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A Look at Proverbs 10.25

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Pr 10.25
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

25a

25b

(when the whirlwind passes)

when the whirlwind passes

righteous

wicked

an everlasting foundation

no more

whirlwind – often used to describe God’s judgment, Isa29.5-8; Amos1.14; Nah1.3

wicked – (cf Pr10.2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 16, 20, 24) the wicked are typically people who threaten the community, e.g., violate the rights of others, violent, oppressive, greedy, plotting, trapping others, murdering, dishonest. It’s not so much a condition, but an action, a lifestyle.

foundation – used several times for the base of the altar, to found, fix firmly

References to consider:

Ps 5.4
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.

Hosea 8.7
7 For they sow the wind
And they reap the whirlwind.
The standing grain has no heads;
It yields no grain.
Should it yield, strangers would swallow it up.

Pr 1.27
27 When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.

N.B. — the fool, wicked base all their decisions on “today.” This is not so with the wise, righteous.

Mt 7.24-27
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Sharpening for my life today:

Our Proverb is a gem for taking a look at daily life. Choices are critical!

What “choices” are you making today that will reap what you do not want in the coming days?

Make sure to look at the sidebar, the Seven Laws of the Harvest, it’s an excellent set of principles and practices for reaping God’s things in life.

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A Look at Proverbs 10.24

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Pr 10:24.
24 What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

24a

25a

fears

desire

of the wicked

of the righteous

will come upon him

will be granted (him)

fear / terror – an extreme sense of horror. The verb speaks of intimidation before a stronger or superior being or thing. It is a state where survival itself is threatened!

wicked – this noun is used over 266 times paralleling almost every word for sin, evil, and iniquity. A description of someone in contrast to the character and attitude of God, e.g., violates social rights, violent, oppressive, greedy, plotting against the poor, murder, community threateners, dishonest, self-serving. This person contrasts the righteous not only in lifestyle but in life results.

desire – long for, regard as beautiful. The verb often relates to what our “soul” (being) seeks, something for the depths of our being.

References to consider:

Ps 34:4.
4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.

Ps 9:5.
5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

Ps 9:16.
16 The Lord has made Himself known; He has executed judgment.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.

Pr 24:20.
20 For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Mal 4:3.
3 “You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the Lord of hosts.

N.B. – Such wickedness is not irreversible, cf Ps106.6; 2Chron6.37; Neh9.33; Dan9.5. It is confession / repentance the Lord really seeks.

Pr 13:12.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Pr 13:19.
19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

Sharpening for my life today:

The gem of God’s wisdom picks up from the preceding Proverb where the wicked take pleasure in their sin, yet, there is a day ahead that their conscience speaks about to them. Let’s make a note here, God’s provision of our conscience is a gift to prick, prod, and point us to the things we need to see in our lives. Rightfully so does the wicked have a gnawing inside of them, it is a gift of God to call them to repentance!

We would do well to consider “What do the wicked fear”? Our word for fear / terror is frequently used in promise-fulfillment motifs. It is suggested what is to be worried is what will “come upon” us. Scripture is consistent in the truth, what you sow, you reap, or called talionic justice.

At the heart of all “dread” is the thought of the wicked that they must stand before the Lord. This “dread” is frequently treated as a laughing matter, anesthetized with activity, alcohol, materialism, immorality, and many more masks! The truth of the Word of God is that there will be a day of reckoning.

At this point, our jewel from the Lord, sets a hope before the righteous of standing before the Lord. This is the hope of life! Read Ps 73, meditate on Ps73.24-28. Ahead of the righteous is the desire of life granted from the Lord. The conscience of those who walk with the Lord blesses those who love Him.

Take a moment and see if there’s something gnawing in your heart. Know the Lord restores all who turn to Him in faith! His blessing can be yours, now, and when you stand before Him!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.21

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Pr 10.21
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

21a

22a

lips

(lips)

of the righteous

(of the) fools

feed

(starve) die

many

(self or many)

(for understanding)

for lack of understanding

Part of the purpose of looking at these terms is to build a vocabulary of biblical truth and gain much insight in our reading Scripture! Let me encourage you to take the time to consider the terms and look at the references. Remember, “terms” are “words” in context. Pay attention to the “term” in the context of Scripture where it is used.

on righteous – see Pr10.20

on fool – see Pr10.8

on heart / understanding – see Pr10.8, 13, 20

lack – (adjective) used predominately for lack of wisdom or understanding. (Interestingly, the verb is used most often to describe the “no lack” of God’s grace for His people!)

Lacking wisdom / understanding is characteristic of: one who sins, Pr6.32; one deserving the rod, Pr10.13; one who belittles his neighbor, Pr11.12; one who follows worthless things, Pr12.11; one who rejoices over folly, Pr15.21; one who makes foolish vows, Pr17.18; one who may be rich but doesn’t know how to enjoy blessing (You cannot enjoy blessing without God! Ec6.2); this one shows himself to be a fool, Ec10.2; but, to the one seeking wisdom there is gain in observation of this fool, Pr9.4, 16.

feed – see 2Sam5.2, the work of the King is to shepherd! Mal2.7, the work of the priest is to feed (Jer23.1)! Jer3.15, the work of the prophet is to feed/shepherd (Jer23.9ff; Isa39.9-10! N.B. — Jn10.10!

References to consider:

Pr 15.14
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Pr 14.3
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.

