Wisdom's Blessings Come From The Lord
Words Of Advice To A Wise Son
Proverbs 16:1-33
PICTURE
Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying we must ask the following questions:
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE(Multiple times & translations and notice the words that standout)
Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. It's a Great app, better on computers or on smartphones)
StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)
Literal Word (New American Standard Bible) (Works well on a smartphone or computer + for searching for words like a printed concordance)
Biblia.com (New Century Version) (Great on a computer especially if you have a logos account)
BibleRef.com (New King James Version) Basic able to compare core translations.
Bible.com (Lexham English Bible)
Hashtags:
#Wisdom
#Commit
#Work
Themes
Divine Wisdom
Human Plans vs God's Purpose
Personal Conduct
The Consequences of Actions
The Power of Words
The Importance of Righteousness and Justice
Topics
Trust in God
Role of Wisdom
The Power of Truth
The Meaning of Righteousness
The Consequences of Pride
Potential Sermon Titles: ??
Intro Questions to get us thinking:
- Who plans most of the trips in your family? What does this involve: Family consensus? Long-range commitments? Prayer? Winning a lottery? Flying by the seat of your pants? Paralysis of indecision? Getting lost?
- At work, what is your usual role: Active initiator? Reliable respondent? Delegated to implement? Just along for the ride? Foot-dragger? Antagonist?
ESV Text with Highlights
#God
#People = The LORD (God), Wise men, The King, The Righteous, The Wicked
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
#People = The LORD (God), Wise men, The King, The Righteous, The Wicked
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
Proverbs 16 ESV
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.[a]
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[b] will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[c]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[d] is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[e] dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.[a]
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[b] will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[c]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[d] is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[e] dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
OBSERVATIONS(Reflect on the topic and build the concept the writer is trying to communicate to the original audience)
ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)
Bible Project (NLT) (Helpful videos and instructions for the bigger picture)
Thematic Bible(Books and Chapters Structure)
Bible Hub = Outline, Themes, Topics, People, Locations, and Questions
Divine Direction and Human Plans (Verses 1-3)
God's Justice and Human Actions (Verses 4-9)
The Divine Wisdom and Kingship (Verses 10-15)
The Value of Wisdom over Wealth (Verses 16-19)
The Consequences of our Words and Actions (Verses 20-30)
Living in Righteousness and Peace (Verses 31-33)
or
Wisdom instructs on God’s providential care.
- A Purpose for Everything (16:1–9): “Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.”
- Kingly Advice (16:10–15): Kings must never judge unfairly.
- More Glorious than Gold (16:16–17): Wisdom and understanding are better than riches.
- Pride and Prosperity (16:18–24): It is better to be humble and poor than proud and rich.
- A Godless Grouping (16:25–30): The way that seems right actually leads to death.
- Temper Your Temper! (16:31–33): “It is better to be patient than powerful.”
STUDY RESOURCES (This takes some work and here are more resources than you can go through completely)
NETBible (New English Translation) (Great for original text information)
BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BlueLetter (King James Version) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)
StudyLight (New Revised Standard) (Great site with commentaries by Burton Coffman)
KnowingJesus (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What proverbial wisdom recurs from previous chapters? What new themes are introduced here? Which one raises the most questions for you?
- What does this chapter sound like to you: (a) Personal testimony? (b) History lesson? (c) Philosophy class? (d) Father-son chat? (e) Career counseling? (f) Money matters? What elements of each do you see here?
- Compare verses 1-9 with 10-15. What are the roles and character of the Lord? Of the king? How do they compare?
- By whose love and faithfulness is sin atoned for in this context (v. 6)? Is this a denial of God's grace, or a demand for fruits that befit repentance? How is it possible to avoid evil (vv. 6,17)? Does that mean avoiding the evil mischief-makers in verses 27-30? When is that not possible?
- What principles for decision-making, goal-setting and knowing God's will do you see here (vv. 1-4, 9-10, 17, 20, 25, 33)?
- It has been said, "Man proposes, God disposes." How is that viewpoint supported here? Likewise, to what extent does Solomon say we are "free" to set goals and reach them?
- If "God works out everything for his own ends" (v. 4), does that make him responsible for evil? If not, then does evil function outside his control? If so, then does evil always serve God's purposes (e.g., the Pharaoh of Egypt; and the brothers of Joseph)? How so?
APPLICATION(God wants us all to arrive at action, life-changing faith)
The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)
Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)
- What role should feelings, circumstances, counsel, conscience, Scripture, casting lots (v. 33), oracles (v. 10) and law of the land each play, in knowing and doing God's will? Which one should be determinative? Suggestive? Confirming? Suspect? Subordinate?
- It has been said, "Don't let the good get in the way of the better." What "good" and "better" opportunities and options do you see laid out here (vv. 8, 16, 32)? Would you choose (or have you chosen) the "better" in each case? Why or why not? How would your life be different tomorrow if you didn't "go for the gold," but pursued wisdom instead?
- Which aspect of God seems uppermost in these proverbs: Just? Sovereign? Caring? Judging? Guiding? Blessing? Which aspect is God showing you these days?
- Do "disaster," "destruction" and "death" (vv. 4,18, 25) await the wayward person by God's design or by man's default?
- Who are some of the other "kings" in your life to whom you listen? Do they speak "the very words of God" (see 1 Peter 4:11)? What checks and balances on human authority does King Solomon suggest?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Other Resources:
Other YouTube Videos
Discovery Bible Study
Articles
- Devotions
Healing Choices: Controlled by Circumstances or Character
"It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities" (Proverbs 16:32 TEV).
When we say things like, 'That makes me so mad . . . so sad . . . feel so bad,' then we’re actually saying that circumstances control the way we feel. Yet, we do have a choice. We have the ability to make healing choices. We can choose to remain positive; we can choose to not let some circumstances 'make' us mad.
The ability to control our reactions, to handle hurt without retaliating is called meekness. Jesus promised, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5 NIV). Meek people control their reactions toward life and this gives them far more control over a situation than if they simply react.
If you are a meek person, you are no longer a victim. You control your choices. The best definition of meekness in the Bible is Proverbs 16:32: " . . . It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities" (TEV).
During World War II, the noted psychiatrist Victor Frankl was a prisoner in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. He said, "They took my clothes, my wife, my kids, my wedding ring. I stood naked before the SS and I realized they can take everything in my life but they cannot take my freedom to choose how I will respond to them."
That is a freedom you will always have. How do I react? How do I choose to react to those people who hurt me?
Jesus says we will be blessed when we show self-control. You might be thinking, 'That leaves me out! I can't control my reactions! I can't get them under control!' The secret of controlling your reaction is letting God's Spirit fill your life moment by moment. He'll break all those bad habits, all those patterns of reacting, all those old ways of being negative, defensive--reacting in fear, in anger, in sarcasm. He can break all those old patterns in your life and fill your life with power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Some of us are stressed out by life, by circumstances, by relationships. What do we need more than anything else? We need to develop the quality of meekness; the quality of controlling our reactions by the Spirit God has placed in us.
Links
Please let me know if you find any broken links or corrections that need to be made. Thank you for the help to make this most useful.
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