Proverbs Study – Lesson 28 (Proverbs chapter 22:1-12)
Chapter 22
V. 1 In v. 1 Solomon reminds us that there is more to this life than money. In our society and the current world system money reigns supreme. Match money up with another respectable offer and more times than not money will win as the prize of choosing when offered. However, Solomon would argue and reason with the contestants before letting them chose, like he is reasoning with us in this verse, he would argue the point that there are many things that are not only as valuable as money, but in reality, many things that hold more intrinsic and potential value than large sums of money ever could. He has mentioned wisdom and knowledge in previous passages in Proverbs. He also mentioned prudence. Here he mentions two more, …a good name and being esteemed. How others perceive us is important, not just what they think about us, but more importantly he mentions our reputation. He stops us and asks us to compare the ‘real’ value of these things. The second item he mentions is translated in the KJV as ‘loving favor’ and the NIV uses the word esteemed giving the impression ‘to be known for something’. This could refer to having a righteous and good reputation which is good in and of itself. But, it may be more than this, having the meaning to be known for being the best in your trade or known for your talent. You could be esteemed to be the best at playing a particular instrument, or the best in the business that you are in. To be esteemed this way, those wanting your services will be willing to seek you out, passing by others having the same occupation, paying well for your services, in doing so, making your reputation more valuable practically speaking than money that can fail.
. V. 2 We often tend to make judgments concerning people as to their importance placing them into groups or categories in our world or in our mind. Monetary status is often one of those things used to classify people into different groups. However, this verse reminds us that to God, from His perspective, there is no difference. When the rich and poor meet together, God does not notice their differences by what they have or do not have. Even in the church, the rich and the poor can often receive special treatment and consideration. James notices this problem and was a lot more direct in this teaching. James 2:1-10 expounds on this verse painting a picture of how bad it can get. Proverbs 22:2 reminds both the poor and rich that they both had better beware because they both have to answer for their actions toward each other to their creator.
V. 3 Looking ahead is such a good thing. If there was a contest as to the worst flaw or trait of mankind this one might win. Most of us are way too short sighted. We do not tend to look out far enough in front of us to make plans and corrections to survive the evil and/or trouble headed our way. Too many of us only focus and tend to live our lives for today, or at best one month at a time. Solomon would say that it is a rare but important trait to have learned prudence which has as one of its characteristics the ability to plan for things headed our way. This could include financial planning, family planning, education, relationships, and on and on. Life has a way of surprising us. It can move faster that we think. He states that one of the main actions or responses to the evil headed our way is the response to hide and get out of harm’s way till the evil passes by. The simple are not so smart. They often perceive that something is up and about to happen, but pay it no mind continuing down the same path making no changes or provisions as if everything was alright. We might be wise to apply this verse to the times that we live in. This world is winding up, getting ready for “trouble’ coming our way. Are we wise enough to prepare for the evil coming by getting out of harm’s way finding shelter in God and His offer of salvation? To not prepare for what is headed our way would put one in the company of the foolish.
V. 4-5 We have been warned by Solomon a number of times concerning the consequences and repercussions of pride and a prideful spirit and lifestyle. Here we are reminded of the benefits of the opposite, namely humility and the fear and reverence of the Lord. He states three benefits here in particular: riches, honor and life. There are others. We have seen them during our Proverbs study. Having a humble heart gives us a teachable spirit allowing us to learn and apply wisdom, being one of the benefits. Riches, honor and life are the outcome or end product of wisdom applied. The ‘fear of the Lord’ is like unto and a natural result of ‘true’ humility. Reverence and respect and ‘awe’ for His Majesty and Power puts us in a position to hop on, or latch onto God and go with Him receiving only His will and blessing. God being the Author of Life gives life to those that are humble. Matt. 5:5 says ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth’…sounds like riches, honor and life to me! Proverbs 22:5 shows the opposite side of the street. Temporary pleasures and gains end up in thorns and snares, pain and loneliness. He instructs us to stay far from practicing this lifestyle.
V. 6 What a great verse. This verse although quoted frequently may not be as frequently truly applied. Its truths still hold true even after almost 3000 years when it was quoted. But, the magic is in its application… with the addition of prayer. This verse is not an absolute or a guarantee, or…is it. Although maybe not a guarantee, many would argue that it rarely fails. Some would also argue that a good number of the so called failures of this verse were not good attempts at its full application.
At first glance this verse looks challenging, but not too bad. A little bit of time, some effort, throw in a church environment, Sunday School, Bible verses…now rest is up to the perceived promise of Prov.22:6. But, is there more to Prov. 22:6 than this? Is there more to it than first meets the eye? Is it that easy?
The first word that catches your eye when reading this verse is the first word. The first word says a lot. Some would say that the first word says it all. It talks about training much like you would train for an occupation or trade. You have a course that needs to be taught, learned and applied for this person to perform their trade on their own in the future. Poor or weak training often causes nothing but frustration lacking direct application or real answers for the problems or tasks at hand. This encourages the student to either seek out better answers and ways on their own or try something else, another occupation, looking for something that works.
