TODAY’S READING: PROVERBS 21-24
OVERVIEW:
Warnings and instructions about life.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
In the “Introduction to Proverbs,” we talked about the inspirational/devotional application of the kings’ instruction to his son (1:1) in the Book of Proverbs lining up with the years of his life. In light of that, it is interesting to note the instruction and warnings that are given in chapters 21-24. During these “years,” so to speak:
- His heart is to be “in the hand of the Lord: (21:1).
- He is cautioned about women.
“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house” (21:9).
“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman” (21:19).
- He is warned about how wealth is vanity and easily lost, and that having a “good name” (possessing character and integrity), makes you more “wealthy” than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all” (22:1-2). “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (23:5)
- He is admonished to learn the value of humility, and the fear of the Lord. (The two go hand in hand. The only way to really see yourself for who you really are is to see the Lord for who He really is!) “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (22:4). (I love Andrew Murray’s definition of humility: “Humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is not thinking of ourselves at all.” Until we “fear the Lord,” we will continue to be preoccupied with thoughts about self.)
- He is instructed about training his children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22:6). “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (22:15). “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (23:13-14).
- He is cautioned about his finances, and the dangers associated with debt. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Prov. 22:7). “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” (Prov. 22:26-27). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (22:29). “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom” (23:4).
- He is warned about the friends he makes and the company he keeps. “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease” (22:10). “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (22:24-25).
- He is warned about losing sight of his roots. “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” (22:28). “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless” (23:10).
- He is cautioned about being envious. “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long” (23:17). “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction and their lips talk of mischief” (24:1-2).
- He is admonished concerning alcohol. “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (23:19-21). “Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright” (23:29-31).
- He is instructed about how to have a home that is built by the Lord and filled with satisfaction. “Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches (i.e. the things money can’t buy)” (24:3-4).
- He is encouraged to seek wise counsel from more than one person when making important decisions. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety” (24:6).
- He is admonished to learn how to work hard. “I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man” (24:30- 34).
CHRIST IS REVEALED
As HE THAT IS PURE, WHOSE WORK IS RIGHT – Prov. 21:86 (John 4:34; 17:4).