Proverbs: Wisdom for Daily Living

By Kay Thompson Brown

This book is a Bible study on Proverbs. It consists of twenty-eight themes including "Parents", "Children", "Fear of the Lord", "Self-control, etc. in which verses that pertain to each theme are grouped together. The Author takes examples from throughout the Bible to show how the people of Biblical times conducted themselves with regard to these themes and the consequences of their conduct. There are questions at the end of each chapter. These same questions with their answers are compiled at the end of the study.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay Thompson Brown
• Release date: May 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301238972

Kay Thompson Brown

About the Author: Kay graduated from Auburn University with a BA degree in Spanish and a Masters of Hispanic Studies. She married Davey Brown while at the university. After college they moved to Vidalia, Georgia, where she taught Spanish at the high school. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vidalia. She played the piano, planned the socials, and substitute taught for her Sunday school class. Also while in Vidalia, she was a charter member of the Pilot club and was a member of the Vidalia Recreation Board. After she and her husband moved to Dublin, Georgia, she taught Spanish at Trinity Christian School. She became a member of the First Baptist Church of Dublin and taught Sunday school classes there. She was a member of the Dublin Service League for ten years. She and Davey have a son, Lance Davey Brown, and a daughter, Dana Kay Davis. She has four grandsons and one granddaughter on the way.

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Proverbs: Wisdom for Daily Living

By: Kay Thompson Brown

Copyright 2013 Kay Thompson Brown

Cover Design Copyright © 2013 Kay Thompson Brown

Cover Design by Mark Shearman

Scripture quotations taken from the

The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc.

Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Women's Devotional Bible

Copyright 2012 by Zondervan

All Rights Reserved.

New International Version and NIV are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc."

Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the publisher.

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This book is dedicated to my children:

Lance Davey Brown and Dana Kay Brown Davis

May both of you be blessed with the wisdom of God that gives the heart the discernment needed to make wise decisions.

Table of Contents

Chapter I. Wisdom

Chapter II. Repetition of Words

Chapter III. Parents

Chapter IV. Children

Chapter V. Love for a Neighbor

Chapter VI. Adulterers

Chapter VII. The Righteous vs. the Wicked

Chapter VIII. The Heart

Chapter IX. The Wealthy and their Greed vs. the Poor

Chapter X. Discipline

Chapter XI. Kindness

Chapter XII. Love vs. Hate

Chapter XIII. Fear of the Lord

Chapter XIV. The Tongue

Chapter XV. A Proverbs 31 Wife

Chapter XVI. A Woman

Chapter XVII. Work vs. Laziness

Chapter XVIII. Pride

Chapter XIX. Foolishness vs. Prudence

Chapter XX. Honesty

Chapter XXI. Patience vs. Anger

Chapter XXII. Envy

Chapter XXIII. Honor

Chapter XXIV. Authority

Chapter XXV. God’s Control

Chapter XXVI. Self-Control

Chapter XXVII. Stewardship

Chapter XXVIII. Confession of Sin

Author’s Note

Answers to chapter questions.

Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 (NIV)

Prologue

When I would read Proverbs during my Bible Studies, I would write a letter beside each verse to remind me about the topic to which it referred. I would put a C beside a verse that spoke about children and how to teach them. I would put a W for wife or woman so I could learn about what God expects of wise women. A T beside a verse instantly told me that it was about the tongue and how it could encourage or hurt. I continued to write this letter code and then started adding words like Fear beside some of the verses so that I would recognize God's Word about the fear of the Lord. This led me to write this book about the wisdom that we learn from Proverbs. Also included are examples of Biblical men and women and what resulted when they followed or rejected wisdom.

