much money someone accumulated in their life.  If they do, how pitiful was that guy’s life?
• We leave a legacy through our good deeds here on Earth.  We leave a legacy when people think of us together with goodness.  
• We represent God to many.  The only exposure to Jesus some will have is through us, those who are striving to be more Christlike each day.  
• When I die, will they say that "Greg was a good and godly man?  A man after God’s own heart?"

The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the maker of them all.

• What you have or what you don’t have here is moot to God.  You are his creation, made in His image.  
• At the end of this path, your portfolio, your reputation in the business community, your material possessions will amount to squat.  
• God will judge the living and the dead based on our adherence to the law (for unbelievers), but for believers, He will see us all through the lens of Christ … rich or poor.  

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

• The guy who hops out in front of a speeding car thinking, “God will save me!” is not thinking this through.  God gave us a brain, too.  Instinct to survive is actually part of God’s design.  To go against that is going against what God is telling you.  However, that doesn’t mean that you should swing too far in the other direction either.  Always playing it overly safe - or worse, worrying - is also not what God is telling us.  
• Simple = either naturally simple-minded without the ability to be more prudent (we are called to protect these people, and be prudent FOR them), or those who are ignorant of what God has to say.

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord

is riches and honor and life.

• Humility and fear simply means you understand that you are nothing that God did not make you.  He is sovereign.  He’s in control.  We should have reverence for Him.  
• Acknowledging this is the first step toward wisdom, which leads to riches (spiritually) and honor (in God’s eyes) and life (life eternal – the real life).

Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

• Thorns and snares are the temptations, the lies, the evil of this world.  They will trap us.  But the crooked … those who know better and are crooked anyway … will trip and fall, spiritually.  
• But for those who guard against these snares and thorns in this life will not be so tempted or so easily tricked.  
• I have seen this personally.  The longer I guard my soul, my heart and my mind from things I know will tempt me or trick me, the less I feel their pressures … the less I even notice them.

Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.  The converse is also true – it’s easy to teach a young dog the right way to do things.  And the earlier you do, the more they will naturally do those things when they are older.
• It is actually a form of child abuse not to discipline and direct a child.  By neglecting that, you’re making life harder for them later.  The older they get, and the longer they’ve known the wrong way (they don’t know it’s wrong, though), the more difficult it will be to erase bad habits.

The rich rules over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

• Put simply … Debt is not good.
• With debt comes obligation.  It’s a form of slavery.  In fact, they used to have Debtor’s Prisons for those who borrowed but could not pay back.  Unfortunately, our society has made matters worse by reinforcing bad habits with it’s continuous stream of “you deserve it” and “just file for bankruptcy”.  Never mind the financial institution or stores that trusted you.  
• Skirting your obligation to pay back what you’ve borrowed is THEFT, pure and simple.  Better to not take on debt in the first place and just live within the means God has provided for you.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,

and the rod of his fury will fail.

• I hate when the rod of my fury fails.  I digress ;) .
• The unjust – those who cheat, steal, lie, etc. - create a mess for those around them, and eventually for themselves.  
• Whatever an unjust person does will ultimately fail.  

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

for he shares his bread with the poor.

• A “bountiful eye”.  I’ve never heard it said that way, but it’s a nice way to put it. 
• Those who see the need through God’s eyes and gives of what he has will be blessed.
• Whenever you help the least of these, you are helping me. —JC
• <Greg’s 2 cents>:  Giving of your surplus is definitely nice, but if you don’t miss it, was it really that big of a deal?  I’m not diminishing the value of giving of our discretionary funds, time, talents … but I think “real giving” is when you sacrifice.  Instead of doing what you want to do today, you help dig a well for a poor farmer.  Instead of going on vacation to Belize, you go to Nigeria on mission.  Instead of buying a new car, you go used or you just hold tight, and instead give that money to some humanitarian cause.  </ end Greg’s 2 cents>
• Jesus specifically points out the woman at the temple who gives her last two shekels vs the Pharisee who gives 100s of shekels from his surplus.  Who gave more?  Who had more faith that God who provide?

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,

and quarreling and abuse will cease.

• A scoffer in a good community of people is like brownies with JUST a pinch of dog poop.  Ick.  Ruins the whole batch.  
• Scoffing is contagious.  Even with good people, they are tempted to follow suit.  Remove them and the temptation goes away.  
• Remove the poison from the well and no one gets sick and/or dies.  Simple as that.

He who loves purity of heart,

and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

• Who do you trust?  Who do you go to for advice on life?  I would hope, like most, you go naturally to those who seem to have a pure heart, who are reasonable and kind.
• Aspire to be one of these people.  The only way to do that is through absorbing the Word of God.  This will purify your heart, and gracious speech, good advice, and trust will follow.

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

• God is the creator of all knowledge.  The only Truth worth knowing is His Truth.  
• That said, the Enemy is always trying to taint that knowledge with worldly thoughts … ideas that sound right on the surface, but are 100% wrong.  And the Enemy is relentless.  God allows this, but holds out hope that you’ll check with Him before believing everything you hear.
• Ultimately, though, He will crush the lies and the liar.  In fact, He already has for those who accept Jesus into their lives.

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

I shall be killed in the streets!”

• What’s the worst excuse you’ve heard for someone’s laziness?  Sluggards will make any excuse to avoid work, from “It’s his fault” to “I hurt my back” to … “There is a lion outside!” (okay, you probably hear that last one less frequently).  
• The next time you find yourself making excuses, think of the sluggard making the “a lion ate my homework” excuse, then suck it up and get to work.  That’s what God has to say.

The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;

he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

• For anyone, the forbidden fruit is alluring.  It started with Adam and Eve, and it continues today.   Why can’t we just be satisfied with what God has provided up with?  We’re are pitiful.
• This allusion of the “mouth of forbidden women (or men, for the lady-folk)” is an example of that forbidden fruit.  And it’s a deep pit … meaning, once you fall in, good luck climbing out.  
• Why would the Lord allow someone to fall into a pit like that?  Answer:  To draw that person closer to Him.  When do we express our need for God most?  Answer:  When we’re in that pit, unable to get out on our own.   We cry out for God to help us.  THAT is what He is hoping for.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

• Folly = What fools do.  
• Spare the rod, spoil the child.  Not disciplining when discipline is needed is neglectful.  It is not helping the child, it is hurting him or her.
• Without boundaries, rules … instructions (whatever your preferred way of looking at it) … And discipline, we’d all be a bunch of sophomoric morons running aground dong whatever pleases us, without regard for others or our own well being.  We are the children here.
• But God loves us too much to let that happen.  He won’t force us to – he’ll give us the choice – but He will tell us the right way, and correct us along the way until we seem to get it.

Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,

or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

• Payday Loan places come to mind.  Man, how evil.  Many who go to those places have no idea that you can open your own account at the bank and put your money there.  But for the love of money, those operations prey on the lower socioeconomic classes.  
• Equally, someone who gives to a politician (for instance) just so they can become wealthier, instead of thinking about the “least of these”, is equally guilty.  This shows a love of money over love for God and His children.  But this is where MANY Americans are.  Whether it’s the rich focused on getting richer, or the “artificially poor” (the lazy) looking for handouts.  
• Either way, they will come to poverty – spiritual poverty.

