By Mike Peek

What does it say? Proverbs 30 - It is the Son of God who ascended into heaven and descended, gathers the wind in his hand and established everything. What is the name of the son of God? Agur knows that the words of God are true and asks two things of Him: To keep deception and lies from him and to not give him either riches or poverty but exactly what he needs to live to keep him from evil. There is a kind of man who curses his father and mother, who thinks that he is noble, and who devours the needy, Leeches are always wanting and never giving. These four are always wanting more: Sheol, the barren womb, dry earth and fire. There are four things that Agur does not understand: the flight of the eagle, how a snake gets on a rock, how a ship floats and the love of man for woman. There four things that shake the earth: a slave who comes to power, a fool who is satisfied, a woman who gets a husband, and a maid servant who supplants her mistress. Four small things that are very wise: ants, r...

What does it say? In this section, I usually write single sentences, summarizing each paragraph into individual thoughts. However, most Proverbs are given as individual thoughts. Therefore, until the text returns to larger thoughts in paragraph form, I will begin by answering, What does it mean? What does it mean? We have no idea what is coming. Praising oneself is just silly and not worth anything but to be acknowledged by others without seeking it is good. It is better to be rebuked than ignored. It is good to be careful as we walk through this world. We should always be kind and consider the others situation before greeting our friends. It is impossible to constrain people who are contentious. Men need other men to help them in this life. Whatever is in a persons heart will eventually be revealed. People always desire more than what they have. You need to care of the things that God has given you and this requires your attention. When a person has done something wrong they are worri...

This morning I read and wrote comments on Proverbs 24-26. Proverbs 24 By wisdom and understanding men are able to accomplish things. Without these we plod through life without making plans or knowing where we are going. We cannot live life alone. If we do not know something it is wise to take counsel from the knowing. If you know that something devious is happening, the right thing to do is to speak and take action. Men and women across the world are headed for death. They stagger through life on their way to slaughter. We have the words of life so preach the gospel. When your enemy falls, do not rejoice because this is not pleasing to the Lord. It would be better if he had come to repentance. We should fear God and the king. All authority has been given by God. Paul understood this even in the context of the Roman government which oppressed the people. There is wisdom for rulers. Rulers should not show partiality in judgment. Doing so will anger the people and make his ruling much mor...

This morning, I am writing my thoughts as I read Proverbs 22-23. These are general proverbial sayings on life and conduct. Many of the sayings are only applicable in the historical-cultural context in which they were written but much of them are applicable in my life today. It is on these I will be making comments as they apply in my context. Proverbs 22 I once had a good name in the CVICU. I had a reputation with the other nurses as the go to guy when they had question about care and the physicians trusted my judgment. I recently went back to the unit after being gone for 1 1/2 years. There had been a total turnover of the nursing staff. The physicians have been replaced on the unit by nurse practitioners and Physician assistance. Not many no me, so I feel as though my good name has been lost. Yes, a good name is more desirable than gold. God is the maker of us all; therefore, all should be honored no matter their financial status. It bothers me that my hospital holds the wealthy pati...

This morning I am reading Proverbs 19-21 and these are my thoughts. The proverbs before contrasted the righteous and the wicked but these proverbs are general sayings on life and conduct.  Proverbs 19 It is good to be wealthy because you will have many friends and bad to be poor because you will be separated from friends. This is true to the extent that a rich man is generous and gives gifts. There is much written against lying in the proverbs. The 9th commandment: “You shall not testify falsely against your neighbor” is understood as a general prohibition against lying. We should be gracious to the poor because doing so is giving to the Lord.  We should always be kind and truthful, both of these are the way to live life and conduct ourselves everyday.  Proverbs 20 It is not wise to be a drinker. There has been much debate about this in Christian life because Jesus and his disciples drank wine. The difference is strong drink and intoxication. A glass of wine with a dinner...

