Mornings in Proverbs

By Harry Latshaw

This devotional was incubated in the late 1980's when a friend and brother, Tom Borck , encouraged me to read a chapter a day from Proverbs. The chapter to be read corresponded to the day of the month and began a journey that continues to this day. This routine began to really make a difference in the way I approached everyday life. It soon was evident that separating the spiritual life from the secular life was not what God desired. God is interested in our whole life.

This devotional is intended to provide nuggets that can be gleaned each morning as you prepare for your day. Allow Mornings In Proverbs to lead you into new insights that will enlarge you view of the Lord and your fellow man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638444800

Book preview

January 1

Proverbs 1:1–4

¹The proverbs of Solomon, David’s son who was king of Israel, [given]

²to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts,

³to acquire the discipline of wise behavior—righteousness and justice and fairness—

⁴to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young—

Verse 1 is a fit title for the book as a whole. These proverbs by Solomon (1 Kings 4:32) are for the purpose of being able to lead a godly life in the marketplace. They impart wisdom and understanding to the reader who is searching for these qualities in his life.

Verses 2–3: There are three purposes for the general reader in these verses. First, it helps the reader to know and internalize wisdom and discipline. This means that the person can have the character necessary to take correction to heart and make changes accordingly. Second it helps the reader to discern the words of understanding or as the GWT says understand deep thoughts. Proverbs encourages its readers to gain insight into its insightful sayings about life so they can become insightful about life themselves. Third it gives general readers instructions so they can behave according to wisdom. The second line of verse three defines this wisdom—righteousness, justice, and equity. These three terms reminding us that personal wisdom entails both personal moral integrity and social consciousness.

Verse 4: Beyond the general reader, Proverbs is also written to the naïve and the young. This is a great void in our culture today—passing the wisdom and knowledge necessary for life to the next generation. What are you doing?

January 2

Proverbs 2:1–5

¹My son, if you take my words [to heart] and treasure my commands within you,

²if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding,

³if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding,

⁴if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,

⁵then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God.

In these verses, we have what is called an if-then statement. It is a hypothesis (if) followed by a conclusion (then). Anyone that is familiar with the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet will recognize the if-then statement as it is used to make decisions as data is entered. In verses 1–5, we are confronted with several hypotheses. IF we receive God’s word, if we treasure his commands, if we pay attention to wisdom and understanding, if we call out to God in prayer, if we dig for wisdom like a hidden treasure, THEN we will know how to worship (fear the Lord) and we will find the knowledge of God. These if statements seem pretty simple and straightforward but on further examination they require a diligent and sustained effort to reach the conclusion. The reference to hunting for hidden treasure requires tools, preparation, maps for direction, and hard work to find the treasure. So is our approach to seeking and finding the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. Is your treasure hunt succeeding?

January 3

Proverbs 3:1–2

¹My son,

do not forget my teachings,

and keep my commands in mind,

² because they will bring you

long life, good years, and peace.

If the book of Proverbs were to be considered a setting for a dining room table, chapter 3 would be the centerpiece. It helps everything else to be better utilized and understood. Most of us learned verses 5 and 6 as young Christians. Chapter 3 sets the table for the feast that takes place when we read all of Proverbs. This chapter again begins with my son and proceeds to expound to the son the value of wisdom. He uses the negative do not forget instead of the positive remember to make his point. Sometimes the negative needs to be emphasized to drive home the point. The son is cautioned to not forget the father’s teaching and commands. The word keep not only means to obey but its broader meaning is to watch and guard the commands. It is a warning against allowing the commands to be trampled underfoot by those desiring to do things their way: opposing God.

The son may ask why should I do this? Verse 2 answers very directly—it will result in a long life, in quality of life, and peace. This is true not only for obeying our earthly father, but also our heavenly father. How do you guard the Word of God? How do you protect it?

January 4

Proverbs 4:1–2

¹Sons,

listen to your father’s discipline,

and pay attention in order to gain understanding.

² After all, I have taught you well.

Do not abandon my teachings.

