In a multitude of people is a king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a prince's ruin.   Proverbs 14:28

A king is not a king unless he has a kingdom over which to rule. A kingdom will not exist where the people are not fruitful and multiply. Therefore it is wise for kings to encourage their people to grow in number. Today's proverb handles this situation - but the implications of this proverb are fascinating, especially when applied to what is happening in both the United States and Europe.

The simple meaning of this proverb is obvious - a king needs people to have his kingdom flourish. When there is a multitude of people under his rule - he is blessed, but when there is a declining population within the kingdom - it points to the ruin of his son. The son will have a far smaller kingdom over which to rule - or possibly none at all.

As I stated at the beginning of this post, this has amazing ramifications for both our nation and the nations of Europe. Both places have declining populations when it comes to the original population of the countries. As a result of this both of these regions are trying their best to maintain population growth by immigration. The problem is that as the numbers of immigrants grow, they are having more and more influence in the policies and direction of the nation. Give this direction a few more years - and soon Europe will be different - completely different than their forefathers. The United States is not that far from this development either. Why is this happening to these once great nations?

For a king to continue to rule over his own people, he has to encourge his own people to multiply in their families. If they do not, the indigenous people of the land will begin to dwindle in numbers. The result of this will be that a different group of people will begin to rise up and rule the land. All this happens because the people do not have children. Or, in our case, they only want 2.4 children or less. That is what has happened in our nation. We have become a people who do not believe that having multiple children is a blessing. This all began with people espousing a worldview that did not value children. We became a people so interested in our own comforot and our own pleasure that we decidd that children were no longer a blessing of the Lord. We came to the conclusion that the man whose quiver if full of children is not blessed at all. In fact, we decided children were a burden - an unnecessary burden - and within a couple of generations - an unwanted burden.

According to the humanistic worldview - this was a wonderful development. We were supposedly choking the world to death with our overpopulation - our poluting - and our urban sprawl. So when people bought this unbiblical view, they stopped having childen, or they did what was necessary to reduce the number of children they have. Everything seemed wonderful and the planet would be saved. But over time, the dearth of children began to weigh heavy on our society. Now we face problems as our system is imploding. It is doing so because we no longer have far more families coming up, because we do not like or enjoy the thought of having multiple children. Programs like Social Security require a larger generation of younger people than in the older generation. Even our national character - is shifting from being European and western to being either Mexican or Islamic.

A wise set of leaders would have had a biblical worldview. That worldview remembers that God said to be fruitful and multiply. The whole concept of overpopulation is foreign to God. He promises to supply our needs if we will live for His glory and obey His Word. But since those things have been jettisoned just as we have done with His view of children and family - we are facing the "dearth of a people."

An interesting thing about this passage is that it says that the prince is ruined by this. The king is to rule not just with an eye toward himself - but toward his sons - and his grandsons. That is a fascinating thing to see here. It is fascinating because one of the curses of our current political fabric is that we only see the immediate future as important. Most of our elected officials actually only see the next election cycle as important - therefore they plan only to keep people fat and happy til past the next election. All the while as we are doing this - the princes of our future (our children) are having their future ruined by the selfishness of the current generation.

Wisdom means that rulers think ahead - they think long-term - and honestly, they should think biblically. To do otherwise is to think in a way that God will not bless. This, more than the economy or any other factor, is what will bring about the blessing or the dearth of our society and its people. We should always remember the verse, "Blessed are the people who are so situated. Blessed is the nation who's God is the Lord."

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.   Proverbs 14:26

It is in the book of Proverbs that we learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Only when we have a proper respect and fear of God will we understand things as we ought to in life.  It is a lack of fearing God that leads to sin and to ungodly behavior and choices.  Thus it should be no shock to us that the fear of the Lord brings us a strong confidence in how we live, what we say, and in how we look to the future.  The fool has no such confidence in life.  Their brief forays into confidence are mere moments of braggadoccio that fade into insignificance when suffering and death make their appearance. 

