Meditate, Pray through and put into action the Wisdom of God - one day at a time!

Friday, July 15, 2011

The Book of Proverbs: School of Wisdom - 15

Proverbs, 15:1-33 (NIV)

Proverbs 15


1
A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

11 Death and Destruction a]">[a] lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

12 A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!

24 The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. b]">[b]

25 The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact.

26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, c]">[c] and humility comes before honor.

Footnotes:
  1. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
  2. Proverbs 15:24 Hebrew Sheol
  3. Proverbs 15:33 Or Wisdom teaches the fear of the LORD

5 examples of turning away wrath:

1. Aaron (Leviticus 10:16-20)
2. Reubenites (Joshua 22:15-34)
3. Gideon (Judges 8:1-3; Proverbs 15:18)
4. Hannah (1 Samuel 1:15-17)
5. Abigail (Samuel 25:23)

5 examples of grievous words:

1. The Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-4)
2. Men of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 19:41)
3. Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:30-34)
4. Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:13-16
5. Eliphaz (Job 22:5)

3 examples of God seeing evil:

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
2. Achan and his sin (Joshua 7)
3. Belshazzar (Daniel 5)

3 examples of God seeing good:

1. Abraham (Genesis 22)
2. Joseph (Genesis 39)
3. Jesus Christ (Acts 10:38)

46 ways of a fool: He:

1. Is jealous and envious (1 Samuel 26:21)
2. Insensible to danger (2 Samuel 3:33)
3. Denies God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)
4. Is ignorant of the future (Psalm 49:10)
5. Is ignorant of God (Psalm 92:6)
6. Is a whoremonger (Proverbs 7:22)
7. Reject's God's commandments (Proverbs 10:8)
8. Chatters empty talk (Proverbs 10:8, 10)
9. Utters slander (Proverbs 10:18)
10. Is a mischief maker (Proverbs 10:23)
11. Is self-conceited (Proverbs 12:15)
12. Proclaims foolishness (Proverbs 12:23)
13. Parades his own folly (Proverbs 13:16)
14. Quick-tempered (Proverbs 14:17)
15. Rages and lives in sin (Proverbs 14:16)
16. Pours out foolishness (Proverbs 15:2)
17. Despises parents (Proverbs 15:5)
18. Incapable of decent speech (Proverbs 17:7)
19. Does not profit by reproof (Proverbs 17:10)
20. Is insensible (Proverbs 17:12)
21. Is not interested in wisdom (Proverbs 17:16)
22. Is a shame to parents (Proverbs 17:21)
23. Is always dissatisfied (Proverbs 17:24)
24. Is contentious (Proverbs 18:6)
25. Has no delight in knowledge (Proverbs 18:2)
26. Is perverse in speech (Proverbs 19:1)
27. Cannot appreciate luxury and honor (Proverbs 19:10; 26:1, 8)
28. Is a meddler (Proverbs 20:3)
29. Despises wisdom (23:9)
30. Is incapable of wisdom (Proverbs 24:7)
31. Gives foolish answers (Proverbs 26:4-5)
32. Is not dependable (Proverbs 26:6)
33. Is hopeless (Proverbs 26:12)
34. Is inseparable from folly (Proverbs 26:11; 27:22)
35. Trusts in himself (Proverbs 28:26)
36. Utters all he knows (Proverbs 29:11)
37. Is unbearable (Proverbs 30:21-22)
38. Walks in darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:14)
39. Destroys self (Ecclesiastes 4:5; 10:12)
40. Is light and frivolous (Ecclesiastes 7:6)
41. Acknowledges he is a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:3)
42. Is full of empty words (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
43. Has no foresight (Matthew 7:26; 25:2-3)
44. Is covetous (Luke 12:20-21)
45. Constantly debates non-essentials (2 Timothy 2:23)
46. Is ignorant (1 Peter 2:15)

3 examples of wicked sacrificing:

1. Cain (Genesis 4:5)
2. Saul (1 Samuel 15)
3. Jews (Isaiah 1:11-15; 66:3)

3 examples of hating reproof:

1. Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:7; Proverbs 17:4)
2. The Jews (Amos 5:10)
3. The Pharisees (Luke 7:30)

4 examples of seeking knowledge:

1. Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-10; Proverbs 19:8)
2. Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10; Matthew 12:42)
3. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:28)
4. The Bereans (Acts 17:11)


4 contrasted ways:

1. The way of the wise - way of the fool
2. The way of life - the way of death
3. The way above - the way beneath
4. The way to heaven - the way to hell

6 examples of hating own soul:

1. Dathan (Numbers 16:12-14, 31-33)
2. Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:12; Jeremiah 39:1-7)
3. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:27-33)
4. Belshazzar (Daniel 5:22-30)
5. The Jews (Matthew 23:34-38)
6. The Gadarenes (Luke 8:37)

4 examples of getting knowledge:

1. Job's friends (Job 42:7-9)
2. The Samaritan woman (John 4:17)
3. Two disciples (Luke 23:26-32)
4. Paul (Acts 9:6-22)

12 blessings of fear of the Lord: It

1. Is the beginning of the wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10)
2. Determine destiny (Proverbs 1:29)
3. Helps depart from evil (Proverbs 3:7; 16:6)
4. Is to hate evil (Proverbs 8:13)
5. Prolongs days (10:27)
6. Gives strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26)
7. Is a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)
8. Produces satisfaction (Proverbs 15:16)
9. Is the instruction of wisdom (Proverbs 15:33)
10. Tends to life (Proverbs 19:23)
11. Gives riches, honor and life (Proverbs 22:4)
12. Brings blessings (Ecclesiastes 8:12)

5 examples of humility before honor:

1. Joseph (Genesis 39:1 - 41:57)
2. Gideon (Judges 6:15)
3. Daniel (Daniel 2:30-48)
4. Hananiah (Nehemiah 7:2)
5. Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11)