We will now look at Proverbs chapter twenty one:
On Life and Conduct
1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NASB)
Meyer says of this verse:
Great riches are not always a great blessing. When they are held in trust for God, they afford the opportunity of giving a vast amount of happiness to the benefactor as well as to those benefited. But we recall other riches, which do not consist in what a man has, but in what he is. There are four levels of human experience - to have, to do, to know, and to be - and these in their order are like iron, silver, gold, precious stones.
2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2 (NASB)
There is such a thing as equality before God. Paul tells us in Galatians:
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NASB)
We should also always keep in mind:
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NASB)
3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. Proverbs 22:3 (NASB)
One sees evil and stays away from it. The other sees evil and goes to it, accomplishes it and is punished for it.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 (NASB)
The general observation is that humility and fear of the Lord leads to riches, honor, and long life. There are some who have died young for the kingdoms sake – such as martyrs. The book of Proverbs describes life the way it should be. This verse does not dwell on the exceptions.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them. Proverbs 22:5 (NASB)
Perverse living leads to a road that is full of thorns and snares. The wise person will guard where they travel. They will stay far away from the road of destruction.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)
This is one of those proverbs that you hear and sticks with you. It would seem that each person who comes in contact with a child have the responsibility to train them up. Not just parents but grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and others are responsible too. Even society has a role in the training of children.
In the process of helping our children choose the right path, we must discern differing paths for each child. It is natural to want to bring up all our children alike or train them the same way. This verse implies that parents should discern the individuality and special strengths that God has given each one. While we should not condone or excuse self-will, each child has natural inclinations that parents can develop. By talking to teachers, other parents, and grandparents, we can better discern and develop the individual capabilities of each child.
Many parents want to make all the choices for their child, but this hurts him or her in the long run. When parents teach a child how to make decisions, they don't have to watch every step he or she takes. They know their children will remain on the right path because they have made the choice themselves. Train your children to choose the right way.
Note that the verse does not say that the child will choose the wrong path – but when he or she is “old” they will not depart from it. We should always hope that people will turn their lives around.
7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave. Proverbs 22:7 (NASB)
Does this mean we should never borrow? No, but it warns us never to take on a loan without carefully examining our ability to repay it. A loan we can handle is enabling; a loan we can't handle is enslaving. The borrower must realize that until the loan is repaid, he is a servant to the individual or institution that made it.
8 He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish. Proverbs 22:8 (NASB)
The crop must be according to the seed. If one sows thistle seed – do you think that you will reap wheat? He that sows according to the flesh will reap destruction. How can it be any other way? You reap what you sow.
9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9 (NASB)
God has always desired a generous giver – for that is what God is and He wants his children to follow His example.
10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease.
Proverbs 22:10 (NASB)
In order to keep oneself pure – sometimes it is necessary to drive out the bad influences. When you do that many things will happen. The contention will go as well as strife and dishonor.
11 He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. Proverbs 22:11 (NASB)
Bible Illustrator says of this verse:
“The foundation of all purity must rest upon the body. Without bodily purity no other form of purity is possible. On this must rise the structure of mental and spiritual purity. Our thoughts and words must be not less pure than our actions. Action is ripened thought, and thought is germinating action. “No man suddenly falls.” The thoughts have grown accustomed to dwell on impurity long before the deed of impurity is committed. In pureness of mind lies our best defence. And purity of mind is essential to clearness of spiritual vision and lofty exaltation of soul. The vision of the Invisible is impossible to the impure. And the beatific vision of God should be man’s noblest ambition.”
We must strive for purity of heart but when the heart is pure it affect the entire person.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man. Proverbs 22:12 (NASB)
"Knowledge" refers to those who have knowledge, those who live right and speak the truth. It takes discipline, determination, and hard work to live God's way, but God protects and rewards those who make the commitment to follow him. The unfaithful may seem to have an easier time of it, but in the long run their plans fail and their lives amount to nothing. Don't resist God and expect lasting success.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!" Proverbs 22:13 (NASB)
This proverb refers to an excuse a lazy person might use to avoid going to work. The excuse sounds silly to us, but that's often how our excuses sound to others. Don't rationalize laziness. Take your responsibilities seriously and get to work.
