angela hormberg

Author: Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:21

    Proverbs 11:21

    Punishment and Deliverance

    Commonplace –

    “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered” (Proverbs 11:21).

    Proverbs 11:21 is about justice. Oftentimes, it seems evil goes unpunished. However, we can stand on the promises of the Word, and Proverbs 11:21 is one of those promises. Whether it be in this world or the next, the wicked will be punished, regardless of their number, and the righteous will be delivered.

    Matthew Henry notes in his Commentary,

    “Though justice may come slowly to punish the wicked, and mercy may come slowly to save the righteous, yet both will come surely” (699).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:21.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:20

    Proverbs 11:20

    The Lord’s Delight

    Commonplace –

    “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight” (Proverbs 11:20).

    The word ‘froward’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘ʿiqqēš, which means “twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted” (“H6141”). In Proverbs 11:20, the writer tells us that being the type of person who is perverted or crooked is disgusting to the Lord. In contrast an upright person, a straight person, delights the Lord.

    As Matthew Henry notes in is Commentary,

    “It concerns us to know what God hates and what he loves, that we may govern ourselves accordingly, may avoid his displeasure and recommend ourselves to his favour” (699).

    God makes his expectations clear to us, which is a kindness. There is no guessing needed. The only thing left to us is to choose wisely.

    Works Cited

    “H6141 – ʿiqqēš – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 6 Mar, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6141/kjv/wlc/0-1/.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:20.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Daily Writing Prompt 1865

    Daily Writing Prompt 1865

    What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

    The experiences in life that helped me grow the most are the difficult ones. In those situations, I have a choice: will I follow Christ’s example or will I do what I want to do?

    Through experience I have learned it is better to simply follow Christ and His example. It is not always easy, but it is always better.

  • Proverbs 11:19

    Proverbs 11:19

    Tending and Pursuing

    Commonplace –

    “As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death” (Proverbs 11:19).

    Proverbs 11:19 is about action, just different kinds.

    In the first part of the verse, we are told that righteous ‘tends to’ or leads to life. This is interesting. What is leading? Righteousness is leading, in the sense that we are following an example. Only one is truly righteous, and that is Jesus, “in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Only through our faith in Christ are we justified. Therefore, when we are choosing to follow Christ’s example, we are submitting our will to him. Only in this way are we acting justly and only in Christ are we justified and receive eternal life. “…righteousness, in its own nature, has a direct tendency to life and wickedness to death” (Henry 699).

    In the second part of the verse, we are told about the person who pursues evil. Who is pursuing? The person that seeks to do evil. This person has in front of him the desire to act unjustly, and he chooses to seek it. “The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits the eagerly bent he is upon his own destruction; he awakens it when it seemed to slumber and hastens it when it seemed to linger” (Henry 699).

    We are either following an example or pursuing our own desires.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:19.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:18

    Proverbs 11:18

    Reaping What Is Sown

    Commonplace –

    “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18).

    When we think of influencers, we immediately think of modern day social media and individuals who hold sway over an audience. Proverbs 11:18 is a witness to the fact that influencers are an ancient idea. In today’s verse, we are presented with the wicked influencers and the righteous influencers.

    The wicked influencer deals in deceit. They use lies of omission and commission to manipulate others. The wicked are self-focused, choosing to sway others to their own wants. His eye is always on the material.

    The righteous influencer is different; they sow truth. How does this look? By embodying the Fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The righteous are altruistic. They see the other person and look at what their needs are. His eye is always on the spiritual.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:18.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:17

    Proverbs 11:17

    Mercy vs. Cruelty

    Commonplace –

    “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh” (Proverbs 11:17).

    In Proverbs 11:17, the writer tells us that showing mercy is not only good for those we are giving mercy to but also for us; it is a double blessing. Because when we are merciful, we are obeying the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:30, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”.

    Cruelty leaves its mark on our soul. As Matthew Henry notes in his Commentary, “A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, troubles his own flesh, and so his sin becomes his punishment; he starves and dies for want of what he has, because he has not a heart to use it either for the good of others or for his own” (698).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:17.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:16

    Proverbs 11:16

    Men and Women

    Commonplace –

    “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches” (Proverbs 11:16).

    In Proverbs 11:16, Solomon gives us all something to aspire to, to be gracious women and strong men.

