Wise Words & True Wealth: Choosing Integrity Over Folly

Be God's Glory
Jul 9
10 min read

Welcome to Day 190 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 17–19 continues Solomon’s collection of wise sayings, offering deep insight into how relationships, character, and speech reflect the heart of a person. These chapters draw a clear contrast between the consequences of foolishness and the blessings of righteousness. Themes such as self-control, restraint in speech, the importance of listening to instruction, and the value of integrity are emphasized repeatedly. God is shown to delight in justice and humility, while He resists pride and dishonesty. These proverbs challenge readers to examine the posture of their hearts and to pursue wisdom as a pathway to peace, honor, and true success in life.

Proverbs 17 begins by elevating peace and contentment over outward prosperity—“Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.” This sets the tone for a chapter that deals heavily with relationships, speech, and integrity. Solomon warns against those who justify the wicked or condemn the righteous, reflecting God's justice and hatred for injustice. The chapter also highlights the value of silence and restraint—those who are slow to speak are often considered wise, even if they know little. Family dynamics are addressed, showing that a discerning servant may be honored more than a disgraceful child. The overarching theme is that wisdom promotes peace, honor, and right standing, while folly leads to strife and shame.

Proverbs 18 focuses on the power of words and the importance of humility in seeking wisdom. Solomon warns against self-isolation and arrogance, noting that a fool has no delight in understanding, only in expressing his opinions. Words are shown to be powerful—bringing either life or death (v.21), and those who guard their tongue protect their soul. The chapter also stresses the value of righteous judgment, the danger of favoritism, and the importance of listening before answering. A key verse speaks to the reliability of God as a refuge: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Overall, Proverbs 18 encourages humility, careful speech, and dependence on God as our source of security and strength.

Proverbs 19 teaches that integrity and the fear of the Lord are more valuable than wealth or cleverness. The chapter begins with a warning that it is better to be poor and honest than rich and deceitful, showing God’s high regard for character. It also emphasizes that discipline and correction are vital for growth and that those who reject instruction despise their own soul. Solomon points to God’s providence, stating that many are the plans of a man, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (v.21). Laziness, lying, and quick-tempered behavior are shown to bring personal ruin, while kindness to the poor is equated with lending to the Lord, highlighting God's heart for justice and mercy. Proverbs 19 calls readers to embrace discipline, trust God’s direction, and live uprightly, even when it's costly.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name “Proverbs” comes from the Hebrew word “Mishlei”, which is the plural form of “mashal,” meaning a parable, comparison, or concise saying that expresses a moral truth. In Greek, the title is “Paroimiai,” and in Latin, “Proverbia.” The term refers to wise sayings that are memorable and instructive, meant to impart practical life lessons through brief, impactful statements.

Purpose of the Book:

Proverbs was written to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding, especially to the young, so they may live godly and successful lives. Its stated purpose is found in Proverbs 1:2–4:

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.”

The book provides moral and ethical guidance based on “the fear of the Lord,” which is the foundation of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It is a practical guide to living with integrity, wisdom, justice, and spiritual discernment in everyday life.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

King Solomon is traditionally recognized as the primary author of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:1 begins: “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.”
1 Kings 4:32 supports Solomon's authorship, stating:
“He spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.”This verse validates that Solomon was known for his exceptional wisdom and literary output.

Solomon reigned around 970–931 B.C. and was famed for asking God for wisdom rather than riches or power (see 1 Kings 3:5–14), making him a fitting author for this wisdom book.

However, Proverbs was compiled in stages:

Chapters 1–24 are largely attributed to Solomon.
Chapters 25–29 were compiled later by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah (Proverbs 25:1), about 200 years after Solomon’s time.
Chapter 30 is attributed to Agur son of Jakeh.
Chapter 31 contains the sayings of King Lemuel, taught to him by his mother.

Extra-Biblical Support:

The Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b) affirms Solomon as the principal author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Early Church Fathers, including Origen and Jerome, also credited Solomon with the core of the book’s authorship.

Key People:

While Proverbs is largely poetic and instructional rather than narrative, a few individuals are named:

Solomon – The central figure behind most of the content.
Agur (Proverbs 30) – A wise man with a humble spirit who pondered divine mysteries.
King Lemuel (Proverbs 31) – A possibly non-Israelite king who shares wisdom from his mother, including the famous passage about the virtuous woman.

