God made us in a way that we find fulfillment in the work of our hands. There is something in us that enjoys picking fruit, the harvest of seed we planted. And while our modern culture has separated most of us from the fulfillment of bringing in the harvest and we may never have experienced an animal in our care actually giving birth, we are still fulfilled when we contribute through meaningful work. While we each need to find our place in God’s kingdom and that through our own relationship with Him, He has also made us social beings and there is something in us that is only fulfilled through strong relationships. Sadly, not every relationship is good for us as in Proverbs 27:6 (LEB) “The wounds of a friend mean well, but the kisses of an enemy are profane”. In a good and right relationship, a relationship between friends, there are times when we are to help each other by speaking frankly and openly as in Ephesians 4:15 (LEB) “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ”. This may not always be the kind and gentle conversation, in fact, there are times when sparks may fly as in Proverbs 27:17 (LEB) “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”.

Evil Will be Exposed in the Assembly

Proverbs 26:21–28

Better a Rebuke That is Open

Proverbs 27:1–5 

The Wounds of a Friend Mean Well

Proverbs 27:6–10

We, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ, are born into His kingdom and we have acceptance

Ephesians 1:7 (LEB) in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,

and though we have the revelation of who Jesus Christ is and are sealed by the Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide, we are all being perfected in

2 Corinthians 3:18 (LEB) And we all, with unveiled face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory into glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

We are being transformed into the image of Christ and this is an ongoing work so as Paul said in

Philippians 3:14 (LEB) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul also said that we should

Ephesians 4:15 (LEB) But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ,

If we love each other, it is right for us to help each other come into the fullness of who Christ is and as it says in

Ephesians 4:25 (LEB) Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

or, as it says in

Proverbs 27:6 (LEB) The wounds of a friend mean well, but the kisses of an enemy are profane.

When the Clever Sees Danger He Hides

Proverbs 27:11–16 

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17–22

There is a religious view of Christ that He was always “nicey-nicey”. Which is defined as “Nice, especially in an impotent or insincere fashion” according to Wiktionary.org. But Jesus did not pander to the desires or thoughts of those around him when they were wrong. Yes, Jesus did walk in the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit and all of these attributes in

Galatians 5:22–23 (LEB) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.

and he also demonstrated great passion in

John 2:15–17 (LEB) And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Jesus also spoke very plainly to Peter in

Mark 8:33 (LEB) But turning around and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, because you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but the things of people!”

It is not only OK, but it is also right for us to have straight forward conversations that may even seem contentious at times. How many divisions are there in the body of Christ because one party, or maybe both were unwilling to listen and be changed, to be sharpened by their brother or sister in Christ. Can we clash, and yet love each other enough to get beyond offense and hear the truth?

Proverbs 27:17 (LEB) As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

 

Riches are Not Forever

Proverbs 27:23–27

In the rhythm of life, there are times of abundance and times that are lean and while some seem to enjoy great abundance throughout their life, there is this reminder in

Proverbs 27:24 (LEB) For riches are not forever, nor a crown for generation after generation.

We all live day by day and as we do, we are also reminded to pay attention to the flow of income God provides for us as it says in

Proverbs 27:23 (LEB) You will surely know the condition of your flock; your heart attends to the herds.

There are things that simply grow wild and there are times when God supernaturally supplies as he did with the manna in Exodus 16:4 and as Jesus did when He fed the thousands in Mark 8:1-9 and Mark 6:31–44. Yet, seedtime and harvest are the way of life in

Genesis 8:22 (LEB) As long as the earth endures, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.

and we are blessed when we walk in his ways and set our hands to work in

Psalm 128:2 (LEB) You will indeed eat of the labor of your hands; you will be happy and it will be well with you.

By the Rebellion of a Land Her Rulers Increase

Proverbs 28:1–5

Better to be Poor and Walking in One’s Integrity

Proverbs 28:6–10

A Man of Wealth is Wise in His Own Eyes

Proverbs 28:11–15

Study Verses

• Proverbs 27:6–10 The Wounds of a Friend Mean Well
• Proverbs 27:17–22 As Iron Sharpens Iron
• Proverbs 27:23–27 Riches are Not Forever

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 26:21-28
• Proverbs 27:1-27
• Proverbs 28:1-15

Eat What is Sufficient For You

Proverbs 25:16–20

If Your Enemy is Hungry Feed Him

Proverbs 25:21–24 

Like a Man Who Has No Self-control

Proverbs 25:25–28

An Undeserved Curse Does Not Go Forth

Proverbs 26:1–5

Like Binding a Stone in a Sling

Proverbs 26:6–10 

Do You See a Man Wise in His Own Eyes?

