Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:1

Proverbs Bible Study Commentary Lessons about wisdom An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Proverbs www.easyenglish.info Keith Simons This commentary has been through Advanced Checking.

Words in boxes are from the Bible.

Chapter 22 v1 It is better to be a responsible person than to have great wealth.

It is better that people trust you than for you to receive silver and gold.

v2 Rich people and poor people have this in common.

God made them all.

Verse 1

Wisdom is more valuable than wealth (Proverbs 8:10). Other people should be able to trust us. Christians should be responsible people, who are always careful and sensible.

Verse 2

God made everybody. So we are all responsible to him.

God made rich people. He gave wealth to them, so that they could help poor people (Proverbs 14:31).

God also made poor people. He cares about them (Isaiah 61:1). He will punish rich people who refuse to help poor people (Proverbs 17:5).

v3 When a wise man sees danger, he stays in a safe place.

But simple people do nothing, so they suffer.

v4 Be humble! Respect God!

You will receive wealth and honour. And you will have a life that satisfies you.

v5 There are many dangers for a wicked man. His life is like a path where there are sharp objects and traps.

A man who cares about his spirit avoids such dangers.

v6 Teach a child how he should behave!

When he is old, he will continue to do the right things.

Verse 3

A simple person has not learned to be wise. He does not watch for dangers. He does not go to a safe place. (See Psalms 46:1-2.) He suffers, because he is not wise.

Verse 4

God is greater than we are. Therefore, we must be humble. The wise person respects God (Proverbs 1:7). God protects him and helps him.

Some wise people are not wealthy (Proverbs 19:1). But their wisdom is more valuable than money (Proverbs 8:10-11). Really, they are wealthy, because God will give great wealth to them in heaven. (See Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 21:18-21 and Isaiah 55:2. See also Mark 10:29-20.)

Similarly, other people might not give honour to wise people (Matthew 5:11-12). But God gives honour to them (John 12:26).

Verse 5

In this book, Solomon warns us about many dangers. Wicked people suffer from all these dangers, because they refuse to learn wisdom (Proverbs 4:19). They even suffer from their own evil actions. They are like a stupid hunter, who falls into his own trap (Proverbs 5:22-23).

But we can be safe from these dangers. If we are wise, then we shall not be wicked. We shall obey Solomon’s advice. We shall learn about dangers and avoid them. (Proverbs 5:8).

Verse 6

This verse is a lesson for teachers to learn. It is also good advice for parents.

We should teach even the youngest children. We should teach them about wisdom. We should teach them to obey God’s commands. And we should encourage them to trust in Jesus.

Science, languages and maths are good subjects. Art and music can teach us many skills. But these things are not the same as wisdom. The first lesson about wisdom is that we must respect God.

When our children grow older, they will remember our lessons. Lessons about God will always be valuable to our children. God’s wisdom can guide our entire lives. This wisdom can protect us from danger. Also, wisdom teaches us to trust in God. So God’s wisdom will teach us the way to heaven.

v7 Wealthy people rule over poor people.

The borrower (a person who owes money on loan) must serve the lender.

Verse 7

Solomon collected 3000 wise lessons (proverbs) (1 Kings 4:32). This section contains over 400 proverbs (Proverbs 10-22). Here, Solomon is almost at the end of his list. As he finishes his work, he repeats the main principles.

Wealthy people are powerful, because of their money. They should use their power wisely. They should be generous. They should not cause poor people to suffer. A wealthy man should care about his servants.

It is not good to owe a debt (Proverbs 6:1). We should work hard and save money. We should spend our money wisely. We should not waste it on luxuries. Then we may perhaps avoid the need for a loan.

v8 When a man is evil, he himself suffers troubles.

His cruelty and his anger will end.

Verse 8

Evil actions are like seeds. If a man sows seeds, then he will receive a harvest. If a man does evil things, then he will suffer trouble. Other people might suffer from his evil actions. But the man himself will also suffer. God knows that the man is evil. God will punish him (Hosea 8:7).

Sometimes evil people are strong and powerful. An evil king might rule a country with his large army. We might think that nobody could defeat him. But God is more powerful than any king or ruler (Ephesians 1:20-21). In God’s time, the rule of evil people over this world will end. But God’s words will not end. God’s power will not end. God will always be the only God. (Mark 13:31; Hebrews 12:26-28)

v9 God is kind to a generous man.

This man shares his food with poor people.

Verse 9

God wants us to be generous. He wants us to share the wealth that he has given to us (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). God cares about poor people. If we help other people, then we are doing God’s work (Luke 6:38). So, God will reward us (Mark 10:29-30).

v10 If a man makes trouble for other people, send him away.

The troubles will go with him.

Verse 10

People who cause trouble by their evil words do not deserve a welcome. Such people may lie or gossip. Or they may insult other people. We should send away these evil people (Matthew 18:17). The troubles will end when they leave. And perhaps our actions will warn them that their behaviour was evil (1 Timothy 1:20).

v11 A king appreciates an honest friend who also speaks gracefully.

