Matthew 2:1-12

The visit of the wise men.
v.1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. After his birth wise men (Magi, NIV) from the east came looking for him. (This occurred perhaps 1 or 2 years after the birth).
v.2 In Jerusalem, the wise men ask where the newborn king is so they could worship him. They had seen his star when it rose. This seems to imply that the men were astrologers and were familiar with OT prophecy.
v.3-6 Herod was troubled about the wise men and called together the chief priests and scribes and asked where the Christ was to be born. They told him the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem in Judea (Mi 5:2).
v.7-8 Herod met with the wise men secretly and asked when the star had first appeared to them. He then told them to go to Bethlehem and look there for the child and bring him word so that he might worship him too.
v.9-10 The wise men journeyed to Bethlehem and the star appeared to them again and came to rest over where the child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced greatly.
v.11 They went into the house and saw the child and his mother, Mary. They worshiped baby Jesus and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are appropriate gifts for a king.
v.12 The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod so they went home by another route.

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Matthew 1:18-25

The Birth of Jesus.
v.18-21 An angel announces (to Joseph in a dream) the conception of Jesus (see Lk 1:26-38). Jesus means “God saves” and the angel states that he will save his people from their sins (allusion to Ps 130:8).
v.22-23 Jesus is the prophesied Immanuel (Is 7:14) born of a virgin. Immanuel means “God with us.” Fulfillment of prophecy is a major theme in Matthew.
v.24-25 Joseph follows the angel’s instruction and takes Mary as his wife. They did not have sexual relations until after Jesus was born.
A fuller account of Jesus’ birth is given in Lk 1:26-2:21.

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Matthew 1:1-17

The genealogy of Jesus Christ.
v.1 Title: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
v.2-17 The genealogy demonstrates (1) that Jesus was truly human, (2) that he descended from the kingly lineage of David, and (3) that he was a descendant of Abraham. Jesus Christ become a man in the flesh while not ceasing to be God. “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). The list includes five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (wife of Uriah), and Mary. Matthew divides the genealogy into three sections with 14 generations each (v.17). A slightly different form of the genealogy appears in Lk 3:23-38.

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Proverbs 31:10-31

The wife of noble character.
v.10-31 are an acrostic poem.
Praise for her character.
v.10-12 An excellent wife who can find? (Rhetorical question.) A good wife comes from the Lord (19:14) and she (like wisdom, 3:15) is more precious than jewels. Her husband trusts her with his heart and she will enrich his life. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life. In the Bible, Ruth was said to be a woman of noble character (Ru 3:11, worthy woman).
Praise for her activities.
v.13-15 She is an industrious woman providing food for her large household and spinning yarn. She works with willing hands, rising early to get a good start on the day.
v.16-18 She is a woman of financial enterprise, buying a field and operating it at a profit. She sets about her work vigorously and with strength.
v.19-21 She provides warm clothing for her family working hard at the sewing machine. She opens her arms to the poor and needy in her community.
v.22-24 She makes bed coverings and fine clothes for her family. Her husband is well respected in the community. She makes clothing and other items to sell to merchants.
Praise for her wisdom and merit.
v.25-27 She is clothed with strength and dignity and can confidently look to the future. She is wise and gracious in her speech and provides faithful instruction. She watches over all the affairs of her household and is not slothful.
v.28-29 Her children rise and call her blessed and her husband praises her: "many woman do excellent things, but you surpass them all."
v.30-31 She is a woman who fears the Lord and deserves reward and recognition.

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Proverbs 31:1-9

The words of King Lemuel.
v.1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him. No one knows who King Lemuel was or where he was king. "An oracle" could be rendered "of Massa" as in 30:1. v.2-9 provide instruction on what the ideal human king should look like.
v.2-3 What are you doing my son? (The repetition of son indicates the seriousness.) Do not waste your strength on women and on those who destroy kings. Perhaps the idea is that having many women saps his strength to rule well.
v.4-5 Kings should not be given to strong drink (20:1). It clouds their judgment and interferes with their role as protector of the afflicted. They will forget their laws and pervert justice.
v.6-7 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and those in bitter distress; that they remember their misery no more.
v.8-9 Judge righteously, protecting the rights of the poor and needy and all who are destitute. Speak for the one who is mute and unable to speak for himself.

