The Proverbs are a set of rules to govern the way we live our lives. Each of these rules of Proverbs are important, and as we read in the first nine chapters of Proverbs; we were introduced to "Wisdom", and we came to know much about him, for "the fear or reverence of of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction". These set of rules are given to us by God to help us as we live our lives. These rules instruct us in civil matters as well as our religious and home life. The Proverbs are just plain common sense that a wise man should use in dealing with other people no matter where or what the position or circumstance he or she may be in. These set of common sense rules will also help you to succeed in your business. This set of rules called Proverbs were given to us, living in our flesh bodies, to bring order to our thinking. So the first nine chapters dealt with Wisdom, and now we will go to a different line of thought.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother."

Many scholars try to make two separate lines of thought, one dealing with the father, the other the mother. However on a deeper level, the point to bring out here is "mother" refers to "mother Israel" don't make her disappointed in you. We are heading here into a distinct class of Proverbs marked off by different authorship. Solomon knew the nature of a mother, of his mother, and if her son or any mother's son is a fool, that mother will not depart from that foolish son. To the mother, she will bear the ignorance and foolishness of that son, however to the man of the household, he will become disgusted and turn his back to the son and his foolishness. Sure mothers stand by their children, but at the cost of a heavy heart.

Those things that hurt your father and mother will hurt you in the long run. To a wise person, he or she must always protect our creditability within our community or people will not listen to what you have to say.

Proverbs 10:2 "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: But righteousness delivereth from death."

The "death" spoken of here deals with the death of the soul, and to be delivered from that death is to have eternal life; life to your eternal soul. What good is it to have gained vast riches of this flesh world age through lawlessness, when in a moment they can all be taken from you? Righteousness is simply doing those things that are right, that are just and show virtue to the best you can. The gains you have from your righteous acts are something that you are proud of and have value to you, however those ill-gotten gains are not going to stay with you long because their value is very temporary.

In our land today, our law enforcement people are back by the laws of the land to sell off those ill-gotten gains and use the proceeds to catch other in their wicked acts.

Proverbs 10:3 "The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: But He casteth away the substance of the wicked."

This verse from Father is telling us that those people that practice this set of rule and revere Father, though they be poor are not going to remain that way. Wisdom has a way of gaining substance. Our heavenly Father will not allow you to do without unless it is there to fit His plan to make a better person out of you. This gets back to why things happen the way that they do; sometimes we are forced into a position for our own good, and through it all we learn to use common sense in the real world that we live in. Father will never let you hunger for food or wisdom, as long as you use that wisdom in your life which brings prosperity to you.

Proverbs 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: But the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

If you are deceitful or lazy you will never become successful in anything that you do. This is looking at that person that just never gets around to doing the things and facing up to the hard problems first. In most cases those things are never tended to. This verse is telling us to be diligent and get those things out of the way first, and your mind will be open and free to become prosperous. Your use of wisdom or common sense will help you get through those hard times in life. God shows little patients with lazy people, and because of the free time on their hands, they pray and in their poverty they think that God has let them down. God didn't let them down, but they let themselves down. "The hand of the diligent maketh rich."

Proverbs 10:5 "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame."

Common sense tells you that any crop, now matter if it is grain, fruit, or what ever has a time for planting, a time from growing and a time for harvesting that crop. There is a certain time when that crop is fit to bring in from the field, and that is also as it is with truth, wisdom and knowledge. You gather your wisdom truth and knowledge in the season when it should be planted, and when the crop or time to use that wisdom is necessary, it becomes useful to you. You plant the seeds of truth in your mind when you can, for there is a time coming when truth will be dried up. We are living in the end times, and Amos warned us of these times.

Amos 8:11 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."

We are in the gathering season today, but very shortly that gathering season will be over. Then you will either know the truth, or you will not and be deceived. Now is the time and season to seal the truths in your mind, for Jesus warned us in Revelation 9:4 that the time is coming when Satan will be given control to hurt or deceive all the people on the face of the earth "but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

The time is coming when it will be one day to late for any harvest of a crop of wisdom. Today is the day to get into the Word, the letter that our Father has given to you to prepare you for the deception that is starting to cover the earth. God's Word will give you the right instruction to prepare you for those things that are coming, as long as you use wisdom and not have a slack hand. Now is the right time, for tomorrow may be to late.