This morning, I will be reading Proverbs 16-18 and making comments while I read; however, I will not be commenting on every verse but on those which apply in my life. All of these texts are single thoughts contrasting the upright and the wicked. I have thought what I was doing was for my neighbor but it was actually done for my own glory. The scripture says the Lord made the wicked for the day of evil. I confess that this is difficult. Yes, I would rather be poor and walk in the way of Christ than be rich and evil. Sanctification is an interesting things because it is man thinking and God directing his steps. Rulers are established to deal out justice. Wisdom and understanding are the most valuable things on earth. When I have been most vulnerable to fall was when I was prideful. We think that we know what we are doing, “I got this!” However, we are like children who need the guiding hand of a Father and the word does that. It is for hunger that a man works and it is for the good of th...

Today, I will be reading Proverbs 10-15 and making comments on the text a chapter at a time. This section transitions to general proverbial sayings. Proverbs 10  These are general principles to live by and this chapter contrast the righteous and the wicked. Do you want to live a long life and do well before God and men? Then do what the righteous man does and not what wicked men do. These are general principles for life and not hard and fast laws but generally speaking what is said is what normally will occur.  Proverbs 11 This chapter continues to contrast the righteous way of life and the wicked way of life; however, in this chapter the result is one of love rather than prospering physically as was the case in chapter 10. Live a life that honors the Lord and love ones neighbor is the righteous way. Live dishonorably and hating ones neighbor is the wicked way. Each will receive a just reward. Proverbs 12 A man who daily reads these proverbs does well because this is the begin...

Proverbs 7:1-5 The father loves his son and instructs his son to treasure his commandments and his teaching. He speaks to him of making wisdom his sister and understanding his close friend. Proverbs 7:6-23 A scene is describe in which an adulterous woman entices a young man to her bed. She describes the situation being one where he could not be caught; however, it will cost him his life. Sin always leads to death. Proverbs 7:24-27 The father tells his son to not let his heart be turned aside to lusts because the house of lust is the way of death.  Proverbs 8:1-11 Wisdom speaks truth and hates wickedness. The good son should desire wisdom above all the treasures of the earth. Proverbs 8:12-21 To live wisely is to live prudently, not making any hasty decisions. A good ruler will govern prudently. Keep in mind at all times to fear the Lord is to hate evil, pride, arrogance and the perverted tongue. Cursing is not to be in the mouth of those who fear the Lord. Proverbs 8:22-31 Wisdom e...

Proverbs 4:1-9 A good father teaches his son wisdom and encourages him to acquire learning all the days of his life. My earthly father encouraged me and my Heavenly Father more so.  Proverbs 4:10-19 Wisdom is to walk righteously and not walk the path of wicked. The wicked seek to harm men and want others to take part in their wickedness. Men like this should be avoided because to walk rightly, most times will lead to a long and prosperous life.  Proverbs 4:20-27 He writes as a father to a son and encourages attention to his words. A man pen these words but under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; therefore, this should be understood as a letter from our heavenly Father. He says to watch-over our heart, do not lie to others and keep your eyes from lusts. If I had walked in this way during my youth I would not have the regrets that I now have but praise be to God for turning me to the way of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 5:1-6 Sin may look good to the eye and even feel good for a whil...

Proverbs 1 No matter your age, you can learn knowledge and discretion, and if you are wise you will listen and increase your learning. The fear of the Lord is beginning of knowledge because it will keep you from being enticed by sin. Listen to wisdom because if you do, the Lord will bless you and keep you but if you do not, if you ignore good advice the Lord will forsake you.  Proverbs 2 If you seek for wisdom, as you would a treasure, then you will recognize the reason for fearing the Lord and you will know God. The Lord gives wisdom to those who listen to Him; if your heart is upright, wisdom will be pleasant to your inner most being and will deliver you from the way of evil. Sin always leads to death but the path of wisdom is the upright path, the way of life. Proverbs 3 Listen to wisdom all of the days of your life and do not lean on your own understanding but trust the Lord, for He is wisdom. You may think in your mind that it would be wise to hold on to funds but the Lord has...