angela hormberg

Month: December 2025

  • Proverbs 10:14

    Proverbs 10:14

    Laying up Knowledge

    Commonplace –

    “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction” (Proverbs 10:14).

    So far in the first thirteen verses of Proverbs Chapter 10, Solomon has mentioned the mouth or lips six times, four times with a negative connotation and two times with a positive connotation.

    Negative References to mouth or lips:

    1. “violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (10:6)
    2. “a prating fool shall fall” (10:8)
    3. “a prating fool shall fall” (10:10)
    4. “violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (10:11).

    Positive References to mouth or lips:

    1. “the mouth of a righteous man is a well of life” (10:11)
    2. “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found” (10:13)

    In Proverbs 10:14, Solomon adds another negative reference to mouth or lips: “the mouth of the foolish is near destruction”. This brings the total references to mouth to seven in the first fourteen verses, which means half the verses are dealing with what we say, and, of those seven references, five of the seven are negative.

    Summary

    14 verses

    7 references to mouth or lips, 5 of which are negative

    Clearly, the takeaway is that our mouth can bring us trouble.

    If we take anything away from Solomon’s references to the mouth, it is a warning. This isn’t just a warning to watch what we say but to remember where our words come from: our heart. If we want our mouth to overflow with good things, we must fill our hearts with wisdom and knowledge. If we don’t take the time to store up good things, Matthew Henry warns we will become like the foolish, whose mouths are “near destruction, having the sharp arrows of bitter words always at hand to throw about” (692).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:14.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:13

    Proverbs 10:13

    Understanding

    Commonplace –

    “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding” (Proverbs 10:13).

    In Proverbs 10:13, Solomon contrasts the life of those who seek understanding and those who do not. The pursuit of understanding brings the reward of wisdom to the seeker: words of wisdom are on his lips. Based on what Solomon has already taught us in Proverbs, we know that if wisdom is on a person’s lips, there is a potential for a heart full of wisdom. Further investigation would be required to determine the extent of understanding.

    Let’s think about that for a minute. If a person picks up the Bible and reads a Proverb, then, in that moment, wisdom is on their lips. Does that mean their heart is full of wisdom? No, it does not. One quick reminder of this is recalling the temptation of Christ in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11. The devil was able to quote scripture and use it effectively in an argument; he could use verses out of context to support his argument, proof texting. Christ, however, had a heart full of wisdom, was able to discern the devil’s agenda, knew the actual context of those quote verses in relation to the entire message of the Bible, and countered quickly with the correct scripture. Another good reminder of the importance of knowing the word deeply is James 2:19, which says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”. So, a person who simply gives lip service to Bible verses does not necessarily have wisdom, understanding is crucial.

    For grasp this more clearly, we can turn to Matthew Henry’s Commentary, where he notes the following:

    “Wisdom and grace are the honour of good men: He that has understanding, that good understanding which those have that do the commandments, wisdom is found in his lips, that is, it is discovered to be there, and consequently that he has within a good treasure of it, and it is derived thence for the benefit of others. It is a man’s honour to have wisdom, but much more to be instrumental to make others wise” (692).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:13.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:12

    Proverbs 10:12

    Choosing to Love or to Hate

    Commonplace –

    “Hate stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12).

    “Hate is a strong word” is a phrase I often use with my children, when they toss the word around lightly towards one another or things they don’t like or things they don’t like doing. As Solomon says, hate stirs up strife, and that stirring up begins within our own soul. Love is also a strong word that tends to get overused. However, we think it is okay to use it, because love is good. Yet, because it is also a strong word, we should use it lightly. In both cases, it’s important to pause and reflect on why we are having such a strong feeling.

    When we say we love something or hate something, it’s important to examine our heart and ask if that is really the correct word to use for the situation. What is causing such a strong feeling within us? Are we feeling hate because of something evil? Then, it is appropriate and should move us to action. Or do we feel hate because of something annoying or inconvenient? Then, hate is not appropriate, because it is rooted in pride. We can and should ask the same question if we are feeling love, which might seem incorrect, because the proverb is telling us that love covers all sins. Isn’t love always good? Well, are we feeling love because of something good? Or do we feel love because something is affirming our ego, which is rooted in our pride?

    In Proverbs 10:12, Solomon is connecting love and hate with the covering of sins, indicating this is about those times when we have been wronged. When someone sins against us, we have a choice on how we will react. Matthew Henry notes the following about hate, which sounds a lot like our current culture of constantly being offended.

