Proverbs 10:4–5 – The value of diligence

In these two verses, Solomon set out to contrast two sets of work attitudes. In verse 4, he contrasts for us what happens to those who are slothful and indifferent, as opposed to those who are industrious and conscientious. The results are evident. The slothful and indifferent people end up being poor and ineffective. When we consider the fact that work is the first mandate God has given to man, we must take it diligently. Remember after God had created Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden, His first instruction to him was to dress, keep, till the garden and be fruitful and multiple. To be lazy and slothful would be contrary to that instruction. There is dignity in work, so the Bible says. Why? Because God knows that those who are indolent will be severely disadvantaged, they will remain poor. Whereas the diligent will be wealthy. The emphasis is on working hard. And one who is hardworking is never afraid of work. 

Just as verse 4 shows the result of the slothful versus the diligent, verse 5 contrasts for us another set of attitudes – those who are prudent versus those who procrastinate. One who is prudent has foresight, he looks at the season of life and seizes the opportunity, takes advantage of the time and accumulate. Think of it this way, when fruits are not gathered during summer, when the weather permits, they will go to ruin by the heavy rain of autumn. A person who does not work when the season calls for has acted disgracefully and dishonorably.   

From these two verses, we learn that our wealth in a sense is determined by our work. This is God’s law of providence. Remember, whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap. Like it or not, our wealth is determined by our attitude towards work. Know that diligence at work will invariably work out positively for us. Work always develops strength and vigor whereas idleness makes one sloppy and aimless. Furthermore, Paul tells us that we are God’s stewards on earth and stewardship demands responsibility. Keep in mind that there is a time for everything. To sleep during harvest time is living inconsistent with what the purpose this season is made for. It reflects foolishness because sleep during harvest time causes one to lose precious opportunities. In these two verses we are challenged to be diligent workers and to seize every opportunity. We are God’s stewards called to labor for Him. Let’s be mindful of the Lord Jesus’ challenge on this Easter morning of 1 April 2018. He said: “Work while it is day, for when night comes, no man can work.” So, let’s get to it and seize the day!

Proverbs 10:1-3 –Developing life through wise decisions

Unlike a series of godly discourses of a father to a son in Proverbs 1-9, chapter 10 right through to chapter 22 contain a collection of warnings, injunctions, inspirations, explanations, and encouragements. The sayings in Proverbs 10-22 are randomly arranged without any predominant theme. Each can be taken and meditated on individually. Each is a stand-alone and is not dependent on the surrounding verses for context.  As we consider each and seek to live them, we will be led into a life of character that’s pleasing to God. As we meditate on each, bear in mind that each is talking to people in covenant relationship with God.   

Verse 1 contains an observation on the part of a son to determine for himself whether he is a wise person or a fool.  It calls for self-observation to the response one makes to his parents. How the parents emotionally respond to his actions, speech and character will provide the clear evidence that will show whether he is wise or not. This presupposes that the parents in discussion are wise and godly. Unlike foolish parents, wise ones are usually encouraged and will rejoice at the righteous behaviour of their son. They will certainly be saddened and irked by their son’s folly. Underscores here is also the idea that how parents respond to the behaviour of a son will be a source of motivation for how a wise son should live and behave himself. His love for his parents will ensure that he will live and behave in ways that would please his godly father and mother.

In verse 2, we read, ^“Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” In essence this verse tells us that there is something more precious and valuable than material goods. Wealth that had been gathered through unrighteous means may not truly benefit the one who obtain them illegally. Why? Because the wealth he had gathered cannot extricate or save him from death. One cannot buy life with money. Whereas righteousness, a quality of the wise, enables him to live wisely and conduct a life that keeps him on the right path and away from dangerous situations. This will extricate him from undue stress and untimely death.

Verse 3 says, “The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger, but He will reject the craving of the wicked.” It is obvious that the righteous and the wicked are each driven by different considerations in life. The righteous recognizes the basic necessities and sustenance of life and will be satisfied if they are met. Whereas, the wicked are more concerned about their desires and longing, the more luxurious items of life. Being more realistic, the righteous will not be overlooked by God. Whereas the wicked unrealistically pin their hope on the longing for more luxurious living that are not even necessary. Hence, they are disappointed because God will not pander to their craving. So chose righteousness and be sure of the attention of God!

Proverbs 9:13-18 – The price of foolishness

In the first 12 verses, Proverbs 9 gives us a description of wisdom. Now in the last six verses it presents folly as a boisterous woman. She’s an empty vessel that makes a lot of noises. Like wisdom, folly also invites the simple, the inexperienced and those lacking understanding, hoping to sway the indecisive into taking her path and do life her way. But unlike wisdom, her intention is to trap them and lead them into a lifestyle of death. The simple lacks the ability to differentiate between good and evil, especially in their fleshly appetite. Hence, they can be easily enticed into gratifying their base nature. On the other hand, those lacking understanding are swayed because they lack a strong resolve to follow the path of virtue. Knowing their gullibility and indecisiveness, folly appeals to these two categories of people urging them to pander to their desires.

In verse 17, folly makes her sales pitch. She proposes that “Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”  Figuratively speaking, drinking and eating refer to sexual relationship. The word stolen is suggestive of an illicit tryst, an adulterous affair. Notice that wisdom offers food and wine i.e. food for thought to her guests, folly offers bread and water. They are in direct contrast. Food and wine are rich and satisfying whereas bread and water are fit only for beggars. Meagre bread and water appear more attractive because forbidden food, they say, always tastes sweeter. But is it? The godly man will not eat stolen bread nor drink stolen water. For in Proverbs 5:15 wisdom dictates he will only drink water from his own cistern i.e. he will have sexual intimacy only with his wife. Folly suggests that illicit liaison is more exciting and enjoyable than godly marriage. The covert nature of this activity adds to the excitement, giving the idea that common sense has been outwitted. How dumb can one be?   