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Proverbs 30:15-33

Numerical proverbs.
v.15a The leech has two daughters named Give and Give (or give, give, they cry, ESV text note). The point may be an observation of someone who is demanding of you and never satisfied.
v.15b-16 This proverb uses the formula n, n+1. Three things are never satisfied, four never say enough: (1) Sheol, (2) the barren womb, (3) land never watered, and (4) a fire that is never quenched. Life is full of such situations.
v.17 A curse, this proverb says that a child who does not honor his parents will die (using the metaphor of an eye picked out by ravens).
v.18-20 Three things are too wonderful, four I don't understand: (1) the way of an eagle in the sky, (2) the way of a serpent on a rock, (3) the way of a ship on the high seas, and (4) the way of a man with a virgin. Verse 20 is perhaps a key to the significance of the list of four situations. The eagle, serpent, and ship move along but leave no mark (an likewise the man with the virgin, assuming she stays a virgin). Likewise an adulteress leaves no mark but there are consequences to her behavior.
v.21-23 Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear: (1) a slave who becomes king, (2) a fool filled with food, (3) an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and (4) a maidservant when she displaces her mistress. Such persons are insufferable (like someone at work promoted beyond his or her level of competence).
v.24-28 Four things on earth are small but very wise: (1) ants are not strong but they provide their food in summer, (2) rock badgers are not mighty but they make their homes in the cliffs, (3) locusts have no king but they march in ranks, (4) the lizard you can hold in your hand but it lives in king's palaces. Each provides an important life lesson (e.g., ants teach us to make provision for the future).
v.29-31 There are three things that walk stately, four that strut about: (1) the lion, (2) the rooster, (3) the he-goat, and (4) a king whose army is with him. The majesty of a king is not in himself (like the animals) but in his subjects.
v.32-33 If you have acted foolishly by exalting yourself or planning evil, put a hand over your mouth and keep silent. For as the churning of milk produces curd, so stirring up anger produces strife.

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Proverbs 30:1-14

The words of Agur.
v.1 These are the words of Agur, but the identity of this Agur is unknown. All we know is what is indicated in the text: Agur, son of Jakeh, the man of Massa (ESV text note). His words are given as: “I am weary O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out.” These rather depressing words are difficult to translate and there are varying interpretations.
v.2-4 Here Agur considers himself too stupid to be a man. He doesn't have understanding and has not learned wisdom. He does not have knowledge of the holy one. He asks several rhetorical questions reminiscent of God's questions in Jb 38-39. The answer to them is of course only God himself.
v.5-6 Every word of God proves to be true, do not add to them lest you be found a liar (and he rebuke you). The Lord is a shield to those who take refuge in him. See Ps 18:30. Wise people recognize their ignorance and trust in the words of God.
v.7-9 The only prayer in Proverbs. Agur asks for: (1) remove me far from falshood and lying, (2) give me neither poverty nor riches, and (3) feed me with the food that is needful for me. His requests indicate that what he wants is good character and to be keep from circumstances that would endanger his character. He wants fair winds and a following sea (don't we all). The poor worry about having sufficient food and the rich are weighted down with worries.
v.10 Don't slander (lie about) a worker to his employer (nor servant to his master) lest he curse you and you be held guilty (by God). You would be damaging the person's livelihood.
v.11-14 Here are described four types of loathsome people: (1) those who curse their father and do not bless their mother, (2) those who are clean in their own eyes but are covered with filth, (3) those who are arrogant (lofty are their eyes), and (4) those whose teeth are swords devouring the poor and needy.

