LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 25 MORE OF SOLOMON’S PROVERBS (WISE WORDS) (PROVERBS 25:1 TO PROVERBS 29:27) V1 Here are more of Solomon’s proverbs (wise words). The officials copied these proverbs, when Hezekiah was the king of Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
King Hezekiah lived 250 years after King Solomon. Hezekiah was a good king. He served God. Hezekiah established again the temple (house of God in Jerusalem), which Solomon built. King Hezekiah’s officials found some more proverbs (wise words). So they added these proverbs to Solomon’s book. Solomo... [ Continue Reading ]
Mysteries show one way that kings differ from God. We know that God is great. We see many mysteries that are the works of God. We see plants and animals. But we do not know how God made them. We do not even know how our own bodies work. These things are mysteries to us. But they are the works of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
We cannot see all the stars, because the sky is too high. And we cannot know a king’s emotions or secret thoughts. In public, the king might seem bold. But in private, he might be afraid.... [ Continue Reading ]
The workman cannot make a beautiful object with dirty silver. And the king cannot rule well if his government is evil. Paul taught us to pray for kings and governments (1 Timothy 2:1-2).... [ Continue Reading ]
This is similar to Jesus’ words in Luke 14:7-11. We should be humble. Then God will give honour to us. V8 When you see something, do not argue too quickly. Perhaps you are wrong about your neighbour. Then you will be ashamed. V9 Instead, discuss the matter with your neighbour himself. Do not tel... [ Continue Reading ]
If you are unhappy with someone, you should discuss the matter with that person first. You should not gossip.... [ Continue Reading ]
We should always want to say the right words. The right words are beautiful, like gold. The right words are valuable, like silver. But the right words are also rare, like silver or gold. People do not often say the right words. Instead, they say the wrong words. For example, people speak their own i... [ Continue Reading ]
Many people do not like correction. These people do not want to know that their actions are wrong. But when someone accepts correction, that person is glad. That person is glad because he will not continue to do the wrong things. So that person praises the wise man. The wise person has taught a bea... [ Continue Reading ]
You can trust this man. He does the things that he promises. He will deliver your letter. And you will be as happy as a man who finds snow on a hot day. As Christians, we should do the things that we have promised to do. Then other people will be able to trust us. And these people will learn from u... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon lived in a dry country. His people needed rain for their crops. So the people were sad when the clouds did not bring rain. This man behaved like these clouds. He did not do the things that he promised. His promises seemed genuine. But he never gave the gifts that he promised. He should not... [ Continue Reading ]
A patient person can achieve great things. His gentle words may not seem as impressive as other people’s words. But the patient person will continue until he succeeds. And, in the end, his gentle words are very powerful. See James 5:7-11. V16 If you eat too much honey, then you will be sick. V17 I... [ Continue Reading ]
Honey is good. But too much honey will make you sick. Friendship is good. And visits to your neighbour are good. But you must be careful. Your neighbour needs to meet other people. And your neighbour needs to do other things. If you visit your neighbour too often, then you will upset your neighbour... [ Continue Reading ]
There are many cruel people who want to attack their neighbour. They could hurt their neighbour with a whip. Or they might use a sword. But you can also hurt your neighbour if you lie about him. You might argue, ‘My lie is merely words. Words do not hurt.’ But your neighbour will suffer because of... [ Continue Reading ]
A bad tooth causes pain. And it continues to cause pain. A fool is an evil man who hates wisdom. You cannot trust this evil man. He will not help you when you are in trouble. Instead, he will cause you to suffer. His advice will be evil. And his actions will be evil. So you will continue to suffer.... [ Continue Reading ]
These people are all cruel. If someone steals a coat on a cold day, then that thief is very cruel. If someone pours acid on soap, that person is cruel. He spoils the soap. Now, nobody can use the soap. A singer might not seem cruel. But this singer is cruel also. Someone is sad. But this singer i... [ Continue Reading ]
Do not attack your enemy! Do not fight him! Instead, trust God! God will protect you. Pray for your enemy! Love your enemy! Jesus taught this lesson in Matthew 5:43-48. While Jesus was dying, he prayed for his enemies (Luke 23:34). And Jesus forgave a criminal who insulted him (Mark 15:32 and Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
Perhaps you do not want a friend to hear your words. So you whisper. Your friend might not hear your actual words. But he knows that you are whispering. So your friend guesses that your words are not good. Or he guesses that you are gossiping. And he is angry. If you whisper about another person, s... [ Continue Reading ]
If your husband or wife always argues, life is hard. This man has escaped. He has gone to his roof, to avoid the argument. We should try not to argue. Forgive other people’s errors! Learn to be calm! Do not be like this man’s wife who continues to argue.... [ Continue Reading ]
We wait for news about our friends and relatives. They may be distant, but we still care about them. And we are glad to hear their good news. We ourselves may have many troubles. But their good news comforts us. V26 Muddy water is more useful than the good man who supports a wicked man’s plan. V27... [ Continue Reading ]
This is terrible. This good man is helping a wicked man with an evil plan. The good man is not trying to do evil things. But he has not realised that he must oppose the plan. He has not realised the evil effects of the wicked man’s plan. He did not know that a wicked man’s plans are always evil. Yo... [ Continue Reading ]
You might like honey. But you cannot eat only honey. So you make a mistake if there is too much honey in your meal. This man also has made a mistake. He wants to be a great man. So he pretends that he is already a great man. But he is not a great man. Instead, he is stupid. This man ought to be hu... [ Continue Reading ]
When Solomon’s workmen built a city, they built strong walls round that city (1 Kings 9:15-19). The walls were important defences. They protected the city from attack. We ought to learn discipline. Discipline is like the city walls, because discipline makes us strong. We may have many problems. But... [ Continue Reading ]