What is the end of heeding the call of folly? Verse 18 says that gullibly the simple enter the house of folly. Bear in mind that there is no free meal for immorality. Those who are baited by the invitation of folly will soon realize the huge moral price they’ll have to pay. Thinking that they are truly living, they are dilly-dallying with death. They fail to realize that they have just walked through the gateway of death, both moral and spiritual death. It is imperative that we consider life carefully. The wise man builds his life on the Word of God and the solid Rock of Christ. The foolish man panders to his base desire, has a jolly good time but ends up in the house of death. Remember, the wise man says only fools rush in.

Proverbs 9:1-12 – The path of wisdom

Proverbs 9 gives us a description of both wisdom and folly. In thinking about what’s written here, we must keep in mind the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 7:24-27. It’s a parable that encourages us to build our life on the right foundation. It tells of two houses with different foundations. The two houses were symbols of two lifestyles. The wise build it on solid rock but the fool, on sandy ground. Both houses or lives are tested by the same storm of life. The one that is built on solid rock stood firm and strong in the storm, whereas the one built on sandy ground fell because of its weak foundation. Wisdom encourages us to build a strong life that comes from listening and applying God’s Word to life. Folly suggests that we do not need the Word of God. The result is obvious – disaster. When our lifestyle is based on the principles of God’s Word we are likened to that wise man. When we have no regard for God’s Word, we have in fact engaged in a foolish lifestyle that will end in utter destruction. Here in Proverbs 9, the teacher also sets out before us two ways to do life – one through the eye of wisdom and one through the eye of folly. We must carefully consider each and decide which of the two we prefer. They serve as two invitations as well as two warnings.

Verses 1-12 talk about patterning our life on wisdom and verses 13-18, on folly. In verses 1-3, wisdom is depicted as a house with seven pillars hewn from stones. It is no ordinary house. It is a strong mansion perfectly supported by its seven strong pillars. The emphasis is not so much on the pillars but on the number seven. In the Bible the number seven is a symbol of perfection or completeness. On the table in this house, wisdom has set a banquet of rich and nutritious food and well mixed drink. It is a figurative way of telling us that wisdom always provides us with plenty of rich food for thought. The maidens represent the messengers who are sent out to invite all to come and taste of her wisdom.  Two categories of people need to come. First category is the simple, referring to those who are thoughtless. The second category refers to those who lack understanding, meaning those who are teachable. But to profit from wisdom, they must choose not to remain simple and to pursue understanding. Bear in mind that the life wisdom offers is not about prosperity but about a quality of life that’s much richer and better.  

Verses 7-10 show us the type of people who will never feel the need for such wisdom. They are referred to as scoffers. They are people who are perverse, wilfully and consciously. Their preference is for evil rather than righteousness. They will be excluded from the feast that wisdom has set forth. People who try to correct the scoffers will be rebuffed. It suggests that such people feel that they know it all and have no need for correction. Any attempt to correct them would be wasted on them. In contrast, the wise and the righteous are open to and appreciate correction. They are quick to assimilate the lesson and increase in knowledge. In verse 10 we see that the fear of the Lord is the pre-requisite to wisdom.  If we want to have wisdom, we need to have holy reverence for the Almighty. He is the source of all wisdom. Verses 11-12 describe the incentives wisdom offers. With wisdom we will be guided to conduct our life with increasing length. Know it or not, every one of us has the capacity to choose wisdom and enjoy its reward. But we can also choose to ignore wisdom like the scoffers and pay the price. Whatever choice we make, the result will be clearly experienced – godliness and righteousness versus perversity and evil. The right choice to make is clear!

Proverbs 8:22-36 – The beginning and end of wisdom

Reading these verses reminds us of what the Apostle John said in his Gospel. In John 1:1-3, he said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” So, just as the Word, Christ Jesus, Wisdom was with God in eternity past and already existed before the beginning of anything. In reality, Wisdom, Jesus Christ and the Word are intricately bound. They are one and the same. Simply put: Wisdom = Christ = the Word. These three are synonymous. In these verses we can see that it was Wisdom that brought the beginning of all things. 

Wisdom is from everlasting says verse 3, just as Jesus is eternal and one with the Father. This is what Jesus said in His prayer in John 17:5. And Proverbs 8:24-26 asserted clearly that Wisdom was there at the creation morning. Before God made the water, the mountains, the earth, the fields, and even the “dust of the world,” the matter that was used to construct the physical world, Wisdom was there. And it is with this Wisdom that God stretched out the heavens and the firmament. The skies above the earth that circle, spread and stretch to cover the globe is the mark of His handiwork. Even the waters of the deep and the foundation of the earth are similarly set by the Wisdom of God. And as Wisdom delights in seeing to the formation of the world and the universe, and makes earth a fit dwelling place for mankind. Wisdom will also delight to take her place in man who seeks after her.  

So, Wisdom offers to guide us, the children of the Almighty, to discover true joy in living. Those who find, follow, hear and keep the way of Wisdom will experience joy and gladness and experience true happiness. In verses 32-36, the teacher prescribes that Wisdom should be pursued eagerly. Firstly, we must listen. To do so we need to be attentive. Secondly, we need to anticipate and watch for Wisdom, so that we will not miss her. Those who listen and earnestly seek Wisdom will receive life and favor from God. Those of us who have come to know Christ and acknowledge Him as our Lord, can attest to it. By faith we have obtained the everlasting life that Christ in wisdom offers. In Christ, personified by Wisdom in these verses, we truly have life everlasting and will not experience eternal death or be separated from God forever. Glory to His name!

Proverbs 8:12-21 – The benefits of having wisdom

In Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified as a beautiful lady. And in the first 11 verses, she invites us to pursue her. Whether we are young or old, simple or sensible, we all need her. When we possess wisdom, we will be richly endowed in life. So here in the next ten verses from 12-21, she makes some claims about herself. Wisdom and prudence dwell together, giving the idea that when one has wisdom, that person has the capacity to know how to handle life practically and pragmatically. Whosoever has wisdom will be sensible, and discreet.

