Posted by Jeff Short on May 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
– Proverbs 14:13
This proverb is a wise observation. Our emotional circumstances change, and can change quickly. As we grow in wisdom, we are more aware that joy and sorrow are mingled together (Ecclesiastes 1:18). The wisdom taught here instructs us not to put too much by our present experience. For good or bad, it will change, and probably soon.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
– Proverbs 14:12
The word for
right means straight and level. It can also express moral uprightness. When taken with the contrasting phrase, it refers to an apparent good way to good ends. Obviously, the way seems good because the man will not listen to wisdom (Proverbs 12:15). The
end refers to the outcome or even the reward. The word for
death means death in a natural or penal sense. It can refer to the state of death or can symbolize ruin. Taken here as a symbol, death speaks to the complete ruin of the plans of the man on the way that seemed right. In other words, it is not that he might find a little disappointment but complete ruin. More bluntly, the word indicates the ultimate destination of fools who refuse wisdom but go in the way of folly (Proverbs 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
– Proverbs 14:11
A house is a structure of some permanency, whereas a
tabernacle is a tent. Those figures suggest a subtle point of comparison between life now and the life to come. Regardless of the materials and methods of construction, the house of the
wicked will not stand but be overthrown. The wicked man’s house is cursed from within (Proverbs 3:33) and shall ultimately fall (Proverbs 21:12). The
upright are not trusting in their tents (Proverbs 11:28). They have wisdom and take the long view knowing that unjust gains are not profitable, but rather damaging (Proverbs 10:2-3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
– Proverbs 14:10
This proverb does not contrast
bitterness and
joy, but treats them both alike as unknowable to a
stranger, or another person. It is a wise observation that a person knows his own deep sorrows and profound joys. These cannot be fully expressed to or known by another. Wisdom would mean being careful to speak into someone’s joy or pain, or assuming you fully understand it. We do have comfort in suffering knowing that God sees and understands (1 John 3:20; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.
– Proverbs 14:9
The wording here is difficult with various interpretations. The general sense comes out in the antithetical parallelism of the two phrases. The word for
sin means guilt or an offense. The word for
favor means delight or acceptance. Both words are used elsewhere in reference to sacrifices, but that seems beyond the scope of the interpersonal relationships suggested in this proverb and the Proverbs as a whole. So
fools scoff at guilt, or the sense of personal offense (Proverbs 10:23; 26:18-19). They see no need of reconciliation or making right any action (Proverbs 30:20). The word for
righteous means straight or upright. It’s a term often describing a man’s relation to another as being a just one. The contrast is the righteous have a sense of wrong done and strive to maintain a good conscience (Proverbs 12:2; 13:15; Acts 24:16).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
– Proverbs 14:8
Wisdom is to
understand, which means to separate mentally. The
prudent shows wisdom in examining his
way. He considers well and chooses carefully his way (Proverbs 2:9; 14:15). The word for
deceit means a fraud or treachery. This is the way of
fools (Proverbs 11:18). They search for short-cuts and back doors. They are quick to use deceit to gain their ends, so they go in a false way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
– Proverbs 14:7
Proverbs are designed to teach us wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). Discernment, which is being able to distinguish and analyze properly, is part of wisdom. We need to discern people, to see their character underneath the surface. Solomon does not teach us to make rash judgments, but rather to consider, be thoughtful, and deliberate as we proceed (Proverbs 14:8, 15). This proverb warns us about who we allow to speak into our life and affect us. Once we discern a lack of wisdom in one, we must not allow them to teach us (Proverbs 9:6; 13:20; 19:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
– Proverbs 14:6
The
scorner is a special type of fool in Proverbs. The word means to mock and includes the idea of arrogance. His disdain of correction is a chief obstacle in finding wisdom (Proverbs 9:7-8), and it is why he will not go to the wise (Proverbs 15:12). He fails to find wisdom, not because it cannot be found, but rather because he despises instruction and does not fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Ultimately, the scorner comes to judgment (Proverbs 3:34; 19:29). The word for
easy in the contrasting phrase means lightness and trifling. To have understanding is to have discernment. Here it is to find, or acquire,
knowledge (Proverbs 8:9; 17:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
– Proverbs 14:5
Truth telling is the character of a
faithful witness, just as deceit is of a
false witness (Proverbs 12:17; 13:5). The word for
utter means to breathe out and the picture is one a habitual liar. A faithful witness will not lie and cannot be bribed to. The false witness needs no incentive, but lies readily. The lies of a false witness are an abomination to God (Proverbs 6:19).
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Proverbs 14:13
Posted by Jeff Short on May 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
This proverb is a wise observation. Our emotional circumstances change, and can change quickly. As we grow in wisdom, we are more aware that joy and sorrow are mingled together (Ecclesiastes 1:18). The wisdom taught here instructs us not to put too much by our present experience. For good or bad, it will change, and probably soon.– Proverbs 14:13
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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