THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
CHAPTER 21 and 22
Chapter 21
The Lord Examines Our Attitudes
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; he turns it wherever He wishes [God can intervene whenever He sees fit to move the hearts of leaders, small or great - Keith Hunt]
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts [ Prov. 24:12; Luke 16:15; the Lord sees the heart of man, and can weigh if they do good or evil - Keith Hunt]
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice (see 1 Sam.15:22; Prov.15:8; Isa.1:11; Hos.6:6; Mic.6:7,8 - Amplified Bible. Remember “righteousness” is defined in Ps. 119:172 - Keith Hunt]
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin [Pretty well self explanatory - Keith Hunt]
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty [Planning for the diligent usually means they take their time, plan thoroughly and wisely; but being too hasty can lead to plans that do not bring much reward - Keith Hunt]
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death
[When in the world of getting treasures by crooked means, the lying tongue one of them, you are in the world that can lead to your death, from others in that world - Keith Hunt]
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice [Again when in the world of the wicked violent, you may get snuffed out, others in the same world are vying for no competition - Keith Hunt]
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; but as for the pure, his work is right [Those who live in the world where you are guilty all there time of crimes, your mind becomes perversely hardened; the pure in mind and heart only wants work that is right and good - Keith Hunt]
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman [A house that has an emotionally contentious woman as a way of living is not good for anyone, better to be off by yourself than to live with continuing contentions - Keith Hunt]
10 The life of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes [The wicked are so involved with evil desires, even his neighbour is vulnerable to his evil; so are even close blood relatives - Keith Hunt]
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge [The second time we are given this proverb for emphasis - Keith Hunt]
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness [The (uncompromisingly) righteous man considers well the house of the wicked — how the wicked are cast down to ruin - Amplified Bible. The righteous know that generally speaking the wicked are overthrown in the end; if not in this lifetime, then they will answer for it in the second resurrection, when all their wickedness is brought before them - Keith Hunt]
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard [Generally what goes around comes around; what you reap that you sow; as you have done to others so other will do to you - Keith Hunt]
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back, strong wrath [As they say, money can buy anything; and with money you can get away with murder; so money or riches of whatever can stop anger coming your way; better live so anger against you does not even start - Keith Hunt]
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity [We have seen this kind of proverb repeated many times; the just people love justice; and those who work iniquity often find justice on them in this life, if not they will rise in the second resurrection to face their iniquities - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
21:1 God's control extends to kings; He is King of kings see Dan. 4:28-31; Rev. 19:16).
21:3 In God's sight there is no substitute for righteousness and justice. See 1 Sam. 15:22, 23 and notes on Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:6-8.
21:4 plowing: The Hebrew could also be translated "lamp" which would refer to the spirit of the wicked. This sense is supported by 13:9; 20:20; 24:20.
21:6 Wealth acquired by lying and deceit is soon gone. Only truth is a sure foundation for life. Any other course is seeking death.
21:9,19 See 27:15, 16 and note.
21:11 The mind of the scoffer is closed; the mind of the simple is empty, but he is teachable. The mind of the wise is open and accepts instruction.
