Proverbs 17

Greetings!

17     Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.

That speaks volumes about how important wisdom is in decision making.  You can marry all sorts of people and be within God’s moral laws, but there are many ways to choose unwisely.  Several Proverbs point to the folly of [...]

Proverbs 16

Greetings!  Here is another major dose of wisdom from the Lord.

16     To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.

People are really good at rationalizing away their sins.  I know I [...]

Proverbs 15

Greetings!
15     A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I encourage everyone to memorize and apply verse 1.  You can use it all day, every day with great success.  I don’t follow it all the time but when I do it works so well.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, [...]

Proverbs 14

Greetings! 
Verse 1 should convict us all.  If we are not careful our words and deeds can destroy the things we worked hard to build.  How many times have we seen a few careless words destroy long term relationships?  Or critical spirits or misplaced priorities damage relationships permanently?

14     The wise woman builds her house, but with her [...]

Proverbs 12

Greetings!
Solomon didn’t pull any punches in v. 1!  It convicts me of the many times that pride keeps me from wanting correction.
V. 4 emphasizes character as the trait of a wife (or, presumably, a husband).  It is more important than fleeting beauty.  What could be worse than a decay in your bones?

12     Whoever loves discipline loves [...]

Proverbs 11

Greetings!  It is time for another chapter of wisdom from the book of Proverbs.
1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales,
but accurate weights are his delight.
What a simple thought - but consider the implications.  Even though so many businesses prey on the ignorance of customers, Christians should not do that.  Time and again businesses that put the [...]

Proverbs 10

Greetings!
Proverbs 10 (NIV)
Proverbs of Solomon
10     The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

Another reason God warns us not to take things that don’t belong to us.  Not only does it [...]

Proverbs 9

Greetings! 

Proverbs 9
Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly
 1 Wisdom has built her house;
       she has hewn out its seven pillars.
 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
       she has also set her table.
 3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls
       from the highest point of the city.
 4 “Let all who are simple [...]

Proverbs 8

Greetings!  In Proverbs 7 an adulteress calls out, but in Proverbs 8 wisdom personified as a woman calls out.  The importance of wisdom is emphasized.  It is more important than riches.
Verse 17 notes that all who seek widsom will find it.  That reminds me of Matthew 7:7-8 where Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to [...]

Proverbs 7

Greetings!  This Proverb continues the warnings against adultery.  Again, the dangers of sexual sin are spelled out in graphic terms: “like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life . . . Many [...]

Proverbs 6

Greetings!  We’ll cover Proverbs for a couple days, then start Genesis.
The first section reminds me of what I often tell my kids: “The first thing to do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.“  The Proverbs are actually after something more in depth, though - to make restitution once you have [...]

Proverbs 5

Greetings!  Here are some timeless words of wisdom about sexual purity and avoiding adultery.  At a time when married people are in the minority for the first time in U.S. history, this advice is more important than ever.  Sex outside of marriage has destroyed countless lives and relationships.  It makes it hard for people to [...]

Proverbs 4

Greetings!  Read this closely and carefully and soak in the wisdom:
Proverbs 4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught [...]

Proverbs 3

Greetings!  This reading is Proverbs 3.  Lots of wisdom here!

Proverbs 3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of [...]

Proverbs 2

Greetings!  This reading is Proverbs 2.
Keep in mind that while Solomon wrote to his son, you can flip the genders of the characters in nearly all of the Proverbs and they are just as applicable.

Proverbs 2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to [...]

Proverbs 1

Greetings!  This reading is Proverbs 1.
The first section lists all the benefits of reading Proverbs. 
Proverbs 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving [...]

Proverbs overview

Greetings!  This reading is an overview of Proverbs.  Grab your Bible and scan through Proverbs.  We’ll cover 5-6 chapters over the next couple weeks. 
Who wrote this and when was it written?  Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, wrote most of Proverbs early in his reign (roughly 960 B.C.).
To whom was it written?  [...]