Chapter 22 That Old “There’s a Lion Outside” Excuse Proverbs re-hashes some more choice topics: a good name is better than riches, God creates both the rich and the poor, humility is pretty great, and you should discipline your kids. Solomon continues to show us the virtues and vices of the good and the evil and the accompanying results of each behavior. Interspersed within these proverbs are an occasional contrast with the righteous and their behavior. This is a synthetic proverb in which the 2nd verse adds to the information of the first line. This maxim tells us that the decisions of the king are in God’s hands and he guides them in the directions that please Himself. This antithetic proverb (but) moves from the sovereignty of God in v.1 to the Omniscience of God. We may think we are right in our ways and actions, but God sees what’s really going on inside our hidden parts. God is more concerned about what is righteous and just then He is about our sacrifices and offerings. Recall Jesus’ “in your face” rebuke of the Pharisees. They gave great attention to the formalities of a ritual but lacked righteousness {Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. Matthew 23:27} and justice. In one instance, He referred to them as “white-washed tombs.” As a figure of speech: “a fleeting vapor,” an excellent choice of words to describe the flaw of a fortune made by fraudulent means. Another figure of speech: “the deadly snare” is a picture that the hunting culture of this time knew quite well. Must remember the froward man meant: difficult to deal with; bull~headed; get the picture. All behavior is revealed from the heart.Using the talents God has given you to give back to the poor, powerless, the weaker vessel. All persons are mportant to God. A good reputation is more important than wealth. Riches such as gold and silver are not permanent. They are nice to have, but are not nearly as valuable as more permanent things.
Proverbs Chapter 22:1-29
GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, what a wealth of honesty there is in the book of Proverbs. I thank You and praise You for reminding me that You desire purity of heart and graciousness of speech in Your children. I believe the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart, the actions I give, and the motives behind all I do, be pleasing in Your sight. I am believing that You will continue to purify my heart, with the burning coal of Your purifying fire so that after I have been tried, I may come forth as gold. I believe for all my words may be seasoned with salt and spoken in love for all I come in contact with so I can be Your light in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.”
Proverbs 22:11
"Only Life Changes" 