Mastering the Art of Wisdom
Proverbs 26:1-28
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 is 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)
Themes
Wisdom vs. Folly
The Consequences of Laziness
The Use and Misuse of Words
The Danger of Deception and Malice
Topics
Foolishness
Laziness
Deception
Slander
Potential Sermon Titles: ??
Intro Questions to get us thinking:
- The last time you dressed up for a costume party, what did you go as? Why that get-up?
- What character would you like to impersonate the next time you go to a masquerade party?
ESV Text with Highlights
#God =
#People = The Fool, The Lazy Person, The Deceiver, The Gossiper
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
#People = The Fool, The Lazy Person, The Deceiver, The Gossiper
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
Proverbs 26 ESV
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
PRAYER: Lord, may we never be too lazy to learn from our mistakes. In the Name of Jesus.
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is one who gives honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.a
11Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23Like the glazeb covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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
Proverbs 26 is a chapter that focuses on the folly and foolishness of certain people.
Section 1: The Fool (verses 1-12)
Section 2: The Lazy Person (verses 13-16)
Section 3: The Misuse of Words (verses 17-28)
Facts on the Fool (26:1–12): A fool should not be trusted or honored.
Seven Times Smarter (26:13–16): A lazy person thinks he’s smart, but he’s only full of excuses.
Mind Your Own Business (26:17–19): You should not interfere in other people’s arguments.
Gossip Generates Grief (26:20–28): The hurt you intend for others by gossiping about them will come back on you.
The chapter highlights their negative qualities and behaviors, such as:
- The lazy person: They avoid work and are often unreliable.
- The quarrelsome person: They are argumentative and disruptive.
- The fool: They lack wisdom and understanding, often making poor choices.
- The slanderer: They spread rumors and gossip.
- The deceitful person: They are dishonest and manipulative.
- The proud person: They have a high opinion of themselves and are often arrogant.
The chapter offers timeless wisdom on various aspects of life, highlighting the characteristics of fools, the impact of laziness, and the dangers of deception and misuse of words. It emphasizes the importance of living wisely and avoiding foolish behavior in daily life and relationships.
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)
BlueLetter (King James Version) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)
BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BibleHub (BSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BibleRef.com (New King James Version) Basic able to compare core translations.
KnowingJesus (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)
Bible.com (Lexham English Bible)
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What three one-word titles can your group come up with to fit the three main divisions of this chapter? What three summary verses amplify your subject themes?
- What examples of an "undeserved curse" come to mind (v. 2; see Num 23:8; 2 Sam 16:5-12)?
- Verses 4-5 seem self-contradictory. What is Solomon's point? What good might result from not arguing with a fool? What bad might come from not arguing?
- To what is a "proverb in the mouth of a fool" compared (v. 9)? Why this analogy? What would be a modern equivalent?
- What does verse 10 tell an employer about hiring practices? What general principle is at work here?
- The "sluggard" has suffered some bad press, but who in your group would not see themselves in this mirror: Verse 13, the sluggard as realist? Verse 14, the sluggard as not a morning person? Verse 15, the one who objects to being hustled? Verse 16, the one who sticks to his guns?
- What is the point of the observations in verses 17-28 about mischief-making? Which of the actions described here seem innocent, but are not? What "life principle" is implied by verse 27?
APPLICATION (God wants us all to arrive at action, life-changing faith)
ESV (English Standard Version) Good translation with some helpful resources.
Biblegateway (Christian Standard Bible) has some application resources.
The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)
Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)
- How does this chapter leave you: Uplifted? Slapped down? Laughing at yourself in a mirror? What lies behind that feeling?
- Which proverb hits closest to home? How so?
- Solomon might well say today, "A fool opens mouth, inserts foot" (compare vv. 6-7). How might such a fool fit something you've done recently? When you meet someone you want to impress, how do you "put your best foot forward"? What about you is considered your best foot?
- Have you been "cursed" before, as in verse 2? What did it feel like? With this verse in mind, how will you reply next time at work? At home?
- If a malicious person can disguise himself (vv. 24-26), how can he be "exposed"?
- In the mirror of verses 13-16, what made you laugh the hardest? In what areas or circumstances of your life have you been like a sluggard? Why? What can you do to change?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others via social media links at this bottom.
Take Away Challenges
- Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
- What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
PRAYER: Lord, may we never be too lazy to learn from our mistakes. In the Name of Jesus.
#Blessings #Curses
Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Proverbs 8:18 Riches and honour are with me [wisdom]; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Proverbs 10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Proverbs 11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 24:24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Proverbs 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Other Resources:
- Audio Recordings
Through the Word = Audio
Proverbs 26 - Wise in Their Own Eyes
Discovery Bible Study
Articles
Devotions
- 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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