May 2
Reading: Proverbs 29
1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29 contains the last of the proverbs of Solomon, collected during the reign of Hezekiah, 250 years later.
vs. 1 Stubbornness was a mark of Old Testament Israel. The prophets told them over and over how they were going wrong, but they grew more resistant to the message. How do you respond to rebuke? Do you “stiffen your neck?” The proper response to rebuke is a soft humble heart and a willingness to consider what is being said.
vs. 9 Don’t have arguments with fools.
vs. 11 Back in the day there was a song sung by Madonna titled “Express Yourself.” Well, that is the counsel of a fool. “A fool gives full vent to his spirit.” Self-control is the fruit of the spirit and the practice of a wise man. Often, what we want to say is the wrong thing to say. Restraint is wise.
vs. 12 I think of so many of our government leaders.
vs. 14 The true measure of a leader is in how he treats those who have no power.
vss. 15-17 A child needs discipline or he will become wicked and a shame to his parents. If you train your children to behave, control themselves, respect people, listen to others, work hard, and seek the Lord, they will very likely bless you later. You need a strategy to do this for each kid.
vs. 18 In the King James Version the first half of this proverb reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It has been the source of all manner of bad practical theology, often teaching people that they need a vision statement or a forward-looking business plan. On the contrary, this proverb is telling God’s people to listen to the Law of Moses and the prophets.
vs. 20 I am learning to hold my tongue more than I have in the past.
vs. 22 Beware the “man of wrath” and “the one given to anger.” I made a list of all the proverbs that warn us about an angry or divisive person. I found 94 different verses in Proverbs alone. This is not including the many warnings from Jesus, Peter, James, John, Jude, and Paul. Many pastors have destroyed their ministry because they were a jerk. Entire congregations have been torn apart by people who started fights and spread rumors. Do not follow a leader who is unkind.
vs. 23 The ancients considered pride the deadliest of the seven deadly sins.