Proverbs 14

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 14

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel

Date Penned: (970-931 BC)

Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)

Theme: Wisdom for All People (c 10-24)

Message: Wise Instructions (v 1-35)

Proverbs 14 Commentary

(14:4) Serving Others - When farmers have no oxen for plowing, the food troughs for their animals will be clean, but the farmers will be unable to make a living. The only way to keep your life free of people's problems is to keep it free of other people. But if your life is empty of people, it is useless; and if you live only for yourself, your life loses its meaning. Instead of avoiding people, we should serve others, share our faith, and work for justice. Is your life clean but empty? Or does it give evidence of your serving God wholeheartedly?

(14:6) Scorners - We all know scorners, people who scoff at every word of instruction or advice. Wisdom eludes them because they don't seek it seriously. But wisdom comes easily to those who apply God's Word to their lives and seek out godly counselors. If the wisdom you need does not come easily to you, perhaps your attitude needs to change.

(14:9) Goodwill - How rarely do we find good favor and reconciliation in society today? Angry drivers yell at each other in the streets. People fight to be first in line. Politicians scream across the aisle. Disgruntled employers and employees both demand their rights. But the common bond of God's people should be goodwill. Those with goodwill admit their shortcomings and think the best of others. They have good motives and intend to do what is right. When someone crosses you, and you feel your blood pressure rising, ask yourself. How can I show goodwill to this person?

(14:12) A Few Sacrifices - The "way which seemeth right" may offer many options and require few sacrifices. Easy choices, however, should make us take a second look. Does this solution look attractive because it allows me more time to do what I want? Because it doesn't ask me to change my lifestyle? Because it requires no moral restraint? The right choice often requires courage, hard work, and self-sacrifice. Don't be enticed by apparent shortcuts that seem good but end in death.

(14:29) Anger - A quick temper can be like a fire out of control. It can burn us and everyone around us in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes us into hasty decisions that cause bitterness and guilt. Yet anger in itself is not wrong. Anger can be a legitimate reaction to injustice and sin. When you feel yourself getting angry, look for the cause. Are you reacting to an evil situation that you are going to set right? Or are you responding selfishly to a personal insult? Pray that God will help you control your quick temper, channel your feelings into effective action, and conquer selfish anger through humility and repentance.

(14:31) The Poor - God has a special concern for people who are poor. He insists that people who have material goods should be generous to those who are in need. Providing for the poor is not just a suggestion in the Bible. It is a command that may require a change of attitude (see Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Psalms 113:5-9; 146:5-9; Isaiah 58:7; 2 Corinthians 9:9; James 2:1-9).

Dave Burnette's Life Application

The Lord's Path

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 14. In our text today, we see a continuation of Wisdom and wise instruction. What catches my eye is verse 12, which explains how a man who places his faith in his own ways will experience his own path that will end in disappointment. In making applications, we see that to succeed in life is to follow the Lord's instruction. His ways are perfect. How about you? Do you go your own way or follow the Lord's path? Let us learn from our text today to remember that following the Lord through His Word for His Path leads to life, happiness, and perfection.

Proverbs 14

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Proverbs 14

¹Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

²He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

³In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

⁴Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

⁵A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

⁶A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

⁷Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁹Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

¹⁰The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

¹¹The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

¹²There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

¹³Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

¹⁴The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

¹⁵The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

¹⁶A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

¹⁷He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

¹⁸The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

²¹He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

²²Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

²³In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

²⁴The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

²⁵A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

²⁶In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

²⁷The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

²⁸In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

²⁹He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

³⁰A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

³¹He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

³²The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

³³Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

³⁴Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

³⁵The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

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