The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.   Proverbs 15:19

How are you at getting to things in life?  Is it difficult to get going on things - to start projects - to get things done at work - at home - anywhere?  This is an interesting thing to consider, especially in light of the proverb for today.  We are going to see that this trait may point to things that may have cause for some serious thought - and possibly some repentance.

The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns.  This is the first thing we see as we look at today's proverb.  First we see that God's word calls a man lazy.  This is a character description.  It means that he will not work - or better said from this verse - won't get around to working.  He is probably undisciplined and most likely unprofitable to himself, his employer, his family, and ultimately his God.  His way, we read here, is as a hedge of thorns.  Biblically this is more than just our garden variety North American thorn hedge.  In Israel they had some very serious thorn hedges.  They were extremely thick and were excellent fences around their fields.  Pretty much nothing could get through these hedges.  For the lazy man - his way is as a hedge of thorns.  The word "way" here means his lifestyle.  This man is averse to work, therefore he can find a million different reasons why he does not work.  They sound somewhat convincing until you realize he is just lazy and doesn't want to work.  His excuses are lame - and simply are cover for his lack of character.

The upright has a much different path.  This man is godly and understands the value of faithfulness and working hard.  Rather than constantly finding ways that he can get out of work - the godly man wants to do things that benefit his family, his friends, his community, and ultimately even himself.  His path is like a highway - nothing blocking him and preventing him from accomplishing his goals. 

To answer the questions at the beginning of this article, we should turn and take a good look at our actions.  Then we should turn again and look inward a little.  What is it that is keeping us from getting things done like we want?  It is not the things we might think.  It is a lack of character and godliness.  The Holy Spirit wants to bear fruit in our lives - fruit like faithfulness and self-control.  If we do not see such things in our lifestyle - maybe we should take a closer look at things like our adherance to a biblical work ethic.  Maybe we should also take a much closer look at our spiritual condition and walk with God.  If our proverb is right, we may just find the answers to our questions there.

The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.  Proverbs 10:29

There is a lifestyle that comes with knowing and walking with the Lord.  That lifestyle is laid out for us in the Scriptures as we read of the things that God loves and also the things that He hates.  The proverb for today refers to these things as "the way of Jehovah."  Let's take a look at this today and hopefully become wiser as a result.

The word "way" here is the Hebrew word "derek" which refers to a way, a path, a road - and is used often to speak of a way of walking or living.  That is why when we see this word we should think of a lifestyle that one has due to the daily choices they make.  The way or lifestyle of which we speak is that of the Lord.  This word is Jehovah - which is the covenant name of God.  So often in Scripture God will speak with His chosen people and lay out a covenant promise.  These are usually worded as "if-then" statements.  If you will follow the Lord, then He will bless you.  What God seeks to do when He says these things is not set up a works mentality in our relationship with Him.  What He is seeking to do is to encourage us to understand that making choices consistent with His Word and way will bring great blessing to our lives. 

We are told here that this way of Jehovah - is a stronghold to the upright.  The word for stronghold is the Hebrew word "maoz."  It speaks of a fortress.  That fortress is considered a shelter, a refuge, and a place of great safety.  It is one that often worked in two ways.  It provided natural defense points - but also was situated in such a way that one could easily see the enemy approaching.  This gave those in the stronghold protection - and it gave them time to prepare for the coming enemy onslaught.  Scripture indicates that God is that fortress - as well as our strength and defense (Psalm 27:1).  As we walk with Him in His way - we will find a natural defense against sin - as well as warnings about the enemy and how he will seek to tempt us and get us to rebel against God.  As we learn that "way" our lives will be changed by God's Word and His power.  We will be delivered from sin - and will better know how to escape the lies of the devil daily.

But the same "way of the Lord" that is a stronghold to the upright - is ruin to those who choose to rebel against God.  The word "iniquity" is very important for us to understand if we are to grasp the protection of God afforded to us by walking in His way.  The word is from the Hebrew word "awen" and it means, "nothingness, mischief, emptiness, and vanity."  The word is used to signify those who pursue meaningless things.  They do not walk in God's Word or in God's way.  They choose instead ungodliness - which leads them to chase after falsehood.  God told us His Word is truth.  That protects us - but it also speaks ruin for those who decide they prefer deceit and the lies of this world and of the devil.  Another way "awen" is used is to signify an idol - which tells us clearly that those who run after iniquity have made a god of their own.  They are worshipping an idol they have created - and prefer to have their idol confirm "their own" truth - as opposed to living by the truth of God - His Word.  This is the ruin of the ungodly.  They will receive no protection from God's way.  Instead they will run headlong into God's wrath and judgment for their disobedience and deceitful choices. 

