Proverbs 14:1-35
LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 14 V1 The wise woman builds her house. The foolish woman pulls down her own house with her own hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 14 V1 The wise woman builds her house. The foolish woman pulls down her own house with her own hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is a little story that uses humour. We walk along the street and we see two women. Both women are working on their homes. The first woman is wise. She carefully builds her house. Skilfully, she makes a beautiful home for her family. We expect that the other woman is doing the same. However,... [ Continue Reading ]
We should respect God. So we should do the things that please him. See the instructions in Hebrews 13. Some people hate God. They might not realise that they hate God. But their actions prove this. They refuse to obey God. Instead, they do evil things. Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will obey my... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool’s pride makes him talk too much. His many words will lead him into trouble. A wise man speaks with care. His words will save him from many dangers. V4 If you have no oxen (strong farm animals), then you will have no food for your animals. But the strength of the oxen brings a plentiful har... [ Continue Reading ]
The wise farmer knows that he needs oxen (strong farm animals) to plough his fields. Without them, he cannot produce crops. Oxen can be difficult animals for a farmer. They need plenty of food. The farmer must work hard to look after them. However, oxen used to be essential animals on the farm. Sol... [ Continue Reading ]
You must make your choice. A person might say nice things. He might be very clever. Many people might want to hear his words. However, if his words are lies, then he cannot help us. An honest person might seem to be unfriendly. He might be anxious. He might even be angry. Perhaps nobody wants to h... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowledge is not difficult to find. It is everywhere. Honest people will tell their knowledge to us (as in verse 5). The Bible will teach God’s knowledge to us. Many other books will teach human knowledge to us. However, if someone insults other people, he will not learn knowledge or wisdom. Perhap... [ Continue Reading ]
A fool is someone who hates God’s wisdom. You cannot learn from this man, because he himself has learned nothing from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
A sensible person is cautious. He uses his knowledge to make good plans. He thinks carefully and he obtains advice. His decisions are good. A fool thinks that his decisions are right. However, a fool hates God, so his decisions are evil. The fool does wrong things, because he does evil things inste... [ Continue Reading ]
When someone becomes a Christian, he will receive a welcome from other Christians. See Luke 15. However, some people will laugh at a new Christian. Solomon calls these people, ‘fools’. By ‘fools’, he means people that do not respect God. They hate God, and they hate Christians too. They laugh at th... [ Continue Reading ]
We try to sympathise with other people. We try to share their joys and sorrows (sad feelings). Our efforts are kind and good, but we cannot really understand their feelings. Only God really knows the true feelings of a person’s heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
The wicked man might be rich. He might live in a wealthy house. The good man might be poor. He might only live in a poor tent. Other people might think that a wicked man is really good. They might see his wealth. They might even suppose that God is pleased with that man. God knows the truth. When... [ Continue Reading ]
Different people have many ideas and many theories. In this verse, Solomon describes our lives, and not just our journeys. On a journey, if a man chooses the wrong road, he might be in danger. Thieves might attack him. They could kill him. In the same way, if we choose to live evil lives, in the e... [ Continue Reading ]
When we laugh, sometimes we are sad. Other people do not know this. They think that we are happy if we laugh. God knows our real feelings. He cares about us. V14 A man will receive what he deserves. This is true both for a good man, and for a man that turns away from God. V15 A simple man believe... [ Continue Reading ]
Here, Solomon compares a good man with a man who turns away from God. A good man receives good things, because he deserves good things. An evil man receives evil things, because he deserves evil things. The man who turns away from God used to be a good man. He turned back to do evil deeds. He too... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon compares a wise person and a simple person. Unlike a fool, a simple person does not hate God. You can teach a simple person. He can learn to do good things. Or he can learn to do evil things. He believes anything that you tell him. You can teach a wise person too. However, you cannot teach... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse, Solomon compares a wise person and a fool. A wise person respects God, but a fool hates God. The fool thinks that he himself is always right. A fool will not learn from anyone else. He is angry if someone tries to correct him. He loves to do evil actions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon contrasts two different types of people. The first person is quick. In a moment, he becomes very angry. He has a terrible temper. He does not think about his actions. He does evil things so quickly that he cannot think first. The second person is slow. He takes a long time to make his plan... [ Continue Reading ]