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16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead [The way of understanding is the Lord’s way to live; if refused in the long run of it all, death is all you can expect, the second death - Keith Hunt]
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich [Loving pleasure more than good steady work will end most people in the dog house, living off the scraps from the table; and loving the niceties of life like that wine and oil picture, more than anything else will leave you poor, because you’ll spend whatever money you do have on them; of course we are here talking about the average person, not the filthy rich and lottery winners - Keith Hunt]
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright [One day the righteous will have them under their feet as ashes - Mal. 4:1-3 - Keith Hunt]
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman [Once more we are told of this truth, put in a slightly different way….better to live in the wilderness - Keith Hunt]
20 There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it [Yes, some things in the ground can be a desirable blessing used correctly, like oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds and so forth; used by the foolish man and it is squandered - Keith Hunt]
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor [Yes and it has been said before, these are the ways to find a good life now, and under God’s mercy or grace, life everlasting - Keith Hunt]
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold [Wisdom is no match for what may seem unsurmountable problems, troubles, and hazards - Keith Hunt]
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his life from troubles [Once more we are reminded of the power of the tongue; keep it under control and you save yourself a lot of troubles that a big (not literally) mouth can cause - Keith Hunt]
24 A proud and haughty man— "Scoffer" is his name; he acts with arrogant pride [Seen this proverb before; the proud and haughty, the arrogant individual is not appreciated by God - Keith Hunt]
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare [Another proverb towards the lazy and not lazy person; being lazy can lead you to a slow death literally; those who refuse to work when they can….well the New Testament says “He who does not work, should not eat” - Keith Hunt]
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings
it with wicked intent [Seen this one before also….it does not matter what you may bring to give to the Lord’s work, if you are still classified as “wicked” (unrepentant in mind and heart) it is all an abomination to God - Keith Hunt]
28 A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears him will speak endlessly [A false witness will perish, but the words of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged - Amplified Bible. The difference between a true witness and a false witness - Keith Hunt]
29 A wicked man hardens his face, but as for the upright, he establishes his way [It is often the tendency that the wicked get cast in stone on their wicked ways; but the upright keep establishing (moving towards) their ways in uprightness - growing in grace and knowledge as the apostle Peter taught us to do - Keith Hunt]
30 There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord [Man may come up with all kinds of ideas in their human wisdom and counsel as to why God does not exist; but they will never be able to kill Him….God’s NOT Dead! One day God will openly show that to all atheists - Keith Hunt]
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord [ You may have the means, very good means, to call and deliver a battle; but the Lord will often decide who wins and is delivered. Adolf Hitler and the Japanese had very good means to bring to the nations a world war (Hitler built up his army and weapons over a number of years) but it was with no doubt the intervention in many ways from the Lord that delivered the free world from the heel of the Nazi and the Japanese; many movies have been made on this fact of history - Keith Hunt]
From the New KJV Study Bible
21:16 assembly of the dead: See "Sheol" at 2 Sam. 22:6. The inevitable result of straying from wisdom's path is death (see 5:22, 23 and note).
21:17 Intemperate or immoderate attachment to pleasure, wine, or oil prevents success. Oil was a symbol of luxury.
21:18 shall be a ransom: Often when the wicked are justly punished for their sin, the righteous find release. This is illustrated in the fortunes of the Jews following Haman's execution (see note on Esth. 8:17; see also Is. 43:3, 4). 21:21 Jesus said, "With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Mark 4:24).
21:25, 26 Because the lazy man will not work, he can only covet what others have. The righteous (hardworking) person has more than enough and need not spare in giving.
21:28 Perhaps means a false witness will be stopped, but a true witness will continue to speak.
21:30, 31 We may, and should, make preparations and plans (22:3). But we should never believe that our efforts will guarantee the outcome (16:1).
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Chapter 22
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold
[Straight forward enough - Keith Hunt]
2 The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all [As the Lord is over everything in the universe this has to be true - in eternity all will be abundantly rich - Keith Hunt]
3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [Here “simple” is used in the negative; simple, weak, unwise, lacking common logic and sense; the wise and prudent person sees evil coming and takes appropriate action - Keith Hunt]
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life [That’s what right living, good living, is all about….fearing the Lord in the correct way; that life style produces the best riches and honour; it is the good life here and now in the main, and life eternal in the future - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
22:2 Therefore, both rich and poor are responsible to the same maker.
22:4 humility... fear of the Lord: See 1:7; 15:33 and notes.
