Can You Interpret These Proverbs?

 

There are many proverbial expressions used throughout the Scriptures that can speak to us today. Let's examine a few of them and see what message we can glean from them.

 

1 Samuel 10:12 says - "And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?"

 

"...Is Saul also among the prophets?" - This was a rhetorical question which demanded a negative answer. Who would have ever expected Kish to have a son among the prophets? But God gave Saul "another heart"(1 Samuel 10:9) and endued him with power from on high in order to authenticate him as Israel's next ruler. 

 

Do we - as Israel - scorn some because of their background or upbringing? Let us not look down in pride on any man - for God can take the worst or least likely among us and give him "another heart" - transforming him into "King material."

 

1 Samuel 24:13 says - "As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked..."

 

Evil deeds are perpetrated by evildoers...bad men do bad things...as a man's disposition and principles are, so are his actions.

 

The Lord Jesus said it this way - "Ye shall know them by their fruits...Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit"(Matthew 7:16-18).  

 

King Solomon said it this way in Proverbs 20:11 - "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

 

Knowing what the Scriptures say on this matter - may we never label anyone a "Christian" who is practicing sin, compromising with the world, or taking sides with "the enemy of righteousness" on anti-Scriptural matters.

 

2 Samuel 20:18 says - "Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter."

 

In ancient times, Abel Beth Maacah had the reputation of being the place where people resorted to find solutions for their difficult problems. The inhabitants were so wise that others came to them - especially disputing parties - knowing that they would indeed find sound advice and a settling answer.

 

Oh! That every church - naming the name of Christ - would be as Abel - a place where people from all over the world would find - answers to their many questions in life...wise counsel that would settle every argument... and solutions for every conceivable problem that mankind could ever face. Oh! That every Pastor would "esteem the Bible more than his necessary food"(Job 23:12) and count it as the one and only Book of Wisdom or Counsel. And that every church member would be knowledgeable in the Scriptures and be recognized by all for his great wisdom.  

 

Ezekiel 12:22 says - "Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?"

 

The Jewish exiles were beginning to think that delayed judgment meant no judgment. They were infidels and scoffers who lived in the fantasy of security - thinking that if the judgment prophesied by Isaiah or Micah did ever come to pass, it would do so long after their time.  They came to this conclusion when  "sentence against their evil deeds wasn't executed swiftly"(Ecclesiastes 8:11). Destruction had not come as they expected. One thing they failed to realize was this - God in His mercy and longsuffering was holding back His wrath - in order to give them more time in which to change their minds and return to Him.

 

How many today have this same attitude? They hear "Hell, Fire, & Brimstone" Preaching yet mock and scorn because they are seemingly going on in their sin without any recognizable repercussions. Little do they realize that the wheels of God's judgment grind slowly but surely.

 

Ezekiel 16:44 says - "Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter."

 

In the midst of the heathen nations, Israel was lifted up in pride - due to God's special protective covering over her. She failed to realize that sin would bring that "hedge" down and forfeit the benefits of the covenant.

 

Canaan was known for its abominable practices, idolatries, and perversions. Instead of staying separated from this nation that possessed the land before her, Israel took on their heathenish traits. She became rebellious and depraved like those surrounding her.  

 

There are many in our day and time who are mingling among the "Canaanites" of our day. They walk in a false security and smugness - because they belong to some Preacher's Church. They think that that  merits them "brownie-points" with God. Because they refuse to lived separated from the heathen around them(as the Bible directs), they are slowly becoming more and more like them in temper and inclination.   

 

Ezekiel 18:2 says - "What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?"

 

There is no doubt about it - children are affected by their father's sins. They generally follow in the same behavioral patterns as their fathers and suffer as a result of their wrong choices.

 

However, each individual is responsible for how he lives before the Lord. God's grace is sufficient to turn any life around. Hence, no one can lay the blame of their wrong choices on others.

 

Nowadays, we hear people using the catch words - "dysfunctional family" - almost as a "crutch" - expecting society and even God to excuse their sinful mess. Instead of taking responsibility for their own evil ways, they want to blame their parents or someone else - anybody but themselves.

 

This form of wicked reasoning did not work in Ezekiel's day - and it won't work in ours. The Scriptures plainly state - "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). No one ever has any excuse to sin. The God - before Whom every man, woman, boy, and girl shall stand in judgment - will not accept any "pity parties."

 

It's time for each individual to become accountable for his own works and ways - no matter what kind of upbringing he may have had or not had. 

   

Luke 4:23 says - "And He said unto them, Ye will surely say unto Me this proverb, Physician, heal Thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Thy country."

 

The Lord Jesus was performing great miracles in Capernaum. However, when He came to His home town of Nazareth, He couldn't do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

They demanded that He would show forth signs and wonders to give them more evidence to prove that He was Who He said He was - the Messiah - and to demonstrate that He was worthy of their trust and confidence.

 

Like Jesus, maybe you are experiencing scorn and reproach from those around you who have known you for a long time. They cannot seem to accept the fact that God's hand is on your life for ministry. They are constantly wanting you to prove yourself so that they can have more and more evidence to show that you are the "real deal" - so to speak. Yet, amongst other people, you are freely accepted and used mightily by God.  

 

2 Peter 2:22 says - "But it happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

 

Whatever nature you feed, that is the one which will control you.

 

There are many so-called "Christians" who wonder why they cannot live above sin in thought, word, and deed for one second of the day. Yet, at a closer examination of their lives, we find that they have no time to read and study the Word, pray, or fellowship with other Christians. They are too busy watching ungodly television shows, catching all of Hollywood's latest filth in the movie theatres, listening to sensual music, and frequenting the places of entertainment where sinners hang out.

 

Unless we make a concerted effort to have nothing to do with the "corruption that is in the world through lust"(2 Peter 1:4), we will find ourselves going back to the ole lifestyle from which Jesus delivered us. 

 

We have just studied eight different proverbial expressions.

 

What specific message did God have for you through them? 

How will you respond to the Spirit of the Lord's instruction?