Proverbs 4 speaks to the priority of wisdom in a young person’s life (v. 7). The address in verse 1 is more generic—it is to sons, not my son. Part of understanding the priority of wisdom is that this address spans three generations (verses 3–4) and the importance of passing this wisdom from one generation to the next. This is best accomplished by oral or conversational means. Verse 1 says, Listen to your father. It is tragic that our society with its single-parent prominence dismisses the father going as far as to say that the only function of a father is to donate the sperm. The intergenerational transfer of wisdom from the father is rendered null and void. How vividly I remember conversations with my father that imparted his wisdom to me. We should be reminded that this wisdom is for daughters as well as sons. Verse 2 is a warning against forsaking and abandoning this teaching. These moments of wisdom transfer must be nurtured and followed if the wisdom is to be effective in the young life. What nuggets of wisdom do you remember from your father? Or maybe from a man who was a father figure? Do you apply that wisdom?

January 5

Proverbs 5:1–2

¹My son,

pay attention to my wisdom.

Open your ears to my understanding

² so that you may act with foresight

and speak with insight.

Proverbs chapters 2–7 all begin with the words my son or sons. The emphasis is on the father’s exhortation to his son about the dangers of the adulterous woman. However, the truths in these chapters apply to daughters as well, teaching them to avoid the foolish man that treats women as objects of pleasure. The father-daughter relationship is often more important than the father-son. A daughter that is treated with respect and dignity by her father will be well prepared to meet men and avoid the pitfalls that often result. In these verses, the father emphasizes that it is my wisdom and my understanding that should be heeded. This wisdom surely derives from God (1:7) and therefore is true wisdom. If we are to pay attention to this wisdom, we must avoid distraction—especially the distraction of the adulterous woman (verse 3). This distraction is the ploy of the ultimate distracter himself—Satan. James says we are tempted (distracted) when we are drawn away by our own desires. The wisdom we acquire from paying attention gives us the ability to act with foresight and to speak with insight. Are you easily distracted by Satan’s ploys? Do you have other Christians that can help you be accountable? If not, why not?

January 6

Proverbs 6:1–5

¹My son,

if you guarantee a loan for your neighbor

or pledge yourself for a stranger with a handshake,

² you are trapped by the words of your own mouth,

caught by your own promise.

³ Do the following things, my son, so that you may free yourself,

because you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:

Humble yourself,

and pester your neighbor.

⁴ Don’t let your eyes rest

or your eyelids close.

⁵ Free yourself like a gazelle from the hand of a hunter

and like a bird from the hand of a hunter.

Proverbs 6 contains two addresses—the first in verses 1–19 describes three types of foolish people, and the second in verses 20–35 is a warning against the adulterous woman. The three foolish people described in the first address are a guarantor or someone who secures a loan, a lazy man, and troublemakers. All three of these lifestyles will destroy themselves, others, or both. Good instruction is contained in these verses about how to avoid these patterns and how to extricate ourselves if we find ourselves involved in them.

Verses 1–2: The first situation involves surety for loans. Solomon, speaking to my son says "if you guarantee a loan—it is conditional, you don’t have to but if you do I have some instruction for you. The message in this verse is that you are trapped by your words and won’t be released until (1) the borrower repays the loan or worse, (2) you have to pay it. Many friendships and family relationships have been fractured because of co-signing for a loan. This kind of situation is to be avoided. The way to avoid the consequences is to loan the money or co-sign with no intention of getting paid. Verses 3–5 tell us what to do if we become trapped in this situation. Are you willing to loan a friend money and not expect to be repaid? Isn’t this really a matter of the heart?

January 7

Proverbs 7:1

¹My son pay attention to my words.

Treasure my commands that are within you.

This final lesson of Solomon to his son is to warn him of the lusts of the flesh. Solomon’s father and Solomon himself had experienced the consequences of yielding to those lusts (read also 1 John 2:15–17). First Thessalonians 4:4 warns (both men and women) that finding a husband or wife needs to be done in a holy and honorable way not in the base desire of the flesh. In verse 1, the son is told to build a hedge around his father’s words, not only to obey and do them but to protect the words of his father. As a matter of fact, he tells the son to treasure those things that are stored in his heart from the father. A farmer stores grain when he has a surplus. We store surplus food in the freezer or the refrigerator. If we have these commands stored in our heart, this means we have acquired more than we need and on more than one occasion. It is not a one-time acquisition but is a daily routine. These words are so important as the father sets the stage for the remainder of the chapter as lady wisdom gives her comment on seeking sexual fulfillment and how to avoid the snares of the adulterous woman. Do you store God’s word in your heart? Daily? Weekly? Not much at all?

January 8

Proverbs 8:1–3

¹Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise its voice?