Verse 11

Because Solomon was a king, his decisions affected many people. His friends needed to advise him and to inform him. He needed to choose the right friends.

Solomon needed honest friends who would speak the truth. He needed friends who spoke kind words. He did not want angry friends or dangerous friends. He did not want friends who told lies. It did not matter whether his friends were rich or poor. He needed wise friends.

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had the wrong friends. They were rich, and they loved luxuries. They were not kind. They were cruel. They gave bad advice. Because of their bad advice, there was a revolution. Rehoboam lost most of his country (1 Kings 12:10-16).

Everybody needs good friends. We need friends to encourage and to advise us. We want friends who will pray for us. We need to meet with other Christians. We should go to a church that believes the Bible. See Hebrews 10:25.

v12 God protects knowledge about his truth.

But the plans of evil men will fail.

Verse 12

People may fail, but God’s word will never fail. God preserves his truth. Nobody can successfully oppose God. God will not allow anyone to destroy the truth.

‘Knowledge’ here means knowledge about God, and about what he requires.

In Jeremiah 36:27-28, an evil king tried to destroy the words that God gave to the prophet (holy man) Jeremiah. The king threw Jeremiah’s book into the fire. The book burned, but God protected the knowledge about his truth. After the book burned, God told Jeremiah to write the book again. So the king’s plan to destroy the prophet’s words failed.

v13 A lazy man says, ‘A lion is outside!’

Or, he says, ‘A murderer will kill me on the road!’

Verse 13

When Solomon writes about the lazy man, he usually uses humour. This lazy man has an excuse for everything. He cannot even leave his house.

The lazy man tells us that there is a lion outside. We look, but we cannot see any lion. He tells us that a murderer is outside. We cannot see any murderer, either.

The truth is that the man just wants an excuse to be lazy.

God needs people to work for him (Matthew 9:37-38). God wants us to teach his good news. God wants people to hear about the Bible. God wants to forgive people. We must work for God. We must not be lazy.

Sometimes there will be dangers. Sometimes these dangers are real (Matthew 10:34-38). We must be wise and careful. (Matthew 10:16-17). But if we suffer, God will reward us (Matthew 10:39). So we should not be afraid (Matthew 10:26). Read Matthew 10.

v14 A married woman who tempts other men is like a deep well.

A man will fall into it, if God is angry with him.

Verse 14

A deep well is very dangerous. If you fall in, then you cannot easily climb out. Perhaps nobody will hear your cries. Perhaps nobody can rescue you. Perhaps you will die.

Evil deeds are dangerous. If evil things tempt you, these things are dangerous. These things can cause many troubles.

Perhaps sex tempts you. Or perhaps money tempts you. Or, other things might tempt you. You should refuse. Then God will protect you (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

God is angry with evil people (Deuteronomy 1:26, 34). If a person does evil things, then he will suffer many troubles. But, if he asks God to forgive him, then God will forgive (Psalms 51:17).

v15 A child is by nature foolish. He will do silly things.

A smack will teach him to behave more wisely.

Verse 15

By ‘foolish’, Solomon means ‘evil’. We all do evil things (Romans 7:19). This is because men and women refused to obey God (Genesis 3). Even a child does wrong things.

But the child can learn to do the right things. And we can all learn to obey God. First, we must ask God to forgive us. We must trust in God. Then God will teach his wisdom to us.

We should teach our children. We should explain how they should behave. We should encourage them to respect God. When they can understand this, they should ask God to forgive their evil behaviour. Our children are not Christians merely because we believe. They themselves must trust in God.

Sometimes we must punish our children. We do not punish them because we are angry. We punish them because we love them. A smack does not always need to hurt. Often a smack should be gentle. It is like a lesson. It teaches the child to behave more wisely.

v16 One man is cruel to poor people, in order to make himself wealthy.

Another man gives gifts to rich people.

Both of them will become poor in the end.

Verse 16

Solomon finishes this section of his book, with a puzzle.

Solomon describes two men. Each man has a plan. Each man thinks that his plan will make him wealthy. However, both plans will fail. Both men will become poor. These men become poor, because their plans are not wise. Both plans are evil plans. So God opposes these plans. And God punishes the men.

The first man wanted to be wealthy. So he was cruel to poor people. Perhaps he was an employer. He decided to pay poor wages for hard work. Or perhaps he was a landlord. The rent was expensive and the houses were dangerous. Or perhaps he was just a thief. He stole money from the poor people. All these plans are evil.

The second man did not think about poor people. He wanted to get money from wealthy people. Perhaps his gifts were bribes (secret gifts). He wanted government officials to like him. Then they would help him to make a profit. He thought that this would make him rich. Or perhaps he gave gifts to impress other people. He wanted people to think that he was wealthy or important. In the end, he wasted all his money.

People make many plans to become wealthy. But, in the end, wealth does not matter. When we die, we shall lose all our money (Ecclesiastes 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:7). But when we die, we do not lose wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to respect God (Proverbs 1:7).