    According to BlueLetterBible.org, the word ‘gracious’ in this verse comes from the Hebrew word “ḥēn” (Strong’s H2580), which is defined by Strong’s as “graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):—favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured” (“ḥēn“). A woman who is kind, pleasant, and gracious is a woman to be favored and honored by those around her. In his Commentary, Matthew Henry notes the following in regard to Proverbs 11:16 reference to gracious women,

    “…a gracious woman is as solicitous to preserve her reputation for wisdom and modesty, humility and courtesy, and all those other graces that are the true ornaments of her sex, as strong men are to secure their estates; and those women who are truly gracious will, in like manner, effectually secure their honour by their prudence and good conduct” (698).

    According to BlueLetterBible.org, the word ‘strong’ comes from the Hebrew word “ʿārîṣ ” (Strong’s H6184), which is defined by Strong’s as “fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical:—mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent (“ʿārîṣ “). A man who is strong is mighty and inspires awe in those around him, while striking terror in the hearts of his enemy. In his Commentary, Matthew Henry, notes the following in regard to Proverbs 11:16 reference to strong men,

    “…those who bustle in the world, who are men of spirit and interest, and are able to make their part good against all who stand in their way, are likely to keep what they have and to get more, while those who are weak are preyed upon by all about them” (698).

    Works Cited

    “H6184 – ʿārîṣ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 25 Feb, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6184/kjv/wlc/0-1/.

    “H2580 – ḥēn – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 25 Feb, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2580/kjv/wlc/0-1/.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:16.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:15

    Proverbs 11:15

    Surety

    Commonplace –

    “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship is sure” (Proverbs 11:15).

    Being in debt is like being shackled. It illustrates another example how something that existed in the ancient times – debt – has not changed in character and remains the same today. Yet Proverbs 11:15 records that there is something worse than debt itself; surety or guaranteeing a loan for someone, especially a stranger.

    I’m not aware of anyone I know who would guarantee -or co-sign- a loan for a stranger; it’s extremely risky. However, I am aware of situations where people have guaranteed loans for family members and friends. Yesterday, I read an article on the internet of a woman who cosigned a college loan for a friend years ago; now the friend has stopped making payments. The guarantor was seeking advice from the internet on how to handle the situation, and it was a very sad story. Not only must the guarantor scramble to cover the payments, but the friendship is likely ending over it.

    In his Commentary, Matthew Henry notes that Christ was surety for us and was wounded for it.

    “Our Lord Jesus was surety for us when we were strangers, nay enemies, and he smarted for it; it pleased the Lord to bruise him” (698).

    Finally, Henry offers the following for consideration:

    “…he that resolves against all such suretiship keeps upon sure grounds, which a man may do if he take care not to launch out any further into business than his own credit will carry him, so that he needs not ask others to be bound for him” (698).

    Wise counsel indeed.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:15.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:14

    Proverbs 11:14

    Counsel

    Commonplace –

    “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

    When I was young, I met a boy that I really liked – my first boyfriend. At the same time I met him, my parents were going through a divorce and were distracted. As a teenager, I probably wouldn’t have sought their advice, but if they hadn’t been distracted, they might have offered good counsel when I needed it most. However, there is a good chance I wouldn’t have listened anyway, had my parents offered counsel.

    At the same time my parents were divorcing, the church I was was attending was going through problems of its own. I continued to go to church, but I wasn’t as faithful in my attendance.

    Eventually, I stopped dating that boyfriend, but it took a long while for me to turn to God.

    Now, I see the importance of offering wise counsel to my children, being present in their lives, paying attention to what’s going on with them. I also value the strong presence of a church with believers of varied backgrounds, who are willing to share their life experiences, where things went well for them and where they didn’t. I appreciate youth leaders who point them to Christ and the Word. I take to heart Matthew Henry’s words,

    “In our private affairs we shall often find it to our advantage to advise with many; if they agree in their advice, our way will be more clear; if they differ, we shall hear what is to be said on all sides, and be the better able to determine” (698).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:14.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 11:13

    Proverbs 11:13

    Talebearers

    Commonplace –

    “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).

    In Proverbs 11:13, the talebearer who reveals secrets is contrasted with a faithful man who conceals matters. The writer uses the word ‘secrets’, which means “a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret:—assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel)” (“H5475”), in reference to the righteous, in which case the secrets are related to good counsel kept close. In his Commentary, Matthew Henry contrasts this with the “tale-bearer, that carries all the stories he can pick up, true or false, from house to house, to make mischief and sow discord, reveals secrets which he has been entrusted with, and so breaks the laws, and forfeits all the privileges of friendship and conversation” (697-698).

    Works Cited

    H5475 – sôḏ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 May, 2026. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5475/kjv/wlc/0-1/.

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 11:13.” 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.

    © 2026 Angela Hormberg