² Wisdom takes its stand on high ground,

by the wayside where the roads meet,

³ near the gates to the city.

At the entrance wisdom sings its song,

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Proverbs 8, makes the following statement: The Word of God is two-fold, and in both senses, is wisdom; for a word without wisdom is of little value and wisdom without a word is of little use. In verses 1–2, Lady Wisdom is assuring everyone that she has a word for us. This second call of wisdom is a call to life (8:55) and is a picture of the second person of the godhead, the Lord Jesus. This call is with a loud voice, from a high place (visible), where the roads meet, near the gates of the city, and is likened to a song. Today, the call would be in the marketplace, on Fifth Avenue, on Wall Street, in city hall, on the courthouse steps, or at the nearest entertainment venue. Wisdom is relevant for all facts of life and is seeking followers regardless of their story. This is wisdom’s word to us and in the following verses we can learn how to have words with wisdom. Do you listen to Lady Wisdom’s call? Is she relevant in your life?

January 9

Proverbs 9:1–3

¹Wisdom has built her house.

She has carved out her seven pillars.

² She has prepared her meat.

She has mixed her wine.

She has set her table.

³ She has sent out her servant girls.

She calls from the highest places in the city,

These verses declare the third call of wisdom in Proverbs and is from wisdom pictured as the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:1–2 is a prophecy that tells us the Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead and imparts wisdom to us (1 Corinthians 2:13).

In this chapter, we have Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly inviting us to eat with them. Verses 1–12 are wisdom’s invitation and what a feast she has prepared. She begins by building her house and establishing it on seven pillars. She has prepared a sumptuous meal fit for a king and then sends her servant girls out to issue invitations, and she also issues invitations. I am reminded of two metaphors for wisdom and wise people in the New Testament. Jesus’s parable of the wise man and the foolish man in Matthew 7. The wise man went to great lengths to provide a foundation for his house. When the storms came, it stood. Also in 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 Paul contrasts our construction on the foundation of Christ. If we are a wise builder and use gold, silver, and precious stones to build, it will stand the test by fire at the judgment seat of Christ. Lady Wisdom is precious. Have you accepted Lady Wisdom’s invitation? Do you continue to accept her call daily through the Word of God?

January 10

Proverbs 10:1

The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes his father happy,

but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

The Proverbs of Solomon. Chapters 1–9 are the porch to the house of the Proverbs. We are soon ready to enter the house that includes chapters 10:1–22:16 and mostly contains verses that are not connected or related. Two lines in each proverb contain literary forms such as echoing, contrast, and better-than. The examples of these forms will be noted throughout the text. Although these verses are using different forms to make their point, we must not ignore the deeply theological nature of the pithy proverbs. After introducing the Proverbs of Solomon, verse 1 sets the stage for what follows. A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son makes his mother grieve. This is an example of contrast—a wise son versus a foolish son, and the consequences. The next thirteen chapters are a commentary on how a son can be wise and how he can avoid being a fool. Remembering that these verses have real spiritual application to our lives, it would be good to remember a quote from Cyprian of Carthage in approximately 250 AD. He was a bishop in the early church and stated, He can no longer have God for his father who has not the church for his mother. These proverbs are all about how we should live and serve. Meditate on Cyprian’s quote! Do you think it is true?

January 11

Proverbs 11:1

¹Dishonest scales are disgusting to the Lord,

but accurate weights are pleasing to him.

Proverbs is so practical for daily life because it distills the book of the law (Genesis–Deuteronomy) into a form that is succinct and easy to read. Proverbs is a book of poetry about the law of Moses to make theology interesting. This devotional started as a daily reading of each chapter that corresponded to each day of the month. This verse (11:1) relates to business and the proper conduct thereof. God is a God of justice and expects us to conduct business accordingly. This verse is a contrast of dishonesty and honesty and the Lord’s response to each one. Deuteronomy 25:13–16 prohibits carrying two sets of weights and to not have two kinds of measures in the house. The first observation is that if these different standards are present there will be the temptation to use them. We must not have a large weight and measure standard to use for purchasing and small measure to use for selling. These were literal in OT times and are sometimes literal today, but the message to us is simple: use honesty, integrity, and fairness in all our business dealings. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Paul exhorts us to stay away from even the appearance of evil or dishonesty, or fraud. This verse alone could transform the business community in our country if it was obeyed. Have you ever been on the receiving end of dishonest business deals? Are you honest in your business transactions?

