Victory Belongs to the Lord (Notes on Proverbs)

July 23, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord” (21:31). There is a tendency for man to place a great deal of faith in himself and his resources, especially in the realm of military affairs. The prophet Isaiah warned about this: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1). Solomon says, “Victory belongs to the Lord,” implying that without God, victory will not be possible. However, this does not mean that our plans and preparations are futile. The horse that is “prepared for the day of battle” must still be prepared, or else defeat will be certain. The point is that we must do what we are able to do (make whatever preparations we can make for the future) and put our trust in God for all those things which are out of our control.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Do Not Look On The Wine When It Is Red (Notes on Proverbs)

July 16, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper” (23:31-32). Those who believe that the casual use of alcohol (“social drinking”) is acceptable, just so long as one does not proceed to drunkenness, need to remember this verse. Rather than advising one to enjoy alcohol in moderation, Solomon warns that one should not even look at it! Though it may go down smoothly, it will cause trouble for the one who consumes it. Far from condoning the drinking of alcohol in moderation, Solomon instead warns that one should not even look at it, lest he be tempted to take the first drink.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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A Cheerful Heart Has a Continual Feast (Notes on Proverbs)

July 8, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (15:15). The wise man contrasts one who is “afflicted” with one who has “a cheerful heart.” The implication is that the one who is “afflicted” is not just one who faces difficult circumstances (which we all do), but it refers to one whose attitude is such that he has reached the point in which his “spirit is broken” (15:13). For such a person with no positive outlook or hope, every day will be bad. But the one with a “cheerful heart,” though he may experience troubles in life, is able to have a “continual feast” as he recognizes the blessings he has that come from above.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Rights of the Poor (Notes on Proverbs)

July 2, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern” (29:7). The phrase, “rights of the poor,” refers to the application of justice – that the poor will be treated fairly. Often those who are rich are able to manipulate the justice system to their advantage (cf. 17:23). But Solomon is clear: “To show partiality to the wicked is not good, nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment” (18:5; cf. 24:23; 28:21). In order for justice to be carried out, the rich must have no advantage over the poor. However, the poor are not to be given special treatment either, as this is also a perversion of justice. The Law of Moses was clear about this. After telling the people not to “pervert justice,” God adds: “nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute” (Exodus 23:2-3). For justice to be carried out, all men must be treated impartially as equals.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Borrower Becomes the Lender’s Slave (Notes on Proverbs)

June 25, 2015 by

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (22:7). The wise man warns us here against the accumulation of debt. The borrower is under obligation to give a certain amount of the fruits of his labor to the lender. Solomon is not condemning the lender for expecting to be repaid. Rather, he is pointing our the foolishness of entering into a debt obligation unnecessarily. There are times when debt is unavoidable. But the way of the wise is to avoid debt whenever possible and to pay back any debt that exists as quickly as possible, so as to not be under subjection of the entity to which money is owed.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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