If a simple man learns to do evil deeds, then he becomes a fool. When he is simple, he does not choose to be evil. He does evil things because he is not wise. He does evil things by mistake. When he becomes a fool, the same person hates God. Now, the man loves to do evil actions. He refuses to lear... [ Continue Reading ]
This is not our experience today. Solomon is describing what should happen. Really, a good man is important. He is even more important than a famous person, or a king. People should respect him.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is terrible! People love a rich man, because they want to benefit from his money. People hate a poor man, because he has nothing to give to them. Christians must not behave like this. See James 2:1-7.... [ Continue Reading ]
In verse 20, the neighbour tried to avoid the poor man. In verse 21, Solomon explains that this attitude is evil. God is pleased with the generous person. God is kind to the person who is kind to poor people. V22 Those who plot evil deeds are like travellers on the wrong road. But if your plan is... [ Continue Reading ]
Life is like a journey. A person who plots evil deeds is like a traveller on the wrong road. The traveller’s road might lead to danger. And the evil man’s life will cause his death. And his evil life will take him to hell. His evil plans might bring him money, but he will lose everything. A person... [ Continue Reading ]
In the end, even the best plan is only words. Words without work cannot earn money. Words alone do not achieve results. Only work can bring success. See James 2:14-17.... [ Continue Reading ]
A wise person deserves wealth and honour. However, many wise people are not wealthy. This may be because, for a wise person, wisdom is more important than money. A wise person works hard, but he does not work merely to get money. He works hard to get more wisdom. A fool hates wisdom. He might work... [ Continue Reading ]
An honest man speaks the truth. He can rescue people from death, because he is honest. He will tell people if their actions are wrong. He will show them what is right and good. A man who speaks lies causes great troubles. His lies can ruin other people’s lives. People suffer because of his lies.... [ Continue Reading ]
God protects people who respect him. Even their families can benefit. See Psalms 46 and 2 Timothy 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon was a king. If there were many people in a country, then there would be a large army. The country could win wars. Or the country could be at peace, because nobody would attack it. Solomon wanted peace for his country.... [ Continue Reading ]
Patience is good. ‘Everyone should be quick to listen. Everyone should be slow to speak. Everyone should be slow to become angry.’ (James 1:19) A patient person will learn many things. This is how he becomes intelligent. See James 5:7-11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Our emotions are powerful. Anger (verse 29) and jealous attitudes can even affect our health. So can good attitudes, like happiness. Paul wrote, ‘I have learned how to be content in every situation. I am content whether I am hungry or full. I am content whether I have plenty, or nothing.’ (Philippia... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon tells us to help poor people, because God made them. When we love poor people, we love God. See Matthew 25:34-45.... [ Continue Reading ]
Evil people have no protection when troubles come. God will protect good people who trust in him. When they die, they will go to heaven. See verse 26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Another translation of the second line is, ‘Even fools can hear wisdom.’ The wise person does not only think about wisdom occasionally. He is always thinking about wisdom. He is always learning new things. He loves wisdom. Wisdom is always in his heart and in his mind. A foolish person hates wisdo... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon was a king. He wanted his nation to become a great nation. If his people were evil, then God would punish their nation. He wanted his people to serve God. And he wanted them to do the right things. Then their nation would be a great nation.... [ Continue Reading ]
A king needs servants and advisers. Solomon knew this, because he was the king of Israel. God is our king (Revelation 17:14). As Christians, we are God’s servants. God does not need advisers, but he wants wise servants.... [ Continue Reading ]