6. Put not forth thyself (set not out thy glory, marg.) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7. For better it is, that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Is this proverb really about how to avoid a violation of protocol that embarrasses you in public?  Yes, but it is about much more.  Under different circumstances Jesus identified the real point.

“When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;  And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11)

How is a person exalted? – Not by self-promotion, but by humbly serving others.

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [common] men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

The person who does excellent work will be recognized and selected to work for men of renown, not common men.  Others promote him for his work, he doesn’t promote himself with his mouth.  This was true of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:31.

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

It is her works that praise her in the gates, not her lips.

Jesus said this about those who promote themselves.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

Yet one chapter earlier Jesus said others should see our good works (but not for our glory).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

A Family Legacy teaches us to do good work in humble service to others in order to glorify God and promote his kingdom.

7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

The gate is the place of authority and judgment in a city like the courthouse, city hall and police station.  In Old Testament times these places of authority were near the city gates where traffic into and out of the city occurred.

Obviously this was where the wise leaders of the city gathered.  This is where judgment, authority and rule took place.  You do not want fools in control here.

Now we can think of fools on several levels.

First there are fools who are mentally deficient in some way.  They cannot handle the thought processes and the amount of information that must be processed to make wise and informed decisions.

A second kind of fool might have the intellectual capacity for the task but is immature, inexperienced and untaught.

The third kind of fool might be very intellectually capable but he has no fear of God.  He is morally deficient.  It is not uncommon to find the third kind of fool ruling in the gates and using that authority to advance his own purposes, not to judge the people righteously.

The purpose of the Family Legacy is to nurture and train our children in wisdom and perhaps they will sit in the gates some day.

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:1-6)

In other words, the kind of wisdom needed to render righteous and competent judgment is not available only to the elite few.  We all must train ourselves to exercise godly dominion.

Interestingly, with proper godly instruction even the first kind of fool can make better decisions than the third kind of fool.

For example:

• Can men marry men and women marry women?
• Can men marry dogs?
• Is it okay to kill babies before they are born?
• Is a preborn baby a person?  (When did Jesus become a man?)
• Do animals have the same rights as people?
• Is it good to teach and obey God’s laws?
• Is it okay to take money from a hard worker and give it to the lazy?

Christian parents with Downs Syndrome children can probably get better answers to those questions from those children than the answers we are getting from our current politicians.

A nation tends to get the leaders they deserve and therein is the power of the Family Legacy.  It is the power to raise up future generations for good or for evil.  Which will you commit to do?

9. Speak not in the ears of a fool:  for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

You are in a war.  Just because you are surrounded during a battle does not mean that you can attack in any direction.  Your objective it to win, not just engage the opposition.

Even though every fool needs wisdom, and you have wisdom, not every fool is open to receiving it.  Some fools are mockers like in today’s proverb.  Other fools, like the foolishness of children, are immature and open to instruction.  You must choose.  The proverb is not saying don’t be compassionate.  It is saying be prudent.

Remember how Jesus said:

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Even though the need is great Jesus also said something similar to today’s proverb.

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6)

Everyone needs the gospel, but it is never wise to proceed in a manner that provokes unnecessary conflict.  It is precisely because opportunities are many and resources are limited that we should target our actions for the greatest results.

The Psalmist’s experience describes many of us.  He was determined to not engage the foolish when they talked wickedness.

“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.” (Psalm 39:1-3)

But the talk of fools provoked him to give them a piece of his mind.

“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,” (Psalm 39:3)

And he regretted it.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. “Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” (Psalm 39:4-5)

Live is too short to engage in futile battles.  Jesus provides this advice.

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” (Luke 14:31-32)

The point here is not to surrender, but to avoid engagements that serve no useful purpose but result in destruction and misery.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

So in building your Family Legacy, choose your battles carefully.

4. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour, and life.

An alternative translation of this proverb is “The reward of humility . . .”  Now who doesn’t desire this reward!  I think everyone does.  They just don’t like the conditions.  In fact, they might think, “ I can have arrogance and self sufficiency – and riches and honor and life, too!  I can have it all!”  The problem is that God created this world and you must play by his rules to succeed.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

Some think that because this is an Old Testament proverb that it is not absolutely true.  They are only principles to live by.  They are trying to explain why many faithful Christians have died under persecution.  That is understandable, but consider these New Testament verses.

“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” (Luke 18:28-31)

Jesus said that and many Christians don’t believe it.  They believe the everlasting life part, but that “in this present life” stuff doesn’t make sense.  Here the principle is stated again.

