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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
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soft = tender, or timid
wrath = heat, or fury
turns = to cause to turn back
grievous = grieving, or a grieving thing.
The dictonary says grievous means to cause pain or suffering; intense,
severe, or serious.
The proverb doesn’t say grievous words are wrong, but it stresses the
impact of words on other people.
Jesus’ words stirred up anger – John 8:58,59, 10:38,39. David had the
same reaction – Ps.35:16,28. So did Steven – Acts 7:54. The proverb expresses a
principle, so it is not too difficult to find the odd exeption – some people
are not placated at all by soft words, while others are not stirred up at all
by grievous words.
Examples: Aaron – Lev.10:16-20, Reubenites – Josh.22:15-34, Gideon –
Judges 8:1-3, Hannah – 1Sam.1:15,17, Abigail – 1Sam.25:23 on. Grievous words
are found in the mouth of the Ephraimites – Judges 12:1-4, men of Israel and
Judah – 2Sam.19:41-43, Saul and Jonathan – 1Sam.20:30-34, Rehoboam –
2Chron.10:13-16, Eliphaz – Job 22:5 on, and Paul and Barnabas – Acts 15:39.
2
Wise people take responsibilty for everything they say.
The word "knowledge" is found in Gen.2:9 – the tree of
discernment. It’s the same word that turns up in Job 42:3 – Job spoke without
understanding fully what he was saying, and in Is.11:2 we are told the
Messiah will be able to understand, but Israel was destroyed through lack of
understanding. People, though not understanding, choose to go the way they
think is right, but of course it isn’t.
Paul said "knowing" the terror of the Lord, that is,
discerning and understanding what the real God was like, Paul spoke to people
as if he was actually in God’s throne room. Someone said to me, when I was open
air preaching, that it was a good idea to imagine Jesus standing in the crowd.
If He was listening, the message would need to be well-delivered. 2Chron.16:9.
3
See Psalm 139. The range and persistence of God’s scrutiny.
Verse 11 of this Psalm shows His penetration. Our Heavenly Father
observes, takes note, watches every detail. The word "beholding"
means "to look out" and "to watch". The only other place
the word is found is in Ps.66:7 (Heb.tsaphah)
This proverb brings out the ‘Personness’ of God, in that He is not
passive, permissive, neutral, detached, but deeply involved, very feelingly
involved in every living human being'’ life. Mat.10:29-31.
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A wholesome tongue = gentleness of tongue.
Christians ought to have a wholesome or healing tongue (Heb.marpe), and
be peacemakers,cheerers, encouragers, etc. We do have, after all, the final
remedy for all the world’s problems.
The tree of life – Gen.2:9, 3:22,24 – represents the opportunity for
regeneration given to Man – see also Rev.2:7 and 22:2. It represents eternal
life, immortality, glory . . . and all to be found through faith in Jesus
Christ (or in OT days through faith in the sacrifices).
Encouragement comes from the Lord – 1Sam.30:6, Acts 11:23.
A breach is a gaping hole, as when a wall partially collapses, or a
gaping wound. It could even be an open and running wound. (Lev.24:20, Ps.6;2,
Is.30:26, Jer.14:17, Lam.2:13)
This proverb shows the general effect of truth and non-truth on the
speaker and the hearer. While it is sometimes easier to speak lies, in the end
there comes a collapse. This is why the Lord expects those who speak for Him to
speak the truth only – Jer.23:22, Lam.2:14, Ez.3:1-21, and 2:7, John
8:40,45,46, 17:17 and see what Jesus says to the Lukewarm church in Rev.3.
5
despises – this word is used in Jer.33:24 where it carries the force of
"loathe".
The fool is anti-authority, anti-control, anti-instruction.
Father = Heb.ab = father, ancestor, source, inventor. This shows how the
fool rejects external governing and is a law to himself – Is.53:6, Ps.53:1 on.
Regards = to observe, watch, take heed, keep – ps.31:6.
Ecc.5:8 uses the same word to show that God ‘regards’ rulers –
2Chron.16:9.
The fool forgets that those older and wiser than him have more
experience. The fool is impatient with criticism, and unwilling to seek advice.
Many lives are wrecked because of this. To become a fool, all you need to do is
despise instruction and avoid correction.
2Kings 18-21 contrasts Hezekiah and Manasseh. The former kept turning to
the Lord for help. Chapter 21 tells us how the latter went to extremes in
provoking the Lord.
Heb.4:12,13 – the Word of God is a discerner, and see also 2Cor.10:4,5.
To today’s church, Jesus begins by saying He is the tru and faithful witness –
Rev.3:14, and these are qualities we need in today’s church. We are also told
that Jesus is "made unto us wisdom" – 1Cor.1:30 but that wisdom can
only be enjoyed if we respond to it – Mat.13.
6
A good example of "the wicked" = a lawless one storing up
trouble is Achan, where what he did had repercussions on the whole nation –
Josh.7
It is like the sayings: ‘the birds have come home to roost’ and ‘what
goes up must come down’ and ‘we reap what we sow’ and ‘a little leaven leans
the whole lump’ and ‘putting a spanner in the works’ and ‘opening a can of
worms’. God holds us responsible for our actions, but tempers the effects by
many merciful interventions.
Instruction = Heb.musar = chastisement
The Lord teaches us through experiences, as well as through His Word –
Heb.12:6-13.
God’s commentary on this His own proverb – Prov3:11,12 – includes the
word ‘scourge’. The Jewish method of scorging was to strike a person 39 times
with a whip of leather thongs – 13 times on the chest and both shoulders. But
the Lord chastises us in love, and we should be thankful He doesn’t neglect us.
To reject the disciplining of the Lord is to turn to
"trouble", and the Hebrew sense is to be troubled, which is a most
unpleasant state to be in.
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Some of this proverb has already been touched on in the preceeding one.
There is a link between being "righteous" and having "much
treasure" because the godly life is dynamic, positive, progressive and
brings forth a great harvest. See the contrast between Paul and Elymas – Acts
13:6-12. We see in this proverb that "heart" and "lips" are
synonymous, and put for what flows from our very being. The word
"disperse" also means to "scatter, spread, or winnow". The
thought is that from a small source, can come a great effect. The individual
who has a bold witness for the truth can have an effect on millions of people.
The Lord Jesus is the best example – John 6:63,68. The gospel is the message of
God.
It is also wisdom – 1Cor.1:17-21, and it is the message of God to every
person on earth – Mark16:15.
If we take care of our "outlook", or "heart", our
influence will take care of itself.
The context of the word for "knowledge" shows in other verses
that it means "discernment of realities". Christians live according
to invisible reality – 2Cor.4:18, Eph.6:12.
8
God is interested in our attitudes, perhaps more than our service,
because a person may do good works, yet be wicked inside. Rom.8:8, and
illustrations of this: Cain – Gen.4:5, Heb.11;4, Saul – 1Sam.15:22,23, the Jews
– Is.1:11-15,66:3.
This proverb brings out the way God is either disgusted or delighted. He
is involved – not neutral, and He is moved by what we do because he created us,
and gave us a moral awareness. Logically, if we are aware of moral things, how
much more must He be? Our behaviour matters to Him.
The formal, religious sacrifice of a person is compared to unseen,
private prayer. One is open and public, the other is private.
Jesus compared the religious people of His day to the publicans and
harlots – Mat.21:31, Luke 18:9-14. A costly sacrifice is unacceptable, while a
mere prayer made in sincerity, is acceptable . 1Sam.15:22.
9
Same comparison as verse 8 – God hates and loves certain things.
The words "way" and "follows after" express the
thought of a consistent lifestyle.
Purposefulness.
Follows = Heb.radalp = to pursue. Hos.2:7, Prov.28:19.
We deviate or wobble from the straight path many times as we go through
life, but we can always come back, through repentance – 2Sam.12:13, 1John1:9,
1John 3:6 – "Whoever abides in Him sins not . . ." which means,
simply, that anyone who follows Jesus does not make a HABIT of sinning.
Way = trodden path.
Verse 8 and 9 show how unacceptable the non-Christian’s life and works
are to the Lord – their religion and their lifestyles do not please Him, even
if they look good outwardly – Mat.15, especially v.8 and 9, and 1Cor.3:20,
1Pet.1:18, Acts 14:15 – "turn from these vanities . . ." =
unprofitable and useless things. So much for the world’s religions – God calls
them, quite bluntly, "useless"!
The righteousness which God wants people to follow after is based on HIS
terms, and works within HIS definitions.
Righteousness = Heb.tsedeqah = justice or rightness. This speaks of
absolutes. Some things are right, and just, and some things are not. The person
who follows after God’s righteousness must first know what it is. The Law
defines it, and so we see that no human has ever kept the Law perfectly, so all
are unrighteous. Only through the blood of Jesus can Man find forgiveness –
Rom.10, Tit.3:5-7. The only righteousness God accepts is that of His Son, and
the only way any person can enter heaven is through trusting in the imputed
righteousness given to them.
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This proverb is about people who deliberately turn from truth. Example:
2Chron.16:10 – Asa hated the seer’s reproof, the Jews – John 7;7, 8:23,40.
Strong Christians can expect to be hated – Mat.10:22,24:9, John 15:18, godly
living brings persecution – 2Tim.3:12.
Correction = instruction
Forsakes = to leave, or to leave off.
The words "grievous" = evil, and "hates" are used in
the context of the enemy. A person who rebels against external guidance
considers it to be evil and an enemy. This subjective attitude overrules logic
and reason. Some people, for example, deliberately avoid places where the truth
is declared because they know they will be reproved if they go there.
Those who most need criticism are most impatient of it.
Reproof = correction.
