Scarcity is represented by cleanness of teeth, Amos. Where no oxen are there is nothing to be done at the ground, and then nothing to be had out of it; the crib indeed is clean from dung, which pleases the neat and nice, that cannot endure husbandry because there is so much dirty work in it, and therefore will sell their oxen to keep the crib clean; but then not only the labour, but even the dung of the ox is wanted. This shows the folly of those who addict themselves to the pleasures of the country, but do not mind the business of it, who as we say keep more horses than kine, more dogs than swine; their families must needs suffer by it.
Those who take pains about their ground are likely to reap the profit of it. Those who keep that about them which is for use and service, not for state and show, more husbandmen than footmen, are likely to thrive. Much increase is by the strength of the ox; that is made for our service, and is profitable alive and dead.
Verse 5 In the administration of justice much depends upon the witnesses, and therefore it is necessary to the common good that witnesses be principled as they ought to be; for, 1.
A witness that is conscientious will not dare to give in a testimony that is in the least untrue, nor, for good-will or ill-will, represent a thing otherwise than according to the best of his knowledge, whoever is pleased or displeased, and then judgment runs down like a river.
But a witness that will be bribed, and biassed, and browbeaten, will utter lies and not stick nor startle at it , with as much readiness and assurance as if what he said were all true. Verse 6 Note, 1. The reason why some people seek wisdom, and do not find it, is because they do not seek it from a right principle and in a right manner. They are scorners, and it is in scorn that they ask instruction, that they may ridicule what is told them and may cavil at it.
Many put questions to Christ, tempting him, and that they might have whereof to accuse him, but they were never the wiser. No marvel if those who seek wisdom, as Simon Magus sought the gifts of the Holy Ghost, to serve their pride and covetousness, do not find it, for they seek amiss.
Herod desired to see a miracle, but he was a scorner, and therefore it was denied him, Lu. Scorners speed not in prayer. To those who understand aright, who depart from evil for that is understanding , the knowledge of God and of his will is easy. The parables which harden scorners in their scorning, and make divine things more difficult to them, enlighten those who are willing to learn, and make the same things more plain, and intelligible, and familiar to them, Mt. The same word which to the scornful is a savour of death unto death to the humble and serious is a savour of life unto life.
He that understands, so as to depart from evil for that is understanding , to quit his prejudices, to lay aside all corrupt dispositions and affections, will easily apprehend instruction and receive the impressions of it. Verse 7 See here, 1.
How we may discern a fool and discover him, a wicked man, for he is a foolish man. If we perceive not in him the lips of knowledge, if we find there is no relish or savour of piety in his discourse, that his communication is all corrupt and corrupting, and nothing in it good and to the use of edifying, we may conclude the treasure is bad.
How we must decline such a one and depart from him: Go from his presence, for thou perceivest there is no good to be gotten by his company, but danger of getting hurt by it. Sometimes the only way we have of reproving wicked discourse and witnessing against it is by leaving the company and going out of the hearing of it.
Verse 8 See here, 1. The good conduct of a wise and good man; he manages himself well. The bad conduct of a bad man; he puts a cheat upon himself. He does not rightly understand his way; he thinks he does, and so misses his way, and goes on in his mistake: The folly of fools is deceit; it cheats them into their own ruin. The folly of him that built on the sand was deceit.
Verse 9 See here, 1. How wicked people are hardened in their wickedness: they make a mock at sin. They make a laughing matter of the sins of others, making themselves and their companions merry with that for which they should mourn, and they make a light matter of their own sins, both when they are tempted to sin and when they have committed it; they call evil good and good evil Isa.
They care not what mischief they do by their sins, and laugh at those that tell them of it. They are advocates for sin, and are ingenious at framing excuses for it. Fools make a mock at the sin-offering so some ; those that make light of sin make light of Christ. Those are fools that make light of sin, for they make light of that which God complains of Amos. How good people are encouraged in their goodness: Among the righteous there is favour; if they in any thing offend, they presently repent and obtain the favour of God.
They have a goodwill one to another; and among them, in their societies, there is mutual charity and compassion in cases of offences, and no mocking. Verse 10 This agrees with 1 Co.
Every man feels most from his own burden, especially that which is a burden upon the spirits, for that is commonly concealed and the sufferer keeps it to himself. We must not censure the griefs of others, for we know not what they feel; their stroke perhaps is heavier than their groaning. Many enjoy a secret pleasure, especially in divine consolations, which others are not aware of, much less are sharers in; and, as the sorrows of a penitent, so the joys of a believer are such as a stranger does not intermeddle with and therefore is no competent judge of.
