July 4, 2025
Do (or did) you listen to your parents?
Proverbs 22-26
Paige Fowler
Big Book Idea
Living wisely: God's way.
Key Verse | Proverbs 23:19
Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
Proverbs 22-26
Chapter 22
1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.
2
The rich and the poor meet together;
the LORD is the Maker of them all.
3
The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
4
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD
is riches and honor and life.
1
22:4
Or The reward for humility is the fear of the LORD, riches and honor and life
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
9
Whoever has a bountiful
2
22:9
Hebrew good
eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be killed in the streets!”
14
The mouth of forbidden
3
22:14
Hebrew strange
women is a deep pit;
he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Words of the Wise
17
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18
for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19
That your trust may be in the LORD,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.
20
Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,
21
to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
22
Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate,
23
for the LORD will plead their cause
and rob of life those who rob them.
24
Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
25
lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
26
Be not one of those who give pledges,
who put up security for debts.
27
If you have nothing with which to pay,
why should your bed be taken from under you?
28
Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set.
29
Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
Chapter 23
1
When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
observe carefully what
4
23:1
Or who
is before you,
2
and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to appetite.
3
Do not desire his delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.
4
Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
5
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6
Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;
5
23:6
Hebrew whose eye is evil
do not desire his delicacies,
7
for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.
6
23:7
Or for as he calculates in his soul, so is he
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8
You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,
and waste your pleasant words.
9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
for he will despise the good sense of your words.
10
Do not move an ancient landmark
or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11
for their Redeemer is strong;
he will plead their cause against you.
12
Apply your heart to instruction
and your ear to words of knowledge.
13
Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
14
If you strike him with the rod,
you will save his soul from Sheol.
15
My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart too will be glad.
16
My inmost being
7
23:16
Hebrew My kidneys
will exult
when your lips speak what is right.
17
Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.
18
Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
19
Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
20
Be not among drunkards
8
23:20
Hebrew those who drink too much wine
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21
for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags.
22
Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23
Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
25
Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.
26
My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe
9
23:26
Or delight in
my ways.
27
For a prostitute is a deep pit;
an adulteress
10
23:27
Hebrew a foreign woman
is a narrow well.
28
She lies in wait like a robber
and increases the traitors among mankind.
29
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30
Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
31
Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
32
In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
33
Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.
34
You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.
11
23:34
Or of the rigging
35
“They struck me,” you will say,
12
23:35
Hebrew lacks you will say
“but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
Chapter 24
1
Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them,
2
for their hearts devise violence,
and their lips talk of trouble.
3
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
4
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5
A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7
Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.
8
Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9
The devising
13
24:9
Or scheming
of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
10
If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
11
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?
13
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14
Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
15
Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16
for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18
lest the LORD see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.
19
Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not envious of the wicked,
20
for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21
My son, fear the LORD and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22
for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
More Sayings of the Wise
23 These also are sayings of the wise.
Partiality in judging is not good.
24
Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25
but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26
Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.
27
Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.
28
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
30
I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31
and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32
Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
Chapter 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5
take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
8
do not hastily bring into court,
14
25:8
Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
for
15
25:8
Hebrew or else
what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9
Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another's secret,
10
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14
Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19
Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.
23
The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
16
25:27
The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
28
A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Chapter 26
1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4
Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7
Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8
Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
9
Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10
Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
17
26:10
Or hires a fool or passersby
11
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14
As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19
is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23
Like the glaze
18
26:23
By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross
covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Footnotes
[1] 22:4 Or The reward for humility is the fear of the LORD, riches and honor and life[2] 22:9 Hebrew good
[3] 22:14 Hebrew strange
[4] 23:1 Or who
[5] 23:6 Hebrew whose eye is evil
[6] 23:7 Or for as he calculates in his soul, so is he
[7] 23:16 Hebrew My kidneys
[8] 23:20 Hebrew those who drink too much wine
[9] 23:26 Or delight in
[10] 23:27 Hebrew a foreign woman
[11] 23:34 Or of the rigging
[12] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say
[13] 24:9 Or scheming
[14] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
[15] 25:8 Hebrew or else
[16] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
[17] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
[18] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross
Table of Contents
Introduction to Proverbs
Timeline
Author and Date
Proverbs itself mentions Solomon (reigned c. 971–931 B.C.) as author or collector of its contents (1:1; 10:1), including the proverbs copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1). There are also two batches of sayings from a group called “the wise” (22:17–24:22; 24:23–34), and “oracles” from Agur (30:1–33) and Lemuel (31:1–9). No author is named for the song in praise of the excellent wife that ends the book (31:10–31). Although Proverbs was begun in the time of Solomon, it probably was not in its present form until the time of Hezekiah (reigned c. 715–686 B.C.).
