16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Why might you ask? Though gold is great for a time, it is still a limited commodity and only temporary. After this life is the eternal one. If we are not widely invested in the life to come, we can be sure to suffer loss and for those without a personal loving relationship with Creator God, eternal damnation because He wanted that relationship with you and I! Understanding is useless if you are without a relationship!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.
Highway here should be taken as the fast way or sure way from point A to point B. To be on the highway is to follow after Jesus. But like any traveler, at times you take the wrong exit, get turned around, and even get in an accident from time to time. This is precisely why we are admonished to allow Christ to be our gps and guide!
8 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Favorite verse in all of Scripture. Not because I have attained it but rather because so often I fail. Compounded with the fact that I’ve had to learn to walk three times now, it helps one stay grounded to the fact that we are but one breath away from ceasing to live.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Tine after time and example after example individuals can be used as pictures of what NOT to do, self-included! Rather that count your chips before the hand is finished remember we’ve still got spoil to gain as we advance the gospel to the outermost of the earth!
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
In our attention deprived, fast food environment, we want three points and a poem one or two times a year so we can check off our religiosity card for the year. Nevertheless, giving our full attention to His Holy Word yields life everlasting & the added benefit of help for today as well! That’s why blessed is he who trusts (daily) in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it are three separate skills we all must master. A doctor may find cancer but because of their training let the patient know in a calm and reassuring manner. A carpenter may find termites that have eaten the frame up in the basement without the owner knowing. To me the sweetness of their behavior can belie the truth they have found. Shoot straight and tell the truth!
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.
That is why the discipline in question here is understanding of life. Difficulty is a given, how you and I deal with the difficulty often determines our legacy or languishing!
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
That is why the motive of the wise is to build nor burden beyond repair. Often to build tearing down part of the structure is necessary. Yet as one replaces the foundation with brick and mortar, the wood, hay, and stubble formerly gathered can be burnt off in lieu of solid foundation!
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Honeycomb was primarily used in this time as the sweetener for the meals. Pleasant words, like pleasant food often have both a restorative effect on both the mind and body!
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Too often I have been deceived to thinking the easy way was the right way. Sometimes it is but more often I have to be reminded that I am a guest here. This is not my eternal home. As such, as a sojourner, I will lead my family with the view that one day all this will pass and we will dell forevermore on a new earth with Him. It is to this future we should fix our gaze
26 A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.
Plain enough, if you’re to live you’re to work. One day that privilege will pass but if you’re hungry, work
27 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.
In the dark corners of the world wide web all sorts of mischief can be found. Likewise however, and closer to home, it may be that those in need are placed in your care because you have a need to provide. What can you and I offer?
28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
Verse 28 speaks clearly but I wonder could the slander I utter be used as a dart of Satan to be hurled at others? Don’t speak in darts but love!
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.
Someone who encourages senseless violence could be the catalyst for further trouble. Are the words I am speaking building up the kingdom or creating further division?
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
Perhaps foreign to many but to a Jew is these days, to wink your eye was to give approval of an encouragement to evil. Flee evil and encourage good!
31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is given often to those who have been through adverse and difficult trials. While certainly not a blanket statement, I certainly know that my beard was red and brown until I was a pastor for a short time. Now it being gray as well as my hair on my head in understand gray hair just means that you have made so many bad decisions that the color of your hair has either fallen out or colors have been hidden from the world!
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Why? To capture should require planning and compassion as the people inside are still people or created potential representatives of the King of kings. Thus to barge in and command your way is to ignore the planning and foresight of those who came before. Instead, learn from what has already been done so that you may build and not conquer.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Playing a number of board games this Christmas and recognizing the lot of the dices decision seemed to be dictated by chance made me even more aware, Jehovah God knows the cast of the dice, the hairs on our head, and the breaths we have left. Therefore, probably best to check with Him on what’s next! Blessings as you continue!
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