Friday's Footnote

Proverbs 14:26

 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Good morning, one and all!

For the working folks (outside of the home), I know you're glad it's Friday. For all who continue to work every day in the home, it's still Friday!! LOL! May this be a Fabulous Friday to all of you.

Chapter 14 in our Perusing the Proverbs starts out with a word picture. A wise woman, with a hammer in her hand, is building her house, while next door, there's a foolish woman who's tearing her house down. Wisdom makes all the difference in the world.

Rather than comment verse-by-verse, I'd like to just highlight a few points from this chapter. From verses two through ten, we learn that the upright fear the Lord; the lips of the wise will preserve them; a faithful witness always speaks truth; and leave foolish people alone.

In contrast, we learn that the perverse people despise the Lord; fools are filled with pride; a false witness tells lies; fools are filled with deceit; and fools mock at sin. 

If you have no oxen, you don't have to clean the barn but, if you have a lot of oxen, then you'll enjoy an increase.

Verses eleven through twenty offer us good instruction: we all know our own joys and sorrows; the house of the wicked will be overthrown while the tabernacle of the righteous will flourish (the house can be looked at as temporary while the tabernacle is more permanent or lasting). There's a way that seems right to man but that way leads to death. Make sure you know THE WAY, Jesus!! 

Sometimes our laughter turns to sadness, and after joy, we may face grief. The backslider is filled with his own ways (not the ways of God). The simple believe everything, but a man of understanding is going to search things out. A wise man fears and departs from evil, while the foolish rage and think they're okay. Don't be angry because it makes you act foolishly, and wicked people are hated. To be prudent brings a crown of knowledge.

Continuing on, we find instruction regarding having mercy on the poor. Mercy and truth will be with good people. There's a profit if you work but, if you only talk, that leads to poverty. The wise are rich in their wisdom but a fool only possesses foolishness. A true witness delivers souls but deceitful people lie. 

The fear of the Lord is described as a fountain of life and allows us to escape the snares of death. If there are a lot of people in a kingdom, the king feels honored; but if everybody is in need, it will destroy a prince. Be slow to wrath. A sound heart, or a healthy heart is the life of the flesh, but envy will bring rottenness to our bones. 

It is a reproach to our Maker if we oppress the poor, but if we honor the Lord then we will show mercy on the poor. The wicked are driven away in their wickedness, but the righteous have hope. Wisdom rests in the heart of those who are full of understanding but it's easy to see what is in the midst of fools.

Nations are exalted by righteousness but sin brings a reproach.

Kings love wise servants but they get angry at servants who cause shame. The King of kings loves wise servants but His wrath will one day be poured out on servants who have caused Him shame.

Thus ends our "discussion" of Proverbs 14. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope we've all gained something from today's reading. 

Until tomorrow, have a Fabulous Friday if at all possible and, Lord willing, we'll meet again.....