Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:1-14

1. Things that produce profit 10:1-14

Proverbs 10:2

At face value both statements in this verse may seem untrue. The solution to this puzzling proverb, as well as the solution to many that follow, lies in remembering that Solomon had the whole course of a life in view, not just the immediate consequences of an act or condition. The righteous escape death in that they have greater true riches (as God’s beneficiaries) than the wicked, simply because they are righteous, regardless of their financial condition.

Proverbs 10:3

The righteous will not lack what is most important in life, though they may lack food. Conversely, God will not meet the deepest cravings of the wicked because they have rejected His ways. “The wicked are condemned to live forever with their unfulfilled, and so sterile, desires, which cannot be transformed into practical attainment.” [Note: McKane, p. 426.

Proverbs 10:6

The righteous receive blessings from God and other people. The wicked, on the other hand, conceal violence within themselves, and sorrow will cover their faces.

Proverbs 10:10

The winking eye is a clue to insincere speech or behavior. As a tiny gesture, it can do greater damage than many larger overt acts. Similarly the words of a fool, though small, will result in his or her own destruction eventually. However, the power of words is greater than that of “shifty signs.” [Note: Ross, p. 954.

Proverbs 10:15

Even though wealth is not most important, it still can result in security-and its absence can result in poverty, so people should not despise it.

Proverbs 10:19

Transgressing means breaking across. When we speak too much, we break across into an area where we should not go. This can happen in private as well as public speech. Some people transgress when they engage in inappropriate transparency. We should only share our lives with people to the degree that they have committed themselves to us.

Proverbs 10:30

The righteous person will never be permanently or ultimately shaken, though he or she may experience hardships. However, the wicked will not experience God’s blessing in the end. Dwelling in the land of promise was the wandering Israelite’s hope of eventual divine blessing. The alternative was exile from the land.

Proverbs 10:32

Speech indicates character. “Fitting” (NIV) is better than “acceptable,” and “perverted” means inappropriate.