Confidence comes to the man or woman of God because they fear the Lord.  They truly know the end of the story - which is that man will stand in the judgment before a holy God.  That seems a little odd at first because we read in the book of Hebrews that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.  But for the one who fears the Lord, that day will not involve falling into the hands of a yet angry and wrathful God.  Wisdom has told him to run to God's provision of forgiveness and grace which is in Jesus Christ.  When we do this we know that the wrath of God fell upon His own Son, so that we might be forgiven and granted great grace by our loving Father.

When we choose to fear God now - we will not have to cower in terror later.  We fear God now - looking in absolute terror at the cross and what God truly requires in His holiness to pay for the debt of sin.  It is in seeing what had to be done to Christ Jesus to pay for sin that we cringe in horror at what our wickedness truly costs.  But when we embrace Jesus Christ, receiving the gift of repentance and faith, our sins are gone.  Thus there is no longer the "terror of the Lord" at the thought of judgment, but rather a strong confidence that our anchor will hold.  Jesus Christ has paid all that there is to pay - and we are forgiven and free. 

The second part of this proverb is vital for us to see as well.  We are told that the children of the man who fears the Lord will have a a refuge.  This points to the fact that if a man truly knows the Lord, his greatest desire is for his children to know his Savior as well.  The refuge that his children have is first seen in how he rears them and teaches them the Scriptures.  What a wonderful refuge is provided by a set of godly parents to their children as they grow up in the Lord.  The parents may not be perfect, but they provide an example of two who walk with the Lord - and who look to Him for their hope and their salvation.  They also do their very best to teach their children the things of the Lord and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They pray for their children and do all that they can to see that they follow them in their pursuit of Jesus Christ in life. 

God desires for men to be saved.  That is a given when you read the Scriptures.  But there is more.  He also desires that there be many godly generations descending from a family who have come to Christ.  This is the legacy that comes to children and grandchildren - and even great grandchildren of those whose parents fear the Lord.  Oh that we would see this and live in the fear of God.  Oh that we would provide a lasting refuge - a lasting legacy of godliness and gospel-led lives to our children - and even to many generations of our families.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20

Who comprises your group of companions will have everything to do with the level of blessing you will experience in your future. Today's proverb has to do with our friendships and also our mentors. If you have the wrong mentors and the wrong friends, you are going to have a very difficult future.

God tells us here that the man who walks with wise men will be wise. That sounds like it is not a difficult statement to grasp and to follow. I will agree that it is not difficult to understand - but when it comes to how hard it is to follow - that is a different story altogether. First, we need to be schooled in how to know a wise man from a foolish one. A wise man is often shunned because he may not be as "fun" as the fool. It is not that wisdom inherently is dull - but it is that wisdom follows God's way - even when doing so means you will not be the life of the party. The wise man seeks to walk and to speak according to God's Word. Sometimes this means that he will speak pleasant things - and at others - rebuke. But you can know one thing - walking with him will make you wise as well. Remember that early in Proverbs we were told that the beginning of wisdom is, "Get wisdom!" That means be where wise people can influence and speak into your life.

There is another way to walk with the wise - even if they are dead. That way is by reading books that they have written. I can still walk with men like Andrew Murry, John Calvin, Watchman Nee, A. B. Simpson, George Mueller, Charles Spurgeon, and A. W. Tozer. I can do so by reading their writings. By doing this I can fill my mind with their thoughts and their teachings. As I walk with these dead men in their books - I can become wise with the wisdom God gave them. One of the best friends of a man of God is the books which bring to life men who have gone on to be with the Lord.

By a contrary choice, those who are companions of fools will suffer harm. You cannot stay long with a fool without his foolishness rubbing off on you. Bad company corrupts good character - and that is never more true than with those who become companions of fools. We would be wise to avoid them altogether. Something that is similar to the knowing of wise men through their books - is the influence of fools through their writings and productions. Consider all the influence a movie or a television show has on people. We will actually lay down good money for a fool to influence us for 2 hours when we go to watch movies. Their message often contains philosophies that are diametrically opposed to our own - yet we not only watch them - but encourage others to do so as well. We hear their words - and we see their actions - which often include sexual immorality, profanity, murder, rebellion, and a godless world where one can sit for 2 hours and only hear of God in their blasphemy of his name. Our entire society has been the companion of the fools in Hollywood through movies and television - and consider the damage and harm we have suffered as a result. The worldview of the silver screen in one generation will be the worldview of the populace in the next - if not sooner.

