Proverbs 16:14 ESV A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A14&version=ESV] The authority of God is a hard pill to swallow, even for those of us used to swallowing hard pills. We want a pleasantly schizophrenic deity- vicious towards our enemies, blinds to our faults, flattering…
Proverbs 16:13 ESV Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A13&version=ESV] This verse is yet another Proverb that at first blush seems flat contrary to common sense and history. Sure, we’d all love if our rulers appreciated being told when they’re wrong, that they…
Proverbs 16:12 ESV It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A12&version=ESV] What makes a king a king, a man a man, a parent a parent, a deacon a deacon? Certainly for all of these, some prerequisites are set- whether formal investiture, in the first and…
Proverbs 16:11 ESV A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A11&version=ESV] We suffer under a delusion of sufficiency. Our minds, our hearts, they are enough to carry us through, or so we think. We traipse around, forgetting God in deed if not word, and we…
Proverbs 16:10 ESV An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A10&version=ESV] Kings and judges alike are corrupt, evil men. James II, Nero, Stalin, and Genghis Khan: all these kings (for they were all kings) were men of vile passions and evil deeds, men who slaughtered…
Proverbs 16:9 ESV The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A9&version=ESV] Why does life happen the way it does? Why do some acts brings one result and some another? Why do we hurt or love or enjoy or despair? Life has a thousands bits and pieces in it, and…
Proverbs 16:8 ESV Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A8&version=ESV] Envy lives strong in mankind’s heart. Envy, the strong right hand of greed, topples empires and slaughters innocents; envy brings first seeming justice and then damning evil; envy finds a pretext for every deed, so long as its victim…
Proverbs 16:7 ESV When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A7&version=ESV] This proverb is one which the world seems to flat out contradict. We try our best, it seems, and our enemies still persist in being our enemies, still assault us. It doesn’t…
Proverbs 16:6 ESV By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A6&version=ESV] Reconciliation doesn’t come easy. When my brother sins against me, I will struggle with how to handle the problem- where the lines are, what forgiveness means, what it doesn’t…
Proverbs 16:5 ESV Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A5&version=ESV] Man’s arrogance really lacks bounds. We are sure of ourselves in all sorts of ways, from controlling the world to controlling how the next day will go to controlling our own hearts.…