    “Here is,

    1. The great mischief maker, and that is malice. Even when there is no manifest occasion of strife, yet hatred seeks occasion and so stirs it up and does the devil’s work” (692).

    In contrast, Henry notes the following in regard to love:

    “The great peace-maker, and that is love, which covers all sins, that is, the offences among relations which occasion discord. Love, instead of proclaiming and aggravating the offence, conceals and extenuates it as afar as it is capable of being concealed and extenuated” (692).

    We have a choice in how we feel and react. When some situation is evoking such a strong reaction, it’s important to know why.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:12.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:11

    Proverbs 10:11

    Words Matter

    Commonplace –

    “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:11).

    The lesson of Proverbs 10:11 is – Words Matter. The good man says good things. “His mouth, the outlet of his mind, is a well of life” (Henry 692). Later, Jesus echoes Solomon’s sentiments when he is speaking to the Pharisees.

    “ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

    In regard to the wicked, Matthew Henry notes the following:

    “The mouth of the wicked covers violence, disguises the designed mischief with professions of friendship, that it may be carried on the more securely and effectually, as Joab kissed and killed, Judas kissed and betrayed; this is his sin, to which the punishment answers” (692).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:11.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:10

    Proverbs 10:10

    Commonplace –

    “He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall” (Proverbs 10:10).

    In Proverbs 10:10, Solomon writes about two actions, winking and endless foolish chatter, both of which are looked down upon and bring harm. The repercussions are different for each; winking causes sorrow, while continual foolish speech leads to the downfall of the speaker. The acts are not inherently wicked, but we must examine the motive behind them to understand the fallout of each. Why do people wink? Why do people chatter on? It is the intent to do mischief that is the difference. In his Commentary, Matthew Henry delves into the design behind each of the actions. Winking is used by “[p]olitic, designing, self-disguising sinners” (692), while prattling is done by “[p]ublic, silly, self-exposing sinners” (692). According to Henry, the prating fool “is less dangerous of the two, and, though he destroys himself, he does not create so much sorrow to others as he that winks with his eyes. The dog that bites is not always the dog that barks” (692).

    Works Cited

    “Proverbs 10:10”. Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-10.htm#google_vignette. Accessed Day Mo Yr.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:10.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:9

    Proverbs 10:9

    Choosing How You Will Live

    Commonplace –

    “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known” (Proverbs 10:9).

    In Proverbs 10:9, Solomon tells us that a man who walks uprightly, walks surely, but the man who walks in perverted ways, will be known for his wicked ways. Both men, the upright and the perverted will be known for their character. The difference between them is the upright man walks surely in his uprightness, secure in being known by his righteous character, while the man with perverted ways will be outed by his own evil actions.

    There are plenty of examples of men with perverted ways all over the news, so let’s turn our focus to the upright man. Matthew Henry gives the following illuminating description of the righteous man:

    “He that walks uprightly towards God and man, that is faithful to both, that designs as he ought and means as he says, walks surely; he is safe under a divine protection and easy in a holy security. He goes on his way with a humble boldness, being well armed against the temptations of Satan, the troubles of the world, and the reproaches of men. He knows what ground he stands on, what guide he follows, what guard he is surrounded with, and what glory he is going to, and therefore proceeds with assurance and great peace” (691).

    Works Cited

    “Proverbs 10:9”. Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-9.htm#google_vignette. Accessed Day Mo Yr.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:9.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • 5 Steps to Help Fight Fraud

    5 Steps to Help Fight Fraud

    Five key steps companies can take to help fight fraud.

    Currently, I am in the midst of completing my required accounting continuing education courses. There are, of course, the standards: Individual Income Tax Updates, Business Tax Updates, Accounting Updates, and so forth. Also, sprinkled in are the courses I find fascinating. Currently, I’m really interested in any classes focusing on AI and how to use it effectively and fraud and how people commit it. During one of those fraud classes, the instructor shared five easy steps any employer can take to help fight fraud. They won’t solve the problem of fraud, but they do help companies raise the bar a little, making it harder for others to commit fraud against them.

    1. Implement some kind of fraud reporting mechanism. This is typically a more formal process, like a compliance or audit program.
    2. Create a tip line. A tip line is typically informal and anonymous, allowing people to call or email information related to fraud.
    3. Implement mandatory job rotation and required vacation.
    4. Require background checks. It seems obvious, but many people skip this important part of the hiring process.
    5. Regular online review of bank activity. Simply logging into the company bank account and scanning transactions on a regular basis keeps the owner involved and aware of what is going on in the company.
  • Proverbs 10:8

    Proverbs 10:8

    What It Means To Be Wise in Heart

    Commonplace –

    “The wise in heart shall receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall” (Proverbs 10:8).

