Proverbs 20

Lesson 20 of 28

40. SEPARATION

We should keep away from fools and scoffers to avoid quarrels, and from all evil men and women, Proverbs 1.15 - My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path; Proverbs 2.16 - To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Proverbs 4.14 - Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men; Proverbs 5.8 - Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.

The Bible teaches we should separate ourselves from evil people, 2 Corinthians 6.17 - Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, but we should also try to win them for Christ, Luke 5.30-32 - But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering said unto them, they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinner s to repentance. In this section we have three proverbs which give us good advice on the subject of separation.

Proverbs 29.24 - Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. You should not be a partner with a thief, or help him sell what he stole, or in any other way. In a court you would be put under oath to tell the truth, but you would be afraid to reveal anything. This would bring your soul under God's judgment. If you love yourself, keep away from thieves.

Proverbs 22.5 - Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. If you love your own soul keep away from wicked people and all crooks and criminals; they are headed for trouble. You will have the same if you follow them in their evil ways, Proverbs 9.6 - Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 24.1 - Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. You may think that crime is an easy way to get rich. We should not envy these sinners nor covet their money. They are always thinking and talking about what is wrong.

41. CORRECTION

Sometimes it is wise or necessary to tell another brother that he is doing wrong, James 5.19-20 - Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. This person may accept your advice and thank you for it, but others will not pay any attention.

Proverbs 15.10 - Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. A person will be punished for leaving the right way to go off into sin. A wise friend will tell him where he has gone wrong, but if he refuses good advice he could die for his sins. As we learned in Proverbs 3.11 - My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction, God will punish any child of His who continues in sin, and may take him or her out of this world, Proverbs 7.22-23 - He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life..

Proverbs 15.12 - A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. Some sinners think they are very clever and just laugh at God's Word. They do not love anyone who tries to correct them and will never ask a wiser person for advice, Proverbs 9.7 - He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Proverbs 29.1 - He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. God often sends one of His messengers to warn a sinner, Job 33.23 - If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness. God may do this many times, but He will not continue to do so forever. Some warning message will be the last, then He will judge the sinner and there will be no way to escape. God sent many messages to the people of Jerusalem, but in the end the city was destroyed, Luke 11.49 - Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute; Luke 21.20-24 - And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there into. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Proverbs 15.31-32 - The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. So it is for your own good if you listen to wise advice. Those who don’t, act as though they hated themselves, Proverbs 8.36 - But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. On the other hand those who do, get more wisdom. Later on they will be able to advise others also, 2 Timothy 2.2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Proverbs 25.12 - As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. At first you may not appreciate your friend’s advice, but later you will love him for it. You will see that his gift of wisdom is more valuable than an ornament of fine gold.

42. REWARD OR PUNISHMENT

God is the righteous Judge of all men, and He will give rewards to those who serve Him, and punish those who refuse to obey, Romans 2.7-9 - To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.

In this section we have twelve proverbs which contain warnings to those who do evil; and five promises to those who do well.

1. Those that do evil: Punishment

Proverbs 20.30 - The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. God may teach us the hard way in order to keep us from sin and worse punishment. Or, He may allow sickness or sorrow, not because we have been in sin, but to help us avoid it, 2 Corinthians 12.7 - And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Proverbs 18.3 - When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. Sin brings shame and dishonour. It is true that many wicked men prosper in this world, but we know God will judge them later on.

Proverbs 10.10 - He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. A wicked person tries to deceive you by winking with his eye, Proverbs 6.12-15 - A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy; Psalm 35.19 - Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hates me without a cause. This may make you unhappy, but the man will be punished, the same as a fool with a loud mouth, Proverbs 10.8 - The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 24.8 - He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. Even now one who plans to hurt others will become known as a wicked person. He thinks no one will know, but he will soon get a bad name. This is one result of doing evil.

Proverbs 28.22 - He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. Another result is he may become poor, and especially the person who wants to get rich fast. He may lose everything in one day.

Proverbs 17.11 - An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Some people always want to disobey the government and the laws of the land. They will hear about their punishment when the cruel messenger comes to tell them. This messenger might be a police officer, or it might be death itself, Jeremiah 9.21 - For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets, calling the sinner into the presence of God.

Proverbs 17.13 - Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. Sometimes you try to help someone but all he does is to return something bad to you. Do not take vengeance, let God take care of him. His family will have to suffer with him.