Theme
The goal of the book is stated right at the beginning (1:1–7): to describe what wisdom is and to help God’s people become wise. Wisdom is founded in the “fear of the Lord,” and it enables believers to express their faith in the practical details of everyday life.
Audience
The book is addressed to a young man. The situations he will face while he is young receive much attention. These situations supply concrete examples from which all readers can apply lessons to their own lives. Anyone who is wise and who pays attention will benefit (1:5) from this instruction.
Reading Proverbs
The reader of Proverbs must seek to understand the various types of people the book describes. The most obvious characters in the book are the wise, the fool, and the simple. Proverbs urges its readers to be wise, which means embracing God’s covenant and living out the covenant in everyday situations (compare 2:2; 10:1). The fool is the person who constantly opposes God’s covenant (1:7b). The simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (14:15).
The first nine chapters of Proverbs are “wisdom poems” that urge the reader to pursue wisdom. The main section of Proverbs—the concise, memorable statements of two or three lines—begins in 10:1. Proverbs often seem to be mere observations about life, but their deeper meanings will reveal themselves if the following questions are kept in mind: (1) What virtue does this proverb commend? (2) What vice does it disapprove of? (3) What value does it affirm?
Key Themes
Proverbs offers wisdom on a wide array of topics from daily life: diligence and laziness (6:6–11); friendship (3:27–28; 18:24); speech (10:19–21); marriage (18:22; 19:14); child rearing (22:6); domestic peace (15:17; 17:1); work (11:1); getting along and good manners (23:1–2; 25:16–17; 26:17–19; 27:14); eternity (14:32; 23:17–18); and much more. It shows that “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).
- God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of life. A proper relation to God involves trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying that truth.
- A life lived by God’s will is a happy life (3:21–26).
- A life lived by God’s will is a useful life (3:27–28; 12:18, 25).
- A life lived by God’s will does not just happen. One must seek after it (9:1–6).
Outline
- Title, Goal, and Motto (1:1–7)
- A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
- Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
- The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise” (22:17–24:22)
- Further Sayings of “the Wise” (24:23–34)
- Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1–29:27)
- The Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
- The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1–9)
- An Alphabet of Womanly Excellence (31:10–31)
Fact: Wisdom
Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
Fact: A different kind of security
A different kind of security. In biblical times, if a person was unable to pay his debt, the consequences could be serious. The whole family could be sold into slavery. If someone put up “security” for another person, he promised to pay that person’s debt if he was unable to do so himself. Proverbs teaches that putting up security for another person is generally unwise, since those who do so risk losing everything if the other person cannot pay his debt (11:15).
Fact: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs
Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs. Although most of the Proverbs were collected or written by King Solomon, who reigned from 971–931 B.C., the book of Proverbs did not exist in its present form until the time of King Hezekiah, some 200 years later. Hezekiah and “his men,” probably his scribes, recorded chs. 25–29.
Fact: Rock badgers
Rock badgers are small cliff-dwelling animals closely resembling guinea pigs. They live and forage for food in large groups and are good at hiding. They are best known for posting sentries that alert the group when danger is near. Perhaps it was this mark of wisdom that earned them a mention in Proverbs (30:26).
Fact: Pits
Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).
Fact: Landmarks
Landmarks (22:28) were boundary stones placed on each corner of a person’s property to show where it began and ended.
Fact: Mixed wine
Mixed wine. Since the process of distillation had not yet been invented, the wine of ancient Palestine had a low alcoholic content. Sometimes, people added various herbs and spices to the wine to increase its potency. The drunkenness described in 23:29–35 could have been caused by drinking such “mixed wine” (v. 30).
Fact: Kisses the lips
The phrase kisses the lips in 24:26 probably has more to do with respect and friendly affection than with any idea of romance. The proverb teaches that speaking honestly to a person is one way of showing respect and affection.
Fact: Rains from the north
Rains from the north. In Palestine, winds from the north usually bring good weather. When the north wind brings rain, as in 25:23, the rain can be sudden and damaging. Thus it is compared here to a “backbiting tongue.”
Fact: Glazing over the truth?
