Under Gods Command

Proverbs 30:15-16 The leech has two daughters. Give! Give! They cry.  There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, Enough! 16 the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, Enough. 

These two blood-sucking mouths of the horseleech, which lived off the blood of its victim, are used to picture the insatiably greedy.

A leach or a bloodsucker hangs on until torn from the flesh. The greed for these things is over-emphasized in this “horseleech”.

Four illustrations of the greedy are given, all of which are parasitic in nature and characterize the heart of human greed.

The grave always has room for more. As long as one person is alive, there is room for that one more.

All women who have not been able to have a child are never satisfied. Many of them adopt because the desire for children is so great. The Hebrews thought it to be a curse.  Most women feel cheated that they have not had children.

The earth drinks in all the water that is rained upon it.

The more wood that is put on the fire just makes it burn hotter. It will take all the wood you feed it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 

Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

When you train a son correctly, you have nothing to fear from his behavior. A good son brings pleasure and good memories to his parents.

(In Prov. 22:6), we learned that we should train up a child in the way he should go. Since it is obvious that early training secures lifelong habits, parents must teach God’s Word and enforcing it with loving discipline consistently throughout the child’s upbringing.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

This proverb looks both to the lack of the Word and the lack of hearing the Word, which leads to lawless rebellion. The proverb then contrasts the joy and glory of a lawful society. A vision from God can be the will of God being revealed to you in a supernatural way. To lose sight of the will of God would certainly cause us to perish. The person who knows the will of God and is living in that will is very happy and contented, knowing they are pleasing God.

Proverbs 28:15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

A roaring lion goes seeking whom he may devour. The poor have nothing to protect them and fall prey to this evil ruler.

A ranging bear and a lion will destroy the helpless. You may be sure the evil king will do no less to the poor.

Proverbs 28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.

This first prince does not understand the needs of his people and would be an evil oppressor of his own people. The tyrannical leader who is covetous is foolish and short lived. The people would desire to overthrow this evil prince.

 His opposite would be a prince who realizes there is a God over him, and he would be seeking to help and not harm his people. They will shout, “Long live the prince”

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend with whom you can sharpen your mind.  You can discuss certain things with him or her with real profit. There is nothing like a friend who you can sit down and talk about spiritual matters.  You will always come away refreshed and strengthened, and I always learned something.  It’s a wonderful to have a friend like that. 

Mental sharpness comes from being around good people.  And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights.  This requires discussion partners who can challenge one another and stimulate thought-people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper.

Proverbs 27:18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. 

With all the problems and concerns a leader has, it can be easy to overlook the very people who most deserve attention-faithful employees or volunteers (those who tend the fig trees).  The people who stand behind you, who work hard and help you get the job done, deserve to share in your success.  Be sure that in all your worrying, planning, and organizing, you don’t forget the people who are helping you the most. 

Proverbs 26:13-16  13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the street”. 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.  15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

Those unwilling to work can always find excuses. Yet laziness is more dangerous than a prowling lion: the less you do, the less you want to do, and the less useful you become. Overcome it by taking small steps. Set a specific, realistic goal, identify the actions required, and follow through. Pray for strength and perseverance. Stop making excuses before they make you ineffective.

A door swings back and forth on its hinges but never leaves its place. Likewise, a lazy person tosses and turns in bed without getting up to work.

The lazy person loves sleep so much that he seems hinged to his bed, turning from side to side but going nowhere.

The sluggard is so self-absorbed that he refuses advice and sees no need to learn. He assumes he already has every answer without making any effort. Whether counsel comes from seven wise people or many more, he rejects it unless it fully agrees with him.

The ignorant often fail to recognize their own ignorance.

Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit.

A certain amount of sweetness is wonderful, but after you are full, extra sweetness can make you sick. This could go with verse 17 that instructs the wise not to overdo anything that may lead to disgust and rejection, including overstaying or being overbearing with a friend who may begin to resent him.

Proverbs 25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, to much of you and they will hate you. 

We see in this that we are not to wear our welcome out with our neighbors. Close friends enjoy each other, but they also know when it’s time to go home.