PROVERBS LESSON 22

     We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth
away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

     It takes two people to have an argument. If we will look here, we
see that we must answer softly. The worst thing we can do is pout and
not talk. Perhaps, we should silently pray a few minutes and then
answer quietly. Screaming never accomplishes anything. It just causes
a fight. Angry words bring angry words in return. The first thing you
know, there are problems difficult to settle, because everyone has
said too much. The best way is to stay calm and talk quietly.

     Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but
the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."

     The tongue is a mighty weapon. The wise are very careful about
what they say. They choose their words carefully. A fool blurts out
whatever comes to mind. He takes no thought at all for what he says.
He stays in trouble by the words that come pouring from his mouth.

     Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place,
beholding the evil and the good."

     In Revelation, we read about the symbolic meaning of eyes (which
mean great wisdom}. In this particular verse, I believe, this is
speaking of the Lord being omnipresent (being every where all the
time). He knows everything we do, even if it is done in cover of
darkness. God is not out to get us. He sees all the good we do as
well.

     Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but
perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit."

     Words can destroy or words can heal. The wholesome tongue speaks
beautiful words of hope. That tongue speaks life and not death. The
wholesome tongue of the preacher brings the good news of the gospel,
and if the message is heeded, it brings eternal life. This
perverseness is probably lies being spoken that will do harm to
others.

     Proverbs 15:5 "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he
that regardeth reproof is prudent."

     A fool will not accept instruction, especially from his father.
He is a  "know it all" has to make every mistake for himself instead
of learning from others mistakes. A person who takes instructions well
will be saved much pain and suffering. He learns from others' mistakes
and doesn't have to pay for each mistake himself.

     Proverbs 15:6 "In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure:
but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble."

     In this, we see two ways of getting treasure. The righteous has
much treasure, because he has earned it fairly and God has blessed
him. The wicked earns theirs in an unlawful way. Ill gotten gain is
soon lost.

     Proverbs 15:7 "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the
heart of the foolish [doeth] not so."

     In Luke 6:45 we read of two different messages the lips bring.
Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth
forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of
the heart his mouth speaketh." We see the heart is where the message
originates.

     Proverbs 15:8 "The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to
the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight."

     We see one of the first offerings in the Bible being rejected by
God. Cain's offering was unacceptable to God, Cain even killed his
brother because of his jealousy. Prayer changes things. God listens to
our prayers. We see all the Patriarchs praying to God. Great men of
the Bible such as Moses, Joseph, and David all prayed often to God.
Even Jesus prayed to the Father. God likes for us to pray. Prayer is a
time for fellowshipping with God. We read in Philippians 4:6 "Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

     Proverbs 15:9 "The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the
LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness."

     This is speaking of a way of life. A pattern is set to either
walk the broad way of wickedness which leads to destruction or to walk
the straight and narrow path which pleases God. There are only two
paths. We must go on one or the other. The path of righteousness is
the path the Christian must take.

     Proverbs 15:10 "Correction [is] grievous unto him that forsaketh
the way: [and] he that hateth reproof shall die."

     Forsaking the way of life is intended here. Jesus is the Way and
to forsake Him brings death. Sin has to be repented of and corrected
to get in the way which leads to life. Those who reject repentance and
correction (in Jesus) shall die in their sins.

     Proverbs 15:11 "Hell and destruction [are] before the LORD: how
much more then the hearts of the children of men?"

     We see by this that hell and destruction are fully known of God.
God, also, can see into the heart of man and knows what is in each
person's heart. God even knows the desires of each person's heart. God
even knows the desires  of our heart before we pray. But he wants us
to pray. He even knows how many hairs are upon your head.

     Proverbs 15:12 "A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him:
neither will he go unto the wise."

     This scorner is an arrogant, conceited person who dislikes anyone
who tries to correct him. This possibly has to do with not wanting to
be taught about God. The wise would be telling him about God.

     Proverbs 15:13 "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but
by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

     I have said so many times that you can look into the eyes of a
person and tell what is inside them. If your heart is merry, your eyes
will sparkle and there will be a big smile on your face. When the
heart is sorrowful, the eyes are dull, and a big frown is on the face.
The spirit of man being broken goes along with the sorrow. Sorrow
effects not only our outward look but effects the spirit in a negative
way, as well.

     Proverbs 15:14 "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh
knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

     We see that the heart's desire of the first person here is to
seek even more knowledge. The fool is always hanging on to every
foolish things he hears. He feeds on falsehoods.

     Proverbs 15:15 "All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he
that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast."

     We see, that this affliction is not physical, but probably had to
do with depression. We see a person whose depression is almost
continuous. This person never sees anything good; he looks at the dark
side of life. The contrast here is he of a merry heart sees everything
from a positive attitude. Life to him is a continuous joy. The
righteous always are at peace.

     Proverbs 15:16 "Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than
great treasure and trouble therewith."

     We have said in an earlier lesson in Proverbs fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom. Fear of the Lord brings a relationship with
God that will get you to heaven. There is no treasure great enough
that it would be worth trading eternity with God for. Wealth many
times brings sorrow. Christians should be content with whatever state
they are in. Wealth sometimes keeps people away from really close
relationship with God. It would be much better to be poor and close to
God.

     Proverbs 15:17 "Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than
a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

     This is telling us again, that pleasant company is far more
important at a meal than the food on the table. The ox is speaking of
some fairly expensive meat. Herbs here, is speaking of a meal of
vegetables. I heard someone say that for many years they didn't have
enough money to buy bacon and eggs for breakfast, and they just had
gravy and bread. She said we were happy and didn't even realize we
were missing anything. Happiness is what we are all looking for, not
some special food.

                                Notes

















































                        Proverbs Questions 22

1.  In verse 1, what turns away wrath?
2.  What kind of words stir up anger?
3.  What is the worst thing we can do in a discussion?
4.  What does the mouth of a fool pour out?
5.  Describe a wise tongue?
6.  Where are the eyes of the Lord?
7.  What does that tell us about the Lord?
8.  What is the symbolic meaning of eyes?
9.  What is the tree of life in verse 4?
10. What does the wholesome tongue of a preacher bring?
11. What is the difference in a wise man and a foolish man?
12. Where is the treasure found?
13. The lips of the wise disperse____________.
14. Where does the message that comes from the mouth originate?
15. When the wicked sacrifice to God, it is an _________ to Him?
16. How are we to let our requests be known to God?
17. What are the only two paths of life open to us?
18. Correction is grievous to whom?
19. What 2 bad things are before the Lord?
20. What lets us know how much God knows about each of us?
21. Who is the scorner in verse 12?
22. A merry heart makes what?
23. Describe the look of a person with a sorrowful heart.
24. What does a fool feed on?
25. All the days of the afflicted are _____________.
26. What kind of affliction are we talking about, probably?
27. Better is little with fear of the Lord than what?
28. What reward will fear of the Lord get you?
29. Better is a dinner of herbs where _______ is than a stalled ox and
    hatred.
30. What is this telling us is more important than fine food?
31. What are we all looking for out of life here on this earth, other
    than God?
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