Scripture Snippets

  Read Proverbs 31 Verses 1-9:  King Lemuel shares the wisdom that his mother imparted to him concerning what makes a king rule with understanding and justice.  His mother advised him to heed the commands of Scripture to stay away from all forms of sexual immorality (Ephesians 5:3) including the multiplying of wives, which was common practice among the kings of old.  This would likely turn a man’s heart away as it did Solomon’s as the king became focused on sinful pleasure rather than upon the wisdom of God.  Deuteronomy 17:17 says of the Israel’s king, “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.”  A king who wants to rule wisely also needs to avoid drunkenness and the lure of escaping reality with strong drink.  Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.”  Strong drink would impair his judgme...

  Read Proverbs 30 Verses 1-4:  There is only one God Who knows all, Who has made everything, Who is in control of everything, and Who has the power to both descend to earth and ascend back again.  The Lord God is the only Being with all knowledge, power, strength, and wisdom.  Man apart from Christ has no wisdom, but in Christ he can learn wisdom and grow in knowledge so that his otherwise stupid, blind, and foolish heart can be trained in righteousness and honor.  Agur recognizes his weakness apart from God and how small his understanding is against the backdrop of God’s omniscience.  He is not proud of his intellect, but he trusts in God to give him wisdom worth sharing.  Verse 5:  Every word of God is given by inspiration of the Spirit and profitable for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness in order to make the Christian ready, equipped, and able to do what God has asked of him (2 Timothy 3:16-17).   God cannot lie...

  Read Proverbs 29 This Proverb is very fitting for the time that we have at hand.  In just a handful of days, we in the US will have elected a new President to lead this country.  Many ask if the Bible says anything about who we choose as President.  It does.  It says a lot about rulers and leaders.  This Proverb is rich in it.  Does that mean that it does not have anything practical for us as well?  Absolutely not!  It’s rich in wisdom for us because we must remember that we too are leaders in different capacities.  Rather we lead from home or if we lead in our jobs, we are always leading somewhere.   Verse 1:  The stubborn one  is corrected for his error, but he doesn’t listen, humble himself, or change his ways.  Even after a great deal of correction, teaching, and training, he continues to do evil and to go his own way.  The wages of sin is death, and eternal hell awaits those who harden themselves in their ...

  Read Proverbs 28 Verse 1:  The wicked person must live in fear because there will be many risks to him on account of the wrongs he has done to many people.  Even when no one is actually threatening him, he will always have to wonder and look over his shoulder.  The righteous do not have to live in fear.   God upholds them with His righteous right hand, and they need not fear on account of His provision, His strength, His grace, and His help.  The righteous can still expect trouble in this life, but they can face anything with confidence and boldness in Christ.     Verse 3:  A strong wind and rain that destroys crops is devastating and likely to cause a food shortage.  This is a metaphor for a person who keeps back from those who need food or other provisions.  A poor person keeping back good from other needy people is downright shameful.  It is never God-honoring to oppress others for one’s personal gain, but the command...

  Read Proverbs 27 Verse 1:  Indications of pride and arrogance include being over-confident in one’s strength and having a false conviction of one’s own power over his/her life.  Only God is sovereign and in total control, and only He knows what will happen this day and the next.  A believer’s boasting should always be in God alone, for He is faithful and true.  Christians should not make presumptions upon the future as if there is nothing that could go wrong or hinder them, for even their very next breath is dependent upon the grace of God (Colossians 1:17).  If the Lord wills, they will do this or that.  Other such boasting is evil.  (James 4:13-14).  It’s ok to make plans and set goals, however, we have to acknowledge that it is God who holds tomorrow and if He decides to change those plans, we have to understand that He has our best interest in mind. Verse 2:  Really this should be common sense, but we see so much of it today! ...

  Read Proverbs 26 I love the poetry that is used in this proverb.  It’s a brilliant use of simile to drive home the proverbial point.   Verse 1:  Fools do not deserve honor, reward, and commendation, but they store up for themselves the judgment of God and the disrespect and wrath of men.  The irony is that while many in the world hate believers on account of their testimony, they do not respect a lifestyle of sin.  They know it is the easier route to take in life, and doing what is noble is more respectable even if it is not acknowledged as such. Verse 2:  It doesn’t make sense to wish somebody ill or seek to do them harm when they are righteous and undeserving of cursing.  Righteousness will always lead to blessing from God with the fullness of that blessing coming in heaven.  Those who reject Christ remain cursed and destined for hell. Verses 3-5:  Those who continue to act as fools will continue to find themselves getting into ...