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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
1
Learning by other people’s mistakes, or experience, is extremely useful.
Fathers ought to be far more experienced than their children.
Instruction = correction, or discipline.
A son, under good training, is compared with a scorner, who will not
learn. Christians must always be ready to suffer the teaching and disciplining
of the Lord. NEB: "A wise man sees the reason for his father’s correction
. . ."
Heb.12:5 and 6:7-10 to accept the trials and blessings in ur lives as part of the overall plan by which God wants to
make us better people. In Deut.8:1-5 we see that God allowed Israel to run out
of food in order to test their allegiance to Him. He cut off everything except
the bare necessities for daily life, making them depend on Him. If you think
about it, nothing comes indirectly from God, even though there is an illusion
to the contrary – James 1:17, Heb.1:3, Col.1:17.
Christians ought to look for spiritual ‘fathers’ whose wisdom and experience
may save us much time and effort. Eph.4:11 says there are "teachers"
in the church, but whether there are many really good teachers is another
matter. See also 1Cor.12:8.
2
What we say can return to us. Every action has a corresponding reaction.
Every word we speak to other people has some effect on them, and also on
ourselves. Repercussions are unavoidable, but knowing this ought to make us
think before we speak!
The metaphor used in this proverb is like a person speaking crops into
existence, and then eating of them. The most beautiful form of speech is truth
– Ps.107:20, John 1:4.
Preaching, of course, uses words – 1Cor.1:21, 2:4 and see the context.
Mat.12:36 gives another sense of this, where the Great Judgement
will take into account "every idle word" which means, in Greek ‘argo’ every ineffective or worthless word.
3
Our words can be used as ammunition by the enemy. There was "no
guile" in Jesus. 1Pet.2:1,22, 3:10. Christians ought to avoid rashness, or
making unthoughtful promises, assertions, or
disclosures. The result can be damaging – financially, socially, physically and
spiritually. At times it is best to say nothing at all, or "no
comment". Jesus’ enemies were always laying wait for him, and seeking to
catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him – Luke 11:54.
Paul made a rash statement in Acts 25:3 but he showed the right spirit
when he discovered – see verse 5.
Christians should not make public any internal church problems –
1Cor.6:1-8 which can be solved without resorting to the world’s systems of
justice. It is rash to discuss theological questions with unbelievers –
Mat.7:6.
4
2Thess.3:6-13. Christians are exhorted to work hard, with the
promise of abundant blessings to follow.
Fat = heb.dashan = to be made fat.
Sluggard = slothful
There are many people who ‘wait for their boats to come in’, or who
spend their time just longing for things, but never roll up their sleeves and
do some work! This proverb shows the practical side of being a Christian
it isn’t all sitting back and letting the ord do it.
What tremendous blessings come from studying God’s Word. Compare Ezra 7:10 and
jer.15;16 and their joy which came from the effort, and then look at Hag.1:2-11
where national poverty is linked with lack of effort in spiritual things.
5
This goes beyond formalism, or upbringing – it is used in tune with God.
It is possible to NOT lie, yet to still LOVE lieing.
The righteous man has within his heart a real, genuine hatered
of ungodly things. We need truth in the inward parts – Jer.31:31-34,
Heb.8:8-11.
It seems to me that children are expected to obey their parents not
because they are in empathy with them, or because they want to show by their
obedience their love for them, but because they are expected to obey whether
they like it or not. Christians ought to obey God first of all because they
actually do love Him, but even if they feel cold towards Him they ought to obey
anyway because it is the right thing to do.
God loathes – the Hebrew means to shrink back from something that stinks
– a wicked person, and their shame is eternal banishment from Him.
Look for example at: Joseph – gen.46:31-34, Samuel – 1Sam.3:18, Micaiah – 1Kings 22:13,14, Elihu
– Job 32:22, the Psalmist – Ps.119:29,163, David – Ps.101:7, Jeremiah –
Jer.26:1-15, John the baptist – Mat.14:4.
6
Bullinger translates the
second line as: "but lawlessness subverts the sin offering". How can
a lawless person subvert, or ruin, or corrupt, or pervert the sin offering? By
continuing in lawlessness.
The sacrifice was meant to be taken as a token of repentance –
Is.1:11-17. It was not a srt of ‘payment’ for sin in
the sense that once it was paid the sinner was free to carry on sinning. The KJ
version is correect in it translation when it says
that wickednedd does, in the end, overthrow the
sinner.
Way = Heb.derek = trodden path
Keeps = to keep, to watch, to reserve.
Righteousness = rightness, or justice.
We, the righteous, must take the sin offering Jesus, seriously, and try
to obey Him in all things – John 14:15 – this will keep us upright, and in the
way.
7
makes himself = feigns, or pretends.
This is a neutral, or detached observation, leaving us to draw our own
conclusions.
In this case, we might conclude that: 1. Don’t judge people by their appearance,
2. The sinful nature thrives on deceiving others, 3. Some people are rich
materially but poor spiritually (Rev.3:17), 4. Hypocrisy is part of the sinful
nature (Josh.9, Mat.23) 5. Get to know people properly before you decide what
they are really like, 6. Pride may motivate some people to pretend to be rich,
because they don’t like to ‘lose face’ in amongst their peers.
8
Moffat: "A rich man may buy off his life; a poor man can ignore the
robber’s threat." Or, a rich man may spend his fortune meeting
commitments, but have many difficulties, while the poor man is not bothered
because he is too small a target – Ecc.5:11.
Ransom = a covering
Being poor has its compensations – 1Tim.6:6-11. NEB: "A poor man is
immune from threats." Christians are not supposed to get themselves
tangled up with the affairs of the world – 2Tim.2:3,4. NIV: "A man’s
riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat."
I once saw a TV story in which a whole town was being held in the irron grip of a few bad people. At a trial fear silenced
all the witnesses except for one old man, who said he was too near the grave to
worry about being killed. He testified because he didn’t care what people
thought or did. There is a sense in which Christians ought to enjoy a similar
freedom since we are already dead in Christ – Rom.8:31-39.
While the rich man tries to cover up his life, or pay for it, , he is
constantly in fear of the threat of loss, whereas the poor is not worried about
losing anything since he already owns nothing. (Luke 14:33)
9
rejoices = heb.sameach = to shine, to joy, to
be glad.
