Book of Proverbs
Chapter 29:1-14
29:1 – Stubborn resistance to correction brings sudden death
To harden the neck is to stiffen it and not bend it in submission and repentance. A person
who willfully and persistently refuses to be corrected will suffer sudden and irreversible
punishment. When there is no repentance there is no remedy. An example of stubborn
resistance is Pharaoh’s opposition to God and His people. Proverbs 1:24-33 describes the
serious consequences of rejecting God’s wisdom and His will. We should always pray for
ourselves and others to have a teachable spirit and a tender heart.
29:2 – Godly leaders make their people glad
This is evident in Biblical history and even in our nation’s history. When Israel had a
godly king such as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, or Josiah, the people rejoiced. But when a king
like Ahaz or Manasseh was on the throne the people mourned.
29:3 – Wisdom keeps a person from immorality
A wise son is morally pure and makes his parents glad, but an unwise son associates with
immoral women, wastes his money, and also causes his parents much grief. Wisdom will
keep a person from sexual immorality (Prov. 2:16; 5:1-3). Many proverbs state that a wise
son makes a glad father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 23:15; 23:24-25; 27:11; 28:7; 29:17). The
prodigal son wasted his money in “riotous living” and grieved his father (Lk. 15:11-32).
29:4 – Righteous leaders build a nation that lasts
Godly leaders are committed to doing what is right, not what is expedient or politically
correct. An unjust leader will accept gifts (bribes) and cause the nation to be weakened or
even destroyed. Proverbs warns about the consequences of bribery: it erodes the very
foundation of government (Prov. 29:4); it should be hated as an enemy (15:27); it perverts
justice (17:23); it provides government access for dishonest people (18:16); it buys favor
with people (19:6); and it pacifies anger and averts punishment (21:14).
29:5 – Flattery is based on evil intentions
To “flatter” literally means to “smooth” (smooth talk or butter up) a person and entangle
him by appealing to his pride. Flattery is insincere and excessive praise that comes from
an evil heart. It is far different from genuine praise that comes from a good heart. See
Prov. 26:28; 28:23.
29:6 – Willful sin is a self-made trap
An evil person will be caught in the trap of his own sin, but a righteous person sings with
joy in his heart. He can live a happy, carefree life without having to worry about the
consequences of his actions coming back to haunt him. A person who willfully sins is
foolish compared to a bird who wisely avoids the trap (Prov. 1:17).
29:7 – A godly person has a concern for the needy
Our walk with God shows up in our attitude toward the poor (the feeble, weak, helpless).
A godly person has sympathy and compassion for hurting people, but a wicked person has
no concern for them. Jesus had righteous anger for the Pharisees because of their hard
hearts toward human hurts. They appeared to be outwardly holy, but their attitudes and
actions revealed their wicked hearts.
29:8 – Arrogant rulers lead their people into trouble
Scorners are arrogant, proud mockers. They incite (lit., inflame) trouble by their arrogance
and rebellion. On the other hand wise rulers make godly decisions and avert anger. This
may refer to God’s judgment, human punishment, or both.
29:9 – Dealing with foolish people is difficult
If a wise person contends with (debates, challenges) a fool (arrogant, hardened person), the
fool will either vent his anger on him or make fun of him, so there is no rest or resolution
to the matter. There is no way for a wise man to “win” with a fool. The wise person must
do and say what is right and leave the outcome in God’s hands.
29:10 – The ungodly hate the godly
Jesus confirmed this proverb by saying the world hated His disciples (Jn. 17:14). An
ungodly person has a natural hatred toward a righteous person, but a righteous person
seeks the welfare of his soul. Compare Cain (Gen. 4:8-9) to Joseph (Gen. 50:19-21). We
are supposed to be our brother’s keeper, not his killer.
29:11 – A wise person controls his thoughts and words
A person who speaks his mind is a fool (thick-headed, stubborn person). A wise person
carefully thinks before he speaks. A wise person controls his thoughts, words, and
emotions (Prov. 29:11, 20, 22). The expression “keepeth it in” literally reads “calms it
back.” This same word is found in Psalm 65:7 and 89:9 where it refers to calming the sea
waves. A wise person calms down instead of blowing up.
29:12 – A wicked ruler chooses wicked servants
If a ruler listens to lies (possibly flattery), then he surrounds himself with servants who lie
(flatter him). This is another proverb that reveals “birds of a feather flock together.”
29:13 – All people have some things in common
The poor and the deceitful man meet together (share some common experiences). God
enables both of them to see the light of day. The deceitful (rich) man is contrasted to the
poor (destitute, hungry) man because riches were sometimes gained through deceit. Some
things are true of all people whether rich or poor:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
God creates the life of all (Prov. 22:2)
God sustains the life of all (Prov. 29:13; Mt. 5:45; Acts 17:25)
God offers eternal life to all (Jn. 3:16)
God requires the life of all (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27)
God judges the life of all (Heb. 9:27)
29:14 – A faithful leader brings stability to government
Similar to Proverbs 29:4, this proverb describes a king who faithfully administers justice
and brings stability to his kingdom. The poor are often mistreated by corrupt leaders
because they are helpless and unable to defend themselves. A faithful ruler establishes his
kingdom by justice rather than by force, deception, bribes or corruption (see Prov. 16:12;
20:28; 25:5). A blessed nation has faithful statesmen who lead by godly principles instead
of crooked politicians who seek their own interests. Pres. Dwight Eisenhower once said:
“In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must
have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionable integrity.”