Walk with the wise. It is a choice that we will never regret. Get to know older men and women who have walked with God for years. Listen to their wisdom and be wise. Take the time to sit with someone older and wiser - for it will be of immense benefit to you. Such choices will insure that we become wise as we walk with the wise.

The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm. Proverbs 11:17

There is a way to live that will guarantee that we will be greeted with good from others.  There is also a way of living and interacting with others that may give us an advantage in the short term, but in the long term will do us tremendous harm.  The difference between these two lifestyles is found in how they treat others - especially when someone has done something wrong to them.

Our proverb begins by introducing us to someone called "the merciful man."  This is the man who is gracious to others when they wrong him.  He is called the "merciful man" because he delights in showing mercy to others.  Mercy is best described this way.  Not getting what we deserve.  That may not sound all that great until you realize that the context for mercy is when you do something wrong, or act in a way that merits punishment.  The man who shows mercy to others is willing to endure beging wronged.  He does not always demand "fair" treatment when it comes to himself.  He does not demand his pound of flesh whenever he is wronged.  By doing this the Bible says that he does himself good.  The literal Hebew here reads, "he does good to his own soul." 

There are actually two benefits to being a "mercy-man."  The first benefit is that others who receive mercy from you are far more likely to show you mercy as well.  Jesus, in the Beattitudes, said this same thing.  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."  When we show mercy, others are more apt to show us mercy as well.  The second benefit is one we receive inwardly.  The passage says that we do our souls' good.  When we react with anger to every supposed slight and wrong, our spirit and our emotions are in a constant turmoil.  That is not healthy for us - because stress levels will be elevated all the time.  But when we learn to show mercy (and not take ourselves so seriously in the process) it will do wonders for our stress level.

The end of today's proverb deals with the problems that the "cruel man" brings upon himself.  We read that the cruel man does himself harm.  The Hebrew word for "cruel" here means someone who is fierce and who lacks any kind of sensitivity, compassion, or mercy towards others.  Since we have an example from our news, I will use it to illustrate this.  Ghadaffi was the leader of the nation of Libya.  He was a living example of a "cruel man."  He ruled with an iron fist over his people.  He was not known for his wonderful acts of mercy, but rather for his horrible acts of cruelty.  The day came when he no longer had an army to protect him.  The media informed us of his last moments on this earth.  He hid in a drainage pipe, hoping to escape those who were hunting him down.  When they found him they treated him just as he had treated others.  I won't go into detail as to what was done to him, but it was a horrible end.  His cruelty was the example that was set for the people of his country.  No wonder when he was caught he was subjected to the same lack of compassion and kindness he was known to use upon others. 

The way we respond to others will prepare the way for our own treatment in life.  That is why the man who chooses to show mercy will have good come upon him for his choice.  The cruel man has a much different end.  Having chosen a lack of compassion throughout his lifetime of interaction with others, he has nothing except the overflow of his own cruelty awaiting him in this life - and the full measure of God's wrath in the next.

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12

Why is it that we cannot just trust our natural instincts concerning God and issues of morality and truth?  If this proverb is true (and it is), then we face a very real danger when we trust what we think is right in our lives.  When we live a self-directed life and a life that is self-oriented - we are going to have very serious problems.  Why is this the case? 

First of all, we need to see that for a time in this life - this proverb may seem like it is wrong.  There are those who do what they think is right - and it seems to go well for them.  I would agree with this assessment for the here and now - for life on this earth.  But that is not what this proverb is saying to us.  It is saying that the end of a self-directed life is death.  The word end here is our old friend, "acharith," the Hebrew word meaning the latter end of things. 