Put out = Heb.deak = to be extinguished. This
word is also used in this sense in Job 18:16, 21:17, Prov.20:20 and 24.
People are here called, in a metaphical sense,
lamps. Some people burn brightly, merrily, with plenty of oil and a good wick
and a well-trimmed life, well-balanced, wholesome, etc. Other people are weak,
and easily snuffed out, and they go quickly into darkness.
Some similarity between lamps and virgins exists – Mat.25.
Jesus said we Christians are the light of the world – Mat.5:14, 5:15 and
16. Our light is the Gospel, which is a light to lighten the Gentiles – Luke
2:32, who live in the power of darkness – Col.1:13, Acts 13:14, Rom.2:19. We
are called to put on the armour of light – Rom.13:12,
2Cor.4:4-6. We are children of light – Eph.5:8, 1Thess.5:5.
10
Some contentions which came by pride: Korah –
Num.16, men of Ephrain – jud.12:1-6, Rehoboam – 1Kings 12, the apostles – Luke 22:24.
Well advised = modest.
By pride only comes dissension, non-cooperation, disharmony,
recrimination, bickering, variance, friction, unpleasantness, schism,
confusion, faction, rivalry, malevolence, contention, arguing . . . Gen.13 is a
good example of the ‘well advised’ reaction, when Abram humbly offered, with a
soft answer (Prov.15;1) that Lot take the best land. Moses also, in Num12, was
known for his meekness and left judgement to od.
Advised = to be counselled. There is wisdom in
being thoughtful, but it is foolish to let your heart rule your mouth.
11
wealth = substance, sufficiency
That which comes easily, easily slips away. Easy come easy go.
Vanity implies "in haste" – so says Moffat.
Vanity = Heb. Hebel = nothing. It is so
translated 53 times.
The literal Hebrew says this verse as "wealth by vanity . . ."
The principle is that that which is hard-earned is precious to us, and valued –
2Tim.2:15, which adds more meaning to "study". Gamblers on the other
hand, are good at getting and losing wealth by vanity. (2Pet.1:5-8,10)
12
Bullinger says: "Hope
protracted enfeebles the heart." The hope or desire of every person is to
find deep satisfaction and completeness in life. For Christians it is usually a
desire to be finally rid of the old sinful nature, which is part of the fallen world,
which comes along with aging, sickness and mortality. Rom.8:18-25. "But
when the desire comes . . ." in other words, it WILL come, but God wants
us to know that He understands our longing – James 5:7.
This proverb is primarily just a psychological observation, but its
application best suits the Christian, or the good desires of the righteous,
since only their hopes, when fulfilled, are a tree of life.
The ‘tree of life’ first appears in the Garden of Eden. It was removed to
prevent the Adamic race from having immortality while
still sinful – Gen.2:9, 3:22. It symbolises the whole
kingdom of God in all its wonder and beauty – Prov.
3:18, 11:30.
A practical teachinh which we might pull from
this proverb: try to prevent your heart from becoming attached to protracted
longings, and think more about today. Leave tomorrow to God – Mat.6:34, James
4:13.
13
"word" and "commandment" are both indications that
God has revealed His wisdom to us. He can be found, and He can be known.
Despises = tread on, view or treat with contempt.
Destroyed = marred or corrupted
Fears = reverences
Rewarded = to be made whole, complete, or perfect. John 12;48.
He Bible is full of people who despised God’s Word and came to grief,
for example Pharoah, king Saul, Goliath, Israel and
Judah, the Jews who rejected jesus and so on.
Individuals and nations, down through the ages, have been given many
opportunities to obey God but they have refused – hence the endless turmoil and
troubles of the world.
The stress in this proverb is on what is given. Obedience really pays.
But, when one obeys, one is lead to the Giver of the Word and the reward
becomes more than just preservation, but the discovery of communion with God –
Heb.11:6, Gen.15:1, Col.3:24, Mat.5:12, 10:42, 2John8, Rev.22:12.
14
The law of a wise one, or of a sage, when based on the Scriptures, can
intelligently direct people away from hell. A mature Christian is a source of
refreshment, guidance, sound logic, a balanced view of essential truths . . .
and is like jesus.
Snare = also
Fowler = a crafty cult or false teacher – Hos.9:8, Ps.91:3, Prov.6:5,
Ps.124:7.
15
Tact with integrity.
Transgressors = treacherous, deceivers, traitors, or faithless ones.
Way = trodden path
The trodden path of the faithless is wide, and many go along it,
toiling, striving, working, tangled up in their intrigues and deceptions, their
emotional instabilties and their mental tortures –
Mat.7:13, Rom.9:22, Phil.3:19, 2Pet.3;16. Their way is hard, or rugged, or
rough. Good understanding gives favour = grace, for example in the case of
Abraham – Gen.23:10,11, or Joseph – Gen.39:2, or Joshua – Josh.6:27, or David –
1Sam.18:14, or Abigail – 1Sam.25:3, 18-34, or Daniel – Dan.1:8,9,6:3, or Samuel
– 1Sam.2:26 with Prov.22"1.
17
wicked = wrong (sinful, wilful, lawless)
faithful = truthful
mischief = evil, wrong
health = healing
A messenger is, of course, one who carries a message, and as such he is
not necessarily interested in either the sender or the receiver of the message.
Ambassador = same word as for messenger (Heb malak)
There are two kinds of messenger here: one who is quickly distracted,
and one who is not. The second kind of messenger is so intent on delivering the
message that nothing will stop him. Jesus is the best example of this kind of
messenger – Ps.107:20, 2Tim.4;10, 2Pet.2:15.
18
refuses = to make free.
People who habitually, consistently, refuse to accept instruction,
follow a lifestyle which leads to lack of money and all it can buy, and shame,
which means emptyness.
This is a universal law of progress or degeneracy in Mankind, applicable
to both individuals and nations.
Reproof = correction, or constructive criticism.
2Tim.3:16 says the Scriptures are profitable for reproff.
We ought to welcome criticism from God, because through it we may learn
something. If we take heed, habitually, to useful reproof we shall earn respect
and probably end up being "honoured", which
in Hebrew means to ‘be made weighty, or heavy.
