Proverbs 16-17

Not a lot of commentary today from these two chapters because the verses are really straight forward.  So today I wanted to highlight a few verses from each chapter to let you meditate on them and put them into practice at work or in your home.

Chapter 16:

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
v.4 - “the LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble…”
v.33 - “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every division is from the LORD…”

Powerful if you think about it.  God is in control of everything - even the wicked.  He has ordained days that the wicked seem to prosper, but then we see His mighty had at work and the wicked destroyed and God receives even greater glory and thanksgiving for His acts of rescue. 

Also notice v.33 - “The lot is cast…”  Casting lots was a way to make a decision and we see it again and again in the Bible.  They would have stones with Yes on one side and No on the other - 2 stones to be exact.  If it came up Yes/Yes they did it, or No/No they didn’t do it.  Sometimes there was a Yes/No, so they would throw it again.  The primary reason for casting lots was to render an impartial, unbiased decision on important matters.  It’s fascinating to notice that the sovereignty of God even reached down to a "coin toss or the roll of the dice” as we would call it.

ATTITUDES
v.18 - “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall…”
v.32 - “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city…”

First Pride - Pride and arrogance are recipes for disaster.  Hit the delete button in your life when you find pride.  James 4 and 1Pt. 5 both say the same thing - "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1Pt 5:5 ESV)  Proverbs 29:23 says - "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”  What defeats pride?  Humility.  Seek to be humble in all things!

Then verse 32 says be slow to anger and rule your spirit - why?  God sees those who are in control as better than the mighty warriors who lack self-control.  Yes, it is tough to do, but it is possible.  Seek to reign in your anger.

Lastly - WORK AND ETHICS:
v.3 - “Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be established…”
v.25 - “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death…”

I wish the writer of Proverbs would have put theses two verses back to back, but he didn’t.  How should I view my work?  Robert Burns wrote: “the best laid plans of mice and men often go array…” and that is so true.  Why?  Our plans were not in line with His plans.  Seek first to commit your work and all you do to the Lord and he will direct your path.  Without his help you are just aimlessly beating your head against a rock.

Chapter 17

STRIFE -(angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict)

v. 1 - “Better is a dry morsel with quite than a house full of feasting with strife…”
v. 9 - “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends…"
v. 14 - “ The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out…”
v.17 - “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity…"

THE FOOL:
v.10 - “a rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hounded blows into a fool…”
v.16 -“Why should a fool have money in his hand to by wisdom when he has no sense?" 

THE FOOL BEING PRAISED - (RARE)
vv.
27-28 - “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a FOOL who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”