PROVERBS LESSON 23
We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man
stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife."
We see again, here the wrathful man is always trying to start a
battle over just any little old thing, but the man slow to anger is a
peacemaker and will go to almost any length to avoid an argument.
Proverbs 15:19 "The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of
thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain."
Slothful means lazy, in fact, very lazy. A man who is this lazy
will lie up in bed and let the thorn bushes grow up all around him.
The righteous man speaks also of an industrious man who keeps his path
clean and ready to go.
Proverbs 15:20 "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish
man despiseth his mother."
A wise son follows the instructions of his father and learns his
lesson well. His father is proud of him, because he was an obedient
son who was quick to learn and learned his lesson well. The foolish
man despiseth his mother, because he does not want to learn anything
from anyone else and especially from his mother. She wants to help
him, and he is too arrogant to let her help.
Proverbs 15:21 "Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of
wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly."
Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a
man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death."
Proverbs 15:22 "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in
the multitude of counsellors they are established."
This is a very good saying about listening to advise from others
and weighing to make the best decision possible. The old saying goes,
"Two heads are better than one". It would be foolish indeed to not
discuss something to be done and then take the best advise.
Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a
word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!"
This verse 23 is actually connected to 22. We see here one of the
counsellors who has given good advice and he rejoices in that his
advise was taken. His message was given at just the right time.
Proverbs 15:24 "The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he
may depart from hell beneath."
We see, that the wise choose the way that leads to heaven above.
They are aware that hell exists beneath. They are on a higher plane.
They seek the way of the Godly. Their home is in heaven; and they
refuse the way of sin that leads to hell.
Proverbs 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but
he will establish the border of the widow."
The proud don't think they need any help from anyone. God loves
and helps the humble. We must reach out for his help before He will
give it. God helps those who cannot help themselves. We really need
Him, but some are too proud to admit they need Him.
Proverbs 15:26 "The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination
to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words."
Jesus taught that sin occurs first in the heart and thought. In
Matthew 5:27-28, We see the sin actually occurs in the heart and mind.
Matthew 5:27 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not commit adultery:" Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery
with her already in his heart." The thoughts of the sinner are evil
and are an abomination to God. A pure person has pure thoughts and his
words are pleasant.
Proverbs 15:27 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own
house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."
A greedy person is not just greedy with outsiders, but with the
members of his family as well. The number one cause of divorce in
America today is debt. A greedy person is always accusing the other
members of the family for the debt mess they are in and
consequently arguments occur which leads to divorce. In some families,
there is an unselfish person who enjoys giving to the rest more than
receiving themselves. The person who loves to give and not get will
prosper or live.
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:
but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things."
The person who is slow to speak says fewer things that they
regret later. A righteous person will carefully choose the words they
say so as not to hurt the feelings of the one they are speaking to. An
evil person doesn't care about anyone else's feelings and just blurts
out evil things.
Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth
the prayer of the righteous."
Sin separates us from God. Some have taken this Scripture to mean
that God will not hear the prayer of the sinful man. I believe God
does hear his prayers but will not answer until the sinful man
repents. God is far from the wicked because the wicked has walked away
from God, not the other way around. God does answer the righteous
quicker as we see in the following Scripture. James 5:16 "Confess
[your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much."
Proverbs 15:30 "The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and]
a good report maketh the bones fat."
If we have Jesus in our heart, we have His Light shining within
us. Others see in this person a joy unspeakable that radiates out to
everyone they come in contact with. A good report maketh the bones fat
is very similar to the statement: Good news lifts you up. It makes
your heart leap within you.
Proverbs 15:31 "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth
among the wise."
Over, and over again, in the book of Revelation, it is said, "He
that hath an ear let him hear". This is talking about opening your ear
of understanding to God. We are to be wise unto salvation.
Proverbs 15:32 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own
soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
A person who refuses to be taught is hurting himself more than
anyone else. An unlearned person makes many mistakes. He has no facts
to work with. The person who wants to understand will listen carefully
to someone who knows more, and will even take correction from that
person to learn.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of
wisdom; and before honour [is] humility."
We have said before that humility is very important. We must walk
humbly before God. The honor must come from God and not man. If we
fear God, we will follow in His ways. We will study his Word and know
what is His will in our life. If we fear Him, our desire will be to
please him. This fear actually means we will love Him and respect him
Proverbs Questions 23
1. In verse 18, who stirreth up strife?
2. A man slow to anger could be called a ________?
3. Who is a slothful man?
4. What kind of hedge is around a slothful man?
5. Who maketh a glad father?
6. Why does the foolish despise his mother?
7. How does a man of understanding walk?
8. A man destitute of wisdom walks in _______ _______ _____.
9. Without _______ purposes are disappointed.
10. Why is it good to listen to others' advise?
11. What is meant by, the way of life is above to the wise?
12. Where is the godlys' home?
13. The Lord destroys the house of the proud but establishes whose
borders?
14. Where does sin first occur?
15. The thoughts of the wicked are an ______ to the Lord.
16. Describe a pure person.
17. Who is a greedy person greedy with?
18. What is the number one cause of divorce in America?
19. Who can bring peace to a family (besides God)?
20. What is the difference in the way the righteous answer and the
evil?
21. In verse 29, the Lord hears whose prayers?
22. Why is the Lord far from the wicked?
23. In James 5:16, what kind of prayer availeth much?
24. The ear, in verse 31, is talking about what?
25. Who despises his own soul?
26. Why should we fear God?
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