Category: Proverbs-Ironside

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 31

    The final chapter of the book of Proverbs is designated as “The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” Proverbs 31:1 It is generally believed that Lemuel was the name Solomon’s mother used for him. There was no King Lemuel among those who sat on the…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 30

    We now take up the study of the words of Agur, a wise man who keenly felt his ignorance, as is generally the case with the truly enlightened. In the first verse we learn of his parentage. Proverbs 30:1 The first two proper names in this passage (Agur and Jakeh)…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 29

    Irrevocable and crushing judgment will be the reward of one who despises wise counsel and plunges on in his sin until the patience of the Lord is exhausted. Proverbs 29:1 Hardening the neck is a figure taken from the manner in which a stubborn bullock turns away from and avoids…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 28

    None are so cowardly as those who are carrying about a guilty conscience. They are terrified by their own thoughts and frightened by a shadow. The first verse contrasts them with the righteous. Proverbs 28:1 Some men live in the continual dread of the consequences of their sin. But those…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 27

    Procrastination is a snare that often results in ruin. The first verse of this chapter solemnly warns every reader against this error. Proverbs 27:1 The present is given man in order that he may plan wisely for the future. To defer until tomorrow what should be attended to today is…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 25

    We now begin a portion that did not form any part of this book until the days of Hezekiah, nearly three centuries after the death of Solomon himself. Certain unnamed scribes, called in the Septuagint “the friends of Hezekiah,” rescued from oblivion the maxims that form the next five chapters.…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 26

    The fool, so frequently mentioned in Proverbs, is the subject of the first twelve verses of chapter 26. It should be born in mind that the term as used here has no reference to one mentally weak or incapable through simplicity. Fool and folly are almost synonymous with sinner and…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 24

    This chapter completes the second section of the book of Proverbs. It includes proverbs arranged directly by the wise king and evidently put into circulation before his death. Proverbs 24:1-2 The first proverb in this chapter is a warning against falling into the snare that distracted the godly Asaph until…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 23

    Nothing that concerns His creatures is too small for the Creator to notice. Therefore, in the opening verses of this chapter we have a section devoted to the proper behavior of a man who dines with one of higher station than himself. Proverbs 23:1-3 These verses remind the one invited…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 22

    This chapter begins with a comment on the great importance of a person’s reputation. Proverbs 22:1 The first verse of this chapter declares that a good name is to be preferred far above earthly treasure, though often it is forfeited to obtain riches. The adjective good does not occur in the original…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 21

    The prophet Daniel tried to influence the conscience of the impious Belshazzar on the last night of his reign at Babylon. He endeavored to impress the Chaldean king with his duty to acknowledge “the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways” (Daniel 5:23); but…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 20

    Who can tell the agonies, the broken hearts, the blasted lives, the lost souls, that have been the result of failure to heed the warning of the opening verse of Proverbs 20? No other vice has so cursed the world and caused such awful misery and suffering as intemperance. Those…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 19

    Ignorance is not to be admired. The worldly axiom, “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise,” is false and foolish. To lack knowledge is undesirable. Proverbs 19:1-3 The first three proverbs of this chapter are intimately connected, and we therefore consider them together. They contrast the path of…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 18

    Nothing is more clearly taught in the Scriptures than the need of a separation between the clean and the unclean— between those who love the truth and those who walk contrary to it. Separation from evil is imperative. He who would honor God must bow to this principle, whether it…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 17

    We are carried back to Proverbs 15:16-17 as we take up the first verse of the wise sayings of this chapter. Proverbs 17:1 The word sacrifice (kjv) refers to the peace offerings, portions of which were eaten by the offerer and his friends. Such a feast was supposed to indicate great piety on the…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 16

    The human proverb, “Man proposes, but God disposes,” finds its far earlier counterpart in Proverbs 16:1. Proverbs 16:1 “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). He may plan and arrange, but when the time arrives to speak or act the answer comes from Jehovah. See…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 15

    It is impossible for man to estimate correctly the power for good or evil that lies in the tongue. A kind and gracious word will often disarm a most ill-tempered and wrathful man. A sharp, cutting remark has frequently separated friends dear to each other for years; some trivial circumstance…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 14

    The wise woman and the foolish woman are brought before us in vivid contrast in the opening verse of this chapter. Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman will lead her household in the right way by counsel and example. She directs their steps in accordance with the Word of the Lord.…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 12

    The man who loves instruction for its own sake values true knowledge, whatever channel it may come through. Proverbs 12:1 Whoever welcomes discipline desires the truth, not the ability to display his acquired knowledge. The vain scholar hates reproof and, like a senseless animal does not value correction (10:17). He…

  • Proverbs, by H A Ironside, Proverbs 13

    The truly wise person acknowledges that learning from the experiences of others may save him from much trouble. Others can teach him about the road they have already traveled, which is all new ground to him. Proverbs 13:1 In the first verse of this portion we are again reminded that…