When You Sit to Eat with a Ruler - Proverbs 23:1

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “see you a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean mean”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse one of Proverbs Solomon shared what to do, “when you sit to eat with a ruler” where we read,

When you sit to eat with a ruler,

consider diligently what is before you.

The verse begins, “When you sit to eat with a ruler, ...” Solomon began with the words, “when you sit to eat” or “at the time and moment you, the readers and listeners to Solomon's words, dwell, remain, abide and are seated” “with a ruler” which means “alongside one who reigns, has dominion and governs”. Solomon referred to the time that his readers and listeners would be seated alongside one who reigns and has dominion. 

The verse goes on to say, “... consider diligently what is before you.” Solomon continued with the words, “consider diligently” or “discern, understand and perceive carefully” “what is before you” which means “concerning that which is in the face, front and presence of you, readers and listeners to Solomon's words”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners to carefully discern that which is placed in front of them. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how we must be careful when we are in front of rulers and authorities because we do not know the intentions with what they present. God knows all people, and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to be careful at the time and moment we are in the presence of rulers and authorities. 

Next time Solomon shares what to do, “if you be a man given to appetite”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

A Man Diligent in His Business - Proverbs 22:29

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-nine of Proverbs Solomon asked, “see you a man diligent in his business?” where we read,

See you a man diligent in his business?

He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

The verse begins, “See you a man diligent in his business?” Solomon began with the words, “see you a man” or “do you, readers and listeners to Solomon's words, observe, notice and perceive a person whether male or female who is” “diligent in his business” which means “prompt, skilled and ready in their occupation, work and property”? Solomon asked whether his readers and listeners observed people who were prompt and skilled within their occupation, workmanship and service.

The verse continues, “he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Solomon added the words, “he shall stand before kings” or “he, the person whether male or female will be fixed, established, stationed and set in place in front and in the presence of royal rulers and leaders”; “he shall not stand” which means “he, the person, whether male or female, will in no way or manner be fixed, established, stationed and set in place” “before mean mean” or “in front and in the presence of low, obscure and insignificant people”. Solomon said the person who is “diligent in business” will be established in front of royal rulers and will not be set in the presence of obscure and insignificant people. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon the importance of being skilled and prompt in our occupation. God wants us to perform our work in a way that is pleasing to Him, and He will help us in that effort especially when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins as our personal “Savior and Lord”. When we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to be “diligent” in our occupation and everything we do. 

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon share what to do, “when you sit to eat with a ruler”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Remove Not the Ancient Landmark - Proverbs 22:28

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts, if you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-eight of Proverbs Solomon said, “remove not the ancient landmark” where we read,

Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.

The verse begins, “Remove not the ancient landmark, ...” Solomon began with the words, “remove not” or “do not displace, move back or carry away” “the ancient landmark” which means “the long time, ever, always, perpetual and continuously existing border, territory and region”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to displace the borders for territories and regions that have always existed. 

The verse goes on to say, “... which your fathers have set.” Solomon continued with the words, “which your fathers” or “that your, the people reading and listening to Solomon's words', immediate male ancestors and progenitors” “have set” which means “have put, fixed and set in place”. Solomon referred to the established borders that the male progenitors of his readers and listeners put in place. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Solomon wanted the people reading and listening to his words to be honest about property lines. They were not to move markers that designated who owned different properties, and whenever they knew where the lines were drawn, they were to maintain those lines. Property ownership is much different today as governments keep surveyed lines of ownership, but the idea of continuing to be honorable remains. God loves us, and He wants us to be like Him. He knows we have sin in our lives, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to be honorable not only with borders and territories, but also with every transaction we make. 

Next time Solomon asks, “see you a man diligent in his business?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

If You Have Nothing to Pay - Proverbs 22:27

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts, ...”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-seven of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “if you have nothing to pay” where we read,

If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

The verse begins, “If you have nothing to pay, ...” Solomon began with the words, “if you have nothing” or “whether and in case you, the reader and listener to Solomon's words, hold, own and possess not one thing” “to pay” which means “to recompense, reward, render or amend”. Solomon considered the idea of his reader and listener not possessing anything to recompense or provide for restitution. 

The verse continues, “... why should he take away your bed from under you?” Solomon added the words, “why should he take away your bed” or “for what reason and cause should the person, with whom they struck hands or became sureties for debts, seize, fetch, lay hold of and acquire your, the person who strikes hands or becomes sureties for debts', place for lying down or sleeping” “from under you” which means “separate and apart from beneath you, the person who struck hands or became surety for debts”? Solomon asked for what reason the lender should remove the sleeping place from the person who became the guarantor of a debt. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon the reason a person should not “strike hands” or become “surety” for debts. If the lender calls in their note and the person who secured the note does not have the means to repay them, the lender will “repossess” or remove their sleeping place from them. God wants us to be wise in our business transactions, and when we surrender to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for our sins, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us the wisdom not to “strike hands” too quickly or to be a guarantor on a loan that causes our sleeping apparatuses to be taken away for non-payment. 

Next time Solomon says, “remove not the ancient landmark”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance". 

