He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. Proverbs 16:30

A wise man can read people's faces and expressions - with the result being that of being warned against those who are planning perverse and evil things. In the Jewish world the winking of an eye was considered an evil thing. This kind of facial movement was consistently condemned as we read in Proverbs 6:13 as well as in Proverbs 10:10 where we learn that the one who winks an eye is doing so to cause trouble. Even in Psalm 35:19 this is seen as an ungodly thing, where we read of those who "wink maliciously" as they plot evil. Such a wink is considered part of the shiftiness of those who are plotting and scheming against others. Therefore the godly man who is wise will note such things and weigh their words on the basis of their signals.

Note that the "winker" is one who is devising "perverse things." The word for "perverse" is "tahpukah" which means to deviate and distort God's ways. It is interesting that when men are acting perverse, they are first seeking to pervert God's ways. They are deceptive in their intent and are corrupt as they speak. There is a perversity in their hearts that disregards God's Word and His ways as they plot their evil and their conquest of others.

We are also warned about those who "compress their lips." We are told that they do this to bring evil to pass. The picture that we should get is someone who is putting their lips together and pressing them tightly. This expression, as we are told by several Hebrew commentators, is a sight of anger, rage, bitterness, and disgust. The one who does this has no good planned. There will be an "evil" that will come to pass from such a man.

Wise men notice a man's visage and face. The face of those who are godly and loving will be one that is glowing and hides nothing from others. They are usually people filled with joy and with the peace that arises from having a relationship with God where they have been justified and declared righteous in His sight by the gift of His grace. The wicked man cannot hide the evil that resides in his heart. It is etched into his face - and in the tightness of one whose true motives cannot be brought to the surface for fear that they will be exposed for what they are - perverse and filled with misery and evil. Read a face, dear saints of God, and you will often understand a heart.

Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22

What needs to be done to make sure our plans succeed? Today's proverb gives us that information. We find that the counsel God gives us on this helps us to grasp that to be a good leader who is able to make and succeed in plans, we do not need to be someone who can do it all themselves. Contrary to that thought - a good leader is one who when making plans is willing to consult with others. A great leader is one who also regularly consults with God.

Counsel is absolutely necessary when making good plans. Our passage today reminds us that plans are broken and frustrated when we do not do this. The word for frustration here is "parar" which means to break, divide, or frustrate. What is interesting is that the Bible speaks several times to the effect that God is the One Who will frustrate our plans if we do not seek Him in the midst of making them. What is even more fascinating is that we read in Isaiah 14:27, that the Lord's purposes cannot be frustrated. This leads us to the conclusion that the best plans are those made in concert with the will of God. Those are the plans that will stand - and will be established.

The second word that is interesting, especially in light of our plans and purposes needing to be those of God, is the word "consultation." This word is the Hebrew word, "sod" which means counsel or advice. The word has with it the concept of confidentiality and intimacy. Thus this refers to what some would call, "intimate counsel." The idea is that of great intimacy with the one from whom you are receiving counsel. Thus we come to the conclusion that in order to make solid, successful plans we need to have an intimacy with God. This takes planning out of a boring, man-centered process - and puts it into the category of fellowship and intimacy with God. If we lack this intimacy with God in planning - seeking His heart and His purposes to be fullfilled - we can expect some level of frustration and a fracturing of our plans.

When we have many counselors our plans succeed. The reason for this is because many counselors will help us to see our thinking and our personal planning from multiple perspectives. This will help us not fall into the trap of our own personal agenda taking over our plans. Another way of saying this is it keeps us from planning in the flesh. There will be enough feedback and counsel to rescue us from just doing what we want.

Planning is a good thing, but it breaks down when we make it too "me-centric." We are not farsighted enough to see everything that needs to be seen. We are too selfish not to see that we need multimple perspectives on a planned undertaking. The wise man therefore surrounds himself with a group of people who will help him see through another perspective than his own. The wiser man also spends much time in the presence of the Lord as he seeks to know what is the best course of action - and the best way to make his plans. This man will succeed.

A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. Proverbs 14:16

Why is it wise to be cautious in our choices and decisions in life?  It is because we live in a world that has fallen.  I know that those of you who read this regularly in these posts may think that I emphasize this too often, but I fear that we do not fully grasp at times what mankind's rebellion against God has wrought in this world. 

Today's proverb tells us that a wise man fears.  That is the literal translation of the word "cautious" here.  It refers to the fact that the wise man fears God.  He fears God becasue he reads of God's Word - God's glory, power, majesty, and holiness - and he fears displeasing and dishonoring Him.  Wisdom tells us to fear God's displeasure.  Wisdom also tells us that there is a way that is evil. 

Here is where we run into some very serious worldview problems with the world and its philosophies.  The majority of worldviews do not take into account the fall of man into sin and the subsequent ruin of this world.  They consider man's basic nature as good.  As a result you will hear people tell others to, "Just trust what is in your heart."  That is not wise or good advice.  What is in our hearts is rebellion toward God and a bent toward sin.  We will choose with an astounding regularity contrary to God's ways.  This is because there is within us a bent toward selfishness - and a bent away from God.  The wise man knows this - and as a result is cautious - and does fear making decisions and choices that run contrary to God's Word.  This is the place he turns for wisdom - to the Word - because it gives us an objective revelation of Who God is and what He has said.  Thus he takes time in making those decisions to check for God's will and favor in things.

