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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A Worker’s Appetite (Notes on Proverbs)

June 18, 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.

“A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on” (16:26). When God created man, he gave him a natural indicator in his own body that would remind him of the need to eat to sustain his life – hunger. Solomon says this hunger motivates man to work hard so that he can sustain himself from the fruit of his labors. One of the reasons many become trapped in the rut of laziness is because they do not feel the motivation of hunger to urge them to work hard. When laziness is rewarded or subsidized, people will continue in laziness. When laziness causes one to be hungry, people will eventually learn that they must work so that they will be able to eat. Later in the book of Proverbs, Agur mentions three things which cause the earth to quake and four under which it “cannot bear up” (30:21). One of these is “a fool when he is satisfied with food” (30:22). When one refuses to work and suffers hunger because of it, he harms himself. When one refuses to work but is rewarded for his laziness with food and the necessities of life, society is harmed because of it.

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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Giving an Answer Before He Hears (Notes on Proverbs)

June 11, 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.

“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him” (18:13). James wrote, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19). It is easy to jump to conclusions before understanding a matter. When we do this, we inevitably say things that are incorrect and unwise. Therefore, the wise man will wait to speak and pass judgment on a matter until after he knows the whole picture. A few verses after this, Solomon says, “The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him” (18:17). If we speak without a complete understanding of the facts, we may find ourselves to have made an error in judgment, thus bringing “folly and shame” to ourselves.

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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