Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:1

He who separates himself seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

I wish I knew what was meant here by "separates."  Is this some kind of major separation, where one refuses to have anything to do with others?  Or is it less severe, meaning one chooses to disengage and avoid the issue rather than come to open disagreement?

I wish I knew because, depending on the answer, this might apply to me.  There are many areas where I have major disagreements with others, particularly other believers.  Unless it's an issue or theology, I normally choose to simply withdraw or remain silent, rather than risk causing a larger division.  Am I wrong to do this?

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:27

He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

In Sunday School classes and bible studies, I get told on what seems like a regular basis that I rarely speak, but when I do it's usually worth listening.  Personally, I put this down less to knowledge and understanding, than I do to ADD/ADHD and introversion.

When I learned to control my ADHD's external symptoms, one of the things I had to learn was to keep my mouth shut, or everything in my ADD-riddled brain would come tumbling out.  I'm perfectly capable of having a multi-sided conversation in my head, and hashing a matter out there before opening the conclusion to the outside world.  Many people have to think out loud, I guess I'm the opposite.  But because they're thinking out loud, I'm too polite and introverted to normally interrupt, unless it's something I think only I have probably thought about.  So if I say something, it's because I've first thought it through, and it is something that no one else in the group is probably going to think up.

Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:26

A worker's appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.

When I read this, I don't just think about appetites and hunger.  I think about ambition.  All of us want stuff.  Sometimes it's big, sometimes little, but there's always something.  We may know we don't need it, but we want it, and I read this as saying that's not necessarily bad.

Not necessarily, but it can be.  We can want the wrong things, or too much of things.  This would be where hunger in the proverb turns to gluttony.  While ambition can be a good thing, it also needs to be properly harnessed and directed, to point us the direction God wants us to go.

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:7

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.

This verse has very interesting timing.  Earlier this afternoon, I got a message from a less-fortunate person, who I've helped in emergencies with rides and occasional money.  She wanted me to bring her a Dr. Pepper when I got off work.

I've told her before that I am not her personal chauffeur or piggy bank.  So I immediately wanted to respond with a harsh "no," and explain again that I would not be an enabler for her poor behavior.  However, I knew that would cause a harsh reaction, so for now, the best I've been able to do is stay silent.  I pray that if a response becomes required, God will give me the correct words or knowledge.

Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:30

A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones.

I feel like I've lived my life by this verse, without knowing it.  As I learned to control my ADD, I found that my emotions, my passion as it were, tended to be the cause of my troubles.  It was when I let my emotions guide me instead of my rational mind that I let my ADD out and caused trouble.

However, I guess I do wonder if "passion" is the word here that I would expect.  There are things that are worth being passionate about, as long as it doesn't take complete control.  Is there some subset of passion, or type of passion, that this is more accurately warning about?

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:7

There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.

This sounds a lot like the modern day "keeping up with the Jones" syndrome of our consumer culture.  The thing that concerns many people today is appearance.  You have to fake it until you make it.  But what happens if you don't make it, if you fall short?  You're deep in debt and stuck.

At the same time, I'm not quite certain if that's what this is supposed to hint at, or if there's another message in there.  Could it be a warning about putting up false appearances, even if you have money?  I'll admit I'm doing OK, but I still tend to act as if I'm fairly poor, both to fit in better with my peers who aren't doing as well, and because I don't want the attention.  Am I wrong to do this?

Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12:12

The wicked man desires the booty of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

This serves as a dual warning.  First, there is the advisory of the evil man.  He wants what others have, and often it's another evil man who has more, or what the other evil man has is more desirable.  Good men, on the other hand, get what they've planned for, and are better for it.

However, there's another warning in this, as well.  If you get what you have by evil, then you will attract the attention of other evil men.  They will want what you now have.  So even though you've gotten stuff, you're immediately at risk of losing it to someone else, which perpetuates the cycle.

Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches.

A lot of people would look at this verse and say, "if the ruthless get riches, why would I want to be nice?  You can't spend honor."  My own first reaction was similar, wondering why it would seem to bestow such a positive light on both sides.

However, while you can't spend honor, it is worth much more in the long run.  First, the ruthless will see others turn against them, while the gracious gain favor with others.  Also, you can't take money with you when you die, but graciousness will be rewarded to the Believer.

Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked perishes.

The righteous person (today we could say Christian) doesn't need to worry.  He doesn't need the things of this world.  What's needed is what he's already promised, and that's Heaven.  No matter what happens, he can approach it with gladness, because he knows where he will end up.

On the other hand, whatever expectations a wicked person (non-believer) has, they're not going to happen.  Oh, he might get what he wants here, in the short-term.  But in the end, he can't take any of that with him, and will regret his choices for the rest of eternity.

Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9:8

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

I think the word usage has shifted some over the years for this verse.  The modern definition of reprove is to reprimand.  With that definition, this doesn't make much sense.  I understand why a scoffer would hate someone who reprimanded him.  But why would a wise man love him?  Just because someone reprimands you doesn't mean they're right.

I think you have to look to an older definition of reprove for the answer, which I think comes closer to "correct."  Then it makes sense why a wise man would love reproof.  He's been shown that he was wrong about something, and therefore is now closer to doing all things right.

Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:13

"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

It's a well known expression, in Christian circles at least, that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.  However, most don't know what it means to fear God.  I myself have wrestled with what that means.  I came to think it means a respectful reverence for what He is and can do, and how little we truly matter in comparison.

