Day 190: Proverbs 16-18

(The previous post covered proverbs that showed choosing to embrace correction and understanding led to the ability to manage destructive emotions. However, avoiding correction and focusing on the short term and physical led to destructive actions driven by emotion.)

Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.

(This was comparative thinking: seeing yourself as always right. Contrastive thinking was considering you could be wrong. Man did not do this in his flesh: "the ways of a man.")

3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

(Commit in this verse meant "to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together." When used in the context of "Commit thy works unto Jehovah" it meant to transfer your works to another, letting God work through you.)

4 Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

(This verse stated that God made "the wicked for the day of evil." This did not mean that God made these people to be wicked. People were created by God and the wicked chose to be wicked.)

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: Though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

(Everyone that was proud in heart was an abomination to God. Pride was the belief that you were in need of nothing. The proud believe they are right and cannot consider they are wrong.)

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

(Fearing (reverencing) God was the cause of departing from evil.)

7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.

(How much you have is not as important as whether you are righteous.)

9 A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are Jehovah's; All the weights of the bag are his work.

(God was Just.)

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

(The throne of a king would not be "established" if not done by righteousness. Established meant "firm, stable.")

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

(Wisdom and understanding were much better to get than gold or silver.)

18 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

(The path of the righteous was away from evil. Those who "keepeth" or guarded their path were protecting their soul. Are you intentional about the choices you make?)

18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

(Pride was the cause of destruction.)

19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

(It was better to be humble and poor than prideful and rich.)

20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.

(Those who handled a situation wisely (profitably) would find good and those who trusted (had faith) in God would be happy as an effect.)

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

(How we speak will impact the quantity of what is learned by the words we use. It is not only important to give a right how but to speak the right way. "Sweetness of the lips" was one way we could speak with a right how.)

22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

(Those with a wise heart would use the right words.)

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

(More teaching about the ways of man (flesh) being short term and destructive.)

26 The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.
27 A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

(A whisperer caused division. The word whisperer was the same as the word as "gossiper." Gossip was speaking something destructive about someone that you were unwilling to speak to their face.)

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
30 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

(The hoary head meant "old age, gray hair." Having long life as an effect of living wisely would be a crown of glory.)

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

(Slow to anger (spiritual power) was better than might (physical power). This verse blatantly pitted the ability to handle emotions against physical power.)

33 The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.




Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

(How much food you have is not as important as whether or not your house is harmonized.)

2 A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

(God tested the hearts of man.)

4 An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

(Those who were destructive looked for others who were similar to them. They felt more right in their destruction when they were not alone.)

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

(Mocking the poor and being happy about other's misfortunes would be punished and was actually called a reproach to God the Creator.)

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

(Fools were those without understanding and therefore they did not speak excellent (profitable) words.)

8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

(The word bribe was also translated as "gift." It seemed to fit better as "gift" or "present" in this context. When someone gives to you, you see it as precious.)

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10 A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

(Those who were wise knew that spiritual correction (contrastive thinking) was better than physical correction.)

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

(Those who sought rebellion would find rebellion in return.)

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

(It was better to interact with a bear whose babies were stolen than to interact with a fool who was acting foolishly. Again, the physical was contrasted with people led by their emotions.)

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

(Those who destroyed a good creation would have destruction always in their house.)

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

(Those who enabled the wicked and condemned the good were alike in the eyes of God.)

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

(Only a fool would think he could buy understanding...that the physical could be a cause for the mental, emotional, and spiritual.)

17 A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

("Striketh hands" meant "shaking hands." The handshake represented this man ensuring the loan. In particular, this was ensuring or guaranteeing someone else's "surety" (debt). Doing this was considered foolish.)

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

(The condition of our hearts and tongues (words) guided us in our path. Is your heart and tongue in line with wisdom and understanding?)

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

(A "cheerful" heart was good medicine. However, the "cheerfulness" ought to be the result of a right how/why such as "trusting in God," like was stated in Proverbs 16:20.)

23 A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

(This usage of "bribe" in this verse fit the context. A bribe perverted Justice.)

24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

(Those who had understanding knew how and why it was important to live each moment profitably.)

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.
27 He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

(Those who "spareth" their words had knowledge. They knew when to speak. Those who were of a "cool spirit" were also those with understanding. Cool meant "valuable." They had a profitable spirit.)

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

(We ought to speak when the timing is right. Those who had understanding knew when was the right time to speak.)




Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

(Those who isolated themselves sought their own desires and went against all sound wisdom. God desired that we fellowship with others, that we sought the best interest of others. Living wisely led to putting the best interest of others ahead of your own desires.)

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

(The words we used and the actions we took were planted as an effect in our hearts.)

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

(It was not good (right and just) to honor the wicked.)

6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

(A fool, one without understanding, called for physical ramifications.)

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

(A fool's words brought him destruction.)

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

(Gossip was destructive.)

9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

(Those who were slothful (resting without work) were a "brother" to a destroyer/evil.)

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

(The Lord's name was a strong tower and the righteous ran to it and were protected. The word name meant "cause." In this case, the righteous ran after God's causes: Right and Just.)

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.

(Pride (cause) came before destruction (effect). Humility (cause) came before honor (effect). This was a powerful summary for everything we have read in these three chapters. Pride and humility were causes and the effects were physical results.)

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

(We ought to want all the information possible, we ought to seek understanding.)

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

(A man who gives (loves) will have "doors" of opportunity opened with great men.)

17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

(It was hard to "win" a brother that had been offended. This was why repair was so important. When you offended someone, what did you do to make it right?)

20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

("Death and life were in the power of the tongue" - Our beliefs are made up of words and sentences. Knowing the definitions of the words you use is crucial to understanding what you believe and why you believe it.)

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

(Finding a wife was a good thing because a wife was a "help meet." They were a perfect and superior match to man. See Genesis 2:18.)

23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

(This post covered three chapters that continued the theme of contrasting the ability to handle emotions with physical effects. Next were specific examples that continued to further this theme...)

Day 191

2 comments:

  1. 17:18 commentary seems a little off...

    Similar verses seem to point not towards violence, but towards putting up a loan for someone else.
    Usually it is for a stranger, but this time it says neighbor/friend.

    Is there something I am missing that would point this verse to violence instead of a down payment on a loan?

    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Andrew! This was a misinterpretation on my part. I changed the commentary to this:

      "Striketh hands" meant "shaking hands." The handshake represented this man ensuring the loan. In particular, this was ensuring or guaranteeing someone else's "surety" (debt). Doing this was considered foolish.

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