Christian Essays on the Web !!!

Proverbs Part 2a

PART TWO A

CHAPTER TEN

Everything we do, in the company or knowledge of other people, affects them in some way. People are linked by invisible ties. Science sometimes refers to this as the ‘butterfly effect’, because even the smallest event can trigger a cascade of causes and effects which far outweight the initial cause.

Jer.17:11. God has never allowed sin to go unpunished. The judgements of God, from the global flood to the destruction of Sodom, the overthrow of the Canaanites and hundreds of other examples, right down to the tiniest punishments of individuals. At the resurrection too, the righteous will receive a reward, and there will be varying degrees of reward, which amounts to another form of judgement. Deut.6:25, Ps.132:9 and Is.54;17.

(Possibly all) the proverbs are true in four ways: logically, providentially, spiritually and eternally. This proverbe, for example, has been providentially fulfilled – elijah 1kings 17, David 2sam. 17:27-29, where certain righteous one have literally been preserved, and, literally, the wicked have had their substance (or craving, or desire) cast away – see also Israel Judges 6:1-4, and Samaria 1Kings 18:2, 2Kings 6:25, and Jerusalem Lam.5;10, Zeph.1:18, and the Chaldeans Hab.2:8.

4,5

"poor’ = needy.

2Thess.3:7-12. Ruth was diligent, and ended up exalted. Ruth (2-4) after beginning as a mere gleaner of grains dropped by other people. Even if we aren’t interested in being rich (v4) we are expected to work hard, and not be slack, slothful, or lazy. Mat.9:36-38.

6,7

head = whole person.

Playing with metaphors here. Violence covers the heart of the violent, or, it is written all over their faces. Mouth = heart, or the whole person.

Blessings are like a crown to the just, but violence eventually overwhelmes the wicked, or violent person. This is a very common theme in TV stories – the really outstanding baddies always end up being smashed. Verse 7 is about their reputation after they die – the memory, or remembrance, of the wicked will be distatseful. There is always a clear, morally-based distinction between people both now and in eternity.

wise in heart, i.e. teachable and humble God-fearing Christians, will receive knowledge, or be retentive to learning, new things. Prating fools – conceited windbags, over-confident, self-sufficient – shall fall, or be found out, or come to grief, as in Dan.5:18-23. It doesn’t pay to be opinionated. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

‘Honesty is the best policy" well, not, actually honesty is the only policy. But dishonesty, once detected, is soon broadcast and publicised around. Joseph had integrity, and came through, eventually – Gen.40,41. Ziba was dishonest, and got found out – 2Sam.16:1-4, 19:24-27.

People still wink as they kid, or lie, letting others know they are making up what they are saying. Judas covered his real thoughts by the action of a kiss – Luke 22:48. We must always try to speak and act consistently – Eph.4:15.

mouth = heart. John 7:38, 4:14. The repercussions of our lives, or the general reaping of what we sow. If we sow good things, our world is made a little better, but if we speak, or live violently, the result can be that we die a violent death. Every action has a corresponding reactuon. 2Cor.2;15, Eph.5:2. A tiny gesture can do a lot of damage – even a wink.

"covers" does not mean "makes up for". It means "stirs up". Hatred is always picking a quarrel, but love seeks out and deals with sins – 1Cor.13:4, 5,7. The action of love to heal sins is seen in the life of Joseph – Gen.40:15 and 45:5-8, and in avid – 2Sam.1, and in Paul and Philemon. (Prov.27:5,6 shows that it is better to "rebuke" or "wound" a friend, than ignore their sins. The action of dealing with, in love, the sins and faults of our brethren, rather than completely overlooking their reality, is touched on in 1Pet.4:8, and James 5:20.

A good example of each is Solomon – 1Kings3:5-28, and his son Rehoboam – 1Kings 12:8-19. Man is either God’s mouthpiece or god’s mule. Compare Mat.12:34 with Ps.32:8,9. Acts 4:13 – when we keep learning from God’s Word we grow wise. From an enlightened mind come words of understanding, which flow into our lives. Unfortunately, for those who reject God’s wisdom, life can be a long series of ‘knockbacks’, failures, and messes . . . hence "the rod for their back". We have met such people, who seem to stumble from one crisis to another, and never manage to get above it all.

"lay up" = keep in store for the righ occasion. His does not mean great erudition, or massing huge intellectual knowledge. The mouth of the foolish is, quite literally, ‘bringing ruin near’, or ‘is imminent destruction.’ This proverb is about wise reticence – when to speak, and when not to – Ecc.3:7. The fool is good at opening his mouth and putting his foot in it.