Things seemed to be going marvelous for the rich farmer who did not use his riches for the glory of God.  Things seemed to be going well for the rich man who lavished abundance on himself, but did not even notice the starving Lazarus at his gate.  Things seemed to be going well for Belshazzar the king as he feasted with his nobles and friends and drank wine out of the temple goblets and toasted the gods of silver and gold.  Things seemed to be going well for many people who lived a life of luxury and self-indulgence here on earth.  The problem is going to come at the latter end of their lives.

The rich farmer, after building bigger barns and saying he was set for life - experienced the end of his life - and had done nothing to prepare for eternity.  The rich man realized as James said, the humiliation of his exalted position on earth, as he envied the destitute Lazarus' one in the afterlife.  He begged for Lazarus to only dip the tip of his finger in water and touch the end of his tongue - for he was in agony in the fires of hell.  Belshazzar soon grasped the infinite foolishness of serving the false gods of silver and gold - when the true and living God sent a hand to write on his wall.  He learned that his self-directed life had been weighed in the balances - and he was found wanting.  One can only hope he enjoyed that banquet that evening - for by the next evening he was dead and in hell - forever wanting in the sight of God.

These three are examples for us of the stupidity of the self-directed life.  There are many others in Scripture and in life who follow their footsteps into hell.  There is Dathan and Abiram who opposed God and received a non-stop trip to hell via the ground opening up and swallowing them and their families whole.  There were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah who undoubtedly held the same concept of God keeping His morality off of their bodies.  They wound up fried along with their cities as God's judgment revealed their latter end.  And, lest we think that this ignoble end is only for those guilty of heinous sin - there are those who die every day as good ole boys - as "good" "moral" people.  Their ultimate end was sealed when they decided that they were decent enough and did not need Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross to pay for their sins. 

When you listen to the news, the entertainment industry, the religious elite, and the gurus of public opinion - you would think that the cross of Christ is foolishness (Gee that sounds like Paul in 1 Corinthians doesn't it).  You would think that mankind does not need a religious crutch to lean on - mankind can solve their own problems without religion or some savior.  But reality is this - mankind does not need a crutch.  We would only need a crutch if we were injured.  The fact is that we are dead!  We need a whole new life.  We might need a religious system if we only needed modification.  The fact is that we are ruined.  We need to be completely regenerated and made new.  But the world for the most part rejects these truths revealed to us in Scripture.  They have a way that seems right to them - that makes more sense.  That is because "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  It is because, "the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks (read thinkers here) search for wisdom; but we preach Christ curcified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 

There is that way that seems to right to men - but in the end "THAT WAY" is actually the foolish and the stupid one.  If they continue following it and reject the gospel . . . it will end in death - eternal death in hell.  I know that is not popular in today's culture - either religious or secular - but nevertheless - it is the truth.  If we are wise we will reject what the world calls wisdom - and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ - for that is truly wisdom that will last through all the ages and until the end of time.

For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. Proverbs 9:11

I receive health food, supplement, and exercise information on a regular basis.  I do this because I realize that there are benefits to eating and doing the right things for my physical body.  But there are those in the health-conscious world who think that this alone is how to have a long, healthy, happy life.  They are sadly mistaken.

Here in Proverbs 9 we have wisdom personified telling us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - and that the knowledge of the Holy One is the way to live with understanding in this world.  Immediately after that statement wisdom then tells us that He is the One who can add to our days and give us a long, happy life.  It is wisdom that mattters - and God is the One who can give it to us.

While I do agree that certain health-conscious choices will lengthen our days - none of the sage advice of the health guru's has anything on the revelation of God in the Scripture.  When you look at the Old Testament laws concerning food and cleanliness, you realize that within that system that is nearly 4000 years old is the best way to stay healthy and free from disease.  It is really shocking to some when they realize this.  I mean, these folks didn't even have hand sanitizer! 

God's Word goes far beyond just physical well-being though.  It moves into the area of spiritual well-being.  That involves far more than just sitting on a floor chanting and centering yourself in . . . yourself.  It involves being in a right relationship with God.  It is moving all your temporary, momentary physical health toward what God intended for you in the first place - to know, serve, and love Him.  If we are not doing this - it really doesn't matter how many "pain-free" and "vital" years we live on this earth.  Things WILL go badly for us the moment we die.  So, may God give us wisdom to follow Him . . . in what is best for us physically, and what is best for us spiritually.  That is the way to a long, healthy, wonderful life here on earth - and a life after your days here are ended - that will last throughout all eternity.

