Expository Study: Proverbs

If we want to grow and yield fruit, we must grow roots. And that requires a number of things and our success depends on a number of factors. The Bible uses the tree as an illustration, so we will delve into that matter in this devotional. https://bbfohio.com

How amazing it is to look at friends, family and neighbors, and many of those who have attended our churches over the years, go off the narrow path of God's word as they follow vain persons. It's a trend among human beings from the Garden of Eden to this present day. https://bbfohio.com

The wicked desire to learn the "tricks of the trade" from evil men instead of desiring to walk with God and do things God's way. We should heed the call to follow Jesus and to follow Paul as he followed Christ. htpps://bbfohio.com

Hard work pays. And following vain persons with promises of ill-gotten gains or "get rich quick" schemes is a fool's errand. We will discuss this and give you a few illustrations, including that of a 1974 Hollywood movie that is based on a true story. https://bbfohio.com

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject and we will look at a couple of those texts while noting the meaning of the statement in the second half of this proverb regarding the tender mercies of the wicked. https://bbfohio.com

You're better off being a solid man of God but despised by this world and have God provide than to seek undeserved honor of men and suffer loss. https://bbfohio.com

We discuss the truth of this Proverb and refer to the Biblical characters of Nabal and Abigail as cases in point. This is not one of the better known accounts in the Bible but it OUGHT to be. We learn that we will be known according to the wisdom we demonstrate or for the lack thereof. https://bbfohio.com

The wise Christian will beware of the wicked and realize that the words of the wicked are for evil intentions. This requires discernment and sound judgment. But many have been falsely taught that they must not judge. So, we must throw off such false teaching in order to heed this warning! https://bbfohio.com

Proverbs declares the plain truth in comparison of the wicked and the righteous many times. But it's important to understand that God's judgment is the only infallible judgment. We can't play games with God and must be sure that we are righteous in His sight. https://bbfohio.com

Why do Christians ignore God's warning and go right on getting their news and counsel from the ungodly? We will look at several examples and texts and discuss this sad phenomena. https://bbfohio.com

Speaking, again, of the righteous in practice and walk, we see that he is so because of his thoughts. But we also know, comparing Scripture with Scripture, that the thoughts of the righteous are not His own. The righteous thinks God's thoughts after Him. That must be our goal for daily living. https://bbfohio.com

A virtuous woman is a blessing. Otherwise, a wife or mother can be "rottenness to the bones". We discuss the need to look at Proverbs 31:10-31 in the same way we do the Mosaic Law as a standard to reach for and not a stick to beat women up over. And the last half of our Proverbs reminds us how important it is for singles to take their choice of a life mate serious. Choose well! https://bbfohio.com

The man who builds using wickedness builds upon sand and the floods wash him away at some point. The righteous builds righteously which produces a firm foundation upon rock. Sadly, some Christians get caught up in this world and build upon sand only to be washed away, as well. https://bbfohio.com

By paying close attention to the order and actual statement of the first half of this Proverb, we come to an important understanding of the wisdom and warning found here. And we also need to take the big picture of life from God's perspective in order to appreciate just how true this is. https://bbfohio.com

Men plan and scheme to get away from God's plan and the Gospel itself. It is WICKED. And such people, like Haman in the book of Esther, will be condemned. As will the leader of the wicked, known as Satan and "the Devil". https://bbfohio.com

When we are told in the Bible that, "A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:..." but also that "there is none good", is this a contradiction? The simple answer is, no. It's a matter of context. We will discuss... https://bbfohio.com

What does the Bible mean when it refers to those who hate reproof as being "brutish"? Are you brutish? We will correct the myth that the word "British" is from the word brutish and look at the Biblical usage of the word as we try to avoid being described as brutish. https://bbfohio.com

Many people claim to love knowledge and want to learn God's word. Yet, they don't love instruction. They put no effort into being instructed. And this is seen most often during Bible study at most church services where the Bible IS being taught but the student is not engaged. https://bbfohio.com

We are promised that God will "recompense" those who live righteously in practical daily living. We will never have to worry about having our needs unmet by our heavenly Father. But we must be careful to understand this Biblically and present it to others accurately in order to avoid the assumption that God somehow "owes us" simply based on our being His children. https://bbfohio.com

"He that winneth souls is wise." What does that refer to? Gospel ministry? Business relationships? Friendships? All of the above? We will right divide and also let Paul and James demonstrate for us from their epistles. https://bbfohio.com

We look at the fruit of the righteous and how the "tree of life" in this context is a metaphor but to understand the metaphor, we must also understand the reality of the Tree of Life in Eden and the New Jerusalem. https://bbfohio.com

We must face the general rule, recognize the exceptions that prove the rule and then look inward. Just because you're saved doesn't mean you're not being foolish. And you may have eternal life and God's desire that you have an abundant life, but you can choose to be foolish and forfeit God's blessing. https://bbfohio.com

The basic truth of this Proverb has been told many times over in literature, including the most well-known classic novel by Charles Dickens titled, "A Christmas Carol." But many miss the point and go too far in reaction to Scrooge's "love of money". We will see the Biblical balance as taught in this Proverb. https://bbfohio.com

Of course, all of these Proverbs are true. But many of them are learned through life's experiences even before we read them in God's word. That is my testimony... https://bbfohio.com

Why would anyone withhold selling corn to those willing to buy it? History provides examples and demonstrates the reality of this Proverb. It may not seem relevant to daily living but it's a principle we ought to learn and apply wisely. And sometimes we just need to learn history so that we don't repeat it. https://bbfohio.com