Glazing over the truth? As in modern times, clay pottery was often glazed to improve its appearance. But glaze could also be used to hide poor craftsmanship. It is this dishonest use that is described in 26:23.
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)
| Romans 3 | OT Reference |
|---|---|
| Sinful Condition | |
| v. 10, none is righteous | Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20 |
| v. 11a, no one understands | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 11b, no one seeks for God | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one | Ps. 14:3/53:3 |
| Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips) | |
| v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive | Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9) |
| v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips | Ps. 140:3 |
| v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness | Ps. 10:7 |
| Sinful Action | |
| v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood | Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery | Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known | Isa. 59:8 |
| Summary Statement | |
| v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes | Ps. 36:1 |
Prov. 21:20–22:1 Wisdom can enable a person to achieve prosperity, but one should always pursue a good name more than riches. Having a “good name” means being regarded as righteous and kind.
Prov. 22:6 Train up a child. This proverb, founded on the covenant with Abraham (see Gen. 18:19), encourages parents to guide their children in the way (the right moral orientation). It points out the kinds of conduct that please or displease the Lord.
Prov. 22:7–9 The rich . . . lender who rules the poor . . . borrower is seen in contrast to the bountiful person who shares with the poor. Between these two, v. 8 describes the powerful man who will come to ruin.
Prov. 22:10–11 The scoffer, who will be driven out, is contrasted with the person of pure heart and gracious speech, who will be welcomed by the king.
Prov. 22:14 The forbidden woman is a deep pit—something from which a man cannot escape by himself. She ruins him financially, and probably in other ways relating to health, strength, relationships, and above all the man’s relationship to God. She is thus a means God uses to punish the wicked.
Prov. 10:1–22:16 Proverbs of Solomon. Here begins what may be called the “proverbs proper.” They are short, individual sayings, in contrast to the longer wisdom poems of chs. 1–9. Often, however, individual proverbs are grouped together into small collections which give the reader a more complete understanding of a given topic.
Prov. 22:22 crush the afflicted at the gate. The gate was the place of legal transactions. One should not use the courts to take the property of the poor.
Prov. 22:28 The landmark was the boundary stone for a piece of property (Deut. 19:14). To move it was to steal a man’s land as well as his ancestral heritage.
Fact: Landmarks
Landmarks (22:28) were boundary stones placed on each corner of a person’s property to show where it began and ended.
Prov. 23:1–3 The rich host may be using his wealth to manipulate his less-wealthy guests to do his bidding. His hospitality is deceptive.
Prov. 23:4–5 The workaholic is encouraged to be discerning enough to desist in his pursuit of wealth. suddenly it sprouts wings. Wealth is fleeting; there should come a point where a person decides he has enough, and that he will devote some of his time and effort to activities that bring no financial reward. See also note on 8:18–21.
Prov. 23:10–11 The Redeemer of the fatherless is the Lord himself (see Ps. 19:14; 119:154). He is perhaps portrayed here as the near kin (Lev. 25:23–25; Introduction to Ruth: Key Themes, “Redemption”).
Prov. 23:12 Wisdom cannot be acquired without determination.
Prov. 23:13–14 This saying clearly affirms the place of corporal punishment in child rearing. The father punishes in this way to teach the child, not to vent his anger. The goal of such discipline is developing the child’s character. In these verses, he will not die and you will save his soul from Sheol are parallel ideas. Sheol here is the place where the ungodly go after death (see Ps. 49:14; note on Prov. 7:26–27). Discipline equips the child to continue in the way of eternal life.
Prov. 23:17–18 Instead of envying those who ignore God’s way, pleasing the Lord should be the believer’s top priority (v. 17). Such a path is the only true hope for a future (see 24:14, 20; Ps. 37:9–11, 34, 37–38).
Prov. 23:26–28 The phrase give me your heart should guide parents in their task of child rearing. Their goal must be the deepest source of the child’s thoughts, words, and actions. observe my ways. Parents must live as an example of virtue for their children. In particular, the parent reminds the child to avoid a prostitute and an adulteress. Such persons are as deceitful as a robber. They lead one to betray their family (v. 28).
Prov. 23:33–34 Your eyes will see strange things. A drunken person cannot perceive the cause-and-effect connections of events. On the top of a mast is a picture of instability.
Fact: Mixed wine
Mixed wine. Since the process of distillation had not yet been invented, the wine of ancient Palestine had a low alcoholic content. Sometimes, people added various herbs and spices to the wine to increase its potency. The drunkenness described in 23:29–35 could have been caused by drinking such “mixed wine” (v. 30).