We use an Eglish idiom of describing a person
as having ‘weighty words’, for which they are respected, i.e
Winston Churchill. A teachable spirit is essential for growing in understanding
of things. Some people foolishly consider it beneath them to listen to
instruction.
19
The wise person desires good things, which, when they are accomplished,
makes his life sweet. However, the fool doesn’t depart from evil, so he doesn’t
desire good things, so he never experiences the sweet life. Jesus, in Is.53:11,
had a great desire, and was satisfied. Psalm 106:15 shows what happens when the
fool accomplishes his desires. The fool is the natural man whose desire is for
the gratification of his flesh – Solomon found this kind of life to be a waste
of time and energy – Ecc.2:10,11.
Rom.6:16 points out that if we obey our natural appetites, we become our
natural appetite’s servant. To avoid this, we must set our hearts on the things
of God, so we can enjoy a sweet soul – Mat.6:21. The fool does not desire the
things a true Christian desires – he is intent on evil, and the thought of
living for Jesus Christ is an abomination to him. We must remember this
alarming warning.
20
Psalm 1. The Hebrew allows two endings for the second line: "shall
become evil" or "shall suffer evil."
Instead of the proverb finishing with a logical line like: "But a
companion of fools shall become foolish" the Bible goes one step further
and puts "shall be destroyed". Two examples of this: Jeroboam –
1Kings 12:8 and Josiah – 2Kings 22.
WE become wise as we learn of God, who is the ALL WISE. His wisdom results
in eternal life.
Fools = dense, stupid, impious. See Mat.12:42.
Bullinger says: "he that
feeds or entertains fools shall be bankrupt."
Whatever we pour our lives into results in either our ruin or our
enriching. NEB: "mix with the stupid and be misled."
21
A general rule of aquital.
Whatever we sow we reap. Retributive justice always follows, in this
life or in the next. What we follow after will follow after us.
People who say "it isn’t fair" or who wonder why bad things
happen to them, are often simply receiving the fruits of what they have been
sowing.
This proverb would be nonsense if there were no God, who will
"repay" in some way, according to what we do and say – Ps.11,
Ps.50:16-22.
"evil" is used to express many things and has several
meanings, such as ‘adversity’ or ‘affliction’, or bad times (13 times),
calamity, displeasure, distress, grief, harm, hurt, misery, wretchedness . . .
and other similar words.
"good" can also mean "best, better, bountiful, cheerful,
fair, fine, glad, goodly, joyful, kind, loving, merry, pleasant, precious . .
.’
In Eden stood the tree of the knowledge of good (Heb.tob)
and evil (Heb.ra) the same two Hebrew words as are
used in this proverb.
Man brings upon himself, by his own choice, those repercussions for
which he alone is responsible.
22
An inheritance is something which one or more people receive, in part,
or in entirety, from a Source which needed even be known. It may come as a
reward, or as a gift for no reason. It doesn’r have
to correspond in any way to the moral qualities of the one who receives it. It
depends on the integrity or decision of the giver.
In this proverb we are told that a good name may be passed on. We who
live in Post-Reformation times, are indebted to many Christian people whose
noble efforts have given us many of the great freedoms we in the West take for
granted.
Er.35:6-11 – the good name. Jer.22:24-30 – the sinner who leaves his
wealth to others.
God’s inheritance to the saints: mat.5:5.
Wealth = Heb.chayil = force, might, strength,
as in Deut.8:17, 8:18, Zech.14:14.
Some people are ‘workaholics’, and sadly they tend to ‘burn out’, while
amassing material things, but because they are sinners they are judged and lose
their treasures, forfeiting them to other people. This general rule applies to
today and also to the eternities. I recall once, discussing with an ungodly man
the beauty and cost of a trip to some tropical island. I pointed out that while
he was thinking of owning just visiting the island, I was expecting to be given
the whole earth as part of my joint inheritance, which meant that I would
actually own the island.
Just = Heb.tsaddiq = right, righteous, rigid.
23
A man of small opportunities makes the most of what he has, while the
man of large priviledges becomes slothful and
neglectful. Some Christians have much leisure time, which gives them
opportunities for Bible study, while others have such a busy life they hardly
have time to even read the Bible. Whichever kind of Christian we are, we still
have opportunities. Diligence brings great rewards, and a ready heart, and an
earnest desire can accomplish great things – 1Chron.4:9,10.
Method matters most. It is more important to God that we handle what we
have properly than how much we have – Luke 19:17,26. The second line in the AV:
for want of judgement. Tillage = ground broken up,
contrasts the application of a poor but wise husbandman, with a landowner who
lacks judgement, or wisdom, and who consequently is
destroyed. This shows that hard work can be a waste of time if it is not
accompanied by wisdom, and vise versa.
Effort must be widely directed – not channelled
away and wasted.
24
spares = to keep back, withhold.
Eli failed in this respect: 1Sam.3:13. The Father spared not His rod –
Heb.5:8 – for Jesus.
Rod = a sceptre, or rod. This shows the hand
that holds the rod, or sceptre, is an authority for
moral discipline. If there were no moral God to whom all parents are
answerable, this verse would be nonsense.
Hates = to hate, or to oppose.
Christian parents are directed by God to oppose their children, and to
block wrong standards. It usually becomes a battle of the wills, because the
sinful nature tends towards rebellion, but a wise parent will know how to
handle this.
Chastens = Heb.musar = instructs. ‘chastens
him betimes = carefully seeks correction or discipline for him. This proverbs
is expanded in Heb.12:5-11. Eph.6:4 warns against undue severity (also see
Col.3:21)
Betimes = he seeks him early, or earnestly. This proverbs exalts
tenderness, constructiveness and a good example. Today there are forces at work
to try to abolish corporal punishment, but to do so is to go in the opposite
direction to God’s instructions. The rod is not a relic from a barbarous age.
It is a God-given instrument for wise and loving parents to use as part of
their child-raising work. On the larger scale, in the area of criminal justice,
there is a place for punishment, because crimnals
are, like children, responsible for their own actions.
