Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
July 21, 2004
Introduction
Proverbs are considered Hebrew Poetry.
Our poetry is about the rhyming of words, of sounds.
In Hebrew, poetry is the “rhyming” of thoughts – either in parallel
thoughts or in contrasting thoughts.
Proverbs 12
:1 but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
brutish – ba‘ar – brutishness, stupidity
:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband
Note: It’s a “virtuous” woman,
not a “virtual” woman. We’re not talking internet here …
virtuous – chayil – strength, might, efficiency, wealth,
army. This is the word that us used to talk of “men of valour”.
It seems that this speaks a lot of “strength”. Sometimes when we talk about
women being “submissive” to their husbands, we lose that idea of “strength”,
but it’s not foreign to the Bible. A strong woman is a blessing to her husband.
(Pr 12:4 NIV) A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but
a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Do you realize what a blessing your spouse is? Have you told them lately?
We’ll see more on the “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31 –
(Prov 31:10 KJV) Who can find a virtuous
woman? for her price is far above rubies.
:7 …but the house of the righteous shall stand.
There is a promise here for our kids:
(Pr 12:7 NLT) The wicked perish and are gone, but the children of
the godly stand firm.
(Pr 12:7 The Message) Wicked people fall to pieces—there’s nothing
to them; the homes of good people hold together.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I worry how my boys are going to turn
out. It’s scary as they’re entering into their teenage years.
One of the best things we can do for our kids is to live a “righteous”
life. Keep following Jesus.
:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that
honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
(Pr 12:9 The Message) Better to be ordinary and work for a living
than act important and starve in the process.
Illustration
Big Shot
A newly promoted colonel had moved into a makeshift office during the last Gulf
War. He was just getting unpacked when out of the corner of his eye, he noticed
a private with a toolbox coming his way. Wanting to seem important, he grabbed
the phone: “Yes, General Schwarzkopf. Of course, I think that’s an excellent
plan.” He continued: “You’ve got my support on it. Thanks for checking with me.
Let’s touch base again soon, Norm. Good-bye.” “And what can I do for you?” he
asked the private. “Uhhh, I’m just here to hook up
your phone.”
By Bill Hybels
and Mark Mittelberg; Becoming a Contagious Christian
:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast
Your walk with the Lord can be reflected in how you treat animals.
:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with
bread:
Lesson
Hard work
For some reason, some people are a little lazy.
Illustration
Two friends who hadn’t seen each other in years met in a supermarket. One
woman asked, “Tell me, Ruth, how is your son George?”
“He’s getting along fine,” Ruth replied. “He’s a poet. He just received his
master’s degree in literature from the university.”
“And what about Mary?”
“She’s just as smart as George,” Ruth replied. “She graduated from college
with a degree in modern art.”
“Wonderful. And how is little Freddy? What is he doing?”
“Well,” Ruth said, “Freddy is still Freddy. He wouldn’t go to college—he
became a plumber instead. If it weren’t for him, we’d all be starving.”
-- Sunshine Magazine
Paul wrote,
(2 Th 3:7-12 NLT) For you know that you
ought to follow our example. We were never lazy when we were with you. {8} We
never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and
night so that we would not be a burden to any of you. {9} It wasn't that we
didn't have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an
example to follow. {10} Even while we were with you, we gave you this rule:
"Whoever does not work should not eat." {11} Yet we hear that some of
you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other
people's business. {12} In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such
people--no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living.
:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men
(Pr 12:12
NIV) The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous
flourishes.
The wicked person gets their “stuff” by plundering others, the righteous
person produces their own “stuff”.
:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips
(Pr 12:13
The Message) The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble; the conversation of
good people keeps them out of it.
:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise.
(Pr 12:15
The Message) Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take
advice.
It’s one thing to realize that people need advice – but is it always other
people that need advice, or do you need it from time to time?
:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
(Pr 12:16
NLT) A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
Got a quick temper? What does that make you?
(James 1:19-20 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: {20} For the wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God.
:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of
the wise is health.
Lesson
Hurting or healing
Your words can cut like a butcher knife or heal like a scalpel.
Illustration
Big red buttons
The closer we get to somebody, the more “buttons” we uncover in their life.
Those big red buttons marked “Warning, do not push except under nuclear
attack!” Those areas that are extra sensitive in a person’s life. Resolve not
to push other people’s buttons.
Illustration
A Burst Of Confidence
When the employees of a restaurant attended a fire safety seminar, they
watched a fire official demonstrate the proper way to operate an extinguisher.
“Pull the pin like a hand grenade,” he explained, “then depress the trigger to
release the foam.” Later an employee was selected to extinguish a controlled
fire in the parking lot. In her nervousness, she forgot to pull the pin. The
instructor hinted, “Like a hand grenade, remember?” In a burst of confidence
she pulled the pin .... and hurled the extinguisher at the blaze.