Prov. 24:1–2 The young man’s friends can be the greatest threat to his moral life (see 23:17).
Prov. 24:3–4 The images of wisdom’s benefits (a house . . . built, established, and filled) include material provision in addition to a blessed family life. These are received by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, which stem from the fear of the Lord. One’s priority should always be pursuing wisdom rather than riches.
Prov. 24:5–6 Wisdom is the source of true strength. Strength and might apart from wisdom will be ineffective. Wise guidance obtained from an abundance of counselors is the key to victory in any circumstance.
Prov. 24:7 Other proverbs indicate that the fool can never stop talking (e.g., 10:19; 13:3). The point here is that he is at a loss when a situation calls for serious thought.
Prov. 24:11–12 The one who embraces wisdom can never be content with merely seeking the well-being of himself or his family; he will seek justice as widely as he can.
Prov. 24:13–14 Just as honey is sweet to the taste and good for the body, so wisdom is pleasant to the soul that feeds on it (see v. 20; see note on 23:17–18).
Prov. 24:15–16 This warns against joining the wicked in injustice. Acting this way forms a person’s character in a way that will be unhelpful in calamity.
Prov. 24:17–18 Do not rejoice reflects the heart of God, who has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (see note on Ezek. 33:11).
Prov. 24:19–20 See Ps. 37:1.
Prov. 22:17–24:22 The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise.” This section easily divides into 30 distinct teachings, as indicated in 22:20. These reflect an awareness of the Egyptian wisdom text, The Instruction of Amenemope, dated to about 1250 B.C. The most significant difference between the two is the devotion to the Lord exhibited in Proverbs. The identity of “the wise” (22:17) is unknown. Perhaps they are the scholars who assembled these proverbs (possibly under Solomon’s sponsorship).
Prov. 24:21–22 Both God and the Davidic king appear in Proverbs as agents of wrath (see 14:35; 16:10–15; 19:12; 20:2). The young man should respect authority, both human and divine.
Prov. 24:26 The Hebrew phrase translated kisses the lips means that an honest answer treats the other person with both respect and affection. Note the appeals to honest speech in the surrounding text (vv. 23–25, 28–29).
Fact: Kisses the lips
The phrase kisses the lips in 24:26 probably has more to do with respect and friendly affection than with any idea of romance. The proverb teaches that speaking honestly to a person is one way of showing respect and affection.
Prov. 24:23–34 Further Sayings of “the Wise.” (See note on 22:17–24:22.) These sayings are grouped in a parallel fashion, as follows:
A: justice in court (vv. 23–26)
B: economy lesson for the home (v. 27)
A′: justice in court (vv. 28–29)
B′: economy lesson for the home (vv. 30–34)
Prov. 24:30–34 These verses illustrate how proverbs are applied. Upon walking by a field and vineyard that has fallen into ruin through laziness (vv. 30–31), the observer rightly recognizes (v. 32) that the wise instruction he has heard about the sluggard applies to this situation (vv. 33–34 are identical to 6:10–11). Both the observer and the reader are encouraged to believe that ongoing labor is a part of the path of wisdom.
Prov. 25:2–3 God is greater than human beings. He deserves fame, or glory, because he knows things mere humans cannot know (Deut. 29:29). Kings deserve glory for searching for as many answers as possible (Prov. 25:2). But just as no king may know God’s mind completely, no other human can know a king’s mind completely (v. 3). God and human rulers are both mysterious in their own way.
Prov. 25:4–5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king. The close advisers of a ruler must be chosen with careful attention to their moral character (see 13:20).
Prov. 25:6–7b These verses encourage proper humility (see Luke 14:7–11).
Prov. 25:7c–10 This section encourages working out conflict with a neighbor rather than presenting a case in court or reporting a grievance to others (vv. 9b–10). See notes on Matt. 5:25–26; 18:15–20.
Prov. 25:13 The time of harvest for the various crops in ancient Israel ran from June through September, and the heat could be withering. At such a time, the cold of snow—however it was brought—would refresh the workers. A literal snowfall is probably not in view, as that could have been a catastrophe; see 26:1.
Prov. 25:16–17 In context, v. 16 is a metaphor leading into v. 17. One’s presence, even though it may be pleasant, may last too long.
Prov. 25:20 This verse gives three examples of using the wrong solution to a problem.
