Proverbs 22:15 says, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.  We can have a debate about the effectiveness of physical discipline, but I believe that sometimes it is necessary to alter a child's behavior.  I do not mean beating or abusing, but simply spanking.  Children will sometimes push boundaries just to see how far they can push them.  Verse sixteen states, He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.  This is another warning against using the poor for our own gain, and also against giving to the rich to gain their favor.  Helping the poor may not benefit us in this world, but it will in God's kingdom.  Verse seventeen says, Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.  This is a call for us to listen to God's word, which those who are wise will be teaching.  Verse eighteen adds, For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.  When we keep the words of the wise, those who profess God, it will be a pleasure to us and we will speak words of wisdom.  Verse nineteen continues, That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.   When we listen to those who proclaim God's word and trust in Him, God will continue to make His will known to us.  God does not abandon us when we are saved, but is with us continually through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty asks, Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,  Continuing in verse twenty-one, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?  We have God's written word to guide us, and it should be a certainty when we are confronted with any situation.  There is never a need to doubt God's word, but instead if we are to live in wisdom, we must hold firm in it no matter what.  Verse twenty-two declares, Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:  This is another warning against cheating the poor and needy.  We should take this warning seriously since it occurs so often in the Bible.  Verse twenty-three adds, For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.  God pleads the case of the poor, and will punish those who abuse them.  As followers of Christ, if we are guilty of abusing the poor, which we should never be, I am not sure what our punishment by God will be, but I am certain that we will be held accountable for it.  Verse twenty-four states, Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:  Some people just seem to be continually angry, and we are not to be their friend and adopt their attitude.  Verse twenty-five tells us why stating, Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.  Listening to someone who is always angry may teach us to be the same way, which can be a snare to our soul, or everlasting relationship with God.  Verse twenty-six says, Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.  This is just another warning about becoming snarled in someone else's debt.  Verse twenty-seven asks, If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?  I believe this is a warning against taking everything, even the essentials, from someone who has no money to pay a debt.  We are to leave them with the essentials in life, which I believe will leave them with at least some hope and dignity.  Verse twenty-eight declares, Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.  We are not to change landmarks to benefit ourselves.  Verse twenty-nine states, Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.  If we live obeying the law, we do not have to fear those in power, but we still have to be concerned about those who do not follow God and His word.

Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.  Too often, people want riches, even if they must get them by dishonest means.  This verse tells us that a good name is more important than any riches.  God expects His people to be honest in there dealings with others.  Verse two states, The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.  Rich or poor, we will all meet together at God's judgment.  God is the Creator of all, and we will be judged by our relationship to Christ and not by how rich or poor we may be.  Verse three says, A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.  If we are prudent, or follow God's guidance, then we will see evil and avoid it.  Verse four states, By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.  The only way we can have true riches and everlasting life is through our acceptance of Christ as our Savior and Lord, and then we will respect God's guidance.  Verse five says, Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.  It may seem that the wicked prosper, but spiritually their lives are full of thorns and snares.  Anything gained outside of God's will can never last.  Verse six declares, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  The things that we teach our children as they are growing up will never totally depart them.  What we teach must be consistent with how we live for it to really be effective.  I also believe that even though our children may not live as they should, there will always be the knowledge of how they should live that they cannot forget.  Of course, this all relates to living under God's authority and teaching His word and ways to our children.  Verse seven states, The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.  I don't believe that this has ever been more true than it is today.  The rich seem to live by a different set of rules than the poor do, and for the most part seem to have little concern for the poor.  Verse eight says, He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.  When we sow iniquity,, we will ultimately reap nothing.  We may gain the world, but we will lose our soul's everlasting salvation if we continue to live in iniquity instead of following God's direction.  Verse nine says, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.  If we want to be blessed by God, then we are called on to help the poor.  This is stated over and over again in the Bible, and it has not changed today.  Verse ten declares, Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.  I believe that this tells us that we are not to continually argue with those who scorn God, but we are simply to remove ourselves from their presence.  If they are in the church and continually causing problems, then we are to remove them.  I don't believe this means simply disagreeing with someone, but knowing that what they are saying or teaching is inconsistent with God's word.  Verse eleven states, He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.  I believe this means that if we live our lives guided by God that those who are in power can never really find a reason to not be friendly to us.  I know that some rulers will see us as enemies simply because of our faith in Christ, but it should never be because we break the law, unless the law is totally against God's law.  Verse twelve declares, The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.  God's law is always going to rule over the law of man.  We may attempt to make what God says wrong, but we never can.  One day, God's law will be proven to prevail forever.  Verse thirteen says, The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.  I believe that this is just stating that the slothful, or lazy person will always look for a reason to not be productive.  Even if there is a lion without, the emphasis should be on removing it, not on using it for an excuse to not work.  Verse fourteen states, The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.  When a man does not follow God's direction in life, he will be tempted by strange woman, or one who is not his wife.