We must not trust in money. We must trust in God. 30 Wise Lessons (Proverbs 22:17 to Proverbs 24:34) v17 Listen carefully to the ‘Wise Lessons’!

Learn them well!

v18 Remember them!

Be ready to repeat them to other people!

v19 I am teaching you – yes, you!

I am teaching you so that you will trust God.

v20 Here are 30 Wise Lessons.

These lessons will teach wisdom and knowledge to you.

v21 These lessons are true and certain.

You will give good answers to those who sent you.

The last major section of the Book of Proverbs begins here. The section includes several different parts. There are:

 short proverbs (wise words);

 longer lessons;

 puzzles;

 and a poem.

Verses 17-21

Wise lessons are valuable. And they are important. We need to study these lessons. We should learn them. These lessons teach us how we should live. And they will teach us how to answer other people’s questions.

There are 30 wise lessons in Proverbs 22:17 to Proverbs 24:22. The number ‘30’ was important to Solomon. It meant that there were many lessons. And they were great lessons. Other ancient books from different nations also contain 30 wise lessons. The people from these nations believed that their own books contained great lessons too. But the Bible is a special book. God provided the Bible to teach us how we should live. He helped the authors of the Bible to write the right things. And God guides us by the Bible today.

v22 Do not cheat poor people because they are poor.

Do not be cruel to them in the court.

v23 God will defend them.

God will attack those who attack poor people.

Verses 22 - 23

God looks after poor people. God does not think that poor people are less important than rich people. God considers that a widow’s coin is more valuable than a rich man’s large gift. (Mark 12:41-44).

Other people might not protect poor people. But God will protect poor people. He made them, and they belong to him. Jesus said, ‘I tell good news to the poor people.’ (Matthew 11:5).

We too must care about poor people. The first Christians were not wealthy. (1 Corinthians 1:26). But they shared their money with poor people (Romans 12:13). And we too should help poor people.

v24 If a man has a bad temper, then do not become his friend.

If a man is angry, then do not go with him.

v25 You might learn his bad attitudes.

His anger could destroy you.

Verses 24 - 25

Anger causes many problems. Anger can cause fights and arguments. It can even cause wars. Avoid the company of people who have a bad temper. You will get into trouble.

v26 When someone else receives a loan,

do not promise to pay the debt.

v27 If you cannot pay, then you will lose everything.

You will even lose the bed that you are lying on.

Verses 26 - 27

We should be careful with money. Money is God’s gift, so we should use our money wisely. We should not risk our money on foolish schemes. We should not waste it on a bet. And we should not help jealous people who demand our money.

Verse 26 seems to describe a common problem at Solomon’s time. See Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 11:15 and Proverbs 17:18. Jesus also mentioned that we should be careful to calculate the cost of our plans (Luke 14:28-30).

We should help poor people with our money. But we should choose carefully whom we help. And we should decide carefully how to help them. So we need to ask God to guide us.

In verse 27, the man is lying in bed because he is lazy. We need to work in order to look after money. We must not be lazy about our money. And we must not be lazy about other gifts that God provides. Jesus told a story about this subject - Luke 19:11-27.

v28 Do not move an ancient fence.

Obey the ancient agreement.

Verse 28

Perhaps your boundary is ancient. Perhaps your family agreed the boundary with your neighbour’s family, many years ago. But perhaps now, you need more land. And your neighbour will not sell his land. You could just move your fence. Your neighbour might not even realise that the boundary has moved. And you will have the land that you desire.

But before you act, think first! There was an ancient agreement. Perhaps, before the agreement, there were many arguments. Perhaps your family even fought your neighbour’s family. If you do not obey the agreement, then these troubles might start again.

An agreement is like a promise. Everyone should respect an agreement. And you should respect your neighbour’s property. If a neighbour does not want to sell his land, then you cannot buy it. And you are a thief if you take his land without an agreement. See 1 Kings 21.

In ancient Israel, the ‘land’ had a special meaning. God owned the land (Leviticus 25:23). Proverbs 22:28 repeats God’s command in Deuteronomy 19:14. So these ancient boundaries were not merely agreements between neighbours, like our boundaries today. The ancient boundaries in Israel were an agreement between the people and God. And anyone who moved a boundary was refusing to obey God’s law.

v29 A skilled workman serves kings.

He will not serve ordinary people.

Verse 29

King Solomon built many great buildings. His workmen built palaces. And they built the magnificent Temple (house of God) in Jerusalem. Solomon respected a skilled workman. He knew that skills are important. He knew that a skilled workman deserves honour. As the king, Solomon selected the best workmen to work for him.

We should learn skills. And we should learn them well. We should try to be experts at our work. When we work well, we honour God with our work. ‘In every kind of work, work hard! You are working for God. You are not really working for men. And you will receive God’s reward, because you are serving Christ.’ (Colossians 3:23-24). Paul wrote this to a group of Christians who were slaves (see Colossians 3:22).

© 2005, Wycliffe Associates (UK)

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words).

November 2005

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