Proverbs 10:6 "Blessings are upon the head of the just: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

"Blessings" are not just good things, but good things bestowed by another. Those blessing are put "upon the head" [Synecdoche in the Hebrew], as applied to the whole person that tries to be just in all his or her dealings. This is a promise from God that you can stand on, and God will add to your reward for seeking to do things His way. Paul wrote in Romans 12:19; "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto rath: for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Seek to gain your wealth by the work of your hands or by doing you work according to the ways of God, but we are warned not to trust the words of a person that seeks to draw their wealth by violence and deceitful ways.

Proverbs 10:7 "The memory of the just is blessed: But the name of the wicked shall rot."

The memory of those that seek to live their lives according to God's Word will be remembered in the minds of those they have blessed. But even the name of the wicked one will be forgotten. The "just" are God's elect and those that have free will to believe on Jesus Christ, and their name are written in the Lamb's book of life, and they will never be forgotten. Those dear souls that have passed on will always be with us, through the Millennium and on into the eternal age that follows Judgment.

The wicked or unjust will rot in the dust, and that is what their soul will be turned into after the final great white throne Judgment of God. Revelation 20:14, 15; "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." To be more accurate, "turned to ashes".

Proverbs 10:8 "The wise in heart will receive commandments: But a prating fool shall fall."

A wise person will receive the words of instruction from God's Word into their mind. The "prating fool" is what we call a gossiper, or one that like to sow contention amongst the brethren. They like to do a lot of talking, and seek to be the final authority on all matters. Out of all the talking this type of person gives, there is never any wisdom to what they say. God expects you to have a sense of humor and that is not prating, but when that humor is to destroy another person's character undeservingly, it then become prating. Always protect your character and reputation, for then people will listen to you and your words can be used for the Lord. When you read the Word, put Father's Words into practice in your life.

Proverbs 10:9 "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: But he that perverteth his ways shall be known."

To "walk uprightly" is to have integrity in your character. "Perversion" is anything that is used other than in a natural order that God intended it to be used. One example of this is in sodomy, an act which God calls an abomination to Him. One that takes God Word and changes it to their own liking also perverts the Word of God. Whether by flesh means or spiritual means, God does not like those that set their ways in perversion. As "surely" is used here, is given in a legal sense, and it means that what is said is guaranteed by Father.

Proverbs 10:10 "He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: But a prating fools shall fall."

This refers back to verse eight. Through the many interpretations, this verse has lost a lot, however to put into another positive tense; "He that opens the eye of his mind, does away with sorrow." Then add the negative to that; "But a prating fools shall fall", will complete the thought. Usually the wink is by one that joins with another third party to make light of the one he is talking with. The purpose of the wink is to take advantage or the mocking of someone without their knowledge of it.

Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

A "well" is what you draw life giving water from, and the spiritual food of God's Word come from the mouth of a righteous man. Those Words give lead other to have eternal life. Violence as use here, is in a sense that their words are inaccurate, and would lead another person away from the truths of God's Word. That is Satan's method of operation, to give 95% the truth, and 5 % inaccurate, just enough to make the entire statement a lie.

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins."

Love when applied with the wisdom from God's Word, that is facing the reality of life and using common sense, will cause a righteous person to handle any situation they face. Righteous indignation is not the same as hatred and strife, but is acceptable when it is necessary. Where ever hatred exist, it sets up a foundation for trouble to follow. However one showing righteous indignation is showing a proper reaction to when it is called for, but those that are insulted by righteous indignation are those that are ignorant to God's Word.

Proverbs 10:13 "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding."

When a wise man speaks, it will make sense to one in turn with our Father's Word. But those without the understanding of wisdom or truths from God's Word will bring trouble down upon himself. "Void of understanding" is nothing more than a lack of common sense. He or she is the one that opens his mouth, or acts without thinking through the results of what he will say or do. They simply do not respect the rights and position of others. The important thing to this verse is that the unwise person bring the rod of correction on themselves.

Proverbs 10:14 "Wise men lay up knowledge: But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."

