...Many of the eternal truths in the Bible have to be carefully mined up, like precious gems and stones deep underground. The book of Proverbs, however, is like a mountain stream littered with nuggets, just waiting to be grabbed. And many of these nuggets are wisdom. The book of proverbs consistently presents the sluggard as a folly and the diligent person as wise. In following the lifestyle of a diligent wise man or one of a lazy fool is presented throughout the readings of Proverbs. “All wisdom, even things related to everyday practical matters, begins with the fear of the Lord (1:7). Therefore, Hebrew wisdom literature taught people not only how to make good choices in life but also how to make godly choices.”(The essence of the Old Testament) Solomon, wrote most of the Proverbs, is well known for the wisdom gifted him by God upon requesting it. According to the Bible Solomon’s wisdom was divinely granted and surpassed that of all other sages (1kgs 4:29-34). Even Jesus accepted the historicity of the biblical account of Solomon’s wisdom (matt12:41), and thus, there is little reason from scripture to question Solomon as the author/originator of the proverbs attributed to him.( The essence of the Old Testament). The contrast between wisdom and folly is often a Sharp contrast between righteousness and wickedness for example; the diligent person is wise while the sluggard is a fool or the one who holds his tongue is wise while the fool hastens to speak. (The essence of the Old...
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...Proverbs 31: The Assumptions and What We Should Learn From Her A normal assumption of the Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who is perfect. A woman who has her whole life put together, is simply astonishing in every way, and is surprisingly a woman that many Christian women dread to read about. What makes this woman so significant is not that she knows how to cook, clean, care for her children, and work hard, it is her wisdom that shines through and her fear of the Lord that makes her a woman of virtue. Other people have speculations of the Proverbs 31 woman; being too feministic, figuratively speaking on what a woman should and should not be, and trying to create a cookie cutter woman that is seen as perfect. Proverbs 31 is a great chapter, yet why do so many hate on it? Most people know about the Proverbs 31 woman, but most people actually don’t know the real story of the man behind this. The content of this chapter was written by a mother to her son, King Lamuel, who most people believe to be King Samuel. So if it was King Samuel than that means that the mother was Bathsheba, also the wife of King David. Proverbs 31 was actually meant for men, not necessarily women. It’s the man’s responsibility to find this woman who is rare to find because she is a jewel among many stones that symbolize the worldly women. Proverbs 31 was meant to be memorized for Jewish men. Yet many Christian women seem to cringe when reading Proverbs 31 because of the feeling of inadequacy. Some even speculate...
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...The book of Proverbs is jam-packed with numerous lessons that are all combined in a way that allows the reader to jump around from passage to passage to pick up different messages. There are countless passages that use animal imagery to teach character. These passages use a lot of comparisons to demonstrate what it means to have noble character. Proverbs 11:22 is a passage that demonstrates both animal imagery, as well as comparison. This passage addresses what it means to honor who you are. It uses the comparison of women who are without discretion are like a pig with a gold ring. This verse demonstrates that God made us in His image and we should honor our body and make choices in our lives that bring Him glory. If we are without discretion,...
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...PROVERBS 12:19-22 BY MAY 10, 2015 The book of Proverbs consists of many small bits and pieces of wisdom passed down from King Solomon to his people during his reign. Proverbs was written in a way that the interpretation for each little piece could be taken in a different way depending on the circumstances which has allowed these bits of wisdom to stand the test of time and still be viable today. The whole book doesn’t flow well together but should rather be read in small pieces at a time. Proverbs 12:16-22 don’t flow perfectly well together but are some of the verses I try to keep in mind throughout the day. Proverb 12:16-22 holds a main theme of dealing with the dishonest. It says: 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. The author of Proverbs was very good at using literary devices to make a mental picture for the reader. He uses terms such as “lips” instead of mouth to make his point clearer and more impactful. The rough...
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...Essay Question 3 In a human’s life, it takes a great amount of wisdom and diligence to become successful. Thus, those who are lazy and foolish will have little chance of climbing to the top. Subsequently, one cannot help but wonder what the difference between diligence and laziness is, as well as between wisdom and folly, and the book of Proverbs is one that offers explanations to such a question. First, it is important that people comprehend the difference between diligence and laziness as stated in Proverbs. While being diligent means being prepared, and on top of things, a lazy person is one who often put off work that can be done today until tomorrow. In Proverbs, these two characteristics are often mentioned. Proverbs 6:6-11 comments that: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man (NIV). The book describes a lazy person as a “sluggard” who stays in one place. Moreover, a sluggard has to be made to get out of bed to be of any productivity. Unlike the ant that is productive and diligent, a sluggard will not gain anything. Next, the relationship between wisdom and folly must also be taken into account...
