PROVERBS LESSON 19

    We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 13:14 "The law of the wise
[is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."

    We see that God's rules, that wise men live by, bring everlasting
life. If we listen to God's instructions, not only are we promised
life eternal, but it helps us live this life successfully, as well.
Godly living keeps us away from drugs and excessive alcohol which
destroys so many lives today.

    Proverbs 13:15 "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of
transgressors [is] hard."

    Good understanding gives us favour with God and man. We are told
that God will cause even our enemies to live at peace with us if we
live pleasing to God. We read this in Proverbs chapter 16 verse 7.

    Proverbs 13:16 "Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a
fool layeth open [his] folly."

    This prudent man is speaking of a man who carefully considers a
thing and makes his decision after having all the facts at hand. A man
like this will not make many mistakes. The fool jumps in without
considering the facts. He talks so much he exposes his position, and
we see him making one mistake after the other.

    Proverbs 13:17 "A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a
faithful ambassador [is] health."

    We see in this someone who is called to do a job, and instead of
delivering the message sent, carries a false message. He is headed for
problems whether he is working for God or man. An ambassador is
someone who represents someone else. A faithful ambassador is one who
gives the exact message you would give yourself if you were there.
This type of person does you good.

    Proverbs 13:18 "Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth
instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

    Those who will not take instruction, will have to pay for their
own mistakes and will wind up poor and ashamed at their failures. He
that learns from others will be successful and that success will bring
honour.

    Proverbs 13:19 "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but
[it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil."

    When a person strives morally and legally to fulfill his desires,
the accomplishment is very sweet to him. The fool doesn't strive
legally or morally.  He enjoys the sinful life and has no desire to
change.  They do not care that what they are doing is sin. They are
living to please the flesh. Living for worldly pleasure is the desire
of fools.
    Proverbs 13:20 "He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but
a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

     We have a tendency to become like the people we associate with.
 If the people you are with are arrested for a crime, you will be
 arrested, as well. You will be called an accomplice to the crime
 because you are with the criminal.  We see someone who is a companion
 of someone successful and that person will try hard, too. I have
 noticed that we try harder to do just as well as the person we are
 with. Competition creates success.

    Proverbs 13:21 "Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good
shall be repayed."

    An evil person is constantly looking over his shoulder. He has a
guilty conscience.  He is constantly expecting punishment for the evil
he has committed. There is no peace, only torment. The righteous are
in direct contrast to this.  They have a clear conscience, knowing
they have done their best. The Bible teaches "give and it shall be
given unto you". This is not just money, but good deeds, as well. If
you are helping others every chance you get, you will always have help
when you need it. You cannot out give God. Your reward awaiting in
heaven is great, but there are rewards here, as well. Jesus said, In
as much as ye have done it to unto the least of these, you have done
it unto Me, also. Your good deeds are recorded in heaven.

    Proverbs 13:22 "A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his
children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the
just."

    The children of Israel receiving the land of Canaan from those who
would not follow God's ways is a really good example of the last half
of verse 22. For every blessing God promises to the just, there is a
curse to those who will not follow God's ways. A good man is not an
alcoholic, he does not practice incest, he is not a liar, he is not a
thief. His eyes are stayed upon God. He walks straight forward, headed
for heaven. He is honest and works hard for what he gets. He is a good
steward of what God has entrusted to him; and instead of wasting what
he makes on worldly things, he saves so that he can help his
grandchildren get a start. The greatest heritage a grandparent can
leave is to live uprightly and teach the grandchild to live uprightly.
A Christian heritage is the greatest gift we can give our
grandchildren. God looks kindly on the children and grandchildren of
the Christians.

    Proverbs 13:23 "Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor: but
there is [that is] destroyed for want of judgment."

    "Tillage" here means freshly ploughed ground. It appears here that
a poor man can find the food that he needs by ploughing new ground. We
see that lack of judgment causes destruction. If a person doesn't
plough and plant, he cannot produce a crop.

    Proverbs 13:24 "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he
that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

    We see in this Scripture that if we want our children to be
successful in life, we must train them well when they are very young.
If a parent intends to help their child, they must correct them when
they are wrong. The best way for the lesson to be remembered is for
the correction to be made accompanied with a spanking. If we love our
children, we will spank them when they are wrong. We learn that God
corrects His children that He loves, as well. Hebrews 12:6 "For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth." Hebrews 12:7 "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with
you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"
Hebrews 12:8 "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." You see, if God loves
you, He will correct you when you are wrong.

    Proverbs 13:25 "The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his
soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want."

    In Psalms 37:25 "I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I
not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." There
seems to be special provision made for the righteous by God. In Luke
12-31 we see this in Jesus' own words, "But rather seek ye the kingdom
of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." God will bless
those who follow Him.  They will not hunger or thirst.  There is no
such provision made for the wicked.  There is a curse that goes with
wickedness. In the end, the wicked shall be in want.



























                         Proverbs 19 Questions


1.  In verse 14, what is a fountain of life?
2.  What keeps the Christian away from drugs and alcohol?
3.  In Proverbs chapter 16 verse 7, we are told that who will live at
    peace with us if we live godly?
4.  In verse 16, what is the prudent man speaking of?
5.  What is this foolish man doing?
6.  Who is a wicked messenger?
7.  Who is a faithful ambassador?
8.  If a person refuseth instruction, what two things can he expect?
9.  Someone who accepts instruction and learns from others shall be
    successful.  What does success bring?
10. What two words describe how a Christian will strive?
11. A fool who has no desire to turn from sin is living for what?
12. Who should you walk with if you want to be wise?
13. Who are arrested as an accomplice to crime?
14. Why is the evil person constantly looking over his shoulder?
15. What did Jesus say about doing for others?
16. Who does a good man leave an inheritance to?
17. What will eventually happen to the wealth of the sinner?
18. What is the greatest heritage we can leave our children and
    grandchildren?
19. What does the word "tillage" mean in V-23?
20. Who in V-24 hates his son?
21. What is the best way for a child to remember a correction?
22. What will the Lord do to those He loves?
23. In Psalms chapter 37 verse 25 , what do we see about the
    righteous?
24. What are we to seek first?
25. What is the final fate of the wicked?