In verse 13, we are given the first fundamental proposition of wisdom, stated in a negative formulation. It states that the fear of the Lord hates three things: evil, pride and arrogance. God detests the proud, the haughty, and those who devise evil. And also those who speak perversely.

In verses 14-16, the teacher shows the capacity of wisdom. She possesses counsel that can guide us to live uprightly. This is essential to our well-being. It can guide the confused to understand the perplexing issues of life. She also gives understanding to rulers and help them to rule justly.  

In verses 16-18, wisdom declares her love for all who love and pursue her. She is not illusive. The one who seeks after her diligently will find her and be endowed with the favor of God. Besides, the pursuer will also be bestowed with riches and honor, and know how to handle his enduring riches righteously. 

Like a productive tree that yields its fruit, wisdom yields fruit that is like pure unadulterated gold, free from all alloy. Its fruit is also likened to the best grade of silver. One who finds wisdom will stay on the path of righteousness and find the true riches of life.  In all our quest in life, make pursuing wisdom a major part of our agenda. Having wisdom is better than perishable gold or silver. When we find her we will truly live life uprightly. Let’s go after her with all diligence.

Proverbs 8:1-11 - The invitation of wisdom

In Proverbs 8, we see wisdom being portrayed as a beautiful woman. Unlike the strange woman of Proverbs 7 that entices a person to destruction, this Lady Wisdom will lead any one pursuing her to life and fulfillment and be guided into the path of integrity, fidelity and dignity.  

In the first five verses of Proverbs 8, Lady Wisdom extends her invitation, calling out to all people especially the young. Unlike the strange woman who covertly operates in the cover of darkness, this wisdom operates overtly in the light. She is seen in open places addressing all categories of people: to the older man, to the younger man, to the naïve, the thoughtless, the intelligent, the dull and even the foolish. Wisdom is available to everyone, for we all are in need of foresight, fairness, a good sense and an understanding heart.

In verses 6-11, wisdom further offers to everyone who pays attention and pursues her. She only offers dignified truth and rectitude that will guide one to an upright, moral and righteous living. This wisdom assures her listeners that what she now gives will enable those going after it to refrain from anything wicked and perverse. In her is nothing that will contradict rectitude, nothing perverse or crooked will be found in what she is offering. On the contrary, anyone hearing her will know the straight forward, direct and plain truth. Her offers of insights are plain, uncomplicated and easily comprehensible. The one willing to be open to the discernible insights will have an enlightened understanding. The truth offered is more valuable than silver and priceless as gold. There is nothing that can be compared to this wisdom. The fallen man chooses to live foolishly in his own way and hence walk in darkness. But we as God’s children must make the decision to follow and acquire wisdom. We can receive the irresistible offer of wisdom that will set us on the path of right living. We can choose to follow her and walk with moral rectitude and uprightness to God’s greater glory. We need wisdom more than anything in life! Don’t refuse this unassailable offer of wisdom!    

Proverbs 7:1-27 – The need to resist sexual temptation

The subject of adultery and marital infidelity is dealt with yet again in Proverbs 7. One gets the feeling that the teacher wants to leave no stone un-turned regarding this issue. Why? He knows the depravity of the human heart and the crushing consequence of marital infidelity. These plus man’s vulnerability to flattery, make talking about it again necessary. Wisdom and understanding are the two basic necessities to keep a man from this snare. With them one can then evaluate the flattering words of a deceptive woman and enable him to respond appropriately. The importance of having the wisdom of God, and the godly counsel of both the father and the mother can never be over-emphasized. Even if talking about it become a dread. It is certainly worth the while, if it can prevent one’s marriage from being destroyed by adultery. 

Verses 5-12 underscore the necessity to take the right path in life. From his observation, Solomon realizes how lacking good sense the naïve wanders down the path to the house of the adulteress. Senselessly, he is oblivious to the peril that he had placed himself in. Allowing his passion to go unchecked, he becomes oblivious of his incapability to reason perceptively. He enters into the temptation he cannot cope, lured by the disguise of the temptress. Her dressing, her mannerism, her words were all calculated to bait the un-discerning and gullible man to satisfy her own evil passion. Solomon wasn’t talking about a common prostitute but a licentious wife whose unbridled lust had led her to act like a harlot.

In verses 13-20, we see the extent the adulteress took to bait the man. Boldly she seizes the victim and kisses him passionately, and brazenly invites him to her house.  She will entice the man and get him to accompany her in a meal.  Giving the victim a false sense of privilege, she tells him how she has passed by others to get to him. The temptress even describes her luxuriously adorned bed to audaciously invite him to a sexual tryst. She even has perfumed her bed with all kinds of sweet fragrance to make the sexual encounter irresistible. Verse 18 tells us that without any moral restrain, she shamelessly invites him to sleep with her. And to allay his fear of being discovered by her husband, she told him that her husband has gone on a long journey and would not be home soon. So, he need not fear the consequence of him finding out. 

In verses 21-27, we are warned not to be baited to the destructive end of the temptress’ snare. We must wise up to her seduction and act discerningly and discreetly. How? By being mindful of the warning given through God’s Word. By seeking to know God and His instruction. By not being distracted from obeying them. Let us bring the instructions of God to bear in our daily living. Remember we must acknowledge him in all our ways, so that He will direct our path.  

Proverbs 6:20-35 – The costliness of adultery

Engaging in sexual immorality may bring momentary pleasure but it is always accompanied by consequences. Solomon sets out in these remaining verses to lay own some practical reasons why every young man should avoid the seductress. He forwarded six reasons why every young man should not be lured by her immoral advances and be enticed into committing fornication and adultery. 

Firstly, verses 6 tells us that a man will be reduced to a loaf of bread if he leads a promiscuous life. He will lose his possession and be brought to poverty. When the temptress is through with him he will have nothing left. All his wealth would be exhausted by her. He would be left with precious little that could hardly see him through, even on the bare necessities in life.  