Two ways are put before us in today's proverb.  There is the way of making your own god and deciding your own truth.  Such a way is foolish because it only amplifies the rebellion that is in the human heart due to the Fall of man.  That way will ruin those who follow it.  The other way is to choose a truth outside of ourselves.  It is to realize the truth is not in us - it is in God.  Therefore we choose to turn to Him.  We choose to turn to the way He has given us His truth - the Word of God.  We also choose daily to walk by His truth (the truth) knowing that by doing so we will have a refuge, a protection, indeed a stronghold to keep us from evil - and to keep us FOR fellowship with our loving, gracious God.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Proverbs 11:11

The upright and the wicked have a way of affecting the cities in which they live.  The upright are said to exalt a city by the way they speak.  They bless the city.  The word for bless here is "berakah" and it means to bestow favor upon something or speak well of it.  What is interesting about this word is that its root form has the idea of kneeling and blessing.  What I see here is that the upright may doesn't just speak blessings over his city - he primarily blesses it when he falls to his knees and prays for it.  The blessing here is when a city has many praying, godly men within it.  

I know a story of a small town in Alabama where three precious grandmothers began to have great concern for their city.  Their concern was that the spiritual climate in the city was going down year after year.  They watched with broken hearts as the children of the city grew up and no longer were concerned about spiritual things.  Their response to this was to ask a local Methodist minister if they could pray at the altar of their church each night.  The ladies began praying at 10 o'clock each evening and ended at 11.  Soon, though, they could not finish their prayers at 11 so they prayed longer.  Before long the ladies were praying through the night - night after night - crying out for the youth of the city - and for God to bring revival.  God answered these prayers when an outpouring of the Holy Spirit came upon the city - first in that little Methodist church - then moving the meeting to the Baptist church because it could seat more people - and eventually to the local High School football field because only it could hold the people who began coming.  They watched the entire atmosphere of that city radically changed because hundreds of children and youth came to Christ.  Truly these little ladies - "the upright" - had blessed the city with their words of prayer and intercession.

The wicked though, have no such blessing.  They only tear a city down with their actions and words.  It is telling what this passage calls these people.  They are called, "the wicked" which is the Hebrew word "rasha."  This term refers to the wicked - and one of the ways they are described is as the "criminally wicked."  These men not only do not bless the city - they are taking from it - and promoting a criminal and lawless lifestyle.  No wonder that the city is torn down by their actions.  Their actions promote people disobeying the law and living a selfish and self-centered lifestyle. 

Our nation is in the midst of this very proverb today.  For too many years we have had elected officials that disregard the laws they are elected to uphold and establish.  Congress actually has the gall to exempt themselves from the laws they pass.  If that were not bad enough, we seem to have an endless parade of Congressmen and Senators who are thrown into jail for breaking the law.  What have these leaders given to us over the years?  They have torn down the very country that was given to them.  Instead of protecting and defending it - they are tearing it down with their very hands.  It is absolutely essential for the future of our nation that we see this - and correct it immediately.  It is essential that we learn about our leaders and hold them accountable to be men and women of character and integrity.  If they prove to be other than this - we need to boot them out of office at the next election possible.  We need men and women in office who will bless our land once again by their godly, praying leadership.  Until we see this happen - we can only expect our nation to continue to spiral downward toward destruction.

He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. Proverbs 28:10

It is one thing when the wicked are evil in their own ways and in their own thoughts, but that is not the case with some.  They are not content unless they lead others astray into a similar lifestyle.  This trait is at its worst when the one who has an ungodly lifestyle desires to lead the upright into that same wicked lifestyle.  Yet God makes it plain that such choices - such attitudes will have to pay in the end.

The upright are thsoe who are desiring to walk straight - and this refers to someone who desires to do what is morally pure and right.  Of course, since this is a biblical reference, we can assume that the moral course that is sought is that of the Scriptures.  The wicked man spoken of here wants to lead this morally upstanding person astray.  The word used here implies that someone has been deceived into their error.  Thus they are now wandering and straying like lost sheep.  They used to know the way of the Lord, but now they are straying like lost sheep having somehow been deceived to where they no longer look to the Scriptures for their moral rudder in life.  The path they are trying to lead them in is the "evil way."  Evil here is "ra" which is the term used for active evil - and it carries with it the idea of distress, misery, injury, and calamity. 

