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A Study of Proverbs 16
August 05, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The sixteenth chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. God despises pride and false witness. Those who act in anger, act foolishly. The righteous use honest measure. Speak kindly to keep peace. Don't upset the ruler, because he has the authority to hurt you.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 16
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 08-05-2007
Proverbs 16:1: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.”
As God’s creation, we must look to Him for our knowledge answers in life.
Proverbs 16:2: “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.”
We tend to self-righteousness, but God weighs who we really are.
Proverbs 16:3: “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
If we do God’s work, we will live that work, and our mind will be upon God’s ways.
Proverbs 16:4: “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”
God made us all. He uses us, whether we are good or evil. His will is done.
Proverbs 16:5: “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”
James 4:6: “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Proverbs 6:16: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18: An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19: A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
The proud will not prevail agianst God, even when united. He hates pride.
Proverbs 16:6: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”
Iniquity comes from the word inequity, or unfairness. Mercy and truth remove iniquity, or unfairness. When men fear God, and do His will, they depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:7: “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Matthew 5: 43: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
God’s ways lead to peace.
Proverbs 16:8: “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
1 Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
The poor righteous are better off than the rich who are wicked.
Proverbs 16:9: “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
A man sets his goals, but he is wise to look to God for direction in how to achieve them.
Proverbs 16:10: “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. “
1 Timothy 2: 1: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2: For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
The king is right—he has the authority. We must take care what we say about the king.
Proverbs 16:11: “A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.”
God expects equity and fairness, not theft by cheating. Honest measure comes from God.
Proverbs 16:12: “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13: Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.”
Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
God expects leaders of nations to rule righteously. Otherwise, He despises them.
Proverbs 16:14: “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.”
Proverbs 19:12: “The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.”
Don’t make the king angry. Live at peace with your nation’s leader.
Proverbs 16:15: “In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.”
Deal carefully and kindly with the king because of his authority and power to hurt you.
Proverbs 16:16: “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”
Riches without wisdom cause pain and grief. Wisdom and knowledge bring contentment and the right course in life.
Proverbs 16:17: “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
1 Peter 3: 10: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”
To stay alive and do well, one must shun evil and pursue good.
Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19: Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Luke 14:11: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
We must not think too highly of ourselves. If proud, we set ourselves up for disaster.
Proverbs 16:20: “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.”
Difficult situations call for wise choices. Our best guidance comes from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:21: “The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.”
We need to be wise and speak sweetly. This increases our chances of success and peace.
Proverbs 16:22: “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”
Knowledge provides the tools for life while fools only learn more foolishness.
Proverbs 16:23: “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.”
A wise person will be careful what he says, and will think before speaking.
Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Kind words are sweet and provide encouragement and growth to the listener.
Proverbs 16:25: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Man cannot direct his own footsteps—he needs God to direct him.
Proverbs 16:26: “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.”
A man works to better himself, or to provide for his own needs.
Proverbs 16:27: “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”
The ungodly stir up trouble, digging up past troubles, adding fuel to the fire.
Proverbs 16:28: “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
Outspoken people cause strife. A whisperer causes trouble between friends.
Proverbs 16:29: “A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30: He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.”
Beware those who try to draw you into violence or wickedness. Don’t be seduced. Some folks spend a lot of time scheming and devising bad things to accomplish.
Proverbs 16:31: “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. ”
A white head reflects the glory of a righteous man. It shows wisdom and experience.
Proverbs 16:32: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
James 3:8: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
It takes a great strength to control the tongue. It is the mark of a strong person.
Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
James 4:13: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15: For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16: But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
A man can cast lots—roll the dice, so to speak—but God determines how things are brought to fruition. He can override whattever plans that we may make.