God’s reproof can save life. The gospel can save a person from death –
Ez.16:6, 18:31,32, 1Cor.1:18, 2Tim.4:2. The Holy Spirit, through the
Scriptures, is come to reprove both the world -–John 16:8, and sinful practices
– Eph.5:11. Christians often need reproof – 2Cor.10:3-6.
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Psalm 19:7-12, Jer.23:23-25. Do I not fill heaven and earth?" -
Amos 9:2-4. Jonah 1:3 shows how the prophet tried to go "from the presence
of the Lord" (twice in the same verse). Job 34:22.
Hell = sheol = the unseen state, the grave.
Destruction = abaddon. This word is also used as the name of the angel
of the king of the abyss – Rev.9:11. It also means "destroyer".
In one sense the grave represents chemical processes by which materials
are irreversibly changed. Dust to dust, earth to earth, and no amount of
scientific brilliance can turn the process in the other direction. However, to
our Creator, these things are not even difficult to control.
It is the comparison which this proverb draws which we ought to look at
– the two extremes – if God can see everything then He can certainly see the
heart of man. Just imagine a small insect dying 6000 years ago. God knows where
all the atoms from that insect are, moment by moment, no matter how far they
are dispersed.
Even a human can discern, to a certain extent, the heart of another
person – 1Cor.2:11, Mat.12;34. A jury is also expected to discern the truth,
and this usually includes their impression of the accused.
This proverb is well commented on in Psalm 94, especially verse 9 and
10. He fact that "all" things are "before the Lord" means
that He is a perfectly adequate judge of all things – Heb.4:12,13, Rom.2:14-16.
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Examples: Ahab – 1Kings22:8 and 2Chron.18:7, the Israelites – Amos 5:10,
the Pharisees – Luke 7:30. Mat.3:7 gives an example of people who appear to be
trying to change, but are merely keeping up appearance.
Reproves = Heb.yachah = to reason, reprove, decide.
Biblical reproof is a well-reasoned, sensible, correct admonition. It
springs from a clear understanding of what is going on. It is usually moral in
tone since it is usually directed at moral issues – it speaks against Man’s
sinfulness. Christians need reproof as much as anyone – 2Tim.4:2.
Jesus expects Christians to reprove the world – Luke 3:19 – John
reproved Herod, the sinner is reproved – John 3:20, the Spirit reproves the world
– John 16:8, Christians are to reprove the world’s works – Eph.5:11, 5:13.
The Scriptures are profitable for reproof. The Greek word for reproof
means "conviction".
Wise = skilful
To go to the wise means that a person has repented, and admitted their
failure and is ready to be corrected. But scorners don’t go to the wise. They
would rather say "speak to us smooth things" – Is.30:10, Jer.5;31,
29:9.
The world contains many scorners, who prefer "fables" rather
than truth – 1Tim.1;4, 4:7, 2Tim.4:4, Titus 1:4. 2Pet.1:16. Greek = talk, tale,
legend, myth.
Merry = rejoicing. This word occurs only 4 times, here, Prov.17:22,
Ecc.8:15 and Est.5;14. The last of these four references brings out the meaning
of merry as having to do with morale, or encouragement. This speaks of the
whole attitude of a person, regardless of circumstances. Our lifestyle. If we
are consistently positive, and have a good morale, we will affect every area of
our lives.
Sorrow = Heb.atstebeth =grievous thing – this word occurs only 4 times.
When we allow something into our lives which we do not deal with, or overcome,
it can destroy us.
1.
Job 9:28, 2. Ps.16:4, 3. Prov.10:10, and here,
Prov.15:12.
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understanding = to be intelligent.
Intelligent people are always trying to learn more. This is a good,
simple test for intelligence – see if the person is interested in learning.
This proverb brings out the difference between seekers and drifters.
Seeks = feeds.
God often draws an allusion to a hungry spirit and the eating of His
Word – Ez.2:8,3:1, Rev.10:9, Jer.15:16. The Law of the Lord is
"sweeter" than honey and the hooneycomb – Ps.19:10 and 119:103. We
are told by the Lord that we should eat "the knowledge of wisdom" –
Prov.24:13,14.
Prov.23:1-8 talks about the things of the wicked as if they were foods –
one such ‘dainty’ is coveting wealth for its own sake, which leaves the ‘eater’
much hungrier afterwards than before. Some ‘morsels’ cause vomitting, which
could be related in some way to the ‘spewing’ of the Lukewarm church from the
mouth of Jesus – Rev.3:14,15. Jesus also invites us to ‘sup’ with Him –
Rev.3;20. Christians should be continually feeding on the Word, which gives
health and soundness to their mind, and prevents ‘blindness, starvation,
weakness, misery’ and so on. We are what we eat.
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afflicted = Heb.ani = lowered, or humbled
2Sam.22:28 – the "afflicted people you will save", and Job
34:28. Also Is.49:13, 51:21, 54:11, Zeph.3:12, Ps.88:15, 82:3 and see Ps.102
title: "Prayer of the afflicted".
This proverb is about a person’s attitude to life, his morale. Not only
does our attitude affect ur character, but it also has an effect on the
experience of living. We talk of wearing "rose-tinted glasses" or of
being "starry eyed" because how we look at the world really does
affect what we see, in a subjective sort of way.
If we look for miracles we find them.
This proverb uses the usual language of extremes to contrast how life
can be either a "continual feast" or a "never-ending march of
dreariness".
Evil = bad. Bullinger says "sad"
Continual = going on regularly or continuously.
In 1Cor.5:8 the Christian life is likened to a "feast".
Examples of people whose internal attitude coloured their whole life
experience: Jacob – Gen.47:9, Paul – 2Tim.4:6-8, Ruth – Ruth 1:20,21, Habakkuk
3:17,18.
Feast – Heb.mishteh = drinking.
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Bullinger says: "Jehovah is a substitute for every good thing, but
nothing is a substitute for Him."
Moffat says: "Wealth with worry" instead of "great
treasure and trouble therewith."
1Tim.6:6 and context stresses the value of "godliness with
contentment".
Jesus aimed His sermon on the mount to the "poor in spirit" –
Mat.5:6,7. In order to enjoy the "continual feast" we must keep our
confidence in the Lord – Ps.2:12, 91:4, Is.26:3, see also Ps.64:10.
Trouble = destruction. In the other two places where this word is used
the word means ‘judgement of God’ – Is.22:5, Ez.7:7. This proverb contrasts the
godly with the wicked, and the latter is judged with trouble. (Possibly James
5:1-8 applies to this proverb.)
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Poverty and fellowship is better than wealth and variance.
Prov.15:16 is more about ultimate things, since the godly will one day
reap everlasting life, while 15:17 is more for present things. In the here and
now "love can make any circumstances beautiful. The Hebrew
"ahabah" is used to describe the love of a man for a woman, or for
the Lord for His wife israel – Gen.29:20, Song of Sol 5:8, 7:6, 8:6, Is.63:9,
Jer.2:2, Hos.11:4 and 23. It also means a selfless, open offer of love to an
enemy – Ps.104:8,9.
Dinner = usual, or customary dish – this word occurs only here.
Herbs = Heb.yaraq = green herbs, or vegetables. The only other places
where we find this word are Deut.11:10 where it is used for seed that is sown
to produce a "garden of herbs", and 1Kings 21:2 where Ahab wanted to
convert Naboth’s vineyard into a "garden of herbs".
A stalled ox = an ox which is kept tethered to fatten it up for
slaughter. This indicates a person who has far more than he really needs in
life, bvecause he is able to keep an ox from labour, just for the luxury of
fattening it. If this was so, and he also had love, things would be wonderful,
but God says that the QUALITY of life is far more important than the QUANTITY.
"Better" sounds just like a "blessed" – Mat.5:1. The
proverb seems to be slanted towards the marriage setting, and the placing of
the word "better" is an arresting point to consider.
Good = Heb.tob = good. This is what good is, says our God, and not that.
Aim for this. (Phil.4:8,9, Heb.5:14)
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This proverb shows how "strife" is caused more by a person
than the environment. Paul admitted how he found the cause of strife in his own
heart – Rom.7:14-25.
Wrathful = heat, fury.
Stirs = Heb.garah = generates. This word is used 3 times in Proverbs,
here, 28:25 and 29:22.
Strife = contention.
Slow = long. The Lord is "slow" to anger – Neh.9:17, Ps.103:8,
Joel 2;13, Jonah 4:2, Nah.1:3 on.
Godly people are expected to be slow to anger – Prov.14:29, 15:18,
16:32.
Anger = Heb.aph = snorting.
Appeases = to be quiet.
This proverb ends with strife in both parts, but shows how the
potential, which is always there, can either be encouraged or extinguished
depending on the way people behave. Our perfect model is our Lord, who dealt
with many potentially explosive situations with wisdom. Some of the ways He did
this were: He avoided publicity – Mat.8:4, He avoided a crowd – Mat.8:34 and
9:1, He withdrew from danger – Mat.12:15, He moved out of Herod’s sight – Luke
9:10.
While there are times when it is totally unavoidable, Christians must
always try to work towards peace -–2Cor.13:11, 1Thess.5:13, James 3:17 and
Eph.4:3.
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slothful – there are 6 Hebrew words translated slothful, and by their
contexts they can mean, variously: deliberately lazy, unwilling to work, avoiding
one’s share of the load, disorganised, motionless, feeble.
Here the word slothful is contrasted with the word "righteous"
which means upright, or right.
Both the righteous and the slothful face their own "way" – their
life’s course, and how they face it determines whether it is, to them, either
"a hedge of thorns", or a "plain".
The righteous walk a path which rises above the thorns while the
slothful push their way around in the thorn bushes.
