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Proverbs 6:5 (NLT)“Save yourself like a deer escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.” The Co-Signer’s Snare Solomon uses incredibly intense imagery here. He doesn’t suggest you “politely exit” an agreement; he tells you to run as if your life depends on it. The context here is co-signing—putting your name down…
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Proverbs 5:3 (NLT)“The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.” The Marketing of Immorality The author focuses on two primary senses: taste and touch. He compares the lips of the “immoral woman” to honey—the sweetest substance in Israel—and her mouth to olive oil—the smoothest substance…
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Proverbs 4:2 (NLT) “For I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my teaching.” The Young Tree and the Guide Ropes There is often an uncomfortable friction that comes with guidance. Inside every human is a natural proclivity to resist external leading. Consider a young tree: a gardener sets it with ropes and…
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Proverbs 3:2 (NLT) “…for they [God’s commands] will give you a long and satisfying life.” Quantity vs Quality Everyone intends on a long life, but a long life without satisfaction is a tragedy. Quantity is good, but quality is better. We often think satisfaction comes from what we get, but the Word teaches that it…
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Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:2–4 (NLT)“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure.” Tune, Cry, and Search!Wisdom is not a passive inheritance; it is a pursued treasure. God has made wisdom available, but He has made its…
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Purpose: Skilled Living Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:2 (NLT)“The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.” The Book of Proverbs is not merely a collection of nice quotes; it is a training manual for the believer to acquire a disciplined skill in right living. Just…