Don’t despise money. Balanced with 2 and 16 it is quite clear that Christians should not make a show of despising wealth. It is not right to deliberately embrace poverty or to go into a romantic dreamworld, where ‘money doesn’t matter’. The higher moral qualities are always more important, if a choice between integrity, or money, are involved. (Further proverbs about money and wealth : 14:20, 18:23, 19:7, 22:7)

Spiritual message behind two lifestyles. One ends in "life" the other in "sin". The point is that people should not blame their wealth or their poverty for the quality of their lives. 1Tim.6:6. A poor Christian’s life can be rich in quality, while a wicked person’s life can be futile and empty.

Contrast is here made between "keeps" and "refuses". We must stay teachable, and also hold fast, for as long as possible, to the Wisdom we learn.

"errs" = goes astray. Saul, for example, refused reproof – 1Sam. 15:23.

Hiding hatred with lying lips – means saying friendly things, but inwardly hating the person. Joab pretended to be a friend of Abner, but then killed him – 2Sam.3:27. Who would trust Jacob after he deceived his father? Where personal wrongs exist, God would have the offended parties bring the issues out in the open and deal with them – Lev.19:16,17

19-21

WORDS. Use them sparingly. Verse 20 – they are what you are, they reflect you. Christians ought to be able to nourish others with their conversation, but fools can’t even feed themselves, they have such a limited range of understanding.

"it" – very emphatic word. Nothing we do can add to God’s blessing in our lives. Alternative reading: "and toil adds nothing to it." Both are correct because a Christian can receive both good and bad, blessing or trial, from a loving Heavenly Father – Hab.3:17-19, Phil.4:11-13 – and still be blessed. It is a matter of interpretation. I recall hearing about a Christian camp, in which a Christian girl suddenly slipped as she was about to step into a boat. The poor girl hit her head and was very sore, but she said ""raise the Lord it wasn'’ much worse!""and her testimony convinced another girl, a non-Christian, that it was worthwhile to be a Christian.

Conduct, or behaviour. A foolish person enjoys doing things which a wise person shrinks from in horror. This does not mean that to be wise means being a ‘killjoy’, and never have any fun. "It is as sport to a fool to . . ." get drunk, break the law, swear, blaspheme, commit adultery, smash property, vomit on the footpath, etc, etc. The AV has lost the sense of the second line, which implies: ‘but to exercise wisdom is as sport to a man of understanding’ The Christian’s great joy and pleasure should come from achieving positive results.

24,25

The insecurity of the wicked. According to this proverb, lawless people have a gnawing fear in their hearts of coming judgement, no matter how bold they try to appear.

Some righteous desires which God has granted: Hannah – 1Sam.1:20, Esther – 4:16, Daniel – 2:16-23, Simeon – Luke 2:25-30.

Some whirlwinds"; Noah – Gen.7:21-23 and Mat.24:37-39, Elah – 1Kings 16:7-10, Sennacherib – 2kings 19:35-37. Everlasting foundation –Mat.7:24-27.

The unfaithful or apathetic servant. Luke 19:20-26. How often have the Lord’s sent ones proved to be sluggards, that is, unfaithful, unreliable, distracted from their work by temptations, indifferent to the success of failure of their commission.

27-30

MASSIVE CERTAINTY. John 20:31 (and Luke 1:4), also 1John 3:24, 4:13, 5:10-13, 19,20.

"prolongs days" = increases days, in quality.

The contrast is between the lawless and the righteous, in the present and in the future. In both worlds the lawless are losers, as some sins literally shorten lives, others rob them of quality of life, and in the future they inheriut an eternity of loss. Cain and Abel, Noah and his world, Isaac and Ishmael, Esau and Jacob, Moses and Pharoah, Aaron and his sons . . etc etc.

31,32

What we talk about. Words are powerful, whether they are our own, or quoted from someone else. Some people (v310 "bring forth" like a plant, positive, useful, edifying things in their converstaion, while other people are ‘tolerated’, then ignored, or cut out. As another proverb goes: ‘If you can’t say anythig nioce, don’t say anything at all". Which is the world’s watered-down version. Jesus would not have agreed – Luke 13. Every time we speak we ought to be aware that we are speaking, and that our words are affecting other people.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

What we do in our earthly dealings must always be done with the knowledge that there IS a God, and that He IS there. Even a little thing like weighing something . . .everything has some repercussion. The law: Lev.19:36, the prophets: Mic.6;10, the Wsidom writings: 20:10,23. Christians don’t need to worry about keeping the legal minimums of the Law, but instead give with an overflowing attitude (Luke 6:35-38) when they are able to.

"pride" – suggesting a boiling up. Examples: Miriam – Num.12:10, Uzziah – 2Chron.26:16-21, Neb. – Dan.4:30, Moab – Zeph.2:8,10, Nineveh – Zeph.2:15, the bogus prophet – Deut.18:20. On the other hand, people like Joseph – Gen.41:16,38,39, and Daniel – Dan.2:20,21, used self-control, kept their heads, and viewed their circumstances from another perspective.