Thorns = a brar.
When we trust in the Lord we find a way through the thorns – 1Cor.16:9.
Example: Eleazr – Gen.24:12,26,27,52, Ps.37:23,24. This helps to explain what
"slothful" means here. To some people, Christians too, life can
appear to be very complex, dangerous, a great tangle of difficulties, and they
feel swamped or hedged in by briars. The Word of God is perfectly suited to all
who want to rise above these things – Luke 10:19, Ps.40:1-4, Josh.1:8, Ps.1,
2Pet.1:3,4-10, Acts 20:32.
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Some similarity to 10:1. Given godly parents, since they would be a
logical basis for this proverb, we have two trypes of people: wise, and
foolish. Parents who love their children naturally give themselves in service
to them, and the response from the children for all this devotion can cause
either gladness or sorrow.
Gen.26:34,35, Col.3:20, Ex.20:12, Eph.6:1-3. Given that the mother is
godly, it is foolish for any man to despise such a mother.
Despise = condemn. A modern equivalent to "condemn" might be
"treat like dirt".
Jesus made His Father glad – Mat.3:17, 12:18, 17:5, Mark 1:11, Luke
3:22, 2Pet.1:17. Enoch also "pleased God" – Heb.11;5, while verse 6
shows how all Christians can please Him, by exercising our faith in Him.
The proverb could be set out this way:
Wise parents – obedient offspring – parents glad – God is happy. (Jude
24)
Wise parents – disobedient offspring – parents grieve – God is unhappy
(Eph.4:30)
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How the wise and foolish react to folly.
"Folly" by various contexts means living an undisciplined
life, unwilling to learn or change, self-propelled, drifting.
Folly is not joy to a man of understanding. Folly is the fruit of a
fool.
The man of undestanding walks "uprightly" = to make right, or
straight.
Joy = rejicing, gladness, mirth.
This proverb shows how wrong it is to measure moral behaviour by how we
feel about it. The fool subjectively evaluates things according to his own
views, but the righteous man has God’s absolute standards to measure things by.
He walks uprightly REGARDLESS of whether it brings him joy or not. The world
says: "If it feels good, do it." But the righteous person says:
"No matter how god it may feel I will not do it because it is wrong."
Joseph chose to "walk uprightly". The commandments give us the
good and right way – 1Sam.12:23, Ex.20. David hated every false way –
Ps.119:104 and he chose the way of truth – Ps.119:30.
Jesus warned us about "the broad way" – Mat.7:13.
NT references which relate: John 14;4,5, 2Pet.2;2, 15,21.
To the ‘natural man’ the way of God seems like folly – 1Cor.1:18-21, 2:14.
Some people actually glory in being non-Christian – Phil.3:18,19.
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counsel = Heb.sod = a sitting, session, assembly
purposes = thoughts or devises.
The Lord’s purposes for His people, for example, to judge them – Jer.49:20,30,
50:45, 51:29. They are objective plans, or thought out schemes.
Disappointed = to break, or to make void.
Multitude = Heb.rob = abundance.
Counsellors = Heb.yaats = to give council.
David had a counsellor – 2Sam.15:12. Zechariah was a wise counsellor –
1Chron.26:14, and so was David’s uncle – 1Chron.27:33. Ahaziah had a wicked
counsellor: his mother – 2Chron.22:3. Ezra had to deal with "counsellors
against him" – Ezra 4:5.
Established = to rise up, to stand up.
This proverb tells us to get all the advice we can, from every good
source, and to seek out practical information from those who are wiser and more
experienced than we are. Christians must acknowledge that not all things are
spiritual – there is a place for mechanics, doctors, nutritionists, surgeons
and so on, and many problems can be solved simply by applying practical
solutions. For example: headaches may be caused by lack of water or lack of
sleep, or lack of glasses – not demons.
We must not forget that since God is Creator, He must also be Scientist,
Mahematician, Geneticist and so on. His knowledge is vast – 1Kings 4:29-34.
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Verbal craftmanship.
In due season = in its season, that is, well-considered, and with tact,
and wisdom. Opportune words.
Politicians, philosophers writers and others are often quoted because
they say things in a memorable way. So is Shakespeare, and since the Bible is
part of our English heritage and language, it is a rich source of ‘quotes’.
On a higher level we find that the Bible has words which stand out above
all Man’s greatest comnments. Usually a man’s greatness in speech is derivative
anyway.
Jesus knew exactly what to say at exactly the right time – John 3:34,
Luke 4:22.
We are to use words like salt – Col.4:6, Titus 2:8 – sound words, and
words which we keep ready – 1Pet.3:15, and Psalm 107:20.
Most proverbs are comparisons, or extreme statements, set one against
the other. This proverb seems to be free of this structure, unless we change
the first line slightly to read: "a person enjoys the smart retorts of his
own mouth, as a contrast to the word of wisdom which is said to be spoken in
due season.
Words are like dynamite, and should not be a useless babble of futile
comments – James 3.
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Psalm 16:11.
Few there are that find the path above (=upward), while there are many
who take the wide road downwards. (Mat.7:13,14) Jesus is the way, the truth and
the life – John 14:6 and as to departing from hell He said: I am the
resurrection and the life" – John 11:25,26.
To the OT person this proverb was very much Law-oriented. To be cut off
before old age, was a disgrace, whereas long life was the expected blessing to
the faithful and obedient.
Hezekiah describes how he felt about dying prematurely – Is.38:9-20 and
2Kings 20:1-3.
God told Israel the law was "life and death" – Deut.30:19,20,
Jonah thanked the Lord for the extension to his life – Jonah2:6. Psalm 71, the
‘old age’ Psalm, exalts a fruitful life in the midst of aging, as also does
Psalm 37:25 and 92:13-15.
Death is a curse – Gen.2:17, and it is such a curse that it is used in
the national sense – Hos.13;14, and the spiritual sense – Mat.4:16, and the
natural sense – 1Cor.15:51-57.
Interestingly, when people move away from what the bible says about
death, they start to talk about ‘growing old gracefully’ and they use all sorts
of sill euphemisms about death, instead of calling it what it is – a horrible
blight on creation.
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God protects the exploited.
Psalm 138:6. For many of God’s promises there are three different ways
they can be uderstood: 1. The immediate, 2. The eventual and 3. The ultimate.
When the first two seem inappropriate, the third is usually the correct
understanding.
Solomon saw that, because of Man’s sinful nature, there will always be a
"time of war and a time of peace", as well as numerous other
injustices, sorrows, problems etc – Ecc.3:1-8.
The ‘widow’ represents all downtrodden people who are caught up in the
activities of rebels. Espite the confusion of people’s lives, the Lord knows
who is godly (i.e. the widow) and who is not (the proud) – mal.3:16,17, Luke
10:20.
House = Heb.bayith = household.
It can mean the structure, or building – Gen.19:2,3,4,10,11, or a
family, seed, or kingdom – Lev. 10:6, Deut.5:6.
In this proverb the "house" of the proud is compared with the
"border" of the widow. Bullinger says "landmark." A useful
picture to illustrate this proverb might be thousands of godless people milling
about while separate from this is a single individual, a humble, godly old
woman.
Psalm 25:12,13 – the comparatively few godly people will one day
"inherit the earth", and also Ps.73 reveals the ultimate end of all
the godly. In Mat.5:5 Jesus affirmed this and showed that the reward for being
obedient, even unto death, was "joy" – Phil.2;8, Heb.12;2 and so He
took the place of all ‘widows’ by giving up all claims to any ‘border’, but by
doing this he obtained the ‘but he will establish" part of this promise.
There was a strong belief in the resurrection in OT times – Gen.22:5
with Heb.11:19, Ps.49:14,15.
26
Behind all our words is our heart attitude.This proverb shows that the
motivation behind all our thoughts is our heart attitude.
Thoughts = devises, or plans.
Some people think the Lord is less concerned about what they think, but
what they say or do, but they are wrong. Our thoughts, and our attitude are
open before Him.
Pure = clean. This relates it to being holy – Hab.1:13, Mal.1:11. The
contrast is also illustrated in John 6:68-71.
Christians are expected to bring every thought to the obedience of
Christ – 2Cor.10:5. The daily habit of training the mind to think in a more
Christ-like way gradually does its work – Rom.12:2, 2Cor.4:16, Acts 20:32,
Eph.5:26, Titus 3:5, 2Tim.2:15.
27
The love of money – 1Tim.6:10.
Being "greedy of gain" from "greedy" = Greek.batsa =
to keep up. See Mark 10:24.
The person who seeks to "heap up" materially, is never
satisfied. It is a symptom of godlessness – Hag.1:5,6. It can also be a symptom
of insecurity – Luke 12;19-21. It could be a symptom of lack of faith in God to
provide everything – Mat.6:25-34.
The desire to have more than one needs can result in: fear of burglary,
fear of higher rates, huge insurance bills, maintenance bills and so on.
The second line of the proverb implies that this bit of wisdom is for
people in positions of authority.
Gain = Heb.betsa = dishonest gain.
Dishonest parents can infect their children with the same sort of
attitude, thus perpetuating God’s anger into succeeding generations – Ex.33:7.
Zacchaeus, on repentance, confessed what being greedy of gain had led
him to do – Luke 19:8.
Achan is another classical example – Josh.7 (see also Acts 16:19)
Hates gifts = hates bribes.
Why should a person hate a bribe? Because moral integrity is more
valuable in God’s sight than material gain. Jesus was offered bribes – Luke 4.
What price is high enough to stop us from speaking out for Jesus? Social
position? Peer group disapproval? The chance that if someone knows we are a
Christian we might not get that job, or promotion?