Secondly, the involvement with an adulteress, who is the wife of another, places a person in jeopardy. In Deuteronomy 22:22, the Law of Moses prescribed a death sentence for a person caught in adultery. The seductress has no concern for the precious life of the subject of her seduction. The teacher wants to underscore the high value of life that he used the adjective precious to qualify the life. One who commits adultery places his present as well as his eternal life in jeopardy. It’s reckless not to consider such a consequence. 

Thirdly, an adulterer will definitely be burnt. No one who takes burning coal into his bosom and not get burnt. Similarly, no one ever walks barefooted on hot burning coals and his feet not be scorched. So, in much the same way, not one who commits adultery will ever be scorch free. Punishment will surely come upon him. It will come from three directions: the law, the woman’s husband and God. He will not escape punishment.

Fourthly, the adulterers will not expect his contemporaries to sympathize with him.  A thief who steals to satisfy his physical hunger will be treated with more grace yet he will not escape punishment. He will have to restore much more than what he had stolen. But one who commits adultery will have to pay a heavier price. It’s not worth placing one’s life at risk for a moment of gratification. It is in the best interest of his own life that every man should avoid illicit relationships.

Fifthly, adultery always leads to wounds, both physical and social. He may be wounded by the outrage of the husband of the woman, and he will be ostracised by his community. The reproach will be hard to erase for as long as he lives. He will have to carry this as a scar of this sin for the rest of his life.

Sixthly, adultery will spark off an unbearable tirade from the husband of the woman. The husband will be so enraged by jealousy that he will come with unrelenting anger till the last drop of blood is squeezed out of the adulterer. His honor will have no place for sympathy and he will spare no effort to get at the culprit. Nothing will be able to placate his angry tirade till he gets his due.

It’s not worthwhile to put our life at risk for just a fleeting moment of pleasure. Hence be reminded by the call to drink water from one’s own cistern. Exercise marital fidelity and don’t pander to our carnal nature. Remember God and live to please Him

Proverbs 6:20-25 – Godly guide to avoid illicit sexual advances

Knowing the proclivity of men, especially the young, to be enchanted by the luring temptation of immoral women, the teacher returned to the subject on how to deal with such evil temptation. He began in Proverbs 6:20-24 to reiterate the value of wisdom. He started by admonishing his hearers to keep the counsel of fathers and to adhere to the teaching of their mothers, especially the godly ones. For teachings of godly parents are priceless. They provide great counsel, a wonderful example and healthy model for a godly marriage. Parents’ faithfulness to their marriages can help set a pure standard for their children and keep them conscious that they too must be faithful to their spouse. 

The instruction of godly parents who honour their marriage vows are an encouragement for their children to resist any attraction of illicit passion. Remembering and adhering to their wise instruction will keep them from straying into the wrong path, thus preventing them from stumbling. In particular, the young are advised to internalize the counsel of their godly parents. They must take them to heart. They are called to “bind them continually on your heart” and “tie them around the neck”. In other words, the counsel ought to be inwardly assimilated and outwardly adorned. These suggest that parental godly counsel ought to be passionately and affectionately remembered and live out publicly. When wholly adhered to they will form a hedge of protection around the heart and keep one from the sins of sexual immorality, fornication and adultery. At the least, the godly counsel will guide them to stay away from the luring speech of the evil woman. Her words are usually deviously, flirtatiously and salaciously designed to entice. Her illicit advances are usually contrary to pure holy marital covenant. Wisdom warns us to wise up to the deceitfulness of those irresistible words.

In verse 25 the teacher provides two admonitions. Firstly, he instructs that we ought not to entertain an immoral woman no matter how beautiful she may be. If we refuse to let her beauty charm us we will not be led into any immoral act. We need to resist at the very first instance, when she comes attractively dressed, looking so charmingly beautiful. Refuse to be seduced by her beauty. Remember, we are called to guard our heart with all diligence. If we entertain the beauty and allow it to consume our mind, we will soon convert that thought into action at one irresistible moment. Secondly, the teacher instructs that we must not be taken in by the external allurement of that immoral woman.  She has the uncanny penchant to seduce with her eye. A wise man will not be taken in by the passionate glances of the seductress.  Remembering to guard our heart and mind so that we will not entertain impure thoughts but also remember to guard our eye lest we stray into the wayward path of immorality.  

Proverbs 6:16-19 – The call to godly living

Our relationship with God of necessity must manifest itself in characters that are consistent with that bond. God expects us to show traits such as humility, truthfulness, placidity, faithfulness, honesty, integrity, and etc. Hence, in Proverbs 6:16-19, the teacher warned us against seven evil qualities that the Lord abhors. The author calls them abominations. A close scrutiny will tell us that this list of seven behaviors is not exhaustive. However, these behaviors are unquestionably offensive to the Lord.

The first is haughty eyes. This is the sin of pride which is at the centre of all disobedience and rebelliousness. It’s an attitude that defies the moral law God had given for us to live a life of integrity. The Lord absolutely hates it.

The second thing God dislikes is a lying tongue. Simply defined, this is the practise of speaking falsehood and lies. Our God is the God of truth and lying is repulsive to Him. When a person lies, he or she wilfully perverse truth with malicious intention. Lies are spoken to deceive and the deception may not just come in the form of things we say, but also impressions we give. We need to be careful what impressions we are portraying.

The third thing God detests is violence, a hand that shed innocent blood. While the Old Testament Law sanctioned death sentence for some offences, the Bible says God loathes the shedding of blood of the innocence. God is fair and just, he will not allow the innocent to be unjustly treated.

The fourth thing the Lord despises is a heart that schemes evil. People who are all the time devising iniquities in their heart. Their minds are incessantly filled with evil thoughts. Then out of their hearts wicked acts will be initiated. Regarding this, bear in mind that God is all knowing and He knows the secrets of our hearts. Nothing that we think about escapes God’s attention.