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my knowledge,

for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

if all of them are ready on your lips.

• “Apply your heart” … not just your mind.  There are many who understand the Word of God, but that is a far cry from allowing it to enter your heart and drive your actions.  
• So, listen, learn and understand … but don’t stop there.  Stopping there would be like hearing someone yell “Fire!”, then just sitting there and doing nothing.  Or, as God put it, it’s like seeing yourself in a mirror, then walking away and forgetting what you look like.  
• I’m told often to memorize scripture, then absorb those verses into your heart.  I fail miserably at this, to be honest.  Something I need to dedicate myself to. 
• Bottom line, I’ve been in MANY situations where the right words from the Creator would have made all the difference for someone.  I need to work on this.

That your trust may be in the Lord,

I have made them known to you today, even to you.

• Do you know God?  If you truly do, you will trust Him.If you can’t trust Him?  Who CAN you trust?
• This message is not only general, but directed to every individual soul, you included.  

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of counsel and knowledge,

to make you know what is right and true,

that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

• Translate as, "I’ve written to you MANY times with my advice, based on knowledge.”
• The point of writing these these over and over is in recognition that we need repetition for things to finally sink in.  
• With this world that never stops trying to tell us what is “right and true”, based on nothing solid, we need that repetition so that when we are asked, or when we are in a given situation, we know the answer – God’s answer, counsel and knowledge.

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,

or crush the afflicted at the gate,

for the Lord will plead their cause

and rob of life those who rob them.

• Do unto others as you’d have done to you.  
• Forgive us our trespasses as (the same way that) we forgive those who trespass against us.  
• No deed – good or bad – will go unnoticed in the end.  

Make no friendship with a man given to anger,

nor go with a wrathful man,

lest you learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

• Monkey see, monkey do.  Hang around a group who acts a certain way, or believes a certain thing that seems absolutely crazy … given enough time with them … you will come to believe that is the norm and act and believe the same.  
• So, be careful with whom you yoke yourself.  Hang out with a person who picks fights, is always offended, and is all about wrath and revenge?  Count on being in a few fights.

Be not one of those who give pledges,

who put up security for debts.

If you have nothing with which to pay,

why should your bed be taken from under you?

• Don’t go into debt.  But certainly don’t help someone else go into debt.  Why would you do that to yourself?  Why should your car be re-po’d for someone else’s bad decision?  

Do not move the ancient landmark

that your fathers have set.

• Our ancestors spent 70-100 years of life making mistakes, learning, sharing, making more mistakes, learning, sharing … and so on.  But all of a sudden, we think we know better.  Silly?  Yes.
• "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."  Ecclesiastes 1:9
• I suppose we are destined every few generations to forget the "ancient landmarks” our forefathers worked so hard to build.  They did it so we wouldn’t make the same mistakes, but we think we know better.  What an arrogant, prideful species we are.  

Do you see a man skillful in his work?

He will stand before kings;

he will not stand before obscure men.

• We all have certain skills.  We should gravitate toward them – God gave them to us.  And when we use them, we should put our all into them.  
• When we do things, we should do them for God.  And that means dong them to the absolute best of our abilities.  Take pride in your work.  This is pleasing to God.  
• And live this life to the fullest, too.  At the end, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  
• Go for the greater reward, not what this world has to offer, but what eternity has in store.

Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:1-31

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.

• God guides the hands and thoughts and rulings of leaders.  They were put in that position by Him, they should surrender their thoughts for God’s thoughts and direction.
• A farmer directs streams to the areas of land where it is most wanted.  In the same way, God directs the thoughts of the true king.  His favor/blessings fall, not at random, but in harmony with a divine order.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

• A person may say they have good intentions.  Others may perceive that someone has a good heart and means well.  But only God knows your true intentions.  Is it for you, for revenge, to elevate yourself, to get something you believe you deserve?  Or is it for God’s glory that you do all things?  
• What starts with the heart, leads to good fruits.  

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

• Self-sacrifice is good.  It’s not required, but it’s good in God’s eyes.  You are saved by grace alone, through Jesus.  
• But even better is having integrity, being honest … doing as Jesus would do.  You’re going to fail, so embrace that.  But keep trying.  It’s all about your heart – we all “start” from different points, heading toward Christlikeness.  

Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

• Pride.  It’s ugly.  Not pride in your work, or pride in your kids’ achievements, but pride that says, “I’m better.  Look how awesome I am.”  It is the opposite of Christlikeness, and is just plain ugly to see.
• Let your lamp be lit by God, humbling yourself in acknowledgement that all things are from God, and you are only saved by His grace.  With THAT light … shine.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

• What do you want to achieve?  Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm, persistence, and a good plan.
• Measure twice, cut once.  Ready, aim, fire.  History has shown this truth over and over.  
• Take the time to plan, then execute.  

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

• You won’t get away with it.  No matter what you think is unseen will b found out.  Know this.
• You may get away with it for a time, but not for long.

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

• In effect, you destroy yourself by being cruel and violent and refusing to live right.  
• Wickedness has the biggest negative impact on the person being wicked.

The way of the guilty is crooked,

but the conduct of the pure is upright.

• Guilty people live dishonest and dishonorable lives.
• Honest people do good.  

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

• Don’t I know it, brother!  Up top!  Just kidding, Monkey.
• But it’s true … a wife always fighting to be in control, or questioning her husband for selfish (not constructive) reasons, is like sandpaper to the face.  
• It’s better to be away from your wife completely, than to sit and tolerate it.

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

• Amazing, but evil doers are always itching to do evil, even to those they call their “friends”.

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;

when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

• An ignorant fool learns by seeing others punished.
• But a sensible person learns by being instructed.

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

he throws the wicked down to ruin.

• God sees it all.  You think your sin is hidden, but it’s simply not.  
• Those who are wicked and sinful, but not repentant (trying to turn their perspective, understanding and ways) are gonna get it.  Luckily, for those who have accepted Jesus with there HEART, those continued sins are forgiven.  We will stumble and sin, but Jesus paid that debt before hand, so we will not receive God’s wrath.  Those who sin, but have refused to accept Jesus and His free gift will unfortunately get exactly what they desire.

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

will himself call out and not be answered.

• Just like in the Lord’s Prayer, “… Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us …”, as we hear and respond to the needs of those less fortunate, so will God hear and respond to us.  
• Everyone on this email distribution is blessed beyond comprehension … especially compared to the other 99% of this world’s population.  If we – who have so much – do not do all we can in God’s name and for His glory, who will?

A gift in secret averts anger,

and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

• The effect of bribery is enhanced by secrecy since the briber does not want to make his motives known.  
• We all try to hide our sin by a sort of “bribery” or negotiation around the Truth, and this may help to avert anger and wrath for a time here on planet Earth, but it is known by God.  

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

• But those who are just don’t need bribes (see previous verse).  
• The wicked will get theirs, even if they get away with concealing it for now.

