 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. 3 When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. 4 Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. 6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. 16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools. Meditation The number one description of God in the Old Testament includes His “abounding in steadfast love.” Men like Boaz are pictures of God’s character and conduits of God’s steadfast love to the world (Ruth 2:20), the aspiration for “what is desired in a man…” (22). The story of Boaz and Ruth captures several key aspects of today’s proverbs: Wisdom compels the poor to walk in integrity, the wealthy to use their wealth to bless the poor and honor their Maker, to work hard while trusting the sovereignty of God to solidify God’s plans… and the lynch pin is God’s man Boaz embodying God’s character as a conduit of God’s work. Boaz’s provision for the poor is described in the aspirational desires of verse 22: full of God’s steadfast love. When God’s people are full of God’s love then it will be “more than enough” for God’s world. Walking in wisdom is a gracious invitation to align with God’s character as it reveals the powerful purpose of participation in God’s work to love as He has loved us. This wisdom is the spine of Christian life taught in the New Testament. “As dearly loved children, walk in love as Christ has loved you, giving Himself for you…” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Christians are loved as children of God and are called to show love by giving ourselves away. This love ethic is in alignment with God’s character and allows us to be a conduit for God’s work. Jesus is the treasury of wisdom because He totally embodied the steadfast love of God! Richly Dwelling -Does your life align with God’s character? Do people see God’s character in you and God’s love through you? -What do people see when they look at you? What does this say about your understanding of God’s love and God’s ways? - Jesus is the treasury of wisdom because He totally embodied the steadfast love of God in His humanity! How can you walk with Jesus to know God’s love and walk in wisdom to show God’s love? Be specific. Key Verse 22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. Comments are closed.
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