"The mouth of the foolish" is talking about the prater from verse eight. The reason you fill your mind with the truth from God's Word from memory or study, is for those times when trouble comes on you. When you study how Jesus Christ and the rest of the wise men of the bible reacted, it gives you a pattern for each of us as a guide for our lives. Christ's teachings and deeds were set forth in a very simple way, and He expects us to walk in that path. Sure you will fail at times, but that is why we have repentance in Jesus Christ's name. There is forgiveness at the cross, through the blood of Jesus Christ. That blood is our only credentials before the throne of God. The foolish will be near destruction, for their paths will lead them to the way of destruction, which Revelation 20:14, 15 tells us will end in the lake of fire. That destruction destroys their soul, which is the second death.

Proverbs 10:15 "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: The destruction of the poor is their poverty."

The rich man uses his wealth to protect himself and give himself the better things in life. However the poor or weak man uses what he has just to get by. In a spiritual sense, there is nothing wrong with having the wealth of this world, when they are gotten by doing things God's way. If God has blessed you with wealth, there is no sin to that. God promises us that He will bless us for following His Word, and they are the rewards or the fruits of your labor. Remember back in Proverbs 8:19; "My fruit [wisdom] is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver". The fool that is given wealth will never keep his wealth, for one way or another someone will separate him from his gold.

Proverbs 10:16 "The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: The fruit of the wicked to sin."

The earnings of the righteous man assists him in living a richer and righteous life; a better quality of life. "The wick" in the text is "the lawless one". The "lawless one" is Satan. By following the ways of the lawless one, Satan, can cause much trouble in your life. When we do sin, that is the time for repentance in Jesus name; and it should be done when you realize that you have sinned.

Proverbs 10:17 "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: But he that refuseth reproof erreth."

If you follow the way given in God's Word, you will have a better life, and rest assured that if you go against God's laws and commandments, you will go astray.

Proverbs 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, And he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."

"Hatred", as given here is "anxiety", and it is not wise to cover over and allow anxiety to build up within you. This anxiety then is released through your righteous indignation, as we discussed in verse twelve. That is no sin. Wisdom and righteous indignation goes hand in hand, however wisdom and hatred do not go together. Of course we are to hate what Satan and his followers do when they sins. Remember the seven things that God hated.

Proverbs 6:16, 17, 18 "These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an aboimation unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren."

The more wisdom you gain in your studies, the more you are able to escape those pressures that come on you, as you live your daily life. Hate only hurts the one doing the hating.

Proverbs 10:19 "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise."

Another way to put this verse is; "Just don't open your mouth to speak, until you know exactly what you are going to say". If you do not know what you are talking about, it is better not to say anything. If you must say something, then let it be known that it is nothing more than a guess on your part.

Proverbs 10:20 "The tongue of the just is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth."

"The Just" are God's elect. The word's spoken by one of God's elect from the wisdom from God's Word is very valuable, "as choice silver". However, the one that speaks from a lying and wicked mind is worthless, because it is void of wisdom. A mind without wisdom is worthless, for it has nothing of value to say.

Proverbs 10:21 "The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom."

You will always gain when you listen to a person of wisdom, for there is life in God's wisdom, eternal life. However fools will die because of their lack of wisdom. Spiritually speaking, not just a physical death, but the death of their soul. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, "The fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." The fool is one that refuses to listen to any wisdom and instruction from God's Word. The fool rejects God's way of eternal life, as he marches down the path to eternal destruction.

Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, And He addeth no sorrow with it."

There are many wise people in God's Word, for they spoke as God gave them the words to speak. When you listen and obey their words, God's blessings will make you richer for it. The greatest thing of value that we can obtain are the blessings given by God. God blesses when you are just, and you follow His path of righteousness.

Proverbs 10:23 "It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: But a man of understanding hath wisdom."

This verse is just common sense. If you have the understanding of wisdom,you just don't fool around a make sport of the things of God. This is not labeling sports as we know these activities today as foolishness, but it is in reference to making ridicule of someone that cannot defend him or herself. When teasing or sport of another person becomes wrong, it is when it hurts someone or their property.

Proverbs 10:24 "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: But the desire of the righteous shall be granted."

"The desire of the righteous" is eternal life. What ever the wicked fear, that is the trouble that will come upon them. This is saying that a wicked man or woman names the sentence that will fall upon their own head, and you can count on this every time.