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

What is “this present life” and “the life that now is?”  Most Christians conclude “It is my own life from birth to death,” but consider this promise to Abraham.

“And I will give unto thee [Abraham], and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:8)

Did Abraham receive the Promised Land during his lifetime?  No he was a stranger.  Yet the text says it was promised specifically to Abraham.  How was it fulfilled?

“And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.” (Joshua 21:43)

Do you see what this is saying?  God’s promise to give the land to the fathers [Abraham] was fulfilled in Abraham’s descendants taking possession of it.  Let’s apply this principle of interpretation to today’s proverb.

This means that the promise to you of riches, honor and life as a reward for humility and fearing God is realized by you when your descendants take possession of those blessings as they continue faithfully in that humility and fear of God.  This is why building a Family Legacy is so important – because God’s promises are fulfilled cross-generationally.

3. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Sometimes it is amazing how Christians can turn things up side down.  This proverb states a comparison, not an absolute.  This statement does not say that God does not desire sacrifice.  He desires both, but justice and truth are more important.  Look at how God complains about Israel through Isaiah.

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.  When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?  Bring no more vain oblations . . .” (Isaiah 1:11-13a)

God says, “I hate your sacrifices.  Who told you to do this?”  Their implied response is, “Well you did Lord.”  God replies, “The sacrifices I commanded were not to be empty and heartless.”

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)

We no longer sacrifice animals because Jesus put an end to that with his own sacrifice, but there is still an outward form to Christianity.  Some turn this up side down by making Christianity purely internal.  The USSR (before its break up) defended this kind of freedom of religion in its constitution – just keep it between your ears.  The ACLU defends this kind of Christianity in the US – just keep it out of the public square.

It is like the farmer who says it is better for him to be working in his fields on Sunday and thinking about God than to be in church and thinking about putting up his hay.  Perhaps, but it is just an excuse for not worshiping God in the manner he directed.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

This proverb addresses the hypocritical Christianity that is faithful in church every Sunday but lives like the devil through the week.  But do we react to this and fall into the ditch on the other side of the road?  The point is that God demands all of us – heart, soul, strength, mind – not just part of us.  We all are familiar with this verse.

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5)

The problem is not the form or appearance of godliness, but its emptiness.  A Family Legacy rejects hypocrisy but promotes godly forms from the heart as being good.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

4. The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold: therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

An important goal and challenge for a Family Legacy is raising diligent and productive children.  Making excuses is common among those who avoid work.  The solution is not good answers for the excuses, but a vision that motivates action.

Hebrews 11 lists many Old Testament saints (Elders) who were motivated to do great things.  What motivated them?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.” (Hebrews 11:1-2)

The “substance” and “evidence” here is the visible action that results from the conviction of faith.  Faith focuses on the unseen.  That’s why it’s faith and not sight.  But the object is not unseen because it is non-material, but because it is not yet.  It’s the future.

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:24-25)

So what was that future hope for which they looked?

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The hope was the promised reward from God.  Expected reward is fundamental to Biblical faith!

The faithful endurance and success of those in Hebrews 11 is intended to motivate us, but we also must be living examples of faith and faithfulness to encourage one another.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)

Jesus is our ultimate example.  He was motivated by the expectation of reward to faithfully endure and complete his work.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus was motivated to please his Father, but he also was motivated by “the joy set before him.”  What was that joy? – Being “set down at the right had of the throne of God!”   Here is how Psalm 1:8 expresses that reward.

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

But look!  Christ’s inheritance and joy is ours!

“. . . we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ . . .” (Romans 8:16-17)

A Family Legacy motivation begins here!

4. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

This proverb is often used (even by godly commentators) to decry the negative effects of riches and encourage the poor to find their comfort in God.  My concern is that to do so is to miss the point.  The rich do have many friends; the poor often don’t and are even shunned by those with possessions.  This is an observation and a fact.  But both rich and poor should find their hope in God.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” (1 Timothy 6:17)

It is wise to use wealth to make friends.  Non-Christians often show more wisdom in this respect than Christians.

“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” (Luke 16:8-9)

It is wise to understand that those friends attracted by riches can be fickle.  I suspect that the prodigal son had many friends to help him waste his inheritance, but where were they when he had nothing left?  If you use riches for empty living, you will gain empty friends.  If you use riches to help others, they will be there to help you when you are in distress.