3-9

Righteousness, or keeping God’s commandments, is always better in the long run, no matter what happens to us. There are many times in our lives when we wish we didn’t know the truth (!) because we are expected to speak it – even though we know when we do speak out, we may lose friends, respect, or position. Even though we may become extremely unpopular at times, ultimately, the right course will lead to life. Jesus refused to back down from his stand, even though it meant losing many followers – John 6:66 – and his own people – John 8:48,59 – and his own brethren – John 7:5 – ALL his disciples – Mat.26:31 and his own life – Mat.26:39, 27:50. We must cling to God’s ways, even though we cannot always see things from the heavenly perspective – Heb.12:1-4.

10,11

However drab the world makes out virtue to be, it appreciates the blessings of it in public life. "shouting" i.e. for joy. Examples: 2Chron.29:3-36 – Hezekiah’s good reign – and 30:26. Nehemiah – Neh.2, 6:15, 8:17. Mordecai – Est.8;15,16.

When the wicked perish: see pharoah – Ex.15, Sisera – Judges 5, Athaliah – 2Kings 11:20. Non-Christians are often quick to correct the Christian who fails to uphold his/her confessed standards. Od wants us to be the moral example in a world which needs guidance – salt and light, Mat.5:13,14. We give stability, guidance and standards to a corrupt society. Jer.23:22 lays the blame for Israel’s fall, on the failure by the priests to uphold God’s Word within the nation. It is the "city" or cosmopolitan area which needs God’s ways – righteousness in the Counsels, government departments, police force, schools and so on.

12,13

Despising, or reproaching, or belittling other people, springs from a proud heart. It is wrong to feel superior to other people, because none of us has anything which was not originally given to us by God. The wise man holds his peace because he acknowledges God as his source. The foolish man -–void, or empty-hearted – puts himself at the top, and everyone else lower down. ‘The mark of a wise man is how he treats people who are of no possible use to him.’

Verse 13. The "despiser" reveals secrets, i.e. gossips and peddles scandal. Some modern newspapers do this too. Example: Doeg – 1Sam.21:7,22:9,10, Ps.52:2. The OT refers to the talebearers as malicious informers, out to hurt – lev.19:16, Ez.22:9

Get all the advice you can. Counsellors have to be wise, of course. The word "counsel" = Helmsman. This man dealt with the tackle, handling, and steering of the ship.

"safety" = salvation.

"sure" means ‘carefree’.He that agrees to pay the full amount to someone who doesn’t know him is risking a lot. Jesus became surety for his people, and they were ‘strangers’ at the time – Eph.2:12, and Jesus ‘smarted’ for it. It is not wise to enter into associations, partnerships, deals or pledges with people you do not know much about.

"stranger" = zur = apostate.

The spiritual sense of this is to avoid false teaching, and the company of those who would have you join them, who are not spiritually in tune with God.

Two ways: graciousness leading to respect, or strength (high-mindedness) leading to wealth. It is therfore possible to be wealthy, but earn no respect. It is better to be gracious and have honour, than to be rich and ignored or avoided.

The deed affects the doer most. This principle works out in relationships – Luke 6:28, Is.58:10,11, and in destiny – James 2:13. God will repay those who have spent their lives being cruel and hateful, with separation from His life.

"merciful man" = man of lovingkindness, of grace. A man like God.

Whatever we give away comes back to us. We reap what we sow. Birds always come home to roost. Achan and Ahab troubled their own flesh – Josh.7:25,26 and 1Kings 18:17,18.

Moffat translation: "It is not real, what a bad man gains." Wicked men may be outwardly very prosperous, but in the end, all they have achieved is an illusion, a lie, a nothing. Those who obey God end up with a real reward – they inherit the Earth for a start! Examples: Noah – Gen.6:22, Heb.11:7, Abraham – Heb.6:15, Joseph – Gen.37-41, Ps.37:4-6.

"work" can also mean ‘wages’.

We are either pursuing life, or we are pursuing death. This means that both must be clearly discernable to us. Relativity does not exist with the Lord. It is either life or death, black or white, live or die, communion or separation.

"abomination" comes from the word "abhor". To abhor something means to hate it, or draw back from it.

Froward = perverse.

Upright = straighforward,

The contrast should be clear in the world – Christians ought to be shining out in this perverse world, seen to be Christians – Mat.5:16, Phil.2:15.

Hand to hand – Babel – Gen.11:1-9, Korah – Num.16, the canaanite kings – Josh.9:1,2, Adonizedek – Josh.10, the Confederacy – Is.7:1-16.

"be delivered’ = malat = slip away, or escape. Either here and now, or in the future, Christians will thrive. We are indestructible. To illustrate this principle see the contrast between Hezekiah and Sennacherib – 2Chron.32.

jewel = nose-jewel (Gen.24:47)

fair = beautiful.