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Proverbs 29:19-27

Discipline and trust in the Lord.
v.19-22 Discipline. (v.19) A servant (or a son) is not disciplined by (cannot be corrected by) mere words. That is to say, words alone are not enough, for though he understands he will not heed (see v.15). Train up a child in the way he should go (22:6). (v.20) There is more hope for a fool than a man who is too hasty in his words. Consider your words carefully. Be quick to listen and slow to speak (Jas 1:19). (v.21) A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel (bring grief, NIV). (v.22) A man of wrath causes trouble and one given to anger much transgression (see also 14:17).
v.23 Pride. A man's pride will humble him, but he who is humble will obtain honor (humility comes before honor, 15:33). By pride Mordecai lifted his hands against the Jews, but he was humbled on the gallows (Est 3-7). The Lord resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Prv 3:34, Jas 4:6).
v.24 Curse. Companions of criminals cannot but help getting entangled in their crimes. Called to testify in court they reveal nothing and bring a curse on their head. The proverb says such a person hates his own life.
v.25-26 Trust in the Lord. (v.25) The fear of man will become a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe. (v.26) Many may seek after a rulers help, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
v.27 Just and unjust. The unjust are an abomination to the righteous but one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked.

This ends the Hezekiah collection of Solomon's proverbs (25:1-29:27).

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Proverbs 29:8-18

The rage of a fool, the endurance of a dynasty, raising children.
v.8-11 These four proverbs consider the rage and violence of folly. (v.8) Scoffers stir up trouble in the city, but the wise man calms down anger (2 Sm 20). (v.9) In an argument the fool is loud and abusive and there can be no quiet. It is a waste of a wise man's time to try and settle a dispute with a fool. (v.10) They (bloodthirsty men) hate the one who is blameless and seek his life. As they sought the life of Jesus in the NT. (v.11) The fool vents all of his anger and rage, while the wise man holds it back. It takes wisdom to restrain anger and maintain peace and order.
v.12-14 Administration of the king. (v.12) If the ruler listens to falsehood, his officials will become wicked (qualis rex, talis grex — like king, like people). (v.13) The Lord gives life both to the poor man and his oppressor (and therefore the oppressor should treat the poor humanely, 3:27). (v.14) If the king gives justice to the poor his administration (dynasty) will endure (thrive, be secure) forever. The endurance of an administration is determined by its moral character.
v.15-18 Parents should teach their children or there will be chaos in society. (v.15) Discipline and correction give wisdom to your children (and their behavior will be enjoyable). A child left to himself will bring shame on his parents. (v.16) When the wicked increase in number, transgression increases (there will be chaos). The righteous will look upon their downfall. (v.17) Discipline your children and they will be a delight to your heart. (v.18) Where their is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint (i.e., there will be chaos). The one who keeps the law will be blessed.

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Proverbs 29:1-7

Rejoicing of the righteous.
v.1 Sudden death. He who is often corrected but stiffens his neck (doesn't accept criticism) will be suddenly broken beyond healing. This proverb warns about the danger of stubbornly continuing in sin.
v.2 Righteous rule. When the righteous rule the people rejoice. When the wicked rule the people groan. See also 28:28 forming an inclusio around v.1 which possibly indicates the state of the entire nation Israel (suffering under wicked regimes that will be suddenly destroyed).
v.3 Wise son. The son who loves wisdom makes his father proud, but a son living riotously with prostitutes squanders his wealth (Lk 15:11-32). Wise behavior brings joy and prosperity to the family.
v.4 Justice. Justice brings a country stability, but a ruler greedily seeking bribes (or taxing excessively) brings it down. Wicked rulers put their own interest ahead of the good of the country with disastrous effects.
v.5-6 A snare. One who flatters his neighbor sets a snare for his feet. An evil man is ensnared by his own sin, but the righteous man escapes with joy.
v.7 Rights of the poor. The righteous man knows the rights of the poor (or justice for), but the wicked do not have any such knowledge (or concern).

