Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Do you see a man skilled in his work?This phrase highlights the value of skill and diligence. In biblical times, craftsmanship and skill were highly regarded, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle ( Exodus 31:1-6) where God specifically chose skilled artisans. The Hebrew word for "skilled" implies expertise and proficiency, suggesting that God values excellence in one's vocation. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to work heartily as for the Lord ( Colossians 3:23). He will be stationed in the presence of kings;
In ancient cultures, those who excelled in their crafts often found themselves serving in royal courts. Joseph, for example, rose to prominence in Egypt due to his administrative skills (Genesis 41:39-41). Similarly, Daniel's wisdom and ability to interpret dreams brought him before the Babylonian king (Daniel 1:19-20). This phrase suggests that God rewards diligence and skill with opportunities for influence and leadership. he will not stand before obscure men.
The contrast here emphasizes the honor and recognition that come with excellence. "Obscure men" refers to those without influence or recognition. The biblical narrative often shows that God elevates those who are faithful and skilled, as seen in the lives of David, who moved from shepherding to kingship (1 Samuel 16:11-13), and Nehemiah, who went from cupbearer to governor (Nehemiah 2:1-8). This principle encourages believers to pursue excellence, trusting that God will open doors for greater service and impact. Persons / Places / Events 1. Skilled WorkerThe verse highlights a person who is diligent and proficient in their work. This individual is characterized by excellence and dedication. 2. KingsSymbolic of authority and high status, kings represent those in positions of power and influence. Standing before kings implies recognition and honor. 3. Obscure MenThese are individuals who lack influence or recognition. The contrast with kings emphasizes the reward of diligence and skill. Teaching Points The Value of Skill and DiligenceGod values skill and diligence in our work. As Christians, we are called to work as if serving the Lord, which means striving for excellence in all we do. Recognition and InfluenceWhen we are diligent and skilled, we gain opportunities for influence and recognition. This can open doors to share our faith and values with those in authority. Contrast of OutcomesThe verse contrasts the outcomes of diligence versus mediocrity. It serves as a reminder that our efforts and skills can lead to significant opportunities. Biblical Work EthicA biblical work ethic involves integrity, diligence, and skill. As we develop these qualities, we reflect God's character and bring glory to Him through our work. Preparation for Greater ResponsibilityBeing skilled in our work prepares us for greater responsibilities. As we prove faithful in small things, God entrusts us with more. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of standing before kings apply to your current work or responsibilities? 2. In what ways can you develop your skills to align with the biblical principle of diligence? 3. How does the contrast between standing before kings and obscure men challenge your current approach to work? 4. What other biblical examples illustrate the rewards of diligence and skill? 5. How can you use your skills and influence to further God's kingdom in your workplace or community? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 12:24This verse speaks about the diligent ruling, which complements the idea that skill and hard work lead to positions of influence. Ecclesiastes 9:10Encourages doing whatever your hand finds to do with all your might, reinforcing the call to diligence and excellence in work. Matthew 25:14-30The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of using one's skills and resources wisely, leading to greater responsibility and reward. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Business, Diligent, Expert, Hast, Kings, Low, Mean, Obscure, Persons, Seest, Serve, Skilful, Skilled, Speedy, Stand, Station, Stations, Won'tDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 22:29 5523 servants, good Library The Rich and the Poor
Chapel Royal, Whitehall, 1871. Proverbs xxii. 2. "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all." I have been asked to preach here this afternoon on behalf of the Parochial Mission Women's Fund. I may best describe the object for which I plead, as an attempt to civilise and Christianise the women of the lower classes in the poorer districts of London and other great towns, by means of women of their own class--women, who have gone through the same struggles as they have, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other SermonsOne Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
A sermon (No. 1670) delivered on Thursday Evening, June 8th, 1882, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets."--Proverbs 22:13. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets."--Proverbs 26:13. This slothful man seems to cherish that one dread of his about the lions, as if it were his favorite aversion and he felt it to be too much trouble to invent another excuse. …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Formation of Habits.
School Sermon. Proverbs xxii. 6. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." INTRODUCTION.--There is a district, high up in the Black Forest, where the ground is full of springs. It is a plain some nine hundred feet above the sea. Thousands upon thousands of little springs gush out of the soil; you seem to be on the rose of a vast watering-can. Now, from this great source flow a good many rivers, and they flow in very different, nay, opposite directions. …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent The Christian Business World
Scripture references: Proverbs 22:29; Romans 12:11; Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Psalm 49:6,10,16,17; 62:10; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23,24; Job 31:24-26; Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:14-30; 24:45-51; 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21. THE IDEAL IN THE BUSINESS WORLD There is often a wide difference between the methods actually employed in doing business and when they should be. Good men who are in the thick of the battle of competition and rivalry with other firms in the same line of trade, are the quickest …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian Philip and the Emperor
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.--Prov. xxii. 29. Kallias stayed a fortnight under the hospitable roof of Olympias, and during those days he had the pleasure of seeing how greatly his honest and genial simplicity brightened the thoughts both of his hostess and of his friend. The general outline of his own future seemed now to be approximately settled. Like Philip, he had acquired an incurable disgust for Constantinople, with …
Frederic William Farrar—Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom He Accuses Abaelard for Preferring his Own Opinions and Even Fancies to the Unanimous Consent of the Fathers, Especially Where He Declares that Christ did Not
He accuses Abaelard for preferring his own opinions and even fancies to the unanimous consent of the Fathers, especially where he declares that Christ did not become incarnate in order to save man from the power of the devil. 11. I find in a book of his sentences, and also in an exposition of his of the Epistle to the Romans, that this rash inquirer into the Divine Majesty attacks the mystery of our Redemption. He admits in the very beginning of his disputation that there has never been but one conclusion …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church "But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which Christian Love...
We shall not be curious in the ranking of the duties in which Christian love should exercise itself. All the commandments of the second table are but branches of it: they might be reduced all to the works of righteousness and of mercy. But truly these are interwoven through other. Though mercy uses to be restricted to the showing of compassion upon men in misery, yet there is a righteousness in that mercy, and there is mercy in the most part of the acts of righteousness, as in not judging rashly, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 22:29 NIVProverbs 22:29 NLTProverbs 22:29 ESVProverbs 22:29 NASBProverbs 22:29 KJV
Proverbs 22:29 Commentaries
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