Introduction
‘A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.’ Proverbs 22:1-2
It Has To Be The Heart
In the ancient culture, it was a terrible thing to bring shame upon the family name, Isaiah 43:4. Many today, couldn’t care less about their reputation as long as they have money.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Riches are greatly esteemed in the world; and, wisely managed, they serve many valuable purposes; but they do not contribute as much to genuine tranquility and happiness of life as do the esteem and love of one’s neighbors. Paul’s qualifications for elders did not require them to be rich, but to have a good name among Christians and even among the heathen.’
Solomon says whether a person is rich or poor, the one thing they have in common is that God made them both.
‘The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honour and life.’ Proverbs 22:3-4
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘God in mercy has denied man the knowledge of futurity; but in its place he has given him hope and prudence. By hope he is continually expecting and anticipating good; by prudence he derives and employs means to secure it. His experience shows him that there are many natural evils in a current state, the course of which he can neither stem nor divert: prudence shows him beforehand the means he may use to step out of their way, and hide himself. The simple – the inexperienced, headstrong, giddy, and foolish – rush on in the career of hope, without prudence to regulate, chastise, and guide it; thus they commit many faults, make many miscarriages, and suffer often in consequence; and the commission of crimes leads to punishment.’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Bible gives blind optimism its right name. It is not faith but folly. This was mentioned in Proverbs 14:15-16, and will be repeated in even stronger language in Proverbs 27:12.’
The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches, and honor, and life. Humility and fear should always go together. God doesn’t force people to bow down to Him, but it comes naturally to the humble.
‘In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.’ Proverbs 22:5-6
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous: In the way of the froward, that crooked way, which is contrary to the will and word of God, thorns and snares are found, thorns of grief for past sins and snares entangling them in further sin. He that makes no conscience of what he says and does will find himself hampered by that imaginary liberty, and tormented by his pleasures. Froward people, who are soon angry, expose themselves to trouble at every step. Everything will fret and vex him that will fret and vex at everything.
2. The way of duty is safe and easy: He that keeps his soul, that watches carefully over his own heart and ways, is far from those thorns and snares, for his way is both plain and pleasant.
Clarke in his commentary, says the following.
‘Chanac, which we translate train up or initiate, signifies also dedicate; and is often used for the consecrating any thing, house, or person, to the service of God. Dedicate, therefore, in the first instance, your child to God; and nurse, teach, and discipline him as God’s child, whom he has intrusted to your care.’
By considering the child’s tendencies and temperament, each child needs individual attention. Sometimes we need to let them make their own decisions so that they can gain wisdom for themselves, Proverbs 19:27 / Luke 15:11-32.
‘The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.’ Proverbs 22:7
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This states an unhappy fact, but without any approval of it (See the first two verses). The apostolic injunction to ‘Owe no man anything’, Romans 13:8 is the way to avoid the servitude mentioned in the second line. Of course, this involves doing without many things while the money to acquire the things needed is being earned. The widespread practice of young married couples buying everything they want on credit is an infallible method of remaining poor for a lifetime.’
Can Christians borrow from other people or banks? Yes, as long as we can pay it back.
‘Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.’ Proverbs 22:8-9
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The crop must be according to the seed. If a man sow thistle seed, is it likely he shall reap wheat? If he sow to the flesh, shall he not of the flesh reap destruction?’
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
1. The description of a charitable man; he has a bountiful eye, opposed to the evil eye, Proverbs 23:6, and the same with the single eye, Matthew 6:22,—an eye that seeks out objects of charity, besides those that offer themselves,—an eye that, upon the sight of one in want and misery, affects the heart with compassion,—an eye that with the alms gives a pleasant look, which makes the alms doubly acceptable. He has also a liberal hand: He gives of his bread to those that need—his bread, the bread appointed for his own eating. He will rather abridge himself than see the poor perish for want; yet he does not give all his bread, but of his bread; the poor shall have their share with his own family.
2. The blessedness of such a man. The loins of the poor will bless them, all about him will speak well of him, and God himself will bless him, in answer to many a good prayer put up for him, and he shall be blessed.
These verses are used in contrast to one another, the generous person will be blessed.
‘Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.’ Proverbs 22:10
This is a good Old Testament commentary on Romans 16:17. If we get rid of the troublemaker, we have rid ourselves of the trouble, Proverbs 26:20.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Disagreement and bad blood sometimes arise, not from the facts of a situation, but from a person with a wrong attitude, who makes mischief. This proverb says that, ‘What an institution sometimes needs is, not reforms, but the expulsion of a member.’
‘One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.’ Proverbs 22:11
The king will approve of those with reliable speech and reliable character, 1 John 1:6-7, and will promote those in his kingdom.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘He that loveth pureness of heart – Who aims to be what God would have him to be – the King of kings shall be his Friend. There is no class of men that value uprightness more than kings; as none stand so much in need of it in their servants.’
‘The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.’ Proverbs 22:12
Keep watch means to keep, retain. God will not allow the words of evil men to succeed. The word ‘knowledge’ refers to those who have knowledge, it takes courage and discipline to live life God’s way but if we try our best, God will reward us and protect us.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This first clause says that God oversees and protects the man who knows God and walks in his ways, and uses his means and abilities for the good of others.’ The second clause means that, ‘God frustrates the intentions of the treacherous man by turning them in another direction.’ It is of interest that the Septuagint renders the passage thus: ‘The eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.’
