THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 14

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

This obvious play on words deals with a "wise" woman and a "foolish" woman.

The wise woman fears God and treats her house and family as gifts from God: to be cared for, loved, treated well. The foolish woman has no fear of God and would just as well tear down the house, for she cannot help to build it properly.

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

Faith in Christ will be shown in the life. A person who lives with integrity shows a genuine respect for God, while a person who lives "perverse in his ways" shows despite for God.

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

That person who lives without Christ as the Lord of his life speaks often; and speaks proudly, boasting of self. The person who has surrendered to Jesus as Lord will have good things to say.

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

Without a working animal, a person has no "clean-up" to perform; but neither can he till the land. It is better to have tools with which to work, even though it means maintenance is required.

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Character is displayed in speech.

The "scorner" is one who, like the "fool," has no respect for God. He will seek wisdom in the world, but will not find it without finding God.

On the other hand, the person "that understandeth" (or genuinely respects God) finds wisdom easily -- he just reads his Bible!

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

This verse is not about witnessing to the lost. This verse is about companionship.

A Christian should certainly share Christ with others - even though they have no respect for God. However, a Christian should not be a companion to those who are without respect for God.

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

The wise person will want to understand what he's doing right or wrong so that he will be better able to please the Lord.

The "folly," or error, of the foolish is that he deceives himself when he thinks there is no God.

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

The person without God in his life "mocks" sin. He also mocks grace, kindness, benevolence. But the person with God in his life will be "favorable" to the needy, as well as live depicting ethical behavior.

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

Here is realization of fulfillment. A person realizes his own bitterness or joy in his spirit ("heart").

The realization of bitterness cannot dismiss the joy of knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.

Neither can a "stranger" take away that joy!

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

Notice the contrast between "house" and "tabernacle." The house is a permanent residence. The tabernacle is a movable tent.

Even though a person lives in a mansion, if he is without God in his life, he will be "overthrown."

But even though a person lives in a tent, with God in his life, he will prosper.

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

Now this verse really comes to life in my heart sometimes when I'm visiting. Someone will say, "Well, I live a good life. I don't lie, cheat, steal, or gossip. And I really don't see how those hypocrites in church think they're going to heaven."

This person is trying to REASON whether God really is, and whether God will actually save sinners. A person can live a morally upright life and still find God saying at judgment day, "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." You see, God is not to be REASONED, God is to be SURRENDERED TO!

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

There are many things in life that bring joy. But even in the most joyous moments, we realize SIN! That realization is "heaviness," and is intended by our Lord to draw us to Him.

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

What is a "backslider" anyway? Hosea 4:16 refers to Israel as a "backsliding heifer."

The picture of a backslider is the picture of a cow being led by her master. She then plants her back feet, begins peddling BACKWARDS! That's "backsliding." The cow is generally docile, and obediently follows her master. But sometimes she just gets that rebellious spirit and BACKSLIDES!

Now picture a Christian, being led by the Master. Then he becomes DISOBEDIENT! That's BACKSLIDING. And God says he will be "filled with his own ways." When a man is filled with his own ways, he is filled with SIN! And sin brings consequences!

The last part of this verse shows that it is much better to be satisfied with being obedient to God.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

There are many stories going around. Evolution is one of them; so is reincarnation. A man should be "prudent" and give a tremendous amount of thought to eternity!

When a "wise man" hears of danger, he immediately removes himself. When a "foolish" man hears of danger, he brags of his ability and rushes forward.

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

To be quickly angry is to be without God's guidance. A wise person will defer anger.

No one likes a person who is constantly doing things that are evil.

See also Verse 29. Being quickly angry reflects an absence of the leadership of God.

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The inheritance of the person without God is "folly" - or ERROR! However, the person living for Christ will receive a crown of knowledge. He will have better knowledge on earth, and complete knowledge in heaven.

There is going to be a final judgment day. In that day, the wicked will bow before the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. 21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Worldly standards are to give attention to the rich and forsake the poor.

But God says to despse ANY neighbor is SIN! In fact Jesus said the second greatest commandmen in all the Word of God is to "love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39)

Have MERCY on the poor. Help them. Yes, the poor are ALWAYS present (Matthew 26:11). Therefore, it is a CONSTANT job. Do not neglect the poor.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

God has mercy upon and reveals truth to those who determine to live according to His will. The error of the person who lives without Christ in control of his life is an ETERNAL error.

Many people "talk" a good job. Talking without doing will lead to "penury" (or poverty).

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

There are those who are rich and have Christ. Their wisdom is shown by how they use their money and possessions.

There are those who are rich and do not have Christ. Their "foolishness" is shown by how they use their riches.

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

Being truthful helps others; speaking lies hurts others.

If a person is truly "in Christ," he will be a TRUE witness and try to help people with his words.

26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

the "fear" of the LORD is genuine reverence for Him and His leadership in our lives. Having a genuine reverence for God yields CONFIDENCE. The Christian KNOWS where he is going! He may not know WHEN, but he knows he's going to be with the Lord at the end of his physical life.

This confidence leads to children receiving the same knowledge. And that knowledge helps them to live a life of hope rather than a life of disarray. It becomes a "fountain of life" to children and grandchildren.

Living in Christ, also delivers a person from the "snares of death." The Christian fears sinfulness because of the consequences. And the ultimate end of the Christian is to find REAL LIFE with Christ!

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

A king who has many subjects is obviously better off than the king who has few subjects. ((This could apply to managers too!))

Obviously there is a contrast here. The king who has many subjects cares about his people and encourages them. The king who does NOT do so, causes his own destruction; for his subjects will be few.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

The "sound heart" is a spirit without malice: a kind soul. This person has a genuine spirit for living.

On the other hand, ENVY will ruin a life!

A person who oppresses him that is already oppressed (the poor) is a reproach to God! A person who HONORS God will also have mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Wisdom is to BE righteous in living; and that means to live reverencing God and being obedient to Him.

This kind of living EXALTS a nation. When people believe and trust in Christ, and live for His glory, the nation is blessed.

The leadership of a nation should "favor" those who live righteously because they will not ordinarily bring "shame" the the nation.

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.