We might put this more delicately, but the Bible is as blunt as an old axe: beauty without brains is a monstrocity! Verse 16 shows how charm may gain honour, but a beautiful woman needs more than a good figure, she needs to have discretion, if she is to please God. Charm is more than skin deep. There are many ‘beauty queens’, fashion models, and ravishing blonds in this world, but, if they are not wise (by the Bible’s definition) they are like fat, hairy, smelly, muddy hogs or sows, with some jewellery on. Christians are often fooled by the appearance, which is why God stresses the necessity for avoiding unequal yoking – 2Cor.6:14. (Also 1Sam.16:7, 1Pet.3:3) Jezebel was keen on looking good, but her career was a chaotic mess – 2Kings 9:30-37 and it ended fittingly. Abigail was a woman of integrity – 1Sam.25:32-25.

Discretion = right judgement.

Men also are like swine when they are without discretion too of course.

What we set our hearts on. If we desire good, we can expect to find good. If we desire anything else, we can expect wrath. Here is no middle road. Jer.17:15-18 – Jeremiah expected his persecutors to be destroyed. Again, in the example of Zedekiah – he refused many offers to save himself, and ended up being destroyed – Jer.17:24,25, 22:4,5, 25:3-6. If Christians set their hearts on good, they will eventually receive it.

24-26

These verses show the rewards of generosity. 2Cor.9:6-10. Great joy can come to those who give – Phil.:10-19, but greed is quite the opposite to generosity, and it leads to poverty in the end (or death, as in the case of Nabal – 1 Sam:25:10,11,38. The results come either in this life or in the eternal ages ahead. Psalm 112:9.

We may also give ourselves – John 12:24,25.

Verse 24 "withholds more than is meet" = withholds what he should give – Ps.126:6, 1Cor.9:16, 1Cor.15;2,10,58.

Verse 26 "withholding" here we have a different word. It means keeping the supply back to force up the price. God sees these things, which is why the heavenly perspective is added: "blessing shall be upon his head . . ."

What we try to get for others, we try to get for ourselves.

"diligently seek" is an expression similar to "watching for the dawn". Like verse 17, what we do for other people affects us as much as if not more than it affects them.

Adonibezek – Judges 1:5-7, Josh.14:6-13. People who seek "mishief" = evil, or wrong. For example, the drug-taker ends up an addict or worse.

Psalm 1 illustrates clearly how true wealth is actually moral righteousness.

Luke 12:16-21 is the parable of the rich fool.

Mat.13:22 – riches can actually choke a Christian – Heb.13:5, Mark 10:24.

Ecc.5:16 – the wind is "nothing".

There are many ways of troubling one’s own house: parents can set a bad example, diseases can be passed on, drugs can cause defects, and so on. A king may trouble his own house by ruling sinfully – Jereboam made "all Israel to sin" – 1Kings 21:22. God, in His mercy, spreads judgement out over many generations, so that each new generation has the opportunity to rectify the mess caused by the preceeding one – Ex.34:6,7.

There is a contrast between the ‘home’ (house0 and the ‘business’ (servant). The fools sows discord in his family, and in his secular life, the result is "wind" – a symbol of trouble and war – Ez.37:9, Mat.7:25, James 3:4, Jude 12.

wins = catches.

Being righteous in the Lord means emanating the qualities of the Lord. This is not enough however, because God would have us to be wise as well, and able to discerningly deal with people – 1Cor.9:19-23. Blessing people is one thing, but searching them out is another. Christians must learn how to answer "EVERY MAN" and not just a few – 1Pet.3:15. One bears fruit – Gal.6:22,23, but their should be a progression which ought to lead us to being communicators of wisdom to other people.

Behold. This word is used here as a sort f shout, making this proverb especially important. See 1Pet.4:17,18. God judges his saints as well as the world.

Reccompensed, or requited. The Int.Version says "If the righteous receive their due on Earth, how much more the ungodly and sinner!" God deals with godly and ungodly in this world and in the next. Heb.12:6 God "scourges" His sons. Even a Moses or a David come under God’s disciplinary hand at times. Jer.25:29, Ez.18:24. The reccompense can have either a threatening or a reassuring ring to it – Gal.6:7,8. This action by God affects individuals, families, and whole nations. There is no describing the width and depth of God’s wisdom!

CHAPTER TWELVE

"instruction" = discipline, or education. It means putting one’s self under the pressure of hard work. The opposite is ‘brutishness’, such as we see in the lifestyle of Hippies. The permissive, liberals, the morally slack, the people who live on an ‘animal’ level. Psalm 49:10-12.

The mark of a wise man is his ability to listen and find wisdom from every source. The brutish man is determined to have his own way. A good example of this would be the population before the Flood. On the other hand, Josiah was a good example of a listener and learner.