January 12

Proverbs 12:1–3

¹Whoever loves discipline loves to learn,

but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.

² A good person obtains favor from the Lord,

but the Lord condemns everyone who schemes.

³ A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness,

and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.

Each of these three verses presents a contrast between two different types of persons. Verse 1, a lover of discipline and a hater of correction; verse 2, a good person and a scheming person; verse 3, a wicked person and a righteous person (or people). In the first case, a person who loves discipline or correction loves to learn. Learning comes from making mistakes and being corrected. Sometimes people need to correct us, other times the consequences of our mistake corrects us. We need to learn to love these learning experiences so we do not become like a horse or mule that have no idea why they are being corrected. The second case reveals that a schemer or one who plans to deceive is not a good person and is condemned by God. The good person obtains favor from the Lord and really his goodness is from the Lord. We are all schemers by nature and seek to pursue our own way. The third case is an interesting contrast. Wickedness is only a foundation, but righteous people have a root system that continues to grow and permeate the soil. Not only does this provide a firm foundation but also a secure foundation against the storms of life. Do you believe that correction is beneficial? Do you have righteous roots that provide stability in your life?

January 13

Proverbs 13:1, 6

¹ A wise son listens to his father’s discipline,

but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.

⁶ Righteousness protects the honest way of life,

but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin.

Verse 1 describes and defines a wise son as one who listens—who listens to his father’s instruction and discipline. The other kind of son in this contrast is a mocker or scoffer. It is not unusual for the same parent to have both kinds of sons. That is one of the challenges of parenting—discerning the different temperaments of each child. The child that is indifferent and haughty toward discipline is on a path that will eventually lead to a hopeless life. Honor your father by listening to his instruction. Verse 6 gives human qualities to righteousness and wickedness, one protects, and one ruins. The honest way of life is what needs to be protected. Without protection, it will deteriorate and become a pathetic way of life. The honest way is the desirable characteristic in this verse and is in contrast to a wicked way which is intimated by a sacrifice for sins. This is talking about the ruined and spoiled worship of the wicked. The OT sacrifices were prescribed as a temporary fix for sin until Christ comes. Wickedness in the heart of the one sacrificing is disgusting to God (Proverbs 15:8–9). Righteousness in the heart of the one worshiping God protects his way of life. Our worship must be pleasing to God! Read Ezekiel 33:30–31. Do you listen to your father’s discipline? Do you worship God with a pure heart?

January 14

Proverbs 14:1–2

¹The wisest of women builds up her home,

but a stupid one tears it down with her own hands.

² Whoever lives right fears the Lord,

but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.

Verse 1: It is important that a man choose his wife carefully because she can either build up a home or tear down a home. She directly effects the well-being of her family in all areas (Proverbs 31:10–31). Since the wife is so important to the job of building a home, the husband should not only choose a wise wife but also let her do it. The alternative is to have a wife out of control and destroying the home through lack of self-control and unfaithfulness. Each kind of wife is either Lady Wisdom or Woman Folly in chapter 9. Choose well. Live well.

Verse 2: One who lives right worships right (fears the Lord). Our worship is not disconnected from our walk. How we live is really a manifestation of how we worship. We compartmentalize our lives into work, church, family, etc., and forget that all of these are part of our worship. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us to be filled with the Spirit and then proceeds to tell us how this affects all areas of our life (Ephesians 5:18–6:9). Are you a wife that is building or tearing down? Are you a husband that helps your wife build the home? How?

January 15

Proverbs 15:1–2, 4

¹A gentle answer turns away rage,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge,

but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.

⁴ A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit.

The tongue is a powerful instrument as pointed out in these three verses. A gentle tongue, a wise tongue, and a soothing tongue are examples of the positive power of the tongue. Colossians 4:6 speaks of a tongue (conversation) seasoned with salt. Salt enhances the flavor of food. With no salt, the food is not palatable, and with too much salt, the food is not edible. So it is with our tongue. It needs to be seasoned such that what we say is palatable yet true. Salt is also used as food is prepared. So should our conversation be prepared. A gentle answer requires self-control for it to be effective.

A harsh tongue, a foolish tongue, and a deceitful tongue are examples of the negative power of the tongue. In verse 2, the fool is said to gush or belch a flood of foolishness. Words (harsh) can crush the spirit and devastate a person’s emotional and spiritual well-being. What kind of tongue do you have? Do you sprinkle your conversation or do you gush your conversation?