Proverbs 26:11–15

Where There is no Whisperer Quarreling Will Cease

Proverbs 26:16–20

Study Verses

• Proverbs 25:25–28 Like a Man Who Has No Self-control
• Proverbs 26:11–15 Do You See a Man Wise in His Own Eyes?
• Proverbs 26:16–20 Where There is no Whisperer Quarreling Will Cease

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 25:16-28
• Proverbs 26:1-20

References

An Abomination to Humankind is a Scoffer

Proverbs 24:7-10

If You Find Wisdom There is a Future

Proverbs 24:11–15 

Seven Times the Righteous Will Fall But He Will Rise

Proverbs 24:16–20

Partiality in Judgment is Not Good

Proverbs 24:21–25

Prepare Your Work in the Street

Proverbs 24:26–29

A Little Sleep A Little Slumber and Your Poverty Will Come Running

Proverbs 24:30–34 

The Glory of God Conceals Things

Proverbs 25:1–5

Do Not Promote Yourself Before the King

Proverbs 25:6–10 

A Soft Tongue Will Break a Bone

Proverbs 25:11–15

Study Verses

• Proverbs 24:16–20 Seven Times the Righteous Will Fall But He Will Rise
• Proverbs 25:1–5 The Glory of God Conceals Things
• Proverbs 25:11–15 A Soft Tongue Will Break a Bone

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 24:7-34
• Proverbs 25:1-15

References

Giving our heart to the Lord seems simple enough, it is just accepting that God is who He says He is and that Jesus Christ did come and walk among us, the son of God, crucified and risen from the dead, His blood for our sin. But this simple mental ascent isn’t enough because there is a sin nature in our flesh and it needs discipline and correction. Our primary task is to Proverbs 23:12 (LEB) “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ear to sayings of knowledge”. We are also though, to Proverbs 23:19 (LEB) “You, my child, hear and be wise, and direct your heart on the road” and this direction means exercising discipline and accepting correction as we sometimes need it. It says it this way in Ephesians 4:22–24 (LEB) “that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth”.

Put A Knife to Your Throat

Proverbs 23:1–5

Like Hair in His Throat

Proverbs 23:6–11 

Apply Your Heart to Instruction

Proverbs 23:6–11

Somehow instruction, knowledge, discipline, and correction are all wrapped up together in us having a wise heart and in

Proverbs 23:15–16 (LEB) My child, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad—even me! 16 And my insides will rejoice when your lips speak what is upright.

but this doesn’t just happen, it begins when we

Proverbs 23:12 (LEB) Apply your heart to instruction, and your ear to sayings of knowledge.

and it also requires something we hate and that is any correction in

Hebrews 12:11 (LEB) Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.

so, even though they may not like it, discipline, correction, is necessary and as it says in

Proverbs 23:13 (LEB) Do not withhold discipline from a child, if you will beat him with the rod, he will not die.

Direct Your Heart on the Road

Proverbs 23:17–21

There are moments in time where we experience the tangible presence of God and there are times when the trials of life distract us. We are on the road of life and we are admonished to guard our hearts and in

Proverbs 23:17 (LEB) May your heart not envy the sinners, but live in fear of Yahweh all day.

For us, those that have accepted Jesus Christ, there is a sure promise from God in

Proverbs 23:18 (LEB) Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

So, even though we may face trials and there may be temptations and distractions we are to keep our hearts moving in the right direction as it says in

Proverbs 23:19 (LEB) You, my child, hear and be wise, and direct your heart on the road.

May Your Father and Mother be Glad

Proverbs 23:22–25 

Give Your Heart to Me

Proverbs 23:26–30

The Lord offers us the way of life and asks us to give ourselves to him in

Proverbs 23:26 (LEB) My child, may you give your heart to me, and may your eyes delight in my ways.

and if we keep our eyes on His ways, we will prosper. There is though, the other path and if we turn from His ways and there is loss and sorrow and wounds as it says in

Proverbs 23:29 (LEB) To whom is woe? To whom is sorrow? To whom are quarrels? To whom is complaint? To whom are wounds without cause? To whom is redness of the eyes?

Do Not Look at Wine

Proverbs 23:31–35

By Wisdom a House is Built

Proverbs 24:1–6

Study Verses

• Proverbs 23:6–11 Apply Your Heart to Instruction
• Proverbs 23:17–21 Direct Your Heart on the Road
• Proverbs 23:26–30 Give Your Heart to Me

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 23:1-35
• Proverbs 24:1-6

We are to guard our mouth and we think we can do that by making a decision of the will, yet our mouth is also connected to our physical and emotional nature. For our safety, we are wired to react instinctively to some dangers before our rational mind is engaged and this wiring is also subject to emotional responses that happen in our physical body. We can only bring our mouth under control when we have our heart right because as Jesus said in Luke 6:45 (LEB) “The good person out of the good treasury of his heart brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”. It is our job to fill our hearts with God’s instruction in Proverbs 22:17 (LEB) “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching” and we do this as we invite the teacher, the Holy Spirit to instruct us as Jesus said in John 14:26 (LEB) “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you”.