Also, Wisdom is personified (especially in Proverbs 1, 8, and 9) as a woman calling out in the streets, inviting people to choose righteousness over folly. While not a literal person, this literary device plays a key role in the theological and philosophical tone of the book.

Conclusion

Proverbs presents wisdom as a choice and a lifestyle—not merely knowledge, but skillful living in harmony with God’s truth. It contrasts the way of the wise with the way of fools and stresses the rewards of obedience, humility, integrity, and reverence for the Lord. The final chapter, Proverbs 31, highlights the virtues of a godly woman, emphasizing that wisdom is not just theoretical but lived out in daily faithfulness.

Ultimately, the book teaches that the wise person fears the Lord, walks in humility, seeks godly counsel, and avoids sin. As Proverbs 9:10 declares,

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Proverbs 17, God is portrayed as a God of justice, discernment, and relational peace. He values integrity, quietness over conflict, and purity of heart. Though God is not directly mentioned in every verse, His moral standards are woven throughout the chapter. God desires that His people reflect His character by being peacemakers, speaking with wisdom, and walking uprightly in relationships.

This chapter does not include a direct mention of a specific Hebrew name of God, such as YHWH or El Shaddai. However, God’s presence is implied through the moral tone of the proverbs, which reflect His heart for justice and right relationships. The lesson in Proverbs 17 is that a life of peace, honesty, and self-control reflects God’s wisdom. Those who pursue righteousness, overlook offenses, and value friendship mirror God's heart for harmony and love.

In Proverbs 18, God is shown to be a refuge and protector. His character is revealed in verse 10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” This verse shows that God is trustworthy, secure, and present for those who rely on Him. The chapter contrasts the reckless speech of fools with the secure foundation of those who trust in God's name.

The name “the LORD” (Hebrew: YHWH) is mentioned in verse 10, describing Him as a “strong tower.” This covenant name emphasizes God's unchanging faithfulness and His protective power toward those who are righteous. The lesson in Proverbs 18 is that wise speech, humility, and dependence on God provide safety and success. God invites us to find security in Him rather than in our own strength, wealth, or words.

Proverbs 19 presents God as a sovereign planner, just judge, and compassionate defender of the poor. He cares about truth, discipline, and integrity and opposes laziness, dishonesty, and arrogance. God is not impressed with outward success but values the heart posture of humility and obedience. He corrects those He loves and honors those who live righteously.

The chapter includes a direct reference to “the LORD” (YHWH) in verses like 3, 14, 17, and 21. Verse 21 stands out: “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” affirming His sovereign authority over human affairs. The lesson in Proverbs 19 is that God honors those who walk in integrity and care for others, especially the poor. True success comes not from self-made plans, but from aligning with God’s will and depending on His guidance.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

What does Proverbs 18:10 teach us about God’s nature as a refuge and place of safety?
How do the contrasts between the righteous and wicked in these chapters reflect God’s justice?
How does God’s concern for the poor in Proverbs 19 reveal His compassionate heart?
In what ways do these chapters show that God values peace, integrity, and wise speech?
What can we learn about God’s sovereignty from Proverbs 19:21?
How does God’s discipline in Proverbs 19 reflect His love and desire for growth in His people?
What does it mean that God honors honesty and detests lies, as seen throughout these proverbs?

Questions About Themes:

What recurring themes about the power of speech can you identify in Proverbs 17–19?
How do these chapters compare the outcomes of wisdom versus foolishness?
What do these proverbs teach about the importance of relationships—especially friendships and family?
How is humility contrasted with pride in the way a person speaks and acts?
What role does self-control play in a wise life, according to these chapters?
How is justice emphasized across these proverbs, and why does it matter in daily life?
What warning do these chapters give about planning apart from God’s will?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of my life do I need to pursue peace rather than conflict?
How can I practice running to God as my “strong tower” instead of leaning on my own strength?
Are my words building others up or tearing them down? What needs to change?
Do I seek wisdom from God and others, or do I isolate myself like the fool in Proverbs 18:1?
Am I honoring God with my plans, or trying to push forward without consulting Him?
How can I be more intentional about caring for the poor or those in need, reflecting God’s compassion?
What steps can I take to receive correction with humility and grow from it?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans