Wise Up: Proverbs 19
Proverbs 27 (NIV)
1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6 Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless go hungry.
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to their death.
19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
22 What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.
26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Desire without knowledge is not good-
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
Proverbs 19:2
We tend to think that enthusiasm for a cause is desirable, and it can be; but without knowledge of our cause we may find ourselves to be zealous for empty slogans or false impressions with little or no substance. Zeal coupled with wisdom and knowledge lead us to truth and along a path that pleases our Lord. After all real truth comes from God. But haste often results in carelessness and error. Caution and care help us see the way and save us from sin.
Lord may I have a heart that is zealous for you, your wisdom, and your truth. Help me to take the time to weigh my actions against your Holy Word so as to avoid sin which so easily entices.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
What a great reminder that though we have plans for our future, that the Lords purpose prevails. I think we all should take a moment …..Are we seeking our plans or God’s Plan for our lives?
Something to chew on this morning….what about you?
I like that one too Jo-Ann. Even though it’s wise to plan, I love the fact we can have confidence His plan will prevail. Thank you for sharing!
In response to this proverb I would like to add that our plans generally come with expectations that God will accomplish them. But when it doesn’t go this way what is my reaction? Do I curse God or do I praise Him? Do I pout and sulk? Or do I join Him in what He is doing, the new path laid out before me?
Lord, help me to live completely yielded and surrendered to you that no matter where life takes me, my desires or not, I will always praise you and give you the glory.
Amen!
Well said Jo-Ann, Well said Debi. I was also touched by this verse, and both your comments have given me food for thought! Especially Debi, about pouting and sulking. Great visual word choice that I hope I don’t do!
Thank you Debbie Lerma…A good word.
Verse 3. A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.
Isn’t it funny, that we can be like children or even just irresponsible adults blaming God for messes we or others have made.
Oh Lord help us to see the Truth that You are never evil causing trouble in our lives but You are only good all of the time doing what is best for us. Help us to grow into maturity.
Verse 23 Stop listening to instruction my son and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Lord help us be diligent to seek You in Your Word, give us a hunger so that we will be full of the knowledge of Your Ways and then Lord fill us with Your Precious Spirit to enable us to live what You teach us.
27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
I think Solomon is telling us that no matter how old we are we should never stop learning or seeking truth. Our Christian journey requires us to continually seek God’s will for us through study of his word and learning His meaning as applied to our lives. I pray to the Holy Trinity to help me daily in accomplishing this.
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
There are so many good ones today, but when I asked our Father, this is the precept I need to embrace most in the day to day. My tendency is to keep my focus on the areas where I AM patient and can overlook an offense and ignore where I hold onto hurt. This usually has to do with my spouse, siblings, or Mom. I tend to have the most trouble overlooking an offense when it hits an old wound. So here’s my action plan: Ask the Spirit to reveal what old wounds sometimes get in the way of these important relationships. Give God total access to these places in me so that He can cleanse, heal, deliver, and protect me. Walk that out by calling on Him to help me when it is time to overlook an offense.
Wow! I am encouraged by all of the replies and comments today. I love that you wrote out your prayers too! Then I could pray along. Wise words, everyone. Thank you for allowing yourselves to be vulnerable so others can benefit.