How are you responding to the fires around you?
Are you just pulling the pin and throwing the
extinguisher? Or putting out the fire?
Are you throwing water or gasoline on the flames?
:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD
(Pr 12:22
The Message) God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep
their word.
You’re going to see as we go through proverbs that there’s just about no
good reason to be telling a lie.
:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh
it glad.
(Prov 12:25 NASB) Anxiety in the
heart of a man weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
Lesson
Encourage others
This week I got a couple of encouraging phone calls. One friend called and
left a message just to tell me that he thought I was doing a great job and that
he appreciated me. My wife called me today to tell me about something she
appreciated.
Boy those calls made me feel good. They made me feel “glad”.
(Prov 15:30 NASB) Bright eyes
gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.
:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the
substance of a diligent man is precious.
Lesson
The importance of diligence
We’ve seen this several times so far.
(Prov 10:4-5 KJV) He becometh poor that
dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. {5} He
that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a
son that causeth shame.
Diligence brings wealth.
(Prov 11:27 KJV) He that
diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it
shall come unto him.
Diligence towards good things produces “favour”
(Prov 12:24 KJV) The hand of the
diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Diligence is a part of good leaders.
(Prov 12:27 KJV) The slothful man
roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man
is precious.
(Pr 12:27
NKJV) {27} The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But
diligence is man’s precious possession.
If you are learning diligence – it’s a very precious possession of yours.
Illustration
William Carey, the father of modern missions wrote, “I can plod. That is my
only genius. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe
everything.”
Diligence – finishing what you start.
:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there
is no death.
(Rom 6:23
KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
The way of righteousness is to know Jesus. He brings life.
Proverbs 13
:1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction
It’s hard to listen to instruction from others, but it seems that there
comes a time in a person’s life when it seems especially hardest to listen to
your dad’s instruction.
Illustration
Growing Opinions of Dad
4 years: My daddy can do anything.
7 years: My dad knows a lot, a whole lot.
8 years: My father doesn’t know quite everything.
12 years: Oh, well, naturally Father doesn’t know that, either.
14 years: Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man is out-of-date. What did you expect?
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks.
35 years: A little patience. Let’s get Dad’s assessment before we do
anything.
50 years: I wonder what Dad would have thought about that. He was pretty
smart.
60 years: My Dad knew absolutely everything!
65 years: I’d give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with
him. I really miss that man.
:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that
maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
(Prov 13:7 NLT) Some who are poor pretend
to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
Lesson
Contentment
Lucius Annaeus Seneca,
around 60 A.D. said “Money has never yet made anyone rich.”
Illustration
MAKE YOUR LIFE RICH WITHOUT MONEY
Six things that characterize the richest people on earth:
1. Rich people know the speed limit. Most of us know what makes our lives
rich. We know what brings us joy, what glues a permanent smile to our faces.
The trouble is, we’re driving too fast to notice. We’re too busy working
overtime, meeting deadlines, running stoplights; the things that make life rich
are lost in the blur. Rich people pull out of the fast lane and look around for
the answers.
2. Rich people hit curveballs. Their lives have not been the easiest. They
don’t always pick up the phone and hear good news, or respond with grace to
every crisis. But they are learning how to stand in the batter’s box and take a
swing when life throws them a curveball. They are learning where to turn when
the road starts to wind unexpectedly.
3. Rich people are people people. C. S. Lewis
said that “Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods.” At its best,
companionship deepens our joy, lightens our load, and brightens our paths. But,
face it, friendships end. Marriages dissolve. People disappoint. Rich people
still reach out to others, even when they’ve been disappointed or hurt.
4. Rich people know where the buck stops. It is important to know what
money can - and cannot - buy. Money can buy nice houses, but not a home; a
fancy bed, but not a peaceful sleep; companions, but not friends; sex, but not
love; new cars, but not safety; pills, but not health, fun but not fulfillment.
The apostle Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.”
5. Rich people leave the right things behind. When we leave this earth, we
won’t take anything with us. Some will leave an inheritance of wealth. But the
greatest legacy we can leave behind are our footprints - everywhere we go.
Grace-full footprints. Footprints of encouragement. Of kindness. Of
forgiveness. Of love. Footprints that others will want to follow.
6. Rich people have the last laugh. Some people do their darndest to bring us “back to earth,” focusing on the bad
times. But although times may be bad, they are the only times we have. It’s
much better to spend time playing ball with your kids, or planting a tree, than
to be depressing yourself - and others - with unfulfilled dreams or regrets. In
the darkest of times, rich people know that the best is yet to come...heaven.
