Reflections on Proverbs 20-21

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

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?

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)!

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?

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.

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

Adultery – Three chapters are given to warning us against the folly of adultery. How might you use these chapters to help you combat the allure of forbidden sex in our society?
The Calls of Wisdom and Folly – Both wisdom and folly call out to the simple. Wisdom offers life, while folly leads to death. Which call are you following? In what ways?

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

Fear of the Lord – As Proverbs introduces its purpose of teaching wisdom, it proclaims the foundation of wisdom – the fear of the Lord. Four times it is mentioned in our passage today. True wisdom is more than common sense, it includes a sense of God and his commands. Does your life show a proper reverence for God?
Seeking wisdom – Our passage today calls us to pursue wisdom, and outlines many benefits for doing so. Are you seeking wisdom? What wisdom are you hoping to gain from your study of this book?

Solomon builds the temple for the Lord. Note:

God’s Presence – God chooses to dwell in the temple Solomon built (6:13). He chooses to dwell among the people of Israel. Today the church is God’s temple, and he dwells among us. What a privilege we have! What a responsibility!
Obedience – Part of that responsibility is to walk in the ways of the Lord and obey his commands (6:12). Are you taking that responsibility seriously?

Solomon asks for wisdom and prepares to build the temple.

Love the Lord – Solomon loves the Lord and walks in the ways of the Lord like David did (3:3). How is your love for the Lord? How does your love motivate your obedience?
Wisdom – God offers to give Solomon whatever he wants. Solomon chooses wisdom. What would you choose? What does that say about your heart?

David makes Solomon the next king and charges him to be faithful to God.

Exalting Oneself – Adonijah exalted himself as the next king only to be humbled when David made Solomon king. Later Adonijah tried a new scheme to exalt himself as king, and it cost him his life. Are you seeking to exalt yourself? Will you humble yourself before the Lord and let him exalt you in his own way and time (James 4:10)?
Faithful to God – David charges Solomon to faithfully follow the ways of the Lord with all of his heart and soul (2:1-4). Are you faithfully following the ways of the Lord? Does your heart desire to be faithful? In what ways are you tempted to be unfaithful?