Right words upbuild – Pr10.11; 12.18, 25; 15.7; 20.15; 15.23

Sharpening for my life today:

Our gem, Pr10.21, certainly stands on its own, yet, it takes the concept of the “silver” of the previous Proverb and “puts some shoe leather” on it with some very practical analysis!

Consider: Even more than just the “words,” consider the course of the righteous. Theirs is as they live the feed / shepherd others with even the regular “words” of life!

Consider: Even more than just the “words,” consider the course of the fool. Theirs is that they benefit no one and even die themselves!

Now, take some time to do a little “trip planning” for your course in life. It is through the words of the righteous that God sends His blessing and abundance to people to meet many needs!

Is this a Proverb “for” you? Before you answer this question, you might want to ask, “Is this a Proverb ‘about’ you”? How do you impart righteous words? Where do you impart righteous words?

If your orientation is “other directed,” we will tend toward words that upbuild, feed, shepherd others. Let me suggest that “other direction” is loving, choosing for the highest good of another! So, if this Proverb is “about” you as you are “other directed” with your words, then “how” do I find righteous words, and, “where” do I find righteous words?

The answer to that question won’t come in the “words” themselves, but in the fruit, produce, result, substance of our “words.” Are they feeding and shepherding others?

We don’t want to miss that the “fool,” even though surrounded by “the lips of the righteous which feed many,” dies because of his self-focused direction for life! The (self-focused) fool can neither receive life from those who give it or give life to those who are in need!

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, we have with righteous words the opportunity to revive, lead, feed, comfort, defend, guide, yes, bless those around us. The greatest source of righteous words is found in God’s inerrant Word! Make it an ongoing habit to hear what God says so you can speak what God says and be use of Him to render blessing and provision for those around you!

Remember, it is through the words of the righteous that God sends His blessing and abundance to people to meet many needs! Here’s a course for life worth pursuing!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.20

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Pr 10.20
20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

 The Parts

Parallelism Examined

20a

20b

tongue

heart

of the righteous

of the wicked

choice silver

little

choice – “to take a keen look at” – almost always used with theological overtones (Dt12.5; 14.2), involves careful and thoughtful choices (1Sam17.40; 1Ki18.45; Isa1.29; 40.20), key is serviceability, not just arbitrariness (Isa41.8-16; 43.10).

words of the righteous – What is “righteous”? Spend some time considering your answer.

words of the righteous – Who puts them out? Spend some time considering where the “words” your taking in are coming from.

“Righteous” makes a straight path (Pr11.5); guards integrity (Pr13.6); hates what is false and dishonest (Pr13.5; 29.27); committed to justice (Pr29.7); disapproves any miscarriage of justice (Pr18.15; 17.15); gives honest and accurate testimony (Pr12.17); generous (Pr21.26); bold (Pr28.1); wise (Pr8.20); keeps getting up after falling (Pr24.16); displays stability (Pr10.25); experiences joy (Pr10.28); attains life (Pr11.19). He blesses and responds to the prayers of the righteous (Pr10.6; 15.29).

Sharpening for life today:

Could you describe a “choice” car, or horse, or weapon, or guitar, or golf course? Now, what would “choice” speech be?

Where would you look for “words of the righteous”? A good place to start would be godly company, godly writers, godly singers . . . by the way, who’ve you been listening to on a regular basis? “Take a keen look at” the words that are filling your heart and head!

The words of the righteous come from the heart (mind) of the righteous! The words of the world are common at best, deceptive and resistive of the Lord’s Word and Ways at worst.

So, if the tongue of the righteous is choice silver, how is your bank account today?

Suppose, after balancing your “choice silver” account you’ve found your account a little short, maybe even deeply overdrawn, where would you look for some solid deposits?

If you don’t have a church home where they regularly teach the Bible and present Jesus as the Lord of life, look around and find that church. Ask the Lord to lead you to some godly mentoring, find some counsel in your church for direction for some godly reading. Also, don’t forget to stop taking in all the “cheap” things that have been taking your time and attention! Take that “keen look” right now!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.16

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Prov 10.16
16 The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

16a

16b

wages

income

of the righteous

of the wicked

life

punishment

wicked – someone contrary to God’s character, ways, Word. This person would not hesitate to violate another person for selfish gain, e.g., financial, verbal integrity, false witness, social, personal.

righteous – (write your definition of “righteous” as you study this Proverb)

income – can mean product, result, fruit

wages – work, recompense, rewards, often used of that which comes from God, what you have coming!

References to consider:

Prov 21.10
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Prov 29.7
7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.

Prov 12.26
26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Prov 17.15
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

Prov 17.2
2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

Prov 24.20
20 For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Righteous

Prov 21.3
3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

Prov 15.29
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Prov 11.19
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life,
And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.

Prov 10.25
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Prov 12.3
3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.

Income

Prov 8.19
19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield better than choicest silver.

Wages

Isa 40.10
10 Behold, the Lord God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.

Prov 11.18
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

Isa 65.7
7 Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says the Lord. “Because they have burned incense on the mountains And scorned Me on the hills, Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”

Psalm 109.20
20 Let this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord, And of those who speak evil against my soul.

Sharpening for my life today:

Considering the previous Proverb along with this one, while wealth can be a platform of ministry and a sense of provision and security, it is not the currency of life! Life comes by righteousness!

This gem of Proverbs lays out the currency of life! Real life comes from a moral choice, not physical, financial, technical, medical, political, military, etc.! Remember, even poverty can keep you from real life!

There is no doubt “what you sow, you reap”! So, we should be asking, “What is the return on the investments I’m making for life”?

Prov 30.7-9
7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

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