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it. Proverbs 22:14 (NASB)
People can talk you into many things. Be careful for there are many who would lead you astray. There are many roads to destruction. There is but one road to life.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 (NASB)
Young children often do foolish and dangerous things simply because they don't understand the consequences. Wisdom and common sense are not transferred by a parent's good example alone. Just as God trains and corrects us to make us better, so parents must discipline their children to help them learn the difference between right and wrong. To see how God corrects us, read Proverbs_3:11-12:
“My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12 (NASB)
16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16 (NASB)
God is watching over the poor. If you take advantage of the poor – you are in great danger. It is interesting that in our society that those who do not have good credit or who have not established credit are charged a higher interest rate than those who good credit established. I wonder if this is an oppressive act.
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; Proverbs 22:17 (NASB)
When wise words are spoken we are to listen. We are to think on those things.
18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. Proverbs 22:18 (NASB)
This verse is a continuation of the verse 17. If we incline our ears to hear wisdom and apply our minds to knowledge – it will be pleasant for us. Not only that – but we will speak words that are filled with wisdom as well.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you. Proverbs 22:19 (NASB)
I believe that every person we meet we extend a certain amount of trust. Trust is from then on – is either built or lost.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? Proverbs 22:20-21 (NASB)
Has not God written to us excellent things? Has He not given us words of wisdom and of truth? God is always in the business of giving us His best. If we listen and heed – as we go out in this world we will have everything we need.
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; Proverbs 22:22 (NASB)
This proverb is a message of hope to people who must live and work under unjust authoritarian leaders. It is also a warning to those who enjoy ruling with an iron hand. Sometimes God intervenes and directly destroys tyrants. More often, he uses other rulers to overthrow them or their own oppressed people to rebel against them. If you are in a position of authority at church, work, or home, remember what happens to tyrants. Leadership through kindness is more effective and longer lasting than leadership by force.
23 For the Lord will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them. Proverbs 22:23 (NASB)
Take a look at who is on the side of the poor. God Himself will plead their case. The verdict will be just and the death sentence will be imposed to those who rob the poor.
24 Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, Proverbs 22:24 (NASB)
People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even the negative characteristics and habits can rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Choose people with qualities you would like to develop in your own life.
25 Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. Proverbs 22:25 (NASB)
This verse is a continuation of the previous one. If you hang out with those given to anger – you will learn their ways. You then will be subject to the same punishment.
26 Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. Proverbs 22:26 (NASB)
Be careful who you owe money to. When you owe money there is a sense that you become a slave to them. A promise is a debt. Keep your word – stand your ground- pay back what you owe to a person.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you? Proverbs 22:27 (NASB)
If the time comes when the debt must be paid back and you have no money – you may be sleeping on the ground.
28 Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28 (NASB)
In Joshua 13-21, the land was divided, and the boundaries were marked out for each tribe. Moses had already warned the people that when they reached the Promised Land they shouldn't cheat their neighbors by moving any of the boundary markers to give themselves more land and their neighbors less. This is a proverb that instructs us to be honest in all of our dealings.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29 (NASB)
It has been said:
I believe success in life is within the reach of all who set before them an aim and an ambition that is not beyond the talents and ability which God has bestowed upon them. We should all begin life with a determination to do well whatever we take in hand, and if that determination be adhered to with the pluck for which Englishmen are renowned, success, according to the nature and quality of our brain power, is, I think, a certainty. Had I begun life as a tinker, my earnest endeavour would have been to have made better pots and pans than my neighbours; and I think I may venture to say without any vanity that, with God’s blessing, I should have been fairly successful. The first step on the ladder that leads to success is the firm determination to succeed; the next is the possession of that moral and physical courage which will enable one to mount up, rung after rung, until the top is reached. The best men make a false step now and then, and some even have very bad falls. The weak and puling cry over their misfortunes, and seek for the sympathy of others, and do nothing further after their first or second failure; but the plucky and the courageous pick themselves up without a groan over their broken bones or their first failures, and set to work to mount the ladder again, full of confidence in themselves, and with faith in the results that always attend upon cheerful perseverance. (Lord Wolseley.).
