Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Reflections on Proverbs 16

 Proverbs 16 (Contemporary English Version)
  1. We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word.
  2. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives.
  3. Share your plans with the LORD, and you will succeed.
  4. The LORD has a reason for everything he does, and he lets evil people live only to be punished.
  5. The LORD doesn't like anyone who is conceited-- you can be sure they will be punished.
  6. If we truly love God, our sins will be forgiven; if we show him respect, we will keep away from sin.
  7. When we please the LORD, even our enemies make friends with us.
  8. It's better to be honest and poor than to be dishonest and rich.
  9. We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.
  10. Rulers speak with authority and are never wrong.
  11. The LORD doesn't like it when we cheat in business.
  12. Justice makes rulers powerful. They should hate evil
  13. and like honesty and truth.
  14. An angry ruler can put you to death. So be wise! Don't make one angry.
  15. When a ruler is happy and pleased with you, it's like refreshing rain, and you will live.
  16. It's much better to be wise and sensible than to be rich.
  17. God's people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go.
  18. Too much pride will destroy you.
  19. You are better off to be humble and poor than to get rich from what you take by force.
  20. If you know what you're doing, you will prosper. God blesses everyone who trusts him.
  21. Good judgment proves that you are wise, and if you speak kindly, you can teach others.
  22. Good sense is a fountain that gives life, but fools are punished by their foolishness.
  23. You can persuade others if you are wise and speak sensibly.
  24. Kind words are like honey-- they cheer you up and make you feel strong.
  25. Sometimes what seems right is really a road to death.
  26. The hungrier you are, the harder you work.
  27. Worthless people plan trouble. Even their words burn like a flaming fire.
  28. Gossip is no good! It causes hard feelings and comes between friends.
  29. Don't trust violent people. They will mislead you to do the wrong thing.
  30. When someone winks or grins behind your back, trouble is on the way.
  31. Gray hair is a glorious crown worn by those who have lived right.
  32. Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city.
  33. We make our own decisions, but the LORD alone determines what happens.

Solomon continued in chapter 16 with one-verse sayings, but the format and theme changed. Rather than each saying being a contrast between the wise and the foolish or the upright and the wicked, the two-part sayings are a completion of a thought. Verse 3 is a good example. The first part of the verse says, "Commit your activities to the LORD." Then the second part completes the thought, "and your plans will be achieved."

Also, as mentioned, the themes are different. For instance, several verses are about the king. One verse counsels the king not to err in judgment. Therefore, his judgments should come from God. The other verses concerning the king counsel his subjects. One verse warns of the king's fury, calling it "a messenger of death." And a wise man, says the verse, appeases the king's fury. On the flip side, the king's favor is "like a cloud with spring rain." It gives life. Given the impact of the king's countenance, his subjects are counseled not to raise his fury through dishonest business practices or wicked behavior or dishonest speech.

A man's ways are another topic of the chapter. It is important to realize concerning man's ways that motive is of greater significance than actions. A person may do what appears to be right in his own eyes and maybe in the eyes of others, but "the Lord weighs the motives." Why we do what we do is, in some instances, more important than what we do. It is also important to recognize that we have no control over events. A person may plan his way, but the Lord will determine the outcome. The wise person will recognize that their plans should therefore begin with the Lord's counsel. In fact, another verse says, "Commit your activities to the LORD and your plans will be achieved." And then there is the verse which states the negative outcome. A person may plan his way without the Lord's guidance but according to what seems right to himself. But in the end, these plans may be the "way of death."

Solomon has advise for the Proud. This is not a new topic, but appears with frequency throughout the Proverbs. Solomon makes it clear that pride is detestable to the Lord and that it leads to destruction. Why is pride denounced so? The answer goes back to the saying, "All a man's ways seem right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives." Since pride is a condition of the heart rather than an outward action we may overlook its significance. As a condition of the heart it becomes the motive behind a person's actions. A motive that drives actions aimed at personal gain. Though the prideful person may do some things that appear to be for the good of another, the motive of his prideful heart is to make himself look good. This, the Lord does not like. There will come a time when the actions of the prideful person will bring him down.

A third topic of the chapter concerns the Upright. Solomon considers an upright person to be wealthier than one with a lot of possessions, as reflected in verse 8, "Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice." The upright person will guard his way and will exercise patience in a matter. He will seek understanding concerning a matter before jumping into it. Therefore, the upright person will avoid evil, will find success, and will have happiness.

Other topics of the chapter concern: the wise, the wicked, and the Lord's ways.

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