Proverbs

Proverbs 10: The LORD’s way is a stronghold

Begin in prayer

Before these short sayings bring our work and words before the LORD, let us ask for wisdom. Pray that our family will find strength in His way and refuse the way of deceit.

“‘You shall not steal. “‘You shall not lie. “‘You shall not deceive one another.

Leviticus 19:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us the difference between righteous and wicked ways. Show us the goodness of Jesus and lead us to depend on His righteousness. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The short proverbs of Solomon begin by setting a wise son beside a foolish one. Honest work and righteousness lead toward life, while wicked treasure cannot protect its owner. This difference reaches the mouth, where words can nourish many people or spread violence and hatred. A wise person receives correction and restrains speech, while a fool enjoys wickedness. The LORD’s blessing and His way give strength that dishonest gain cannot supply. The righteous have a lasting hope, and the hope of the wicked perishes.

As you read Proverbs 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD’s way protects the upright and brings ruin to evildoers.

The sayings now become shorter, often placing two ways of living side by side. Their contrasts teach us to judge life by the LORD’s wisdom instead of its surface results. A full purse gained wickedly brings no profit when righteousness and death are at stake. Speech reveals the same difference, because words can feed others like a spring supplies water. Restraint shows wisdom where a flood of words multiplies disobedience. The rod and the perverse tongue being cut off warn that foolish speech will face judgment. These are patterns of God’s moral government, rather than a promise that righteous people will never suffer poverty. The final hope reaches beyond the wicked person’s temporary gain. The LORD’s way stands firm when the storm passes.

How does Proverbs 10 show us that the LORD’s way protects the upright and brings ruin to evildoers?

Wicked gain cannot give lasting safety.

The diligent hand and timely harvest show the worth of honest work. Treasures of wickedness still profit nothing. Money must be judged under God’s rule, rather than treated as the measure of a life.

The LORD gives the righteous words that feed others.

The righteous mouth is called a spring of life. Love covers all wrongs, while hatred stirs up strife. Receiving correction and restraining speech belong with words that nourish others.

The LORD’s way stands when the storm passes.

A whirlwind exposes the difference between the wicked and the righteous. The hope of the wicked perishes. A whirlwind clears away a weak house, but the righteous “stand firm forever” (verse 25).

Memorise

The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 10:29

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do my words reveal that I need the righteousness of Jesus?

“The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright.” Our deceitful words and selfish choices show how far we fall short of uprightness. Wickedness cannot become safe because we hide it well.

Jesus lived the righteous life that sinners have failed to live. He gave Himself for His people and bore the punishment for their sin at the cross. He was raised victorious, and His completed offering leaves nothing missing from their salvation. His righteousness is the believer’s hope.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. All who believe receive forgiveness and acceptance through Him. The Savior Himself is the stronghold that stands when the storm passes.

Parent's note

Tell your children that these sayings describe wise patterns and that wealth or poverty alone cannot prove a person’s righteousness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His way remains firm when other hopes perish. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Lord, thank You that Your way is strong and sure. Please forgive the lies, careless words and dishonest desires in our hearts. Lead every member of our family to trust Jesus and leave sin. May our words nourish others and our work honor You. Amen.