Proverbs 18

 Lesson 18 of 28

34. SERVANTS

A servant is a person who works for someone else and gets paid for it. The New Testament gives instructions for employers and employees, Ephesians 6.5-9 - Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him; Colossians 3.22-25 - Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath
done: and there is no respect of persons; Colossians 4.11 - And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me; James 5.4 - Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are
entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Proverbs 17.2 - A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance a mong the brethren.- Some servants are wise, perhaps even wiser than a son of the employer. A man might promote his servant over his own foolish son. The servant would then share in the inheritance with the man’s sons. A wise employee should certainly be paid well for his services. The Lord Jesus will surely reward us for faithful service.

Proverbs 25.13 - As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. Even now God is pleased with the messenger who obeys Him. He has sent us out with the Gospel message but often we fail to tell others about His love . . . The weather is hot in the time of harvest and the coolness of snow would be welcome relief. So any master appreciates a faithful servant and God does too. See also Proverbs 13.17 - A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Proverbs 10.26 - As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. On the other hand many servants are lazy and they do not please their employers at all. You send someone with a message but he is slow in delivering it. If you put vinegar in your mouth it will hurt your teeth. If you stand near a fire the smoke will hurt your eyes. A lazy servant is just as bad.

Proverbs 25.19 - Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. You put your confidence in someone when you have trouble, but he proves to be unreliable. This could be a servant or any friend or relative. He fails to help you and you are disappointed. This is as bad as breaking a tooth or a foot.

Proverbs 26.6 - He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. You know a person is a fool, yet you send him with an important message! Naturally you can only expect trouble.

Proverbs 29.19 - A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. It is necessary to explain clearly what you want people to do, but some servants will not obey no matter what you say. They should not be allowed to work for you any longer. Give them their pay and tell them to look for work some other place. Some people pretend to be servants of Christ, but they are lazy and do not obey Him. They will be thrown out when the Lord comes again, Matthew 25.26 - His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Proverbs 29.21 - He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. A man may have servants who live with him and they have children of their own. The master should be kind to these children but not give them everything they want. If he does the servant may demand more and more, as if he were a true son of the master. There are limits to the privileges you should give to servants, and also to the authority you should give them. Abraham’s servant had great authority, and at first Abraham thought he would have to give all he owned to the servant. But Isaac was born and the servant did not try to get Isaac’s place, Genesis 15.2 - And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?; Genesis 24.36 - And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

Proverbs 19.10 - Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. Wise men succeed and prosper and often become rich, Proverbs 21.20 - There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up, but it does not seem right for fools to live in luxury. It is worse still to see servants rule over princes. Joseph had great authority in Egypt, but he was subject to the king, Genesis 41.40 - Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

35. NEIGHBOURS

The Bible says we should love our neighbours as ourselves, and the Lord Jesus taught that my neighbour is anyone I can help, Luke 10.29 - he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?; Luke 10. 37 - And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

In this section we look at three proverbs only, but there are many verses in Proverbs about neighbours:

Proverbs 3.28-29 - Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

Proverbs 6.29 - So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 11.9 - An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Proverbs 11.12 - He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Proverbs 12.26 - The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Proverbs 14.20-21 - The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Proverbs 18.17 - He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Proverbs 19.4 - Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

Proverbs 24.28 - Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

Proverbs 25.8-9 - Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

Proverbs 25.18 - A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 26.19 - So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Proverbs 29.5 - A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Proverbs 25.17 - Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Some people have nothing much to do so they visit their neighbours. Others may be happier with someone else if their own wife or husband is always starting a quarrel, Proverbs 21.9 - It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. But your neighbour may get tired of having you around and wish you would go away.

Proverbs 21.10 - The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. You may have wicked neighbours. An evil man is always trying to hurt someone and he will not spare his own neighbours. So you try to love him and help him but he is trying to get an advantage over you.

Proverbs 16.29-30 - A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. A rough man may want to hurt you even though you are his neighbour. He does this by deceiving you and by acting as if he were your friend. He secretly plans to do wrong, then he tells you his well-prepared plans, hoping you will join him in some evil action. So the Scripture warns us to be careful of men, even neighbours, who seem to be good people, but really are drawing us away from the Lord.

36. JUDGES AND RULERS

In Israel, Solomon was the king and after him many of his sons were kings of Judah. Today some countries are ruled by kings, but most have a President or Prime Minister. In the lessons we have five proverbs about kings and thirteen more about rulers and judges and our relations with them. One duty of a king is to listen to people who have problems, and to settle their quarrels. He is the highest judge in the land, but there should be many lower judges to settle small cases.

Proverbs 20.8 - A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. The king should know the Word of God and judge righteously, Deuteronomy 17.18-19 - it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them. He should tell the difference between right and wrong and be able to put down all evil. Wicked men should know by looking at the king that they will be punished for their crimes.

Proverbs 20.26 - A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. A king must be wise enough to know who has done wrong, and he must be strong enough to punish him. In old days farmers would cut up their grain by pulling heavy rollers across it, and then throw it into the air so a light wind would blow away the part of the grain which was not wanted. The king or judge separates good men from evil, and then quickly punishes those who have done wrong.

