December 5, 2024
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8 ESV). A timely word from the book of Proverbs for today. For it highlights the difference between the scoffer and the wise. The scoffer is one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns a person or an idea. When they encounter disunity and disagreement
December 4, 2024
“By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down” (Proverbs 29:4 ESV). This proverb of Solomon speaks of two types of kings, one who builds up and one who tears down. The one who builds up is rare. For he leads by “justice.” He leads with discretion and
November 24, 2024
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 ESV). The first impulse of sinful humanity, as displayed in Adam and Eve, is the desire to conceal sin. For after they transgressed God’s command and ate of the forbidden fruit, they immediately sought to hide
November 4, 2024
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2 ESV). In this modern era of social media and self-promotion, this proverb seems out of place. Yet self aggrandizement is still unwise. For if you praise yourself, others will not only remain silent, they will think you
September 9, 2024
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV). There is a biblical theology of work. God works. God made man in His own image and gave him work to do too. The modern view that there is a division
August 27, 2024
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV). This proverb speaks of the God-given stewardship of parenting. For children are a gift from the Lord and parents are called of the Lord to raise them to follow Him. The
August 17, 2024
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ESV). This proverb states a truth that is usually revealed over time. For the one who loves pleasure and drink may seem happy for a time. But after a while their love of comfort leads
July 29, 2024
‘Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?’ (Proverbs 20:9 ESV). Solomon’s rhetorical question assumes a negative response. The sinfulness of humanity was an accepted reality in his day. Yet, this wisdom has been thrown into question in modern times by the tenets of humanism. The philosophy of
July 10, 2024
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV). This proverb contrasts the difference between having “many companions” and one close “friend.” For which is better? To have many fair weather companions who disappear at the first sign of trouble, or
July 9, 2024
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22 ESV). We live in a day when marriage is not highly respected. It is often joked about and devalued. But marriage was God’s idea. It is not a mere social construct, but of Divine design. It is God’s