The fifth thing God intensely dislikes is feet that run rapidly to evil. To slip into wrong unconsciously once in a while, can be tolerated. But to run rapidly into one, suggests to us a sense of eagerness to do what’s wrong. God not only hates evil he hates the implementation of it.

The sixth thing God cannot stand is perjury, bearing of false witness. A person carries out perjury usually is to extricate himself from guilt or to ruin the life of an innocent person. In perjury we destroy any sense of justice and cause a person to be wrongly judged. God will defend the innocent because justice ought to be the foundation of a spiritual community.

Finally, God abhors those who are divisive. These are people who will continually sow discord among family, friends or associates. Such people always destroy harmony and unity within a family, a circle of friends or a community of believers. This brings disruption to peaceful relationship. The call of God is for brethren to dwell in unity so that God can command His blessings upon us and give us true life. Remember God frowns on those who would disrupt brotherly affection.

Godly living demands that we live truthfully, sincerely and honestly. Every godly habit we demonstrate in life is an act of worship to God. We can spread the fragrance of His name by how we behave. Thus, we must be careful how we behave. We are salt of the earth so let us be the preservative we ought to be. We are light of the world, so let our behaviour be worthy of emulation.

Proverbs 6:6-15 – Warning to the sluggards and the mischief makers

Making sound financial decision is critical to a peaceful and meaningful life. In the first five verses of Proverbs 6, one way to ensure that we are not trapped in undue financial entanglement is never to stand as a surety for anyone. In verses 6-11 the teacher turns to deal with the issue of laziness that lead a person into disaster and ruin.  A lazy person is referred to as a sluggard. Two things the sluggard ought to do: firstly, he should learn a lesson from the ant. There are lessons on wisdom that the ants can teach the naïve. Ants are farsighted and industrious. Though they are not pressurised by ruthless rulers or cruel taskmasters, they work relentlessly. They store up provision for themselves in summer and harvest time so that they will have food during winter. The point is this: even the ants have foresight. Their natural impulse made them prepare for the future. They truly have much more sense than that of a sluggard.  

Secondly, the slothful must not let their laziness get a better of them. They must learn to get up early and be up and about by daybreak.  Sleeping long into the waking hour of the day is seen as a serious character flaw. The slothful is always pleading for a little more time for rest and to laze around in ease. When laziness becomes a habit, that’s hard to break. The reason why we need to be hard working and diligent is because poverty and want have a way of catching up with us. They are likened to soldiers that come, invade and ravage a town. A slothful person will find no way to escape poverty.   

In verses 12-15, the teacher turns to advice against living a worthless life. It is a life full of deceits and treacheries. A life of mischief and a life of a sluggard will have similar ending i.e. destruction. In verse 12, a mischievous person is briefly described. Outwardly, he lacks moral character and goes about devising evil to harm and injure others. He walks about with a perverse mouth that spreads falsehood. He is full of craftiness and deceit. What he spews out of his mouth will reveal what controls his inner thoughts. The winking of the eyes, the signalling with the feet, the pointing of the finger are all indications of using the different parts of the body to devise evil. 

Inwardly, a person of mischief is dominated by evil thoughts. His heart is filled with jealousy and malicious intentions and continuously devise evil. Besides, he is one who has no qualm to spread strives but finds great pleasure in breaking up a friendship, a relationship or a marriage. The teacher warns that ultimately, such a person will have to face the consequences of his evil. Similar to a sluggard, a mischief-maker will end in ruin. Just as he thinks that he is succeeding with his evil scheme, retribution comes upon him unexpectedly. He will be broken like a shattered pot and he will end up hopelessly. We must take the warnings of these verses seriously. Let’s be the good man whom the Psalmist describes, whose steps are ordered of the Lord. He is one that Psalm 1 said, “whose delight is in the law of the Word of the Lord and upon it he meditates day and night”.  Let’s be that man or woman!

Proverbs 6:1-5 – The dangers of being surety for someone

One major concern of the teacher is for marital bliss. In the previous chapter we are warned of the dangers of marital infidelity and assured of the blessings of marital fidelity. Faithfulness to one’s spouse and avoiding adultery is a major key to marital joy and happiness. Hence, it is imperative that we should stay faithful to our spouse and avoid infidelity at all course. However, to have a blissful marriage and a happy home, there are also other aspects of life that we need to consider and take care. Proverbs 6 identify four other areas before returning to deal with the issue of adultery again. Verses 1-5, deal with the first of the four. The teacher warns against recklessly being a co-signee for a friend or a stranger in a loan deal. Here the author is talking about being a surety for a loan.

Know it or not, being a guarantor or a surety for another person, be that person a friend or someone we hardly know, has its attending dangers. Of course, it’s less likely that we would agree to be a guarantor for a stranger but being one for a friend is quite a common practice. Yet the advice of this sage is not to be a guarantor at all. A guarantor usually gives himself as a pledge to pay a debt for a borrower. He gives his assurance to undertake to repay a debt when the borrower defaults on his payment. The lender or creditor receives an assurance that the responsibility of the debtor paying the debt will be undertaken by the guarantor, should the debtor fail to discharge the debt he owes. The catch is this: once we agree to stand as a surety, we are snared by the words of our mouth. We would have created an untenable situation where the well-being of that friendship and our family will be severely threatened, unless we are have the capacity to help him to discharge the debt. The teacher here mentions the phrase, “with the words of your mouth” twice. The double mention points us to the entanglement and that a surety would be snared by his indiscretion. It’s like walking into a trap.

