1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. 3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. 4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. 10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 14 Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. 17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. 27 The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
Commentary
Vs. 1 “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.”
Thus begins the proverbs of Solomon, wise sayings that each contain transformative insights and truths into how we can govern our persons, lives and all our relationships and affairs wisely. And so, in his first proverb Solomon addresses the parent son relationship, saying,
“A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.”
Here the emphasis is on right parenting, on not spoiling a child or coddling them into adulthood. But early on teaching them in age-appropriate ways that they have responsibilities in this life, and thus rearing them to become mature independent adults. For when they do, they make a father glad, proud of his son, who lives honorably, and thus bears his name well. However, when they do not, and they allow their child to get away with all kinds of mischief and foolish and irresponsible behavior then it will be the mother who will be bearing with him all the troubles he will find himself in, long after the father has turned from him, and given up on him.
Vs. 2 “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.”
Vs. 3 "The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked."
Here we are told the Lord watches over the righteous soul, not allowing them to famish; that is waste away into nothing (consider Ps. 37:25, 28; 102:17 etc.). However, He casts away the desire of wicked, for their desires are only an abomination to Him (consider Ps. 9:17; 37:10; Prov. 15:8, 26, 29 etc.).
Vs. 4 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
When one is lazy, and or carless in how they do their work, they themselves make themselves poor. In contrast when one is diligent in their work, in their studies, in their lives, they pave the way for their own riches and success.
Vs. 5 “He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”
Once again diligence carries the day, and so the son who gathers in summer, who prepares for the coming winter months when no one can harvest is a wise son, now this is a Spiritual principal. Therefore, the son who sleeps in harvest, when one should be working, is only a son who causes shame, for he only brings shame to His Father’s Name (consider Matt 25:14-29).
Vs. 6 “Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
There are clear Spiritual principals in the Word of God and one of them is that those who live righteous lives will have blessings from God, here blessings in their life, as they are crowned with His glory and approval. In contrast violence is what covers the mouth of the wicked for their tongue only harms others, for from it proceeds only vile and violent words towards God and their fellow man which could be anything from blasphemy to slander to expressing all manner of vile and violent thoughts, acts, and intentions against someone.
Vs. 7 “The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.”
Even in death the righteous is blessed, remembered for all the good that they had done and blessing and joy that they had brought to peoples lives. This though goes well beyond this life and far into eternity for all who repent and believe in the Gospel, whose persons and lives then become agents of blessing and change (Psalm 112:6). While the wicked, if mourned at all, are only mourned by their wicked comrades, whose person and name is also soon forgotten along with them, as they and their names will rot away in the depths of their own graves (Ecc. 8:10). For no one in hell will ever be recalled to mind in the Kingdom of heaven, but those there will be in everlasting remembrance!
Vs. 8 “The wise in heart will receive commands,
But a prating fool will fall."
The wise person will receive commands, that is instruction from God, because they can easily see that by obeying these, they are going to make life better and safer for themselves and others. However, the prating fool will not cease speaking his nonsense long enough to hear anything from God, therefore he will fall, tripping over his own tongue to his own ruin.
Vs. 9 “He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.”
To walk with integrity means that one does everything uprightly and honestly, above board. However, the one who lives by deception, who perverts their ways will become known, that is found out and exposed.
Vs. 10 “He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.”
The winking of the eye is symbolic of the person who plots and schemes evil things, or who rejoices in same (Psalm 35:19). Now linked with them is once again the pratting fool (vs. 8) who loudly speaks with pride and arrogance about all their evil deeds and desires.
Vs. 11 “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”
The righteous persons mouth is a well of life because they speak words that bring life and testify to it, which is Christ's life within them and everyone who believes in Him. And so they're mouth speaks blessings and praises to God and brings edification, instruction, encouragement and comfort to others. Therefore, their mouth is a well of life, as Jesus said of everyone who has been born-again by the Holy Spirit, that they will have rivers of living waters flow from them (John 7:38). In striking contrast then once again is the wicked persons mouth which is only covered with violence (vs. 6), that is hateful and hurtful speech that is only unleashed to hurt and harm others.
Vs. 12 “Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.”
Because the hateful person will not forgive others, but only insists on rehashing old offenses, or repaying past wrongs, wherever they go they will only stir up strife by rehashing and or harboring these. However, the one who loves, who abides in Christ’s love, will forgive others and let go of past wrongs, and thus by doing so will cover all sins, because we know that God in His love for us has already covered ours! And so, when it comes to dealing with the “secret” sins or known faults of others, we will not use these to repay or harm those who have wronged us, instead we will cover those sins, because every sin that has been confessed and put away should never be used to repay or hurt anyone.
Vs. 13 “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.”
The person who understands God’s Word (and thus right from wrong, truth from error, and seeks to keep it) invariably will have wisdom on their lips, and so they will speak with words which will bring instruction, guidance, counsel, edification and or encouragement to others. However, the foolish persons mouth teaches no one, indeed their mouth only brings punishment to themselves and others.
