Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.
Summary: Today’s verse brings us into a discussion of good and evil. So many questions come to mind when we ponder these topics. Today we explore a few of them.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:27 — Seeking Favor”
People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Summary: Solomon’s discussion of righteousness takes a practical turn with this verse. More than simply a suggestion on “how to win friends,” how we see our neighbors reflects who we are as a person.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:26 — Wealth & Commerce”
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Summary: Giving generously is a reflection of our Father in heaven. He gives generously to us every day. He stands ready to refresh us every day as well. If we follow in his footsteps, we will do the same for others.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:25 — Generosity”
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
Summary: Solomon presents us with a challenge in this proverb. He does not provide us with a measuring line but speaks in terms of the heart.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:24 — Giving “
The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
Summary: Once again Solomon compares the righteous and the wicked. Simply and plainly he tells us the outcome of their choices.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:23 — Outcomes”
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
Summary: Solomon takes a detour to shift from talking to his sons (Proverbs 8:1) to ensure his wives and daughters are listening, too.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:22 — Discretion”
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.
Summary: Solomon again leads us into a discussion of wickedness and righteousness. Somehow it never gets old.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:21 — Choices”
Truly the righteous attain life,
but whoever pursues evil finds death.
Summary: The concept of righteousness is troublesome for many. If we think of the word “righteous” in terms of multiple kinds of righteousness, it makes it easier to see the word in different contexts.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:19 — The Righteous Life”
The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,
but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Summary: Solomon once again points to an interesting contrast between blame and perversity. Since God knows our hearts, he understands infallibly whether our intent is perverse or innocent. In the eyes of our Father, we can return to a state of being blameless.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:20 — Innocence Restored”
A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Summary: Once again we are reminded that there are two ways to see life. Worldly vision is short-sighted, spiritual vision shows us the eternal horizon before us.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:18 — Wages & Rewards”