2,3

The key word here is "established", as with a plant (Ps.1) and "obtains favour" is linked to it. John 15 shows how loving and obeying Jesus brings favour, for example answered prayers, and the presence of God’s love, and fruitfulness, and many other benefits, which the world in its wickdness can never receive in the abundance a Christian can.

Being established means something like being in possession of a block of land and stock, and holding the deed in perpetuity, with no fear of losing the ownership of it. See Acts 16:5, Col.2:7, Rom.1:11, James 5:8 and 1Pet.5:10.

Many people seem to be flourishing outwardly, but they are not, ultimately, established. Their lives are rooted in insubstantial values, weak ethics and shoddy principles. Christians ought to be faithful to Jesus whether they are rich or poor, happy or troubled, because he is the source of all stability, and if we are in Him we are established for ever.

A fine wife. She is virtuous and strong and worth much. (the church is expected to be a faithful wife to the Lord – Eph.5:22-33, 2Cor.11:2, and in the national sense – Jer.31:32, Hos.2:19,20. A strong Christian is a crown to the Lord, or a jewel – Mal.3:17 (or ‘peculiar treasure’) The opposite of strength is weakness, or old age, i.e. feebleness – Heb.12:12,13 or a premature ageing, as with the Israelites who perished in the wilderness – except for Joshua and Caleb, and Moses, whom the Lord took – Josh.14:7,8. Rottonness in the bones can also be caused by disease, and we know that disease is often a picture of sin – Is.1:5,6, or infectious cults, philosophies and errors, which pollute and contaminate the inner man, hence the need for frequent washing – Eph.5:26, 1Cor.6:11.

thoughts = plans.

Counsels = steerings, or directions.

The sinful desires of unregenerate people are opposed to God’s ways – i.e the politician may make many wonderful promises, but his counsels are very often for underhand goals, whereas the Christian ought to reflect his new attitudes by his Christ-like intentions and plans. Any leader ought to be viewed with this in mind: what is his policy? What are his principles? Is he a person whose ethics are Bible-based or Man-based?

Policies begin in the heart, with the "thoughts", but the thoughts are expressed in words and actions – Mat.1234, 15:18. Christians MUST establish their hearts on the truth and not be double-standard people – James 3:13, and 4:8. The character of a person’s life is a reflection of their heart. Christians ought to aim for honourable things, just things, right things, fairness and so on.

WORDS: lethal or liberating.

"blood" is put for the person (Prov.1:11)

Because God judges all men, the wicked are in fact lying in wait for their Own blood (1:18). The "words" and the "mouth" are put for the heart, or inner man, or inner attitudes. The upright find salvation, while the wicked end up falling into their own ambushes. In the past, and today, the "upright" are perishing, but ultimately they will be delivered, at the resurrection. This is not to say that God cannot deliver us today, if He so wills – Dan.3:17,18, but one day all will be delivered – Is.57:1,2, Ps.116:15.

"and are not" = and there is nothing left of them.

Good Bible examples are : Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen.19, the wicked Ammonites – 2Sam.10:3. Very often, even in life today, a calamity may wipe out one person, family, or community, yet leave others close by quite untouched.

Good sense wins respect. If a person is consistently sensible, practical, able to anticipate and counter difficulties, and wise, he or she is respected. How much more should a Christian, who is able to tap into the Wisdom of God, be able to be a wise person in every shpere of life.

Joseph was commended – gen.41:39. Jesus also spoke with great wisdom – John 7:46. Christians are promised the gift of wisdom when under trial – Luke 21:15.

The "he that is of a perverse heart" is the person who soon betrays the contents of his heart as soon as he starts to talk – Mat.12:34. Another example of wisdom was Abigail – 1Sam.25:3. The perverse heart of Nabal – 1Sam.25:3,17, and Hopni and hinehas – 1Sam.1:3, 2:17,30, also Judah – Jer.4:22,30, Lam.1:8 and the lost – Luke 15:15,16.

The one who is looked down upon, but whose needs are met, is far happier than the one who tries to appear well-off but is really hungry and in distress. In the spiritual sense, there are many happy Christians who own very little, but have all their needs met, while there are material well-off people whose lives are empty. This proverb is basic, earthy and just common sense. A full tummy is ample compensation for a low position in society, especially in a society where pretentious standards are the norm. It is also better to be hardly noticed and yet have all the home comforts, than to be in the public eye all the time, and miss out on them.

Kindness, even to animals. The world-wide environmental movements have a strong Christian element, whether they like to admit it or not. God loves animals.

"regards" = knows.

Jacob and David cared for their animals – Gen.33:13,14 and 1Sam.17:34,35. The latter is a good illustration of how an elder ought to guard the flock from heresies, cults and other dangers. The "tender mercies of the wicked are cruel"- i.e. Nahash – 1Sam.11:1,2, Pilate – Luke 23:16. A person’s attitude towards God is reflected in his treatment of animals, although it is not always the rule.