One who wanders from the way of good sense

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

• This one gives me goosebumps.  
• Good sense is to think it through and realize that God is real and Jesus is our Savior.  Anyone who wanders away from that for too long … until death … will spend eternity away from God, in cold darkness, but burning with anguish and regret.  
• "Eternity … now that’s a mighty long time.  But I’m going to tell you …” — The Artist Formerly known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince (a.k.a. Prince), Poet Laureate (or something)

Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

• Costly luxuries will make you poor on many levels.
• Is pleasure and wine and oil (?) evil?  No.  They are amoral things.  They are neither good nor bad in themselves.  
• But the love of and worship of these things … the over indulgence in these things at the detriment of a focus on God our Creator … yes, that is evil and sinful and displeasing to God.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

and the traitor for the upright.

• This is just another example of how Jesus’ crucifixion, paying for our sins (we are the wicked), turns everything upside down.
• Jesus – the perfect one – should have been spared and WE should have been HIS ransom.  But that’s not what God made happen.  Jesus came to fulfill the law.  He came not to condemn, but to set us free from what was inevitable.  That the wicked would pay for the righteous.
• What an amazing Truth, eh?

It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

• A Godly wife is not quarrelsome.  Being quarrelsome (naggy) is actual counter-productive.  The intent is to get the love and attention she needs, but in actuality, she’s just riling the bear, who will respond with either less love or even worse – silence.  
• A Godly woman communicates her needs and perspectives gently and softly, filtering her words (no matter how much she wants to inject venom), showing control and patience.  
• Had to share this.  In researching this verse a bit, some person adds some thoughts in a Comment following a blog on the topic:   “I'd like to be able to live in the woods, women or no. As long as I can bring along my collection of "Misogynist Bible Verses for Dummies.””  Clever, but completely misguided and telling of the sentiment of most non-believers, especially here in America.  This is what the world is teaching us … to state Truth is bad … in this case “misogynistic”.

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,

but a foolish man devours it.

• Wise people live in comfort because they didn’t act like foolish people, spending more than they have, rapidly consuming everything in site.  
• This speaks to moderation.  You can win the lottery to be “rich”, or you can be wise, prudent, and patient and get there in time.  The latter is God’s way.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

• Seek and you will find.  This applies no matter what you are “seeking”.  Seeking money and fame?  Sure, you may get there, but it will be at the cost of things that really matter.  And you won’t see that until you are there.  
• But strive for Christlikeness, knowing God and appreciating Him and His creation more … be kind when it’s easier to be otherwise … that is how you will find the good life.  A life of freedom and joy, despite hardships.  And with this come honor in other’s eyes, but more importantly, in God’s eyes.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

• Oh how the mighty shall fall.
• Putting your trust in anything other than Christ is a recipe for disaster.  
• A wise man – a man of God – should not be wise for his own sake, but to help others see that their gods are false.  They must help shine a light on their darkness.  This is the pinnacle of love for our fellow man.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

• Controlling our words is the most challenging thing.  Words, snide comments, gossip, negative talk, insults … they all cause damage.  More damage than you realize.  
• It takes pure will power to not say what you feel you have the “right” to say.  And it’s so easy to blurt something out without thinking.  Will power.  Know that God instructs us to control our words, believe that it’s in our best interest because He is a good father, then zip it.  
• To repeat – unless you have something positive or uplifting to say about someone, keep it to yourself.  In fact, remove it from your mind.

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

who acts with arrogant pride.

• Two things to note here:
1. Scoffers are all about themselves.  “I’m smarter and better, hence I scoff.  I am my own god.”  Arrogance and pride are exactly what the Enemy wants.  It does nothing but lift you up above where you really are, and tears others down.  Humility – that’s the ticket.
2. Because we know the Truth does not make us better.  In fact, it should make us realize how pitiful we are.  Important and with purpose in God’s eyes, but weak and in need of His help … His grace.  Acting with arrogance when you know better … when you know you should act with love and humility … negatively impacts His kingdom.  
• Our job is to draw people closer to Christ.  Acting with arrogance and pride repels people … and drives them FROM God.

The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor.

• Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves.  
• They desire nothing but sleep, but this will ultimately give them the opposite of what they really want. 
• When they finally wake up and get to work – if they do – they will have a lot of catching up to do.  
• Unfortunately, they will likely complain that it’s “too hard”, but part of that is perception based on a sheer lack of work prior.  Further, the bed has been made (no pun intended).  They must lie in it.

All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

• The sluggard is the “entitled American” that we complain about often.  From an SNL video (undecided voter to Bill Clinton):  “See, it's like, you look all around, and you see all this stuff? And, everybody's got stuff but me! Where's mine?! Where's MY stuff?! I'm a young, man! I should have stuff, too! WHERE'S MY STUFF?!!"  
• The righteous (none are righteous on their own, of course, but those who have repented) give without hesitation and without worry about “will we have enough for us?” because they know that God gave them all they have already.  He didn’t have to do that.  We should discern and not when it’s quite obvious it’s a scam, but if a true need arises, we should give – period.  That’s what God instructs.  No ifs, ands or buts.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

• Ritual without righteousness is obnoxious to God.  This includes focusing more on dogma and works than His actual Word (which tells us that all of that has “been fulfilled by Christ”) - reading about God’s unending grace, but turning around and not extending grace and forgiveness to others … God sees this and shakes His head.
• Spend your week sinning with a smile, knowing better, then go to church and praise Him?  It’s like a disgusting stench to Him.  
• Read in the Bible about not judging others, not gossiping, not being arrogant, etc. then pray to God or sing to Him?  No matter how sincere the worship from the wicked person, he not only dislikes it – He HATES it.  If your praise of Him contradicts your actual lifestyle, it is revolting to Him.
• Now … sacrifice and worship and praise with a selfish, evil motive?  Wow.  I don’t even want to think about what God thinks of THAT.

A false witness will perish,

but the word of a man who hears will endure.

• People know and remember Truth when they hear it.  
• Someone who lies to get what they want may get away with it temporarily, but not forever.  It will come back to him.  
• The wise words of a good man – a man of integrity and Truth – will be remembered.

A wicked man puts on a bold face,

but the upright gives thought to his ways.

• Guys who are up to no good – evil – will use a stern face to hide it.  Call it their “poker face”.
• But good men use discernment and show their integrity.  They think it through with God’s word in mind.  No need to hide that.

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

can avail against the Lord.

• It doesn’t matter how smart we think we are.  No matter how we rationalize it.  Bottom line is, any argument can be made.  I can argue with you until I’m blue in the face that penguins are made of peanut butter (try me), but my “wisdom and understanding” is based on nothing.  
• God’s wisdom, understanding and counsel are perfect, and are not affected by an ability to debate, and are not based on feelings and ideas.  They are firmly cemented in Truth.

The horse is made ready for the the day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the Lord

• Prepare all you’d like.  In fact, that’s good.  But whether you win or lose is up to God.  Everything is.  
• So pray even more than you prepare.  Ask Him for His assistance.  He can move mountains.  

Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:1-30

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

• You saw Footloose … drinkin’s fer sinners.  Okay – not really.  However, any loss of control of your senses from anything (e.g. drink, anger, love, drugs … anything) is, in fact, a sin.  Keep your mind clear, but a drink periodically, within moderation, is a-okay.
• That said, alcohol drops inhibitions and let’s the Enemy in.  Let’s all list the things we’ve done while under the influence.  Don’t want to say them out loud?  Exactly the point.  It’s like your history with alcohol is mocking you.  It causes some to be more flirty, some to become aggressive and angry.  It makes you who you don’t want to be.
• Don’t open the door.  Keep it under control.  If you can’t, then don’t drink at all.