Proverbs 21:16 says, The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.  Once more, I don't believe that this means that if we wander away from God as followers of Christ that we will lose our salvation.  I do believe that if we wander away from God that we will be living like the lost, following our own understanding instead of God's guidance.  Verse seventeen states, He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.  If we simply live for the pleasures of this world, we are indeed poor spiritually.  No matter how much pleasure we may find in this world, if we are not following God's guidance, then we are truly poor spiritually.  Verse eighteen declares, The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.  This does not mean that someone else will be punished for my sins except for Jesus Christ.  Still, the wicked, those who refuse salvation through Christ, will pay the penalty for their disbelief, while the righteous, those who accept Christ as Savior and Lord, will be redeemed.  Verse nineteen states, It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.  This simply tells us that a man is better off totally alone than he is living with a woman who continually disagrees with him.  Verse twenty says, There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.  I believe this tells us that a wise person uses what God blesses him or her with prudently, but a foolish person wastes it.  God expects us to place everything under His control or guidance.  Verses twenty-nine proclaims, He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.  If we accept Christ and follow God's guidance, then we will find everlasting life, righteousness, and honor with God.  We cannot have any of these without accepting Christ as Savior and Lord.  He makes us righteous before the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-two states, A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.  I believe this means those in power too often feel that power puts them above even God's judgment, but those who are followers of Christ will be victorious when judgment comes.  Therefore, if we are followers of Christ, we can live in confidence, no matter how weak we may be in the eyes of the world.  Verse twenty-three says, Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.  We are to be careful in the things we say.  We should never lash out with angry words, but everything we say should bring glory to God.  Verse twenty-four declares, Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.  If a person is full of self-pride and scorns God's word, then that is what they will be known as when God's judgment comes.  Verse twenty-five states, The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.  Laziness can kill a person, even if it is a slow death.  To desire to do as little as possible is in itself a form of death I believe.  Verse twenty-six proclaims, He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.  As followers of Christ, we are not to covet even more, but are to share willingly with the less fortunate around us.  Verse twenty-seven asks, The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?  All sacrifices made in the name of God are not really made to God.  Some who do not accept God's word make sacrifices designed to bring attention to themselves and not to God.  God knows our purpose and not just our actions.  Verse twenty-eight says, A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.  God expects His followers to be truthful in everything they say.  Ultimately, the false witness, those who do not seek and speak under the leadership of God, will perish.  Verse twenty-nine declares, A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.  The wicked harden themselves against God's word, but those who are upright, or follow God, allow God to direct them through life.  Verse thirty states, There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.  We can either accept God's word and guidance, or we can follow the lies of the world, which will never stand when God's judgment comes.  Verse thirty-one says, The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.  We may put our faith in the military might of the country, but true safety only comes from having a right relationship with God.

Proverbs 21:1 says, The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.  We could interpret this as meaning that whatever a king or person in power does is controlled by God, but I don't believe that is the case.  Instead I believe that if a person in power has put his or her faith in God, then that person will follow God's will.  Verse two states, Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.  We may feel that we can justify our actions, but God searches even our motives for our actions.  We cannot Justify ourselves before God.  Verse three says, To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.  I believe that this simply means that the way we live is more important to God than spiritual rituals.  We cannot go to church on Sunday and hate our neighbor for example and expect God to bless us for our attendance.  Verse four declares, An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.  Some people just seem to be posing so the attention will be on them at all times.  They seem to think that what they say and do is always correct and that what others say and do is wrong, if it goes against them.  We as followers of Christ are not to be full of self pride or self righteousness.  Verse five declares, The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.  If we want to be truly successful in life, then we will live guided by the righteousness of God.  When we follow the ways of the world instead of the righteousness of God we will ultimately fail.  Verse six states, The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.  Gaining earthly wealth by lying and deceit is in vain, or will ultimately amount to nothing.  If we are to follow Christ, we must obey God's commandments and follow His guidance in our lives.  Verse seven declares, The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.  Things that are gained by dishonesty will ultimately destroy a person spiritually.  When someone deals dishonesty with others, he or she refuses to accept God's judgment of his or her actions.  Verse eight says, The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.  The way that some who refuses to follow God lives is strange to God because that person is not following God's guidance.  On the other hand, is someone follows God's guidance, then that person's work is right before God.  Verse nine says, It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.  A person is better off with just a small place to live in peace than in a mansion where there is continually quarreling or contention.  This verse says with a quarreling woman, but I believe it applies to either spouse.  Verse ten proclaims, The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.  The wicked are evil in their soul, and will never be concerned with their neighbors well being.  Verse eleven states, When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.  When those who scorn God suffer punishment, even the simple should be able to learn from it.  When we are wise, or acknowledge God, we should receive His knowledge into our lives.  Verse twelve states, The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.  If we are to be wise in the Lord, we will understand how the wicked of the world gain what they have and avoid following their example.  We will also realize that one day God will judge them for their iniquity and they will be left with nothing.  Verse thirteen declares, Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.  If we refuse to hear the poor when they cry out to us, God will not hear us when we call out to Him.  God's word continually calls for His followers to help the poor.  Verse fourteen says,  A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.  Matthew Henry says this could refer to giving a bribe, which would be done in secret, but also says that our gifts should not be given simply to bring attention to our self.  Verse fifteen states, It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.  We should find joy in following God's leadership.  Following God's will should never be viewed as a burden that has been placed on us.  Destruction will come to those who work iniquity, in God's coming judgment if not before.

