This is one of those wise sayings that describes how we tend to act…and the way it really is!

Because “a ruler” is in-charge, “many seek an audience” with him or her. And there’s really nothing wrong with that!

But the message here is that anyone who has a need, and tries enlisting the “ruler’s” support, should really understand…in the end, “it is from the LORD that one gets justice.”

In truth, God might lead us to “seek an audience with a ruler” and He might use that person to help us. But everything that God sees, knows and can do about what’s happening in our lives is so much more than any person who’s in-charge of anything!

While we don’t know any specifics about the petitioner’s request in this verse, “it is from the LORD that one gets justice.”

“Justice” in the Biblical world was an all-encompassing legal, spiritual and practical concept. Certainly not “getting even” with someone, and way more than just a legal ruling in our favor, “justice” actually represented the whole realm of governance in antiquity — creating good laws, enforcing the laws and making judicial decisions based on those laws.

I’d paraphrase the concept this way: “it is from the LORD that one gets all things governed well in their lives!” Now, that’s justice!

So, in the end, it would appear that the message of our verse is focus. I can either focus on people (places or things) — that I see are either the cause or answer to my problems…or I can focus on Him who will “govern well all in my life.”

This wise saying is not about a specific character in Proverbs, just a reminder…about any and all of us! 

“To show partiality” is to see someone and then make a judgment about them. I sort of size them up and then decide how I’m going to treat or respond to them. 

While this phrase might seem to be focused more on showing respect to certain people, it actually applies to disrespecting others, as well.

So, our proverb is simply a reminder that such thinking and behavior “is not good.” And the second phrase in the verse reminds us why…”yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.”

The fact is, any of us are capable of making terrible decisions. None of us are worthy of any special respect…but we all are worthy of some respect!

This wise saying discusses how we should think about others. But, it should also caution me about how I think about myself — I still have it in me to do the dumbest stuff!

There’s a modern proverb I think nicely compliments this ancient one:

4 Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith; 5 remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. 

This is another proverbial warning about debt (see 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18). While most references are to co-signing for others (friend or stranger), this one’s about covering “for debts” which could be other’s or my own.  

Verse 26 says it twice. We’re not supposed to be “one who shakes hands in pledge” (a binding, but non-verbal, commitment) or “puts up security” (probably in the context of a verbal exchange).

Either way, we’re strongly advised not to do it! 

The reason is simple (:27). “If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” While “bed” for the average ancient Israelite wasn’t the piece of furniture we know, it did represent the situation (pad, wrappings, covers) where we know we can go to be safe, find rest and sleep soundly.

Admittedly, this wise saying doesn’t say it’s a sin — just that it’s not a very smart thing to do to myself.

And it doesn’t sound as bad as having a loan shark’s guys come and break my kneecaps! But this situation would have been a real everyday hardship for a typical Israelite…and it could have been avoided.

But I can also apply this advice to any aspect of my life. Based on what I know to be true, why should I continue in this situation?

Maybe a modern version of this ancient wise saying would be “Keep your hands in your pockets, Keep your mouth shut and just keep it moving!”

After noting there’s no wisdom, insight or plan that can succeed AGAINST the LORD (:30), this proverb’s pretty clear that there’s only one way to victory — “WITH the LORD.”

“The horse made ready for the day of battle” is featured here. It’s the first of only two “horse” references in Proverbs (see also 26:3).

In Solomon’s day, horses were used primarily for warfare — pulling war chariots, in particular. In fact, it was only during the time of David and Solomon that we see much evidence of men actually riding horseback in the ancient Near East.

Interestingly, David didn’t seem to appreciate horses and chariots (he hamstrung captured enemy chariot horses; see 2 Samuel 8:4; 1 Chronicles 18:4). But Solomon did and utilized both (1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 1:14).

That makes this proverb meaningful. Attributed to Solomon, who appreciated the value of horses (and chariots), he indicates they’re still not the answer.

All the horses “made ready for the day of battle” will never be enough. With all the military resources Solomon had at his disposal, he knew “victory rests with the LORD.”

With whatever we’re going to be battling today, may we be just as certain!

This wise saying doesn’t discuss particular characters, but a couple of very real life situations. Both phrases describe being lifted up and being brought low — going in the exact opposite directions!

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty” indicates a starting point with someone sitting up high (“haughty”) — at least in their own “heart” and mind. But thinking “I’m all that!” is not a very safe place to be.

This high perch is the place from which he or she will have a “downfall.”

In contrast, “humility comes before honor.” The starting point here is down low. But it is, in fact, just a stepping stone up to “honor.”

I’d like to suggest that both starting points are self-imposed. I choose that “haughty heart”…or I can choose to “humble” myself. Either way, it’s my call!

Where I end up will also be determined — to the largest degree — by my own choices. My “downfall” or “honor” is going to be more about my thinking than anything else.

Admittedly, there is nothing in this verse about wealth or power. And God isn’t even mentioned.

What happens in this wise saying really has only my fingerprints all over it! It’s going to be about me and my attitudes. I either set myself up to fail (“downfall”) or succeed (“honor”).

There’s a modern proverb I think makes an appropriate corollary. While made famous by gossip columnist Walter Winchell, it apparently originating with Hollywood playwright Wilson Miznor in the early 1930s.

Miznor once told a young up-and-coming motion picture star…”be kind to everyone on the way up, you’ll meet the same people on the way down!”

This proverb is about one of the most frequently mentioned characters in Proverbs — “fools.” Actually a rhetorical question, it’s making a point rather than eliciting an answer.

There are three different Hebrew words translated “fools” in Proverbs. This is the “fool” who just can’t stop him or herself from making bad decisions.

It isn’t that this person is mentally, or even morally, deficient — they’re just very immature and don’t make good choices. And it has nothing to do with their age!

The picture is of an immature person with plenty of resources who is unable to attain wisdom. The only way this fool is going to be “able to understand it” and get into this wisdom-thing is to finally give up on his or her own best thinking.

Yet, the truth is no one, regardless of age or resources, can earn or produce wisdom in their own life. We’ll all need to be “able to understand” how it works.

Defined as “seeing life from God’s point of view” (https://helpingupmission.org/character-qualities), “wisdom” changes how we see things, think about them, feel about them and, ultimately act on them.

It’s a paradox…but understanding I got nothin’ ultimately sets me up to have anything!