Proverbs 19

CHAPTER 19

Proverbs of Solomon, Continued (19:1–29)

1–29 Verse 1: This proverb teaches us that our walk (behavior) should be blameless (upright), even though it leads to poverty (see verse 22). It’s better to be poor and have God’s favor than to be rich without it.

Verse 2: It is not good to have zeal without knowledge. We often praise people for their “zeal,” their “commitment,” their “sincerity.” Many people think it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe it sincerely. Of course, this is totally false. Our belief must first of all be based on knowledge, on truth (Romans 10:1–2). Only then will our sincerity and zeal count. Great harm has been done by zealous people committed to the wrong cause—that is, a cause that is not God’s cause.

Verse 3: A man’s own folly is what ruins him, yet he blames God for his trouble instead of himself.

Verse 4: People follow after the rich man, hoping they will gain something; but they avoid the poor man, fearing he will try to gain something from them! (see Proverbs 14:20).

Verse 7: This proverb furthers the thought of verse 4; not only do people in general shun the poor man, but his own friends and family shun him as well (see Job 19:19; Psalm 38:11).

Verse 11: Wisdom teaches us patience (see Proverbs 14:29); a patient (wise) person will overlook an offense (see Proverbs 17:9). Most of the conflict in the world comes about because people refuse to “overlook” the offenses of others; instead, they demand revenge, both individually and collectively. The wise man does not avenge personal offenses; rather, he “overlooks” them.

Verse 15: Laziness not only affects the body; it also affects the soul. One who doesn’t exercise his mind and spirit will soon find himself starved spiritually.

Verse 16: To obey godly instruction is to guard one’s life (see Proverbs 15:10; 16:17); but the one who is contemptuous of his ways—who has no concern for his behavior—will die, not only physically but spiritually as well.

Verse 17: The one who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD (see Proverbs 14:31); the Lord regards any such kindness as having been extended—“loaned”—to Him, and He will “repay” the loan in full. Whenever we have the chance to meet the needs of someone—a poor man, or a stranger—we are doing a service to God Himself (see Genesis 18:1–8; Matthew 25:31–46; Hebrews 13:2).

Verse 18: To neglect to discipline one’s child is to be a willing party to the child’s death (see Proverbs 5:23; 13:24).

Verse 19: Most people reform their ways only after they have “paid the penalty”—been punished for their wrongdoing. If they are “rescued” before they’ve paid the penalty, they are more likely to repeat the wrong again and again.

Verse 21: See Proverbs 16:1,9.

Verse 23: The fear of the LORD leads to life (see Proverbs 1:7; 3:13–18). Then one will be untouched by trouble (see Proverbs 3:2); that is, one’s spiritual destination will be “untouched”—it will remain unchanged. Even though temporary troubles come to us on earth, they will not touch us when we are in heaven.

Verse 24: The sluggard is too lazy to complete any task—even the task of feeding himself (see Proverbs 12:27).

Verse 25: Three types of people are described in this proverb: the mocker, whose mind is closed; the simple man, whose mind is empty; and the discerning man, whose mind is open and full of wisdom. The mocker can’t be taught. The simple man can learn from watching the mocker’s punishment. The discerning man, however, learns from a simple word of rebuke, of instruction; this is how God expects His rational creatures to learn.