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5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his life will be far from them [We have the freedom to be perverse, to live in the way of perverseness, but if we follow that way, the way that is not of God, there will be for most, thorns and snares; but he who decides to guard his life through the way of the Lord, will in the main find the thorns and snares are not there, maybe ups and downs, maybe trials and tests, but overall the thorn bushes of the ditch will not ours. The stones of the pathway we tread can be there and scuff our knees, but that will not be like falling head-long into the thorn bushes of the ditch - Keith Hunt]
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it [A general statement for sure; generally it is true, not always, but you bring them up in the Lord anyway. It certainly will be easier for them in the second resurrection, if they are not in the first resurrection. Whenever down the line it may be for them, they will remember you brought them up in the way they should go - Keith Hunt]
7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender [It is a fact of life on this earth today that by and large the rich do rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender; by following the other proverbs on not being lazy and having wisdom, it need not apply in depth to you - Keith Hunt]
8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail [It is you reap what you live; what you put out will come back to smack you in the head; the anger he gives forth to others will rebound and fail to give the knockout punch - Keith Hunt]
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor [Another time we are reminded to give to the genuine poor; ancient Israel had laws to safeguard the poor among the population; sometimes situations come beyond our control and so there are poor among us - Keith Hunt]
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease [Sometimes we must take things into our own hands, those who cause contentions, strife, and arguments, we must put out from among our circle of friends. This has been used by some religious organizations and their leaders to disfellowship ones who “question” - it is used with lightening speed and terrible twisted theology by heavy-handed “cult” type leaders. There are studies on this website about such “Christian” cults and how they operate - Keith Hunt]
11 He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will he his friend [If the king or leader is at all sensible and has a basic good heart, they will love those who are pure in heart with grace in their speech - Keith Hunt]
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless [Eventually all will come forth; true knowledge will win the day; the words and life of the faithless, if they remain such, will be overthrown in the second death - Keith Hunt]
13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" [Oh the excuses that man can come up with who are just bone lazy - Keith Hunt]
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; he who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there [So this tells us what God thinks about those who are “into” fornication, adultery, prostitutes….. it’s a deep pit and abhorrent to God - Keith Hunt]
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him [Again we see that some children will need the paddle of correction to keep them on the straight way to a descent physical life - Keith Hunt]
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty [Surely down through time the poor have been oppressed by the rich; much of “politics” is a giving to the rich so they can bring their ideas and political party to power; in time this will all be broken and everyone will need to be poor in spirit and in the physical, to see the ways of the Lord are the best to follow and live by for enduring peace and prosperity - Keith Hunt]
Words of the Wise
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your
lips,
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge,
21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?
[Once more God calls out to us to heed His knowledge; His way of life and living, for they are indeed excellent things in counsels and knowledge and truth - Keith Hunt]
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder the life of those who plunder them [Yet again God instructs us about the attitude towards the real poor of our lands - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
22:6 A child, like a plant, can be trained in chosen directions.
22:8 the rod: The power he wielded with fury shall be stripped from him.
22:9 See 11:24-26 and note.
22:10 The scoffer, by mocking God's principles of living, creates strife and reproach that will destroy many reationships. It is better to remove him from places of influence.
22:11 The heart and the lips reveal the enduring character of a person.
22:12 God is on the side of knowledge and will undercut the claims of people who have no interest in truth.
22:13 How easily we find excuses for not doing what we should.
22:15 Foolishness: Perversity, not merely giddiness.
22:16 The one who seeks to further his own cause by whatever means necessary is condemned ultimately to fail.
22:17—24:34 This is a separate collection of proverbs as indicated by the introductory paragraph (22:17-21; see 1:2-9) and by its particular identification as being words of the wise.
22:17-21 The words of the wise are valuable because they (1) are pleasant (v. 18), (2) create trust... in the Lord (v. 19), (3) give certainty concerning truth, and (4) provide an answer... of truth for those who seek it (v. 21).
22:22,23 Throughout the OT the Lord is concerned for those who cannot defend themselves, at the gate: See note on Ruth 4:1.
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24 Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go
25 Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your life.
[Pretty straight forward, do not make buddy friends with a person always angry as a way of life = Keith Hunt]
26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts [Again this is taught us for about the third time, so has to be taken note of; do not be a co-signer for another person - Keith Hunt]
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? [If you co-sign you could be in serious physical problems - Keith Hunt]
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set [Ancient Israel had landmarks for the individual people’s land; we have a survey to mark our lands. You are to be honest and not move things around to take from others in greed and selfishness whatever it may be today - Keith Hunt]
29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men [Look at all the exquisite buildings and furniture and decorations in the magnificent mansions, castles, and other buildings of the world; look at all the architecture of the world; investigate the music composers and great orchestras and individual instrumentalists; they were all done under the great leaders of the world, not out in some backwoods unknown to the majority of the population, but in the open before kings. We should excel in whatever work we do, doing in with all our heart and mind; we may only be recognized by those around us or in our town, but excellent work will be praised by others - Keith Hunt]
From the New KJV Study Bible
22; 24-25 The danger of imitating evil persons is is fostered by associating with them.
22: 26-27 If you have nothing: Should anyone give surety for more than he might be able to cover?
22:28 See also 23:10 and 11. Ancient landmark refers to a boundary marker. Land in Israel was supposed to be held by each family in perpetuity as a trust from God.
22:29 Excellent work still brings reward from people and the approval from God. See also Eph. 6:5-8.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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