Proverbs 20:16 says, Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.  Matthew Henry says this refers to two ways to financial ruin.  One is to pledge security for just anyone or everyone.  The other is to pledge security for a strange woman simply to impress or endear her.  God expects those that follow Him to be responsible in using what He blesses them with.  Verse seventeen states, Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.  Lies may temporarily seem sweet, but when the truth is made known, lies will taste bitter in our mouth.  The truth will ultimately win out, and if our life is built on lies, we will be left bitter and alone before God.  Verse eighteen says, Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.  We are better off seeking the counsel of others, or at least of God, when making big decisions, especially those that will affect others.  This is especially true about going to war.  We should always do everything to bring God glory and not just to satisfy our own desires.  Verse nineteen declares, He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.  We should not tell everyone everything we think or are going to do.  Some people love to spread gossip, and we should attempt to avoid them.  Verse twenty states, Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.  We cannot follow God's will and hate our parents, no matter how good or bad they may be.  Respecting, or loving our parents comes from who we are as followers of Christ, and not just from what they have or haven't done.  Verse twenty-one proclaims, An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.  Matthew Henry says this means gaining an inheritance, or wealth, through cheating others.  It may make a person feel good in this world, but will end in destruction at God's judgment.  God will never bless anything gained by cheating someone else.  Verse twenty-two says, Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.  This is telling us that we are not to avenge evil with evil.  We, as followers of Christ, are not to have the attitude that if someone hurts us hurt them worse.  We are to wait on God to judge and punish all evil.  Verse twenty-three states, Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.  This is once more simply a call for honesty in the way we treat others.  We are never to attempt to cheat someone else for our own gain.  Verse twenty-four asks, Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?  This asks how we can follow God if we continue to live by our own guidance.  We must always seek God's will as we go through life.  Verse twenty-five says, It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.  We should not practice empty worship of God.  If we pledge something to God, then we should not look for a way to keep it for ourselves.  I believe this includes everything that we are or have.  As followers of Christ, we pledge our life to Him and should never attempt to keep part of our life for ourself.  Verse twenty-six says, A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.  Those who rule wisely work against the wicked, and I believe that it is implied that they follow God.  Verse twenty-seven states, The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.  If we are followers of Christ, then we will look to all aspects of our lives to make sure that we are following God's will.  God will certainly shed light in each dark corner of our lives.  Verse twenty-eight states, Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.  When a ruler rules with mercy and truth, his or her position will be upheld.  People tend to willingly follow those in power who rule with mercy and truth.  Verse twenty-nine says, The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.  Just as young people glory in their strength, so should the older people realize that living a long life is a beauty in itself.  We cannot stay young forever, but should be content in growing older.  Verse thirty declares, The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.  Matthew Henry says this means that sometimes those who are obstinate in their refusal to obey the law or God need punishment to bring them into line.

