Daily Challenges Archive

Telling an untruth about another person in this verse is literally “to break and cut him to pieces with thy lips” according to R. Judah and Ben Melech. That is a brutal image but if you have had it done to you then you realize just how accurate So...

Like any sinful behavior the one actively involved in the sin seeks to involve others in it with them. The image Solomon shares in this verses is of a seductress who has not only enticed the sinful man but uses his sin to draw others into the same...

I’ve been looking at articles talking about shifting morals and values. They refer to how beliefs and values change as people age. They also talk about shifting morals as we discover more in science and other disciplines. I suppose some things cha...

The depth to this verse is very encouraging. The original language includes the concept of this persons speaking “boldly and freely.”. How refreshing it is to have a “careful” listener as well. This person pays close attention to what is being sai...

As a king shows love and faithfulness or mercy to his subjects, they return it in kind. This helps to assure the kings position and security in his role. In the same way, we see people who act kindly and forgive quickly tend to receive the same tr...

Literally the “corrupt witness” is a translation of the “witness of Satan”. When someone speaks about someone else and is lying or twisting the truth, they become Satan’s tool or Satan’s witness. I can’t think of a much worse title. The person is ...

The same Hebrew word is used for churning, twisting and stirring up. It is the word “Mits” which literally means pressure. All of these were examples in Solomon’s day of applying increasing degrees of pressure. Intentionally and unfairly applying ...

One of the signs of the truly wise is that they know how easy it is to reveal our foolish ways and thoughts by talking. They are aware that staying silent is a great protection against revealing their own foolishness. Solomon has said basically th...

The word translated “stirs up” literally means “scatters as seed” or “hurls as a missile, weapon.” Neither of these is a great picture of the perverse person Solomon is talking about. This person is after wide and brutal destruction. That may not ...

Over the years I’ve noticed a few things that wise leaders have in common. One of the things I’ve most often noticed is that before giving an important response they seem to take a beat and ponder their answer. I suspect they are not only mulling ...

Theologians tell us this verse speaks to the ruler/leader/business owner who treats their people well and makes them want to stay. Everyone has heard the stories, at least since Covid, of businesses struggling to find employees. With unemployment ...

I used to hate naps. I always felt worse when they were over no matter how long or short they were. Now, with a little age on me, there are times that I not only enjoy one, but for the safety of everyone around me, I need one. In this verse, as in...