25
Lifestyles compared. Psalm 106:13-15, John 4:13,14, Jer.17:5-8,
Hab.3:17-19.
Any people appear to be enjoying life but inside they are miserable, or
they sense that deep down there is a dimension missing. Some people actually
envy the prodigal son who ran away from his father (Luke 15), but in reality
that son was empty, rebellious, and materialistic, even while he was at home.
He had to learn the hard way.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
1
The preterite tense puts the first line:
"Every wise woman has built her house," while what follows
refers to a future event, i.e. "but the foolish will tear her house
down." – this is the end result of foolishness, if a person continues on
that path. For example Ahaziah’s mother led him to
his death – 2Chron.22:2 – by her counsel. A wise mother has a tremendous
influence on the home, for good, instilling into the heads and hearts of the
children Christian sanity, and affecting every visitor who may call in for a
chat. Abigail was a wise wife – 1Sam.25. See also Prov.31:10-31.
2
fears = reverences
perverse = wilfully wrong, deliberately
erring.
This proverb depends on their being a person, moral God, otherwise it
wouldn’t make sense. Christians ought to avoid taking Scripture as simply
material for some short devotional moment. We are not supposed to isolate our
‘spiritual’ times, but live consistently with the FACT that God exists, and
watches, and hears, and listens to everything we do and say and think. 1John
2:6. All Christians are inconsistent when compared to the IDEAL lifestyle expected
of them – we all slip up now and then, some more than others – but there are
people at the other end of the line, so to speak, and they have not interest in
obeying God. They actually "despise" Him.
Despise = Heb.bazah = contemn, disdain, find
contemptible. Why on earth would people respond to God this way? Some reasons
are: Rom.1:21,28, John 3:19-21, Luke 19:14, Psalm 50:16-22. "He that fears
God walks . . .but he that despises God . . ." Another sense of this
proverb: our lives reflect, on the whole, our relationship with God. ("The
fool has said in his heart there is no God" – Ps/14. Fols
have all sorts of versions of God. Some say He is just a cosmic force, that HE
is non-personal, or energy, or the product of Man’s imagination. This gives
people a false sense of security – if God is not real then people are
answerable to no supreme authority.
3
foolish = lax, or careless in mind and body.
Rod = Heb.choter = shoot, twig, or sprout. The
only other place where this word is used is Is.11:1, in reference to the
Messiah, as a lineal descendant of Jesse’s family tree
The "mouth" of the foolish, and the "lips" of the
wise, are both put for what issues from them. From one comes a rod of pride,
from the other, something which will preserve and keep them safe. Bullinger divides the two this way: pride, prating and
punishment OR prudence, piety and preservation.
Words come back to roost. Be careful what you say. Be sensible.
1Tim.5:14, Dan.6:4,5 – the enemy is always looking for an occasion against us.
Note that Jesus’ enemies could find nothing in what He said to use against Him
– luke
4
crib = feeding place. The only other places where this word is used are:
Job 39:9, Is.1:3.
Increase = fruit, i.e the abundant interest on
the small amount of seed invested.
Increase = Heb.koach = power, as in Lev.26:20
and Josh.14:11. Samson had power – Judges 16:5,6,9,17,19.
Orderliness can reach the point of sterility. This proverb is a plea to
us to be prepared to accept upheaval, and the mess that comes with it which
must be cleaned up, as the price of growth. This principle can be applied to
institutions, society, clubs, churches and so on. There are times when saints
are wonderfully powerful, but when these times comes there is usually a mess –
take Paul for example, who often stirred up the city with his preaching. Billy
Graham has the same "ox" effect, along with many other evangelists.
Witnessing Christians can cause a ‘mess’ in their quiet, dry, orderly little
fellowships – the "clean cribs" of Christendom. Paul actually calls
himself an ox – 1Cor.9:9 and 1im.5:18 and so also the elders. All who "labour in word and doctrine" are oxen.
5
faithful = Heb.emum = truth.
"false = Heb.sheqer = by its context in
other places this word means one who says what he knows is not true.
Lie = Heb.kazab =to act as a liar, as in
Num.23:19: God is not a man that He should lie".
False witnesses were raised against Jesus – Mat.26:60,61 – who is
"the faithful witness" – Rev.1:5. All Christians must base their
witness on truth – Paul Acts 26:25, there must not be fables – 2Pet.1:16.
Prophets – 2Chron.18:15. Truth must come from the heart – Ps.15:2, 51:6.
Knowing the truth can set us free – John 8:32. Our lifestyle must be based on
truth – Eph.6:14. The Bible is truth – John 17:17.
The "will not" and the "will" indicates freedom in
each person; this suggests a moral decision is made between obeying the
conscience, and confessing the truth – and suppressing the conscience.
"Faithful" or faithfulness, is a quality – any rock or stone
can be a witness (Gen.31:44, Josh.24:27, Num.17:7) but a person can be faith
FUL or faith LESS.
The Greek word for "witness" is "martus",
from which we get the name of one who dies for their beliefs. Jesus is the
"faithful and true witness" – rev.3:14. We are called on to speak the
truth" Greek.marturio – Rev.20:4, even though
this may lead to our death.
6
Wisdom eludes the know-all. Many keen and sincere thinkers still fail to
find Biblical wisdom – 1Cor.1:17-25. Why? Because they choose to exclude the
personal, infinite God from their framework of thinking – Prov.17, ob 28:28,
1Cor.2:4, 1Pet.2:7,8. The tense here is the past tense, as if every scorner has
sought repeatedly, in vain – their continuing wrong attitude has meant a
continuing failure.
For example the Pharisees – John 9:29 and 7:52, the Jews – Acts 13:41
and 45, the Athenians – 1Cor.1:23, 2:8.
God is pleased to give increase to those who come to Him the right way –
Mat.13:12, Luke 11:13, James 1:5-8, Eph.3:20,21, James
4:8.
7
"when you perceive not" = and acknowledge not. This verse uses
the Hebrew word ‘yada’ which means "to know, or
to be acquainted with. This could be called ‘the fool’s opportunity’.
Foolishness thrives when it is taken seriously. When Christians meet people who
are bent on folly, it is best for them, after an initial response, to avoid
becoming entangled or defiled by them.