Be Not Ones Who Strike Hands - Proverbs 22:26

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go: lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-six of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not you one of them that strike hands” where we read,

Be not you one of them that strike hands,

or of them that are sureties for debts,

The verse begins, “Be not you one of them that strike hands, ...” Solomon began with the words, “be not you one of them” or “do not, readers and listeners of Solomon's words, be like the people whether male or female” “that strike hands” which means “who clap, blast, thrust or give a blow of the physical hands”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to be as people who clap their hands together as in making a covenant, contract or agreement. 

The verse goes on to say, “... or of them that are sureties for debts,” Solomon continued with the words, “or of them” or “or pertaining to the people whether male or female” “that are sureties” which means “who exist as pledges, undertakers, security and guarantors” “for debt” or “on behalf of loans”. Solomon told his listeners and readers not to exist as guarantors or co-signers for loans.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are to conduct ourselves with business transactions. Solomon told his readers and listeners not to make agreements or be guarantors for another person's loan. More relationships and financial difficulties have arisen because people committed themselves to a deal too quickly or agreed to guarantee a loan for someone else. God wants us to be wise with our relationships and with our finances, and because He loves us, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay our debt for sins. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us how to be wise in our business transactions and any commitments we make on behalf of other people. 

Next time Solomon shares about, “if you have nothing to pay”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Not Learning the Angry Man's Ways - Proverbs 22:25

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go:”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-five of Proverbs Solomon said, “lest you learn his ways, and get a snare” where we read,

Lest you learn his ways,

and get a snare to your soul.

The verse begins, “Lest you learn his ways, ...” Solomon began with the word, “lest” or “beware unless and peradventure” “you learn his ways” which means “ you, readers and listeners to Solomon's words, are taught, utter and become familiar with his, the angry and furious person's, path, traveled road and journey of living”. Solomon warned his listeners and readers that they could be taught and become familiar with the “angry and furious person's” way of living if they followed them. 

The verse continues, “... and get a snare to your soul.” Solomon added the words, “and get a snare” or “and take, fetch, lay hold of and seize a bait, lure, noose, gin or trap” “to your soul” which means “to your, the readers and listeners to Solomon's words', heart, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections”. Solomon said following the ways of the “angry and furious person” would lead their heart, mind and will into a trap.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon the powerful warning against keeping company with people who are filled with wrath and indignation. Their influence will spread to their followers, and this shall eventually lead those who follow them into a trap for their heart, mind and will. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind so they may be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and freed from the bondages that are attained through keeping company with the wrong people. God loves us, and when we humble ourselves and surrender to Him, He will protect us by His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth so that we may live in a pleasing and not angry way before God's eyes. (See John 16:33; Acts 1:8)

Next time Solomon says, “be not you one of them that strike hands”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Make No Friendship with an Angry Man - Proverbs 22:24

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate, for the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those than spoiled them”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-four of Proverbs Solomon said, “make no friendship with an angry man” where we read,

Make no friendship with an angry man;

and with a furious man you shall not go:

The verse begins, “Make no friendship with an angry man;” Solomon began with the words, “make no friendship” or “do not be an associate or companion” “with an angry man” which means “alongside a person whether male or female who is filled with wrath and rage that wrinkles the nostrils or nose”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to be a companion or associate with a person who is filled with wrath. 

The verse goes on to say, “and with a furious man you shall not go:” Solomon continued with the words, “and with a furious man” or “and alongside a person whether male or female who is possesses hot displeasure, indignation, burning anger, venom and poison” “you shall not go” which means “you, Solomon's listeners and readers, are not to fetch, follow or move toward”. Solomon told his readers and listeners not to follow or join themselves to a person who has burning anger and venom. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are to distance ourselves from people who are filled with wrath, rage and indignation. People with these traits tend to take their anger out upon those who surround them, and because God loves us, He will protect us when we obey Him. God wants us to live with Him eternally, and He provided His Son Jesus to the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us protected from people who are “angry and furious” in this world. 

Next time Solomon says, “lest you learn his ways, and get a snare”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

The LORD Will Plead Their Call - Proverbs 22:23

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-three of Proverbs Solomon said, “the LORD will plead their cause” where we read,

For the LORD will plead their cause,

and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

The verse begins, “For the LORD will plead their cause, ...” Solomon began with the words, “for the LORD” or “because, since and on account Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One true God” “will plead their cause” which means “shall contend, make complaint and quarrel for their, the poor and afflicted's, strife, controversy, dispute and case at law”. Solomon shared how Jehovah God will contend and quarrel on behalf of the affliction and strife belonging to the impoverished. 

The verse continues, “... and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.” Solomon added the words, “and spoil the soul of them” or “and defraud, rob and cover the heart, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections pertaining to the people” “that spoiled them” which means “who robbed, defrauded and covered them, the poor and afflicted”. Solomon said Jehovah God would defraud the heart, mind and will of the people who rob and defraud the “poor and afflicted”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how Jehovah God involves Himself in the defense of people who are “poor and afflicted”, and when people rob them, Jehovah God will return the same to them. God owns everything, (See Psalm 24:1) and He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for our sins. When we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to use the resources He has provided to us to care for those who are impoverished and afflicted in the world. 

Next time Solomon says, “make no friendship with an angry man”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".