Proverbs 19
-The tongue continues to be a big issue in this chapter on Solomon’s wise advice, as well as relationships, the poor, handling anger, and a multitude of other diverse topics. A man who is poor but walks in integrity is better than a fool perverse in speech. It’s not good for a person to be without knowledge (plug for everyone to have education here), and the person who hurries in rash decisions errs. The foolishness can ruin the way and rages the heart against the LORD. Wealth will bring along with it many friends, but a poor man sees friends leave in separation. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who is a liar will not escape and eventually perish. A generous man will find many seeking his favor and have lots of friends while he gives. However, the brothers of a poor man will tend to hate him, and his friends will disperse from him. The person who obtains wisdom loves his/her own soul, and the one keeping understanding will find good in their lives. Luxury is not for a fool, and slaves should not rule over princes. A person’s discretion makes them slow to anger, and it is a glory to overlook a transgression. A king’s wrath is like a roaring lion, but his favor is like the sweet morning dew on grass. A foolish son is a destruction to his father. The contentions of a wife are compared to a constant dripping, which drains all enthusiasm. A house, or wealth, are an inheritance from the father, but a prudent wife is direct from the LORD. Laziness makes one fall fast into a deep-slumbering sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Proverbs 19:1-15). Hard work continues to be an important theme.
-Those keeping the commandment of God keep their soul, but the ones careless in conduct will die. This pertains both to spiritual and physical death. Being gracious to the poor is akin to lending to the LORD, and God will richly repay for the good deed. It is good to discipline our son while there is hope. Please do not desire the death of a son. An overly angry person will bear the penalty of their actions. If we decide to rescue a person of great anger, we will have to do it over and over again. It is good to listen to wise counsel and accept the discipline we receive. It gives wisdom for the rest of our days. “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.” A person’s kindness is what makes them desirable, and it is better to be poor than to lie in order to make $. The fear of God leads one to life so that they may sleep satisfied and untouched by evil. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish of food but is too lazy to even bring it back into his mouth. What a stupor. Striking a scoffer, or the naive, may have the effect of making them shrewd, but reproving one who has understanding will gain them profound knowledge. Any boy who assaults his father and/or drives his mother away is shameful and disgraceful to a society. If one stops listening to discipline, they will stray from the words of knowledge. A rascally (bĕliya`al- worthless, good for nothing, wicked, destructive) witness makes justice a mockery, and the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity like wildfire. “Judgments are prepared for the scoffers, and blows for the back of fools (Proverbs 19:16-29).”
-*Application* Let’s focus on the “being gracious to the poor” concept in our study today. The LORD’s bank and trust is guaranteed not to go bankrupt, and He is overflowing in goodness on His repayments. I don’t know about you, but I certainly want to make my deposits into His benevolent funds by giving generously to the poor. It may not always be monetary, but God will bless in so many ways when we give, and give, and give. Our health will prosper, things won’t break down as quick, we will get great value on every business deal, and so on and so forth. I’ve experienced this in my own life. God is good to us when we bless those who can’t bless themselves.
Verses to Memorize: Proverbs 19:11, 17, 20-23
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