A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD. An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29:22-27
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Proverbs 28:8-12
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Proverbs 26:20-26
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Proverbs 23:17-19
“The Way” is through Jesus Christ, because He died for our sins on the cross, He was buried, and He rose again.
The way that wisdom guides Us in fearing the LORD.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
Proverbs 22:16-21
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.
Proverbs 19:15-17
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27-28
It is a wise individual who knows what to say, when to say it, and to whom it is said. The individual who is wise also knows how long to speak.
Even those who are foolish, ignorant willingly ignorant of God, when he remains silent is counted wise. Anyone who knows when to speak and when to be silent is a man of understanding.
As a Christian we ought always tell others of God’s gift to mankind; that is His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for out sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. To call on Him in the time He calls you is the wisest choice you will ever make.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proveorbs 16:1-7
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.Proverbs 14:26-35
The life of any human being on earth will be a better life lived when they fear the LORD. The rest of these Proverbs will be heard, and heeded through our respect and awe toward the GOD who made the heavens and the earth.
Note the warning, “He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker…” How are we doing with the poor? How am I doing with the poor?
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Proverbs 12:1-3
Sometimes we do not like people who are trying to give us good advice or instruction on how or why we should do, or even not do something.
The one who loves and approves of someone giving good instruction, also loves knowledge.
The “Good man” obtains “Favor of the LORD”, but who is a good man? Those who are perfect before God. Those to whom God calls “Just.” Those who have believed God concerning what He says about His only begotten Son, who is Jesus the Christ.
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.Proverbs 10:11-14
Our world, and our nation are in peril of perishing. We need men and women with righteousness through the Lord Jesus Christ to speak the word of God, which is the truth of God to all.
Look at the comparisons of each of these proverbs. The one with the righteous mouth is a well of life. Violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife; but love covers all sins. When people hate righteousness, those who live for God and His word, it is quite an eye opener to watch the hatred flow.
How does the man or woman of God deal with such hatred? With love. Remember Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). Pray for them, love them by greeting when you see them around, do good to them no matter how they treat you. Treat your enemy the way you would like them to treat you. Hard? Yes! Quite doable when Jesus lives within you.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.Proverbs 9:7-10
It takes godly wisdom to discern if we should reprove someone, or give them instruction. If we rebuke a scorner (Mocker) we may find ourselves in a jam.
If a wise man is rebuked he will love the one giving it. If we give instruction to a wise man, they increase in learning.
So if we possess godly wisdom we will love those who rightly rebuke us. If we are just and wise we will listen to instruction and learn.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. He died for our sins, was buried and He rose again.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Proverbs 8:12-21
In chapters 8 and 9 wisdom is presented as a person speaking; using the words I and mine.
Notice that wisdom “Dwells with prudence” which means, “with discretion.” Working behind the scenes working for good in those who have it.
There is one thing for sure the world needs more godly wisdom, because worldly wisdom has caused certain hatred, and a willingness to take lives. That includes all of those who murder people with whom they disagree, with their mouth.
How to have the wisdom of God! First of all one needs to know God, and that is by trusting in the finished work of God’s Son since He died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again. Next, you need to realize that is the wisest thing you ever did – calling on His name. Then you need to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5-8).
Your life will change, because your heart changes, and what you love and desire will be replaced by what God loves and desires. Be wise, open your eyes to the truth of Jesus Christ.
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Proverbs 6:20-25
The commandment of the father, and the law of the mother are compatible because they are equal in discipline, correction, and instruction.
The words are from a father to his son, and as the word of God is directed from God our heavenly Father to His sons (children) of the new birth. Note what the commandment, and the law do for those who will listen, hear and do it.
First it will give you peace when you sleep through the night. It will talk to you when you are awake.
It does this for us; GOD does this for us to keep us from evil. God is full of love, mercy, and grace. He will deliver you when you turn from your sins to Him through Jesus Christ who bled and died on the cross, He was buried and He rose again.
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings.
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Proverbs 5:15-23
I am a man who has been blessed with a good wife. I know no other woman so loving and kind and has such a heart for serving others. We have been married for 52 years, and everyone of those years blessed me with love.
I know that is not so in many a man’s life, and I hurt with you, because I know some men do not know how to treat a woman. She should be; your wife that is; treated with awe and respect. It is amazing what a good wife can do.
I am not saying that everything will always be bliss, and heavenly, because it will not. There will be hard times. Work through them together. If you have the Lord Jesus Christ in your marriage and home, you can overcome any attack against you.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Proverbs 1:10
These words though they are written by a man to his son, are good words to hear as if from God to His children.
We are to give no consent to sin in our lives. We are to flee temptation, that is our weakest point.
It can only be done with the power of Jesus Christ in us, who is the Holy Spirit. He will not lead us into sin. “Be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18.
Have a blessed and safe New Year. Remember to read your Bible daily and you will be hearing from God, Jesus who is God the Son.
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Did you know that all good things come from God? Do you practice recognizing this? Do you know that God is good all the time?
Where does greed come from? It comes from a rebellious heart, against everything that God does, and everything that He says. The heart of wicked men say, “I am going to tear down my old barns, and build bigger and better ones so that I can accumulate all that I desire.” The story is in Luke 12:18-21.
