A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28 ESV Walls were, in many ways, the strength and hope of a city. Should a neighboring city-state attack, everyone would flee behind the city's walls for safety. By walls, a city became a fortress, a stronghold and refuge. With …
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 16:25 ESV What proverb better describes life in the aftermath of the Fall? Our sin clouds our judgments. It covers our eyes. We seek after things that seem to bring joy, pleasure, and happiness, but they …
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Proverbs 16:17 ESV The path of the upright veers to avoid evil. Indeed, it is the avoidance of evil that makes one upright at all. How do we do this? By guarding our ways. By being vigilantly attendant …
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Proverbs 11:24 ESV The natural impulse is to hoard. Money, food, stuff. Everything is gathered together, then guarded. We don't call it selfishness. It's self-preservation, prudence. After all, how can we help others if we don't …
Continue reading One Gives Freely; Another Withholds | Proverbs 11:24
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 I am aiming, not simply to live life, but to live it abundantly. The LORD has called us to do so. He who is the resurrection and the life will be faithful to …
Continue reading Where There Are No Oxen, The Manger Is Clean | Proverbs 14:4
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 ESV Wisdom, the skill of living, can be found in walking among the wise. Choosing to associate with wise people will inevitably lead to wisdom. Why is this? The heart dwells wherever the feet traverse. Movements, actions, …
We now conclude our study through Proverbs’ introduction. Our text brings to close the messages and themes of the first nine chapters, while also inviting us to dive into the collection of proverbs that follow. In many ways, this chapter is an expanded and illustrated explanation of Proverbs 1:7. Two paths in life are before …
Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. …
My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you …
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, …
