April 21
Reading: Proverbs 18
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
18 The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18 continues Solomon’s collection of wise sayings.
vs. 1 It is commonplace, when in temptation or struggle, to push away your friends and hide. To isolate yourself from others is foolish. You need other people.
vs. 2 This verse continues a prominent theme in Proverbs. Many people do not really listen, are not interested in learning, and are not likely to understand. They just want to tell you what they think, and they want to be right. It is all too easy, when we ought to be carefully listening to others, to be thinking about what we are going to say next. Consider also verses 13 and 15.
vss. 6-8 Verse 6 presents the teaching in an intentionally humorous manner. It is quite a picture! Our words can get us into trouble. It happens all the time to politicians, to pastors, to everyone. And once the words are out, we cannot put them back in. The metaphor in verse 8 paints a terrible picture. Whispered words are delicious and then go down into our innermost parts and are poison. Consider how verse 21 illuminates the meaning of this teaching. Proverbs 20:19 tells us, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
vs. 9 Slack work is so frustrating to everyone. If you are going to do a job you ought to do it as well as you can. Why waste everyone’s time?
vss. 10-11 Verse 10 is the basis for one of my favorite chouses, but it is set in contrast to the next verse. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. One’s money only has the illusion of security.
vs. 17 How often have you heard one person telling you how things went, and you’re sure that they are in the right. And then you hear from the other person. It is always wise to withhold judgment until you have all the facts.
vs. 22 The best thing that ever happened to me, after Jesus found me, is finding Nancy. Do you know that the person that you married is given to you by God? She is God’s blessing to you. If you don’t know that yet, it is time to figure it out.