Proverbs 20:1 says, Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.  This is a warning about drinking to excess I believe.  We are not to allow drinking to cloud our judgment.  I do not think this is a statement that says avoid all alcoholic drinks, since in other parts of the Bible it is ruled as being okay to drink moderate amounts.  Verse two states, The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.  We are warned against provoking those in power.  To simply defy the law of those who are in power to prove that we can is not what God leads us to do.  When we rebel simply for earthly reasons, we harm our souls, or our everlasting relationship with God.  Verse three declares, It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.  When we follow God's plan for our life, we will attempt to avoid creating strife with others.  We should especially attempt to avoid strife with our fellow believers.  Those who deny God will continually be attempting to create strife for those who do believe.  Verse four says, The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.  The sluggard, one who is lazy, will find a reason to not work and will often find himself or herself hungry.  We are to be busy doing what God has called us to do.  Verse five states, Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.  If we are looking for wise counselling, we need to go to someone who knows God.  We need not look to those who proclaim anything else than the sovereignty of God for answers.  Verse six asks, Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?  Most people tend to claim their own goodness, but instead we need to claim our faithfulness to God.  Verse seven declares, The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.  I believe that this means that we are to live with integrity in our relationship to God, and if we do our children are more likely to come to know God.  Verse eight states, A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.  A king, or ruler, should always do what is best for those he rules.  This is not the case too often, but it should be.  Verse nine asks, Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?  The answer is no one except Jesus Christ.   We cannot stand before God and proclaim our goodness.  We are all but sinners saved by grace, or lost without accepting the grace of God through faith in Christ.  Verse ten declares, Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.  God expects us to be honest in our dealings with others.  Verse eleven says, Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.  I believe that this simply means that as followers of Christ we are expected to live under the leadership of God.  God expects us to be honest in the things we say and do.  Verse twelve declares, The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.  God gives us sight and hearing, and I believe He expects us to see His work in the world and hear His message to us.  Verse thirteen states, Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.  I believe this is just another statement that we are to not be lazy, but are to be at work in the world, doing what God calls us to do.  It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.  God does not expect us to cheat others, for example by claiming something to be of little value when we buy it, but then claiming it to be of great value when we sell it.  Verse fifteen proclaims, There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.  I believe this is simply telling us that the knowledge of God is worth more than all the gold and rubies, or anything else, in the world.

Proverbs 19:16 says, He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.  If we could keep all the commandments without fail, then we would keep our soul safe forever, but since we cannot, Christ died to redeem us.  Still, we are to always strive to follow God's commandments, and we cannot follow Christ and despise or even ignore God's commandments.  Verse seventeen states, He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.  God will repay us for helping the poor, though the repayment may not be in material terms or in this lifetime.  Knowing we are doing God's will should be payment enough.  Verse eighteen says, Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.  We are called on to discipline our children before they become hopelessly lost.  We are to not allow their crying to keep us from disciplining them.  I don't believe that this means that we are to beat them, but we may need to physically punish them, but never to the point of causing any real injury.  Verse nineteen declares, A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.  Matthew Henry says this could apply to a headstrong individual who continually gets in trouble, or to a headstrong child who continually needs correction.  Since the verse refers to a man, I believe that is what we must interpret it as meaning.  Some people just refuse to follow the law of man or God.  When a person continues to be ruled by wrath, or hatred, we cannot just give up on him or her, but must always strive for his or her redemption, which can only come through accepting Christ.  Verse twenty states, Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.  We are called on to be wise and accept the instructions of God, so that we may be wise in the latter end, or judgment.  The only way to be wise is to accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-one proclaims, There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.  If we do not allow God to rule our heart. or mind, there are plenty of other things that will lead us away from Him.  It is important to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit at all times.  Verse twenty-two states, The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.  I believe that this means that we are to be guided by kindness, even if it leaves us poor.  Also, it is better to be honest and poor than to be rich through lies or dishonesty.  Verse twenty-three declares, The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.  When we recognize and live under the authority of God, we will be satisfied.  I don't believe this means that nothing bad will ever happen to us, but that nothing bad will happen to us as a result of our own actions under God's leadership.  Verse twenty-four says, A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.  Matthew Henry says this means the lazy man will hide his hands like he is injured or cold to avoid work.  Verse twenty-five says, Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.  We should not allow those who scorn God to go unchallenged or unpunished, but if a person has an understanding of God, then that person will accept being reproved.  Verse twenty-six declares, He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.  Children who see themselves as entitled to waste away the things of their parents are like the prodigal son.  So are we when we waste the things God blesses us with instead of using them wisely under His leadership.  Verse twenty-seven states, Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.  As followers of Christ, therefore children of God, we are not to listen to the instructions of those who would lead us away from God's truth.  This can only lead to destruction of our witnessing and good works for God.  Verse twenty-eight declares, An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.  Those who deny God scorn the idea of His judgment and proclaim iniquity with their words.  Verse twenty-nine proclaims, Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.  Though those who scorn God may deny it, God's judgment is coming.  The only way to avoid everlasting punishment is to accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.