Author: gregsloop

The writer of this passage supplies dozens of comparisons between the fate of the righteous and the fate of the wicked.  The righteous are guided by integrity, are delivered from death, is delivered from trouble, and will receive a sure reward.  The wicked will be destroyed because of their perversity, their riches will not profit … Continue reading Various Wise Sayings (Proverbs 11)

Proverbs 10:15 - 32 The proverbs continue in this passage, extolling the safety in wealth and the destruction in poverty; the life in righteous labor and the sin in wicked wages; the value of keeping instruction and the loss in refusing correction; the lying lips of hatred and the foolishness of slander.  The writer goes … Continue reading The Blessing of the Lord Makes One Rich

This passage again points out the danger of a simple woman.  She lures simple men into her house, claiming to provide them with sweet water and pleasant bread.  However, her guests end up dying. Solomon then discusses the merits of wisdom.  A wise son makes his father glad, and a foolish son grieves his mother. … Continue reading The Simple Woman (Proverbs 9:13 – 10:14)

This passage outlines the efforts of wisdom to help the simple and unwise achieve wisdom.  The allegory of a woman who cares for her family's needs at her house is used, as wisdom is described as building a house, killing meat for the meal, furnishing the table, and calling for the simple to come to … Continue reading The Call of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1 – 12)

This proverb begins with this contention from Wisdom: 8:1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?  2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.  3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance … Continue reading Wisdom Cries Out (Proverbs 8)

This writing of Solomon recounts a story of watching a young man through a window as he is seduced by an adulterous woman, a harlot.  She was a loud and persuasive woman, enticing the young man with kisses, tapestries, perfumes, and a promise that they would not get caught because her husband was away on … Continue reading The Simple Young Man and the Crafty Harlot (Proverbs 7:6 – 27)

Solomon encourages his son to keep his father's command and his mother's law.  This will lead and keep the child and be a lamp and a light to his or her path.  It will keep him or her from evil people, seducers or seductresses.  Wisdom guards from lust and sin.  He warns against infidelity, a … Continue reading Keep the Law of God (Proverbs 6:20 – 7:5)

Solomon writes some wise advice for his son concerning several risky behaviors.  First, he warns against co-signing or securing a loan for someone else.  He describes this as a snare from which one should seek to be delivered.  Second, he warns against lazyness and alludes to the example of the ant who works tirelessly and … Continue reading Dangerous Behavior (Proverbs 6:1 – 19)

Solomon gives some sound advice to his son:  avoid the adulterous woman!  He warns of the perils of an immoral woman, whose words are smooth and tempting, but the end result is a bitter relationship, cutting like a sword.  She is unstable, and leads the simple to hell.  Don't even go near her house.  Avoid … Continue reading Shun the Adulteress (Proverbs 5)

This chapter reiterates the need to hear the father's instruction and know understanding.  Solomon recounts how his father, David, had taught him wisdom as a boy.  He lifts up the power of wisdom to preserve one's life, promote him or her, and bring honor.  Wisdom can prolong life and open doors of opportunity.  He then … Continue reading Hear and Know (Proverbs 4)