Vs. 14 “Wise people store up knowledge,
But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”
In many ways a wise person stores up knowledge, by memorizing the Scriptures, by study of a variety of subjects, by listening to and learning from others who are more knowledgeable and adept in areas they are not, by experience they learn and retain what they learn. And so, in many ways and by many means wise people store up knowledge, for knowledge is a fountain of life! Therefore they are willing and attentive to learn from God and others, so that they may not only grow themselves, in all aspects of life, but so that they may also impart wisdom and understanding to others as well. For there are rewards in both learning and teaching. In contrast the foolish person cannot be bothered with the disciplines of learning and retaining knowledge, nor in discerning the same, whether it is true or false. Instead they just speak and pass on whatever folly, nonsense, unbelief, blasphemy, madness or lies that come from their own hearts, or they themselves hear others speak. And so, their mouth is always near destruction, because an undiscerning tongue is a destructive tongue. Therefore, repent and believe in the Gospel so that not only God’s pardoning grace and salvation may save you from the wrath to come, but also by His Spirits wisdom and understanding He may also change you and make you into a wise and understanding person through His Word as well (2 Tim. 3:14-17). For no one need remain foolish and ignorant in this life, unless they themselves through their own unbelief and choices choose to do so.
Vs. 15 “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.”
That is the rich persons wealth not only fortifies them against economic hardships, but also provides them with a standard of living that is inherently far healthier and safer than what the poor person must endure. For the rich person (and their children) will always have a better nutrition, better healthcare, better and safer housing and neighborhoods to live in, better education with access to better schools, colleges, and universities etc. And thus, they have far greater opportunities and connections for personal advancement and access to far more wealth (or the means to make it) than the poor will ever have. As well they will always have the attentive ear of those in the political sphere who write and pass laws that generally try to ensure and secure their ongoing societal standing and or financial prosperity, even if this comes at the expense of the poor (as it often does). And this while their own wealth naturally increases by the interest earned on savings, bonds, GICS, dividends, RRSP/RIFFS or whatever other investments that they hold. For these by their very nature will naturally increase their wealth while requiring no effort, labor, or even real intelligence on their part to do so, if they simply avoid the pitfalls of greed and thus high risk adventures and investments. Same with the equity from their homes and properties and whatever other valuable assets that they have, these alone will naturally increase in value if they simply take care of them. Therefore, they and their children throughout their lives will not be burdened with the struggles and stresses that inherently destroy the poor person. For through these and their children through their inheritances that they will receive will almost be guaranteed lives of security and comfort whether they are wise and prudent, or hardworking or not.
In contrast the poor person even from childhood will eat a far less healthy diet, will live in far less secure dwellings, and grow up in far more dangerous neighborhoods, (and thus will have far less stability in their home lives), as well they will have an inferior education, and will always have far more societal pressures and stresses to face as poverty is like a ball and chain on ones ankle, and so they will also have far less opportunities for personal growth and advancement than the rich person will have. And of course they will always have inferior healthcare throughout their lives. And so, without a college education (which is now becoming more and more financially out of reach for people trying to get out of poverty, unless they are especially gifted or talented in some area by which they can get a scholarship) most will have to work at far more strenuous, laborious, and dangerous jobs with far less opportunities for advancement, and yet for all their labors they will not be rewarded or compensated as greatly as those who are wealthy, who give far less of themselves to their employment. Indeed, the working poor often live from pay check to pay check. And so, there is no substantial income from interest on their savings account, or dividends earning them monthly income which they could then use to improve their lives, or even fall back on in times of economic crises. Indeed, whatever meager income they do acquire through interest on money saved is often only sucked up by life's never ending expenses and some even by “banking fees.” And so, for most public transit is the norm, and if they own a car, it is far more likely to be a used one that will breakdown far more often. Indeed, most of what they own will be of an inferior quality and more frequently need to be repaired or replaced, thus sucking up whatever disposable income that they have. Indeed, in the USA healthcare expense is often the number one factor in determining the average persons “prosperity” or financial ruin and poverty. Therefore, one can easily see how the rich persons wealth is their strong city, fortifying them against all of the economic and social forces that can quickly turn south and ruin those who are not so equipped to survive such inevitable downturns in the economy, or even one’s own health and life. While the destruction of the poor is their poverty, because their lives will be from their birth to their grave far more strenuous, more stressful, more uncertain, and thus far less healthy and secure than those who are rich now. This then is the sad commentary and evil reality of our distorted “capitalism” which is sold as “good for all” but in reality, always tilts itself in favor of the rich and affluent. For it is always preserved and kept this way by those who love to have it so. Which is why the Word of God and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ calls on us all who believe to live lives of justice and equity, to always consider the cause of the poor, and to be charitable with all, and always seek to right the inherent wrongs and injustices that we see when we can. For in the Kingdom of Heaven these inequities will end, guaranteed! Therefore, we can take strong consolation in what the Lord Jesus’ says in Luke 6:20-26 about what is so blatantly happening here and now.
