Proverbs 19 – The Poor, The Liar, The Bad Wife, The Lazy and The Mocker
Hello, hope your having a great day! There’s something here for all of us.
(19:1). A blameless life is far more valuable than wealth, but most people don’t act as if they believe this. Afraid of not getting everything they want, they will pay any price to increase their wealth — cheating on their taxes, stealing from stores or employers, withholding tithes, refusing to give. But when we know and love God, we realize that a lower standard of living — or even poverty — is a small price to pay for personal integrity. Do your actions show that you sacrifice your integrity to increase your wealth? What changes do you need to make in order to get your priorities straight?
(19:2–3). We often move hastily through life, rushing quickly into the unknown. Many people marry without knowing what to expect of their partner or of married life. Others try illicit sex or drugs without considering the consequences. Some plunge into jobs without evaluating whether they are suitable to that line of work. Don’t rush into the unknown. Be sure you understand what you’re getting into and where you want to go before you take the first step. And if it still seems unknown, be sure you are following God.
(19:4) The Poor – many verses deal with the subject of the poor in this chapter. They include 19:1 , 19:22; 19:4 and 19:7a, . Also 19:17, kindness to the poor is kindness to the Lord, its a strong response the above verses. These interrelationships among the verses have two functions. First, they help to tie the whole chapter together; and second, by randomly repeating certain points, they reinforce the points in the reader’s mind.
(19:5) & (19:6) The rich man has considerable influence over people and can also bribe false witnesses, although punishment for perjury, whether it be divine or human punishment, is certain.
(19:7a) In a legal setting even if the poor man’s case is just and the rich man has abused the legal system to get an advantage over him, the poor man is still at a loss. His friends abandon him in this context this may especially refer to friends who are unwilling to stand up for him at the gate and risk angering the rich. Verse 17 (19:17), reminds us all the reason to do the right thing.
(19:8). This proverb encourages those who really care about themselves to seek wisdom.
(19:9). Repetition, repetition, repetition, this verse is almost exactly like (19:5). God wants us to really get this! Lying=very bad.
(19:10). It is not right for a fool to be rich or one who is a slave to sin, to oppress God’s free-people.
(19:11–12) The wise person who is also patient knows how to avoid quarrels and quarrelsome people and stays out of trouble with the government or “king” as well.
(19:13–14) Happiness is impossible without harmony in the home, and the wife is the anchor of that harmony. Proverbs 31:10–31 is a description of the biblical ideal of the good wife.
Proverbs 19:13 requires special attention. It is often taken to mean only that a nagging wife is like a continual dripping. First of all, the modern reader should beware of not simplifying this description too much. This is not the “leaky faucet” that is irritating and may deprive one of sleep but is only a minor household problem and is easily repaired. In a similar context in Prov 27:15 and in the verb form in Eccl 10:18, the word describes a leaking roof. A leaking roof is an irritation, but it is more than that. It can cause severe damage to a house, be expensive to repair, and can make a building unfit to live in. Second, a “quarrelsome wife” is more than a nagging wife. The Hebrew word implies antisocial behavior that stirs up discord and even prompts lawsuits. Such a woman no doubt does nag her husband (21:9; 25:24), but she is equally able to create quarrels with those outside of the home (neighbors, people in the market, etc.). Third, 19:14, which parallels 19:13, states that the exact opposite to the quarrelsome wife is not strictly the submissive wife but the “prudent” wife, implying someone who is adept in all kinds of circumstances and knows how to deal with people. In short, she is the highly capable woman of Prov 31 who is an asset rather than a loss to her husband. The quarrelsome woman destroys her house.
(19:15 and 19:24) Laziness is assaulted on two fronts: one, it brings a person to ruin (19:15 ), it is laughably absurd (19:24), and it is irrational. A person cannot expect prosperity or success without putting forth effort.
(19:16 ). The instructions we are told to obey are those found in God’s Word — both the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and other passages of instruction. To obey what God teaches in the Bible is self-preserving. To disobey is self-destructive.
(19:17). Here God identifies with the poor as Jesus does in Matthew 25:31-46. As our Creator, God values all of us, whether we are poor or rich. When we help the poor, we honor both the Creator and his creation. God accepts our help as if we had offered it directly to him.
( 19:18–19) These verses deal with those who have fallen into trouble, a son or someone else. In both cases the wrongdoer should suffer the consequences of his actions. This not only does the wrongdoer some good, but it also makes life easier for the parent or friend.
(19:20–21). A humble spirit, ready to listen to good advice and to acknowledge God’s purposes, these qualities should direct a person’s life.
(19:22 ). Poverty is preferable to loss of integrity.
(19:23 ). Those who fear the Lord are “untouched by trouble” because of their healthy habits, their beneficial life-style, and sometimes through God’s direct intervention. Nevertheless, the fear of the Lord does not always protect us from trouble in this life: evil things still happen to people who love God. This verse is not a universal promise, but a general guideline. It describes what would happen if this world were sinless, and what will happen when faithful believers will be under God’s protection forever.
(19:25). There is a great difference between the person who learns from criticism and the person who refuses to accept correction. How we respond to criticism determines whether or not we grow in wisdom. The next time someone criticizes you, listen carefully to all that is said. You might learn something.
(19:25 , 26, 27, 28 and 19:29) The mocker is one who has no regard for authority or moral integrity. As such, mockers receive many beatings and serve as negative examples for others (v. 25). In fact, it was for such people that beatings were invented (v. 29).
To mistreat parents is the typical act of the mocker because it is a rejection of the most basic form of respect for authority (v. 26). “Shame and disgrace” or “absolutely disgraceful” best describes this behavior.
Verse 27 “Stop listening to instruction, my son” is meant to be sarcastic. It is addressed to a mocker, who has no respect for parents or traditional teaching.
As the mocker has no respect for parents, even so he has no regard for truth or the law (v. 28).
Until tomorrow, Darrell
Upwards Church 