Proverbs: Chapter 22

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Salient points:

• Reputation is better than money (v.1).
• There should be no rigorous class distinctions (v.2).
• Wise people take a long view of things. They don't procrastinate (v.3.)
• "Train up a child" (v.6) is a general correlation, not an ironclad guarantee. (Note: this verse is missing in the LXX, which was the Old Testament of nearly all Jews and Christians in the early centuries.)
• Debt is a form of enslavement, so beware of taking on a foolish financial burden (v.7).
• Note: v.16 is the end of the 375 single-line sayings of Solomon. See note for 10:1.
• "... in your heart and... ready on your lips" -- this is the closest verse to support for memorizing scripture that I know of.
• V.20 indicates the start of yet another collection of sayings. Proverbs as a whole is a collection of collections.
• 22:29 is one of my favorite proverbs. To rise up in your profession, value the quality of excellence (along with the quality of frank and gracious speech -- v.11).

Challenge:

• Memorize proverbs.
• Write one down on a card today and take it with you, referring to it now and again.
• This practice can help the word sink deeper into our hearts.

Next: Proverbs 23