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;

whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

• Sin is an aggressive action against God.  It’s like a slap in the face to Him.  Thankfully (1) He is slow to anger and (2) all of our sin has been “paid for”, so we are redeemed through Christ’s death on the cross for our sins.
• That said, why provoke the Lion?  Do you realize what he did for us?  Don’t you WANT to be the person He created you to be?  No one’s forcing you.  There are no points for Works.  But if you don’t feel a deep level of gratitude and show it through your heart, were you really saved?  Really?  Just something to consider.

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,

but every fool will be quarreling.

• Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
• At church, we’ve been talking about being a biblical man.  Biblical men don’t fight, aren’t petty, look to discuss differences, not to throw fists.
• Boys fight for whatever reason.  Men fight only as a last resort, when all other measures have failed.  

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;

he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

• This is a disease in America: The type that asks for (sometimes demands) the harvest, but does not want to put in the sweat and tears to get it.  
• And we’re currently giving them what they demand.  But this can not last forever.  Pretty soon, we’ll have nothing BUT sluggards and no harvest.

The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,

but a man of understanding will draw it out.

• Purpose is at the core.  It’s what drives us.  We all have a true purpose, but we sometimes like to inject our own ideas.  Seek your purpose from God – let His purpose drive you.
• "Men of understanding" do not take what we say or do at face value, but truly understand the inner conflict that goes on within all of us.

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

• A man of his word, without selfish motives, who says what he means and means what he says.  That is a biblical man.
• Many “say”, but many don’t deliver.  God wants good men, after His own heart.  
• You don’t have to be that man today, you just have to surrender and let Him make you into that man.  The man (or woman) He created you to be.

The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

• It’s one thing to teach your kids about living a holy and righteous life, according to God’s Word.  It’s another to show them through how you live your life.

A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

• The King can see the good from the bad.  He weighs the evidence, then distinguishes what is right and what is wrong.

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;

I am clean from my sin”?

• Who can say, “I’m a pretty good guy.  I don’t sin.”?  Answer:  No one.  A person who says this obviously doesn’t know what sin is.  
• If I were to put a unit to it, I would ask myself, “How many times per DAY or even per HOUR do you sin, Greg?”
• Paul said quite clearly, “No one is righteous.  Not one.”  We all need the saving grace of Jesus.  It’s a free gift offered to everyone.  EVERYONE.  

Unequal weights and unequal measures

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

• If you cheat, steal, mislead, outright lie … even if you’re never caught (by anyone here), God knows and hates it.  He HATES sin.  He can’t even be around it.
• They are an abomination because, that is not how he created things.  What he created was good – 100%.  We (Adam, Eve and the rest of us since) messed it up by not following His design – by not trusting Him that He knows better than we do.

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

• Talk the good talk all you want, people see who you really are by your actions.  Say you’re a Christian, but don’t act like one?  The perception – probably not really a Christian.  Simple as that.  
• Do you show people the Christ you believe in … that you want others to know about?  Careful how you convey Christ through your actions.  You could be repelling them.

The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

the Lord has made them both.

• God gave you ears and eyes.  Hear and see.  Don’t go through this life deaf and blind to what needs doing.  Do something.  Act with compassion.  Use your time for God’s glory.  
• See with His eyes.  Hear with His ears.  Try to see and hear the world the way He sees and hears it.  Then act. 

Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;

open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

• Thank God (literally) I know this.  Otherwise, I would sleep aaaaaaall the time.  Man, being a slug is a serious temptation.  
• Get the sleep you need, but no more.  Get up.  Get to it.  God has plans for you.
• Give us this day our daily bread.  Give us what we need God – that’s what we’re asking in the Lord’s prayer.  And He responds – then get up and get to my work for you, and I promise – you’ll have your daily mana from heaven.  All you need.

“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

but when he goes away, then he boasts.

• In America, we call this buyer a good negotiator.  By hook or crook, get the best deal.
• The phrase you’ve heard, “It’s just business.”  Hate that phrase.  So does God.  
• It does matter to God how you conduct yourself, your integrity, your honor.  
• Maybe you didn’t get the deal you COULD have gotten if you would have just misled the seller.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul.  Do you?

There is gold and abundance of costly stones,

but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

• “You can have all this world.  Give me Jesus.”  Jeremy Camp
• There is a never-ending supply of “stuff”.  Get a new gadget … a newer, cooler one comes out the very next day.  Stopping chasing that stuff and chase the real stuff – knowledge.
• God’s knowledge is all that matters.  Seek it, understand it, live it.  That’s the rich life.

Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

• Don’t co-sign on a loan for somebody.  Period.  Bad idea.

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

• He will feel powerful at first, having duped someone, but he will feel the after effects of guilt.  
• Lying is fun – but not for long. Then the results of your folly come crashing down on your head. You may think your lie helped in some way, but it only made things worse. 
• Be sure your sin will find you out (Num 32:23)

Plans are established by counsel;

by wise guidance wage war.

• We need wise advise in spiritual matters.  The best, most wise advise comes from God and His Word.
• The greatest weapon in spiritual war is Scripture.

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

• Have friends who are gossips?  Always digging up dirt and spreading it around?  Not good.  Ge them to stop, or get away.  Don’t associate with them.  
• They will not only talk about YOU too, they will make you feel like you should gossip, too.  REALLY not good.

If one curses his father or his mother,

his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

• You have to be in a bad place to curse the people who loved you and raised you.  You’ve gotten to a very dark place.
• If one is that far gone, they will not see the light.  They may be doomed to eternal darkness.  

An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

• Makes me think of that horrible Lissa.  Always talking about getting her inheritance.  Heh, heh.  Sorry Lis.
• Staking a claim on an inheritance?  Seriously?  What’s most important to you?  Your parents, or their money?  If the latter, the inheritance you receive will not be blessed.  It will bring no good to you.

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

• Vengeance is a sin.  And not for the reasons you think.  It’s REALLY saying that God doesn’t see the evil and/or can’t do anything about it.  He can and He will.  Leave it to Him.
• Your job is to forgive.  Period.  Turn the other cheek.  Hard?  Yes.  God’s command?  Also, yes.

Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,

and false scales are not good.

• You will not get away with it.  Cheat away, but God sees and is a good judge.  And a good judge punishes – he makes things right.

A man's steps are from the Lord;

how then can man understand his way?

• Why do certain things happen – both good and bad?  Heck, I don’t know.  But God does.  
• What happens in our lives, the blessings, the tough times … they are all to sculpt us into what God intended.  Only He knows what that is.

It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and to reflect only after making vows.

• Don’t commit to something so quickly.  Think about it before cannonballing in!  
• Absolutely!  No wait – maybe?

A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

• Winnows – to cast away, disperse, scatter
• A wise King gets rid of the wicked before they cause (more) trouble
• He runs them over with the threshing wheel – woof.  Figuratively speaking?  Hoping so, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,

searching all his innermost parts.