Samuel refuse bribes – 1Sam.12:3,4. Perhaps cares, and riches, and
pleasures of this life are also bribes? – Luke 8"14.
28
evil = Heb.ra = bad
righteous = just
studies = meditates
answer – this does not mean simply ‘to reply’. The Hebrew word ‘anah’ means
to: Bear witness’, Cry, Give a shout, Give account, Hear, Lift up, Sing, Speak
and Testify.
Pours = to cause to flow out
Evil = Heb.ra = morally bad things – Jer.11:15 and Job 35:12.
This proverb yet again stresses the power of words, and shows how they
come from the source = our heart – Mat.15:17,18, James 3.
If we accept as true that God is real, moral, righteous, the setter of
standards, the one in whose sight we live, and the one to whom we must give
account, we ought to "study to answer’ when we speak. The
"wicked" denies these things and so of course he opens his mouth and
out "pours evil things."
If there is no God why should we care about our desires? If there is no
absolute moral
Standard, why should we worry about how we behave?
29
The Lord is NOT far from the wicked – Ps.94:7-11, Jer.23:23,24. When the
wicked call on God He doesn'’ respond.
far = far off, afar. He IS far from them in the sense that He remains
out of fellowship – Ez.14:1-8, and 20:1-3.
Hears - because of the pattern of contrasting extremes this word must
mean ‘responds to’.
Prayer = Heb.tephillah = song of praise.
It would be true also to say that the wicked are by choice far from the
Lord. This proverb is addressed to people who have the opportunity to get
closer to God, and how they respond. The positive aspect to this is found in
Ps.116.
In the natural realm I have known kids to reject their parent’s love,
and place a distance between them and the parent. While the parent tries to
reach across the gap, the child stubbornly refuses to respond – so it is the
child who causes the gap.
Wicked = Heb.rasha = wrong
In order to be wrong, there must be a right. Wrong is not a relative
term, it is comparative. There is a known right and a known wrong – Rom.1:18,
21, 32, 2:15, 3:18,19.
30
the light of the eyes – Ecc.11:7.
How wonderful the light of life is, how good it is to be alive, and to
enjoy the warmth of the sun, and all the good, natural be\lessings of the
world.
Light = Heb.maor = light-giver. The stars are ‘maors’ and so are the sun
and moon – Gen.1:14, 15,16 etc. Psalm 74:16. Ps.90:8 uses the word another way
– our iniquities are seen in the ‘light’ of His countenance. The radiance of
God reveals our hearts to Him.
If the first line of this proverb refers to strictly natural things,
then the second line is a good comparative thought – see Acts 17:14. Now, the
second line concerns a deeper thought: a good report . . ." or a wonderful
message, or a delightful piece of news, or a message of great import – Is.52:7.
The proberb teaches that both natural and spiritual causes have physical
effects.
Jesus brought to home many times by switching from the natural to the
spiritual – John 4:13,14, 6:32,33, 63-68. Jeremiah’s heart rejoiced at God’s
words – Jer.15:16.
Bones = substance
Fat = to fatten, as an increasing effect on the quality of life.
The proverb could be simplified to: "the sun gives us pleasure but
the gospel is far more beneficial".
Related verse: 2Cor.4:4.
31-33
Three proverbs about TEACHABILITY
31
‘Birds of a feather flock together’. John 17 divides the world into two
groups (v.14-18) The ‘ear that hears’ – Mat.13:16, 23. To ‘hear’ means to
respond, or react, to co-operate.
Examples of this proverb: Acts 2:42 – the early Christians, the bereans
– Acts 17:11.
Non-Christians are usually repelled by Christian fellowship because they
feel so out of place, and if they love sin they will feel like square pegs in
round holes.
Some people learn by experience, while other people never seem to learn.
This proverb is about people who have the sense to learn from their mistakes –
called the ‘correction of living’ or the ‘reproof of life’. Colloquially known
as the ‘school of hard knocks’.
32
refuses = Heb.para = to make free or void. Also found in Prov.8:33 and 13:18.
The one who makes himself free, or makes himself empty of instruction,
despises himself.
Instruction = chastisement or discipline.
We are told not to despise the chastening of the Lord – Heb.12:4-10.
This is part of "living godly in Christ Jesus" – 2Tim.3:12,
Prov.29:18.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people perish – or cast off
restraint, or break loose. People who try to break loose from the discipline of
the Lord are in fact showing how little they care about themselves – Ex.22:20,
Hos.4:6, 1Cor.1:18 – people who reject the gospel are in fact CHOOSING to
perish. (Acts 3:23) Those who reject the gospel judge themselves "unworthy
of everlasting life" – Acts 13:46, also see mat.22:8.
The proverb continues "but he that hears, or makes the effort to
listen . . ." The word "hears" means to make the effort to be
with people who know the truth. We meet people like this frequently – they are
friendly, and open-minded, and they are interested. This does not mean they
will become Christians when we tell them the gospel but at least they have an
open atitude to it.
Reproof = correction
Gets = obtains. This word means to get hold of by an effort.
Understanding = Heb.leb = heart.
This proverb is therefore centred upon the development of a person’s
whole personality or character. God wants us to be full, rich creatures,
developing in every area of our being.
Examples of people who despised their own souls: Dathan and co –
Num.16:12-14, 31-33, Zedekiah – 2Chron.36:12, Jer.39:1-7, nebuchadnezzar –
Dan.4:27-33, Belteshazzar – Dan.5:22-30, the Jews – Mat.23:34-38, the Gadarenes
– Luke 8:37.
People who ‘obtained a heart’ or grew, were job’s friends (we hope) –
Job 42:7-9, the woman – John 4:17, the two disciples – Luke 24:25-32 and Paul –
Acts 9:6-22.
33
fear = reverence
Lord = Jehovah
Instruction = chastisement
Instruction = skill The same word is used to describe the wisdom of
Solomon , which was broad, and comprehensive.
Without ‘humility’ there is no ‘honour’. Many people gain much
knowledge, but with it there is no ‘honour’ in God’s view, because all the
knowledge is gained outside the Biblical framework. Just amassing vast amounts
of knowledge can lead to problems with self-esteem, pride, and smugness.
My rendering of this proverb: Reverence for Jehovah, coupled with true
godly humility, results in being honoured by Him, and also brings His
revelation of Wisdom to us.
The expression "fear of the Lord" occurs 14 times in Proverbs.
1Cor.2;12 tells Christians to expect revelation. But n the end we are totally
dependent on God for everything: Job15:14-16, 9:20, Rom.3:9-20, 1Cor.4:7,
1Tim.6:7, Col.1:16,17, James 1:9-11, and 1Sam.2:30.
Some examples of people who were humbled before they were honoured:
Joseph – Gen.41:16, 39:40, and Prov.22;4, Gideon – Judges 6;15, Hananiah –
Nahum 7;2, Daniel – Dan.2;30-48, the centurion – Mat.8:8-10, Ephraim –
Hos.13;1, John the baptist – John 1:15 and 3;30.
The result of reverence for God is real growth in experience, wisdom,
character and personality. Why? Because He is real.
But what if we turn from God are follow some other leader? Well, some
surveys have shown that if people sit under the ministry of just one pastor for
a few months they become like him, and we know how one man called Hitler
managed to clone himself into millions of copies called the nazi Party, so
obviously it is far better to model ourselves on God than on a mere human. Paul
did tell Christians to copy him, but Paul did not set himself up as a ‘pope’ or
head of the church – he merely wanted to guide Christians to the source of all
leadership, Jesus.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1
This proverb means something like: ‘God has the last word’ or, ‘the
sovereignty of the Lord’, or ‘Man proposes but God disposes’.
This proverb contrasts what Man does against what God does, and He
always has the last move. This in turn shows that despite all Man’s boast about
a free agent, and having free will,in the end all he ever does is fit within a
plan designed by God. Not that this negates free will, but it cerayinly destoys
the illusin that many people hold that they are masters of their own destiny.
They couldn’t even die unless God allowed it!
To the wicked, if they acknowledge it, this proverbs is depressing news,
but to Christians it is wonderfully comforting.
How good it is to know that trials are all limited in their effect
because the Lord is in full control. Despite what the wicked did, it was God
who brought the Flood, the plagues on Egypt and the change of nations, and one
day He will cap all these things by sending His Son to be supreme ruler of the
Earth – Ps.73:17, 55:23, Rom.5:3, 1Cor.12:6, Eph.1:11.
Preparations = arrangements or disposings. Bullinger translates this
word to read "plans".
Man = Heb.adam = a descendant of Adam.
The word ‘adam’ translated ‘man’ is different from ‘ish’ also translated
‘man’. ‘Adam’ means a human being, whereas ‘ish’ means an ‘individual, or
husband’.
Mankind’s evil always begins in the heart – Mat.15:19, Gen.8:21, and try
as we might, none of us can hide our thoughts – heb.4:13 – from Him. Man is
always tryin to do things secretly – hence the occult.
Another rendering of this proverbs would be: "The preparations of
the heart belong to Man, but Jehovah openly declares things as plainly as
speaking."
One way the "answer of the tongue" occurs is through the
prophets, who declare "Thus says the Lord . . ." and hold up the sins
of the people – Jer.23, Ez.34, Is.5. See what Ezekiel was told – Ez.2:5,7,3:11.
This proverb compares Man’s heart with God’s tongue.
Tongue = Heb.lashon = language. Not exactly a language but the faculty
of speaking. God does speak to Mankind in many ways – Heb.1:1,2, John 17:14-17,
2Pet.1:19-21.
Because God made our speech organs, it should not surprise us to find
that He can speak – Ps.94:9,10.
2
A man = Heb.ish = an individual, a person, or husband. Not Mankind in
general.
