This is a summary (for the sidebar menu) of posts on Proverbs.  Most are the “Proverb for Today” series, written on the day of month matching the chapter in which the Proverb appears.  Others compare / contrast a quote with a verse from Proverbs.  A few others deal with Proverbs generally or are significantly based on a particular verse in Proverbs.

In this summary page, they appear in chapter/verse order rather than the order in which they were written, to make it easier to find a post on a particular verse.

Three Posts on Proverbs Generally

The Problem of Proverbs — a discussion of some of the difficulties in preaching / teaching on Proverbs, and why I have chosen to use blogging as a method of teaching on the book.

Finding Christ in Proverbs — Some Mistakes to Avoid — Jesus said the Old Testament Scriptures speak of Him, and that includes Proverbs.  But there are some ways in which people say Christ is found in Proverbs which I find to be unproven or worse.

Finding Christ in Proverbs — and Finding Proverbs in Christ — a discussion of at least four ways that I am persuaded we can see Proverbs pointing to the Saviour.

Posts on Individual Proverbs

Proverbs 1:7.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.  A quick quote.

Proverbs 1:8.  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  A quick quote.

Proverbs 1:17.  Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.  Not everyone who wants to be on the same side as you is on your side.  Open your eyes, and see if the net is being spread — if it is, don’t fall for the trap.

Proverbs 3:27-28.  Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.  

• Proverbs 3:27-28 Part One.  Doing the right thing because it is the right thing, not merely because it will work better for you (utilitarianism / pragmatism).
• Proverbs 3:27-28 Part Two.  Take care of your duties and responsibilities when you should, don’t delay them.
• Proverbs 3:27-28 Part Three.  Humility and charity that is truly charitable.

Proverbs 4:7.  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  “Take everything you might value or pursue. Put an eternal value on each thing, and add those values together. They all come to nothing.”

Proverbs 5:19.  …be thou ravished always with her love.  Part of a series on marital intimacy, not in the “Proverb for Today” series.

Proverbs 6:7.  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler.  Lessons for the sluggard from the ant.

Proverbs 6:16-19.  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.  Some of the ways we can slip into sowing discord / conflict, causing trouble by opening our mouths when we shouldn’t.

Proverbs 6:32.  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.  It makes no sense….

Proverbs 10:19.  In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.  “Far too much of what I say is all about me, trying to get people to look at me, think well of me, honour me, feel sorry for me, appreciate me, blah, blah, blah — yuck!”

Proverbs 10:24.  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

• Proverbs 10:24 Part One.  “The wicked receive fear in this life. They will receive, for all eternity, that which they fear, and much more.”
• Proverbs 10:24 Part Two.  “He grants us the ability to desire right desires rightly.”

Proverbs 11:4.  Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.  Thoughts on the “blessings” of this life, and the fact that God’s judgment and His blessings are not necessarily on our time schedule, nor even necessarily in this life at all.

Proverbs 11:13.  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.  “If you are talking about the faults, the weaknesses, or the sins of others, why are you doing so?”

Proverbs 12:25.  Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.  “That person to whom you are speaking may be standing upright, but their heart may be stooping, bent over with grief and pain, whether you know it or not. We can selfishly talk about what we want to talk about, or we can gladden their heart. The choice is ours.”

Proverbs 13:10.  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.  “’Humble pie’ may taste horrible, but it’s one of the healthiest things we can eat. It helps us build an immunity to strife and conflict.”  Also, Stubborn and Proud.

Proverbs 13:22.  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

• Proverbs 13:22 Part One.  The envy which is rampant in our society has no place in the thinking of Christians.  An inheritance is a good thing, and wrong thinking about it mars our appreciation for the inheritance of the saints in Christ.
• Proverbs 13:22 Part Two.  When we look at inheritance in Israel, we see that it is a stewardship — a father would care for that which did not really belong to him so he could pass it on.  It was held in stewardship, for his God and his descendants.
• Proverbs 13:22 Part Three.  To leave an inheritance to your children’s children, you must instill in your children the character qualities that ensure the inheritance will be passed down.  What patterns do we establish for the generations to come in our families?

Proverbs 14:4.  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.  We tend to complain about the mess of the “oxen” that the Lord brings into our lives, rather than giving thanks for all the blessings that come through them.

Proverbs 14:9.  Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.  “If you mock the sacrifice of Christ, you are also mocking the sin itself.”