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Proverbs 28:25-28

Trust in the Lord.
v.25 Prosperity. A greedy person stirs up trouble in trying to obtain wealth at any cost. He is contrasted with the man who trusts in the Lord and, ironically, prospers. The object of your faith and appetites determine the course of your life. The greed of the first man becomes a hindrance to his obtaining wealth.
v.26 Trust. The one who trusts in himself (his own mind) is a fool (and will not be safe), but he who trusts in the Lord (and is therefore wise) will be kept safe from harm. The human heart is desperately wicked, to trust in it is the epitome of folly.
v.27 The poor. Whomever gives to the poor will not lack anything, but the one who turns his eyes away and doesn't help will receive many curses (presumably from the poor who are being ignored).
v.28 The wicked. When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves (28:12). When they perish the righteous will increase. Wisdom benefits both the individual and the community.

Read Proverbs 28:25-28

Proverbs 28:19-24

Hard work and finding favor.
v.19 Work hard. Work (your land) hard and you will be satisfied with food. But if you chase after daydreams you will find your fill of poverty (and go hungry). See 12:11, 20:13.
v.20 Wealth. Earn your wealth ethically with hard work and you will be blessed. Trying to get rich quick will result in ruin and punishment. Don't be in a hurry to acquire wealth.
v.21 Partiality. The proverb cautions against showing partiality, indicating that for a small bribe a man will do wrong (i.e., show partiality). Rendering a wrong verdict based on a bribe seems to be in view.
v.22 Greed. Stingy, greedy people try to get rich quick, not realizing that they are headed for poverty (v.20). The idea of getting rich quick implies that it is done through some dishonest means.
v.23 A good rebuke. Paradoxically, when you rebuke a man (honest criticism) you will afterward find more favor than the one who only flatters with words.
v.24 Parent robbery. If you rob father and mother (claiming no wrong done) you are a companion of one who destroys (the family). Don't try to get all of the inheritance for yourself.

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Proverbs 28:13-18

Fear the Lord always.
v.13 Mercy. If you conceal (cover up, blame others, excuse, indulge) your sins you will not succeed, but if you confess and forsake (abandon) them you will obtain mercy. See 1 Jn 1:9 and Ps 51:4.
v.14 Beatitude. Blessed is the one who fears God always (by confessing and forsaking sins, v.13). But the one who hardens his heart will fall into trouble. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12).
v.15-16 Wicked ruler. A wicked ruler is like a dangerous wild animal (i.e., attacking bear or lion) preying on the poor of his country. A ruler without understanding (wisdom) is a cruel oppressor. But, a ruler who doesn't go after gain unjustly will have prolonged days.
v.17-18 Walk in integrity. Do not help a murderer who is a fugitive fleeing from justice. He who walks in integrity will be delivered but the one crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

Read Proverbs 28:13-18

Proverbs 28:1-12

Responsibility to the poor.
v.1 Guilty conscience. The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. A guilty conscience causes the wicked to flee (ACCS). The righteous have a clear conscience and don't need to look over their shoulders in fear.
v.2 Moral decay. Where there is moral decay, a government easily topples (or, the bureaucracy increases). But a man of wisdom and knowledge brings security and stability (maintains order, NIV).
v.3 The poor. A poor man (or ruler, NIV) who oppresses the poor (e.g., Mt 18:28) is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops, leaving no food for the hungry. The tyrant takes away the produce and labor of the poor and driving rain takes away the crops and soil (NICOT).
v.4 Do right. Those who forsake doing right (ignoring instruction/the law) praise the wicked (Rom 1:32). Those who continue doing right (heading instruction/the law) strive against the wicked (14:8).
v.5 Justice. The evil man does not grasp (or understand) justice (their evil thoughts and intentions blind their eyes) while the one who seeks the Lord understands it completely (or all). See Ps 92:6-7.
v.6 Walk in integrity. It is (much) better to be poor and walk with integrity than to be rich and crooked in your ways. Parallel in Prv 19:1. There are of course rich people who walk with integrity, the proverb only addresses those rich who are perverse.
v.7 Gluttons. A young man who is a companion of gluttons (habitually greedy) brings shame on the family, but the young man who obeys the law is wise.
v.8 Usury. If you increase your wealth by charging interest on the poor, you gather it for the one who is generous to the poor. In Israel it was against the law to charge the poor interest (Ex 22:25). Wealth obtained through unjust or unlawful means will eventually go to the poor.
v.9 Hear the law. If you turn away from hearing the law, even your prayers will be counted an abomination. See also 15:8. Don't expect God to listen to you if you don't listen to him.
v.10 Just reward. The man who leads an upright person astray will be destroyed by his own evil. Likewise, good rewards wait those who walk in integrity. The proverb shows that the righteous are corruptible and can be led astray into sin.
v.11 Wise in their eyes. The rich are wise in their own eyes (26:16), but a poor man with understanding will find them out (see through them).
v.12 Righteous government. When the righteous triumph the city is glad (11:10), when the wicked get ahead, the people hide (28:28).

