I’m not sure when it began, maybe with Moses? We do remember when God told Moses to tell His People to put God’s Commandments on doorposts and gates! And we still do it! At least some of us. Many believers and non-believers alike seem to be obsessed, (according to Hobby Lobby’s walls of words merch) of putting wise sayings on decorative boards and hanging them in our homes! Some sayings and quips are not so wise for those trying to be funny. So let’s go back to where it all began—
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV
TRUTH: The above passage is known as the Shema. It has become the Jewish confession of faith, recited daily by the pious and every Sabbath day in the synagogue. Jesus agreed that this particular text was the most important commandment (See Mark 12:29–30).
From Moses to David to now Solomon teaching his son, Wise sayings are based on God’s Commandments. Notice how the sayings deal with our relationship with God and with others. Solomon who was blessed by God with the gift of wisdom passes on what God gave to him so the next generation may know how to live an honest life in obedience to God.
Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of these Proverbs is clear and concise in our language! Take to heart, maybe post your favorites on your walls or at least in your prayer closet!
Proverbs 10, The Message
The Wise Sayings of Solomon
An Honest Life Is Immortal
Wise son, glad father;
stupid son, sad mother.
2 Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere;
an honest life is immortal.
3 God won’t starve an honest soul,
but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.
4 Sloth makes you poor;
diligence brings wealth.
5 Make hay while the sun shines—that’s smart;
go fishing during harvest—that’s stupid.
6 Blessings accrue on a good and honest life,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
7 A good and honest life is a blessed memorial;
a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.
8 A wise heart takes orders;
an empty head will come unglued.
9 Honesty lives confident and carefree,
but Shifty is sure to be exposed.
10 An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead,
but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace.
11 The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
12 Hatred starts fights,
but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.
13 You’ll find wisdom on the lips of a person of insight,
but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face.
14 The wise accumulate knowledge—a true treasure;
know-it-alls talk too much—a sheer waste.
The Road to Life Is a Disciplined Life
15 The wealth of the rich is their security;
the poverty of the indigent is their ruin.
16 The wage of a good person is exuberant life;
an evil person ends up with nothing but sin.
17 The road to life is a disciplined life;
ignore correction and you’re lost for good.
18 Liars secretly hoard hatred;
fools openly spread slander.
19 The more talk, the less truth;
the wise measure their words.
20 The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
the blabber of the wicked is worthless.
21 The talk of a good person is rich fare for many,
but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.
Fear-of-God Expands Your Life
22 God’s blessing makes life rich;
nothing we do can improve on God.
23 An empty-head thinks mischief is fun,
but a mindful person relishes wisdom.
24 The nightmares of the wicked come true;
what the good people desire, they get.
25 When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked;
good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed.
26 A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble;
it’s vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.
27 The Fear-of-God expands your life;
a wicked life is a puny life.
28 The aspirations of good people end in celebration;
the ambitions of bad people crash.
29 God is solid backing to a well-lived life,
but he calls into question a shabby performance.
30 Good people last—they can’t be moved;
the wicked are here today, gone tomorrow.
31 A good person’s mouth is a clear fountain of wisdom;
a foul mouth is a stagnant swamp.
32 The speech of a good person clears the air;
the words of the wicked pollute it.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
We have spent the last nine days studying Proverbs 1-9 that teach us who we should be with a heart set on developing the character traits of God, our Father. The Solomon’s writings take a shift from chapter 10 through 22. After extended lessons on the value of wisdom, we will now dive into practical ways that offer straightforward advice, warnings, and principles to live by that please God.
You have probably notice how the sayings sharply contrast the wise and righteous with the fool and wicked. Point made, Solomon!
Max Lucado, Prolific Writer, Pastor and Wise Leader comments on this proverb that deals greatly about how we talk to each other. Maybe this will help you to understand more deeply why we are studying the simple but profound sayings of Proverbs. He writes;
“Insensitive comments. Thoughts that should have remained thoughts. Feelings which had no business being expressed. Opinions carelessly tossed like a grenade into a crowd.
And if you were to tell the one who threw these thoughtless darts about the pain that person caused, his response would be “Oh, but I had no intention. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive!” or “I forgot you were here.”
In a way, the words are comforting, until you stop to think about them (which is not recommended). For when you start to think about insensitive slurs, you realize they come from an infamous family whose father has bred generations of pain. His name? Egotism. His children? Three sisters: disregard, disrespect, and disappointment.
These three witches have combined to poison countless relationships and break innumerable hearts. Listed among their weapons are Satan’s cruelest artillery: gossip, accusations, resentment, impatience, and on and on.
God’s Word has strong medicine for those who carelessly wag their tongues. The message is clear: He who dares to call himself God’s ambassador is not afforded the luxury of idle words. Excuses such as “I didn’t know you were here” or “I didn’t realize this was so touchy” are shallow when they come from those who claim to be followers and imitators of the Great Physician. We have an added responsibility to guard our tongues.”—Lucado Encouraging Word Bible
PAUSE TO PRAYERFULLY REFLECT—
Did my words build up or tear down? Were they critical? Were they vulgar? Did I rationalize what I said with excuses or blaming others? If so, ask for God’s forgiveness and seek the forgiveness of anyone you have offended. Ask for God’s help to use your words wisely. He will answer that prayer with power from on high, the same power that resurrected Jesus from death to Life!
Lord,
Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In Jesus Name, Amen
