PROVERBS LESSON 34

    We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 21:17 "He that loveth
pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not
be rich."

    Wine and oil are expensive. The cost of a bottle of wine is enough
to feed a large family. Even worse than the cost of the wine is what
the wine causes you to do. Your judgement is not as good after you
have drunk wine and you would be a spendthrift with money needed for
other things. Many people in our society today have expensive
pleasures like golf, ball games, movies, etc.  Not only are these
hobbies very expensive, but they take a great deal of time, as well.
Time we should be working to take care of our needs is many times
wasted in worldly pleasures. We are warned in II Timothy 3 about
caring about pleasures too much (lovers of pleasure more than lovers
of God). The chapter says it happens in the end times.

    Proverbs 21:18 "The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous,
and the transgressor for the upright."

    The only thing I see in this is that God has always had a sharp
separation between the wicked and the righteous. It seems that the
transgressor has a price to pay for his wickedness and God will not
have the upright to pay. Their debt is paid in full through Jesus.

    Proverbs 21:19 "[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than
with a contentious and an angry woman."

    No one wants to dwell in a wilderness, but the comparison is made
here to show how terrible it is to live with someone who is constantly
finding fault. Moses fled to the wilderness for safety. Whether that
is what this means that there is safety away from this evil woman or
not, I do not know.

    Proverbs 21:20 "[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the
dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."

    There really are two ways to look at this.  A wise man is careful
in what he uses his money for. He saves for a rainy day and so his
needs are taken care of, but a foolish man spends everything he gets
as soon as he gets it and many times even before he gets it. He
borrows money often so he has to pay for what he buys plus the
interest, and it keeps him continually broke. From a spiritual
standpoint there is a treasure to be desired, eternal life. This oil
in the dwelling place would be symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The spend-
thrift (in the spirit) keeps saying wait until a more convenient time
and loses his opportunity to be saved.

    Proverbs 21:21 "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness, and honour."

    We have read over and over that righteousness is being in right
standing with God.  We also have read many times that it is Jesus'
righteousness that we take on.  We must accept Jesus as our Saviour
and we have righteousness.  But this speaks of a walk (followeth) in
that righteousness and mercy.  We are told to be merciful because
Jesus was merciful to us first.  Righteousness, mercy, and honour for
us is a by-product of our salvation.

    Proverbs 21:22 "A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and
casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof."

    The first thing that comes to mind as I read this is the story of
the Israelites searching out the promised land.  The wise thing to do
was not to question whether they could take the land or not.  God said
they could.  Just do it and stop doubting.  When they followed God's
instructions exactly, the walls of Jericho fell down before them.  We
see in this that Godly wisdom is greater than body strength.

    Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his
soul from troubles."

    Talking too much can get you into a great deal of trouble. Words
spoken in haste are many times regretted at leisure.

    Proverbs 21:24 "Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who
dealeth in proud wrath."

    We see in this someone who is unteachable.  Someone who thinks he
knows everything is headed for trouble. He dishes out harsh statements
to those around him, speaking from an evil heart.

    Proverbs 21:25 "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his
hands refuse to labour."

    We see in verse 25 someone who will not work but wants everything
he sees. First of all, he has too much idle time because he refuses to
work. A person who does not stay busy has time to get into a lot of
trouble. Idle time and desires for things you cannot acquire lead to
crime, and crime leads to punishment and sometimes death.

    Proverbs 21:26 "He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the
righteous giveth and spareth not."

    This is a continuation of verse 25.  In contrast to the evil, lazy
person who has nothing and wants everything is the righteous who works
hard and gives away a great deal of what he earns.

    Proverbs 21:27 "The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how
much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?"

     We found this to be true in the very first mention in the Bible
 of Cain and Abel. Cain's gift was unacceptable unto God. The worst
 thing of all was that he gave it knowing it was unacceptable. He
 wanted the easy way out. He gave earthly gifts rather than the
 offering God required. His gifts were earthly, not heavenly.
 Churches should not accept racketeer money.
    Proverbs 21:28 "A false witness shall perish: but the man that
heareth speaketh constantly."

    To me this is saying that when the false witness is found out, no
one will listen to him any longer. We see in this "man that heareth"
(someone who understands) can speak many times and people will listen,
because they know it is the truth.

    Proverbs 21:29 "A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the
upright, he directeth his way."

    This hardened face means you can't change his opinion. He is not
teachable. The Lord directeth the way of the upright, because the
upright is doing it God's way. He is not so self-willed that you can't
tell him anything.

    Proverbs 21:30 "[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel
against the LORD."

    Compared to the Lord's wisdom, we have no wisdom. We have no power
at all when vented against God. God is the Creator, and we are His
created. The Creator is always far superior to His creation in every
way .

    Proverbs 21:31 "The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle:
but safety [is] of the LORD."

    "Horse" indicates war or military power. We cannot depend on
military power to save us. The Lord is the Saviour. He also is our
very present help. Whether saving us from the wrath of God by
transporting us to heaven, or protecting us while we are here on the
earth, the Lord is our only true protection.






















                         Proverbs 34 Questions


1.  In verse 17, what can cause you to be poor?
2.  In the same verse, if you like wine and oil, you won't be
    ---------.
3.  Name some expensive pleasures of our day.
4.  In II Timothy 3, we are warned of loving pleasure more than loving
    --------.
5.  What is meant by the "wicked being ransom for the righteous"?
6.  Where is it better to live than with a contentious woman?
7.  What comparison is intended in the "treasure of the wise" and
    "foolish man spendeth it"?
8.  In verse 21, what is found in following righteousness and mercy?
9.  What does followeth indicate?
10. In verse 22, "a wise man scaleth the city of the mighty" reminds
    the author of what?
11. What can talking too much do?
12. Who is the proud, haughty scorner?
13. Why does the desire of the slothful kill him?
14. Idle time, and desire for things you can't have, lead to what?
15. What contrast to the lazy, greedy person is made in verse 26?
16. The abomination of the sacrifice is worse when it is given how?
17. What happens to a false witness?
18. What does "hardeneth his face" mean?
19. Who can counsel against the Lord?
20. What does the "horse" indicate in verse 31?
21. Who is our only true help?