• We are made of three parts – body, soul and spirit.  
• God is revealed through us.  Or at least He SHOULD be.  
• We don’t have the ability to see the innermost parts of anyone, but God can.  He sees the real us, despite the mask we pose with.  He’s looking for THAT version of you.  The real you to represent Him – from the inside out. 

Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

• A king who lives by the sword … who lives without love for and faithfulness to his people … will fall.  Only love and faithfulness makes it possible for the king to reign forever.
• God is our King.  Jesus is our King.  He will reign forever because – you guessed it – God IS love, and He is faithful to the end with His promises to us.  Incredible promises that He keeps.

The glory of young men is their strength,

but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

• As I grow older, this means more and more to me.  Could I lift that tree trunk when I was younger and at my peak?  Heck yeah I could!  Email high five, bro!  Chest bump.
• But now I am more wise, less strong.  And with wisdom – ironically – one finds that wisdom is actually much more valuable.  Lift a tree trunk?  Ha – I’ll get that young guy to do it and spare my back.  

Blows that wound cleanse away evil;

strokes make clean the innermost parts.

• From Bible Questions Answered:  
• "When parents avoid disciplining flagrantly, willfully disobedient children, they allow "evil" to remain.  This evil does not go "away.”  … such discipline results in a change of heart for the good."  
• "God assumes that parents, especially fathers, will be wise and loving when they apply discipline to a willfully disobedient child.  In Ephesians, God warns fathers not to provoke their children to anger.  Children may be angry for awhile after they are spanked. That is normal, but sustained and prolonged anger must be avoided."

Proverbs 19

Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:1-24

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

• When you isolate yourself, you are saying, “I don’t need anyone, and no one needs me.”  Selfish.  
• We all need support, accountability, sharpening, rebuking, mentorship, etc.
• And you were put here to be there for others.  YOU are God’s hands and feet for someone.  If you choose isolation, you are holding back God’s hand.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing his opinion.

• I know a LOT of fools.  Man, do people like to express their opinions – and it usually comes without any foundation.  Although, I’m guilty of this, too.  I sure think I know it all at times.  
• "Understanding what you have to say?  Why would I?  I already know.  I’m me.  Prideful, egotistical, superior me."  

When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

• People don't like an evil person. People make fun of that foolish person.
• The typical unbeliever has nothing but contempt for God because he often believes he is too “smart” to believe in God.  

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

• This is not merely shallow talk, coming from a wise man.  The words are deep and meaningful, and should be heard and understood, not dismissed or ignored.
• Words of a wise man are a fountain of wisdom that never ends, never empties.
• Wisdom, coming from the heart, is where good advice/counsel comes from.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked

or to deprive the righteous of justice.

• Nothing good can come from giving any support or even credence to those who are up to no good.  
• And holding back what is right from those doing nothing BUT what is right?  That’s double wicked. 

A fool's lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites a beating.

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

• I know a lot of these fools, too.  
• Some can’t help themselves.  Some just don’t care and feel entitled to say whatever they want.  Back to selfishness, egotism, pride.  
• It’s like they are asking for it.
• "Better to keep quiet and appear a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

• Whisperer = Gossip.
• Yes, they taste SOOOO good, don’t they?  Gossip is extremely appealing, just like cake to an overeater.  Just like porn to a sex addict.  Gossip is no different.
• This verse is simply acknowledging that, but pointing out that it’s poison to the body, the soul, the spirit.  
• End game:  Don’t gossip.  Don’t take part in gossip.  

Whoever is slack in his work

is a brother to him who destroys.

• While laziness is a lifestyle for some, it is a temptation for all of us.  
• Lazy people spend more time making up excuses that the time it would take to just do the task.  Time-wasters, excuse-makers, production-killers, work-averters.
• Being lazy isn’t just a lifestyle.  It’s a “deathstyle" as well.  It destroys us in life and robs us in death.
• [Content taken from “Lazy”, by Woodrow Kroll]

 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

• "You are my strong tower.  A refuge for the weak."  Worship lyrics taken from this verse.  Great song.
• How are we righteous?  Through Jesus.  There is no other way.  We are righteous because He is.  God sees His blood when he looks at us.  
• And what’s interesting is, the verse says, “The NAME of the Lord.  Not even the Lord, but just His name is a strong tower.  In His name we are safe if we accept the gift of salvation offered by Jesus.

A rich man's wealth is his strong city,

and like a high wall in his imagination.

• Wealth, power, strength … in this world seems like everything.  But it’s not.  What happens when the market turns and the rich man is no longer rich?  He’s lost all.  But while he’s rich, he is lulled into a believe that he is invincible.  That nothing can touch him.  It is all about him and his ability to do things for himself.  The self-made man that he is.
• But that is all a false.  It’s just in his imagination.  The high wall that seems so impenetrable?  Nothing without God.  
• A poor man (a man who does not have money as his god), who has the real God as his wealth and his “high wall” is the one who is truly secure.    

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

• Pride comes before a fall.  “I’m awesome!  No one can defeat me!”  Wait for it … destruction is coming.
• Humility takes more will, more character, more integrity, more self-awareness and awareness of the God who created us.  With that humility follows honor in His eyes, and in the eyes of those who are wise enough to discern.

If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

• Don’t jump to conclusions.  Seek to understand before speaking.  And don’t let your emotions get ahead of you.  Part of being an adult is perfecting self-control.  
• Don’t be so eager to give your “2 cents”.  Everyone’s got an opinion – save yours until you fully understand and really “hear” what is being said.  
• Speak too soon and you risk looking like an idiot, damaging a relationship, or bringing on shame to you or to others.

A man's spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

• There is a significant difference between having “the funk” and being in “a funk”.
• A person can make it through physical sickness if they keep a strong spirit and outlook.
• But crush that person’s spirit?  That brings you to the pit that is far more difficult to recover from.

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

• Once your heart knows what is most important, a hunger follows.  
• Notice it does not say, “An intelligent mind”.  The verse is talking about something deeper than intellect.  It’s talking about “knowing” from the heart.
• And that open heart, hungry for knowledge, will acquire it naturally.  And if you seek to understand, and listen with that open heart, you will hear and gain in knowledge.

A man's gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

• We all have talents.  God-given gifts that we do not know HOW we do, but we can just do.  My ability to annoy, for instance. ;)  It just comes.
• Seriously, we are not given those gifts for no reason … and we’re certainly not given those gifts for ourselves, or to gain worldly things.
• When we acknowledge the gifts God has given us, then decide to use them for HIS glory alone, we approach the “great” … our true purpose.

The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

• Moral of the story:  Don’t jump to a conclusion until you’ve heard all perspectives and all the information.  Only then can you discern what is right and true.
• A position stated with no cross examination is flawed.  Until it stands up against scrutiny, do not absorb it quite yet.  
• Too many non-believers have “heard the case” from the world, but have never taken the time to hear the case for faith, for Christ, for God.  The opposition is capable of pulling words together to make their case sound true, but upon further review, it has no basis and is nothing more than an “argument”.  

The lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

• Think of “casting lots”, like the guards cast lots for Jesus’ loincloth following His crucifixion.  In modern terms, you would say, “Rock, Paper, Scissors” or “flip a coin”.
• Everyone seems fine with random chance to settle a dispute, but very few of us says, “Let’s check with the Good Book” or “Let’s pray on it”.  Sad.
• The reason, I believe, people are okay with random chance is this:  With God, the truth is the truth.  There is no refuting it.  With random chance, even if you’re wrong you still have a chance.  Pitiful that our self-centeredness would lead us to such a lack of justice.  More proof that we can not do this alone – we need God.

