Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 16:25-33: Troublemakers

In these proverbs, Solomon offers timeless wisdom on the perils of deceptive paths, the influence of wicked intentions, and the value of patience and integrity. He focuses on people who stir up trouble, identifying various harmful traits that lead to destruction. Worthless individuals are described as spreading trouble, dishonest people as those who foster discord and manipulate through their words, and violent men as those who exploit others for their gain. Each of these types sows division, leading those around them into strife and evil.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Davenport, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Fort Smith, AR joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 16:25-33.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Proverbs 16:25-33

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[a]
²⁶A worker’s appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
²⁷A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[b] is like a scorching fire.
²⁸A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.
²⁹A man of violence entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰Whoever winks his eyes plans^[c] dishonest things;
    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
³¹Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.
³²Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
³³The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe

Native North Carolinian Rev. Dr. Phil Booe serves pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio. His parishioners probably think he can’t teach Bible study without a mug of coffee in his hand, and he’ll always be happy to eat a plate of sushi. When he’s not shepherding his flock or teaching on the radio, you might find him watching bad movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and especially binging RiffTrax and MST3K episodes. Some day he’d love to travel to the Lutheran homeland in Germany, but for now he spends time in Minnesota with his wife, son, daughter, and cat, and looks forward to Holy Week every year.