Lips = put for what comes from them, which is from the heart.
Foolish = impious.
It is a wise course of action to avoid futile or empty encounters, and
this is stresses in the NT too, and on varying grounds – Rom.16:17,
1Cor.5:9-13, 2Cor.6:14-17, 2Thess.3:14, 1Tim.6:3-5. Psalm one commands us to
avoid certain associations, while 1Cor.1:26-28 shows how the very fact that by
identifying with Jesus, many people avoud US –
1Tim.4:10, 1Pet.4:14, Heb.11:26, 13:13. What a waste of precious time it is to
talk to someone who is so full of himself he has not ears to hear what we say.
8
The fool may think he is wise, but God calls this ‘wisdom’ folly, and
so, by thinking they have wisdom, they are actually deceiving themselves. On the
other hand, the wise, or prudent person understands the truth – he has a
Bible-oriented view of life. Calls this correct understanding of His ways
"wisdom" and those who have it are called "prudent". Their
understanding is "wisdom" but the fool’s understanding is
"non-wisdom". For example evolutionists are deceived because what
they call wisdom is in fact folly, from the Lord’s point of view.
This proverb is about real sense and real folly.
The person who looks critically at his own life, and is morally
reflective carefully assessing his conduct and measuring himself against the
revealed truth from God, will become shrewd and intelligent – the hebrew word actually means "crafty"
On the other hand, the fool disregards God’s revealed truth and
continues to live within the confines of his self-made universe – this is
mentally dishonest of course.
Eph.3:18 – God wants us to know, or be aware of our lives as we live
them. The fool side-steps truth and lives in a world of their own, where their
own deceitful thinking blinds them from reality – Rom.1:28.
9
This proverb is about those who respect and those who despise the sin
offering.
Sin = heb.asham = guilt, or guilt offering.
1Cor.1:18, 2Cor.2:15,16, 2Thess.2:10.
People who wilfully reject the cross and its
implications to them, are usually unmoved at the concept of guilt, and are
uncaring in this respect towards themselves, perhaps even callous towards other
people and insensitive to the natural world. On the other hand, in OT and NT
days, those who by faith accept the blood of the Sin Offering
(Heb.9:12,25,26-28,etc ) find favour with God.
Favour = Heb.ratsom = pleasure, goodwill. This
same word is found in Ps.5:12, 30:7, 89:17 and is.60:10. It refers to God’s
favour towards us.
10
This proverb is about the solitariness of each individual in the world.
We are all separate from each other, we all have our own inner feelings, we all
have private joy and private sorrow. The "stranger""does
not know about these things.
Examples: Hannah – 1Sam.1:8-13, Joab –
2Sam.19:5-7, The Shunnamite - 2Kings 4:27, Haman – Est.5:13, Job3, Herod – Mark 6:16 – his remark
betrays a bad conscience.
Hebrews 2:9-18 brings out something of the inner thoughts of our Great
High Priest.
11
house = Heb.bayith = can mean household too.
Overthrown = Heb.shamed = to be destroyed, cut
off, or laid waste. Similar to Psalm 141:6 which alludes to throwing people
over cliff tops to smash on the rocks below – i.e
2Chron.25:12.
Flourish = Heb.parach = to burst forth as a
tree does, into bud. (Tyndal Commentary note) This
word is also used in Ps.92:13. The sense is one of great energy, like a tree
which breaks through the stones of a pavement and spreads upwards and outwards
with unstoppable strength.
Tabernacle (or tent) is put for those who dwell in it. Christinas, by implication, ought to be people of continual
growth in their personal character development – ever broadening and deepening.
The contrast is also between the "house’ and the "tabernacle".
One is strong but built on unstable ground, a mere tent with stakes, while the
other is strong and solid. Both are strong.
Mat.7:21-27, John15;16, 1Cor.3:10-15.
12
seems right = is pleasing.
It only seems right. For example jeroboam – 1Kings
On a less obvious levelthis proverb applies to
lifestyles based on atheism, humanism, optimism, rationalism, Bohemianism and
so on – all philosophies of life which are dead-enders.
Or, again, the proverb can be morally illustrative, as a pointer to
people who try to take a short-cut to success, i.e de
facto relationships, LSD trips for enlightenment, and so on. The
"way" and "ways" indicates the many "ways" people
ruin their lives, each travelling what they think is
a separate path, but when viewed so to speak from the air, all these
individuals are on a same broad way and heading in the same direction.
Jesus is the true and living "WAY" – John 14:6, Rom.10:3, Luke
15 – the prodigal son who took one of the many "ways" and left his
father.
13
This proverb teaches us not to take people’s outward appearance of
happiness as a true indication of their inner state. People don’t always wear
their hearts on their sleeves. Happy-looking people may be hiding deep sorrow.
The world is good at presenting a laughing, happy image, especially
through the media, but also on the street. Where greetings and smiles may be
just routine rituals, hiding the underlying unhappiness like a mask. Luke
24:26.
This proverb also depicts the person who tries to get along, even with a
sorrowful heart – wheras the Christian has a
satisfied heart, and "the end of that mirth is NOT heaviness"
Examples of ungodly people who ended up with heavy hearts: nabal – 1Sam.25:36,37, Solomon – Ecc.2;2 – he put himself
in the ungodly person’s place and discovered how unfulfilling it was. Belshazzar – Dan.5:1-6,30, the
Israelites – Amos 6:3-7,
14
backslider = Heb.sug = to go back.
Another word translated "backslider" is Heb.meshubah,
which means ‘a turning back, or a turning away. This word is used 16 times.
Only once does ‘sug’ appear.
Filled = to be satisfied, or satiated.
This proverb is about a process. The backslider is one who gives up
ground which was once taken for God. The ‘ground’ so to speak is given up some
time before the outward manifestation appears. Backsliding begins in the heart
and bears fruit in the life. One way tio backslide is
to harden the conscience, or to harbour unconfessed sin, or to gradually yield absolute truth and
take on board relativism. As truth is lost, it begains
to lose its grip. The process can be stopped and reversed at any time.
A backslider is not an apostate – 1John2:18-24, 2Thess.2:10-12. The
backslider, in my experience, is usually a lonely person, who seeks out company
to fill the void of an emptying heart. On the other hand, the "good
man" is "satisfied from himself" = finds satisfaction as what he
does comes back to him as a reward. Instead of being filled with his own ways,
or being full of his self-centred activities, the
good man is rewarded for his outgoing ways. He reaps what he sows, and enjoys
the benefits of being a good man.
15,16,17 in summary:
15: taking on hearsay what we should verify for ourselves is foolish,
16: being over-confident and hasty, i.e. rushing into something,
17: doing something as we are emotionally or emotively led, i.e. acting
on our feelings, and not the merits of the case.
The end of 17 points out how planning ("a man of schemes")
ahead, or working out future plans, is an ability which God has given us to use
for good, not wickedness.
15
word = thing
prudent, or wise, and simple – these words refer to their relationship
with God and His Word, not to their mental ability. Christians ought to be
prudent, or wise, by their attitude, whereas the wilful
rebel against revealed truth is ‘simple’ or ‘foolish’. For example, suppose the
simple and the wise see a sign which warns of thin ice. The simple keep going,
but the wise stop.
This proverb shows the personal responsibility of each person to act
with integrity in response to revealed truth. God gives us the opportunity to
determine for ourselves certain things, and in many areas He will not
intervene, or block our way, or try to stop us from doing one thing or another.
This proverb reveals God’s gentleness.
"Quick believers need broad shoulders", or, in other words,
the ‘simple’ are ready with amazing credulity to believe anything, and the
people the ‘simple’ trust in are often just as foolish as the ‘simple’! These
‘simple’ people will stumble over the clearest and plainest revealed truth. For
example, here are some of the absurd things which the ‘simple’ accept as true:
Evolution, Platonic Society, UFO’s, Man-made Utopias, Mormonism and other
cults, Islam, Flat Earth Society, Dowsing, Psychic Surgery, Atlantis, Inverted
Universe, Parallel Universe, Great Pyramid-alien builders, Medical Cults, Food
Cults, Phrenology, Esp, Pk,
and so on. The list goes on and on, yet all the while the truth is available
and easily discovered, in the pages of one Book.
1John2:24, 1Cor.2:15, 10:15 – "I speak as to wise men; judge for
yourselves what I say" 1John 2:27, Rom.12:7
16
fears = Heb.yare = reverencing. Other places
where this word is used are: Gen.22:12, Ex.18:21, 1Kings 18:3, Job 1,8,2:3,
Ps.15:4 etc.
"The wise man reverences Jehovah and departs from evil." Evil
here means depravity, corruption, lewdness, immorality.
Rages = Heb.abar = to show self wroth. This
means, in simpler language, to lack self-control, or to rush into things, or even
to go berserk over something. We say: "fools rush in where angels fear to
tread", which is slightly similar in thought.
The prodigal son showed youth’s impetuousness – Luke 15, and so did Joash – 2Chron.25, and so did Amaziah.
We also say sometimes ‘playing with fire’, or ‘sticking our neck out’, or
‘cutting it fine’, or ‘skating on thin ice’.
17
The first part of this proverb is a warning to the godly, or Christians
that it is wise to be calm while looking into a situation, and this helps us to
see it clearly. The second part is about abusing the gift of foresight, and
planning, which are both usually part of holding down a position of
responsibility – such as that which Judas had – John 13:29. See also
1Cor.12:4-6.
Soon = Heb.qatser = short
ANGER
In both cases a gift of God is being used wrongly. Anger in the right
context is quite normal – Mat.5:22-24, Eph.4:26. Jesus showed is anger at times
– Mark 3:5. Christians are supposed to put off all unjustifiable anger –
Eph.4:31, Col.3;8 Anger is positive and constructive, if it is directed against
sin and the effects of sin – 2Cor.7:11. Note the fury of Moses – Lev.10:16-18,
see the word "diligently". Our anger should reflect the heart of God
– Deut.9:20, 1Kings 11:9, 2Kings 17:18.
God calls misplaced anger ‘madness’ – Ps.102:8,
and He relates it strongly to foolishness and to idolatry – Is.44:25, John
10:20, Jer.51:7. The NIV: "A quick-tempered man does foolish things (Luke
9:54) and a crafty man is hated (Acts 5:4)
28
inherit = to have, to take, or to give an inheritance. The best sense of
the word is "aquire".
The ‘simple’ have a lifestyle which, by habit, accumulates folly. The
same thing applies to the ‘prudent’. In Mat.25:29 the parable shows how a
lifestyle revolving around the Word of God will result in increasing
enrichment.
This proverb does not blame a person’s foolishness on their hereditary
situation, as some sociologists and their ilk like to do. Instead, it warns us
that our habits determine the ultimate quality of person we are. Prov.14:24
shows that what we have is what we are.
19
Bullinger says: "The evil
ones bow before the good . . ."
There is a short-term and a long-term aspect to this principle.
Goodness, however scant its rewards may seem, commonly wins the reluctant
respect of the bad person. On the other hand, a person who is given to crime,
deception, fraud, cheating and so on "bows" is a certain sense to the
Christian or godly person.
People who scoff at Christians often come straight to the Christian when
life becomes too much for them. By being "salt" and
"light", Christians provide for the sin-soaked world a refuge and
stable point. The world owes an unbelievable huge amount of gratitude to
Christians, and Christian influence.
Contrast Saul and David. While David remained ‘good’ and Saul remained
‘bad’ their lives worked out to the result that David took the throne and Saul
perished. In this sense evil bowed before good.
Bow = Heb.shachak = a word which is used only
twice in the Bible. In the other verse, Hab.3:6 the context shows that it means
not a bow of worship or love, but of obedience to His will. (See Ps.2:11,12,
149:4-9)
The long-term aspect of this proverb has to do with the full vindication
of the Christian in the ages to come – Mat.5:2-12,
20
Fair-weather friends.
Poor = impoverished, or needy, or deficient.
In this covetous world the poor are neglected.
Hated = seems to mean, by its context, ‘looked down on, held in
contempt, ignored callously. This proverb exposes human nature – the next
proverb rounds it off.
Why does a person mistreat his neighbout? His neighbour is someone he can help, if he wants to. One
reason for mistreatment of people by other people is the way they view them –
they see them as less than human. They fail to realise
that all people are related to one family tree – we are all cousins.
‘Money talks’, ‘the rich have prodigal son friends’.
21
has mercy on = is gracious to.
The poor = an afflicted one.
People who despise their neighbours are not
just treating their neighbour as sub-human, but also
rejecting the will and blessing of God. God deals with us according to our
attitudes : the "despiser" will be punished, the merciful will
"obtain mercy" – Mat.5:7, Ps.133:1, Is.27:6. They will also be
rewarded. A near example of these two types – Jer.38:1-13, 39:15-18. Examples
of mercy to the poor – Luke 3:18, 5:34,35, Acts 3:6,7 and James 1:27.
22
evil = Heb.ra = moral wickedness
To know God’s will and then to deliberately disobey it is wickedness, or
lawlessness. The question makes us say ‘yes’, they do err, but why? Because
they choose a course of action which is not according to God’s revealed right
ways. Man can know with certainty what is right and what isn’t. There is no
room for ‘new morality, situation ethics, etc.
Devise = to plow, or to grave, as in engrave. This carries the thought
of idolatry, as a person builds and graves his own standards – the idol of
Humanism stands near the Temple. Literally, there are well-meaning
congregations that allow all sorts of overtly immoral people into their ranks.
In the normal human context, warm friendly people have many friends. How
much more ought Christians draw people to them? God shows mercy and truth to
those who try to be like Him.
23
Psalm 141:3 The parable shows how one talked and one laboured
– Mat.21:28-31.
How does labour profit? Many ways: it keeps
you out of trouble, it occupies the mind, it keeps you fit, it accomplishes something,
it involves you, it produces a skill and pride in your work, it uses time well,
it earns money, it uses the things around you such as land, wood, stone, paint
. . . While talk is often the opposite of all the above.
Penury = lack, want
The idle talk of drifters, or unstable people can be a snare to people
not occupied with positive work - Col.2:8, 1Tim.6:20.
24
riches = Heb.osher = material wealth.
Folly = Heb.ivveleth = foolishness
We have two kinds of person, wise and foolish. The wise has riches as
his "crown" but the foolish has foolishness, as his reproach. He
wears "folly" in much the same way as his counterpart wears
"riches"
Spiritually, we could interpret this to mean that the Christian has put
on the Wisdom of God -–1Cor.1:23,30, also implied in Mat.11:19 and Luke 7:35
and Col.2:3 by implication, through the Word. In the practical, natural sense,
as a general principle, Christians are blessed materially, although the stress
is always laid on the spiritual riches as being ultimately more important –
Mat.6:19-21,32,33, 1Tim.6:6-12. This proverb is firstly practical -–the wise
has something material to show, the fool has only foolishness.
25
A lawcourt scene is pictured, where the tru witness gives the truth, and can by his words give
evidence leading to the liberation of the accused. The contrast is now drawn
between the true witness and the false one. The false witness can also affect
the lives of people in the dock by a mere word. This makes him very dangerous.
A man who will trim the facts for you, will also trim them just
as easily against you.
God wants us to have unyielding honesty In the wider scope, everything
we say affects others, so we ought to always aim for truth, no matter what
happens – Rev.3:14, Eph.4:15,25, Col.3:9, Ps.34:13, and of course Ex.20:16.
26 and 27
These two proverbs give two linked aspects of godliness: solidity and
vitality. Both are essential for our protection, because evil not only attacks
but also attracts us. Man by himself is prone to failure, human strength has
its limits, the self-determination of man is always causing him to change
direction as he seeks transient goals, but when the external Person of God is
accepted as real, tw things result: 1. Strong
confidence emerges, with its accompanying habit of of
reliance on Him instead of self, others, or things, and 2. A fountain of life
and vitality is opened, which sustains us through trials. Without God’s life in
us we would be crushed. See examples: 2Cor.11:23-28, 4:8-16.
Examples of "strong confidence" are: Abraham – Gen.22:3-10,
Heb.11:19, David – 1Sam.30:6, Hezekiah – 2Chron.32:7,8,22, Shadrack
– Dan.3:17-27, Is.43:2, Habakkuk – Hab.3:17-19, Peter – Acts 12:6 with
prov.3:24, Paul – 2Tim.4:6-8.
In verse 26 there is a conflict about whether it should read either
"His" or "his", speaking of the gody
man. Children = Heb.ben = son, which seems to
implicate the word connected to it as "his".
In the OT the thought of people being God’s children is very rare –
Deut.14:1, but in Ex.4:22 Israel as a nation is called God’s only son. See also
Deut.32:5, Is.1:2 and 68:8. As far as I can see these are the only references,
and in each one there is more the idea of ownership by a lord than the NT
Father-child relationship. – Rom.8:15, Gal.4:6. God refers to His people as His
children – Is.1:2, Deut.14:1, Ex.4:22, Hos.11:1 which is applied to the only
begotten Son in Mat.2:15.
28
In order to be a glorious king, ruler, or supreme leader, one must have
a willing crowd or nation to acknowledge this, and that crowd must willingly
respect and follow that leader. A false leader, on the other hand, has a
solitary splendour which soon disappears.
King = Heb.melek = counsellor
or king.
Honour = Heb.hadarah = beauty or majesty
It is possible to have all the rights to be king or counsellor
but at the same time to have no "honour".
Such solitary splendour is ugly. A king needs honour, and in order to have honour
he must be honourable, or righteous. His subjects
must also be like him in order to even want to give him honour.
On the other hand "destruction" (downfall, ruin) is the end of
a prince. For example, Satan was given a great position, a mighty rank, but he
proved himself dishonourable and so his ruin came.
When Jesus comes to reign over all the Earth, He will have universal honour – John 8:54. The Father honours
the Son too. All nations will soon honour God –
Is.43:20. Tremendous honour is given to the Son –
Heb.2:7,9, 2Pet.1:17, Rev.4:9-11, 5:12,13 and 7:12. There is also a picture of
international readiness to agree with God when He moves on the whole world –
Rev.21:24,26 and Hab.2:14.
29
understanding = Heb.tebunah = discernment.