January 16

Proverbs 16:1–3

¹The plans of the heart belong to humans,

but an answer on the tongue comes from the Lord.

² A person thinks all his ways are pure,

but the Lord weighs motives.

³ Entrust your efforts to the Lord,

and your plans will succeed.

The verses 1 and 2 address the sovereignty of God and our acknowledgment of it. God is sovereign over the affairs of ALL men. However, not all men will admit to that fact, especially those who are not followers of Christ and not even all followers will admit it. The Lord is the one who directs our words and our actions. Failure to acknowledge God’s sovereignty results in stress, depression, frustration, etc., because we cannot control the situation. When we release the control to God and accept that circumstances are sometimes different than we planned, we have peace. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all circumstances work toward the glory of God. We are not in control. Verse 3 tells us that when we trust our efforts to the Lord then our plans succeed and proceed—according to God’s purpose. The first nine verses of Proverbs 16 are excellent words about the control God exercises and our response. God is a God of love and a God of purpose. Nothing he does is without love and without a purpose. Romans 11:33–36. Are your motives pure? Are you willing to accept God’s weighing of your motives?

January 17

Proverbs 17:1–2

¹Better a bite of dry bread eaten in peace

than a family feast filled with strife.

² A wise slave will become master over a son who acts shamefully,

and he will share the inheritance with the brothers.

Family relationships are the first and most basic relationship in society. All other relationships flow out of our family experiences. Verse 1 speaks of family time around a meal. We all like celebratory feasts with family, but they are not always peaceful. The feast referred to in verse 1 is probably with food left over from the peace offering that the family could take home and eat. How tragic that a peace offering meal becomes a strife offering meal. In this situation, the family is better off to have a quiet meal with a small portion of dry bread. In our culture today, the whole family seated around a table for a meal is becoming non-existent. The opportunity to develop good family relationships does not exist and other relationships are developed without the most basic one. Verse 2 shows how powerful wisdom can be to transcend natural boundaries including families. A wise servant may not only become the master of a foolish and shameful son but may share also in the family inheritance. No doubt this son had his destructive beginnings at a dinner table where there was strife. A popular TV show focused on the Reagan family— Blue Bloods —has a recurring theme, family first. Is family first for you? Are you able to foster family relationships around a meal?

January 18

Proverbs 18:1, 5

¹A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.

He opposes all sound reasoning.

⁵ It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,

thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

In verse 1, we have a person who separates himself from other people so he can get what he desires. This isolation from other people causes him to quarrel and oppose wisdom. Our desire for the things of the world blinds us to the wisdom that is available from stable relationships with other people. How often we think our opinion, our perspective is the best and only alternative. This will eventually isolate us and make us headstrong and self-centered to the point we find ourselves closed off from other people.

In verse 5, we have a person that has relationships but abuses them. We all have a tendency to envy the prosperity of the wicked, and we think we can be partial toward them and not participate in their way of life. When we are partial to the wicked, we will be depriving an innocent person of justice. What true wisdom will direct us to do is oppose the wicked and stand in favor of the innocent. The wisdom described in this verse is true both in personal relationships as well as in civil relationships. The courts of the land, as well, should not show favor to the wicked and those opposed to justice. Are your relationships filled with wisdom? Are you partial in your view of justice?

January 19

Proverbs 19:1–3

¹Better to be a poor person who lives innocently

than to be one who talks dishonestly and is a fool.

² A person without knowledge is no good.

A person in a hurry makes mistakes.

³ The stupidity of a person turns his life upside down,

and his heart rages against the Lord.

These verses contain very clear direction about how to order our lives. Many times, because we do not really like what the Bible tells us, we do not heed its words and bring ruin and despair into our lives.

Verse 1: Integrity in our life is much more important than money in our life. A person that ignores this truth and walks dishonestly is a fool. This verse is a good definition of a fool. Those who are most concerned about integrity—both morally and spiritually—will be far better than the fool.

Verse 2: Ignorance is never an excuse. In 1 Timothy 1:12–14, Paul talks about how in his unbelief he acted ignorantly in persecuting God’s people. His ignorance was no excuse because God’s mercy withheld the judgment that was due Paul. Our ignorance causes us to be hasty in what we do and so miss the mark. If we are in a hurry and stray off course just a little bit, we will move farther away from the goal. If we move slower, it is easier to keep our eye