There are two variations on this proverb: 21:2 and 12:15.
See what God said to Belshazzar – Dan.5:27
Clean – Heb.zak = pure, or pious. Job 33:9. Job thought he was clean,
but soon realised how mistaken he was – Job 42:2-6.
His proverb shows us that conscience is no reliable guide, because it is
shaped by what we believe. If we believe we are good, we might be wrong. The
only reliable standard by which we can measure ourselves is God’s Law.
Take for example Hazael – 2Kings 8;13 who couldn’t believe he was so
bad, or Jehu – 2Kings 10:16, 30-31 who thought he was being zealous for the
Lord when in fact he was rebelling against Him. Other examples are the Pharisee
– Luke 18:11-14, and Paul – Acts 26:9-11.
God’s Word repeatedly reminds us of its authority and finality as far as
a guide to life goes – Rom.7:9 with 1Tim.1:13.
Christians can THINK they are obeying the Lord, when in fact they are acting
contrary to His will. James points out one way in which Christians deceive
themselves – James 1:22 and 26.
Jesus said many would come to Him CLAIMING to be His followers –
Mat.7:21-23.
3
commit = Heb.galal = to roll. This word is also used in Ps.37:5.
Works = Heb.maaseh = deeds, doings, acts.
Thoughts = plans or devices.
This proverb suggests a continual mode of behaviour, a continual thing.
A preoccupation with God. Whatever we roll on to the lord becaomes His concern,
and we must accept whatever He does with what we give Him. Prov.16:1 shows how
God has the last word, while this proverbs shows us that our plans can be
"established’ = formed or prepared.
Examples of the lives of people who committed their plans to Him; Ruth
2:12, David – 1Sam.17:45, 30:8-19, Ezra 8:21-23,31,32, Esther 4:14-17, 8:15-17,
Daniel 6:10, Psalm 37 (3-6)
The greatest example was of course Jesus: Is.42:4, 53.
Our plans, if they are to be established, must be in line with His
intentions – John 15:5 and 8:29, or 6:38. Obeying the Father included going
through the horrors of the crucifixion.
When OUR plans are in line with HIS will they become HIS plans, but
because we chose to do what pleased Him they are both His and our plans. It’s a
dual walk, when we we unite with God. The advantage of walking with God is the
knowledge that whatever happens He is responsible for us.
4
Himself = Heb.maaneh = His answer, or its answer.
This carries the same idea as v1 where the Lord has the final word, or
v2 where He has the final judgement, and here in v4 where He has the final
decision.
This proverb can be applied two ways: for the righteous and for the
wicked.
The "all things" shows how God has no loose strings, and that
all things will be put to some use. For example, Pharoah – Ex.3:18,19, Cain –
Gen.4:4-8, Sodom and Gomorrah – Gen.18:20-22, The Jews – Luke 11:49-51, John
5:40, Jezebel – Rev.2:20-23.
The Lord has made the righteous for the day of glory – 2Tim.1:12,
1Tim.5:24,25, 2Thess.1:1:4-10.
When people choose not to repent they are called ‘the wicked’ –
2Pet.3:3-7, and they thereby use their free will to take the path to
destruction. On their way there God works out His plans and uses them in
countless ways to affect and influence other people. The book of Job shows how
the devil, and Man’s wrong counsel, can all be helpful to us (Job 42), while at
the same time showing how the Lord has the final say.
5
Septuagint: "Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before
Godd . . ."
In the East they walk ‘hand in hand’ but in the West they walk ‘arm in
arm’ – these are similar expressions which express conspiracy or confederacy.
Unpunished = to be innocent.
This proverb shows that sinners will not be aquited. God is not
‘permissive’ when it comes to sinners – people who deliberately rebel against
Him – Ex.34:6,7.
The atitude of pride heads the list of seven abominations in
Prov.6:16-19.
The lord = Jehovah.
What He hates reveals to us His character, and by reversing the hate,
also shows us what He loves.
What is pride? It is unreasonable self-esteem. It is conceit, r a lofty
self-respect which is way out of line with the reality. Examples: Lucifer –
Is.14:13,14, Nebuchadnezzar – Dan.4;30, the gentiles Rom.11:17-19.
From pride comes proud behaviour, which is often cruel, dictatorial,
manipulative, showy, ostentatious, inconsiderate, insolent and disrespectful.
Pride feeds on self-centredness. It is unthankful, irreligious, unwilling to
listen to advice. Pride comes from a feeling that a person can do things
themselves, without anyone’s help, including God or Jesus. The proud in heart
do not want to be reliant on Jesus for salvation – Mark 8:36, Job 21:7-15.
The second part of this proverb speaks of confederacies, where two or
more people agree to oppose the Lord. People do this through philosophy, theories,
religious teaching and military action. Ps.2:1,2 with Acts 4:25,26. Ps.83,
Is.54:17, Mat.21:44. In Col.2:8 we are told to beware those who oppose God.
6
This proverb is about God’s grace, in giving Man an offering, which
gives man the opportunity to be pardoned.
Mercy = kindness, or loving kindness.
Lot said to the Lord –"Your servant has found grace in your sight,
and You have magnified Your mercy". Compare this with Gen. 19:19,
Gen.32;10, Ex.15:13. The Lord is merciful and gracious . . ." – Ex.34:7
and see John 1:17.
Truth = stedfastness. This is the unchanging nature of God. His mercy
and His continuing faithfulness go together.
Iniquity = perversity. This is the built in bias of all of Adam’s seed
to turn away from righteousness, by nature to sin, and to destroy what they
know is right. Gen.15:16, 19:15, 44:16.
Purged = Heb.kaphar = to be covered, to be pardoned. Man’s mercy and
truth cannot cover iniquity. Only the purging, or propitiatory covering of
sacrifice can appease God’s righteous wrath against sin – Ps.7;11 and
Deut.9:8,20, 1Kings 11;9, 2Kings 17:18, Ps.2:12.
This proverb could read: "By the grace and stedfastness of Jehovah,
Man’s perversity and rebellion can be forgiven, and covered."
When people see what God has done for them, in making this gracious
provision for their rebellion and sins, they sometimes respond with reverential
respect.
Eph.2:8,9 – good works follow grace.
Fear = reverence.
See also Gal.3:11, 2Tim.1:9 and Titus 3:5-7.
7
man = Heb.ish = man, husband. Individual.
The Lord = Jehovah.
Two commentators I looked up tried to explain the godly living could in
fact cause peace in a wicked world. I cannot agree with this view. I think
"be at peace" means to be ‘subdued under’. See what Jesus said: John
15:18. The Son of God was a perfect example of a man who pleased Jehovah – John
8:29 and 6:38. The Father said He was pleased with His Son – Mat.3:17, 12:18,
175, Mark 1:11, Luke 3;22, 2Pet.1:17. As to the enemies of Christians, and
thereby Christ’s enemies, we know that He will make them His footstool –
Ps.110:1, Acts 2:35, Heb.1:13 and 10:13, Mat.22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:43. We
know that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution –
2Tim.3:12.
In this proverb, the word "peace" = Heb.shalam = to make
peace. Deut.20:12, Josh.10:1, 11:19, 2Sam.10:19 and also 1King 22:44,
1Chron.19:19. The thought of Ps.149:4-9 expresses the thought of the proverb,
showing how the saints will ultimately prevail over the wicked. Many NT verses
agree with this -–Mal.4:3, Rom.16:20, 2Thess.1:6, Rev.6:10, Luke 18:7,8,
Mat.13:41-43, Dan.12:2,3. I believe it is wrong to take from this thought that
a faithful follower of the one true God will cause "His enemies to be at
peace with Him", rather, I believe the proverb says: "He, the Lord,
puts the godly persons’ enemies under Him. This is the peace of God’s avenging
on the saint’s behalf." Psalm 37:1,9, Deut.32:41,43, Is.35:4, Rom.12:19.
8
Better = Heb.tob = good indicates that this proverb holds up one thing,
and only one thing above any, and all other possible alternatives.
Little = a few.
Righteousness = rightness, or justice.
Great = abundance, or multitude.
Revenue = increase.
The word translated "right" occurs 18 times, and usually means
a moral right, or a situation where the Lord’s moral judgement in involved. We
are told here that honesty is better at all costs. No matter what could come
through compromising moral integrity, it is never right to disobey the Lord.
This shows how absolute His standards are. It is never right to do wrong.
(Situation ethics teaches that it is sometimes right to do wrong)
In 1Kings 21 Naboth lost his life because he chose the only
course of action open to him as a God-fearer. Jesus also chose God’s will –
Luke 4:1-13 instead of such things as food, kingship – John 6;15,
invulnerability, massive military intervention – Mat.26:53, power to escape –
John 10:18 and 19:11.
This proverb is for Man, the morally conscious being, to show him a
moral principle which must never be overlooked.
Zacchaeus – Luke 19 – saw ‘the sin of great revenues without right’,
while the Early Church practised living on a little rather than being
unfaithful to the Lord, many of those people had been slaves who lost their
jobs because their masters hated Christ. In case after case we find a choice
being made, between the way of the world to gain riches, and the way of Christ,
which blocks the way to wealth by any but honest means.
9
Jeremiah 10:23, Ps.119:133. This proverb is similar to verse 1, except that
here the Lord has the last word in our lives, and in our life’s achievements.
Naomi, for example Ruth 1:20,21.
Heart = Heb.leb = the will, or the mind, or the disposition, or
attitude. For example – Gen.8:21, and Ex.7:22, and Ecc.1:13.
Devises = to think, to reckon.
A person will plan out thoughtfully what he intends to do, but Jehovah
"directs" = prepares, or establishes things.