Verse 11 Note, 1. Sin is the ruin of great families: The house of the wicked, though built ever so strong and high, shall be overthrown, shall be brought to poverty and disgrace, and at length be extinct. His hope for heaven, the house on which he leans, shall not stand, but fail in the storm; the deluge that comes will sweep it away.
Righteousness is the rise and stability even of mean families: Even the tabernacle of the upright, though movable and despicable as a tent, shall flourish, in outward prosperity if Infinite Wisdom see good, at all events in graces and comfort, which are true riches and honours. Verse 12 We have here an account of the way and end of a great many self-deluded souls.
Their way is seemingly fair: It seems right to themselves; they please themselves with a fancy that they are as they should be, that their opinions and practices are good, and such as will bear them out.
The way of ignorance and carelessness, the way of worldliness and earthly-mindedness, the way of sensuality and flesh-pleasing, seem right to those that walk in them, much more the way of hypocrisy in religion, external performances, partial reformations, and blind zeal; this they imagine will bring them to heaven; they flatter themselves in their own eyes that all will be well at last.
Their end is really fearful, and the more so for their mistake: It is the ways of death, eternal death; their iniquity will certainly be their ruin, and they will perish with a lie in their right hand. Self-deceivers will prove in the end self-destroyers. Verse 13 This shows the vanity of carnal mirth, and proves what Solomon said of laughter, that it is mad; for, 1.
There is sadness under it. Sometimes when sinners are under convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a forced mirth, and put a good face on it, because they will not seem to yield: they cry not when he binds them. Nay, when men really are merry, yet at the same time there is some alloy or other to their mirth, something that casts a damp upon it, which all their gaiety cannot keep from their heart.
Their consciences tell them they have no reason to be merry Hos. Spiritual joy is seated in the soul; the joy of the hypocrite is but from the teeth outward. See Jn. The book of Proverbs is instrumental in teaching Christians how to conduct themselves not only as Christians but also in everyday living.
The book is intended to help Christians avoid many of the pitfalls that await them if they will heed the instruction listed in this collection of Proverbs.
Proverbs is different from any other book of the Bible because it does instruct man in his living. Through Proverbs, wisdom is highlighted as the principal thing. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Proverbs teaches you how to prosper. According to Proverbs, man should seek guidance from the Lord. Proverbs gives us confidence. The book of Proverbs highlights things that the Lord hates: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren Proverbs There is clearly something in Proverbs for everyone.
Each time you study the book of Proverbs, you are bound to pick up something additional or see from a different perspective. It provides wisdom for many areas of our lives. Who Is the Author of the Book of Proverbs?
She has one stepson, Greg. Smith lives and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The University of Memphis alumnae has been in education for about 20 years after receiving the call to teach.
Smith primarily teaches language arts. Prior to education, she worked in local and national television news for 13 years including positions as an overnight news anchor, reporter, and assignments editor at two local network affiliate stations.
Smith was also a freelance correspondent for BET news. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defender newspaper and Contempora magazine. How did Solomon become as wise as he did? He asked for it! And God gave him not only wisdom but riches and honor as well. The Commandments Laws of God. Comparisons between God's way and Man's way of life.
Proverbs 2 tell us what to do if we want wisdom. If we want to be wise we must accept the Bible, the word of God, and learn His commands verse 1. We must learn to have an "ear" for understanding and set our hearts to receive it verse 2. We also must be willing to call and cry out for wisdom verse 3 and pursue it like a great treasure verse 4. A person with no wisdom brings to himself many consequences, including foolishly pursuing the ways of evil.
Proverbs says about those who run after rebellion against God. Their ways are dark and they love darkness symbolic of evil Proverbs , Psalms , John They enjoy running after and the spoils of doing evil Proverbs , Luke , 2Timothy - 7. Ben Davis May 15, Why did Solomon write proverbs? Who was the audience of Proverbs?
What does the proverb mean literally? What is the purpose of a proverb? What are the main themes of Proverbs? What is Proverbs 4 talking about? What can you learn from Proverbs? What does the book of Proverbs teach us? Are Proverbs true? How do proverbs affect us? What is the biblical meaning of Proverbs?
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