September 21 – Proverbs: Assorted Verses

Main Focus: Manhood

Proverbs 24:5-6
The source of true strength is found in wisdom; by implication, strength and might apart from wisdom will be ineffective. Wise guidance obtained in consultation with an abundance of counselors is the key to victory whether in war or in any circumstance that requires might and power. Wisdom carefully acquired and applied is the means of success in all of life.

Proverbs 27:17
The image is that interaction with a good man (both as he encourages and corrects) hones one’s skill in handling challenges. Man translates Hebrew ’ish, a word that specifically refers to a male human being. But such concrete examples in Proverbs
invite broader application.

Proverbs 12:9-11
These are sayings about ordinary workers that illustrate either the “good sense” or the “twisted mind” of v.8. Lack bread (end of v.9) is paralleled by lacks sense (end of v.11), and both verses speak of the importance of prudent labor in order to provide enough to eat. The point of the whole is that the righteous person cares even for his animals (v.10a) and provides for his household by a sensible perspective on life (v.9a) and sensible labors (v.11a). By contrast, he who follows worthless pursuits; such as get-rich-quick schemes, gambling, or lotteries, in a modern context) lacks sense and, by contrast with the first half of the verse, will probably live in poverty as well.

Proverbs 29:8-11
These four proverbs describe the rage, havoc, and violence that accompany evil and folly. Such men set a city aflame (v.8), are abusive and rude in a dispute (v.9), hate people of integrity (v.10), and give full vent to every passion they feel (v.11). The upright in verse 10 means that the upright are concerned to vindicate the hated blameless man.