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...Proverbs He makes a wine cellar from one raisin. (Lebanon) He makes a mountain out of a molehill. (United States) Even a tiger will appear if you talk about him. (Korea) Speak of the devil and he will appear. (United States) God is a good worker, but he loves to be helped. (Spain) God helps those who help themselves. (United States) You can force a man to shut his eyes, but you can’t make him sleep. (Denmark) You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. (United States) A little in your own pocket is better than much in another’s purse. (Spain) One bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. (United States) If you climb up a tree, you must climb down that same tree. (Ghana) What goes up, must come down. (United States) From the rain into the gutter. (Germany) From the frying pan into the fire. (United States) My house burned down, but it was a relief the bedbugs died. (Korea) Every cloud has a silver lining. (United States) He who is not in sight is not in the heart. (Tanzania) Out of sight, out of mind. (United States) Two captains sink the ship. (Japan) Too many cooks spoil the soup. (United States) By trying often, the monkey learns to jump from the tree. (Zaire) Practice makes perfect (or, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again). (United States) A person that arrives early to the spring never gets dirty drinking water. (Zaire) The early bird gets the worm. (United States) I...
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...Anne-Marie Sievu Rels 101 2nd February,2016. Reflection Paper 1 What I learnt from Proverbs, Esther and Joseph about what it means to be human. The reason why I transferred to Trinity Western University is because I wanted a deeper understanding of my faith and what it meant to be a believer of God. For as long as I can remember, I have always said, when asked that I am Christian but in truth, I never ever did what a Christian does to maintain their faith. I started Rels 101 in the second week of the semester and I had absolutely no idea what the class would be all about. I came to class without a bible, course pack and the required text book. I was a few minutes late and within minutes of getting comfortable I realized the Book of Proverbs was the topic of discussion. This excited me because it's been something I had always wanted to finally read and understand. As you have already guessed, I am not the best “Christian” around and before this, my bible sat at the bottom of my self collecting dust. Dirk Büchener, my professor spoke with so much passion explaining a verse suggested by a student and this grabbed my attention. That day was the day when I first opened my Bible App on my phone. Little did I know that a book so small held so much wisdom. The introduction of Proverbs immediately grabs the readers attention as it says in chapter 1 vs 5 that “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance(.)” As someone who is seeking...
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...West African Proverbs Human figures: Man scraping bark from a tree: When a man goes alone to scrap bark from a tree, it falls to the ground. (Do not refuse help when you need it.) Man holding neck of a snake: If you hold a snake by the head what is left is only a string. (If you catch the leader of your enemy his followers will be helpless.) Man holding his stomach: One should not bear one’s stomach a grudge. (Said of someone who, however unpleasant, is essential to you; since you have no choice you must put up with him.) Man holding egg: A man’s honor is like an egg; if he does not hold it properly it falls and breaks. Man blowing horn: If a man is lost, the sound of his state horn will help him to be found. (A man is protected by his own people.) Man carrying a basket with another looking in: I am carrying an empty basket, why do you look in?(If someone is in trouble you should not try to rub it in with curiosity.) Animals, reptiles, fish: Elephant: One who follows the track of the elephant never gets wet from the dew on the bushes. (Follow an important man and he will protect you in time of trouble.) Hippopotamus: A hippopotamus can be made invisible in water. (Ignorance can lead to potential danger. It is important to be informed and alert.) Antelope: Not all the forest hates the antelope. (You should encourage someone after a dispute, to encourage him to persevere.) Leopard: When the rain falls on the leopard it wets the spots on his skin but does not wash them off...
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...Never Judge A Book By Its Cover - How People Communicate Through Their Clothes The famous saying "never judge a book by its cover" sounds all well and good, however it is human nature to judge people by their image and we do it without realising it. If you were to walk into a room of strangers, you would automatically presume certain aspects about a person's upbringing, occupation or character, just by their image. Before any words have been exchanged you will have already categorised them against your preconceptions and this will inevitably alter the way in which you behave towards them. Humans are the least biologically determined of all the species and therefore we have to be taught social skills, such as how to dress appropriately within our social groups. We learn and adopt the interests, values and beliefs of the social groups we are born into and therefore share the patterns of dress. Although verbal communication is the most obvious way of expressing ourselves it is not the only way and has been proven to be the least effective. Body language, gestures and our image are a far stronger form of communication and therefore the way in which we dress plays a very important part in expressing ourselves to others. Our clothes signify our social identity and help us to understand the roles of others, the groups they belong to, their status within a group and society as a whole. Everyone is born into and belongs to a group or groups, some through choice and some not. People who...