    What does it mean to be wise? In Proverbs 10:8, Solomon offers a snapshot of the actions of the wise contrasted with that of the foolish. He begins by specifying what he means by wisdom. He is focusing on the wise in heart. According to Strong’s, the word ‘heart’ means the actual physical heart, but is “also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything” (“leb”). The wise in heart have knowledge and understanding in their soul. When the wise hear God’s commandments, they actively receive them. The word ‘receive’, according to Strong’s means “to take” (“laqah”), actively grasping and retaining the commandments. Those who have knowledge and understanding in their soul are actively grasping and retaining God’s commandments.

    In contrast to the wise in heart, the prating fool never stops talking long enough to hear the Word being spoken. He is also active, but not in receiving. The fool is active in constantly giving a stream of meaningless words. In the end, he shall fall through his own folly. He is deaf to the commandments and is left to suffer the consequences. As Matthew Henry notes, “Those that are full of tongue seldom look well to their feet, and therefore stumble and fall” (691).

    Works Cited

    “Proverbs 10:8”. Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-8.htm#google_vignette. Accessed 18 Dec 2025.

    “Laqah”. BlueLetterBible.com. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3947/kjv/wlc/0-1/. Accessed 18 Dec 2025.

    “Leb”. BlueLetterBible.com. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3820/kjv/wlc/0-1/. Accessed 18 Dec 2025.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:8.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:7

    Proverbs 10:7

    Reputation and the Name We Leave Behind

    Commonplace –

    “The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot” (Proverbs 10:7).

    Proverbs 10:7 begins with saying “the memory of the just is blessed”. Does this mean the just person is remembering and has a blessed memory, because he was a just person and acted correctly? Or does this mean those who recall the just person do so with good thoughts, because he acted in righteous ways. In Proverbs 10:7, the word “memory” is rooted in the Hebrew word ‘zakar’, which is a verb. Therefore, the word memory in verse 10:7 means the act of remembering, recalling to mind.

    When we read the second part of verse 10:7, “but the name of the wicked shall rot”, the meaning of the word ‘memory’ is further clarified. In both parts of verse 10:7, Solomon speaks of the act of recalling people to mind. When people remember the just, they recall the memories with blessings; the memories people have of the righteous are good memories. By contrast, people do not recall the name of the wicked. Their reputation fades, and their name dies with them. (Unless of course, they were so evil and their acts so incredibly wicked that their name is referenced as a warning.)

    In his summary of Proverbs 10:7, Matthew Henry states,

    “Both the just and the wicked, when their days are fulfilled, must die. Between their bodies in the grave there is no visible difference; between the souls of the one and the other, in the world of spirits, there is a vast difference, and so there is, or ought to be, between their memories, which survive them” (691).

    Henry goes on to mention “blessed men leave behind them blessed memories”, which is a gift to their heirs. According to Henry, these future generations have a duty to the dead.

    “It is part of the duty of the survivors: Let the memory of the just be blessed, so the Jews read it, and observe it as a precept, not naming an eminently just man that is dead without adding, Let his memory be blessed. We must delight in making an honourable mention of good men that are gone, bless God for them, and for his gifts and graces that appeared in them, and especially be followers of them in that which is good“.

    The highest tribute to the dead is to recall their good deeds and follow their example. When the person was truly a good person, this is easily done, often without thinking about it. Whenever I recall my grandmothers (no disrespect to my grandfathers, but they died when I was young), it is always with good memories. I don’t have to search for good memories, those are the only memories I have of them. They were just such fantastic women: loving, kind, thoughtful, and the list goes on. Do you have someone in your life that you recall with great memories? What was it about them that make their memories so good?

    Works Cited

    “H2142 – Zakar”. BlueLetterBible.com, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2142/wlc/wlc/0-1/. Accessed 17 Dec 2025.

    “Proverbs 10:7”. Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-.htm#google_vignette. Accessed 17 Dec 2025.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:7.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    The Interlinear Bible, I Volume Edition. Jay P. Green, Sr. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 2020.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Happy Birthday, Jane Austen 🎂

    Happy Birthday, Jane Austen 🎂

    250 Years!

    Jane Austen’s birthday is today. I’d like to honor what she has meant to me by reposting an excerpt from a paper I wrote about her writing. Enjoy!

    “Myth in the Novels of Jane Austen” – an Excerpt