In Proverbs, obviously the overall theme is wisdom, and Solomon directs people to place a high regard on wisdom. I have placed verses from Proverbs under a theme to show to which specific group or topic the proverbs apply. For example, there are times when the Proverbs direct themselves to Wisdom, Parents, Children, Love for a Neighbor, Adulterers, The Righteous vs. the Wicked, The Heart, The Wealthy and their Greed vs. the Poor, Discipline, Kindness, Love vs. Hate, The Fear of the Lord, The Tongue, A Proverbs 31 Wife, A Woman, Work vs. Laziness, Pride, Foolishness vs. Prudence, Honesty, Patience vs. Anger, Envy, Honor, Authority, God’s Control, Self-control, Stewardship, and The Confession of Sin.

I decided that others might like to read a study about the verses that most spoke to me about topics of moral conduct and the roles in which we participate. The readers could ponder how following or ignoring wisdom affected them personally. I have included verses from throughout the Bible to show some of the decisions that the men and women made back in Biblical times so that we can learn from their mistakes. Today we are faced with many of the same circumstances and difficult decisions, but we can learn from Biblical history and God's Word. Examples from my life show how God's wisdom is still relevant today. Asterisks precede commentary by the author. This commentary was written over four years with the constant prayer that these words would glorify God and His purposes.

Chapter I. Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;

Proverbs1: 29-33, (29) Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. (30) Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, (31) they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes, (32) For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; (33) but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm."

**The evil ones do not have reverence for the Lord. They don’t want the heart knowledge that comes from a personal relationship with God. Heart wisdom is not made up of just facts. It is deeply felt and causes a compelling desire to want to understand and apply this wisdom. The foolish are complacent and are unconcerned about the consequences of their sinful actions. They will be filled with hatred, bitterness, lack of self-control, impatience, evil thoughts, apathy, sorrow, despair, arrogance, and other emotions that have nothing to do with the fruits of the Spirit.

** If we love God with all our hearts and wish for a personal relationship with Him, the Holy Spirit will fill us with a joy that will be reflected in our faces. Others will see the hope that is within us through Jesus Christ our Lord. We will have self-control unlike those who scheme for their own ends. Schemers will reap sorrow and despair because they choose to be separated from God. They see only temporal and material rewards that they will seek by any means regardless of the damage to themselves and others.

Proverbs 2:1-5, (1) My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, (3) and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, (4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

**Constantly the word or suggestion of treasure is used as an incentive for the son to find wisdom. We must remember the verses Matthew 6:19-21, (19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 2:6-9, (6) For the lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (7) He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, (8) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. (9) Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-every good path.

**The fear of the Lord is awe for the holiness and the majesty of God. God is separate from the evil desires of humanity and has given us a way to separate ourselves through His Son Jesus Christ when He died on the cross. We take on His character that is fair, just, truthful, noble, compassionate, and wise. We must take the time to completely know Jesus in our hearts. Do we understand that He is the One whose name is sacred and that He is the Divine One who does not deserve a casual response from us? Our treasure and our hope are in Him, and we need to earnestly seek His face, His character, and His pleasure. We must seek every good path. He shields, guards, and protects us on this path.

Proverbs 2:10-13, (10) For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (11) Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (12) Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, (13) who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

**Notice what wisdom can do for you: grab your heart, please your soul, protect you, guard you, and save you.

Proverbs 3:13-18, (13) Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, (14) for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. (15) She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. (16) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (17) Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

**To become wise, man must understand that a peaceful path is more rewarding than precious metals. What could be better than eternal life and the peace that passes all understanding? The peace we obtain is that which allows us to turn our worries over to God and to know without a doubt that He wants good things for us. We then depend on the Holy Spirit to indwell us and guide us. We become wise in His ways, which teach us of His power, character, and sacrifice. Jesus blessed us with His unconditional love when He sacrificed Himself on the cross and saved us.