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. Proverbs 12:7

Men rise to power - reign for a period of time - are overthrown and within a generation are forgotten.  Only the most infamous of leaders is remembered after being destroyed - but their memory is like rottenness - a reminder of a horrific man who chose a wicked way to live.  They are remembered as a byword and a warning.  Don't become like such men - whose wickedness chased them down and destroyed them. 

There is an interesting thing about this particular proverb.  The wicked after being overthrown are no more.  First, their reigns are so odious to the people that they feel the need to rise up and destroy them.  Once they are destroyed no one wants to continue their ways.  This is because their ways were wicked.  The people want nothing more to do with them - thus they do all they can to forget them.  They leave no enduring house or legacy.  The only thing they leave is a cautionary tale of warning to those who would desire to be like them.  The very principles upon which they built their lives ensured their demise.  This is why wickedness will not stand or last forever.  The wicked and all their kingdoms will end up in the lake of fire in the last day - suffering everlasting torment for their godless, evil empires.  Their house will eternally be destroyed around them - and their testimony will only be that of agony and knashing of teeth as they suffer the worst of ignominies for their choice to live a wicked life in defiance of God and His principles and rule. 

The righteous though have a house that will stand.  The very principles that they have chosen will last.  That is because they are principles that flow from the heart of God Himself.  That Word will stand forever - as well as what is built accordingly.  As an example of this consider the house and lineage of David.  He was a man after God's own heart.  He chose to follow the Lord - and even his greatest mistake (his adultery with Bathsheba) was an example for generations in its cost as well as David's example of repentance as he turned from his sin.  That house stands forever.  His writings in Psalms that record his conviction and repentance stand.  They bless every generation that reads them.  More than any of that - God's promise to build Him an everlasting legacy also stands as Christ Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise.  His house - founded upon Calvary's hill stands to this day - though kings, false prophets, and wicked men have tried to destroy it in every generation.  May we remember such things as we seek to build our house - not a structure made of rock, wood, and nails - but a life and family grounded on the solid rock of God's Word.  May we remember as we labor on that house day after day - week after week - and year after year - teaching and admonishing our children with all wisdom from God's Word.  May we remember as we sink deep foundations dug with time on our knees.  May we remember as we build not with wood, hay, and stubble - but with silver, gold, and costly jewels.  May we remember that our labor in the Lord is not in vain - but is used by the Lord to build an enduring house - one founded upon a rock - and that rock is Christ!

Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die . . . Proverbs 30:7

I love people who can simplify life for me.  It is actually not difficult to make things difficult - people do it all the time.  They have a gift for taking something that should be simple - and making it incredibly complicated and hard to understand.  Then they charge you money to do what they have made difficult - since now you think there is no way that you can do it yourself.  If you are wanting the simple made difficult, this is not a proverb for you.  God has this proverb written to help us understand important life principles - and do so in two easy concepts.  In future posts I deal with the actual request - but this post I want to deal with the writer and his heart in making the request.

The writer here asks two things from God.  He has learned the blessing of economy in his relationship with God.  There are times for us to expand things out and look at multiple aspects of a live lived for God's glory.  and these two things are two principles we should remember to live a happy life and one that is founded on sound biblical footing.  This request is vital because the writer says here that these two things are things he does not want God to refuse him before he dies.  That is the last thing we can learn from this man - he is passionate about his request.

"Do not refuse me before I die!"  This is the way the writer expresses the intensity of his desire.  Lord, there are definitely two things I have to have.  I must have them before I die!  There is a passion here that often is missing in ordinary Christians.  This guy does not want to end his life without knowing and having walked out two things.  We later learn that these two things are to walk in the truth always - and to experience contentment.  As he seeks the Lord for these things, he does so with a hunger that is inspiring.  Too often in our lives we're not really sure what we're really going after and we are thinking about being committed to getting it - at least we're pretty sure that we are.  That is not what we see here.  We see a man that knows the importance of walking in truth - and walking with a contentment in what God has given him.  He knows one thing - that falsehood does not lead to a good end in life - and that running after this world does not either.  He is chasing after something much different and much more satisfying.  We learn by verse 9 that what he truly desires is to please and honor God.  He wants to live a life that acknowledges God and that will be pleasing to Him in the end. 