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

• Think:  A brother “sinned against”.   
• It is difficult to get into a well fortified city.  It’s even harder to reach a brother you’ve sinned against.  
• When you offend someone, the “bars go up” as it were.  And they are not easily torn down by you OR by the offended.  

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

• Productive speech is not just satisfying – it meets the basic needs of life.  There is a practical return for beneficial words.
• "Speak life, speak life, to the deadest darkest night.”  Toby Mac
• Speak uplifting, productive words … or don’t speak at all. 
• Most times, it’s not food or water we need.  It’s the right words at the right time to fill us.  

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

• The tongue is like the small rudder on a huge ship.  Such a small thing guides such a large thing.
• The tongue is also like a spark.  It can set someone on fire and motivate them to do what is right and good.  It can also set the whole forest on fire.  So control it – it is a powerful weapon.  Use it wisely and only for good, productive things.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from the Lord.

• A man who finds a wife has acknowledged two things:
• That love is what matters most.  God is love.  
• That we are only half of the equation of becoming more like Christ.  We need our other half … to complete us, to help us to improve, to tell us what we need to hear (even though we may not want to hear it), and to show us a small example of God’s love for us.  An unconditional agape love.
• So, acknowledging this by finding a wife is a good thing for both, and is pleasing to God.  

The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

• Entreaty = An earnest or humble request.
• Poor and rich are nouns used here not necessarily intended to mean money, or lack thereof.  
• Poor just means that you are poor in this world (but rich in eternity, because your focus is not here, it’s on heaven)
• Rich just means that you are rich in this world (but poor in eternity, because your focus is here, not on heaven)
• Those with their eyes on heaven know to be humble because that humility gains “riches" for them in heaven.
• Those with their eyes on this world are filled with pride, they are selfish, they are demanding and feel entitled.  Hence, they answer roughly to humble requests.

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

• Jesus is that friend.  And all those close enough to keep you accountable, to help you continually become more Christlike, to sharpen you as iron sharpens iron … those are the few friends you should focus upon.  

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:1-28

Better is a dry morsel with quiet

than a house full of feasting with strife.

• Amen.
• Settle your differences.  Don’t let the sun set on your anger.  Don’t hold grudges.  It’s your pride – acknowledge that and make amends.  Better to fall on the sword and be done with it then to keep the feud rolling.

 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully

and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

• Talking directly to the Jews here, in this time.  God is saying, “Don’t want to follow my rules?  Want to act like an egotistical idiot? Fine.  I’ll give your inheritance to the gentile who deserves it.”
• Today, this applies to us.  We are saved by faith, but God is still saying, “Yeah, you’re saved.  Start acting like it … like you appreciate it and know what the alternative is.  Remember, I know your heart … so actions alone are moot without loving and appreciative intentions."

 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

 and the Lord tests hearts.

• Are you for real?  Or are you just posing … acting like a Christian … maybe even saying and doing most of the things you believe are expected of a Christian, but not truly in it to win it?
• As mentioned above, if we are real Christians, we seek to fully understand God’s perspective on things, to worship Him in all things, to obey Him because we know He loves us and knows better than we do, just like a parent knows better than the child does.  
• Following a set of rules with just the head and not the heart?  Might as well just be a Jew or a Muslim.  Acknowledge what God has done for us through Jesus.  We are redeemed … cleaned fully … pure and perfect IN HIM.  We can’t do anything to win God over after that truth.  So stop trying, and just give yourself over to Him.  You WHOLE life, not just the PART of it you’re comfortable with.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

• Evil begets evil.  Tell a little white lie or do a tiny bit of evil?  Expect that to escalate.  Because if a little is okay, why not more?  Then why not more than that?  It’s a reality that shows itself in this world over and over.
• So don’t start.  Fight the urge.  It’s just the enemy tempting you to just start with something small.  He knows it will grow into something much more.

 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

• Mock the poor?  You are mocking God Himself.  They were made in God’s image just like you.  
• Think you’re well-off because of your doing?  Because of how wonderful YOU are?  Who made you?  Who gave you your gifts, blessings, abilities?  Get real.  You have NOTHING that God did not give you.  And to turn around and mock someone who hasn’t been given those same blessings?  You are insulting God.  Acting as though YOU did something that HE gave you.  Silly and childish.
• See others in misfortune and smile?  Even enemies?  Why does that make you happy?  That is the enemy creeping in.  That is pride and the exact opposite of what Jesus would do.

 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

• Good grandchildren?  Look to the Grandparents and thank them.  Similar in concept to the last verse … how did they become good?  How did they “become” at all?  One domino must tip over to tip the next and THEN the next.  If the first does not, the second and third (the grandchildren) do not.  It’s cause/effect, cause/effect.  Thank you, Dad and Mom, for making me a good father to your grandchildren.  
• Ever see a child looking up at her father?  Absolute admiration and love.  With all the talk about the importance of Mom, while well deserved, Dads in many, many ways are even more critical.  

 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;

still less is false speech to a prince.

• I think we’ve all seen this – a person using proper grammar and advanced vocabulary speaks, and the less educated making fun of them for it.  This happens in all ethnic groups, whether it’s black people looking down on an educated black person who doesn’t speak in ebonics, or it’s a white group using double negatives and crude slang making fun of a “la ti da” white person who speaks well.  Envy?  Pride?  Just plain peer pressure?  That is just “conforming to this world”.
• Second line:  No one likes a suck up.  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Don’t say things you think people want to hear.  Be gentle in your speech, but be direct and speak the truth.

 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;

wherever he turns he prospers.

• There are many things that we think are right in our own eyes.  But they are dead wrong.  Want to get something done?  Well, just grease the skids, right?  Like magic.  Things get done, right?  Actually, only evil things get one.  He may prosper in worldly terms for a while, but not in the end.

 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,

but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

• The first thing that comes to mind is the saying, “Forgive and forget.”  The word “covers” in this verse means to “wipe away” or to “push aside”.  When someone commits an offense against us, what is our natural response?  Revenge.  Eye for an eye.  Right?  Well, that is not God’s desire, and it is not His instruction in such situations.  Seek love and forgiveness.  That is what is pleasing to God, our Father.
• Commit an offense more than once and you’ve crossed the line from “I made a mistake, please forgive me” into “I obviously don’t care enough about our relationship to control myself.”  

 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding

than a hundred blows into a fool.

• Someone who understands got there by keeping their mind open to new data.  No one has ALL the data.  Many have more than others, but we are all in a position to learn.  This will be the case until we’re dead and buried.  
• So, a correction (a rebuke) is accepted and absorbed by a person of understanding.  Not so much with a fool.  Fools are hard headed, prideful, ignorant.  And they will likely stay that way because they react to rebuke emotionally – with pride and ego.  