God has stretched out the heaven by His ‘tebunah’
– Jer.51:15
Exalts – to lift up. This implies a public display.
"Folly" in other contexts means the opposite to reverence for
God. A person who prefers folly is: morally lax, wilfully
ignorant of the truth, a mocker of wisdom. Christians should be able to rule
their spirits, living peacably in a busy world.
Self-control means being stable in times of pressure, stress, crisis and
confusion, and it can be a great help to others. Rehoboam
was hasty to listen to the counsel of the young men rather than the men who had
stood before king Solomon – 1Kings 12, Jehoram was
hasty to panic when the king of Syria sent hima
letter – 2Kings 5:7, Jonah was hasty to be angry when the gourd died – Jonah
4:8,9, Martha was hasty to tell Jesus off for allowing Mary to sit at His feet
– Luke 10:40.
Jesus was perfect at controlling himself under stress and provocation –
Heb.12:2-4, Mat.5:38-42, Mat.27:12, 1Cor.4:12, 1Pet,2:23.
30
The "sound heart".
Sound = Heb.marpe = healing or yielding.
This speaks of tranquility, peace, a peacable
lifestyle based on a clean conscience and a sense of direction = a true
Christian.
This proverb shows the dramatic effect our mind’s state has over our
physical state. When we are ‘yielding’, or humble before God, the natural
effect of tranquility follows.
Envy = Heb.qinah – zeal, jealousy. This means
pride, or self-assertion beyond the right limits – such as when we think more
highly of ourselves than we ought – Rom.12:3.
God uses the metaphor of sickness to portray the effect of sin upon the
whole person. For Israel God used the same idea – Is.1:4-6 – so God can say to
a physically marvellous specimen: "The whole
head is sick, and the whole heart faint." Ps.38:3 and Mat.8:17. Jesus is
able to heal us spiritually as well as physically.
What this proverb does not say is that if we have a sound heart we will
automatically have a sound body. There are plenty of sound-hearted but sick
Christians. What this proverb does imply is that our spiritual health is
reflected in our physical health.
31
To honour the poor means to treat them with
the same respect as a child should his parents. The same word is used for the
respect due to a person in a high position – Deut.5:16, 1Sam.2:30, Prov.3:9,
Mal.1:6.
Honour = Heb.kabed = to make heavy, or weighty
Why does it reproach God to treat others as less than human? Because my
Maker is their Maker too. Because our Maker is watching me all the time. One
who honours God shows that he understands that God
created the poor person too, and that He loves them equally as much as He loves
me.
Further see Job 31:15, James 2:5, Mat.25:4 – the poor is seen as an
opportunity, and 1John3:17,18 – a test of our sincerity.
32
"driven away in his wickedness" can also read "thrust
down in his evil-doing"
Examples of the wicked being dealt with severly
by God: Dathan – Num.16:33, Israel – Ex.32;28,
1Cor.10:7, Balaam – Num.31:8,10, Rev.2:14, the Canaanites – Josh.2:9, 5:1, 10,
Deut.9:5, , Hophni and Phinehas
– 1Sam.4:11, Baal’s prophets – 1Kings 18:40, Belshazzar
– Dan.5:2-6 and 30.
Examples of people who have had hope: David – 2Sam.23:5, Ps.17:15,
Stephen – Acts 7:55,60, Paul – 2Tim.4:6-8, Peter – 2Pet.1:14,16,3:13.
We Christians can be like Paul, and know that to die is more of a
blessing than a disaster – Phil.1:21, Rom.8:35-39, John 5:24-29. A further
truth to this proverb is in the way a final judgement
is still to come for the lawless, so what happens to them in this life is more
like placing them in the dock ready for sentencing.
33
A wise man does not parade his knowledge but a fool does. There is a
possibility that the second line suggests that even among fools there can be
some wisdom. I prefer the former rendering. A fool, by nature, lives, speaks
and thinks foolishly, so it is plain, or "made known" what he is. We
know it is possible for a fool to make people think he is wise simply by
keeping quiet. On the other hand a person who has a lot of knowledge can be a
bore. A wise man controls his wisdom, letting it out at the right time, and
keeping it back when not needed. Jesus is a perfect example of someone who
controlled His wisdom – He used parables, sharp questions, quotes and so on,
and to some He spoke plainly while to others He kept his meanings hidden.
Rests = to be at rest
This word is used to describe the way the Ark was grounded – Gen.8:4,
and the Spirit, in Elisha – 2Kings 2:15, the Spirit
on the Messiah – Is.11:2, and dead believers in their graves as they await
resurrection day – Dan.12:13.
From these verses we see that the contrast between one whose wisdom is
an integral part of their personality, and one in whom wisdom has no strong
attachment. The fool understands very little about everything – he is shallow,
empty.
34
righteousness = justice, or the ability to exercise Word-based living.
Only God is right. Man is right only when he agrees with God’s Word. When a
nation uses democracy to vote God’s Law out it is a sin, even if the whole
nation thinks it is doing the right thing.
Reproach = Heb.chesed = shame, disgrace.
This proverb hits at the basic problem underlying national and
international affairs – the upholding of moral standards and the justice which
should be built in.
Just to keep one of God’s commandments – just ONE! – consistently would
cause a national revolution. For example HONESTY. No burglars, no thieves, no
insurance frauds, no need for locks or bolts, no security vans, no bank vaults,
no closed circuit TVs, no legal documents for loans, no need for signatures
when accessing bank accounts – our word would be enough, no need for
honesty-related prosecutions and so on. The application of total honesty would
reach into every aspect of our lives.
Exalts and reproaches are both moral terms. This proverb shows that God
judges whole nations as well as individuals
35
Moffat says: The king favours an able
minister; his anger is for the incompetent." This proverb is about
efficiency being rewarded.
In the natural realm there are wise servants and foolish servants.
Spiritually Christians must try to be wise as we serve the great King of kings.
There are people who blame everyone and everything but themselves for lack of
recognition, when they should really admit they are incompetent. We are urged
in Scripture to look at ourselves – Ps.26:2, 1Cor.9:3, 11:28, 2Cor.13:5. If we
put our ‘hand to the plough’ – Luke 9:62, we must seek to serve our king like a
good farm-hand, with wisdom and discretion.