Proverbs 22 : 3 - 5 Avoiding evil, or playing at the edge of the water?

Pro 22:3  The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
Pro 22:4  The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
Pro 22:5  Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul, departeth far from them.

When we know something is evil, do we avoid it? Do we turn our heads, or turn our backs on it? Or do we peek at it, or even gaze on it; do we dabble our feet in the water, thinking that "surely this can't hurt me.....I'm not really doing anything wrong."

We hear a lot today about "if it feels good, go ahead and do it." And sometimes the wicked things of this world come coiled up in such pretty wrappings -- it's difficult sometimes to focus on the dangerous snake inside the package.
Solomon notes here that the wise person will see the evil, and hide himself from it. The next verse mentions fearing the Lord, and the last one tells us to "keep our souls."

Where can we hide? I can think of no better place than in my Father's hands. Listen to what David says in Psalm 32:7:

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Keeping our souls refers to abstaining from the evil that we see, and focusing on our heavenly Father; considering His grace to us with the reverence such a gift deserves.

We all need to be careful not to dabble our feet where it's dangerous!

Proverbs 22 : 1 - 2 God made them all

Pro 22:1  A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.
Pro 22:2  The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both

First of all, I would like to thank Tonya for a wonderful series of studies over the last week or so --- weren't they great? It meant a lot to me and has made a difference already in the way I treat the relationship with my hubby.  She was able to remind me of things that I have known, but have not paid enough attention to! Thanks, Tonya!

I may have mentioned before that we homeschooled our three kiddos until college . . . one of the subjects on their curriculum was Bible. Not just during devotions, but a full scale study of a portion of the Word, each year.  I can remember several times when they were in grade school, they would look at me with puzzled faces and say "Mom, why is THIS in the Bible? These people did exactly the wrong thing (or said the wrong thing, or whatever)."  I would tell them that sometimes God inspired writings that would show us what NOT to do, as well as what we SHOULD do.

We've noted before that it is easy for us to slip into the world's way of looking at people. "Clothes make the man (or woman)" is the message being trumpeted by the commercials and magazine ads. And indeed, people who are dressed nicely do get treated better than the ones who are not handsomely dressed. This was a problem in the early Christian church, too. Just listen to James as he exhorts his readers:

 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Apparently it (favoritism) was just as much a problem in the early church, as it was in Solomon's time, and it's still a problem today.  And it's in the Word so that we can learn from it, right?

Lord, help me to have a heart for the poor, as you did. And then help me to "walk the walk" and show that love.

Proverbs 21: Our mighty man!

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

What a study we have had over the last week and a half! As we come to the end of chapter 21 and look at the last three verses we've yet to discuss, I am reminded about the strength of our men. No, not muscle strength. Wisdom strength as in verse 22. Wisdom is so much more powerful than human strength. Yet (vs 30) that even though wisdom is stronger than human strength, NOTHING is more powerful than our Lord. While we need to respect our husband, love him, pray for him, help him...we need to put God above him. If we do not put God first, then our marriage, our home, our children suffer. Matthew Henry wraps up this passage with this note:

“Safety and salvation are of the Lord; He can save without armies, but armies cannot save without Him.” 


Are you allowing God to be the Highest in Command within your home?

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I have very much enjoyed writing this study about husbands. It excited me so much that I just worked on it off and on over a couple of days until I got all 7 posts written. It is now 2 a.m. (clear back on the 21--just as you are beginning your study!) and I am going to go shut my eyes and pray that you will allow this study to touch you and that it maybe can make an impact on your marriage. I thank God for the opportunity to have learned so much from this study. Thanks for joining me on this journey.

This song is beautiful. Enjoy.

Proverbs 21: When he messes up

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend and that you spent time searching your heart to see if you are truly being the helpmate to your husband that you were created to be. There was one thing that I didn't put on the list on Friday because I wanted to save it for a day all in its own.

When your husband sins, reprove him privately and gently, always giving him hope and pointing him to the Lord.--quoted from AProverbsWife.com


The most interesting thing about the quote above is that when the author was writing ideas on how to be a better wife, she asked her husband for his input; and his input is what I quoted above. While we have studied twice in this chapter alone that our husbands do not want to be nagged, this quote is proof that they do want us to help them.

This chapter of Proverbs (as do all chapters) touch on a few sins such as lying, (vs 6 and 28); keeping our mouths shut (vs 23); not being kind to the poor (vs 13, 26); not being frugal (vs 20); laziness (vs 25) and not listening to instruction (vs 11).

We need to approach today's study very very cautiously. If you aren't careful you can get carried away thinking about your husband's transgressions. Just remember that plank in your own eye! (Matthew 7:3). On the other hand, you know where your husband struggles. You know what tempts him, what trips him, what makes life not so easy for him.

