PROVERBS LESSON 29

    We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 19:1 "Better [is] the poor
that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips,
and is a fool."

     We see in this poor man, someone who is poor in earthly goods
only.  He walks in his integrity; lets us know that he is not willing
to gain the world's goods by any hook or crook.  He is satisfied in
the state that he has found himself in.  He will follow Jesus whatever
state he is in.  In contrast to him, we see someone who tells lies
(perverse lips) and will do most anything.  The Scripture above does
not state it but implies that the second is rich, because he has
gotten that way in an evil process.

    Proverbs 19:2 "Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it
is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth."

    We see here someone who is hurrying to get nowhere.  He is without
direction in his life.  He is a foolish man who doesn't understand
what he is doing and begins anyway.

    Proverbs 19:3 "The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his
heart fretteth against the LORD."

    It is man and his own foolish lust that causes sin in his life.
He cannot blame anyone else.  We see here that in this particular
instance this man is complaining, blaming all his problems on God.
Generally speaking, we bring our problems on ourselves.

    Proverbs 19:4 "Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is
separated from his neighbour."

    We see that fleshly people who are not led by the Spirit run to
those who have money to be their friend.  Perhaps, they feel some of
this will rub off on them.  Since poor people have nothing they want,
they don't visit them much.  This is in direct opposition to what
Jesus taught.  People who do this are respecters of persons because of
position and wealth.

    Proverbs 19:5 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he
that] speaketh lies shall not escape."

    We discussed this in a previous lesson.  False witnessing is
called perjury and is a crime.  Even today in our society perjury is a
crime punishable by imprisonment or fine.  Even if a liar gets away
with it here on earth, God know if you have lied and He will punish
the guilty.

    Proverbs 19:6 "Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and
every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts."

    We see here in both instances someone who loves to receive things
that they have not worked to get.  They think this prince may give
them a position in government.  In the second instance, every man
means it is the world's way to enjoy free 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]."

    In verse 7, we see that they feel like since he is poor, there is
no way to make anything off of him; and so they stop going around him
thinking he might want something they have.  He begs them to come
back, but they don't listen, because they think if they do come back,
they will have to help him.  This is a sorry lot that will not help
their brother.

    Proverbs 19:8 "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that
keepeth understanding shall find good."

    A person who seeks wisdom, seeks God.  We know that wisdom is a
gift from God.  Truly all Christians should pray to receive wisdom.
In the second part of this, I see someone who looks for good.  A
person who understands is not always looking for the dark side of
life.

    Proverbs 19:9 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he
that] speaketh lies shall perish."

     Again, witnessing falsely is perjury and punishable by
imprisonment or fine.  Perhaps, this is not speaking of court.  Even
if the witness is between neighbors, when the truth comes out, there
will be punishment even if it is just that neither neighbor will not
have anything to do with you because they cannot believe a thing you
say.  No one likes a liar.

    Proverbs 19:10 "Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a
servant to have rule over princes."

    This is probably speaking of someone unwise who acquires sudden
riches and fame and really is not equipped to handle the job at hand.
Arrogance, conceit, and pride are a by-product of wealth and power
thrust on someone who has not been prepared to handle it.  The only
way a person would be able to handle this situation would be to humble
themselves before God and cry out for His help.

    Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and
[it is] his glory to pass over a transgression."

    We see here a man slow to anger.  This Scripture is just saying a
Christian who can overlook little injustices done to them by others is
putting more stones in his crown he will wear in heaven.  When we are
forgiving others, we are making sure God will forgive us.  Forgive and
ye shall be forgiven.

    Proverbs 19:12 "The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion;
but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass."
    The king frightens the people under him.  He has the say over them
as to whether they live or die (in this world).  His favour is desired
by all his subjects, because he can see to it that they prosper or
fail.

    Proverbs 19:13 "A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and
the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping."

    We have gone into it before how a foolish son brings heartache and
sorrow to the father.  Now we see that a wife who is continually
complaining is almost impossible to bear.  This continual dropping is
pure and simple nagging.  Many women, that wonder why their husbands
seem to stay away from home as much as possible, could check out and
see if they are nagging when he is home.  A person's home should be a
pleasant refuge, not a place with no rest.  In our day, the table here
could be reversed.  Men should not nag, either.

    Proverbs 19:14 "House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers:
and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD."

    I believe this Scripture is saying that you may inherit great
riches from your father and have a big home, but you cannot buy a good
woman.  For a man to receive a good Christian wife with wonderful
principles is a gift from God.  "Prudent" really goes into a lot of
virtues.  She would be industrious and intelligent, as well as being a
Christian.

    Proverbs 19:15 "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an
idle soul shall suffer hunger."

     Laziness and sleeping long hours go together.  No one will hire a
 lazy person to work, if they know they are lazy.  If a person doesn't
 work, there is no money to buy food with; so we see hunger.  Laziness
 for any length of time will affect your thinking, as well, and you
 will get to where you can't think clear thoughts.  The doctors say
 now that a vigorous walk of 2 miles or more makes you think better.


















                         Proverbs 29 Questions

1.  In verse 1, we see it is not talking about just a poor man, but
    what kind of a poor man?
2.  What is implied in verse 1 by the man of perverse lips?
3.  A man that hasteth with his feet -----.
4.  Whose heart fretteth against God?
5.  Who is generally the cause of all of man's problems?
6.  Wealth maketh many --------.
7.  Who shall not go unpunished?
8.  Every man is a friend of someone who does what?
9.  Explain why verse 7 says a poor man's brothers hate him.
10. When you are seeking wisdom, you are seeking --------.
11. Who likes a liar?
12. In verse 10, who is it speaking of?
13. What is their attitude?
14. A man who defers anger, gets what when he overlooks a
    transgression?
15. What is the king's wrath compared to?
16. Who is the calamity of his father?
17. What is like a continual dropping in verse 13.
18. In verse 14, houses and riches are what?
19. Can he buy a good wife with all his riches?  Explain.
20. What is slothfulness?
21. In verse 15, we find that an idle soul shall what?
22. What have doctors in recent years discovered that lets us know
    that activity makes us think better?