This training process of a child may closely resemble the apprenticeship programs of old including being taught and instructed, but also including learning by doing and learning by observation or example. In these programs, or arrangements, you would have example, relationship, a planned intentional process much like a curriculum, and consistency and practice of things learned. Kids being trained in the ways of life have to get or understand the concepts and ideas they are being taught. They have to own them. They have to have tried them out and found them too have worked at one time in their life in order to know their value. If this has happened, they will most likely carry these principles, techniques and ideas on with them when they mature and ‘get old’. If this does not happened there is nothing to return too if they take a detour trying out other things in life.
It is interesting that this verse is often used with reference to a child straying for a season and then returning when they are old. But, if we take another look at this verse it really does not say that. Even thought that is true, that those having heard the things of the Gospel often return to God; the inference in this verse is that they do not stray at all, but they continue to do what they have learned. The training process has worked. What they have learned is too valuable to let go of. However, it needs to be said here that we have all not been perfect in applying this verse. We all too well know our shortcomings and failures in this area. We are not to add anything to Scripture, but if there was a place that something needed to be added it might be here reassuring us to keep giving this area of life our best. Here Solomon could have added the principle of applying prayer in this area of life covering for our inadequacies and shortcomings in our training process.
V. 7 The New Living translation translates this verse ‘Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender’. It is true that in this world the rich have more influence and power of position than the poor, but one that borrows puts them self into the same position, becoming subservient to the lender as the poor are to the rich. In borrowing one is put at the mercy of the lender often smarting because circumstances can and often do change giving the lender more options than planned for, making the borrower a slave. In this arrangement the rich is the one lending the money and the poor the one that is poorer than the rich and in need.
V. 8 The Bible often uses farming terms as analogies applying to Bible principles. The reason is because they are concepts and examples that we can readily identify with. When you sow a certain crop you reap the full grown, much more substantial crop during harvest of what was sown. V. 8 says that if you sow iniquity your end result is a large harvest of vanity and, in other words the crop is according to the seed or what’s planted. If we sow to the flesh shall we not reap destruction? Read Gal. 6:7-9. One that sows with iniquity often does so at others expense with a rod of force. They also do so with a bad spirit driven by anger and greed. This verse says that when their harvest finally does come in it will not be what they had planned and also their power that drove them at that time will be taken away.
V. 9 Being generous has its benefits. You would think that if you gave something away you would have less, but what is often forgotten is one important item, that is what’s called ‘the blessing’ or being blessed. Giving has a magic principle involved, for behind the action there is a Force that comes back at you. It is called God. God sees the generous heart and is very pleased. In the ‘true’ heart of generosity God sees Himself coming through the generous one, giving as He would, giving as He does and it pleases Him. Blessing is His response. In looking at us, God sees us all as ‘poor’ and ‘needy’. He looks down and with a generous heart He ‘gives’ to us all, often to the point of abundance. Could it be that some are left poor to see what our response will be, to see if we will act ‘like Him’ and be generous also. This verse gives the impression of the good Samaritan not just throwing a little of the extra that we have at a need, but actually ‘caring’ for the one in need while giving to their cause.
V. 10 Getting rid of the problem is most often the best solution. Giving someone a chance to change their ways is good, but beware, the real success rate of someone really changing is slim. Solomon says that there is wisdom in getting rid of the trouble. Throw them out, make them leave, separate them or isolate them from the situation and all trouble miraculously ceases, sometimes dramatically and instantaneously. Finding the scoffer or one that is instigating the problem is not always so obvious. It may take some careful observation and consideration before this becomes evident. But, when the scoffer is identified and removed from the situation often dramatically improves or goes away.
V. 11 A pure heart comes out and is revealed in a gracious tongue. A gracious tongue is sweet to all those around including the king. Those who are fortunate to hear the words of a gracious tongue take note and look forward to further conversation and encounter with this person. A kind and gracious heart is like a refreshing drink in days filled with so much trouble. A king finding this encounter a rarity, naturally takes steps toward friendship not wanting to lose the moment of peace and refreshment they have found, desiring to be refreshed by this relationship again and again.
V. 12 If the Lord has any input and influence at all, and He does, it only stands to reason that His action and intervention will be toward influencing and establishing that which is good and discouraging that which is bad. Acts of good would come to naught and ultimately have no benefit if it was not for the eyes of God seeing these acts and preserving and establishing and blessing what is done. However, here it says that the opposite is also true, that wicked intentions and evil actions would have more intense and dramatic outcomes if God did not intervene overthrowing the words and plans of transgressors. God does get involved in the affairs of man and it is good to remember to pray to God remembering that He does intervene in those things that affect and concerns our daily lives, good or bad.
No comments:
Post a Comment