However, this verse makes me think I probably overstated what it means.  This verse says that to fear God is to hate evil.  Then it gives us some key points of what evil is.  Pride and arrogance are closely related, and both lead to thinking more of yourself than of God.  Evil ways is a pretty broad description.  I'm not sure what all falls under a perverted mouth, whether it's cursing or lying or all of the above.

Proverbs 7

Proverbs 7:21

With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her flattering lips she seduces him.

The man isn't necessarily looking to get himself into a situation here.  He's at least somewhat resistant.  However, she knows what she's doing, and how to get what she wants.  She doesn't just throw herself at him.

Instead, she seduces him.  She persuades, explains why it will all be okay, how they'll never get caught.  She flatters him, telling him why he's so special, why he deserves her, and what wonderful times they'll have together.  It's a careful effort, but dangerous because of how effective it is.

Proverbs 6

Proverbs 6:11

Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.

A vagabond creeps in, preferably with no one seeing him, and finds a spot to hole up.  I remember hearing on the radio once about a guy who snuck into a man's detached garage which was rarely used, and then because he was there for a while without being discovered, the city considered him a tenant, and the homeowner couldn't legally throw him out.  Poverty creeps up on you, because you weren't paying attention.

An armed man, on the other hand, doesn't need to sneak anywhere.  He's packing, and makes sure everyone knows it.  He strides in confidently, and can do whatever he wants.  Need crashes in, and makes its presence well-known, and dares you to do something about it.

Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5:6

She does not ponder the path of life;
Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.

First off, "she" is an adulteress.  I don't want people to think this is about women in general, or an alliteration of wisdom.  The verse says she doesn't ponder the path of life.  I take this to mean she has no real plans.  She's just goes from one thrill to another, whatever it takes to make her happy.

Since she has no plan, and thrills can't last, her path is unstable.  Sooner or later, she's left without the fun, and reality hits hard.  However, she thinks that will never happen, that she can just keep going and going on her merry way.  But eventually, life will happen, and then she's going to be risking a big fall.

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:15

Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.

First off, an explanation:  "it" is the path of the wicked.  So, we're being warned not to go on that bad path.  It seems like pretty obvious advice, but how often do we still ignore it, and take that bad path to a bad destination?

But we're not only to avoid it.  We're not to even pass by it.  Don't go to that part of town.  You don't want to even take a path that crosses it, because you're probably toeing too close to the line then.  You want to avoid any path that even connects to that path, and keep going the right way.

Proverbs 3

Proverbs 3:12

For whom the LORD loves he reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

This verse make me feel a bit uncomfortable.  However, it's not for the reason most people might think.  I don't feel uncomfortable because God will reprove sin.  I'm uncomfortable because I know I sin, but I don't feel like I'm being reproved.

I know I sin.  There are a couple things that could border on habitual sin.  Yet while I feel guilty at times about them, I don't feel like I've been reproved.  I don't feel like there's been any consequence to the sin, besides what I do to myself because of it.  Is that s all that reproof is, or is there more?  Should there be more?

Proverbs 2

Proverbs 2:10

For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

Wisdom isn't something that works when it's just in your head.  It has to move beyond that, to really be a part of you.  This is something I personally struggle with, because I have the personality where I like to know things.  But going from head knowledge to application can be very difficult for me.

However, wisdom doesn't come without knowledge.  You have to know what is true in order to be wise about applying it.  Therefore, when you have the wisdom needed, the knowledge you have gained is pleasing, rather than uncomfortable.

Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:3

To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;

This verse is part of a list of the reasons Proverbs was written.  It's so that readers can receive instruction.  It's not written for the writer to be exalted or honored.  It's for the reader to learn from.  How many non-fiction books today are essentially written just so that the writer can toot his own horn?  We're getting into election season now, so everyone's released books.

There are four areas to receive instruction in.  First is wise behavior; this is about behavior, not just knowledge.  Second is righteousness; behaving wisely is behaving correctly.  Third is justice; correct behavior will lead you to treat people properly.  Fourth is equity; if one is just, you do not favor one side or the other, only what is true and right.

Psalm 150

Psalm 150:4

Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.

This talks about the many ways to praise God.  The main ones appear to be the instruments.  The tambrel is like our modern tambourine, without the little cymbals, just the drumhead part.  Also, praise with strings and what we would call woodwinds.

It also says to praise with dancing, which you don't see nearly as much as with music.  Personally, I'm not much of a dancer, and even less of a dancer in public.  One thing I saw that was odd is that nowhere in the entire Psalm does it say anything about singing.  Is that supposed to be reserved for the Temple choir, and not to be done by the common man?

Psalm 149

Psalm 149:2

Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.

Interesting that it refers to Israel as a he, not an it.  I'm not certain if this is an alliteration, or supposed to be a reference to Israel the person, Jacob.  Certainly, Jacob was aware of his Creator, and he recognized and praised Him as such.

Also, it's important to note that King here is capitalized.  This isn't referring to the king of Israel or Judah, but to God.  This is a recognition of Israel's ultimately being a theocracy.  I wonder if this psalm was written before the time of Saul?  However, I doubt it, since it refers to the sons of Zion, and Mt. Zion (Jerusalem) wasn't taken by Israel until David's time.