 An evil man seeks only rebellion,

and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

• The desire we have to fight against authority is not from God.  It’s from the other Guy.  “Don’t tell me what to do!  I’m my own man!”  Pfft.  Cut out the pride and acknowledge that God knows better.  You just look like a spoiled kid throwing a temper tantrum.  You will soon learn that rebelling only leads to bad things ultimately, and it won’t happen gently.  Your wake up call will be jolting … a cruel messenger.

 Let a man meet a she- bear robbed of her cubs

 rather than a fool in his folly.

• Nothing is more dangerous and threatening than a fool and his foolishness.  Avoid them … even more than a wild animal protecting its young.  

 If anyone returns evil for good,

 evil will not depart from his house.

• It’s a strange paradigm:   Evil attracts evil.  Evil begets evil.  And going so far as to respond to GOOD with evil … expect evil in response in your life.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

• Once it starts, there is no stopping it.  So don’t start and you’ll avoid the strife (because strife that benefits no one).

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

• The two hot topics these days seems to be abortion and gay marriage.  Let’s apply this verse to those topics.  Who is justifying the wicked (those doing things that are displeasing to God) in this case?  Who is condemning the righteous (those who align their thoughts with God’s thoughts)?
• Both are an abomination (a shocking affront) to God.  It’s like a slap in His holy and perfect face.
• This applies to all wickedness, sin, and evil.  Abortion and homosexual actions are no more or no less evil and sinful than any other sin (e.g. theft, lust, murder, deception).

Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom

when he has no sense?

• You can’t buy wisdom.  You must earn it through experience, openness to understanding.  Wisdom in the hands of a fool is like burger in the hands of a person with no mouth.  

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

• We’re talking about TRUE friends who give unconditional love.  No conditions.  Nothing that is going on can stop that friend’s love for you, or you for them.  
• In fact, a true friend (a brother or sister, in essence) is created by God for tough situations.  They are there for you no matter what, for you to lean on in tough times.  They are a gift from God.

 One who lacks sense gives a pledge

and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

• You have no ultimate control over what will happen tomorrow.  You can not say with 100% certainty that anything you “commit” to will be within your control tomorrow.  That is in God’s control – not yours.  So, giving a pledge or putting your name on the line for something under your own power is ridiculous when you really think about it.  
• As Paul says, “Say:  ‘God willing, we will …” or “If the Lord allows me, I will …”.  Admitting that we’re not in complete control is part of the answer.

Whoever loves transgression loves strife;

he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

• Immaturity is shown by a desire (let alone a love) to step over the line.  Some people just love to stir things up, then step back and giggle.  This is evil and an exercise of prideful power.  Very displeasing to God.
• Trusting more in protection by your own power (a high door) than in God’s ability to protect is just seeking destruction.  Relying on yourself alone is a recipe for disaster.  No man is an island.  Trust in God, not in your own ability.

A man of crooked heart does not discover good,

and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

• Two thoughts on this:  
• A person with a heart for evil only looks for opportunities for evil.  They can’t get enough.
• A person with a heart for evil can only see evil in things.  It’s a blindness of sorts.  
• All lies will come into the light eventually.  And when discovered, the liar will pay the consequences.  

He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,

and the father of a fool has no joy.

• Nothing like being ashamed of your son or daughter.  But at some point, you have to turn the camera on yourself as the parent.  Is it ALL their fault they are a fool, or did you not direct them, teach them, show them?  
• Either way, there is no joy in Mudville for a parent who has a clueless, foolish kid.

A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

• The power of the mind - positive thinking, believing - is really incredible.  Hard to wrap your head around (no pun intended).  It’s amazing how choosing to be glad, choosing to be positive, can help to cure many illnesses.  It’s an energizing cycle to get into.
• Equally, being down in the dumps can make you feel sick.  In fact, it can make you physically sick.  It’s a death spiral that you need to acknowledge, then snap out of as quickly as possible.

The wicked accepts a bribe in secret

to pervert the ways of justice.

• This makes me think of every politician on Earth.  Promises made behind the curtain, under the table, in secret … only pervert what SHOULD have come to pass.  
• God sees this.  God knows it’s not right and will deliver justice in time.  

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

• Want to understand?  Turn to God’s Word … where wisdom lives.  In any situation, look to how it aligns with God’s Word.  If it doesn’t, you need to decide what you want to do … align yourself with thousands of years of Truth, or align yourself with the current winds of public sentiment.
• Placing your eyes on this world and what IT thinks is a recipe for disaster.  It is unstable ground, constantly changing.  

A foolish son is a grief to his father

 and bitterness to her who bore him.

• Already discussed.  Regret comes with seeing that your child is a fool.  Look introspectively – whose fault is that.  Your child’s fault, certainly.  But it’s also mine – the parent.
• We never like to turn the microscope on ourselves.  It causes grief and bitterness.  
• Instead, knowing this, do what God says … spare the rod, spoil the child.  Think you’re helping the child by neglecting discipline?  That experiment has played out.  Doesn’t work.  God knew this when He created us.  Just trust Him.

To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,

nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

• What are you trying to accomplish by imposing a fine on a good man … for doing good?  … For being upright?  If you are trying to get him to NOT do good or to be upright, well congratulations.  That is what you will accomplish.  It’s just not good.  
• Important:  What is good?  Only one measuring stick on what is good exists.  That’s God’s measuring stick.  Ours is flawed.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,

and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

• Through wisdom and experience comes an ability to bight the tongue.  Nothing good comes from it.  You are only feeding pride and malice, at best.  
• Keep cool, control your emotions, keep quiet.  You will accomplish much more.

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

• Keep quiet and have the potential to be seen as a fool.  Speak, and remove all doubt.  
• Without discerning and aligning with God’s Word, don’t speak up.  Keep quiet until you know without a doubt your thoughts align with God’s truth.

Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:1-33

The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

• You read in on of Paul’s letters about making plans.  "Next year I’ll do this” and “next week we’ll do that”.  Who knows what will happen tomorrow?   That’s in God’s hands alone.  Planning is fine, and it’s smart, but you must understand that your plan may not come to pass if it conflicts with God’s plan FOR you.  
• Better approach – try to figure out God’s plan for your life (maybe by asking Him) and plan for that.  Either way, best to say, “God willing” before any mention of plans.  Because it will only happen if it is – in fact – God’s will.

 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs the spirit.

• I had a friend of mine (a non-believer) recently tell me that he lived his life well and was good (in his eyes), and if there is some judgement some day, and his life wasn’t good enough – oh well.  How flippant he was about it broke my heart.  
• God know’s our hearts – he weighs how we think and what our intentions are.  He is not impressed with acts of goodness in and of themselves.  He looks at our motivation.  Is it to please God and follow His commandments to love others or love Him?  If not, it’s futile effort.  

 Commit your work to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.

• No matter what you do, do it for God.  I personally do not work for Vmware, or for Jared Skinner (my Manager) or anyone else here on earth.  I work for my Lord and Savior.  And that makes all the difference.
• Do this, and all will be well.  God promises.

 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.

• All things have a purpose – even the things that we don’t understand.  
• Bees – although you may be afraid of them – ensure the ecosystem that we depend on.  Snakes (yeah, Mom, snakes) take care of the rodent population.  And so on.  
• And you – YOU have a specific purpose here.  God does not create for no reason.  And He created YOU.  He has plans for you.

 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

 be assured, he will not go unpunished.