I find it fascinating, living in a city with a major university, how often godly students are turned by professors who hate Christianity.  What I find amazing is that the attacks that are made are almost always made at their trust and belief in God's Word.  I think of the passage in Hosea that warns that if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?  A very good question this is for us today.  This is the reason why I take the time to teach high school and junior high students classes on worldviews and philosophy.  During those classes I play devil's advocate and let them see what they will face in college.  I challenge their statements as one of the professors at the university would - and do so mercilessly for 5 or 10 minutes.  Then I back up and help them grasp what the philosophical backdrop was to that attack.  We work on understanding the false reasoning that was in the attack and also how to raise up the shield of faith by holding fast to a biblical worldview.  It is not easy for these students, because the barrage of questions, as well as the ignorance of other students is hard to stand in the midst of in class.  Too often they are ganged up on in the midst of the discussion - and the teachers will use their authority to make the students stop talking before they can make their point.  That is why we cover these things as well in class.  They need to know that Christianity is credible as a worldview - but also that Paul said that the cross was as stumbling block to Jews - and considered foolishness by the Greeks (the philosophical eggheads of that age). 

Our passage, though, has a warning to the wicked ones who try to lead the upright astray.  They will fall into the pit that they are trying to dig for the upright.  They think they will make the upright fall into a pit - that they will destroy their faith - but the one who will ultimately fall into the pit is the ungodly person who is trying to deceive.  He thinks that the believer is deceived - but he is the one who is deceived.  In the end, the very foolishness and philosophical ignorance of this man will damn him to the ultimate pit.  I know that this sounds pretty harsh - but it is what the Scriptures say is the end of those who mock the things of God - who oppose God and His Word. 

Just a note at the end for our instruction is given.  The blameless will inherit good.  Blameless here is the Hebrew word "tamim" and it means something or someone who is complete and tested.  The word was used of the sacrificial animals that had been examined and found to be without flaw.  What a marvelous word this is for this context.  Here is the truth we need to see here.  The wicked will seek to lead the upright astray into an immoral path - but we need to hold fast to the truth - to the Word of God.  We need to stand through every trial - and oppose every falsehood that we face.  Every time they try to deceive and undermine the foundation of our faith - we need to lift high the banner of Christ - hold fast to the Word of our God - and watch every argument fall infinitely short of the truth upon which we stand.  When we do this we will be the blameless, tested, tried one who will inherit good. 

Be ready, precious saints, for what you will face in the world.  Christianity is not just a religious practice - something we can tack on to our lives like we would put up a poster in our rooms.  It is a way of life - a philosophy - a worldview that is superior to all other worldviews.  It is a relationship with the living God that we are granted through Jesus Christ.  We need to view it as that - a life-changing way of viewing the world.  We need to therefore make understanding and knowing God our first and most important priority.  The reason so many supposedly lose their faith in college is because they never had one.  They had their religion - they had their denominational status - they had their childhood habit of going to church with mommy and daddy.  But . . . they never took Christ to themselves, repented of their sin - and entered into a life-altering relationship with God.  They never received a love of the truth so as to be saved.  As a result all they had was the trappings of Christianity - without a mind honed by the Word.  Therefore when tried and tested - when faced with someone who forced them to defend their faith with truth - they had nothing with which to fight back.  Assuming that Christianity had failed them - when all that had failed them was their false faith - they turned and fell into the pit of the wicked. 

Oh saints, know your God!  Know your Bible!  Know that the faith once and for all handed to the saints in the Scriptures has withstood every attack of man for some 2000 years.  Stand fast upon it - and stand strong with Him.  When you do you will be tested, tried, and approved - and according to this passage - due to inherit good.

I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12

Fathers, how well have you led and directed your sons?  Would you be able to say what we have read here in Proverbs today?  Would you be able to tell your sons that if they walk in your ways, they would live a godly life - one that would not hinder them from growing spiritually and one free from the stumbling blocks that often trip us up in life? 

The father here who is instructing his son tells him very plainly that he has directed him in a lifestyle that values wisdom.  The word for "directed" is a very visual word - describing an arrow that has been shot straight.  The way that fathers are to shoot their sons into this world is on a path that highly values wisdom and God's ways.  I love that he uses the phrase, "the way of wisdom."  Way is the Hebrew word "derek" which refers to a lifestyle - a long journey - a manner of living.  The father taught in such a way that wisdom became a lifestyle, not just a series of choices every now and then.  This is how we are to educate our children.  I believe in education - but not as an end in itself.  Education or the acquiring of information and learning - is just a stepping stone to a greater goal.  We should educate our children (and everyone for that matter) so that they take the information they receive and use it to walk in wisdom and understanding in their lives.  That is how this father taught his son - and what his goal was in the end.