Book of Proverbs
Chapter 29:1-14
29:1 – ___________________________________________________________________
To harden the neck is to stiffen it and not bend it in submission and repentance. A person
who willfully and persistently refuses to be corrected will suffer sudden and irreversible
punishment. When there is no repentance there is no remedy. We should always pray for
ourselves and others to have a teachable spirit and a tender heart.
29:2 – ___________________________________________________________________
When Israel had a godly king such as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, or Josiah, the people
rejoiced. But when a king like Ahaz or Manasseh was on the throne the people mourned.
29:3 – ___________________________________________________________________
A wise son is morally pure and makes his parents glad, but an unwise son associates with
immoral women, wastes his money, and also causes his parents much grief. Wisdom will
keep a person from sexual immorality (Prov. 2:16; 5:1-3). Many proverbs state that a wise
son makes a glad father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 23:15; 23:24-25; 27:11; 28:7; 29:17).
29:4 – ___________________________________________________________________
Godly leaders are committed to doing what is right, not what is expedient or politically
correct. An unjust leader will accept gifts (bribes) and cause the nation to be weakened or
even destroyed. Proverbs warns about the consequences of bribery: it erodes the very
foundation of government (Prov. 29:4); it should be hated as an enemy (15:27); it perverts
justice (17:23); it provides government access for dishonest people (18:16); it buys favor
with people (19:6); and it pacifies anger and averts punishment (21:14).
29:5 – ___________________________________________________________________
To “flatter” literally means to “smooth” (smooth talk or butter up) a person and entangle
him by appealing to his pride. Flattery is insincere and excessive praise that comes from
an evil heart. It is far different from genuine praise that comes from a good heart. See
Prov. 26:28; 28:23.
29:6 – ___________________________________________________________________
An evil person will be caught in the trap of his own sin, but a righteous person sings with
joy in his heart. He can live a happy, carefree life without having to worry about the
consequences of his actions coming back to haunt him. A person who willfully sins is
foolish compared to a bird who wisely avoids the trap (Prov. 1:17).
29:7 – ___________________________________________________________________
Our walk with God shows up in our attitude toward the poor (the feeble, weak, helpless).
A godly person has sympathy and compassion for hurting people, but a wicked person has
no concern for them. Jesus had righteous anger for the Pharisees because of their hard
hearts toward human hurts.
29:8 – ___________________________________________________________________
Scorners are arrogant, proud mockers. They incite (lit., inflame) trouble by their arrogance
and rebellion. On the other hand wise rulers make godly decisions and avert anger. This
may refer to God’s judgment, human punishment, or both.
29:9 – ___________________________________________________________________
If a wise person contends with (debates, challenges) a fool (arrogant, hardened person), the
fool will either vent his anger on him or make fun of him, so there is no rest or resolution
to the matter. There is no way for a wise man to “win” with a fool. The wise person must
do and say what is right and leave the outcome in God’s hands.
29:10 – __________________________________________________________________
Jesus confirmed this proverb by saying the world hated His disciples (Jn. 17:14). An
ungodly person has a natural hatred toward a righteous person, but a righteous person
seeks the welfare of his soul. Compare Cain (Gen. 4:8-9) to Joseph (Gen. 50:19-21). We
are supposed to be our brother’s keeper, not his killer.
29:11 – __________________________________________________________________
A person who speaks his mind is a fool (thick-headed, stubborn person). A wise person
carefully thinks before he speaks. A wise person controls his thoughts, words, and
emotions (Prov. 29:11, 20, 22). The expression “keepeth it in” literally reads “calms it
back.” A wise person calms down instead of blowing up.
29:12 – __________________________________________________________________
If a ruler listens to lies (possibly flattery), then he surrounds himself with servants who lie
(flatter him). This is another proverb that reveals “birds of a feather flock together.”
29:13 – __________________________________________________________________
The poor and the deceitful man meet together (share some common experiences). God
enables both of them to see the light of day. The deceitful (rich) man is contrasted to the
poor (destitute, hungry) man because riches were sometimes gained through deceit. Some
things are true of all people whether rich or poor:
1) God_____________________________________________________ (Prov. 22:2)
2) God____________________________________________ (Mt. 5:45; Acts 17:25)
3) God_______________________________________________________ (Jn. 3:16)
4) God____________________________________________ (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27)
5) God______________________________________________________ (Heb. 9:27)
29:14 – __________________________________________________________________
Similar to Proverbs 29:4, this proverb describes a king who faithfully administers justice
and brings stability to his kingdom. The poor are often mistreated by corrupt leaders
because they are helpless and unable to defend themselves. A faithful ruler establishes his
kingdom by justice rather than by force, deception, bribes or corruption (see Prov. 16:12;
20:28; 25:5). A blessed nation has faithful statesmen who lead by godly principles instead
of crooked politicians who seek their own interests. Pres. Dwight Eisenhower once said:
“In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must
have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionable integrity.”