Proverbs 10:25 "As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: But the righteous is an everlasting foundation."

Just as a storm that comes and passes on, so shall it be that a time is coming when the wicked will be no more. This is speaking of that time following the judgment seat of the Father, when the wicked will follow Satan into the lake of fire, and the righteous on into that new heaven and new earth into eternity. This is a sure thing and you can count on it. The everlasting foundation that we stand upon is the "Rock", which is to say our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only in Christ is there eternal life. This earth age is a time for the separation of the wicked from the just, those that put their faith in Jesus Christ. All those that disrespect Almighty God will be destroyed [turned to ashes from within] at the end of the Millennium age.

Proverbs 10:26 "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him."

Don't ever send a lazy person to do something that must be done. The "sluggard" is one that is lazy and cares less for his job. This applies both to family life, and on the job. That is part of wisdom; being about to focus on those things that have to be done, and having the understanding to do the job the right way. Of course this is not in reference to the handicap individual, it is directed to those that are just plain lazy. You can always find a job for those that try to do their best, that might be a little slow. Always try to do that which is right, and when you do your best, you do it well.

Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the Lord prolongeth days; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened."

"The fear, or reverence of the Lord prolongeth your days" has nothing to do with making you live longer. It is referring to the better quality of life that you will have while you are living here in the flesh. Your good days will outnumber your bad days, and that time will be of greater value and importance to you. As you use the wisdom that you have in your mind, you will learn to plot the course of your days to be more fulfilling.

Proverbs 10:28 "The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: But the expect-ation of the wicked shall perish."

The righteous person will always be looking to the future with great expectation, however the wick person will always fall short of the goals that he has set for himself.

Proverbs 10:29 "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

Why is this? Because as you set your course for the day, with the Lord's instruction in your mind, God will always strengthen you in your efforts. God will see to it that the plans of the workers of iniquity will fall short of their goals. Remember that God is in complete control over all that happens in His creation.

Proverbs 10:30 "The righteous shall never be removed: But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth."

Revelation 21 tells us that heaven in the eternity will actually be established right here on earth. In God's eternal kingdom the wicked will not be around anywhere. Both the old and new Jerusalem will be here on earth, and the earth is the location of the Millennium age of testing and discipline. The wicked, those that did not overcome will not be in existence in the eternity. God is going to completely destroy them. Lets go to Hebrews and review Paul's words on this matter.

Hebrews 12:25 "See that ye refuse not Him That speaketh [The Father]. For if they escaped not who refused Him That spake on earth, much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from Him That speaketh from heaven:"

This is to say, Christ speaking through the Holy Spirit where the wrath of God is released.

Hebrews 12:26 "Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven."

This happens when God's wrath is finally released and the end of this earth age is over.

Hebrews 12:27 "And this word, "Yet once more," signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made [created], that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."

A righteous person simply cannot be shaken, for we know absolutely that all of God's Word is true. Jesus Christ is our Rock that can not be shaken.

Hebrews 12:28 "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:"

We accept and serve God when we love Him and revere Him.

Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire."

This tells us that at the seventh trump, when these physical bodies change into the incorruptible body that we shall all have, that will never die or grow old, the rest of the world will be consumed by this consuming fire. This fire is quite different than we think of fire today. The fire of today consumes flesh but not the soul, however that consuming fire that shall come at the seventh trump can cause your very soul to perish. That consuming fire can blot you out for ever and ever.

So we see that the wick will not inhabit the earth into eternity, because their souls will be blotted out, and the memory of them in their loved ones will be gone forever. They will be turned to ashes for ever.

Proverbs 10:31 "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: But the froward tongue shall be cut out."

The just are the elect, those that love and know the wisdom of God. These are the teachers that you want to be listening to. That perverse tongue may sound to good to be true, but the wisdom of the Word is what we ought to be listening to.

Proverbs 10:32 "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: But the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness."

The words that come out of a righteous person is a pleasure to listen to: while the words of a wicked person speaks perversity. It doesn't take long while listening to a person to size him or her up, to where you know if that persons words are acceptable or frowardness. This instinct within you is called discernment, and that is where your first opinion comes from.