Proverbs

The internet is full of quick resources and self-help advice amidst times of calm and times of crisis. You can find help on literally anything on the go anytime, anywhere. But how much of it is true and actually helpful and how much of it is just click-bait and sensationalism. Thankfully, we have a book that has stood the test of time. King Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived (excluding Jesus fully-man of course). Solomon, Son of David, when asked by God he can have anything he wants, Solomon responded  “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10). It is through this godly wisdom that we have the book of Proverbs today! Today we focus on Proverbs 10 – Values.

Amazing!

Let’s journey through Proverbs!

Proverbs 10

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Proverbs of Solomon

The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

² Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
    but righteousness delivers from death.

³ The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

⁴ Lazy hands make for poverty,
    but diligent hands bring wealth.

⁵ He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

⁶ Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

⁷ The name of the righteous is used in blessings,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.

⁸ The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

⁹ Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

¹⁰ Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

¹² Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.

Scripture continued…

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

¹⁴ The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

¹⁶ The wages of the righteous is life,
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

¹⁷ Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

¹⁸ Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
    and spreads slander is a fool.

¹⁹ Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.

²² The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
    without painful toil for it.

²⁴ What the wicked dread will overtake them;
    what the righteous desire will be granted.

²³ A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

²⁵ When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm forever.

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.

²⁷ The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

³⁰ The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.

³¹ From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
    but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

³² The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Core values

Every parent knows that children can bring amazing joy, but also deep heartache and worry. In Proverbs, there is such a rich tradition of family values that is sometimes overlooked, but it was actually deeply embedded into the Israelites, God’s people. Family loyalty was a strong value, and it was supposed to trickle down from generation to generation.

Today, family values seem to have shifted, and the art of family values seems to have diminished. The first verse in our reading really sets the stage for the chapter and our devotion today.

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1)

Parent-child relationship

I do not know your family background or what you would call family, but in this verse there is an important mark of wisdom when it comes to our families. This son’s actions do affect his parents and it is something he needs to consider when making decisions in his life. The parent-child relationship is a two-way street. One affects the other. Take a moment and think about your family dynamics right now. If you are the dad, how do you think God is guiding you into wisdom as a father? The mom, how is God guiding you into wisdom as a mother? The son or daughter, how is God guiding you into wisdom with your parents?

Are there some things you need to ask forgiveness about?

Are there things you have forgotten that have brought you joy, and you need to remind your son or daughter how much they are adored by you?

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs

Today, make sure you hug people in your family and tell them how much you love them.