It Is a Joy to the Righteous to do Justice

Proverbs 21:11-16 

He Who Guards His Mouth Guards His Life

Proverbs 21:17-25

Our mouth is a key to success but it is driven by what is in our heart and also by our natural desires. These are strong emotional and physical drives that overcome our thoughts to keep our mouth shut. How many people have said they will change their eating habits to lose weight or for health reasons and they continue eating the breads and pasta and cakes and they’ve heard someone say a glass of wine is good for your heart. The discipline to eat what they need is overcome by the pleasure they feel and in

Proverbs 21:17 (LEB) A man of want is he who loves pleasure; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

Then there are those things that come out of our mouth. Some people seem to love drama and are digging for some scandal or trouble and are easily offended and often offensive as the claim to “just tell it like it is”. What they see as trouble all around is often coming from their own action and reactions in

Proverbs 21:23 (LEB) He who guards his mouth and his tongue, he guards his life from danger.

The only way to control our mouth is to deal with our heart because, as Jesus taught in

Luke 6:45 (LEB) The good person out of the good treasury of his heart brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

We must seek instruction from God and hide His work in our hearts so there is a “good treasury” there as we are told in

Proverbs 3:1–2 (LEB) My child, do not forget my instruction, and may your heart guard my commands. 2 For length of days, years of life, and peace they shall add to you.

Victory Belongs to the Lord

Proverbs 21:26–31

A Reputation is to be Chosen

Proverbs 22:1–5 

He Who is Generous Will be Blessed

Proverbs 22:6–10

God’s ways are counter-intuitive and it seems to the natural man that holding on to what I have would cause an increase. But God says in

Proverbs 22:9 (LEB) He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives to the poor from his own bread.

The generous person has a different mind set and doesn’t worry about the little they may give because they know they will always have enough because Jesus taught this in

Luke 6:38 (LEB) Give, and it will be given to you, a good measure—pressed down, shaken, overflowing—they will pour out into your lap. For with the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you in return.”

Do you trust in God? Do you know the promises, that “God is able to cause all grace to abound to you? The natural man says work harder, work more. God says in

Exodus 34:21 (LEB) Six days you will work, and on the seventh day you will rest; in the time of plowing and in the time of harvest you will rest.

Even in the busiest seasons of life, the times of planting and the times of harvest, we are to rest and honor the Lord in

Isaiah 58:13–14 (LEB) If you hold your foot back from the Sabbath, from doing your affairs on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a pleasure, the holy day of Yahweh honorable, if you honor him ⌊more than⌋ doing your ways, than finding your affairs and speaking a word, 14 then you shall take your pleasure in Yahweh, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth, and I will feed you the heritage of Jacob your ancestor, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

The Lord Preserves Those With Knowledge

Proverbs 22:11–16 

Incline Your Ear and Hear

Proverbs 22:17–23

Wisdom, the instruction we need for life, comes from God and we can find it easily in His written word, the Bible. This instruction though doesn’t come through rote, “mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned”.¹ This instruction comes as you

Proverbs 22:17 (LEB) Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

There are many things Jesus taught and we find them in the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and we are to read them, but Jesus also told us to receive the teacher, the Holy Spirit in

John 14:25–26 (LEB) These things I have spoken to you while residing with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you.

This is how true understanding and revelation comes to us as we “incline our ear and hear”.

Do Not Remove An Ancient Boundary

Proverbs 22:24–29

Study Verses

• Proverbs 21:17-25 He Who Guards His Mouth Guards His Life
• Proverbs 22:6010 He Who is Generous Will be Blessed
• Proverbs 22:17–23 Incline Your Ear and Hear

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 21:11-31
• Proverbs 22:1-29

References

• 1. Oxford US Dictionary, https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/rote

There are those that have set themselves against God and the things of God, scoffers, proud and arrogant, in Psalm 73:8–9 (LEB) “They mock and speak maliciously of oppression; they speak as though from on high. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue roams the earth” and it is a bad end for them. Sadly though, there are others that may follow them, those that simply don’t know or haven’t yet understood. It is God’s word that these people need in Psalm 19:7–8 (LEB) “The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life. The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice. The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes”. And, by learning and understanding, we come to a new kind of life where in Proverbs 21:8 (LEB) “the pure is upright in his conduct” and in Proverbs 20:15 (LEB) “precious jewels are lips of knowledge”. 