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Proverbs 27:23-27

Caring for your animals.
v.23-27 Condition of the flocks. Know the condition of your flocks because riches don't last forever. The implication is that you need to take good care of your animals in order for them to provide food and clothing from generation to generation. The lambs provide for clothing and goats can be sold for the price of a field. The wise will take care and there will be enough goats milk for one’s household.

Read Proverbs 27:23-27

Proverbs 27:17-22

The heart reflects a person's true nature.
v.17 Iron sharpens iron. Just as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Much wisdom arises from the critical interaction with a good friend (both encouragement and correction). “Sharpens” refers to the process of molding and shaping one’s character.
v.18 Fig tree. Faithful servants will eat of the fruit of their labors (1 Cor 9:7-10). He who serves his master well will be honored (Mt 25:21).
v.19 Reflection. As clear water reflects the face, so the heart of a man reflects the man — and the Lord weighs the heart (21:2). See Mt 5:8.
v.20 Desire. As death and destruction (here personifying the destiny of the dead) are never satisfied, so the desires of man are never satisfied. We never have our fill of money, power, or pleasure. No one dies with half of what they wanted.
v.21 The furnace. The furnace tests silver and gold (17:3), so also man is tested by praise (whether it results in pride or humility). The furnace is used to purify silver and gold by heat. Likewise praise is used to reveal a person's character.
v.22 Grind to a pulp. Folly is so deeply rooted in the character of a fool, that it is unaffected even if you grind him to a pulp (the idea is severe physical punishment).

Read Proverbs 27:17-22

Proverbs 27:13-16

Loud neighbors and a quarrelsome wife.
v.13 Security. Take a man's garment, and hold it in pledge, when he puts up security for a stranger (or a strange woman or a foreigner) (see 20:16). See warnings about pledges at 6:1-5.
v.14 Loud neighbor. A loud and cheerful greeting, early in the morning, will be counted as a curse. What you say and when you say it are both important. Saying the right thing at the right time is a blessing (15:23).
v.15-16 Continual dripping. A quarrelsome wife is like the continual dripping on a rainy day (19:13). Stopping her complaints and nagging is like trying to stop the wind or grab something coated with oil (Est 1:18).

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Proverbs 27:7-12

Home and family.
v.7 Hungry mouth. Those who are fully satisfied refuse honey (that which is sweet and healthy), but to the hungry mouth even bitter (that which is painful or displeasing) things are sweet. “The person who does not find his spiritual craving satisfied in true religion will go after any grievous idolatry and, being sated by it, will despise true religion” (Waltke).
v.8 Strays from home. A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from the nest. He will find trouble before he finds what he is looking for. Perhaps to be understood as he who wonders from his home leaving it unprotected.
v.9 Earnest counsel. Oil and perfume are sweet and make the heart glad, in the same way the earnest counsel of a friend is sweet and gives delight (see also v.6).
v.10 Far away. Prefer a nearby neighbor to a far away, physically or emotionally(?), relative in your time of need or calamity. Likewise, do not fail your friend in his time of need. Compare 17:17. Don't burn your bridges with your friends or your parents friends.
v.11 Teacher. A teacher is often evaluated by the results in his or her students. Here Solomon tells his son to make his heart glad (live wisely) so he can answer his critics.
v.12 The prudent. The prudent (shrewd) man sees danger ahead and takes it into account, the simple (naive) continues on and suffers for it.

Read Proverbs 27:7-12