‘The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’ Proverbs 22:13
This reason for not going to work is absurd, but so are most of the excuses of lazy people, Proverbs 26:13.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘But why does he say so? Because he is a slothful man. Remove his slothfulness, and these imaginary difficulties and dangers will be no more. He will not go abroad to work in the fields, because he thinks there is a lion in the way, he will not go out into the town for employment, as he fears to be assassinated in the streets! From both these circumstances he seeks total cessation from activity.’
‘The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it.’ Proverbs 22:14
The mouth refers to using seductive words, Proverbs 23:27. Only those going in the wrong direction will fall into this pit.
Matthew Henry, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This is designed to warn all young men against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of their souls, let them take heed of strange women, lewd women, whom they ought to be strange to, of the mouth of strange women, of the kisses of their lips, Proverbs 7:13, of the words of their lips, their charms and enticements.’
Dread them; have nothing to do with them; for,
1. Those who abandon themselves to that sin give proof that they are abandoned of God: it is a deep pit, which those fall into that are abhorred of the Lord, who leaves them to themselves to enter into that temptation, and takes off the bridle of his restraining grace, to punish them for other sins. Value not thyself upon thy being in favour with such women, when it proclaims thee under the wrath of God.
2. It is seldom that they recover themselves, for it is a deep pit; it will be hard getting out of it, it so besots the mind and debauches the conscience, by pleasing the flesh.
‘Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.’ Proverbs 22:15
Some children love to get into trouble. They have foolishness so deeply ingrained in them that it will not be removed easily.
The reason some children are foolish is because they don’t understand the consequences of their actions, Proverbs 13:24 / Proverbs 22:6 / Proverbs 29:15 / Proverbs 29:21.
‘One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.’ Proverbs 22:16
There’s nothing wrong with being wealthy, it’s all about what we do with that wealth.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘He who, in order to obtain the favor of the rich and great, either robs or cheats the poor, to make those men presents; or gives in presents to them, for the sake of honor and reputation, what he should have given to the poor, shall surely come to want.’
Thirty Sayings Of The Wise
‘Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?’ Proverbs 22:17-21
Saying 1
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘There is a break here; and from this Proverbs 22:17 through the end of Proverbs 24, we have the words of the wise men. Some call these, ‘The Thirty Words’ (consisting of two verses each); but other words of wise men are added after the ‘thirty.’
We must pay attention and listen to wisdom, Proverbs 4:20-27, we must also apply them to our heart, that is, put them into practice.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The pleasure and profit which may be derived from an attentive hearing.’
1. They should be laid up in the heart-stored, treasured up within thee.
2. This will yield high satisfaction and happiness to the soul: ‘For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee.’
3. The man who thus attends to the teachings of wisdom shall gain an experimental knowledge of them, so as to be able to speak of them suitably, pertinently and persuasively. ‘They shall withal be fitted in thy lips’.
The first saying is about the importance of being honest and telling the truth. How do we answer people who ask us about our religion? Christians must be honest and speak truth to those around us, 2 Corinthians 8:21 / Ephesians 4:15.
‘Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.’ Proverbs 22:22-23
Saying 2
We don’t want to take a case where God Himself is defending the one we oppressed. Many countries have unjust leaders, and many people are unable to defend themselves, but the hope is that God will take up their case, Exodus 22:21-27 / Psalm 82:3-4.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Woe, therefore, to them that oppress them, for they will have God, not the poor, to deal with.’
‘Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.’ Proverbs 22:24-25
Saying 3
The hot-tempered person will get us into trouble and, as a result, we may not live long. If we spend a lot of time in bad company, we will usually take on some of their traits, 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘From those with whom we associate we acquire habits, and learn their ways, imbibe their spirit, show their tempers and walk in their steps. We cannot be too choice of our company, for we may soon learn ways that will be a snare to our soul.’
‘Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.’ Proverbs 22:26-27
Saying 4
These seem to be hasty pledges without seriously considering the consequences, Proverbs 6:1 / Proverbs 11:15.
When I read these verses, I think of the bailiffs coming to someone’s house because they haven’t kept up the payments. We shouldn’t pledge what we cannot pay, or we could say, ‘do not get in over your head’, Romans 13:8.
‘Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.’ Proverbs 22:28
Saying 5
In Joshua 13-21 we see the land which God promised was marked out with landmarks for each tribe. But even before that time Moses had warned the people about doing this, Deuteronomy 19:14 / Deuteronomy 27:17.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Do not take the advantage, in ploughing or breaking up a field contiguous to that of thy neighbour, to set the dividing stones farther into his field that thou mayest enlarge thy own. Take not what is not thy own in any case. Let all ancient divisions, and the usages connected with them, be held sacred.’
‘Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.’ Proverbs 22:29
Saying 6
If people want to get good, secure, high paying jobs, they need to get the skills to do so. In our world today it appears that the more skills we have, the better-paid job we will get.
Please note that there’s nothing wrong with having a low paid job because it is God who gives us all the skills we have, Exodus 31:6 / Exodus 38:23. Whatever job we have we should thank God for them and serve Him in the process, Colossians 3:23.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The general meaning of the proverb is, ‘Every diligent, active man, shall be at once independent and respectable.’
