Text: Prov 22:16 ESV

16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

-Prov 22:16 ESV

DO NOT OPPRESS THE POOR

This proverb is believed to be the end of a long string of proverbs attributed to Solomon, which began in chapter 10 (Prov 10:1).

Solomon assures his readers that taking advantage of the poor and trying to buy the favor of those who are wealthier than themselves results in poverty. Remember that he was extremely wealthy as a king but he championed the cause of the poor. (2 Chron 9:22) He voices out against those who oppress disadvantaged people, for the benefit of those who are already well off.

Undoubtedly, greed can lead to temporary success in life. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. (Prov 21:6), But, God's justice cannot be avoided forever (Prov 24:12). Those who reject the Lord's wisdom, to seek money, will eventually lose both their wealth and even their souls (Luke 12:19–21).

The "poor" are feeble, weak, helpless people. Take note that the apostle James also advocates for the poor. He condemns the rich who oppress them. He writes: "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (Jas 5:4). Moreover, James points out what happens to those who have money yet lack integrity. He says: "Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and the corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire" (Jas 5:2–3).

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Text: 1 Cor 15:54-58 ESV

54 Then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

-1 Cor 15:54-58 ESV

LET US CELEBRATE OUR VICTORY IN CHRIST

At the coming of Jesus, believers will be transformed into glorified bodies to spend eternity with God. This is what we and the whole creation is waiting for (Rom 8:19). The moment mentioned by Isaiah 25:8 when "Death is swallowed up by victory." And Paul quoting Hosea 13:14, Jesus’ coming is taunting sin in defeat, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

The resurrection of Jesus from the grave was the beginning of the end for death and the "one with the power of death, who is, the devil" (Heb 2:14). When Jesus rose from death, he conquered sin, death, Satan, and hell. However, for now, believers are still to die physically. Yet, we have this living hope that because Jesus rose from death, dead believers would rise one day during His coming. The moment they are given redeemed, glorified resurrection bodies in an instant. This is the end of the end for death. This will culminate in the complete and total elimination of death and evil (Rev 20:14). For the time being, believers will continue to experience an inner groaning, a sense of dissatisfaction, until this longed-for moment, when our bodies are redeemed by this promised, death-defeating transformation (Rom 8:23).

Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, believers are victors already. And they have to appropriate this victory. Let us celebrate our victory. In what way? Paul exhorts, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”[v.58]

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Text: John 19:28-30 ESV

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

-John 19:28-30 ESV

IT IS FINISHED

Today, we commemorate the excruciating death of our Savior at the cross. While hanging, He was given a ‘sour wine’. It was either something meant to numb pain (Mat 27:34), should be so harsh liquid that worsened Jesus’ thirst (John 19:28). Jesus knew He was soon to die.

Then, He declared, “It is finished!’ He used the Greek word ‘tetelestai.’ This word is found inscribed on records to indicate debts have been paid for, or obligations which have been met. Jesus' shout was a shout of accomplishment. That is the atonement for sin on behalf of mankind (2 Cor 5:21 It was entirely and fully completed in this moment. "It is finished." Complete. Perfect. No further work needs to be done. (Titus 3:5). There are no requirements for other actions, rituals, sacraments, sacrifices, or payments to accomplish salvation (1 Pet 3:18; Hebrews 10:12–14).

Moreover, He was dead. Jesus "give up his spirit.” What is the significance? (Mat 27:50; Luke 23:46). From a physical standpoint, Jesus' body has suffered severe injury. And yet, His death is entirely an act of His own will. He chose to die. He did not die as a victim. He was willing to be born into human form (John 1:14); to submit to God's will (Mat 26:39), and to allow His own arrest and execution (Phil 2:8). Apparently, Scriptures clarifies that Jesus is "giving up" His life to satisfy the wrath of God the Father. It is not being stripped away from Him by force (John 10:17–18).

Today, let us not resort to emotionalism and sentimentalism without action. Good Friday is supposed to be good enough for us not to grieve alone but repent. It is a celebration for our forgiveness and salvation. And we should respond by offering our lives as living sacrifices to God. [Rom 12:1,2]

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God’s Word for Today

17 Apr, 2025

The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;

he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

-Prov 22:14 ESV

A DEEP PIT

A pit is a disguised hole used to capture or injure prey. Falling into it means being trapped. The “forbidden woman" is a personification of temptation (Prov 2:16; 7:4–10). Sin, as a seductress woman, seems attractive and welcoming but what it draws us away from God into sin. In fact, the result of following temptation is death and ruin.

Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the Lord,

but he who fails to find me injures himself;

all who hate me love death.” (Prov 8:34–36)

Following our sinful urges is as dangerous as walking unaware towards a deep trap. James says; “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”[Jas 1:13,14]

Undergoing temptation is not sin until we do it. A fish is not caught while nibbling the bait until it swallows it with the hook. God wants us to recognize our weakness towards temptation. Thus, he teaches us to pray;

“And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.” [Mat 6:13]

Sadly, he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it. God is angry with the proud. And, they are prone to fall into temptation.

Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.[Prov 16:18]

Today, let us not presume that the roads we are going are smooth. There might be traps the devil has placed for us to stumble to sin. Remember, he can transform himself into an appearance of an angel of light. Let us not be proud but humble to acknowledge God to lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

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God’s Word for Today

16 Apr, 2025

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

I shall be killed in the streets!”

-Prov 22:13 ESV

THE PROBLEM OF THE SLUGGARD

Laziness is one of the often-repeated subjects in the book of Proverbs (Prov 6:6–11; 12:24; 18:9; 19:15). Here, Solomon notes the absurd reasoning to which lazy people make as an excuse for their lack of effort. The alibi that a lion might be lurking in city streets is exaggerated and silly, is it not? Lazy people have the knacks of manufacturing reasons for their irresponsibility. They are governed by fear not to take risks. They make mole hills to appear as mountains. There are countless variations of excuses given by those who can work, but are lazy to work, as they try to evade shame and embarrassment.

Even if the excuse has some measure of truth such as fear of embarrassment or distaste for a task, it is still an unreasonable excuse for refusing to meet one's obligations, is it not? Work is a need not an option. One could not postpone his hunger.

Let us take note also that Christians should be as supportive as possible of those legitimately prevented from earning a living. James says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (Jas 2:15–17; Prov 29:7) And, the church should admonish the lazy to be responsible. Paul said, “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thess 3:10-12).

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Text: Proverbs 22:12 (ESV)

12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

THE LORD WATCHES OUR WORDS

We have learned that those who heed God’s wisdom have the likelihood of success. (Prov 1:7; 8:34–36) Thus, they are less likely to experience disasters as consequences of their foolishness and sin. In that sense, God's protective power is expressed through truth and knowledge. However, a person who is dishonest or deceptive is acting directly contrary to those principles. Thereby, they defy God. His eyes are perfect to behold evil. As God is a God of truth, only those who are true will last while liars will eventually falter (John 16:13;1 Cor 3:13; Mat 12:36; Luke 12:2).

The truth is oftentimes God does permit difficulties to test the genuineness of our faith and character, does he not? James writes, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas 1:2–4). Embracing trials as allowed by God makes one mature in his faith.

The Lord despises deceitful and dishonest words. Words either build up the hearers or hurt them. Paul exhorts believers: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." [Col 4:6] The metaphor of salt has two important implications; to preserve and flavor. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”[prov 15:1] “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone” [Prov 22:15]

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Text: Proverbs 22:10-11 (ESV)

10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,

and quarreling and abuse will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart,

and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

PURITY OF HEART

Scoffers are arrogant and unteachable. However, tolerating them being hardheaded troublemakers is not wise, especially over time. References to "scoffers" in Scripture evoke the type of person prone to insults and negative talks. When someone is consistently unreasonable, nothing is to be gained by keeping them around. (Mat 7:6) Such a person, more than often, initiates conflicts and arguments. This can even become abusive. The appropriate action, then, is to remove them from that group, discussion, or even from the church family. When the troublemaker is gone, much of the trouble goes with them as well.

A person may start bickering and slander, causing deep hurt. If he does not accept discipline, the congregation may have to excommunicate the troublemaker [1 Cor 5;9-13] At Ephesus, certain men whose conduct was so harmful to faith that they had to be removed from church life to protect the other members (1 Tim 1:19,20, 2Tim 4:14]

Unlike the scoffers, there are people who have pure hearts. They are discreet and tactful. They speak truth in tactful way and gain ample respect (Prov15:23; 16:13). This leads to the approval and trust of those in power. Wise kings listen to honest advice, even if it's not what they prefer to be told. (Prov 11:14; 15:31; 18:17; 19:20). Solomon is talking firsthand. He was a king who realized the best advisors were righteous men who spoke the truth. They were men whose gracious words flowed from a pure heart.

Another truth we can see is the connection between spiritual purity and gracious speech. Foul, biting words reveal an evil heart but measured, careful speech implies someone with a godly heart (Eph 4:29). The Pharisees are like them. That, Jesus called them a "brood of vipers.” He even rebuked them by saying, "How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil." (Mat 12:34–35). Moreover, He also warned, "for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Mat 12:37).

