November 4, 2024
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2 ESV). In this modern era of social media and self-promotion, this proverb seems out of place. Yet self aggrandizement is still unwise. For if you praise yourself, others will not only remain silent, they will think you
September 9, 2024
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV). There is a biblical theology of work. God works. God made man in His own image and gave him work to do too. The modern view that there is a division
August 27, 2024
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV). This proverb speaks of the God-given stewardship of parenting. For children are a gift from the Lord and parents are called of the Lord to raise them to follow Him. The
August 17, 2024
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ESV). This proverb states a truth that is usually revealed over time. For the one who loves pleasure and drink may seem happy for a time. But after a while their love of comfort leads
July 29, 2024
‘Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?’ (Proverbs 20:9 ESV). Solomon’s rhetorical question assumes a negative response. The sinfulness of humanity was an accepted reality in his day. Yet, this wisdom has been thrown into question in modern times by the tenets of humanism. The philosophy of
July 10, 2024
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV). This proverb contrasts the difference between having “many companions” and one close “friend.” For which is better? To have many fair weather companions who disappear at the first sign of trouble, or
July 9, 2024
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22 ESV). We live in a day when marriage is not highly respected. It is often joked about and devalued. But marriage was God’s idea. It is not a mere social construct, but of Divine design. It is God’s
June 27, 2024
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1 ESV). God has made us with a need for fellowship. Indeed one of God’s earliest observations of humanity was what he said to Adam, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Yet, the temptation
May 17, 2024
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it” (Proverbs 15:17 ESV). When there is no love in the home no amount of food or fine furnishing can compensate. Without love, a rich banquet is dry and tasteless. Without love, the steak seems too tough and the
May 12, 2024
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4 ESV). In our One Year Bible reading today I was looking for something to say to bless and encourage mothers. This passage from Proverbs seemed appropriate. I often remember the gentle words of my mother. She always sought to encourage her children and grandchildren with