Tag: Proverbs 16

Casting a lot in the lap was a way for the people in Solomon’s day to determine their god(s) will. They did not wear pants. They wore long robes called a mantle from the neck to the ankles. They would take small stones or pebbles and cast them in the mantle’s lap to determine their […]

Patience is compared to uncontrolled temper elsewhere in Proverbs and other books in the Bible (14:29, 15:18, 19:11; James 1:19-20; Ecclesiastes 9:18). The FreeBibleStudyHelp.com commentaries for 14:29 and 15:18 discusses the virtue of patience and the commentary for Ecclesiastes 9:18 discusses the benefit of controlling emotions. This proverb does not say that going to war […]

The body changes as we age no matter what lifestyle is kept. After birth, we increase in size. The cranial bones continue to expand till they meet to form one solid hard cap. As adolescents men and women hormones flow as the bodies change in unique male and female ways both externally visible and internal […]

Intention to commit a sin is the same as committing a sin. This is true because whether a sin is in the mind or act, it comes from the same perverse soul. Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a […]

Some have a liking to entice their neighbor to be ill-behaved. This proverb is clear. Such people are violent in nature. The Hebrew word “pata” here, translated as “entice” and “lure” is in a passive-aggressive sense. The violent hunter is pleased to see their victim slowly destroy themselves as they lead them to walk down […]

A person who stirs up dissension is perverse. Whether planned or caused by a slip of the tongue, the action is still from a depraved soul. Dissension means strife, contention, and a sharp difference of opinion. The opposite is a peacemaker. Jesus promised, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” […]

The area that I grew up in was a swamp in generations past. No one, not even the Native Americans made permanent residence in the swamp. When my ancestors and their neighbors moved to the area they dug drainage ditches and lay clay tile lines in the rich dirt. When the drainage ditches filled up […]

The practical nature of this proverb is simple to understand. Having a craving like hunger and a desire for sustenance forces a person to work. The Holy Spirit thru Paul tells Christians, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Not identical, but a similar subject. The Spirit parallels this […]

Recently I took a vacation. I went to a place I had been to several times, the last time around five years ago. This time I was going to the vacation spot from the opposite side of its location. I followed the GPS and made it there with no detours or slowdowns. Going home the […]

My grandfather was a dairy farmer. He would receive dairy farmer magazines in the mail. One day he read in a milker’s magazine that cows produced more milk if they were talked to while milking. So he put his radio in the milking parlor and turned on the AM news. I don’t think the cows […]

A three-step action-reaction interplay is presented. The wise’s heart guides their mouth and the mouth promotes instruction. The heart is a person’s soul, their center of being meaning their mind, will, and feelings. A person can control their heart depending on the level of discipline. Yet, even the most disciplined cannot constrain the core of […]

I found myself looking at the meaning of words and phrases this morning. What is understanding since it is such a common word in the book of Proverbs? What is a proverb and a parable? What is a fountain of life? Ponce de León, according to some received a contract from the King of Spain […]

Trust is a vital part of having a happy and prosperous life. That is why trust is the subject of several proverbs (3:5-6, 16:3, 21:22, 22:19, 28:25). Trusting in the Lord Jesus is a blessed life. Trusting in Jesus relieves stress. Jesus proclaimed, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also […]

“Better to be lowly in spirit” reminds of Jesus’ beginning of The Beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” When life is going well people don’t want to hear such things because they would rather believe they are blessed and thus don’t want to be low in spirit to be blessed. When life is not […]

A discerning person is perceptive. So are wise instructors. Good teachers, speakers, and preachers are keen on their audience just as celebrated musical artists are attuned to their instruments. The pleasant words of an instructor are akin to notes played in tune and cadence, and voices sung in harmony. Pleasant words make an orator persuasive. […]

Pride and a haughty spirit are the same; an over-rated opinion of one’s self. Hidden and silent pride is the belief that we have control over things that no human can control. A reality of human existence that the proud ignores are vast and subtle weaknesses we all possess. The haughty falsely believe that if […]