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...The poetry inheriting a long oral tradition has always interested me. I also have the curiosity to ask too much about proverbs and traditional words because it is not easy to understand them and they are highly regarded in my society. This African proverb "the promise is a debt" has made me a moon of his word, pious and honest. The promise is commonly defined as an act by which a person, the promisor undertakes to one or more beneficiaries to do something in the future. It is noted those there different kinds of promises: political, economic and social. Debt is moral duty towards someone. Whatever the promise given, a response will be expected by beneficiaries. They will always look towards a promising, these promises will always be considered as debt. A debt is moral duty toward someone. The promises that we take, make people happy and excited, but the question is if they will be respected. When you cannot fulfill the promises that we have made, we tend to find excuses to avoid feeling guilty. These excuses allow us to justify our failures and prevent us from dealing with the embarrassing reality. The promise is morally important in African society. If we do not respect our promise, people lose confidence in us. This promise can be upgraded or respected in some parts of the world. This proverb "a promise is a debt" is an African proverb particularly in the west. The West Africa is composed of eight different countries; these countries have almost the...
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...The switch in time saves nine One of the proverbs I find most useful in life is the one of Thomas Fuller – a British writer: “A stitch in time saves nine”. It is a well known proverb. It is frequently used in conversation. It passes on from one hand to another like a current coin A stitch in time saves nine” is an idiom, which is a phrase whose symbolic or intended meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words themselves. Literally, it means that a single stitch (to fix a tear in a garment) will avoid having to make many more (nine) to fix a larger tear that it might cause/( A cloth which is torn must be stitched at once for otherwise the torn portion would increase in size and many more stitches would be required.) Figuratively, a little work today (one stitch) can save a lot of work later on (the nine stitches). For example, fixing a tile on the roof can stop the wind and water from getting in and causing a lot of damage to ceilings and so on. Or putting a little oil in the car engine can avoid a ruined engine, a ruined trip and an expensive repair. We must at all times be well prepared for all things. The truth of the proverb will become clear, if we consider a few examples from day to day life. It is early in life that many bad habit is acquired and if the evil habit is not checked then and there, it grows and gives rise to many other evil habits. If a growing child tells lies, he should be at once taken to task so that the habit doesn't take roots,...
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...The proverb, After all, to make a beautiful omelet you have to break an egg, still applies today in several ways. The proverb can be paraphrased into the bad things shape you into what you will become.The Spanish translation of the proverb is, Después de todo, para hacer una hermosa tortilla hay que romper un huevo. The quote still applies today by the fact that some people can have a rough childhood but they could end up being some of the most successful people in the world. My goal in this paper is to show everyone that the proverb still applies in today's world. In Yeamans article, he looks back on Jim Carrey's life and explains the bad times in his life.Jim Carrey did not have the best childhood. At one point during Jim Carrey's childhood, his family lived out of a car trailer (Yeaman 2). Even though he did not let that discourage him. Jims family was at a time of desperate help. As a child Mr. Carrey had to work and eight hour shift at a factory after school (Yeaman 2). Knowing that his family needed help he stepped up to help provide for his family. Jim Carrey working and going to school didn't stop him. Mr. Carrey is now a successful comedian and actor (Yeaman 2). He has achieved his dream by working hard and...
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...Pride goes before a fall This proverb is coined from the well known story entitled, “The Hare and die Tortoise,” from Aesop’s fables. We all remember having read it during our kindergarten days. The hare always quick on his feet challenged a tortoise to a running race! The tortoise who knew that, being a slow animal he was no match for the hare. Yet he accepted the challenge. On the day of the race all the animals assembled at one place and die race commenced. Alas! Like a lightning the hare sprinted across and disappeared from sight. But poor tortoise walked slowly, as usual. The haughty hare, which had gone too far away, paused under a tree. He knew that it would take a long time for the tortoise to reach him. So he stretched and slept. How long he slept, he never knew. Meanwhile, the tortoise came there, saw the hare sleeping and went ahead quietly and reached die winning post, giving a crushing defeat to the hare! This was a lesson not only to die hare, but to everyone who feels too proud and underestimates the others. No matter whatever one’s capacity is, one should not feel proud of it. To cite another example, we have all seen the English movie, ‘Titanic.’ One of the main reasons that the ship sank was the overconfidence of the captain and the ship’s crew. They underestimated what harm an iceberg could do to such a mighty ship of theirs. Hence, the overconfidence broke the ship and sank it, drowning many hundreds of passengers. People say that even a watch that stopped...
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...alphabet. Whatever records our ancestors left were either burned by the Spaniards friars in the belief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that easily perished, like the barks of trees, dried leave sand bamboo cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them. Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the existence of a native culture truly our own. Some of these were passed on byword of mouth till they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to the Philippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to generations the true culture of our people Pre-Spanish Period The Pre-Spanish Period Historical Background Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in the history of our race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk stories, old plays and short stories. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestor was similar to that of the...
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...alphabet. Whatever records our ancestors left were either burned by the Spaniards friars in the belief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that easily perished, like the barks of trees, dried leave sand bamboo cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them. Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the existence of a native culture truly our own. Some of these were passed on byword of mouth till they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to the Philippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to generations the true culture of our people Pre-Spanish Period The Pre-Spanish Period Historical Background Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in the history of our race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk stories, old plays and short stories. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestor...
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