Proverbs 19:6-10

Prov 19:6 (KJV)

Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

 

Many - Great or abundant

Entreat - Flatter

 

Here is another worldly principle which will not go away until the last day. Those rulers who are in a position to give gifts will always have those who will flatter or entreat them. This is also a snapshot of governments which give entitlement programs. Those who continue to receive government benefits and money will always vote the incumbents back in. Lazy people love government handouts and will always support that type of government. Second part of that verse deals with the same principle. A man that loves to give gifts will always seem as a friend to them who receives the gifts. It is always a possibility that those who receive the gifts are being bought off. There have been many corporations that have buried toxic waste in communities and then buy off the individuals in those communities. So they are not really being a friend because they are counting on the greed of the individuals. There are those who look at God the same way. They think if they do something, they should receive a big reward or gift and it just does not work that way.

 

Prov 19:7 (KJB)

All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

 

Hate - Abhorred, disdained, or opposed

 

This verse is in contrast to the previous verse. Those who are rich or are in a position of authority where they can afford to give gifts and buy or buy off people will have an abundance of friends, whether they be real or just flatterers out to gain something. On the other hand, those that are poor are hated by their own brethren, whether it be family or those of the same social strata. The poor people cannot give gifts to maintain a friendship, so they speak to others about becoming friends but because they cannot give things, their words are not heard and those who they want to be friends will not become their friends. The poor must learn to be resourceful because they are normally neglected because of their destitution.

 

Prov 19:8 (KJB)

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

 

He that getteth wisdom - He that acquires a heart

Keepeth - Guard or Observe

Understanding - Insight or skill

 

Here is an interesting verse which speaks of salvation. Those who get a new heart will have the wisdom which accompanies it. (Ezek 36:26 KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of having the new heart of salvation and when one becomes saved, the Holy Spirit indwells us and imparts the wisdom of God to us. As we live out our salvation, we begin to acquire understanding and as we continue to observe the wisdom we learn, then we are finding a good thing because we apply those learned skills to our everyday life and they keep us from making mistakes which could cost us dearly.

 

Prov 19:9 (KJB)

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

 

This verse is brother to19:5 as it speaks about a false witness that shall not go unpunished. One cannot live lies and expect to walk away freely from causing innocent people to be punished for a crime they did not commit. (Rev 21:8 KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev. 21:8 tells us that those who tend to live on lies, unless they become saved, will be sentenced to Hell and their sentence will be based upon the fact that they were liars and false accusers. This means that the truth will finally be told in their presence but it will be too late because this truth will convict and condemn them for their lies.

 

Prov 19:10 (KJB)

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

 

Delight - Pleasure, pampering, or luxury

 

It is not in accordance with principles of life for a fool to live in luxury. They would not know how to adapt to it plus they would still be a fool. Fools should not have the rewards of wisdom. It is like the gangsters of the 1920’s, they dressed in the nicest suits but they were still killers and thieves. Likewise the luxurious lifestyle would not fit the lifestyle the fool is accustomed to. It would be like the maid or butler ruling over the business enterprise of the person they are working for. This does not mean that they could not, but it means that in their present vocations, they are not trained to rule in business or even government, if they work for a government official. This verse is basically pointing out a reverse in the order of things. (Isa 5:20 KJV) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! It is like those who call good, evil and evil, good. It is a reverse in the moral order of things. In other words, everything needs to be in the proper order for the world to work. You would not hire an electrician to fix your plumbing, you hire a plumber because that would be the natural order. Fools living in luxury or servants ruling the country is not the natural order.

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