Proverbs 3:19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

**Only God with His omniscience and omnipotence could create a world and fill it with all the beauty that is seen there. How lovely is the earth with all its flora, fauna, seasons, landscapes, and people of all races and traditions! When we start to feel deprived in any way, let us use our senses to look around at the lakes, rivers, oceans, mountains, hills, and valleys. Let us touch a child, pat a dog, smell the perfume of flowers, listen to a babbling brook, taste hot warm cinnamon buns or drink tart lemonade. Does it not give us peace to think upon these things and just let ourselves relax into it all? I sometimes think that if some of the kids in the inner cities had more chances to enjoy nature by hiking, fishing, biking, or whatever, then they would see that God exists and know that He is the real Comforter and Provider.

Proverbs 3:21-24, (21) My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; (22) they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. (23) Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; (24) when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.

**Sound judgment, based on Godly knowledge, will keep us assured when we are fearful during difficult times. It will guide us to make right decisions when we are under stress and when we are being coaxed to do wrong things by evildoers. We will not fear calamity or strife because we know with every fiber of our beings that God is with us.

Proverbs 19:2 Desire without knowledge is not good-how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

**I think that we Christians desire to do good things to glorify God and desire to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. We more mature Christians realize that to do good things for the sake of being good is not what compassion and helping is about. Our hearts must be full of God's love for our fellow man, and we must be on a course to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. Even when we are mature Christians, there is still much to learn about God's wisdom. When we pray with Him and listen to His plans for us, we become wiser after each day’s communion with Him. At some point however, we may even falsely think that we finally understand it all until we are enlightened by an illuminating moment from God.

**This happened to me after a trip to Colorado. I have always felt that I could commiserate with the poor and the problems that they face in society. Even though, while at home with parents and later with my husband, I never had a lack of money, I assumed that I would be okay if some problem took away some of my financial security. I felt this way because I thought that I was strong and had enough character that I would be able to face any trials with confidence and faith in God.

** When we were in the mountains of Colorado with friends, we stayed at a cabin on a lake. The lake and backdrop were beautiful, and I felt so in tune with God and His creation. The cabin was clean and had five beds that were just what we five wives needed. The men had bunk beds in the little cabin on one of the couple's property. The property owners had warned us before traveling that there were outhouses, but I felt sure that I would be able to manage. I told them that it would be unpleasant but that it would be part of the adventure. When we arrived at the cabin to drop off the women's suitcases, one of the ladies checked out the outhouse and came back saying that we would not be able to stand the odor. Remember that strength of character that I thought I had? Well, I lost it and my self-control because I ran into the little grocery store next to the cabin and strongly told the man who rented it for us that I would not use that outhouse. Unfortunately, the lady who rented the cabin was running the grocery and heard me. My friend told me later that I had hurt her feelings because she had tried to welcome us with a vase of fresh flowers and a clean room. After hearing that, I really felt bad and disappointed in myself. It was as if I had turned into another person, and it was one that I didn't recognize or like. I went back to apologize and explain that I had never even been camping much less used an outhouse. I told myself that I would have to deal with it. It was not renewed courage that got my acceptance but rather a result of there being no other choice. We were blessed however, because the lady must have felt sorry for us because she gave us a key to a bathroom in the grocery that had a shower and commode. The only negative thing about this was that it was a short distance from our cabin, and we had to use a flashlight and traipse over there in the middle of the night. Of course, I was still very thankful and happy to have these accommodations. We did have a wonderful time with the mountain views, picnics, hiking, looking for deer and elk, and riding horses and four wheelers. We had already visited Santa Fe, Durango, and Telluride where we shopped and ate at wonderful restaurants. While I was in Santa Fe, my husband bought me a pair of pricey cowboy boots, and I loved them.

**When we returned home, I returned to my blessed life. I drove my nice convertible wearing my gorgeous boots to buy groceries that were organic and expensive. Later that day, I went to the dentist for a six-month checkup and also made an appointment to get my teeth whitened. Getting your teeth whitened is another expensive luxury. I thought about the lady who cleaned at the nursing home where my mother lives. She had teeth that hurt constantly, and the only thing that she could afford to do for the problem was to have all her