This proverb repeats a common theme in the book of Proverbs. Most can understand the meaning behind, “The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.” However, many today do not accept nor believe this. If they do believe it they have their own definition of evil. Why do […]

Why is it better to get wisdom and chose understanding than to have silver or gold? When a fool has material wealth and travels the whole world in luxury, power, and fame but not wisdom, they will expose themself to harm and all their wealth will not help them. When a person gets wisdom and […]

The spring for a farmer is the time for planting. The seeds and young saplings need water to keep growing. When it rains the farmers are happy. Their faces light up with a smile and a warm heart. The saplings will live. They are healthy. The hope for a crop in the fall seems more […]

Wrath is punishment as a manifestation of anger. God’s anger is due to sin. God’s anger manifests as retribution. Retribution in regards to God’s wrath is justly given in repayment for the wrong done and right not done. God’s wrath is seen when he kept Adam and Eve from eating fruit from the Tree of […]

I claim to be a follower of Jesus the Christ; thus a Christian by name. I am in the kingdom of heaven. (Daniel 2:44, 7:27; Matthew 4:17, 5:3, 10) Jesus is my king. (Matthew 7:21, 16:19, 19:14) What can I do to please my king? This proverb provides one answer, “Kings take pleasure in honest […]

I do not know how it is to live in a country with a king or queen for I have lived my whole life in a country that has a democracy. I have visited several countries that are also democracies. No one that I have ever met has lived in a kingdom either. I have […]

The proverb says that the Lord God owns just and honest weights and balances, he made all the stones for measuring. This refers to his judgment of everyone’s soul. “…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges […]

According to King Solomon in the first half of this proverb, the words the king speaks such as in court sessions is “qesem” in Hebrew. English Bible translates qesem as an oracle, divine sentence, God’s verdict, oath, and divine revelation. Like a prophecy and revelation, a qesem is a communication from God. The term usually […]

Having a plan is not the same as having a dream or a desire. Having a plan is better than wasting away on the couch. Having a plan does not mean it is a good or wise plan even though everyone thinks it is. Having a plan does not guarantee that the plan will succeed […]

Injustice (mishpawt in Hebrew) and justice (mishpaw in Hebrew) are central to the Old Testament ethics as love is central to the New Testament living. Biblical justice is the standard for both punishment and benefits. (Isaiah 28:17) Justice is the order God seeks to reestablish in His creation. Righteousness in thought, attitude, and action is […]

The fact that I have enemies sticks out in this proverb. A few people come to mind who were and are a foe. The devil also comes to mind. He is an enemy of the Lord and so an enemy of mine. (Matthew 13:39) Jesus has enemies which is apparent when he walked the earth. […]

“Atoned for” in the original Hebrew here and elsewhere in the Old Testament is “kapar”. These are theological terms for God’s provision to deal with human sin; in the Old Testament, it primarily means purification. In some contexts, forgiveness, pardon, expiation, propitiation, or reconciliation is included. The basis of atonement is a substitutionary sacrifice offered […]

Pride of heart is confidence in myself; my own skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, heritage, race, and position. The LORD detests pride of heart. Why? Because it does not recognize that the Lord God is the one who made it all possible. Many verses speak of these things. I can be happy that I finished a […]

God is sovereign. “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Sovereignty means that God is in all and overall. Being sovereign means that God is the source of all and that all things come from and depend on God. Being sovereign means that […]

The truth is clear in this proverb. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” What does it mean to commit to the LORD? Looking up the original Hebrew word, “galal” does not answer the question since its few uses differ. The American Heritage Dictionary’s first definition of commit is “to […]

Innocence is a deception of all. “I am innocent.” “I was coerced.” “The devil made me think those thoughts.” “I had no choice.” “I have a valid reason.” “My genes are the reason why I do these things.” “I was made with a flaw.” These are the claims of the guilty. “…but motives are weighed […]

Conscience plans for the future is a characteristic that is perhaps unique to humans. No proof exists that apes and monkeys make plans for the future. Squirrels hide nuts in the ground out of instinct, not because of a conscience decision. Birds and beasts of the great plains migrate out of instinct and hunger, not […]