Proverbs 22-27: More Practical Matters

On July 24, 2017July 22, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(26) Read v1-12. How do these proverbs describe the fool?

Taking each proverb in turn, why is each description of the fool fitting?

How do you reconcile v4-5?

(22-27) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point(s)? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)? What are some practical ways to apply the point(s) to our lives?

Humility vs. Pride: 22:4; 26:12; 27:1-2; see also: 21:4, 24; 28:11; 29:23; 30:13, 32 –

Children and Family: 22:6, 15; 23:13-14, 22-25; see also 19:13, 18, 26; 20:7, 20; 13:24; 15:17; 17:6; 29:15, 17; 30:17 –

Friendship: 27:6, 9-10, 17; see also 13:20; 16:28; 17:9, 17; 18:24 –

Good vs. Bad Tongue: 22:11; 23:9; 25:11, 15, 18, 23; 26:18, 20, 22-23, 28 –

Excess: 23:19-21, 29-35; 25:16; see also: 20:1 –

Reflections on Proverbs 20-21

On July 20, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

Lazy – The sluggard sleeps and doesn’t work (20:4, 13). The result is poverty (20:13). The plans of the diligent bring abundance (21:5). Which one are you? What tendencies do you have towards laziness?
God is in Control – The Lord directs our steps (20:24), turns the heart of the king (21:1), throws down the wicked (21:12), and brings victory (21:31). Nothing can avail against God (21:30). How do these truths encourage you?

Reflections on Proverbs 18-19

On July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

Anger – Wisdom leads us to overlook offenses rather than become angry (19:11). Why is that a wise response? Why is it so difficult to respond this way? What offenses do you need to overlook right now?
Wife – A good wife is a good gift from God; it is an example of God’s favor (18:22, 19:14). Husband: do you value your wife? Are you thankful for this good gift from God? A quarreling wife is like a continual dripping of rain (19:13). Wife: are you quarrelsome?

Proverbs 18-21: Practical Matters

On July 17, 2017July 17, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(18, 21) How do these proverbs describe the power of the tongue (18:21, see also 15:1, 4, 23; 16:24)?

What should we do with our tongues according to these proverbs (21:23, see also 15:28, 17:27-28)? Why?

How might we apply these proverbs to our homes, our church, our workplaces, and our social media?

(18-21) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point(s)? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point(s)? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point(s)? What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives(s)?

Sluggard: 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25-26; see also: 14:23; 15:19; 16:26 –

Money: 18:11; 19:17; 21:17, 25-26; see also 11:24, 28; 13:11; 16:8; 22:26-27; 23:4-5 –

Rich and Poor: 18:23; 19:4, 6-7; 21:13; see also 14:20-21, 31; 22:2, 7, 9, 16, 22-23; 28:6, 11; 29:7 –

Justice: 18:5; 19:28; 20:8, 10, 23; 21:3, 7, 15; see also 22:8; 24:10-12, 24-25 –

Instruction: 18:15; 19:20, 25, 27; 21:11; see also: 15:5, 10, 12, 31-32; 17:10; 23:12; 29:1 –

Reflections on Proverbs 16-17

On July 13, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

Pride – The Lord hates and punishes pride (16:5). Pride leads to destruction (16:18). What examples have you seen of pride leading to one’s downfall? It is better to be humble and poor, than proud and rich (16:19). Do you believe this? Really? In what areas are you tempted to be proud?
Before the Lord – The Lord tests our hearts (17:3). We may think we are good, but the Lord weighs our spirits (16:2). What does God see when he looks at you? What sin do you need to turn away from out of reverence for God (16:6)? Thank God for his love and faithfulness by which our sins are paid for (16:6)!

Reflections on Proverbs 14-15

On July 11, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

Fear of the Lord – The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life (14:27). It is instruction in wisdom (15:33). It is a place to find confidence and refuge (14:26). It is better than wealth (15:16). The one who fears the Lord walks in uprightness (14:2). Are you walking in the fear of the Lord and enjoying its benefits?
Folly – Folly tears down homes (14:1). Fools are reckless, careless, and quick to anger (14:16-17). Fools speak folly (15:2), despise instruction (15:5), and despise their parents (15:20). Are you acting like a fool?

Proverbs 14-17: God and Man

On July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(15-17) What do you learn about God in the following proverbs? What applications are there for your life?

15:3, 11; 16:2; 17:3; see also 21:2 –

16:1, 4, 9, 33; see also 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 30-31 –

15:8, 9, 26; 16:5; 17:15; see also 20:10 –

(14-17) How might the three truths about God in the last question teach us to fear the Lord? What would be the alternative (see 28:14)? Why?

What does the fear of the Lord teach us (14:2, 15:33, 16:6)?

What are the results of fearing the Lord (14:26, 27; 15:16; see also 10:27, 22:4, 28:14)?

(14-17) For each of the following topics, answer the following questions: What is the main point? What pictures, comparisons, contrasts, or consequences are given to drive home the point? Can you think of a current example that illustrates the point? What are some practical ways to apply the point to our lives?

Humility vs. Pride: 15:25, 33; 16:5, 18, 19; see also 11:2, 12:9, 18:12 –

Anger: 14:17, 29; 15:18; 16:32; 17:27; see also 12:16; 19:11, 19; 22:24-25; 29:11, 22; 30:33 –

Strife: 17:1, 9, 14, 19; see also 18:19; 20:3; 22:10; 26:21; 28:25; 30:33 –

Glad vs. Sad Heart: 14:10, 13, 30; 15:13, 15, 30; 17:22 –

Reflections on Proverbs 12-13

On July 6, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

The Wise and the Fool – A wise man listens to advice, but a fool only pays attention to his own ideas (12:15). The wise ignore an insult, but the fool gets angry (12:16). When are you tempted to act like a fool? How might you learn the wisdom found in these verses?
Choice of Companions – Proverb 13:20 tells us we become like those we spend time with. If we spend time with the wise, we will grow wise. If we make fools our companions, we will become foolish. Who are you spending time with? In what direction are they leading you?

Reflections on Proverbs 10-11

On July 4, 2017 By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which proverb especially speaks to your life situation today? How should you respond?

The Righteous and the Wicked – Chapters 10-11 begin a number of short proverbs, many of which address the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. There is a general theme of blessing for the righteous, but trouble for the wicked. How have you seen this general truth to be true in your life? What exceptions have you seen?
The Tongue – A good tongue gives life and wisdom; it feeds others. In what ways is your tongue like this? A bad tongue speaks too much, pouring out what is worthless and perverse, slandering and belittling others. When has your tongue been guilty of acting like this? Ask God to help you guard your tongue.

Proverbs 10-13: Way of the Righteous

On July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 By BrianIn OT Studies

(10-13) Describe the righteous person’s thoughts, words, and actions (10:11, 31-32; 11:5; 12:5, 10, 26; 13:5).

How well does that describe you? How do you need to change?

(10-13) What are some of the results of being righteous?

Give an example of when you have seen or experienced these general truths.

Have you seen exceptions to this general truth?

(10-13) How does Proverbs describe the sluggard (10:4-5, 26; 12:11, 24, 27; 13:4; see also 6:6-11)? What word pictures are used?

What lessons can we learn?

(10-13) Several proverbs in each chapter address our use of the tongue. Contrast the tongue of the wise (righteous) with the tongue of the fool (wicked):

Which tongue better describes your tongue? What changes do you need to make?

(10) Read v19. Why is this true? What application do you need to make?

(10-12) Read v10:11, 10:32, 11:9, 12:18. How can our words bring healing and give life? How can our words hurt and destroy? What lessons should we learn? What changes do we need to make?