Proverbs 11 Part 2

2. August 2010 by Bernice Davis.

 

 

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

Here are our Proverbs for today:

 

Proverbs 11: 15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. 16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. 17 A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. 18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. 20 The LORD detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. 21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. 22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. 24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. 27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. 28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. 29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. 31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

 

 

 

Please pay special attention to our opening phrase of he who puts up security for another will surely suffer.  The proverb has touched on this subject before and it is reminding us again that when we co-sign for others, it will eventually cause problems. 

Verse 22 teaches that  A woman who is beautiful but has poor taste, poor judgment in how she acts, dresses, talks, etc then in actuality she looks as ridiculous as a pig with a gold ring in his noise.   No matter what you do to make the outside attractive, it is still ugly. 

 

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

 

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Proverbs 11 Part I

30. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

Here are our Proverbs for today:

 

Proverbs 11: 1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. 7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. 8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. 9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

 

The opening statement concerning dishonest scales refers to the popular scam used in the ancient world where the scales were fixed so that the merchants could charge higher prices for lesser goods.   The scale would indicate that they were getting more than they were actually buying.

 

Have a great weekened everyone.  See  you in webland on Monday..

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Proverbs 10 concluded

29. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

Our text today concludes the chapter ten.

 

Here is our text:

 

Proverbs 10:

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment. 17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. 18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. 22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. 23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. 24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. 25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. 26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. 27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. 29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. 30 The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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One sentence wisdom speeches

28. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

You will notice in our text today the proverbs take a shift in their form.  The first 9 chapters were almost in a narrative type form but chapter ten shifts to a one sentence format that carries different themes.  

 

Here are the first fifteen sentences of this chapter and from reading it you’ll get  a better understanding of what I am trying to say:

 

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. 2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. 3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. 6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. 9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. 10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

 

As you can see they are all one complete sentence that carries a contrasting element.   For example verse one contrasts a wise son and a foolish son, verse two; ill gotten treasures to righteousness, verse three;  the righteous verses the wicked, verse four; lazy verse diligent, verse five; wise verses foolish, etc….

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Stolen waters are Sweet

27. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

 

Here is our text for today:

 

Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. 4 “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding. 7 “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.” 13 The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. 16 “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. 17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

 

 In our text today, the proverbial wisdom teaches us that wisdom is well established in the land and it sends out invitations to all. Today our proverb gives us insight as to what understanding is.  It says that knowledge of the Holy One is “understanding” and it repeats the theme again that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

 

It also teaches that through wisdom your days will be many and years will be added to your life and if you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. 

 

Our text closes today with another warning against sexual immorality.  It teaches that “Stolen water is sweet.”  In other words, there is something so intriguing about venturing into things that you are not to have.  There is an intrigue or mystery associated with the things that are “off limits.”  Yes, they may taste sweet and be delightful to the taste but the consequences are devastating.

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.  

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Wisdom Speaks

26. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

In our text today, the proverb is written in the voice of wisdom herself.  And this is what she has to say:

 

Proverbs 8: 1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. 6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; 16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. 22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. 24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. 32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

 

There are a couple of things in this proverb that I want to point out.   The proverb opens with letting us know that there is no excuse for not running into or finding wisdom for it is everywhere. 

 

All throughout the past seven proverbs, you have been hearing that the beginning of knowledge is to fear the Lord and in this proverb, it tells us what “fearing the Lord” means.  The proverb teaches that to “fear God” you must hate evil. 

 

Wow…  I am in self-reflect mode now and I immediately looked up the word evil because I needed it to mean horrible crimes, detestable acts, etc and of course I hate those, but if it is the word for common everyday sins then ouch………..   I’m looking now… 

 

Okay… hear are the results.  It means to give pain, to be bad, to cause un-necessary affliction, to injure, to wrong, to distress, to be unkind, to be hurtful, bad thoughts, deeds or actions. 

So in other words….. I am a work in progress.    To fear God is basically to hate SIN………  or hate wrong doing……..