The second thing he says to his son is that he also led him in upright paths.  Again we see a word here, paths, that tells us that this father led with a view toward having his son learn a pathway.  This word refers to a track or a course.  The father, by his example - led his son to know the track that leads to wisdom and godliness.  He refers to it as an "upright" path.  In Proverbs 2:13 the father speaks to his son about staying on the straight path - and not taking the crooked one.  This upright path is one that is straight, godly, and filled with what is right.  The dad took the time to teach his son godly, holy ways.  He did so with such consistency in his life that his son learned these ways - not just from instruction alone.  He "led" his son in these paths - meaning that he walked in front of his son - leading the way all throughout his life.  The son knew godliness not just by precept, but by example.

Here is the beauty of teaching and leading our sons in this manner.  The father, in verse 12, now tells his son that there are wonderul rewards or walking in this way. 

The first benefit is that when he walks, this son will not be impeded.  The word here is "yatsar" and it means to be in distress or frustrated.  The word indicates a frustrated anxiety in situations.  The idea therefore is  that the son will not face impediments that will make him filled with anxiety and frustration.  This seems like a wonderful promise.  But can we truly walk throughout our lives without being frustrated?  That seems a little more than we can swallow, being those who have frequently experienced varying levels of frustration and anxiety in life. 

God's promise here is not a lack of frustrating situations, but rather that when we walk, our steps will not be walked out in frustration.  This God provides by teaching us wisdom - seeing life as He sees it.  When we do this, we will begin to see all things as beneficial to us - even if they seem bad at the outset.  We will find even the most difficult of moments being used by God for our good.  We learn to have the same patience that our Father God has as we deal with people.  Seeing life as He does makes us so much less frustrate-able.  Knowing that all things work together for our good - as we are being conformed to the image and character of Jesus - makes life so very livable.

The second benefit the father tells his son that wisdom will bring is that when it comes time to run, he will not stumble.  The word for "run" used here had pretty specific contexts.  Men ran in battle.  Men ran to the defense.  Men ran to bring important messages to others.  Fathers, we need to teach our sons that there are times they need to run.  But we also need to train them so that when it is time to run - to battle the enemy - to defend their family, their friends, the church, their freedom - to bring the message of the gospel and of godliness - that they will not trip and fall because they are not ready.  The idea here of stumbling always carried with it that one stumbled either because he was weak or because he had a stumbling block before him.  This is where an education of wisdom - to help a young man establish a lifestyle is so vital.  Without it he will develop habits and choices that will put stumbling blocks before him.  Without it he will be weak when he needs to be strong.  Without it he will fall inevitably into the two traps of manhood.  He will either become a man who is domineering who lacks a servant's heart toward his wie and children - or - he will fall into passivity and not have the strength o character to lead his family and lead in situations where the world around him desperately needs a man to step up and be a man. 

Fathers, an awesome task has been set before us.  We are to train the next generation of men.  That may seem like a daunting task - but it is one that God promises to help us and give us great grace to accomplish.  There is no one, dad, who can take your place in this effort.  You will be THE most effective teacher for your sons in this endeavor.  Do it with all your hearts - because the  blessing it will bring to your grandchildren and the world in which your son will live will be immeasurable.  And beyond all this, the glory that will be brought to God for the ways that His wisdom will be displayed in your son's life and family - will adorn the gospel and the Word of God in a way that is desperately needed in our generation.   

The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. Proverbs 21:8

How do you know whther you are dealing with someone who is criminal and crooked in his ways - or whether you are dealing with a man who is pure in his motives and ways?  Here is an excellent question.  I am sure that many a man who has been conned would love to know the answer to this question.  That is what we will learn today as we open the book of Proverbs to verse 8 of chapter 21.

First we see the "guilty man."  What Solomon is describing to us though is the way of this man - the roads he takes and the lifestyle that is developed as a result.  This man is described to us as the guilty man.  The word used here for this designation is the Hebrew word, "vazar."  This word means a man who lacks innocence.  He is guilty because his behavior and choices reject God's law and ways.  In this regard he is a criminal - because his consistent choice is to break the law.  Solomon tells us that such a man is "crooked."  Crooked here is "haphak" which refers to someone who is very perverse and devious.  This guy is constantly perverting this - being devious - and lacking in honesty.  He is filled with a dishonesty that makes you wonder about his integrity.  