Proverbs 29.14 - The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. Often people are poor because someone has tried to take their property to make himself richer. In Luke 18.2-5 - 2 - Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me, the Lord Jesus told about a poor widow whom someone was trying to rob. The king should judge these cases fairly if he wants God to leave him on his throne.

Proverbs 25.4-5 - Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. The silversmith can get pure silver by melting it in the furnace and then removing the impure substance which floats on the top. The king must remove wicked people if he wants to keep on ruling as king.

So a king must judge criminals and help the poor and all rulers and judges must do the same. We look forward to the time when our Lord Jesus Christ will rule this world in righteousness, Psalm 45.6 - Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre; Psalms 72.2 - He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment; Isaiah 11.4 - But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Proverbs 24.21-22 - My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? Here the wise man advises his son to obey the Lord and the king. We should not go along with those who try to overthrow the government by killing people. God will suddenly judge them and us too, if we help them in their evil ways.

Proverbs 18.13 - He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. No one should make up his mind about a case until he has heard both sides. This is what a fool would do and anyone would be ashamed if he does so.

Proverbs 18.17 - He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. You listen to what the first person says and it seems very clear. But the other person tells the other side and so the first has to prove that he told the truth. A good king or judge waits to hear both sides before he makes any decision, 1 Kings 3.16-28 - Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

Proverbs 24.23 - These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. The wise men said that judges should not show special favour to one person rather than another. The law of God teaches that we should listen to unimportant people, as well as those who are great, and make a fair decision without fear, Deuteronomy 1.17 - Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Proverbs 28.21 - To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. This proverb repeats this warning against showing special favour to anyone, 1 Timothy 5.21 - I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Anyone who does may be tempted to accept a gift and make his decision un-righteously. A piece of bread is not worth much, yet many people will do what is wrong to gain very little.

Proverbs 17.8 - A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. A rich person may be able to give something more valuable than a piece of bread. He gives gifts to someone in order to influence him. This person sees that the gift is valuable and will do anything for the giver. So the rich person thinks that money will buy whatever he wants, and that he will succeed wherever he goes.

Proverbs 18.16 - A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. With money a person can give gifts to guards and servants so they will let him in to see great men. He may bring a still larger gift to the chief man. This is wrong because the person who receives the gift may be tempted to do what is not right.

Proverbs 21.14 - A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. Someone may be angry with you because of what you have said or done. A quiet answer may be enough to take away his anger, Proverbs 15.1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger, or some kind act which you can do for him. This verse, Proverbs 21.14 - A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath, may also mean giving a bribe to a judge so he will not punish you according to the law. It would be wrong to give or take a gift for this purpose. Proverbs 17.23 - A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. This is certainly the meaning of this verse. Many judges and officials today will do anything for a large gift. The wicked sons of Eli took bribes, 1 Samuel 8.3 - And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment, but God’s law says this is wrong, Exodus 23.8 - And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

Proverbs 28.15 - As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. Wicked rulers do not judge fairly, they accept bribes and show favour to some of their friends. Poor people never get justice and for them the ruler is like a wild animal ready to kill them. Even so, they should not try to get a better ruler by killing the wicked one. God will take care of His own people.

Proverbs 17.26 - Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. A judge should punish the one who has done wrong, and not good people. Queen Jezebel ordered the judges to kill Naboth though he was innocent, but God punished her, 1 Kings 21.8-10 - So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die; 1 Kings 21.23 - And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

Proverbs 18.5 - It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. This is another proverb for judges, Deuteronomy 16.19 - Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous, but in Israel the people also were responsible to judge fairly.

Proverbs 19.15 - Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. The people saved Jonathan from unfair punishment, 1 Samuel 14.45 - And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not, but later the nation followed many wicked practices, Isaiah 59.14 - And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Proverbs 24.11-12 - If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? This is a case when a man has been falsely accused and unfairly condemned to die. You know the facts which would prove the man to be innocent, but you do not tell the judge, Proverbs 31.8 - Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. King Saul falsely accused Ahimelech and put him to death. No one stood up for him or the other priests, 1 Samuel 22.13-18 - And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute anything unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

You might say you did not know about it but God considers the thoughts of our hearts. We trust Him to save us and keep us. Should we not also obey Him? He will surely judge every man according to his works, Romans 2.6 - Who will render to every man according to his deeds; Revelation 2.23 - And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

All around us we see people who are dying in their sins without Christ. We are certainly commanded to deliver them by telling them of the only Saviour. We will give account to God if we fail to do so, Ezekiel 33.6-8 - But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Proverbs 29.26 - Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord. Many people try to please the judge or ruler by giving him gifts, but we should try only to please the Lord. He is the supreme Judge of the world, and He alone will judge every man fairly. Neither judges nor ordinary people should ever take a gift which might lead them to do wrong. A Christian should judge every case fairly according to the Word of God, James 2.4 - Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?; James 3.17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be in-treated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.