Prov. 25:21–22 The image of burning coals on the enemy’s head does not imply doing something that harms the enemy, because the phrase further explains the bread and drink, which do him good. Also, the LORD will reward you implies a good result from these “burning coals,” which is most consistent with leading the person to repentance for his or her earlier hostility.
Prov. 25:23 The north wind is not the usual source of rain in Palestine. When it is, it brings unexpected and damaging rain. This is like a backbiting tongue, which brings sudden anger and damage.
Fact: Rains from the north
Rains from the north. In Palestine, winds from the north usually bring good weather. When the north wind brings rain, as in 25:23, the rain can be sudden and damaging. Thus it is compared here to a “backbiting tongue.”
Prov. 25:28 Self-control relates to the passions (such as anger or love), the desires (for food, sex, etc.), and the will (as illustrated by impulsive decisions). Lack of self-control is a mark of a fool. He is like a city . . . left without walls, that is, with no means of defense against enemies.
Prov. 26:4–5 At first these verses seem to contradict each other. But the fact that they are grouped together shows they do not. Rather, they cover two situations. The reader must determine when it is best to answer not a fool (ignore him) and when to answer him. He must be answered if silence would cause harm to the fool or to others.
Prov. 25:28–26:12 All of these proverbs focus on the fool.
Prov. 26:12 Even more hopeless than the situation of the fool (vv. 1–11) is the situation of the stubbornly unteachable person, who is wise in his own eyes (see v. 5).
Prov. 26:13–16 These proverbs focus on the sluggard. He looks ridiculous in his laziness (vv. 13–15) even while considering himself wise (v. 16). In fearing the lion (v. 13), he uses a remote possibility of danger as an excuse for not working.
Prov. 26:17 Someone who stands behind a passing dog and grabs it by the ears is temporarily safe from harm. But he is actually trapped, because the angry dog will attack him when he lets go.
Prov. 26:17–22 These proverbs describe a person who uses his words carelessly.
Fact: Glazing over the truth?
Glazing over the truth? As in modern times, clay pottery was often glazed to improve its appearance. But glaze could also be used to hide poor craftsmanship. It is this dishonest use that is described in 26:23.
Fact: Pits
Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).
Prov. 26:23–28 These verses concern the liar. He artfully disguises his lies, and one should take care not to be fooled by him (vv. 23–25). Eventually his lies will be exposed and he will be trapped in his own deceit (vv. 26–28).
S4:159 Proverbs 22-26
Listen NowDive Deeper | Proverbs 22-26
Throughout the Bible, we see countless verses emphasizing the importance of respecting and honoring our parents. Why?
First, what does it mean to honor your parents? To honor your parents means to show them respect through your words and actions, while expressing inward admiration toward them. This means that, even though you might not always agree with their rules and decisions, you should still respect their position and strive for obedience.
For example, think of a teacher, coach, or politician that you find hard to tolerate. Just because you dislike them, does that mean you can disregard their rules and expectations? Of course not! The Bible calls us to obey our governing authorities, no matter how outrageous their laws may sound to us (Romans 13:1). As Christians, our ultimate responsibility is to love and obey God above all else.
The commandment to honor your father and your mother is the only command in Scripture that promises a long life as a reward (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2-3). Even Jesus, the Son of God, honored and respected both his Heavenly Father and his earthly parents. Luke 2:51-52 explains that Jesus obeyed his parents by going to Nazareth. He increased in wisdom and in stature. Similarly, in Ephesians, we are told to listen to our parents if we want to be wise. Therefore, to follow the perfect example that Christ has set for us, we must obey our parents without arguing with them or resenting them for their decisions. We should make every effort to honor them in the same way that we seek to honor our Heavenly Father through our thoughts, words, and actions.
Reflecting on my own life, I recall times when I didn't honor my parents, and I remember feeling lost, broken, and constantly burdened because my lack of obedience strained our relationship. Recently, the Lord has taught me the importance of listening and obeying them. Because of that, I have built trust with them, which has immensely strengthened our relationship!
This month's memory verse
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
– Isaiah 53:5-6
Discussion Questions
1. When you obey your parents, do you typically do it out of respect and love? Or out of grudging obligation?
2. Is it easy or hard for you to honor your parents? Why is that?
3. What do you think the Lord means when he tells us that we will live long in the land if we honor our parents? (Ephesians 6:1-3)
4. How is your relationship with your parents? What can you do to make it bring honor and glory to God?