Why is being a surety a trap? It’s because in so doing we put ourselves in a position where we guarantee the actions and character of someone else. Should that person fail, we will take the hook for him. Unwittingly, in being a co-signee we placed ourselves in bondage for someone’s else’s debt and responsibility. We have put our own reputation on the line until the debt is discharged. The Word advises that we stay clear of this jeopardy because we are God’s witnesses and our reputation counts. Verses 3-5 suggest that if we are trapped in one, we should immediately seek to extricate ourselves from such a predicament. Go humbly to the creditor and seek to be released from the obligation. We must do our best to beseech the creditor until he agrees to free us from the pledge and nullify the agreement made. The guarantor ought to do this immediately. However, whatever it takes, the advice is never to get oneself entangled in the trap of being a guarantor.  

Proverbs 5:15-23 – The value of marital fidelity

In Proverbs 5:1-14 the teacher gave very good reasons why one should avoid a promiscuous life. Sexual intimacy, therefore, should be confined only to a man and his own wife. To violate it breaks the sanctity of marriage. The Bible upholds conjugal fidelity. Verses 15-19 give reasons why one must only have sexual intimacy with one’s own spouse. Metaphorically, the terms well, cistern and fountain are used to refer to one’s own wife. Since the husband has chosen who his wife should be, he must therefore make her his sole companion for life. Being his wife, she becomes the God-ordained and legally sanctioned source for his sexual urges. “Drinking water” is a figure of speech for sexual relationship. As water is given to quench one’s physical thirst, so sexual intimacy within a marriage is designed to satisfy one’s sexual urges. To drink water out of one’s own cistern is a call to seek sexual gratification only with one’s wife.

The springs and streams are referring to the children produced through sexual relationship. In every culture, children are a contribution of married couples to their community. The call is for children to be legitimate sons and daughters of one’s God-ordained marriage. Having children produced from promiscuous relationship throw the identity of the parent of illegitimate children into doubt. In marriage, a couple share life and rejoice in each other. And the man must fix his affection on the wife who is referred to as a lovely hind or a graceful doe. The breast could refer to the whole experience of sexual intimacy.  The way sexual intimacy is depicted here gives the idea of more than procreation. This conjugal intimacy is for both the husband and wife to enjoy each other. And a man should only be delighted with the love of his wife. These verses indicate to us that sex within a marriage is the God-appointed means to help us avoid unlawful sexual complications.    

Rounding up in verses 20-23, the teacher provides three strong reasons to argue for faithfulness in one’s marriage. Firstly, God is watching all our steps. Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord. Everything we do is within the full view of God so we need to be circumspect. Secondly, unfaithfulness lays a trap for us and get us into a bondage. Finally, unfaithfulness will lead us astray and cause destruction to our life. For all of us who are married, let’s take heed to these godly instructions. We will never live to regret it!    

Proverbs 5:1-14 – Warning against adultery

The adulteress whom the author warned about earlier now darts into Proverbs 5 again. The issue of sexual infidelity briefly discussed in Proverbs 2:15-19 is now developed further. Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and his wife and sexual relationship is to be kept within the confine of that marriage. Adultery, on the other hand, is a social malady. It is having sexual intimacy with another person who is not one’s spouse. To commit adultery is to break the sanctity of marriage. This warning against adultery is especially pertinent in our day and age because the home is severely under attack by this disorder. The hedonistic culture of our time had insidiously made adultery and sexual immorality a common practice. Here in Proverbs 5, the teacher warns us against it.

Giving fatherly counsel, the teacher addressed the student as his son. He calls the hearers to pay attention to his godly counsel concerning marital fidelity. To live in marital fidelity is a wise thing to do. It, in reality, is living a married life with good sense and discretion. Adhering to the wise counsel to be given, will also help one to know how to live discreetly and respond wisely and appropriately to the temptress’ lure. Characteristically, a temptress will use smooth words as her bait. Her deceptive words may be sweet as honey and smooth as olive oil, but they always leave a bitter aftertaste and lead to destruction. The adulteress herself is often oblivious and blind to her own ways and cannot perceive the danger in her lifestyle.       

In verses 9-14, the teacher gives a series of warnings of what will happen when one succumbs to the temptress’ bait. Before going into the detail of his warning, he said that the first step to take is to avoid her at all cost. Never go near her door. Why should she be avoided? Five things happen when one yields to temptation and entertains the voice of the adulteress. Firstly, one will be trapped and his youth will be wasted.  Secondly, his wealth will be squandered. e will He will foolishly use the hard-earned money to trade for a few transient pleasurable moments. Thirdly, that kind of lifestyle will cost his health as well. His physical well-being will be exhausted through debauched living. Engaging in such sexual intimacy can expose one to sexually transmitted diseases that will certainly lead to ill health. Fourthly, such an illicit relationship will also corrode one’s self-respect leading to self-reproach. It will cause a person to end up lamenting and regretting his entanglement in such an affair. Finally, indulging in such act would cause one to lose his moral standing and to regretfully live in disgrace. A word to the wise is good enough – avoid adultery at all cost. Seek to honor God by honoring marital fidelity.  

Proverbs 4:20-27 – Guard our heart and steps

Being attentive to godly counsel is one avenue to garner wisdom. And it’s undeniable that the key to true life and wisdom is closely connected to godly counsel. No wonder these verses appeal to us to be attentive to wise counsel so that we will have wisdom. The call here is to be attentive. And attentiveness and receptivity involve one’s heart as well as one’s ears and eyes. The insight heard through one’s ears and observed by one’s eyes must be implanted deeply in one’s heart. Bear in mind that a healthy life is defined by one’s moral. An immoral life is regarded as an unhealthy life, whereas a moral life is a healthy life. To lead a healthy life, these verses lead us to consider both the inward as well as the outward life.   