• Think you’re hot stuff?  What do you have that was not given to you?  You’re attractive?  You didn’t do that – God did.  Plus, it can be taken from you in a flash.  You’re talented?  God gave that to you, too.  So drop the narcissism.  Boast in NOTHING but your weakness, because in our weakness He is made strong.

 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

• Trust that God is just.  Inequities will be equaled out in the end.  Know this – have faith.
• Why do I avert my eyes when an attractive woman walks by?  Because I have “fear” for the Lord.  This is not to say that I am afraid that He’ll strike me down.  It means that I respect His word.  And His word says, “Hey Greg, nothing good is going to come of that.  Best to not look."

 When a man's ways please the Lord,

 he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

• That’s how powerful, insightful and wise God’s instructions are:  if you just follow the instructions, even your enemies will notice and respect.

 Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.

 The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

• These are both repeats in different words.  One from a previous chapter, one from earlier in this chapter.  Take notice.

 An oracle is on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

• I had to Google this.  It did not make immediate sense to me.  Here’s what I found:
• God has not made wickedness, but He has created a being that is capable of wickedness.  All is made by God for its purpose.
• So, while a King has power and has the option to be wicked and use that power for wrong, he is to be a man after God’s heart.
• He did not gain this position by Himself – God put him there.  So he should respect that, fear the Lord and hot “sin in judgement”.  
• People trust (or should trust) that their leaders are good, moral men, because they SHOULD be.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

 A just balance and scales are the Lord's;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

• To be fair and just is from God.  These concepts only exist because they first existed with God.

 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness.

• As mentioned, even the idea of leadership comes from God, so with that responsibility gifted to them by God, leaders should respect and serve those they lead.
• As Jesus said to Pilot, “You have no power that was not given to you by God.”  

 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right.

• In light of all we’ve said above, if that King is a good King, doing what God instructs a King to do, he will be delighted with what God is delighted with.  
• Also keep in mind the double meaning here.  Jesus and God are our ultimate King.  He is the model for all Kings/leaders.  He served and loved.

 A king's wrath is a messenger of death,

and a wise man will appease it.

• Don’t test the Lord.  As Jesus said to Satan when he was tempting Him in the wilderness, “You should not test the Lord.”  A wise man knows that God is a just God, who responds with wrath if you don’t follow His instruction.  
• The wages of sin is death.  By grace, we are spared.  By faith in Christ, we are saved from this wrath.  We should appreciate that and appease the King.

 In the light of a king's face there is life,

and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

• The joy we feel as Christians comes directly from God’s favor on us.  It’s refreshing.  
• The light He shines on us is like a pleasant, warm day with a nice breeze.  Nothing better.
• The way to receive his grace is simple:  Accept Christ, follow His instructions out of love for Him.

 How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

• Like the Mastercard commercials…  Gold:  $4.65/gram.  Silver:  $16.37/ounce.  Wisdom:  Priceless.

 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;

whoever guards his way preserves his life.

• We hear about God’s path often.  From the outside of Christianity, it may seem like a bunch of rules that weigh us down.  But that is just blindness to the truth.
• Heeding God’s instructions keeps us protected, it gives us the true life we really want.  And, heck, it actually makes things much, much simpler.  No more need to second guess our own thoughts and feelings.  Set your feet on the solid path of God and you’ll always be stable.

 Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

• Yeah, nothing funnier to our worldly eyes than to see the arrogant guy trip and fall.  No one likes a narcissist.  This is ingrained in us.  
• But sometimes, we’re that guy.  We think of ourselves as better than another (even though we’re unlikely to admit it).  
• God promises a nice fall for those who are prideful.  Best to stay humble … as He commands.

 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

• This is not to say that God wants you to be poor.  God is saying here that it’s better to be one over the other.  
• Bottom line, don’t be proud, selfish and greedy.  Be humble, selfless, and giving.  Simple as that.

 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,

and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

• That’s just it … people don’t think it through.  Those outside don’t get it because they’ve never looked further than the surface level.  If they would give it actual thought, they would discover what it’s really all about.  Problem is, in this busy world we’ve created, people don’t take the time.  They say they don’t have the time.  But what they’re saying is, “This meaningless stuff I’m filling my life with is more important than where I’ll be for eternity.  Scary.
• If they’d just take a moment to dig deeper and understand, they would know that they could be truly blessed and secured if they just trusted in God through Jesus.

 The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

• Those with God’s wisdom are able to more naturally discern right from wrong, good choices from bad choices, etc.
• One piece of that wisdom:  speak kindly, sweetly.  Harshness deters from the impact of speech where sweetness improves it.

 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

• Hey Larry, toss this hear hairspray can into yonder fire.  Whatcha - a chicken?
• Good sense removes many of life’s difficulties.  Most of the bad things that happen come from someone not using common sense, or stopping to think before reacting quickly.
• If someone is a fool, likely his advice is foolish, too.

 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

• Good judgement comes with wisdom.  
• And with evidence of good judgement comes persuasiveness (a.k.a. Credibility).

 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

• Words that are selfless, forgiving … altogether gracious in tone and content … lift weight from the shoulders of those receiving those words.  And that “lifting” reduces stress, improves health.

 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

• We think we are smarter than we actually are.  Even if most people read and knew God’s instructions (which most don’t, of course), their arrogance and pride leads them to believe they somehow know better.  Taking it upon yourself and deciding on a path that is not scriptural – even though it may seem right on the surface – is a recipe for disaster.  In all things, seek God’s advice on the subject and … just do that.

 A worker's appetite works for him;

his mouth urges him on.

• Only two ways to feed yourself and your family:  Beg or get to work.  Begging for any other reason than out of absolute necessity is not right.  So, with the blessings God has given you, work.  
• He’s designed it that way to keep you moving, to keep you doing a good work.  

 A worthless man plots evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.

 A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

 A man of violence entices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good.

 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;

he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

• Notice what God says about someone who plots evil:  worthless.  That word carried even more weight back when this was written.
• His words cause some serious damage.  Words can lift you up or they can tear you down.  Some are affected at age 40 by words said to them at age 10.  A worthless man could care less about either.  He says whatever he wants without thought or care.
• Spreading strife, whispering … gossiping … cut it out.  God is saying clearly that NOTHING good comes from it.  
• It’s bad enough to do things that are not right.  But to entice others to do the same?  Oy.
• I both wink and purse my lips.  When I do so, I am being dishonest.  Now, I think I am being funny, but God is telling us to watch out for those who do this because they are truly hiding something evil.  Also, don’t be one of these people. ;)   

 Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained in a righteous life.

• My crown is growing day after day.  I find more strands of “glory” each week.  I don’t think this means God wants us all to have gray hair OR to go get some Grecian Formula either.  He’s saying that, living a life that is holy and following His plan (a.k.a. Righteous) is a long life worth living.

 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

• Self-control.  It’s something that must be mastered.  But once mastered, it is a powerful thing.

 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord.

• I looked this one up.  Here’s what I found:
• In biblical times, "casting lots" was a form of divination in which the assumption is that God will determine the cast and thus provide the answer to the question that is posed.  
• The clear implication from this verse is that the Lord decides the final outcome of the cast lots – it is not left to chance.

Love you guys.