Steps = footsteps. Other verses about steps: Job 31:4, 2Sam.22:37,
Jer.10:23.
What this proverb touches on is the fact that, through all the myriad
decisions we make each day, God can influence us to make the right ones, but
this takes a close fellowship with Him.
This proverb also denies the mechanistic view, and fatalism.
Examples of how God directs our steps through life, whether we are aware
of it or not: Joseph’s brethren – Gen.37:18-28 and 45:5, Pharoah’s daughter –
Ex.2:5, Saul – 1Sam.9:3:15,16, 23:26-28, Jesse – 1Sam.16:8-11, 17:23,53, the
Syrians – 2Kings 5;2, Zacchaeus – Luke 19:4-9, the woman – John 4:7, Saul –
Acts 19:1 and on, and Philemon.
10
a divine sentence = an oracle
This proverb is part of several, which set before us the ideal monarch.
(as also the ideal woman in Prov.31)
See Proverbs 16:10-15,
Verse 10 The burden and responsibility which goes with a king’s power.
Verse 11. Dishonesties, both large and small are under the king’s gaze.
Verse 12 The moral uprightness of the king.
Verse 13 The good, inner disposition of the king.
Verse 14 The king’s power to punish.
Verse 15 The willingness of the king to bless and encourage.
This proverb does not support the idea that a king can do no wrong –
Deut.17:18-20. The king, like everyone else, is a man under authority.
Divine sentence = literally = divination, which implies finality of
judgement.
Transgresses = tresspasses. In other words, he is not unfaithful, and
never will be.
As these proverbs unfold, the character of the Messiah is revealed. He
is the ideal king. He is the ideal wise man. He is the ideal ruler and
authority. Ps.68:5, 10:18, is.11:1-5, John 5:30, Rom.2:16. Jesus will judge the
nations: Mat.25:31-36, 7:21,22.
11
It is essential to world stbility to have an absolute standard. Even in
simple terms, we cannot say something is big or small without something to
compare these words with.
A sinner is measured by the absolute standard of the law – James
2:10-12, Gal.3:10.
Some weights and measures were standardised by the king – 2Sam.14:26.
God decided on a shekel weight and value, which was kept in the
sanctuary – Ex.30:13.
Just = Heb.mishpat = judgement – this word appears only once.
Weight = a stone. Lev. 19:36 – just weights, a just ephah and a just
hin. Deut.25:13 and Mic.6:10, 11 on.
Balance = Heb.moznayim = a pair of balances.
He origin of measurement is God – rev.3;4.
Bag = Heb.kis = cup, or container.
We know that God weighs our actions – 1Sam.2:3, Job 31:6, Prov.16:2,
just as He has weighed the mountains – is.40:12, and the waters – Job 28:25,
and He weighs the path of the just – Is.26:7.
God knows what we are doing.
12
This proverb applies to anyone in power, from the throne, right down to
us. Nothing is establishd by unrighteousness, even though it may appear to be
well established, for a while – Saul – 1Sam.15:24-31, the ignorant – Rom.10:3,
the lukewarm – Rev.3:6, the disobedient – 1Kings 13:16-19, the self-deceived –
2Thess.2:10-12, the unrepentant – Luke 13:3-5, the hypocrite – Mat.25:15. See
also Ps.55:22, 50:16-22.
God hates wickedness. Take Jesus’ example in Mark 11:15-17 when He drove
the traders out of the Temple.
13
lips = put for the heart and attitude of the ruler who loves those in
His dominion who are morally upright. Both king and subjects are here pictured.
Kings love those who speak rightly or truthfully.
Righteous = heb.tsedeq = rightness and justice.
God is just. He favours a just cause – Ps.35:27 and a just judgement –
Ps.119:17. His testimonies are just – Ps.119:138.
God calls Abram righteous and it was God who gave him that righteousness
– Rom.4:22.
What is this quality which God has? What is this "justness"?
It is a state of being right, of always doing right things, or being by nature
always right. No wonder righteous lips are the delight of kings, when they are
godly kings. In turn it gives the Lord pleasure when His subjects, the saints,
reflect His qualities.
They (kings) love him that speaks right.
Right = Heb.yashar = one who is right, or upright.
Illustrations: Israelites were not allowed to eat blood – Deut.12:25. If
they obeyed, they were doing right (yashar) in the sight of the Lord. See also
Asa - 2Chron.14:2, Hezekiah – 2Chron.31:20.
The statutes of the Lord are right – Ps.107:7, and Ps.334.
The Bible also describes those who make up their own standards of
morals: Deut.12:8, Judges 17:6, Prov.12:15, 14;12, 16:25, 21:2.
Jesus exposed those who were NO delight to kings: Luke 16:14,15.
14
wrath = heat or fury.
King = Heb.malek = counsellor or king.
Used of many kings, for example Amraphel, Arioch, idal, Melchizedek,
Pharoah, Sihon, Og, Chushan-rishathaim, David and others.
Messengers, by their context in 97 other places, usually mean people who
are sent to speak for, or in the name of another.
Death = Heb.maveth = death. By its context the word can also mean the
deterioration and deprivation of life. See Deut.30:15, Hos.13;14 and Jer.21:8.
Examples of this proverb: benaiah – 1Kings 2:25 – 34 – Solmon sent him
to kill Adonijah and then Joab. Haman – Est.7:8-10. Notice that just before
haman died his face was covered. This meant he was no longer worthy to look at
the king. Perhaps there is a parallel here, when it comes to the sinners who
are sentenced to banishment from God’s kingdom?
But a wise man will pacify it = get it covered.
Wise = Heb.chakam = skilful.
In Proverbs the "wise man" is also a godly man – 1:5, 3:35,
9:8, 10:1,8,14, 11:29 etc.
This proverb is part of a series – 10-15 – relating to a king’s duties
and functions.
15
NIV: "when a king’s face brightens". This is an expression
which refers to the king’s demeanour. The face betrays the attitude of the
heart.
We read of "the pride of his countenance" (or face) – Ps.10:4.
First mention of face – Gen.4:5. Also see Gen.31:2, 31:5, Num.6:26,
1Sam.1:18, 2Kings 18:11, Neh.2;2, and Is.3;9
The cloud of the latter rain – Heb.ab = a thickness, or thick cloud. Big
heavy rainclouds arriving in spring, just before harvest, helped tremendously
to swell the crops.
Favour = Heb.ratson = pleasure or goodwill.
If a good king is so well described, how much better is our heavenly
King when he is pleased? – 1Thess.2:4, 4:1, 2Tim.2:4 etc.
To us whom God knows comes the spiritual rain of blessing – Lev.26:4,
Ps.68:9, Jer.5:24, Hos.6:3, Joel 2:23, Zech.10:1 – all these references use the
word ‘geshem’ which means ‘heavy rain’ or shower.
God’s Word comes as rain – Deut.32:2.
Hard ground and hard hearts won’t absorb rain.
Jesus is also compared to rain – Ps.72:6.
Heb.6:7 has a warning about rain.
When it is the king’s desire to bless his subjects, they must also be
ready to receive his blessing. In the same way the Church must be open and
ready for the king’s blessing. In the light of the King’s face is everlasting
life.
16
See 18:11. Bullinger says: "better" occurs 17 times in
Proverbs – Heb.tob. (Youngs’s Analytical missed two of the references)
What God says is better should be important to us, and we should take
heed to God’s comparisons of things.
For example, material wealth may appear to be better than the wisdom of
God, and it is true that there are many very wealthy, very happy atheists, but
in the end the wisdom of God is better than their wealth.
Wisdom = skill.
This word is used of the Israelites who excelled in handicrafts –
Ex.28:3, and of Bezaleel and others who were mastercraftsmen – Ex.31.It is also used
of women who were good at needlework – Ex. 35:25-35, of the Law of God –
Deut.4:6 and of Joshua’s ability to lead armies – Deut.34:9. See also
2Sam.20:22, 1Kings 49 and so on.
The wisdom which God wishes us to have is part of the great restoration
of fallen Mankind.
Understanding = heb.binah = intelligence. This means the whole range of
intelligent things we might do.
Get = Heb.qanah = obtain
Chosen = Heb.bachar = to be chosen, after being tested. The only other
place where this word is used is in Jer.8:3. The thought of choosing
indicates a freewill decision. Whoever wrote this proverb was speaking from
experience – like the prodigal son – Luke 15.
Solomon turned his brilliant mind to investigate wisdom as an end in itself
– Ecc.1:17,18. This shows the amazing depth and extent of his scientific
survey. God had to have a definitive and authoritative report as a witness to
all Mankind.
17
Compare with 15:19.
Highway = Heb.messilah = raised up way.
The first time this word is used is in Num.20:19. It meant safe conduct
through enemy territory. Is.11:16 uses the word prophetically when predicting
the regathering and deliverance of srael out of spiritual ‘Assyria’.
Is.40:3 depicts John as one who built a ‘raised up way’ for Israelites.
See also Is.49:11, 62:10 and jer.31;21.
Keeps = Heb.natsar = to keep, to watch, to reserve. See Ps.34:13,
Is.26:3.
It is every Christian’s duty to keep, guard and protect themselves from
harm. This gives us the freedom to live to the utmost for God in an evil age.
Evil = Heb.ra = bad. The context of this word shows that evil is
reballion against god.
18
pride = Heb.gaon = pride, rising, excellency. His word is used 18 times
in the OT. There are several other words translated pride, but God has used
this word to carry a specific meaning. Here the word refers to people who are
raised up to positions of great power and authority.
Haughty = Heb.gobah = ‘a gobah spirit goes before a fall’.
"Rising up to excellency goes before destruction, and high, or
lofty spirit goes before a fall."What the proverb is aimed at is the way
people can be influenced by success.
