Proverbs 22 – if you haven’t read my thoughts on the book of Proverbs yet, you’ll want to do so here. This isn’t a comprehensive look at each verse, but it is how God spoke to me through particular chapter of His Word at this particular chapter in my life. I encourage you to read the full chapter in your own Bible first so you can see how God wants to speak to you through this chapter, and so you don’t miss out on the verses I didn’t cover. I hope it can speak to you as well, and I hope you are encouraged to seek Him in His Word. And if you missed Proverbs 21, you should also check that out here. Otherwise, on to Proverbs 22!

22:2 – The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord made them both (NLT). We are all made in the image of God, and should not look down on any person, rich or poor, because in God’s eyes, we are all equal. Prayer – God, help me not judge others because they are rich or poor. Teach me to see each as an individual person worthy of love, care, and attention – to see them as you see them.

22:4 – The reward for humility is fear of Adonai, along with wealth, honor, and life (CJB). Our reward for being humble is that we honor and find awe in God. Not everyone learns what it is to fear God and live in relationship with Him, though I pray everyone would come near to him. I consider it an incredible blessing to be in relationship with my Creator.

22:6 – Train a child in the way he [should] go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it (CJB). The subscript at the bottom of the page in the Complete Jewish Bible states that the meaning of this verse also implies, “Train a child according to the way he’s best suited for, and when he is older, he will not swerve from it.” I love that sentiment so much, that we are to watch our kids and see how they are growing up and pay attention to their skillsets and what brings them joy. We pay attention to them as a person, and then cultivate the gifts that God has given them each individually. We teach them how to steward and grow and improve what God has given them. Prayer – God, when you bless me with children, teach me how to see the gifts you have placed in them and teach me how to cultivate those gifts in them.

22:12 – The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous (NLT). Love protects and fights for whom it loves.

22:13 – The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” (NLT) A bit dramatic, aren’t we? Though I can see myself in this verse as well. It is all too easy to make up excuses for why we can’t do something or why we can’t pursue that dream we have. Claiming that ‘I don’t have time,’ to do something, is really just me saying, ‘I’m not going to make time to do that, because it clearly isn’t a priority for me.’ Prayer – God, bring to my attention when I am making up false excuses for why I can’t pursue something I feel called to or enjoy. Teach me how to make time for the things and people I love. Don’t let me get away with inaction through any more dramatic excuses.

22:16 – A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty (NLT). Prayer – God, keep me from using others as a means to get ahead, as a means to an end I want to achieve. Teach me to see people the way you see them and to work alongside them in relationship, not just see them as a tool to be used.

22:17-19 – Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today – yes, you – so you will trust in the Lord (NLT). My heart just skips a beat every time I read this verse. So much hope and love and purpose and intentionality wrapped up in so few sentences. God’s word is so personal and intent on loving us. This beautiful, magnificent Book has been saved for centuries so that God could tell us he loved us and wanted to teach us about life and how to love. Prayer – God, thank you so much for your grace in preserving your Word for me. Thank you for loving me so much that you want to impart wisdom to me. Engrave your words deep in my heart, and may they be ever ready on my lips to give you honor and recognition and show others how much you love them.

22:28 – Don’t move the ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors (CJB). In the Old Testament, there was a custom set up by God, where every 50 years, the original land of everyone’s ancestors was returned to their family line. This is the ancient boundary stone Proverbs is talking about here. We are to respect our past and respect our neighbors. We should honor how we got where we are and honor the foundations laid by our ancestors. We should not act as though our inheritance isn’t enough, so we try to take from others’ inheritance. I love that God is a God of generations and honoring those who came before us.

22:29 – Do you see a person skilled in their work? They will stand in the presence of kings. They will not stand in the presence of the unknown (CSB). This verse is so empowering and motivating for me. I have it pinned up at my leather carving desk and at my writing desk. It spurs me on to keep working hard at my craft so I can become more and more skilled in my work. I love God’s promise to honor discipline and dedication to hard work. Prayer – God, may I never take for granted the gifts and abilities you have given me. Help me to steward my skills well so I can increase them with each passing season.

Friend, I have prayed these same prayers over you today. I pray you see those around you in a new light – through your Creator’s eyes. I pray God will show you how to connect with those around you and bring people into your life who will speak life into you and people you can speak life into as well. I pray you will have the courage to put aside any excuses for following your dreams, and just ‘do the thing.’ You and your gifts are a treasure in God’s eyes.

Until next time,

– Just a girl pursuing her reflection in the mirror of God’s Word

Scripture quotations marked (CJB) are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, Copyright © 1998 and 2016 by David H. Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are taken from the Christian Standard Bible® Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.