Judgments Are Prepared for Scoffers

Proverbs 19:24-29

This is a hard message in our culture where we have a religious mind that only says love everyone. Yes, God is love and God is also Holy and Righteous. Here there is a description of a person that does not know God and doesn’t want to. These people, “the scoffer”, ‘ “A proud person, an arrogant person—‘Scoffer’ is his name.” BDB 267 s.v. זֵד suggests, “A presumptuous man, [who is] haughty, scoffer is his name.” ‘¹ in

Psalm 73:8–9 (LEB) They mock and speak maliciously of oppression; they speak as though from on high. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue roams the earth.

These people cause trouble for everyone if they are not stopped in

Proverbs 19:25 (LEB) The scoffer you shall strike, and the simple, may they learn prudence, and reprove the intelligent and he will gain knowledge.

We find that “There are three types of people in this proverb: the scorner with a closed mind, the simpleton with an empty mind, and the discerning person with an open mind (D. Kidner, Proverbs [TOTC], 135). The simpleton learns by observing a scoffer being punished, even though the punishment will have no effect on the scoffer.”² and then “when warnings fail”³ judgments are necessary in

Proverbs 19:29 (LEB) Judgments are prepared for the scoffers, and flogging for the back of fools.

The word here for Judgements is “9150 שֶׁפֶט‎ (šě·p̄ěṭ): n.masc.; ≡ Str 8201; TWOT 2443a—LN 38.1–38.13 punishment, judgment, i.e., act. of inflicting pain or suffering on a guilty party, either to improve behavior, or for strict justice”⁴ but there is no expectation that the scorner will improve behavior so this is simply “for strict justice” of the scoffer.

It is Honorable to Refrain From Strife

Proverbs 20:1-5

He Who Walks in His Integrity is Righteous

Proverbs 20:6-10 

Precious Jewels are Lips of Knowledge

Proverbs 20:11-15

We are known for our actions and others gain experience with us over time and know our character. Young men are developing and so there is no basis yet for knowing them until they expose their heart through their actions in

Proverbs 20:11 (LEB) Even by his acts, a young man will make himself known, whether his acts are pure and upright.

but young people often make mistakes and we may carry the consequences for those mistakes into our adult relationships. Some say that people never change, but with God, we can change our way, we can repent, and in

Ephesians 4:22–24 (LEB) that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth.

It is then our challenge to allow God to change others as we keep the door open for them to choose to live for God. It is not always easy for us but we are to forgive and not judge as Jesus said in

Luke 6:37 (LEB) “And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned”.

There is for us a new kind of life where we give thanks to God, where we bless and not curse, a life where we find the most valuable things with one being in

Proverbs 20:15 (LEB) There is gold and many costly stones, but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.

A Plan Will be Established by Advice

Proverbs 20:16–20

Wait for Yahweh and He Will Deliver You

Proverbs 20:21–25

Loyalty and Faithfulness Will Preserve a King

Proverbs 20:26–30

The Plans of the Diligent Only Lead to Abundance

Proverbs 21:1–5 

The Pure is Upright in His Conduct

Proverbs 21:6–10

These Proverbs offer the outcome of bad behavior where death results in

Proverbs 21:6 (LEB) He who makes treasure by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and seeker of death.

and “violence” is “swept away” in

Proverbs 21:7 (LEB) The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to do justice.

Then, there is an awkward translation in the LEB using the word “foreigner”. And, in the KJV it is translated “strange”. The word here is “2261 וָזָר‎ (wā·zār): adj.; ≡ Str 2054; TWOT 521—LN 88.289–88.318 guilty, i.e., pertaining to a person that has violated a standard, implying a moral corruption”⁵ so, in

Proverbs 21:8 (LEB) Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner, but the pure is upright in his conduct.

where the word upright is “(yā·šār): n.masc. [see also 3838]; ≡ Str 3477; TWOT 930a—1. LN 88.12–88.23 what is right, i.e., what conforms to a moral standard (Job 33:27; Mic 3:9; Pr 16:13; Ps 111:8); 2. LN 88.12–88.23 upright person, i.e., one who conforms to a standard (Mic 2:7)⁶ so, this might be read as: the crooked (the person) that has violated pure and upright conduct (based on God’s standard) is morally corrupt, they are guilty but those with a pure heart toward God are upright (follow after God’s ways) in conduct.

Study Verses

• Proverbs 19:24-29 Judgments Are Prepared for Scoffers
• Proverbs 20:11–15 Precious Jewels are Lips of Knowledge
• Proverbs 21:6–10 The Pure is Upright in His Conduct

Today’s Reading

• Proverbs 19:24-29
• Proverbs 20:1-30
• Proverbs 21:1-10

References

• 1. Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Pr 21:24). Biblical Studies Press.
• 2. Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Pr 19:25). Biblical Studies Press.
• 3. Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 128). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 4. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 5. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 6. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.