Solomon was a wise, wealthy, and troubled man. As a king he was an example for the people to follow. Ecclesiastes is almost a journal of his life of wisdom, wealth and knowledge. In chapter five and verses 18-20 we see Solomon having the wisdom to recognize the gift God gives us for our labors. If you and I have food on the table, or in the pantry or in the field you have a gift from God.
Solomon is telling us that God gives us His gifts that we might have some personal worth. Our labor is a gift of God. Some people believe that work is part of the curse since the Garden of Eden. It is not. The curse is upon the land, and it requires harder labor than it would have been without sin coming into the world, through Adam.
Enjoy the blessings, the fruits of your labor. Yes! Be sure you know the One who gave it to You. His name is Jesus Christ. He died for our sins on a cross, was buried, and He rose from the dead, and He is alive forever more. From the bondage of sin, turn to Him and receive eternal life. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Jesus Christ Son of the Living God.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Proverbs 10:27
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.Provoerbs 14:26-27
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 15:33
Our loving the LORD means that we fear Him, and we trust Him, because He will always do what He says He will do. His positive as well as His negative promises will come to pass, just as He has said.
Someone has said, “If we fear GOD we need to fear nothing else.”
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.Proverbs 8:13, 35-36
Proverbs eight and nine personifies wisdom, and she is speaking of the need, for we descendants of Adam, to possess her. She is mentioned in chapter one verses 20 through 33; and she says quite a bit there for us to hear.
Wisdom is a gift from God, that comes with knowledge, and understanding. In chapter six we are given seven things which God hates. I do not believe this is an exhausted list, but that each of these evil things include all the evil that we do; and God hates it.
As you can see in verse 13 of chapter 8 above, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.” Wisdom is telling us that we are to hate everything that the LORD hates.
God hates sin and evil so much that he sees us in the bondage of wickedness of evil, and knows we cannot defeat it on our own. So seeing us in the condemnation of sin, evil, wickedness, sent His holy, ownly begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die in our place to purchase our salvation.
Jesus died on that old wooden cross as the propitiation for our sins, by becoming sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. When we turn away from sin to Christ Jesus that is repentance and faith, then we are no longer in condemnation. We are freed from the bondage of sin and evil.
The wisest thing we can do is to find life through Him. The greatest evil you can do is to reject wisdom and turn down God’s greatest gift. That is the mind of a fool.
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Every good thing is a gift from God. Especially the gift of life, and life eternal through faith in His Son Jesus Christ who died for our sins. He was buried, and He rose again.
In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him,
“Ask what I shall give thee.”
And Solomon said unto God, “Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established: for Thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?” And God said to Solomon,
“Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
Solomon is now the king of all Israel. God came to Solomon, and said, basically, “Ask Me for anything,” I believe it was a test of his character, his heart.
What would I have asked for? Solomon was probably a very young man. We are not told anywhere I can find where we are told his age, at the time he became the king. As a young man of 18 through 30 or so, I am not so sure that I would not have asked for God to make me wealthy. I know in my heart, and I knew then, that wisdom and knowledge were two of the greatest things you could ask God for. Now, I no longer want to be wealthy. That would be a trap for the ruin of my family, and my life.
Solomon was wise before God even gave him this offer. He had a large task ahead of him as the king of Israel, judging the people, and leading them in the way of the LORD God, and building the temple, which his father David had planned and designed.
Over the years, I am now 70 years of age, I have asked God many times for wisdom and knowledge, and God has met our needs, and I look back at my twenty or so years, and I can see I am much wiser than I was back then, and I pray more knowledgeable at least in the ways of the Lord, and His word.
God answered Solomon’s request, and gave him more than what he asked for. God gave Solomon wisdom and knowledge. He also gave him great wealth, and honor before kings. Solomon, even as wise as he was, was not a perfect, nor a sinless man. He is believed to have been the human author of Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and many of the Proverbs in that book of wisdom.
There is a great need in today’s world for godly wisdom. There is much earthly wisdom that is foolish in God’s eyes. Earthly wisdom is like, “Grab all you can, while you can,” “Do unto others before they do unto you,” “My golden rule is that he who has the gold makes the rules, and such frivolity as that. While the wisdom of the God who has made all things, says, “Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” He also says, “Love your neighbor as you do yourself,” and to “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all His righteousness.”
The wisdom of the world says, “I have no sin that needs forgiveness.” The word of God and wisdom says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
I have chosen to believe and live for God and His word and wisdom, and shun the world and its so called wisdom. I have done that by turning from my sin to Christ Jesus; who died on the cross for our sins, was buried and He rose again; and have confessed that He is Lord and thoroughly believe that He rose from the dead. Now I have assurance that I will be with Him forever.
Will you join me? Call on His name and be saved from sin, death, and hell.
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant. The LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers: let Him not leave us, nor forsake us: that He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that He maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: that all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.
1 Kings 8:56-61
And David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.”
1 Chronicles 28:20-21
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake love, till he please.
Song of Solomon 2:3-7
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him.
Ecclesiastes 8:11-12
The Fire and Hammer 