Proverbs 25

Lesson 25 of 28

D. WISE AND WICKED PEOPLE

Five Proverbs show the contrast between people who are wise and those who are wicked.

Proverbs 11.9 - An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. We should love our neighbours, but godless people do not hesitate to do them great harm. Righteous people are delivered from trouble because they know what to expect, Proverbs 28.26 - He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Knowledge is not the same as wisdom, but the Lord gives both, Proverbs 2.6 - For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and un derstanding.)

Proverbs 19.2 - Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. Knowledge is good; it teaches us to be cautious, and not to make quick decisions which might lead us into sin.

Proverbs 12.8 - A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. People usually give honour to those who have wisdom, but not to sinners, Proverbs 18.3 - When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Proverbs 13.15 - Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of tr ansgressors is hard. A man with good sense is well liked but many people cannot be trusted and they will have a hard time.

Proverbs 28.2 - For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. God may punish a nation for its sins. He does this by setting aside wicked rulers so that there is frequent change of government. God will help a wise ruler to continue in office so people can know what to expect. This is important. People feel confused when things change too rapidly. We should pray for good and wise rulers and judges, Proverbs 16.12 - It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness; Proverbs 20.28 - Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

E. HARD WORKERS AND LAZY WORKERS

8. Hard workers have all they need
9. Hard workers may get rich

This section includes thirteen proverbs which show the difference between good workers and lazy people. Hard work means that you will have enough to eat and may get rich. Lazy people often have to go hungry.

8. HARD WORKERS HAVE ALL THEY NEED

Proverbs 12.11 - He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. Men can work their land and get enough food for their families, but it takes work. Some people waste their time with useless things or stupid people. By this they show they are fools. Wise people make the most of every opportunity, Ephesians 5.15-16 - then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 28.19 - He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. This proverb says about the same as Proverbs 12.11 - He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Proverbs 13.23 - Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. The ground must be prepared and the seed sown. A poor man may work hard yet not get a good crop because some richer person claims the property. Or the owner may fail to finish his work; he never puts in the seed. The same is true in spiritual things, the Lord Jesus said He finished His work, and the apostle Paul finished the race, John 17.4 - I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do; John 19.30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost; 2 Timothy 4.7 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Proverbs 12.27 - The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. Some people hunt wild animals for food. This also is hard work and the lazy person never starts or only goes part way. Hard work brings good results, and this is true of everything you desire.

Proverbs 20.13 - Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. It is necessary to get up in the morning, and good workers get up real early, Proverbs 31.15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. The same is true in the Christian life, we should wake up and serve the Lord, Ephesians 5.14 - Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Some believers are just too lazy to work for the Lord, they will receive no reward or crown.

Proverbs 21.5 - The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Hard work is important, but so is careful planning. Some people jump into every new thing, but they hate work and soon drop out. They become poorer while the other person has enough.

9. HARD WORKERS MAY GET RICH

Proverbs 10.4 - He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. The lazy person will lose what little he has, but those who work hard may be able to save their money and use it for good purposes, Ephesians 4.28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Proverbs 13.11 - Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Some people get rich by wrong means, and soon become poor again. Others continue to work hard and slowly save their money.

Proverbs 13.4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. The lazy person wants to have everything but ends up with nothing. Others are diligent and work hard every day, they deserve what they get.

Proverbs 15.19 - The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. The thorn is one result of sin, and laziness is a sin. God told Adam he must work hard all his life to get enough food to eat, Genesis 3.18-19 - Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. So the lazy sinner has plenty of trouble, while the righteous person knows where he is going.

Proverbs 12.24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. Hard work will also bring a person to a place of authority, but the lazy one becomes a servant to others and in the end he must work harder than ever.

Proverbs 10.5 - He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. A good worker shows that he is wise and his father and mother have taught him well. They should be proud of him. Everybody should be busy in harvest time and help bring in the crops. Some people are so lazy they love to sleep more than work, even at harvest. Their parents are ashamed of them.

Proverbs 13.17 - A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. A king may send his messenger to another country and this person should do and say what the king has commanded him. If he does, there will be a time of peace. We too are God’s servants and we have a great message of true peace, 2 Corinthians 5.21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. See also 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..

This is the time we should be busy in the Lord’s work and tell others about Him, John 4.35 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Lazy and sleepy Christians do not bring honour to God their Father.