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.  Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)

Therefore, it is wise to use riches to promote that which is good, not that which is empty.  In fact, we should strive to be productive so we can give to others.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

Brotherly love seeks to bear one another’s burdens.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

But brotherly love seeks to build up, equip and mature the weaker brother so that he can prove his own work, rejoice in it, and be able to help others also.

“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6:3-5)

John Wesley said this.

“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

A Family Legacy is a legacy of productivity and compassion.

5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

This proverb is about godliness.  Some would say godliness is piety, but what is piety?  We find out later.  “Godly” means “god like” so godliness means “god likeness.”  Does that help?  What does the Bible say?

First, it says that man is made in God’s image.  That’s some kind of “god likeness.”

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion . . . over all the earth . . .” (Genesis 1:26)

Adam’s “god likeness” was his exercising dominion.  Satan became the god of this world when Adam sinned.  Adam became a slave to Satan who usurped Adam’s dominion.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

But Jesus, the last Adam, came to destroy the Devil.

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself [Jesus] likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14)

Jesus, as the last Adam, retakes from Satan the dominion that the first Adam lost.

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named . . .” (Ephesians 1:20-21)

What does that mean for us?  It means we are ascended into the heavenly places with Christ,

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:6)

We are made kings and priests unto God to exercise dominion.

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

But we exercise dominion by service, not tyranny.

“Jesus . . . said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” (Matthew 20:25-27)

This is why Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 approvingly.

“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” (John 10:34)

Jesus was not saying we are divine, but that the judges in Psalm 82 exercised the image of God in their ruling.  Now those wicked judges were tyrants and did not serve and defend the weak.   And this is what piety means.  It comes from the word “pity” and means to shown compassion.

Godliness in a Family Legacy is not simply doing religious exercises, it is exercising authority to do right and to right wrongs.

4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Gossip, tale bearing and whispering are possible because there are eager hearers.  It is driven by demand.  This proverb focuses on the hearer.

Gossip has two dimensions.  First, it can be a lie – false lips.  But second, it might be true, but empty and unprofitable – a naughty tongue.  Both are destructive.

False Lips

We are legalistic when we think that if it is true, then we can say it.  We are speaking the truth!  By definition it can’t be slander.  While that is true technically, “false lips” cover more than the content of the words.  Consider this warning.

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause . . .” (Proverbs 1:10-11ff)

These young men were not misrepresenting what they were going to do.  But were they being truthful?  It just wasn’t right.  Here’s another way to be false.

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts . . . . He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.” (Psalm 10:4,11)

The false lip deceives him self and others that they will never be found out.  God is not watching and will not judge.  But God says . . .

“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people . . . I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:16)

A Naughty Tongue

Idle gossip (whispering) is included in a long list of serious sins and crimes.

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers . . . Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:29,32)

Idleness can be a great cause of empty talk – by both men and women.

“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” (1 Timothy 5:13)

Our Response

First we should not participate.

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20)

But second we should rebuke.  Rebuking the sin in our neighbor is part of loving him and fulfilling the second great commandment.  This text follows the commandment forbidding tale bearing.

“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him . . . but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:17-18)

Our Family Legacy must do its part in godly hearing.

4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

The first part of this proverb is easy to understand.  But the second part??!!  That doesn’t seem right.  How can God blame and punish the wicked for the way they are when He made them that way?

First, let’s consider what this means and then understand why it is wonderful.  Paul explains in Romans 9:11-24 concerning Jacob and Esau.

“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) . . . As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (verses 11, 13)

God makes choices to fulfill His purposes, just like we do.  But this raises an objection.

“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” (verse 14)

Paul explains that both Jacob and Esau deserved to be rejected, but God graciously chose Jacob.

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (verses 15-16)

Paul then takes his argument to the next level.

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (verses 17-18)

God actively hardened Pharaoh’s heart!  Paul anticipates the next objection.

“Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?” (verse 19)

Then Paul said, “I didn’t think of that!”  No – Paul says this.

“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” (verse 20)

That reply shows no understanding of the Creator/creature distinction.  God is God and we are not.  God judges us.  We don’t judge God!

Then one objects, “What about free will?  That makes us puppets and robots!”  Not so.  Paul calls us clay pots, which have less personality than puppets and robots.

We know we’re not puppets or robots or clay pots.  Paul’s point is that the difference between God and man is like that between a potter and his pots.  God is not a man and He “made all things for himself.”  And this all-powerful God has a special message for you and your Family Legacy.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Isn’t that purpose wonderful?!