Proverbs 23:1-11 Many thanks to Fred for his commentary on the Psalms over the last few weeks. Now it is September, and that puts us back into Proverbs for a while, which means you are stuck with me again. (Sorry about that…) When you sit down to eat with a ruler,observe carefully what is before …
Author Archives: John S.
July 26 / Proverbs 22:17-29
Proverbs 22:17-29 Today marks a bit of a transition in Proverbs. Thus far, all of the internal clues have pointed to Solomon as the author, but today’s first verse, Proverbs 22:17, mentions “the words of the wise” — potentially an indication of a new author. In addition, Proverbs 22:17-21 acts as a fresh introduction to …
July 25 / Proverbs 22:1-16
Proverbs 22:1-16 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 Our culture says that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett epitomize success. Why? Because they are rich — wildly rich. But material wealth is not a proper measure of success. …
July 24 / Proverbs 21:17-31
Proverbs 21:17-31 No wisdom, no understanding, no counselcan avail against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30 You can’t trick God. You can’t outthink God. You can’t outsmart God. You can’t outargue God. You can’t outwit God. You can’t outwait God. You can’t outrun God. You can’t outgun God. You can’t outdistance God. You can’t outmaneuver God. You …
July 23 / Proverbs 21:1-16
Proverbs 21:1-16 To do righteousness and justiceis more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 Do you ever think that you can bribe God with a little extra in the offering plate? Maybe you can bend the rules a bit over here, because you sacrifice so much over there, or because you do “religious” …
July 22 / Proverbs 20:16-30
Proverbs 20:16-30 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Proverbs 20:22 This advice is echoed in Romans 12:19, which hearkens back to Deut. 32:35. It is something we all should think about — and heed! — as forbearance does not come naturally. When attacked in some way, …
July 21 / Proverbs 20:1-15
Proverbs 20:1-15 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;I am clean from my sin”? Proverbs 20:9 No one. There is absolutely no way we can make ourselves pure. There is no heroic feat great enough to outweigh our guilt, no sacrifice we can make to atone. There is no self-help program that will …
July 20 / Proverbs 19:16-29
Proverbs 19:16-29 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 Last week we mentioned in passing a few verses about planning. Today we get another one. Here we are reminded that we do quite a lot of planning. We all do, …
July 19 / Proverbs 19:1-15
Proverbs 19:1-15 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,his heart rages against the LORD. Proverbs 19:3 Does that not describe the human race? Ever since Adam and Eve we’ve shirked responsibility and shifted blame: “The woman whom You gave me… The serpent deceived me…” (Gen. 3:12-13) Whenever we make a mistake, our first …
July 18 / Proverbs 18:13-24
Proverbs 18:13-24 The one who states his case first seems right,until the other comes and examines him. Proverbs 18:17 Remember that the next time you turn on the news and get only one side of the story. The initial story (especially from media that have a one-sided agenda and narrative to uphold) is rarely the …