 

That is a strong word hate,  While there may be sins that we strongly will never do again, there are also those that we hold on to and reach for every now and then.  To fear God is to hate Evil……   yes………  that’s where I want to be in my mind, actions or deeds. 

 

The proverb goes on to say that wisdom is better than gold or silver and it brings wealth to those that adhere to it.  The proverb also teaches that Wisdom was here before creation and that whoever finds her finds life and receives favor from the Lord.   Reminds you of the scripture that says:  He who findeth a wife findeth a good thing and receives favor from the Lord.   

 

The proverb closes by saying whoever fails to find me harms himself and the person that hates wisdom is one who loves death.    The proverb encourages us that whoever seeks after wisdom will find her. 

 

This proverb today, we cause me to change my prayer life and include the request for wisdom and understanding.

 

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Continued Warnings on Seduction

23. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

In our text today, the proverbial wisdom warns against adultery again but this time it is a wife whose husband is away on a journey that is doing the seducing.  In her seduction, she even tells the man that she has just finished her offering and vows as if to suggest that she has already offered up the sacrifice for the sin that she is suggesting.  Here is the story:

 

Proverbs 7: 1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; 5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. 6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

 

 

Have a great weekend everyone.   Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Adultery Again

22. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

In our text today, the proverbial wisdom warns against adultery and prostitution AGAIN.   I had no idea that proverbs spent so much time warning against the dangers of “going outside the marriage bed.” 

 

Listen to the poetic style of this warning:

 

Proverbs 6: 20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, 24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, 26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? 28 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? 29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. 31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. 32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. 33 Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; 34 for jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35 He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.

 

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Get Out of Debt

21. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

 

Our proverb today warns against being a co-signer on loans, being lazy and it reveals the seven things the Lord hates.

 

Here is our text:

 

Proverbs 5: 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, 2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, 3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! 4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, 14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart– he always stirs up dissension. 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed–without remedy. 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

 

The proverbs opens by saying that if you have been a co-signer for a neighbor/friend, or if you have pledged yourself to some financial debts that have trapped you then do whatever is necessary to free yourself from it.    First, if your neighbor will let you out of it then humble yourself and go to your neighbor first and plea with your neighbor for freedom to negotiate some type of deal to get you out of it.   If you cannot get free then work hard to pay off the debt and don’t ever trap yourself in financial bondage again. 

 

Then the proverbs teaches us to work like an ant, how it has no boss, or overseer but yet they are constantly building and working carrying loads on their bodies bigger than their actual bodies.   Storing up for winter months and working or gathering the harvest when it is time.   The proverb warns against laziness and teaches that a lazy person will end up in poverty. 

The proverb ends by telling us the six things that the Lord hates and the seventh is an abomination.

 

1.    Haughty eyes

2.   Lying tongue

3.   Hands that shed innocent blood

4.   A heart that creates wicked schemes

5.   People that are quick to do evil.

6.   A false witness that speaks lies

7.   This is the one that is an abomination to God.  A person that stirs up dissension or division.

 

Whooooo………….  A lot to think about.  Time to do a self check….

 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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Warnings Against Adultery

20. July 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

 

In our text today, the proverbial wisdom warns against adultery.  It is written to the man but it definitely applies to the woman also.  There is one part in this text that says “rejoice in the wife/spouse of your youth” and let her breasts satisfy you and be captivated by her love.   We must constantly do things to keep our marriage fresh, to be able to say that our spouses are enough and to stay captivated by their love so that we want stray.  We all may at some point or another be tempted but we have the power to walk away. Let’s look at the text:

 

Warning Against Adultery

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, 10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man’s house. 11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. 12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.” 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer– may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? 21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. 23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

 

 

As you can see in the text and what we know from either our own experiences or from the experiences of others, adultery leads to destruction.  The text teaches us that we can die for lack of discipline. 
A discipline mind will choose right when wrong is presented.  

 

 Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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