
The Purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom for godly living.
Solomon’s fathering advice to young people and all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words. Discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom. Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living. They should call a person to action. The verses tell how you can live in close relationship to Him and offers positive advice that helps you to make good and righteous decisions. – notes of the Life Application Study Bible
PROVERBS 10 The title of this chapter is Wise sayings of Solomon
This chapter is said to specifically have been written by Solomon.
Verse 1 says, ‘A wise son makes a glad Father.’ Meaning Dad is proud and happy when his son/daughter makes good choices and decisions.
‘But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.’ I can think of a situation where the Mother is worried about her son, who is hanging in the streets and choosing a lifestyle that is foolish or a daughter who is chasing a man that doesn’t love and respect her and has her doing things that are not right.
God’s principles for right living bring lasting happiness. Proverbs gives us general situations in the examples. They don’t apply to every aspect of life. But basically letting us know that the life of a person who seeks God is better in the long run than the life of a wicked person.
Some people bring unhappiness on themselves by choosing wrong living, but righteous people are those who love the Lord and are seeking to follow him.
Everyday has 24 hours filled with opportunities to grow, serve and be productive. What are you doing with your 24 hours? Let us see time as God’s gift and seize your opportunities to live for Him.
In the notes, it gives a chart of examples of ‘wise learners’ and ‘foolish failures.’
- Wise Learners – Gladly accept instruction… Foolish Failures – Ignore instruction
- Wise Learners – Love discipline… Foolish Failures – Hate correction
- Wise Learners – Listen to advice… Foolish Failures – Think they need no advice
- Wise Learners – Accept parents disciplines… Foolish Failures – Mock parents
- Wise Learners – Are on the pathway to life… Foolish Failures – will go astray
- Wise Learners – Will be honored… Foolish Failures – End in poverty and disgrace
- Wise Learners – Profit from constructive criticism… Foolish Failures – Harm themselves by refusing criticism
Verse 20 stood out to me, ‘The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little.’ I’ve always thought, as a Christian that it probably isn’t the wisest choice to seek advice or counsel about godly matters (which is pretty much everything in my life) from someone who God. The advice probably wouldn’t be as helpful. I want to get counsel from someone who will speak truth, even if it hurts. And someone who knows how to talk to me in a way that is teaching and encouraging. Don’t hurt my feelings to teach me. Who do you get advice from? And when you seek advice, what do you honestly want to hear? The truth may not always feel good, but when given in love; it will do what has sent it to do. Counsel from a righteous person is like choice silver…it is valuable, you can give it to others, doesn’t lose it’s worth.
Verse 22 ‘The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.’ The notes say, Wealth is a blessing only if we use it in the way God intended.’ Can you honestly say you are using the wealth/blessings/resources that God has given you in the way He intended? How are you helping others? Are you paying your tithes with what He has given you? Are you spending wisely?
Fear the Lord and prolong your days…be aware of the wicked and the destruction that follows them. Choose righteousness.