The fool though is said to be arrogant and careless.  He is arrogant because he thinks he does not need anything to make wise decisions.  He doesn't need anyone to tell him what to do - especially a "God" Who knows all things.  He considers the Bible to be an ancient document that has no bearing on his life or his decisions.  His arrogance is manifest by how he views himself - as just fine and having NO need of refinement - let alone a fundamental change in who he is or how he makes decisons.  Therefore he is careless - he does not care about God, about God's Word, about God's will.  He will make his own way.  His favorite verse is an interesting rendition of Proverbs 3:4-5.  It goes something like this, "Trust in yourself, and lean heavily on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge yourself and what you want.  Forge your own path - make it what you want." 

These two paths definitely diverge from one another.  One heads toward God and sees God's Word as a road map and a guide for decisions - for life itself.  The other sees nothing but self and a pursuit of what the world says is valuable.  Even in instances where the world is not used as the standard - this one turns to his own desires and his own ways.  Correspondingly, one path leads to destruction and misery - the other to life and life abundantly.  

Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

Ants are good teachers for us when it comes to avoiding laziness and a lack of discipline in our lives.  The father here uses ants to teach his son a lesson about avoiding the sin of laziness. 

Having told his son to go to the ant and observe her ways - he says that wisdom is with these little creatures.  Their great wisdom is how they work hard without having to be supervised.  They have no chief, officer, or ruler watching over all that they do - making them work.  The ant knows that there is a time when gathering won't be possible - so he works hard when he can.  He also knows to store things up - to prepare for the times when there will be no food. 

The lessons for us are numerous.  First, we need to have a self-driven work ethic.  This is an ability to work hard - even when no one is looking.  It means that when we know what to do - we do it.  We don't need someone looking over our shoulders - or standing over us making sure that we work hard.  We are motivated from within to do that.  When I talk to the businessmen in my congregation my heart aches for them.  They say that it is so difficult to find people who want to work.  They tell me that most of the people they interview have great expectations for what they will be paid and how they will be treated - but almost no work ethic to do what they should do.  What is even more sad to me is that they tell me that this is the case whether they are non-christians or christians.  That is an indictment that we should not have laid at the feet of the church.  We should have a work ethic driven by a desire to honor God. 

The second lesson is also important for us to grasp.  We need to be wise in how we deal with our money - setting aside funds for times when things are lean.  History warns us that these time will come.  Over and over again there have been lean times for humanity.  The wise who store up for those times are ready, while those who simply spend all that they get - are unprepared for such times.  I am not saying that we should be like the foolish farmer who stored up an abundance - and was not rich toward God.  But I am saying that just like there are those examples, there are also others where God wanted His people to be wise in setting aside things for a lean time.  Joseph was such an example - and his wisdom in setting aside the blessings of God - kept an entire region of the world from starvation and devastation. 

A wise man knows the value of hard work - and of frugality.  Both are character traits that God encourages us to embrace.  Even though such things are mocked by the world around us, we should continue to speak in praise of them - and more importantly practice them to our future preparation and blessing.

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.

A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. Proverbs 20:5

Like deep, still waters, so the hearts of men can deeply conceal their plans.  The word "plan" here is key to understanding this particular proverb.  What this word means will govern what we need to learn.  The word is "esah" and it means advice or a plan.  What helps us most in understanding this word is the comments of Zhodiates who says the following about this word.  "It sometimes suggests the idea of a plot." 

The plots and plans of wicked men are hidden deep in still waters deep within their hearts.  Isaiah speaks of these kinds of hidden plans and plots when he says, "Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, 'Who sees us?' or 'Who knows us?'" (Isaiah 29:15).  Thus we come to understand that this proverb is warning us of the ungodly plots of the wicked.  We are told that these plans exist hidden deep within the hearts of the wicked - but a man of understanding will draw them out.

This ability belongs only to the "man of understanding."  He is the one who possesses the ability to distinguish between the good and bad, true and false, and the forthright and the one whose motives are deeply hidden.  This man of understanding has the capacity to look through outward actions and words, and see the hidden places of the human heart.  This one does not accept everything at face value alone.  He not only estimates their words, but the deep underlying motives and aims that are behind them.  It is such wisdom that allows the man of understanding to discern hidden motives or hidden agendas.  This is the way that he draws out the hidden plans and plots of the wicked. 

In the New Testament this Spirit-given ability is called the gift of discernment - or discernment of spirits.  It is a wonderful gift God has given to some to see below the surface.  They are able to see into the heart by God's grace.  What they see allows them to read below those deep waters - and see the real reason something is being said or done.  Normally, without the Spirit of God, someone could easily pull the wool over our eyes and deceive us.  A plan might be laid that we think is gracious, but actually has harm in store for us.  That is when the ability to draw out the plans and plots of men is such a blessing.