Proverbs 15:10.  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.  Don’t sin, for the correction may be grievous, but if you have sinned, accept that correction as the loving hand of God.

Proverbs 16:2.  See Proverbs 21:2.

Proverbs 16:32.  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.  “This verse provides the uncomfortable message that the hardest enemy to defeat is a little closer to home.”

Proverbs 17:15.  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.  Compared to Proverbs 18:13.

Proverbs 17:28.  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.  A quick quote.

Proverbs 18:12.  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.  “Rather than ask whether they are pleasing the Saviour who stilled the wind, they ask if the politicians are pleasing them.”  “We do well to recognise it in our nation. We do even better to guard against it in our hearts.”

Proverbs 18:13.  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.  Interrupting, not listening, assuming we’ve understood what the other person meant, there are many ways we answer before really hearing, and bring folly and shame to ourselves.  Also, Maybe Hear the Other Side Before Answering? and Proverbs 17:15.

Proverbs 18:17.  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.  Maybe Hear the Other Side Before Answering?  Also, “Innocent Parties.”

Proverbs 18:24.  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  The value of friends, and the greatest Friend.

Proverbs 19:7.  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.  Even if we can’t always do anything about someone’s poverty, we can at least help with the loneliness it often brings.

Proverbs 20:6.  See Proverbs 21:2.

Proverbs 21:1.  This is from the Bible in the British Museum series, but it belongs here, too.

Proverbs 21:2.  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.  “We are very skilled at convincing ourselves that we’re pretty good. This is especially true if we’re in a conflict with someone — we seem to have a magnificent capacity to exonerate ourselves and blame ‘the other guy.'”  Also, History According to Man, History According to God.

Proverbs 22:2; 29:13.  The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.  The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.  A video for Sappy Emotionalists illustrates these two Proverbs (and some other Scriptures), but I reveal just how much I hate Sappy Emotionalism in the process.  (If you don’t have a weird sense of humour, skip this post.)  Also Proverbs 22:2, Idol Ceremony.

Proverbs 22:13.  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.  Of laziness and lions.  Everyone knows that lions don’t hang around the streets too often, but lazy people will use excuses that no one else believes.

Proverbs 24:10.  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.  “We’ll pause for a moment to let you Prospect the Perimeter of Pity Party Pit. Search it all out, make sure you’ve experienced all the angst it has for you. It won’t do you any good, and you won’t get any real help or sympathy down there, but take your time, and when you are ready to come up again we’ll toss you a rope so you can climb out. Ready? Good!”  Also, Feeling Worn Down?

Proverbs 24:11-12, 24-25.  Some thoughts on voting, from a Biblical perspective.

Proverbs 24:19-20.  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.  Don’t stir yourself into a raging fire over a feeble candle, melting away and soon to go out.

Proverbs 24:24-25.  See Proverbs 24:11-12.

Proverbs 25:28.  He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

• Proverbs 25:28 (part one).  Proverbs’ “Road to Ruin” — looking at this Proverb in context.
• Proverbs 25:28 (part two).  “If you want to leave yourself vulnerable to all of your enemies, don’t rule your spirit.”
• Proverbs 25:28 (part three).  Jesus died outside the city walls, with all that meant in the time in which He lived.

Proverbs 26:9.  As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.  Sometimes a fool doesn’t even know what he is doing to himself.

Proverbs 27:2.  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  Avoiding self-praise — in subtle things as well as not-so-subtle.

Proverbs 27:6.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend….  A quick quote.

Proverbs 27:9.  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.  The value of a friend, especially one who will give counsel that challenges us, and the importance of being such a friend.

Proverbs 29:13.  See Proverbs 22:2.

Proverbs 29:18.  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  This is an often misused verse.  It isn’t talking about visionary planning, nor is it talking about dreams and visions.

Proverbs 30:4.  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?  This is probably the most directly Christ-focused of all the Proverbs.

Proverbs 30:18-20.  There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  Four wonderful things, and a fifth (hideous) thing.

Proverbs 30:33.  “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.”  Sometimes, the only peaceable thing we can do is say nothing and walk away — anything else will merely generate strife.

Proverbs 31:10.  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  Only two things in Scripture are said to be more valuable than rubies.

Proverbs 31:10-31.  This is a referral (and link) to an article by Pastor Don Johnson.