Notice the special word "cold" in Mat.10:42 and Mark 5:43.

Th Sept. adds: "He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strongholds." The fault here is not energy, but discrimination. Some people have plenty of zeal, but they waste it on worthless pursuits, and fritter away their lives, gaining no solid or lasting achievement. God delights in diligent, steady, positive work. A Christian of all people should be a steady "tiller". God’s Word is one field worth "tilling" – 2Tim.2:15, Acts 17:11. Many Christians waste their time in idle distractions, neglecting their Bibles, and consequently starving slowly to death. Timothy is a good example of one who daily "tilled" – 2Tim.3:14-17. This proverb is emphasised in 28:19, and again in 27:23-27. It is first of all a practical, basic, material fact that a person who "tills" will prosper.

"till" = Heb.abad = to do service, labour, work. (Abimelech’s followers – judges 9, Theudas – Acts 5:36,37.

the net – put for what is caught in it

"of evil men" = which evil men use.

"yields" = gives to others, instead of taking things as if they were prey.

This proverb can also read: "Wickedness is the net of evil men" – i.e. their own badness traps them. The contrast is between the delusive attractions of evil methods and the quiet rewards of goodness. The end does not justify the means. Col.3:23,24. Romans 14:23 ends with: For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin – that is, whatever is done without a conviction of it being right before God is sinful. (Amp.NT) Many Christians try to win souls or try to conduct campaigns, or manage business, etc using the "net of evil men". For example, I met a Christian businessman who actuall bragged to me about how much he was taking ‘under the table’ so he wouldn’t have to pay tax on it. To desire the methods and means of ungodly people is to desire their "nets", but we should have nothing to do with such things.

"the wicked" = an evil person. Mat.12:36,37.

For better or for worse, our words give us away. What we say ought to be an expression of what we are. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips. Lips = heart. Christians ought to make a good confession – Rom.10:10, and follow our Saviour’s example – 1Tim.6:13. Sooner or later our words will come home to roost.

Bad examples

: Korah and company – Num.16:1-3, Ps.64:8, the Amalekite – 2Sam.1:2-16, Adonijah – 1Kings 2:23, Daniel’s accusers – Dan.6:24, the Jews – Mat.27:25.

Good examples

: Joshua and Caleb – Num.14:10,24,30, Esther and her people – Est.7:3, 8:3-7, 9:25, Peter – Acts 11:2-18, 12:3-18. In the first example with Peter he "rehearsed the matter" and so delivered himself by openly talking about the truth, in the second example with Peter, God intervened.

WORDS

What a person says can be as fruitful or dynamic as what a person does. Beware the Christian who has allowed their words to become weak or anaemic. Words can bring in as substantial a return as deeds, for they establish relationships, implant ideas, change minds, alter philosophies, destroy errors, build hopes, direct, correct, rebuke, exhort . . . 2Tim.2:9 (Prov.15:23,25:11)

The NEB says: "One man wins success by his words; another gets his due reward by the work of his hands." Whichever kind our words and deeds are, they will always have repercussions – rev.3:15-18.

Fool = Heb.evil = lax or careless habit of mind and body.

There are many self-made pundits around; people who are never wrong, people on whom wisdom is wasted because they already know everything. The wise are not like this; they are teachable, reasonable, open to correction. The wise person is ready to believe that he can learn from others and will gather truth from many different sources.

wrath = vexation.

Is = lets itself be

Presently = immediately, at once, in the same day.

2Kings 6:31 – jehoram swore he would kill Elisha that very day. 1Kings19:1,2 – Jezebel swore she would kill Elijah within 24 hours. Dan.3;19 – Nebuchadnezzar furiously tried to kill the three men. Luke 4;28 – the people of the synagigue.

On the other hand the prudent man covers (conceals) shame, or public ignominy. For example Gideon – Judges 8:1-3, and Hezekiah – Is.36:21, David – 1Sam.17:28-30, Saul – 1Sam.10:27, but later Saul reverted back to being a fool – 20:30-33.

When we are insulted we should be very slow to react – the prudent man ignores an insult. A fool blurts out his annoyance, but a wise man is in no hurry to publish the insult he has received. We should be reticent, not sulking, in the hope that we may help the insulter, in other words use self-control.

17-19

WORDS – good and bad.

Sept.: "a righteous man declares the open truth." The sense is that a man who is consistently righteous, is habitually honest. Words are an outcrop of character, On the other hand, the false witness, or wicked person, can be expected to be deceitful. It is true too, that non-Christians often have few qualms about telling half truths, or ‘white lies’, or prevarications, equivocations, evasions, distortions, of the truth. They are also duplicitous. They use tongue-in-the cheek language. But the "words of the wise are as goads" – Ecc.12:11.