It does not mean of course that promotion will inevitably lead to ruin –
look at the example of Job, and Abraham – gen.13:2, Job 42:12. God is warning
us here to remember Him, whether we are highly-ranked, or of no rank.
Examples of excellency coming before a fall: Asahel – 2Sam.2:18-23.
Benhadad – 1Kings 20:3,11 and 32. Nebuchadnezzar – Dan.4:30,31. Edom –
Obad.3,4, and King Agrippa – Acts 12:21-23.
19
better = Heb.tob = preferable.
This word is used in 1Sam.15:22 and 2Sam.17:14 and also Ps.63:3.
Humble = true humility. This comes from seeing yourself in perspective,
measuring your worth against God.
Better = much, much better.
Than to divide the spoil = Heb.chalaq = to apportion. The ‘spoil’ was
something taken by an army after a victory.
Lowly – afflicted. Bullinger translates this word as "or wretched.
Jesus was ‘lowly’ and riding upon an ass – Zech.9:9. See also Prov.3:34.
It is better to identify with the spoiled athn the spoilers because one
day God will destroy all those who ‘take up the sword’ – Mat.26:52, Gen.9:5,6,
Ex.21:12-14, Lev.24:17, Num.35:16, 1Tim.1:9, Rev.22:15.
It is better to be downtrodden by a downtreader than to downtread. It is
better to be afflicted by an afflictor than to afflict.
Is.66:2. God cares for the afflicted – Prov.14:21, Ez.18:12,
Zech.7:8-10, Prov.22:22, Deut.24:12-14.
The humbling of Jesus was partly an identification with the poor –
2Cor.8:9. See also Ps.22;5, 107:13,19, and 142:1-5.
20
This proverb is about the person who consults God about everything.
Trusts = Heb.batach = to lean on, to trust, to be confident. For example
Hezekiah – 2kings 19:14, and Jacob – Gen.32:9-11, and Ezra – Ezra 9:5-15, and in
many of the Psalms, i.e. 5,6,13 etc.
The Septuagint makes this proverb into a comparison between two good
things: "He who is skilful in business finds good, but he that
trusts in God is most blessed."
Matter = Heb.dabar – word, thing, matter. The wider meaning of this word
encompasses many of life’s activities. Moses had to deal with the great and
small maters of srael – Ex.18:22. Daniel was very proficient in "all
matters or wisdom and understanding" – Dan.1:20.
Wisely = Heb.sakal = to cause to act wisely, to understand.
Find = to uncover, to come upon – Is.10:10,14, 34:14, 37:8, 41:12,
Jer.2:5.
Happy is he = happy are they. Happy means, by its context, a lot more
than a mere laugh. The Hebrew word is ‘ashere’ and the contexts it is found in
raise it to a great hieight. The Bible Dictionary says: "lucky, fortunate,
content, felicitous, dazed." The Thesaurus adds a host of other words.
Ullinger says "Oh the blessedness!"
This proverb is one of 8 beatitudes: 3:13, 8:32,34, 14:21, 16:20, 20:7,
28:14 and 29:18.
Examples of godly people trusting the Lord: Hezekiah – 2Kings 18:5-7,
David – Ps.21:7, all the godly – Ps.28:7, 37:5.
21
The NIV says "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant
words promote instruction." A footnote adds: "or, words make a man
persuasive."
Here, in this proverb are depicted two things: 1. Wisdom, and 2. The
ability to express clearly and beautifully what you understand.
Instead of grinding out knowledge in a boring monotone, God wants us to
consider our audience, to produce our knowledge in an attractive way, and to
make knowledge enjoyable. Actors and good teachers know about this. Public
speaking is an art, and Christians should learn how to present their wisdom in
interesting, rather than dull, way. The "sweetness of His lips drew people
to Him.
Wise = Heb.chakam = wise, skilful. Joseph was called a "wise"
man – Gen.41:33,39.
Prudent = Heb.bin = to be intelligent, to have understanding.
Increases = Heb.yasaph = to add. Solomon – Ecc.2:9 and Ez.5:16.
Learning = Heb.leqach = reception, a taking in. This word is used only
in Proverbs 4 times (1:5, 9:9, here and 16:23)
This proverb reminds those who are wise, the prudent, to use their
wisdom when they present what they know to others – in a "sweet" way.
This throws a light on Jesus, the apostles and Paul – they must have been
wonderful to listen to.
22
A contrast is set yp between what the wise and the fool speak about. The
Dictionary says "understanding" means ‘intelligence, intellect and
insight’. To comprehend, to perceive.
Wellspring = Heb.maqor = source, spring. This word is also used in 18:4.
Life = Heb.chaiyim = the ability to live. The first mention of this word
is in Gen.1:27 where God breathed into Adam and changed him into a living soul.
Thene there is the tree of life – Gen.2:9.
This proverb is about taking logical, sensible steps to stay alive.
Instruction = Heb.musar = chastisement or instruction.
Fools = Heb.evil = lax or careless habit of mind and body.
23
teaches = Heb.sakal = to cause to act wisely.
This proverb, like 21,22 and 24, is about our communication skills. Man
may learn how to speak but God alone can give content. How often do we sit
through TV programs where actors do a lot of speaking but say very little.
We find this set of four proverbs fulfilled in Jesus – John 4:32, John
8:31, 17:17, Phil.2;16, Acts 19:20.
As Christians allow God’s Word to change them their manner of speaking
changes too.
Mouth and lips are put for what comes out of them.
Heart is put for the overall desires and interests of a person –
mat.12:34.
A person is known by what he talks about.
Learning – Heb.leqach = reception, or a taking in. There are at least
four things mentioned in Proverbs which help a person grow in understanding:
1.Intelligence, 2. Teachability, 3. Presentation of material, 4. Attitude.
Obviously we should be careful about what we allow in, as it will have
an affect on us.
Examples: Eleazar – gen.24:34-39 – by his speech we see how much he
understood what was true about God, Jacob – Gen.47:9 – when he addressed
Pharoah. Peter – Acts 3:12-26 and 4:8-20. Paul – Acts 13:16-41, 14:17, 17:28,
24;25, 20:2-27.
24
Rich symbolic language is here used to punch home God’s point. Nte:
pleasant, honeycomb, sweet, health.
Note the use of the word health. Health encompasses far more than
physical well-being.
Pleasant = Heb.noan = pleasantness. This word is also used in Prov.1526.
Christians are expected to be pleasant people.
Words = Heb.emer = a saying, or a speech. The world has collected vast
libraries of the sayings of men and women, some more intelligent than others.
For example Shakespeare. He is often quoted and his words are much revered. How
much MORE ought we to value our LORD’S words? Psalm 19:14, Prov.23:12, Zech.1:6.
Honeycomb = Heb.tsuph debash= a flowing of honey. These two words occur
only once.
They speak of an overflowing blessing. Honey is extremely good food and
has always been craved by the orientals – so says a commentary. Canaan was said
to be flowing with milk and honey – Ex.3:8,17, which meant that it was fertile
and good.
Ps.19:10, 119:103, Ez.3:3, Rev.10:9,10.
Honey taken in moderation means we ought to enjoy pleasures in
moderation. See also Prov.25:16,26. Honey can mean sweet discourse – Song. 4:11.
May God’s Spirit enable us to speak with overflowing sweetness –
2Cor.2:15.
Health = Heb.marpe = healing. Jeremiah uses the word in its national
sense – jer.8:15. Proverbs uses it three other times in its healing sense –
healing for the whole person of course.
Bones = Heb.etsem = substance. The word is put for the whole body.
The very opposite of this proverb is in Hab.3:16, see also Ps.6:2,
31:10, 32:3, 35:10, 38:3, 42:10, 51:8, 102:3 and 141:7 where it is used to
depict ruin.
25
Here we have an interesting switch from "a way singular to
"the ways" plural. This shows how an individual’s choice of path
through life may be just one of many simliar paths, only by another name.
As Jesus said: "take heed therefore HOW you hear . . ." Luke
8:18, 21;8 and 11:35. We are to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees –
Mat.16:6 and Mark 8:15. Every Christian must be careful how he builds –
1Cor.3:10, 10:12, and to guard against the deceitfulness of sin" –
Heb.3;13.
Seems right = appears to be pleasing.
Sin is attractive – Heb.11:25, but in the end it stings with deadly
poison – 1Cor.15:56.
26
NIV: "The labourer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him
on."
Bullinger says "The soul of him that labours" and says
"mouth = appetite".
This proverb is about a person who is compelled by natural desires, as
if the desire itself is a slavedriver. See John 8:31-35. Paul said much the
same thing – Rom.6:18-23.
Jesus says: "Come to me all who labour . . ." – Mat.11:28.
Ecc.6:7 "All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the
appetite is not filled."
Other references about the futility of labouring for temporal things:
Is.45:14, Is.55:2, Ez.23:29, Hos.12:8.
All labouring is over when we come to Jesus – John 6:27-29. Also
Is.12:3.
J.R.Drummelow says: "Hunger prompts labour." I find this
oversimplification rather insulting. It is all too easy to strip away the
harder meanings and break something down to an idiot’s level, but God’s Word is
mult-layered and what author would like his work reduced to one sentence? It is
lazy human nature to simplify and thus avoid work or study.
27
Proverbs 27 and 28 are about the TONGUE. What a person is, is revealed
by what they say, and also what they do with their words – digs up evil, burns,
sows strife, whicspers, separates friends. He is "ungodly" (Bullinger
says: "a man of Belial") and "froward" which is the
opposite to toward, i.e. rebellious, and going against good or right
things.
Ungodly = Heb.beliyyaal = Belial, worthless, without value.