I encourage you, open your hearts in HUMBLE prayer for your husband today. Pray for areas in which he is struggling and ask God to reveal to you how you can help your husband get past these temptations.

Today's do for your husband idea: Give him a back, foot or sinus/head massage.

Proverbs 21: Walking the path

Yesterday we spent just a little time looking over the verses from this chapter that discuss 'the wicked'. Today lets look through some of the verses that discuss the opposite.

As we study today, imagine your husband as Christian in Pilgrim's Progress. Every day, our husbands are out there, walking the narrow road. We all are trying to walk that road but I think it must be so hard for anyone that works outside the home. There are so many other distractions that get in the path. (Of course, there are plenty within the home but we won't get into that in this discussion.)

8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.

16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Did you know that we are helpmates to our husbands? We are supposed to help our husband's as we walk the journey together. That's what we women were created for. It says so right in Genesis. I have never seen a comment on that verse more beautiful than Matthew Henry's commentary:
‘Not made out of his head to top him, not out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.’

I think too often, especially in modern times, we don't take our God-given job seriously. And that is sad. In fact, it pretty much is why sin is in the world today, isn't it? I have really enjoyed this study this week, and I've been combing the net for husband/wife type ideas, etc. Today, instead of giving you one thing to do I am going to give you a list of ideas to help you become a better helpmate for your husband. Hey! It's the weekend....you need extra homework. *grin*  These are not just spiritual things. These are things to make life easier for your husband. Because that is YOUR job. My prayer is that you will examine yourself as you look over these; find room for improvement; and act on it. (compiled from several internet resources but mostly from AProverbsWife.com):

1. Be willing to talk and listen. Ask him if there is anything that you can do differently to make his life easier.
2. Be organized.
3. Save energy for him.
4. Put him first. Even over children! This includes putting his work and goals above your own. (ouch on that goal thing)
5. Always talk positive of him; especially in front of your children.
6. Re-examine what you are involved in. Do they glorify your husband? Ask him to guide you on what you devote your time to. (ouch.)
7. Encourage your husband to use his spiritual gifts.

Proverbs 21: The wicked and the not so

A study of Proverbs is never without a study of the wicked. Chapter 21 is no exception. Let's look:


7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.

So, how can we apply these verses to our study of husbands? First, thank God for your husband's salvation. Then perhaps you could take apart each verse and apply it to your husband. We each have different husbands. Each with different struggles and triumphs. In my home, I might read this passage and turn it into a prayer thanking God that my husband wants to do the right thing, that he desires to be just(vs 7) and that he thinks before he acts.(vs 29) (Which is a very good thing as I am the one that is way too hasty to jump on decisions.) I might pray that when God observes our home, that He will find good and not evil. (vs 12).

Of course, many verses in this chapter deal with the opposite...we will take a look at those verses tomorrow.

Today's idea to show your love for your husband: Watch a tv show or movie with him. Many of us women could care less about that box with all those noisy sounds coming out of it. But for some reason, men like the crazy thing. So, you could go sit with him and spend some time showing interest in what he likes.







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Proverbs 21: The Pride of the king

Pride.

That word has a couple of definitions. Let's look at each.

When you woke up today, did you think, "I am my husband's pride!" Nope, I didn't either. But we are. Us, the children, the home itself. We are all part of our husband's pride. Whether or not he can be proud of  his pride is a different story.

Oh, there we mentioned the other part of the definition of pride. Being proud. Men like to be proud. They really do. Actually, sometimes a bit too proud. Women can struggle a bit with pride, but I think men have the bigger struggle here. Fish stories and little league games come to mind. Let's look at what Proverbs 21 says about pride:

Verse 4: Haughty eyes and a proud heart,  the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

Verse 24: “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Bear in mind, we are not here to 'husband bash'. Quite the opposite. You know your husband better than anyone with the exception of Christ. You know his struggles. As his wife, he appreciates your prayers on his behalf. In fact, I think it is the best gift you can give your husband. Later this week we will discuss other ways that we can pray for our husbands, but today when you bow your head to pray, remember Pride in these two ways:

1) that YOU and YOUR HOME, as his pride is something that he can be proud of. Oh, and pleasing man is not important. We want your husband to feel proud of you when he closes his eyes and meets privately in prayer with his Savior. Just please your husband today.

2) for your husband's prideful nature. It really is a 'man thing'.(Yes, we women can struggle with it too. I am not pointing fingers.)  Pray that he will remain humble in all situations. And the key to this prayer--that you will remain humble when praying for your husband's humility.

Today's do for your husband item: Spruce up! You, the house, the dinner table. Make his eyes light up with Pride as he walks through that door!