Note this when trying to determine whether someone is godly or ungodly in their dealings.  If you catch them making statements that are being twisted and fundamentally dishonest - most likely you are dealing with someone who is crooked and should be avoided at all costs.  You are going to pay dearly if you continue to do business and allow this man into your life.  The best thing you could do is cut and run.

The other man - the godly one - is pure.  The word here means someone who is clean - like pure water or pure oil.  This man is a godly man - and his godliness is verified by the honestly and integrity with which he speaks and acts.  This man's conduct is described as "upright."  This is the word "yashar" which means something that is straight, just, and right.  This word usually refers to things in an ethical and emotional sense.  These are men who are very concerned with being right in the eyes of the Lord.  They want a godly integrity in their dealings with others.  They do not want to deceive or to mislead. 

Wisdom tells us to be mindful of the character of those with whom we deal in life.  It is not enough that a good offer is on the table - or that someone is offering the best price.  We need to know that a man is also placing good character on the table as well.  Then we know whether we are dealing with a thief or not.  See behind the offers and see into their lives or the "way" that they live.  Do this and you will be much less likely to be caught in the schemes and the deception of the ungodly.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. Proverbs 14:11

The Bible calls us to be aliens and strangers in this world - while we live for a world that is to come.  As you read this verse, you might wonder how it relates to this particular proverb.  It has everything to do with it - because how you are directed - and where you look to receive directions will radically affect your decisions, and will in the end, decide whether you are among the wicked - or the upright.  That decision in turn will have very serious consequences on whether what you do will flourish - or eventually be destroyed. 

The wicked settle down in this world.  This is seen in the fact that they are spoken of as being in a house.  They are very comfortable in this world and comfortable with how this world operates.  Thus this world has a great deal to say about what their values are and how they will live.  When we "settle down" and become comfortable with the world and its ways - we are headed for trouble.  James tells us that anyone who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God.  The world and its ways should make us uncomfortable.  We are looking for the city whose architect and builder is God.  We live for the Jersusalem that is above. 

Do you walk through this life comfortable with the ways of the world?  One of the dangers I see in my life regularly is that through television and the various forms of media - there seems to be a constant push for me to adopt the values of this present world.  If I am not careful I will become so comfortable in this world I will forget spiritual reality (which by the way IS reality itself).  As I become comfortable with the world and its thinking, I will in turn become comfortable with this world and its actions and lifestyles.  Before long, I will begin at first accepting the ways of the wicked - and if I am not careful - acting like them as well.

We are told the opposite in this passage too though.  The tent of the upright will flourish.  Note here that the upright man is spoken of as living in a tent rather than a house.  The tent was the choice of those who did not choose to "settle down" in one place.  They saw themselves not in the light of settling down - but as strangers and aliens who were just passing through this present world.  As a result they do NOT settle down in this world - nor do they adopt its ways.  There is no great need to accumulate the wealth or the things that this world values - because they are transient.  They will pass away - actually we ourselves will pass away - at least in these human bodies of ours.  Therefore we should not seek to get too comfortable in this world - nor become too comfortable with its ways.  Our hearts need to be firmly set on heavenly things.  We need to be living with heaven in view - and realize that our ultimate inheritance is there.  Therefore we also look to heaven and to the Lord who is enthroned there for our values and for what we should seek. 

Please do not see these comments on this proverb as an endictment on buying a house - or as a commentary on how it is better to be a Bedouin than an American.  We are speaking of spiritual realities.  These things represent an attitude - a choice of a lifestyle.  So the question we must answer is not whether we live in a physical house or a tent - but rather whether we are settling down in our minds so that this world is our home - rather than seeing our home in the world to come.  Why is this important?  I guess in a crude sort of way I can refer to a cross stitch I once saw to explain this.  It said, "Home is where the Heart is."  There is the crux of the problem.  If your home is in this world - that is what will most influence your heart.  If your home is in the world to come - where God will reign in righteousness - your heart . . . your values . . . and your lifestyle will reflect it.  Oh, and one last thing . . . if you live for this world - you are living for a world that will be destroyed in the end.  If you live for the world to come - even now God is preparing a place for you - so that where He is - there you will be also.