We so desperately need to embrace what this writer is expressing in our lives.  Do you know and can you enumerate a few things - no more than three that you absolutely have to have in life?  Is there a higher purpose for living in your life than just making it through life?  Are you bored - unchallenged by life and the goal for which you are living, or the lack thereof?  Make the time to get alone with God and hash out what really matters in your life.  Find in Him and in His purposes a reason to live!  Than, rather than just having life go by as you watch confused as to its purpose, you can go out every day and agressively give yourself to a purpose that goes far beyond life itself - it goes gloriously into eternity!

 

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

Planning, to some this word is a blessing - to others (and honestly, I have to say I'm among this number) it is a difficult area of their lives.  Yet the Lord has some very pointed things to say here to us about the blessing that comes from diligent planning rather than hastily put together things that happen at the last minute.

We read first here that the plans of the diligent surely lead to advantage.  The word "plans" will help us to see what is meant here.  The word means a thought, purpose, or intention.  The idea is that we are thinking through things - considering their purpose and intention - and therefore laying plans that will not only plan an event - but also plan it with a sense of purpose in what it is to accomplish.  Here is something which every believer should seriously consider. 

God has given us the few years we have on this earth as a gift - but also as a responsibility and a trust.  How we use these years are important.  Do we have a purpose behind the things we are doing?  Are they working for us an eternal destiny and an eternal reward - or are we just committing "chonicide" (just killing time).  Too many times our lives are just being lived with no real purpose or intention behind what we are doing.  That leads to a wasted life. 

Solomon is telling us that the plans laid with a sense of purpose and intention to live for God's glory and purposes - are beneficial to us.  But they are not just haphazard plans - these are plans that are set in place with "diligence."  This word means something sharp and industrious.  It refers to those people who are living industrious lives that are sharp in their focus and intent.  The root word for this referred to a sharp threshing sledge.  This was used to cut the harvest - and was sharpened to make the job easier and more effective.  One might complain of the time spend with a wetstone or file sharpening the metal.  This is hard work after all - and it takes time to sharpen something well.  But if you are having to cut entire fields of grain - you know that the few moments spent sharpening your tool can save hours of time and much additional effort.  So plans laid by someone who thinks through purpose and intent can make living life much easier and more focused. 

These kind of plans lead surely to advantage.  Here is one of the times when I prefer the King James translation to the NASB.  The word here means an abundance.  It refers to an abundance of profit, materials, harvest, or whatever the word refers to and modifies.  It can also mean advantage or a more favorable position - a superior one to someone who has not planned and thought through their actions.  When you plan - you will have abundance and advantage over those who have not thought these things through well.  Planning does not negate labor and faithful effort at a task.  But it does halp ensure that the labor and effort invested is leading to a desired end. 

This way of living is compared to someone who is hasty.  The hasty man is the one who prefers reacting to life - than planning it.  The problem is that reacting to our circumstances can have us being led, not by our purpose and intent, but rather by whatever happens.  Circumstances begin being our leader - rather than us seeking to control many of our circumstances by moving in a planned direction and way.  When you live this way, the result is poverty.  Just as the plans of the diligent man will surely lead to an abundance and advantage - the lack of planning and diligent effort doing something well - will eventually lead us to poverty. 

God wants us to live on purpose.  He does not want us to spend our lives just reacting to whatever happens.  We can do much to guide our lives according to His principles if we will just spend time learning them and directing our lives according to them.  We will find that God's Word gives us a path - gives us counsel on how to live and how to plan to do things that God desires.  This will ensure that we live a life God blesses - not just one that He tries to guide through whatever emergency happens next.  To do this - with diligence and purpose . . . is wisdom indeed.