Proverbs 26

Lesson 26 of 28

15. BEFORE THE LORD

Proverbs 12.22 - Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his d elight. All these- six -verses, 17 to22, teach about the-same general subject, but verse 22 is the most important.

What does the Lord think about it? He hates lies, Proverbs 6.17 - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, but He is pleased with those who always tell the truth and do what is right. The Lord Jesus Christ always told the truth and His Father was well pleased. Christians should
never lie but always tell the truth, Ephesians 4.15 - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; Ephesians 4.25 - Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

H. RICH PEOPLE AND POOR PEOPLE

16. Advantages of being rich
17. Advantages of being poor
18. Other good people
19. Pride and humility
20. Joy and sadness
21. Love and hatred
22. Patience and anger
23. People who say the right thing
24. Generous and greedy people
25. Righteous people and rich people

Agur prayed that the Lord would keep him from telling lies and also from being either poor or rich, Proverbs 30.7,9 - Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die; Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. There are dangers for both poor and rich, and we will consider 15 proverbs which teach these things.

Proverbs 13.7 - There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. First note that some people do not want others to know they are poor so they say they are rich. Others the opposite, they are rich but talk all the time as if they were poor. Both are wrong because we should tell the truth at all times.

16. ADVANTAGES OF BEING RICH

Proverbs 10.15 - The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The rich person feels secure, but the poor man fears what may happen to him. Proverbs 18.11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. The rich man thinks that his money will protect him from all trouble. Job learned that you can lose all you own in one day. See 1 Timothy 6.17 - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

Proverbs 13.8 - The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. Sometimes robbers will threaten to kill a person unless he gives them a lot of money. They would not do this to a poor man, so sometimes it is better to be poor.

Proverbs 14.20 - The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. No one wants to show love to a poor man when he gets into trouble, but many people would like a rich man to consider them as his friends. Job was sad after he lost all his money and his friends turned against him. Job 16.20 - My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

Proverbs 19.4 - Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. This proverb is much the same as Proverbs 14.20 - The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends, so this teaching must be important . Proverbs 18.23 - The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. A rich person does not have to ask others for help, but still he should be polite, even if he refuses to help the poor man.

Proverbs 22.7 - The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. The rich person can tell poor people what to do, and those who borrow money must do as they are told.

17. ADVANTAGES OF BEING POOR

Proverbs 17.1 - Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. A poor person may have only a dry piece of bread to eat, and yet have peace in his heart. This would be better than plenty of good with people quarrelling all around you.

Proverbs 15.16-17 - Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. It is better to be poor yet know the love of God, than to be rich and have a lot of trouble. It is better to have a meal of vegetables with friends than to eat lots of meat with people who really hate you.

Proverbs 16.8 - Be tter is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Again, you would be happier with a little money which is really yours, than to get very rich dishonestly.

Proverbs 28.6 - Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Again, the poor honest man is happier than the rich thief.

Proverbs 27.7 - The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. The rich man has lots to eat but does not always enjoy his food. A poor person is hungry and so he is glad to get anything. What is the good of being rich if you are sick and cannot eat anyway?

Proverbs 28.11 - The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. It is better to be poor and really wise than to be rich and just think you are wise. The rich person thinks he knows it all, but sometimes a poor man can see through him.

18. OTHER GOOD PEOPLE

We have noticed many proverbs which show the difference between wise and foolish people; righteous and wicked; hard workers and lazy persons; merciful and cruel people; and those who tell the truth and those who tell lies. There are a few more proverbs which show other differences. Some people are proud, some humble, some happy, some sad; some love other people, some hate them; some are patient, some become angry; some talk too much, some are kind, some greedy.

19. PRIDE AND HUMILITY

Some people are proud, others humble. God hates pride, Proverbs 6.16-17 - These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.

(a) What is the result of being proud?

Proverbs 11.2 - When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Some people are proud of themselves and they may soon become ashamed. True wisdom makes you feel humble because you know that it comes from God, Proverbs 2.6 - For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding..

roverbs 13.10 - Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Quarrels are caused by pride, Proverbs 22.10 - Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. A proud person will not listen to advice, but it is a mark of wisdom to do so,

Proverbs 15.22 - Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 28.25 - He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. Here again pride leads to quarrels and the proud person trusts in himself, not in the Lord. Faith in God leads to success.

Proverbs 15.25 - The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Pride leads to shame and quarrels and it also brings a person under God’s judgment, and his family also. A humble widow may trust in the Lord and know that He will protect her from those who would try to take away her property.

(b) People are often proud but not really great.

Proverbs 12.9 - He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. A working man may not have great honour in the city, but he supports himself and he is better off than the proud person who does not have enough to eat.

Proverbs 16.19 - Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. The humble person may have only poor people for his friends and they cannot do much to help him. God says this person is better than all the proud people who get rich by robbery, Proverbs 1.13 -
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil.

(c) Proud people may soon be brought down very low.

Proverbs 16.18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. When trouble comes, the proud person becomes very humble, in fact, his pride may be the cause of his downfall, because God is against him, James 4.6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Proverbs 18.12 - Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Many people are proud before they have trouble, and God allows trouble to come so He can teach His children to be humble, to be like Christ, 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; Matthew 11.29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. It is better to take first the low place, perhaps honour will come later, Proverbs 15.33 - The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility; Proverbs 25.6-7 - Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Proverbs 29.23 - A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. It is pride which causes a person to fall, like Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 5.20 - But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. A truly humble man may do well and be honoured by other people in the city.

20. JOY AND SADNESS

Here we have six proverbs which show the different effects of joy and sadness.

Proverbs 12.25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. You can usually tell when a friend is worrying about something, and the Lord will help you to say the right words to help him, Proverbs 15.23 - A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 15.13 - A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Joy inside the heart also shows in a person’s face, but continuing sorrow can break a man’s spirit.

Proverbs 15.15 - All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Some people are always sad; others are always happy as if they were having a feast every day. The joy of the Lord is our strength, Nehemiah 8.10 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Proverbs 14.13 - Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Laughing may be a sign of joy, but it may often just cover up a sad heart. Solomon later wrote that laughter is often a proof of foolishness or insanity. Sorrow is sometimes better than laughter and the laugh of a fool has no meaning, Ecclesiastes 2.2 - So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Ecclesiastes 7.3,6 - Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better; Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Such laughter ends in sorrow.

Proverbs 17.22 - A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Still a heart of joy is good for a person’s health. The sinner shows that he has an empty heart when he laughs loudly. A believer can sing praise to God, James 5.13 - any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Sorrow can break the spirit, Proverbs 15.13 - A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken, and this is bad for the body also.

Proverbs 14.30 - A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. A healthy heart is good for the whole body, but jealousy is bad for the health. God gives us peace in our hearts when He forgives our sins, then He heals the body, Psalm 103.3 - Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.