Man = Heb.ish = a man, individual or husband. The Hebrew word refers to
sex, not to origin, which would require the word ‘adam’ or ‘Adam’. Thie proverb
is therefore especially written for men, or husbands.
The expression ‘son of belial’ has its own history in the Bible.
‘beliyyaal’ is used 4 times in the OT the "floods of beliyyaal" –
2Sam.22:5 and Ps.18:4.
The name Belial is NOT a proper name. It simply means ‘worthless’. The
first mention is in Deut. 13:13 where "certain men are gone out from among
you . . ." the word is stamped with idoatry, rebellion and wickedness.
"sons of wothlessness" like the people of Jude 14.
The second mention is in Judges 19:22 where they are sexual perverts.
(20:13).
1Sam.1:16 – known for drunkenness and desecration of holy things.
1Sam.2:12 – Eli’s sons are called beliyyaal. They were fornicators and
thieves etc.
1Sam.10:27 – they despised Saul.
1Sam.25:17 – nabal was churlish and evil.
1Sam.30:22 – they were covetous, greedy and tight-fisted.
2Sam.20:1 – they revolted.
Also see 1Kings 21:1 and 2Cor.6:15.
All these references show that if we are to be Christians we must be
Christ-centred, and keep away from the ways of the sons of Belial.
"in his lips is a biurning fire" – see James 3:6. ‘tongue’ is
put for what comes through it.
28
Sowing and reaping are here depicted. Sow frowardness – reap strife.
Words can be used to spoil friendships and wreak havoc. They have terrible
power.
Froward = Heb.tanpukoth = perverseness. God hates a "froward
mouth" and desires to "cut out" the froward tongue – prov.8:13
and 10:31. Tongue is put for the heart, the source of what the mouth speaks.
Sows = Heb.shalach = to send. This speaks of a deliberate action. A
farmer throws seed where he wants it to grow, and a perverse person will throw
his words where he wants them to cause trouble.
Whisperer = Heb.parad = to part. Used of Jacob parting the different
coloured lambs and flocks – Gen.30:40. And of God when He separated the sons of
Adam – Deut.32:8. Also Prov.17:9, 18:8, 20:19, 26:20.
Chief = Heb.alluph = a leader.
The Sept. says: "A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a
torch of deceit with mischiefs, and he separates friends." Examples:
2Sam.16:3, 2Sam.16:3, Dan.3:8-13, Mark 6:19,20.
What a dividing took place when Jesus was about as the two main religious
parties fought Him, and tried to turn the people away from Him: John 7:12,13,
9:22, 12:42,43, 19:38, 20:19. The Jews were constantly trying to keep Jesus
out, and to suppress His followers.
29
The man of violence. He comes third in this list – the ungodly man, the
froward man, and the man of violence. Ach type of person has their
characteristic trait – the first digs up evil, the second separates strong
friends, and the third leads his neighbour into sinful ways.
Violent – the Dict.saysof great and impetuous force, vehement, intense,
due to, or involving, or marked by force." Some people have very strong
personalities, and by their power of conduct they can move other people to do
what they want. Violent movements have violent leaders.
Entices = Heb.pathah = to persuade.
Neighbour = Heb.rea = friend, companion. God has many commands in His
holy Law regarding love for and care for ‘neighbours’ – Ex.20:16,17, 22:9,14,,
26, Lev.19:13, 19:18 and the NT has many similar statements – Mat.19:19,
Mark12:31, 12:33, Luke 10:27, Rom.13:9, Gal.5:14, James 2:8 etc.
Lead = Heb.yalak = to cause to go on.
The Hebrew says, literally, "into the way not good"
This proverb teaches us to beware of powerful personalities. No person
should entice their neighbour away from the ‘good way’ but unfortunately it
does happen. We know of a case where a Christian woman made three ungodly
female friends and gradually abandoned her faith, over time, as the ungodly
conversations gradually undermined her respect for God’s Word.
God, on the other hand, draws us to Him: Hos.11:4, John 6:44, 12:32,
Mat.11:28-30.
30
Body language. The eyes and the mouth both betray the thoughts.
NIV: "He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who
purses his lips is bent on evil." See Prov.6:13, 10:10. Insincere people
‘wink with the eye’ – they may be saying one thing but they actually mean
something else. (Ps.35:19), Job15:12.
Winking and shutting theyes are similar. Winking is a sign of
insincerity but shutting the eyes is a sign of shutting out the truth, or
suppressing it – John3:19,20, Rom.1:18.
Devise = Heb.chasab = to think, to reckon.
Examples of godly people aginst whom the wicked have devised evil
things: Haman against Mordecai and the Jews – Est.8:3, David’s enemies –
Ps.35:1-4, the people of Israel and Judah – Ps.35:20, Jeremiah 11:19, 18:18,
the poor – Mic.2:1-3.
But God too can devise things – he devised judgement against Judah and
Jerusalem for example, and history is God’s story of devising various plans to
counteract Satan and sin.
Froward = Heb.tahpukoth = perverseness. This word is used of Israel –
Deut.32:20.
Evil = Heb.ra = bad. Bullinger says ‘ra’ can also mean ‘calamity’ from a
root meaning ‘to break up’. It can also mean ‘wicked, injurious, morally
depraved and corrupted.’
Moving = Heb.qarats = to move, to wink. We must beware of people whose
faces are not consistent with their words. We must note the ‘shifty’ look, the
‘smile’ at the inappropriate moment, the body language. Interesting how ‘body
language’ has only recently become a ‘buzz word’ when it was known so many
thousands of years ago.
31
Hoary heads are much spoken of in the Bible. The word ‘hoary’ means
aged, or grey-headed’ See Lev.19:32. Incidentally, Elihu calls Job "very
old" – Job 32:1-7 and 9, while jeremiah mourns for his people and says
they failed to honour the old – Lam.4:16, 5:12.
This proverb hinges on an "if". The reverse can also be true.
As Elihu says: "Great men are not always wise . . ." Job 32:9.
Crown = Heb.atarah = circlet. Ungers Bible Dict. Also says ‘circlet’.
The use of crowns as an ornament was probably suggested by the custom of
encircling the head with flowers as a token of joy and triumph – Wisdom 2:8,
Judith 15:13. Ungers adds that ‘atarah’ was a more general word for crwn, and
used for various head ornaments as well.
The crown was a symbol of victory and reward – Prov.12:4, 17:6, Is.28:5.
IF a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband – Prov.12:4. Is.62:3
indicates that God ‘wears’ His saints like a king wears a crown, or a husband
wears a beautiful circlet.
‘If it (the old man or woman) be found (continues in) the way of
righteousness.’ God determines what is right and what is not right. There is
only one way of righteousness.
‘The way of righteousness’ – Jesus said "John came to you in the way
of righteousness". Apollos was "instructed in the way of the
Lord" – Acts 18:25.
32
slow = heb.erek = long. The Lord Himself is slow to anger – Neh.9:17.
This is one of the qualities of our God. (Ps.103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah
4;2, Nah.1:3. Because Jonah knew God was slow to anger he didn’t want to go to
Nineveh, in case repentance followed, and the Assyrains attacked Israel.
In Proverbs this quality of being slow to anger is commended to man as a
great asset – Prov.14:20, 15:18 and 16:32.
See James 2:19. ‘slow to wrath’ – Greek bradus = heavy, slow, sluggish.
There is a place for anger, as this proverb implies, but it should not
come quickly.
Anger = Heb.aph = snorting. Many times in the Bible God is described as
being angry, and the reason for this anger is given – Ex.4:14, Num.11:1,10 and
12;9, 22:22, 25:3,4, 32:10,13,14 and so on.He is often angry against sin and
men of God often share the same anger against the same things – Ex.32;19,
1Sam,20:34, 2Sam.12:5.
"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry" – Ps.2:12.
The Lord was angry with Israel – Deut.1:37, 4:21, 9:8.
Using the word ‘qatsaph’ which means ‘to be wroth’, God was angry with
Eleazar and Ithamar – Lev.10:16.
"A bishop be . . . not soon angry" – Greek.orgilos = prone to
anger – Titus 1:7.
Better than the mighty. Bullinger translates this as ‘a mighty one’.
Comparison brings out the meaning. God places a high value on someone who has
self-control.
33
This proverb does not condone gambling. It is based on a form of
decision-making given by God to Israel.
Lot = Heb.goral = a deciding vote. Another form of this kind of things
is ‘drawing straws’. The first time ‘goral’ appears is in Lev.16:8. In
Num.26:55 the land ‘shall be divided by lot".
Another similar form of taking the "lot" is in Esther where
Haman used the throw of a dice to decide which day he would attack the Jews –
Est.3:7, 9:34.
David refers to what God has chosen for himin Ps.16:5. See also
Ps.22:18. (Other references: Ps.125:3, Prov.1:4, 18:18, Is.17:14, Dan.12:13,
Joel 3;3, Jonah 1:7, Nah.3:10.
Lap = Heb.cheq = bosom, centre. The reference is to the bag of the
ephod, in which were the two stones, by which Jehovah gave true judgement or
decision. The apostles used this method too – Acts 1:15-26.
Perhaps, under special circumstances, a Christian may use the toss of a
coin, or something similar, to seek God’s will in a matter – especially where
two good courses of action can be followed but only one is possible.
Today we use the words lottery, alloted, lotto.
The High Priest used to wear a bag on his front, in which two objects
were kept, called the Urim and Thummim, which were the equivalent of ‘yes’ and
‘no’. God guided the priest’s hand as he answered questions to God – Ex.28:30,
Lev.8:8, Num.27:21, Deut.33:8, 1Sam.28:6, Ezra 2:63, Neh.7:65.