What really matters is the matter of the heart.

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Text: Prov 22:8-9 ESV

8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

-Prov 22:8-9 ESV

HAVE A BOUNTIFUL EYE

Those who take advantage of others by denying them justice will eventually pay a price. Nobody can rebel against God without reaping a harvest of judgment. Paul says in Gal 6:7 that a person will reap whatever he sows. A judge or ruler who participates in injustice can expect severe consequences. Solomon says,

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.”(Prov 16:8).

In Hosea 10:13–14, the Lord predicted trouble for rebellious Israel. He states: "You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors, therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed."

Verse 9 uses a figure of speech, which literally refers to someone as "good in the eye." This simply means "generous" or "bountiful." He sincerely seeks the good of others and actively looks for ways to help those less fortunate. The "poor" here refers to the feeble, weak, and helpless. Some look upon poor or disadvantaged people as targets for abuse (Prov 22:16, 22). But, the person with "a bountiful eye" looks to the poor compassionately and responds with kindness.

In Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan, a priest and a Levite just looked at a man who was robbed, beaten, and left half dead. They passed by on the other side of the road. Evidently, they lacked "good eyes." The Good Samaritan, however, looked on the wounded man with compassion, stopped, and tended to his wounds. But he did even more; he brought the victim to an inn and provided for all his care (see Luke 10:25–35).

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Text: Prov 22:7 ESV

7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

-Prov 22:7 ESV

THE RICH RULES OVER THE POOR

Definitely in this proverb, the statement that the rich rules over the poor is expanded in the second statement. In this case, Solomon notes that when someone takes a loan, the lender "rules" over them, much as a master would over a slave. Other proverbs noted the dangers of going into debt or attaching oneself to borrowing

1 “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,

have given your pledge for a stranger,

2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,

caught in the words of your mouth,

3 then do this, my son, and save yourself,

for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:

go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.” (Prov 6:1–3)

“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.” (Prov 11: 11:15).

Another way to look at this statement is in the business relationship dynamics. Understandably, employers are richer than their employees, are they not? They make the rules, and wise employees do follow them accordingly. Thus, the employee must be diligent and obedient. Otherwise, he will likely find himself dismissed from work, going away without a paycheck. It’s unwise to provoke the authorities.

A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. (Prov 19:12)

“ The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.”(Prov 20:2).

Do not believers belong entirely to the Lord? Yet, believers are free even when they are slaves. For whatever reason, the Lord intends not to free Christian slaves from their employers. Even then, they are to work as unto the Lord. He is to be their supreme Master. Paul says, "Obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."[Col 3:22–23] Definitely, this freedom is in the heart.

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God’s Word for Today

10 Apr, 2025

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

-Prov 22:5,6 ESV

TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO

The “paths” in the book of Proverbs is a metaphor for the choices a person makes in life (see Prov 1:15–16; Psalm 119:35). Those who follow godly wisdom are on a path to safety and truth (Prov 12:28). Those who reject godly wisdom wander from that path. As a result, they suffer greater danger and will become lost (Prov 4:18–19). Indeed, the way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns but the path of the upright is a level highway. (Prov 15:19).

Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Mat 7:13–14). This is paradoxical. The road that seems smooth is rough at the end. However, those who choose to follow the narrow way may find it to be a hard road. Yet, Jesus leads the way and provides mercy and grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:16).

This most quoted proverb offers sound advice for parents. When a child is raised with the right values and the right perspective, those lessons will last a lifetime (Eph 6:4). Literally, this implies that the rightly trained child will not deviate from this path. Of course, Solomon's proverbial counsel is not an iron-clad promise. We know that despite the direction in which godly parents point their child, he or she may choose to pursue the crooked path. Yet, a foundation of godliness gives the child something positive to "fall back on" when they come to their senses. The story of the prodigal son gives us hope that the child may realize his mistakes and resolve to go back to the right path (Luke 15:16–20).

The original wording here implies the idea of "dedicating" a child to God. The implication is that the child is being purposefully directed and immersed towards the Lord and His wisdom (Prov 1:7). Godly parenting is directing the steps of their children toward knowing God. Parents can trust that instructing their children about God and modeling to them a relationship with God will most likely persuade each child to believe the Lord and obey Him. If it does not, then those experiences will help to convict and change a stubborn heart later in life. This kind of child-rearing happened to Timothy. He was taught the Scriptures when he was a young child (2 Tim 3:15).

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