Christians ought to reflect their Master, who is the Truth Personified.

"shews" = Heb.nagad = to put before, as in Ps.51;15, and 92:2. It means to put before others, to declare, or speak out. Christians who know the truth must present it, even though the world seems to produce an ocean of babble 24 hours a day – Ez.2:3-8.

Words can have a tremendous impact.

"piercings = stabs

Harmful words – Lam.3:14 and Heb.11:36.

Healthful words – Jethro – Ex.18:17-26, Abigail – 1Sam.25:24-35, the wise woman – 2Sam,20:16-22. Christians are called to speak the truth in love, and we ought to let our speech "be always be seasoned with salt" – Eph.4:15 and Col.4;6.

It is said that the truth hurst, but it also heals. The Christian’s work is sometimes incredibly difficult because he must try to tell people what they need to hear without stirring up hostility – Mat.10:34, Eph.6:17.

Christians can expect to be hated by the world – Mark 13:13, mat.10:22, Luke 21:17, hated of all nations – Mat.24;9, hated as Jesus was – John 15:18,19, 17:14.

lip = put for heart attitude.

Examples: Joshua and Caleb – Num.14:30,38.

One who spoke with a lying tongue was the false prophet Hananiah, and he died within the year – jer.28. Another was Ananais and his wife – Acts 5:1-10. The principle here is that only truth has permanence, and only the true, or the bearers of truth, will continue. Jesus said His words were everlasting – Mat.24:35.

What a surprising contrast – deceit or joy! NEB: "Those who plot evil delude themselves . . ." Moffat: "Disappointment comes to those who plot evil . . ."

"imagine" = Heb.charash = to devise, work, or engrave, People who are constantly working, as an engraver might, at evil things, always reap fallacy, or illusion, or delusion, or hallucination. Wicked people have deceit in their hearts, as Jer.17:9 says. See alse Gen. 6:5, Is.44:20, Ps.10:4, 14:1, 53:1 and Luke 16:15. On the other hand the counsellors of peace are sowing the things in their lives which will result in joy. "Joy" is put for that which produces it, i.e our behaviour, words and thoughts.

There are two kinds of counsellors – those who work for peace, and those who do not. The plans we shape for others shape us. Peace means welfare or blessing. What we pursue for others, and the way we pursue it, leaves its mark on the cast of our own mind. On the other hand, the counsel of deceit brings emptyness etc.

no evil = nothing in vain

mischief = Heb.ra = evil, or wrong.

Evil = Heb.aven = vanity, or iniquity.

Taking this proverb literally, it reads: "There shall no vanity happen (befall or meet) to thejust (righteous): but the wicked shall be filled with mischief."

The people who came to talk to Job used this reasoning in its narrowest sense. They thought Job was being punished for secret sins.

But Psalm 91:10 states: There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. To these promises the words "in vain" must be added, otherwise it would seem God is unjust.

When Jesus was on the cross, it looked as if God had failed to deliver a just person from trouble, but the suffering and death of Jesus was all part of a much bigger plan. Paul understood the principle – Rom.8:28 – and see also 36 – 39. Joseph also saw that his time of suffering was not "in vain:" but had a much higher purpose – gen.50:20. (Phil.1:12-19)

Calvin said: "You grind me Lord, but it is You who do it, and that suffices me." (The Person Reborn by Paul Tournier page 76. Also from the same book: "Great Christians have suffered all their lives, have gone through periods of nervous troubles, obsessions, scruples, etc . . .without their inner spiritual lives being damaged or destroyed." – a Swiss doctor.

As with Jesus, we can be assured that nothing that happens to a faithful Christian can be called "evil" – it is just heavily disguised blessing. Eph.5:20 "Give thanks for all things."

lips = put for the heart attitude.

Verse 19 is similar, What God abhors He destroys, and what delights Him remains. Ex.20:16 – a false witness.

The dictionary says abomination is ‘extreme loathing’ – Num.11:20 or Prov.13:5 – a wicked man is loathsom. The word ‘loathsome’ = Heb.zara = to cause a stink.

God is not neutral or permissive, e is perfect in His holiness. His love is infinitely extended toward us, while His infinite hate for sin is held back, though it does blaze forth at times when it needs to work. He restraines judgement with mercy – Rom.1:18, 2:4-6, 2Thess.1:7-9, Jude.

God loves truthfulness. He wants us tobe always "speaking the truth in love" – Eph.4;15. The contrast is clear in Neh.6:5-9.

Truly = Heb.emunah = stability, or faithfulness. The only other occurrence of this word is in Ps.33:4

Discretion

The prudent have 1. Knowledge and 2. Are able to keep quiet. On the other hand fools have 1. Little knowledge and 2. Let everyone know it. They proclaim themselves. A person is, largely, what a person says.