Inwardly we must guard our heart. In the Bible, the heart and the mind are often used interchangeably. We are firstly told to guard our heart with all diligence. Why? Firstly, it’s because the heart is the gateway to life. It is the center of our moral consciousness or the seat of our affections. It’s in the heart that we are to cherish wisdom with deep affection. Secondly, it’s because what we entertain inwardly affects our life outwardly. We will become what our heart or mind continually dwells upon. It’s here that we can entertain pure thoughts and bar the impure ones. It’s here that the issues, the impulses, the choices and decisions that affect our existence in the world are being shifted through. When we constantly entertain pure thoughts in our mind, the end result is a morally sound life. Conversely when we allow evil thoughts to incessantly bombard our minds, the end result will be a corrupt life. Furthermore, when we keep wise counsel deeply and indelibly in our heart or our mind, we are less likely to forget them.

Verses 24-27 then take us to the outward life. Guarding our mind is important but equally important is the guarding of our mouth and eyes. The wise person puts away “deceitful mouth” and “devious speech.” God views speaking lies and untruth as one of the seven abominations. Two things to take note of concerning a perverse speech. This kind of talk first takes place as thoughts in the heart before being crystalized into a perverse speech. Secondly, it often results from one’s association with people who engage in this kind of speech. The teacher here advocates honest speech.

Verse 25 makes reference to the eye. The call to look directly ahead and to fix straight in front of you imply honesty. A person engaging in shifty and dishonest speech cannot fix his gaze directly. Hence this verse calls for honesty in speech. Besides, a fix gaze also suggests the singleness of one’s motive. Rounding up, verses 26-27 admonish us to be careful in the steps we take in life. They can either lead to life or to trouble. The call here is to weigh our options, then choose the right path, and diligently persist in them. The wise will consider the well-established and taken path. People with wisdom don’t allow themselves to be distracted and upended by the trifles of life. Nothing, not adversity, not prosperity nor temptations of any kind, can ever waylay them from the well tested path. Evil will be avoided when one stay focused in the right path. So, remember to watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life. And also, remember to guard our speech and our feet, making sure that they are firmly planted on the established path to true life!    

Proverbs 4:10-19 – Choose wisdom and not the fool’s highway.

There are two things most people value in the journey of this life. They would like to have a life of excellence as well as be protected from dangers and harms in life. In these nine verses, both are promised to a wise person. Wisdom promises to help a person to live a meaningful, qualitative as well as a fulfilling life. It also promises that when a person embraces wise counsel, one will also find protection in one’s journey in life.  

Life without wisdom can be seen as a mindless meandering into paths where God’s Word no longer plays any significant role in a person’s life. Without the Word and devoid of wisdom, that person will set out to please his or her own heart and desires. The end is a self-seeking, self-serving life. In contrast, wisdom will make a person more circumspect. The wisdom will guide a person into paths that are upright. And when wisdom is embraced she guides one into a pleasant and unimpeded life journey. Any wise pilot can be acquainted with areas where rocks and reefs in life are identified, but wisdom dictates that he or she takes the safe path.

In verses 18-19, we see two contrasting routes. The path of the upright that leads the wise forward and upward, where the glorious presence of God will be felt. It is where the Lamb of God will be the lamp of the righteous. True light will be given to guide the journey of the wise. The lamp of the Lamb will illuminate the path, making the route clearer and brighter until the day of the wise is established.

In contrast, the wicked will be twisting and winding in darkness. Their lifestyle will be engulfed by the darkness that will cause them to stumble on their way. They won’t be able to see the impediments along their journey. The Contemporary English version of the Bible (CEV) made it clear for us. In verses 18-19, the CEV translated these verses this way, “The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight. The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble.” Here are two roads we can choose. The road to glory or the fool’s highway. The choice is clear. Choose life and protection today!

Proverbs 4:1-9 – The value of a godly father’s counsel

There is value in the counsel of a father who is godly. Bear in mind that the context this book is about people in covenant relationship with God. Hence, we are not talking about people who are ungodly and have a warped sense of value. Fathers who are walking with God and know the responsibility given to them in their roles are worth obeying. That is the assertion of these verses. Hence, every son who has a godly father should seek to obey his instruction.

The implication given in these verses is that Solomon had benefitted from the insights of David, his godly father. And he now passed the insights he had received to his own sons. Wisdom is seen as an inheritance that’s passed down from one generation to another. This of course depends largely on the responsibility of the father as well as the receptivity of the son. Every generation must be responsible to pass on what they have profitably received from their preceding generation. The receiving generation must of course be open and willing to be taught in order to benefit from what will be passed down. When both the one sharing and the one receiving exercise responsibility, the blessing can be passed on from generation to generation.   

Wisdom, as we know, is knowledge applied. And we can rightly apply only when we have fully understood what we know. Without a doubt, wisdom is closely connected with knowledge and understanding. We need to acquire knowledge and then muse, think through, discern and understand them before we act on what is cardinal to character building. When we do so, we will be kept on the right path and be guarded in our journey. Here, Solomon shares with us some key elements to ensure that we benefit fully from the wisdom of godly instruction. Attentiveness, commitment to keep them and willingness to live them out diligently are all critical factors to harness. And our spirit, soul, emotion and body must all be fully engaged to enjoy the benefit from wisdom. Not only must we actively remember them, but also to be committed, to love, to prize, to embrace and to adorn. They all will help to build our stateliness. Let’s keep at it!

Proverbs 3:27-35 – Wise counsel on relating with fellowmen

Wisdom, portrayed in the Book of proverbs, is more in the action than in concept. In the earlier verses of Proverbs 3, the teacher discussed the wisdom of a rich relationship with God. It stipulates that one should actively pursue relationship with God - to trust Him, to fear Him and honor Him with our substance, and to respectfully embrace His loving discipline. In the remaining portion of this chapter from verses 27-35, the teacher concentrates on the instructions pertaining to the wisdom of rightly relating with others. 