Vs. 16 “The labor of the righteous leads to life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.”
Those who work at doing good, who work at things which benefit not only themselves, but also others, are doing work that leads to life. While those who live wicked lives only spend their wages on sinful things.
Vs. 17 “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.”
Keeping instruction, specifically Godly instruction from His Word is walking in the way of life. However those who refuse correction always go astray.
Vs. 18 “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips,
And whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
Here we are shown two types of hatred. First is the deceiver who hates another but conceals it by their smooth words, thus they hide their hatred through lying lips, therefore what they say should never be trusted (consider Psalm 12:2; Prov. 26:25; Jer. 12:6). Second is the persons who hates another and openly expresses it by the slanderous things they say about them, this one then is a fool, because God hears what they say, and God who hates slander, will repay, both! Consider Lev. 19:16; Psalm 50:20-21.
Vs. 19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
When one gives free reign to their lips, sin is not far behind. In contrast restraining one’s mouth, especially during times of provocation, is the mark of the wise.
Vs. 20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.”
Those who live righteous lives invariably speak right things, for their speech is instructive, informative, edifying, encouraging, comforting etc. for these come from their heart, and thus are a reflection of their person and lives. However, what comes out of the heart of the wicked, and thus their mouth, is worth little, for often they only pollute one’s ears with things one wish they never heard.
Vs. 21 “The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of wisdom.”
The righteous persons mouth brings forth much Spiritual nourishment to bountifully fill the lives of all at his table. While the fool only starves and dies for lack of wisdom because they will not partake of his Godly cuisine.
Vs. 22 “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.”
When the Lord blesses someone, He makes them rich, (in more than just financial ways), and this comes to them without all of the grief that comes to those who strive for riches through unfair and unjust means, or get rich fast schemes.
Vs. 23 “To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.”
When someone suggests doing something evil the fool is the first one to join in, however the man of understanding wisely considers his steps.
Vs. 24 “The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And the desire of the righteous will be granted.”
The Sovereign God who watches over everyone and everything assures us that the fear of the wicked will come upon them, their time of dread and terror will come from which they cannot escape. Conversely the desire of the righteous will be granted, granted in its fullness in the Kingdom of God.
Vs. 25 “When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”
God’s judgment comes in the whirlwind of His fury, when it passes by the wicked is no more. While the righteous, that is those who live righteous lives because they have been made and declared righteous by Him, by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have an everlasting foundation.
Vs. 26 “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.
Nothing is more frustrating, exasperating, vexing, maddening etc. then to send a lazy person to do some important duty or task, especially if it is urgent, for they will ALWAYS let down!
Vs. 27 “The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.”
The fear of the Lord is to turn from evil and live righteously in the sight of God, for by this ones days will be prolonged (consider Ezek. 18:30-32). In contrast the years of the wicked will be shortened, because God will not watch over their persons and lives to keep them alive (Psalm 37:18-20).
Vs. 28 “The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked will perish.”
The things that the righteous person hopes for will bring them gladness. For their hearts desire what God Himself desires. However, the expectations of wicked will perish, for their hopes are only rooted in their evil plans or desires for unjust and evil things, all which will perish with them.
Vs. 29 “The way of the Lord is strength for the upright,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”
Following God’s ways always strengthens those who walk uprightly, who live justly and righteously before Him. However, destruction will come to the workers of iniquity, whether by their own choices, or by His (Hosea 14:9).
Or God is a shield and strength for those who walk uprightly, who live justly and righteously before Him. However, destruction will come to the workers of iniquity, whether by their own choices, or by His (Hosea 14:9).
Vs. 30 “The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.”
The righteous are always watched over by God, therefore He secures them in their place with Him. However, the wicked will be removed by Him, from dwelling amongst His people (consider Isaiah 66:15-16, 22-24).
Vs. 31 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out.”
The righteous persons mouth brings forth wisdom because they live and do what is righteous and sound in the sight of God, therefore their speech reflects this wisdom. Conversely the perverse tongue which only distorts and perverts and lies against the truth will be cut out! For on His Day they all will be silenced forever! Therefore, we ourselves should never give a listening ear to anyone who distorts or propagates lies against God or His Word’s Truth.
Vs. 32 “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.”
Once again, the mouth of the righteous person is contrasted with that of the wicked. For the righteous person knows what is acceptable speech before God and man, and so they speak accordingly, their words then can be trusted. While the mouth of the wicked only speaks what is perverse, and thus when its not outright lies and distortions of the truth, it is only speech that is unbecoming, unfitting, morally and spiritually defiling and polluting, and thus completely unhealthy for anyone to ear.
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 817). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
No comments:
Post a Comment