Prudent = Heb.arum = crafty. (Mat.10:16 "wise" means mindful, or provident)

Fools = Heb.kesil = fat, dense, stupid, impious.

It is common to hear godless people boast, and as they speak we see how empty their hearts are, and how rebellious they are towards God. Christians ought to be wiser than this, but sadly, Christians are often cut off or excluded by people who know next to nothing. Jesus was shunned and excluded many times. He was not welcome in the synagigues. But this should be a warning to us, to be careful about how, where, to whom, and what we speak. Examples : 1Sam.9:27, 10:16, Neh.6:2,3, Mat.26:62,63. Also, see Ecc.3:7 – "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

God can do more with attitudes than abilities.

A slothful man can have tremendous ability and talent, but without diligence, these things are wasted. On the other hand, earnestness, care, industriousness, effort, making the most of whatever gift God has given, can end in "bearing rule", i.e Eleazar – Gen.24:2-10, Joseph – Gen.39:1-22, Jeroboam – 1Kings 11:28, Luke 12:47,48.

The slothful find that laziness has its price – tribute, or taskwork, or forced labour. Ex.20:9 says we ought to work six days out of seven. Christian zeal is described as "work" – 1Thess.1:3, Heb.6;10, 2Cor.6:1, and honest labour is expected of Christians – 1Thess.4:11 and laziness is not allowed for Christians – 2Thess.3:10-12 also see Col.3:22-24)

Slothful = deceitfulness, or remissness, which is like negligence, or laxity, inattention, disregard, casualness, shirking duties, procrastination. People who are idle like this tend to find themselves doing menial tasks, or end up with labouring, ro earn a crust. Christians, on the other hand, ought to be a hive of activity – 1Tim.5:8. It is sinful to be lazy.

heaviness = sorrow or fear.

Moffat: "Worry weighs a man down . . .’ NEB: "An anxious heart dispirits a man . . ." SM and GDSP: "Anxiety in a man’s heart makes it sink . . ." BUT Who gives the good word? Ought it not be the Christian? Truth, spoken in love is indeed a good word!

See God’s "good word" to Ebed-melech – Jer.39:15-18, and to Baruch – Jer.45:1-5, to Israel – Jer.46:27,28,50:18-20. Truth is the most powerful tonic. Jesus is Truth in a Person – Ps.107:20 – "He sent His word and healed them."

Good = Heb.tob = perfect, as in Gen.1:4 where God "saw the light that it was good."

It means every shade of good.

Bullinger" "A righteous one guides his neighbour," but the way, or guidance, of the wicked seduces them, i.e. it seduces his neighbour.

Nathan was a good neighbour to king David – 2Sam.12:1-14.

Christians ought to be "more excellent’ than their neighbours, in word and deed, and we ought to set an example which will guide our neighbours towards Jesus. The wicked is not so, but guides his neighbours away from the Lord.

Seduces = to cause to err, or to cause to wander.

Drug-pushers, porn-pushers, peddlers of ‘adult’ entertainment and people who work in all areas of sin are seducers. Our world is full of them. Cults and religions teach their half-truths, and advertising boasts about things which should not be promoted with such dishonesty. Christians must try to resist and combat these things – Eph.5:9-13, and try instead to guide people in the right direction – Luke 10:29, Eph.4:25.

roasts = simply to roast, as in an oven, or singe, as in pass through a flame.

The proverb can read: "the slothful man starts not that which he took in hunting."

The first sense means that he doesn’t get to roast his game because he didn’t catch anything. The second sense is that, even though he caught something, he was too lazy to start eating it.

The proverb contrasts a non-starter, or non-finisher with a diligent person.

The theme of the proverb is: ‘taking advantage of fleeting opportunities’ as they come along, in the same way a diligent hunter would grab game as he had the chance. To apply this proverb we need presence of mind, an awareness of what’s going on, and a skill which develops with practise – 2Tim.4:2, Eph.5:16, Col.4:15.

What a Christian gains through diligence is very "precious" (Heb.=rare) to him, and unlike the game caught by the slothful, what a Christian catches ought to be kept, enjoyed and guarded. Some of the things a Christian might catch would include treasures from God’s Word, new friends, skills, and so on.

life = life eternal

no death = immortality

The righteousness of the OT was based on the blood of sacrifices, and faith in that blood was needed because the blood represented an atonement for sins.

Way and pathway = indicates a single route, excluding any devious, winding alternatives. His means there is a right way and a wrong way through life,

John 1:17 says, in the Greek literal translation: "the grace and the truth through Jesus Christ came . . ." "You have sent to John and he has borne witness to the truth" John 5:33. Also John 8:32, 14:6.

Return to Proverbs

Return to Index Page