In verses 27-30, he began by dealing with being benevolent to fellowmen. Wisdom dictates that generosity be practiced with those who deserve it. Especially when one has the capacity and the opportunity to do so. The wise person does not delay in helping a needy neighbor. He will not send a needy person away promising to help tomorrow. Most of all he must not devise evil or harm against a neighbor, especially the unsuspecting one. Besides, he does not deliberately pick a fight or quarrel and stir up dispute without cause. Picking a quarrel is often a result of envy, jealousy and self-absorption. James 4:1-3 state it this way: “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

    

In verses 31-35, we are then given warning against the wicked. Not only should a godly, wise person not oppress others, he should also not associate with people who have a proclivity for violence.  He must not be envious of those who gain their riches via illegal means. In these verses four reasons are given why the wise should avoid the company of the wicked. Firstly, that kind of people are an abomination to the Lord. Their very character is repulsive to the Lord. In contrast, the Lord will be close to the upright. This implies that if we desire an intimate friendship with God, we make uprightness the end goal in life. Secondly, it’s because the curse of the Lord is on the wicked and his house. Whereas the home of the upright will enjoy divine blessings. Thirdly, God repels the scoffers and frustrate their plans. Scoffers are people who despise the teachings and truths of God. Whereas a wise person humbly submits to God and finds himself abounding in the grace and favor of God. Fourthly, the people whom God repels has the mark of shame and dishonor. On the other hand, He will honor those who pursue a godly lifestyle. Such a person will enjoy the glorious presence of God in his journey. Let’s make pleasing God our aim in life!   

Proverbs 3:13-26 – Divine wisdom will keep us secure

The blessings wisdom will bring to a person are simply too many to count. Here in verses 13-18, the author continues to enumerate them for us. To begin with, the man who finds and walks in wisdom will be truly blessed. He will have God-given insights and understanding to life.  God will be the source and well of resources through whom he will draw his insights from. The value of such understanding is indeed far more valuable than gold or silver. No gem in this material world can prove to be more priceless than wisdom. Hence, acquiring it will enable one to know the right way, to appreciate the great worth and to tread the worthy walk. The impacts wisdom brings to life are far too many to enumerate. Here are a few: long life; riches, honour, amiability and peace, which in essence is a worry-free life.

Reference is made to the tree of life in verse 18. This could perhaps be the recollection of the true life which Adam had forfeited through the fall. To find wisdom is like restoring the kind of life offered by that tree. And laying hold of that will ensure true happiness and spirituality. Triggered by the thought of the tree of life, Solomon redirected our focus to the creative genius of God. His wisdom is seen in His creative power. He wisely created the earth and heaven and established them. Implicit in verses 19-20, we see God engineering the entire operation of the universe that He alone has the capacity to design. The eco-system of the world, the climate, the forces of nature, the rotation of the earth, the swirling of the orbit, etc. are the handiworks of God. Whether it’s the rain, the dew or the snow, His hand-print is seen in them all. God made all these to provide us mankind with a conducive environment to exist. Seeing how efficiently the universe operates should remind us to keep our attention on the wise God behind the system. And as we keep our focus on Him, we will not lose sight of Him while enjoying all that His wonderful hand has wrought. The soul refers to one’s inner life and the neck the outer life. Acting and living with discretion inwardly and outwardly will enable us to express a praise-worthy life.  

Musing, clinging on and living out the wisdom of God will firstly ensure our security. We will not stumble easily. Secondly, we will have peaceful sleep free from worries, anxiety or guilt. Thirdly, we will not be seized by sudden terrors, even if they should come intentionally designed by wicked people. Why? Because the Lord will be our confidence. For when we rely on the Lord, we will not give room to the sense of powerlessness or hopelessness. This assures us of the promise of Psalms 121:7-8 that say:  

“The Lord will protect us from all evil;
He will keep our soul.
The Lord will guard our going out and our coming in
From this time forth and forever.”   

Amen!

Proverbs 3:5-12 – How to relate with God wisely

In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is seen in having right relationship. The most important of relationships is the one we have with God. Proverbs 3:5-12 define four things we must do if we are to relate with God wisely. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we learnt firstly that we must trust the Lord with our whole heart. This suggests that we must trust Him entirely. Not only that, we must also trust Him exclusively, meaning we must rely on Him solely and not lean on our own understanding. Then we must also trust Him extensively by acknowledging Him in all our ways. The promise is that we will have divine guidance when we do that.

Secondly according to Proverbs 3:7-8, we are to relate with the Lord wisely by showing reverential fear for the Lord. In contrast to being wise in one’s own eyes, the call of the author is to fear the Lord. And without humility it is difficult to fear the Lord. Pride as we know makes a person self-centered, leading him to think a world of himself. On the other hand, a person who fears the Lord sees himself or herself in the light of God. Such a person identifies his or her own weaknesses and tendencies. So instead of doing one’s personal bidding, that person reverently seeks to honor God and refuses the path of evil. In fearing the Lord and honoring Him one will find healing and health.  

Thirdly, in Proverbs 3:9-10, we are told to honor the Lord with our wealth. This is a true test of our love for God. One’s willingness to give to His work is a reflection of the measure we love and trust Him. Giving to God is an act of worship. God is the possessor of heaven and earth. He owns everything in this world. We give not because He needs it, we give because we worship Him. Giving to Him is also an act of gratitude. By giving to Him we acknowledge that all that we have come from Him in the first place. And we are grateful for His providence, so we give as an act of gratitude. Giving is also an act of faith. In giving we express our confidence that God is the supplier of all our needs and we will lack nothing. God never short change us. When we give to Him, He promises to return to us in greater measure, often beyond our expectation. He said that our treasury will never run out when we give Him and His work. Jesus Himself exhorts us in Luke 6:38, saying, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”    

Fourthly, in Proverbs 3:11-12, we are to embrace the discipline of the Lord. While the previous two verses instruct us to honor God during times of plenty, verses 11-12 exhort us to honor God during times of difficulty. Hard times are usually permitted in our life to train and mature us. We are disciplined because God saw us as His own children. No father who is worth his salt will neglect this aspect of training his sons or daughters. God will surely discipline us because He loves us. Hence, we must never reject His training. Or as Job 23:10 says, “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”