Proverbs 22 Commentary

Proverbs 22 Commentary

Look at Verse 1. You may feel that being rich is a crime!

But Verse 4 quickly turns your head. “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor.

You are probably looking at the means to riches and honor. When there is injustice and greediness in the process to the top, the LORD abhors it.

But there is a way to the top that the LORD has ordained, by diligence, humility, the fear of the LORD, generosity, skill, among others. This chapter has them all!

The road to poverty is defined by the fear of taking risks (Verse 13). Other verses underline greediness, borrowing, perversity, and foolishness as key causes of poverty.

Of course, it says volumes about our world today that riches are more desirable than a good name!

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Verse 6. And, “…the rod of correction will drive it out.” Verse 15. They are different! The first one talks about training. Not lectures!

The second one talks about discipline. Not lectures! Know the difference.

Training is practical and involves a parent’s participation. Let your child see you pray, and they will know prayer is important. Training is repetitive. It requires time. It’s a lifetime process for the child.

Plant humility in the infant. The fear of the LORD is a seed that bears fruit. Invest early. Don’t plant an apple the moment you feel hungry; it won’t produce for you in time to resolve your hunger!

A perverse generation is a pointer to a generation of parents that never saw the need to instill the fear of the LORD in their children.

Verse 12 is yet another celebration of God’s strict rule. His eyes keep watch over His word. It won’t fail.

Verse 15 can be interesting. What happens when folly is found in a fully grown man?

The man must apply the “rod” to himself. Make decisions that may involve pain and loss of freedom, income, fame, status, or even relationships – all in the name of godliness. Yes, the loss of something in the name of godliness is an obvious result of the rod of discipline on the self.

Then we have the first set of sayings from the thirty sayings of the wise. The scripture has simply repackaged Wisdom differently. The sayings are direct and written in a language that we all can understand. Enjoy them!

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