F. MERCIFUL AND CRUEL PEOPLE

10. Effects on one’s self
11. Effects on others
12. Effect on God

There is a great contrast between people who show mercy to others and people who are cruel. The cruel and selfish person hurts himself as well as others, and God knows those who show mercy to poor people.

10. EFFECTS ON ONE’S SELF

Proverbs 11.17 - The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. A good man feels happy when he can help others. God set some in the church who can be a help to the rest of the believers, 1 Corinthians 12.28 - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues, and we should all show mercy whenever we can, Ephesians 4.32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Cruel people will reap what they sow, and others will be cruel to them.

Proverbs 11.24 - There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Some people show mercy by being generous to others. They give food or money or clothes to those who need help. God blesses these who give so they do not become poor but richer. On the other hand many people disobey God’s command and keep for themselves what they should have given to those in need. So without God’s blessing they themselves become poor.

11. EFFECTS ON OTHERS

Proverbs 11.26 - He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. Some cruel people try to store up their grain until it is in short supply and the price goes up much higher. This makes people hate them, but they praise the person who sells his grain at fair prices when it is needed.

Proverbs 28.27 - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. It is better still to give food to those who are too poor to pay for it. Do not think that you will go hungry, God will provide for your needs also. Others try to act as if they did not know anyone in need, so they selfishly keep everything for themselves.

Proverbs 14.21 - He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. The proud sinner looks down on his poor neighbour and thinks he himself is better. He who gives is really happier - Acts 20.35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Proverbs 12.10 - A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. We should also be kind to animals. We should give our animals food, Deuteronomy 25.4 - Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn; water to drink, Luke 13.15 - The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering; shelter, Genesis 33.17 - And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth; and time to rest, Exodus 23.12 - Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. But wicked men are cruel even when they think they are showing mercy.

Some people who worship idols are kind to animals but cruel to their own children. They give food to animals because they call them their gods, but their children go hungry. Others break their children’s legs so they can beg better. Still others, as a sacrifice to the gods, throw their children into a holy river so they drown, or they put them into fire, Deuteronomy 12.31 - Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. God will judge such cruelty.

12. EFFECT ON GOD

Proverbs 14.31 - He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. God -knows it -all. He takes care of poor people and commands us to do so, Exodus 23.11 - But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy olive yard. The same God created the poor man and the rich man. We can honour God by obeying His commands. Those who don’t will suffer for it, James 2.13 - For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

G. TRUTH TELLS AND LIARS

13. The heart
14. In court
15. Before the Lord

We will now consider eight proverbs which teach us the difference between those who lie and those who tell the truth. Both show what is in their hearts by what they say, and this determines their future, because the Lord knows everything. It is important to tell the truth in court, because what you say affects others.

The Lord commands us to tell the truth, Deuteronomy 5.20 - Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour, and all liars will be sent to hell, Revelation 21.27 - And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life, unless their sins are forgiven through faith in Christ.

13. THE HEART

Proverbs 12.20 - Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. People tell lies because they think lies. Perhaps they have been taught to lie, or at least that it does not matter whether you tell the truth or not. They think they will be happier if they tell a lie, like Ananias and his wife, Acts 5.1-11 - But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Make up your mind to tell the truth no matter what happens, and you will have joy and peace in your heart.

Proverbs 13.5 - A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. In his heart a good man hates lying because he knows God will punish sin. Wicked men tell lies and say many other evil things. They will be ashamed when the truth comes out, and everybody knows they cannot be trusted.

Proverbs 12.19 - The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. You do not have to change your words if you tell the truth the first time. God’s truth is eternal, Psalm 117.2 - For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord Jesus is the Truth, and those who love the truth will live forever. Liars will become known as such and they will be cut off, Proverbs 19.9 - A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

14. IN COURT

It is especially important to tell the truth in court.

Proverbs 12.17 - He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Always tell the truth and you will be known as an honest person. In a court a true witness helps the judge to reach a fair decision. Proverbs 14.5 - A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies; 

Proverbs 14.25 - A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. The judge knows you are telling the truth and so you help the innocent person to get a fair trial.

Proverbs 21.28 - A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. False testimony will not stand up in court, but a good judge will listen to both sides before he decides who is in the right.