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A Study of Proverbs 19
September 16, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The nineteenth chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. Wise people don't let anger rule their actions. Laziness leads to poverty and ruin. People avoid the lazy. Have mercy on the poor. Obey civil authority.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 19
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 09-16-2007
Proverbs 19:1: “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
It is better to be poor and be honest and trustworthy, than to speak lies and be a fool. It is foolish to seek wealth by lying, rather than to be do without, and be trusted for honesty.
Proverbs 19:2: “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”
It is not good to be ignorant, and being in too big a hurry leads to mistakes. That is, if you rush into things, you will lose your footing, and do things that you should not.
Proverbs 19:3: “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.”
A man’s foolishness causes him to go astray, turning his heart against the Lord.
Proverbs 19:4: “Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.”
Wealth attracts friends while poverty drives your neighbor away—because the poor may come seeking assistance.
Proverbs 19:5 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Witnesses who bring false witness shall be punished, as will liars.
Proverbs 19:6: “Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.”
People seek preferential treatment from the rich and powerful and want to be friends with those who give gifts.
Proverbs 19:7: “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.”
A poor man’s own family turns against him, even more so, his friends. He pleads with them to return, but they do not.
Proverbs 19:8: “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.”
Wisdom preserves your life and if you value understanding, you will get it.
Proverbs 19:9: “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”
The false witness shall be punished and the liar shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 19:10: “Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.”
It is not proper for a fool to dispense pleasure, nor for servants to tell powerful leaders what to do.
Proverbs 19:11: “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
A wise man delays acting on his anger, and will overlook an offense by another. Don’t become angry and seek to punish another. Cool off, and overlook minor problems.
Proverbs 19:12: “The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.”
1 Peter 2:13: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14: Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”
Don’t anger your civil leaders—obey the law, and be good citizens, in order to escape their punishment and receive their praises.
Proverbs 19:13: “A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.”
On family unity and peace: a foolish son brings trouble upon his father, and an argumentative wife is like the dreay dripping of rain.
Proverbs 19:14: “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Fathers leave wealth to their sons, and a prudent wife is a gift from God! In other words, you father may leave you wealth, but your wife can help you lose it or preserve it.
Proverbs 19:15: “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”
Laziness brings on idleness, and idleness results in hunger.
Proverbs 19:16: “He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.”
Learn from wise instructors to preserve your life, else you shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 19:17: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
God blesses those who take care of the poor, lending to raise them from poverty.
Proverbs 19:18: “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
Discipline your child while you can, and ignore his pleas to do otherwise. To allow him to do anything he likes will eventually bring his downfall, and grief to you.
Proverbs 19:19: “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.”
Punish the raging sinner, because leniency will only encourage him to do wrong again.
Proverbs 19:20: “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
If you want to be wise in the future, learn and receive the teaching of the wise.
Proverbs 19:21: “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Man imagines and plans many things, but only God’s teaching will stand.
Proverbs 19:22: “The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.”
A kind man is desirable, as is a poor man rather than a liar.
Proverbs 19:23: “The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
Fearing God leads to long life, because such a man is satisfied. He will not be engaging in activity that will lead to problems and troubles in his life.
Proverbs 19:24: “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.”
A lazy man won’t even raise his hand to feed himself. That is, he will not do the work necessary to provide food for himself.
Proverbs 19:25: “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”
Punish the scornful, and the simple will take notice. Reprove an educated person, and he will learn from the reproof.
Proverbs 19:26: “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
A son who wastes his fathers resources and rejects his mother causes shame and reproach. He is not a good son, and torments the family.
Proverbs 19:27: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”
Stop listening to those who convince you to do foolish and hurtful things.
Proverbs 19:28: “An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.”
An ungodly witness mocks justice, and the wicked person loves inequity, or injustice.
Proverbs 19:29: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.”
Punishment is applied to lawbreakers, and fools receive whippings.