From Making Life Rich Without Any
Money by Phil Callaway, copyright © 1998. Used by permission of Harvest House
Publishers, Eugene, Ore.
:8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
(Prov 13:8 NLT) The rich can pay a
ransom, but the poor won't even get threatened.
There are advantages to being poor – bad people don’t kidnap your friends
(‘cause you can’t pay the ransom!)
:10 Only by pride cometh contention
(Prov
13:10
NIV) Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Lesson
Pride and strife.
How many of our difficulties that we have with people boil down to pride?
2Kings 14 – Amaziah became king of Judah
at the age of 25. When he got his kingdom all settled down, he went out to war
and fought with the Edomites, winning a great battle. But at that point his
pride kicked in. He thought he could take on the world. So he challenged
Jehoash, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel
to a battle. Jehoash replied:
(2 Ki 14:10-12 NLT) You have indeed
destroyed Edom
and are very proud about it. Be content with your victory and stay at home! Why
stir up trouble that will bring disaster on you and the people of Judah?"
{11} But Amaziah refused to listen, so King Jehoash of Israel
mobilized his army against King Amaziah of Judah.
The two armies drew up their battle lines at Beth-shemesh
in Judah.
{12} Judah
was routed by the army of Israel,
and its army scattered and fled for home.
Pride leads to strife.
When you are arguing with someone and you can’t resolve the issue, what
keeps things at odds? Pride.
When you are arguing with someone and you realize you were the one who was
wrong, what keeps you from admitting it and apologizing? Pride.
:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished
vanity – hebel – vapour, breath
(Prov 13:11 NLT) Wealth from
get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.
(Prov 13:11 ICB) Money that comes
easily disappears quickly. But money that is gathered little by little will
slowly grow.
There are no Scriptures that seem to speak directly towards the issue of
gambling or the lottery, but this comes pretty close. This could also apply
towards the “get-rich-quick” investment things that people get sucked into.
:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is
a tree of life.
(Prov 13:12 ICB) It is sad when
you don't get what you hoped for. But when wishes come true, it's like eating
fruit from the tree of life.
Lesson
Dealing with disappointment
Illustration
Snow White
I think we need to be careful about the
“I’ve-got-to-get-this-thing-now” situations. Buying a new car, getting some new
toy, be careful about the pressure that comes from having to have it “now” so
you don’t get heartsick over it.
It would be better to learn to wait and be careful what you set your heart
on.
It would be better to really be content with, “Whatever the Lord wants”. He
gives and takes away – blessed be the name of the Lord.
(Psa 37:4 KJV) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give
thee the desires of thine heart.
When we delight ourselves in Him, we will find the better desires in our
heart, the things we ought to be desiring.
:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed
It’s a sad thing for a person to “despise” God’s Word. We might not like
some of the things that God says, but we’re only hurting ourselves if we
despise God’s Word.
A person might despise the Law of Gravity, but he’s a fool if he acts on
it.
:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor…
(Prov
13:23
ICB) A poor man's field might have plenty of food. But unfair people steal it
from him.
:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son
Spare the rod and spoil the child. It’s not a command but a principle.
Lesson
Disciplining children.
It’s one of the hardest things a parent has to do – to discipline their child.
Teaching
Discipline is about teaching what is right and what is wrong.
The goal is instruction
– you are teaching them for a reason.
I used to tell my boys something like, “I love you so much
and I don’t want you growing up to be a boy who always hurts others and no one
likes. That’s why you can’t keep acting like this.”
Anger
Doing it without anger – anger in you only breeds anger in the child.
When I was angry, I used to take the paddle and paddle myself to shake it
off.
Appropriate
Knowing what is appropriate – sometimes spanking is appropriate, sometimes
it is not. Find out what works.
Age & Action
Child must be old enough to tell you what they did was wrong.
But once they are old enough to talk to you, you need to
take action – don’t put it off.
Chinese Proverb – “Parents
who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their
toes.”
Dr. Dobson – “The parent must convince himself that
discipline is not something he does to the
child; it is something he does for the
child.”
Authority
I think a much over-looked aspect of discipline is to teach your child
respect for those in authority.
You might not think that you deserve much respect from anyone.
But you can’t let that attitude be your reason not to
teach your child to respect others.
If you allow your child to speak disrespectfully to you,
you are opening the door to them disrespecting others in authority over them.
A key to getting along in society is learning to respect
the proper authority.
When you’re married, it’s good to stick up for your spouse
– don’t allow your children to be disrespectful towards your spouse.
It’s hardest when you have to be the one to teach them to
respect you – but you have a reason – you are teaching them to respect
authority, not just you. This is hardest on single moms.
Love
Discipline must be coupled with love
“I love you too much to let you behave like that.” (James C. Dobson)
When the child understands what they did wrong, they need
to be forgiven and loved on.