Proverbs 22.8 - He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. Farmers and gardeners sow seeds and get back much more. This is a picture of life. What you do will come back to you, evil for evil, or good for good, but much more than what you sowed, Proverbs 5.22 - His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins; Proverbs 11.18 - The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Eliphaz knew this, Job 4.8 - Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same; so did Paul, Galatians 6.7-8 - Remember, I pray thee, whoever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same; and so did Hosea 8.7 - For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. In - Proverbs 22.8 - He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail, this man may become very angry, but it will do him no good.

Proverbs 26.27 - Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. You reap what you sow. You set a trap for someone and you may get caught in it. Some people make bombs to kill others, but they explode and they themselves get killed. Anyone who takes a sword may get killed by a sword, Matthew 26.52 - Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Proverbs 21.7 - The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. Wicked men think that they will get rich by robbing others, but they will surely be judged by their own actions. They refuse to do what is right and their sins will be known and punished, sometimes very suddenly, Proverbs 6.15 - shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 28.17 - A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. We should try to advise people to stop sinning, but the murderer has already gone too far. The righteous man should not try to help him. The killer should die for his crime.

Proverbs 11.7 - When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. And death is the end of all hope for the sinner. Some teachers say that you will have another chance after death, but this is not true. The Bible says, after death the judgment.

This is the time to repent of your sins and get right with God by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

2. Those that do good: Rewards

Proverbs 16.26 - He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. People are willing to work hard so they and their families can have enough to eat, Proverbs 24.27 - Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. The workman deserves his salary, and the farmer produces food first for his own needs, 1 Timothy 5.18 - For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward; 2 Timothy 2.6 - The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. We should be even more willing to work hard for spiritual rewards.

Proverbs 12.14 - A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. In this world we will receive what we deserve, depending on what we say and what we do. Much more, we will be rewarded by the Lord in heaven for doing His will and preaching His Word. Heaven is better than earth, so we should try hardest to do those things which will bring a reward that lasts forever.

Proverbs 16.31 - The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Even here a righteous man could expect a long life, and the white hair of an older person should be an honour, Leviticus 19.32 - Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

Proverbs 21.21 - He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. We should seek for righteousness and mercy. We all need righteousness to stand before God, and in mercy He alone can provide this, 1 Corinthians 1.30 - of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. We should also act righteously and show mercy to others, just as our Father does. In this proverb He promises the gift of eternal life, righteousness in Christ, and honour to those who honour Him, 1 Samuel 2.30 - Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. See also Proverbs 4.18 - But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 27.18 - Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. The fruit of a tree belongs to the person who owns the tree and takes care of it. In the same way an employer should honour his employee who serves him well. Far more wonderful, the Lord Jesus Christ will give crowns to those who love Him and do His will, James 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; Revelation 2.10 - none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

This is the only life worth living: living for Jesus and serving the Lord.

43. HONOUR

Even now honour is important to Christians. We should honour father and mother, Mark 10.19 - Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother; employers, 1 Timothy 6.1 - Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed; government officials, Romans 13.7 - Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour; most of all, God, 1 Timothy 1.17 - Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In this section we find five proverbs about the honour of women, young and old people, kings, and honour for one’s self.

Proverbs 11.16 - A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. A gracious lady receives honour from all who know her, and this is better than holding on to money. This lady is like the good wife in Proverbs 12.4 - A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones and Proverbs 31.30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Husbands should give honour to their wives, 1 Peter 3.7 - Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Proverbs 20.29 - The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. Young men are given honour because they are strong and able to work hard, Lamentations 3.27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, and to fight for the Lord, 1 John 2.13-14 - I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Older men should not be ashamed because their hair has turned gray; they should be given honour also, if their lives are right, Proverbs 16.31 - The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 14.28 - In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. The king should be given honour by all his people, but some kings do not have many people in their control, and so other nations may come in and take away their kingdoms from them.

Our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, will rule over all people in the whole world when He comes again. He will have great honour.

Proverbs 25.2 - It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. God is light and He has told us a great deal about Himself in the Scripture. We praise Him for this and also for all things which He, in His wisdom, has not revealed to us. We should study the hard verses and ask the Lord to help us understand, Proverbs 3.32 - For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous. Deuteronomy 29.29 - The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Kings should teach people the way of the Lord. As judges they should also ask many questions so they have all the facts before they make any decisions, Proverbs 18.13 - He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 25.27 - It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. Too much honey is not good, Proverbs 25.16 - Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Most people like to hear others speak well of them, and so they try to win the honour of men. We should seek for the honour which the Lord will give when He comes back, 1 Peter 1.7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, even though it means we get no honour in this world today, John 5.41 - I receive not honour from men; 2 Corinthians 6.8 - By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 1 Thessalonians 2.6 - Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.