Posted by Jeff Short on May 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
– Proverbs 14:4
This proverb is straightforward. We might say, “You can’t be productive without having messes to clean up.” Keeping the barn, or the crib, clean is far easier and longer lasting when there are on oxen. The problem is apparent because a clean crib is not the point. Applications of this proverb are numerous. Many want a clean house and life and therefore want no children. Many want a clean church and restrict evangelism. God created man to work productively and make a gain in the earth (Genesis 1:27-29). Jesus reinforced this principle in the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27). That servant who tried to keep his master’s money clean was called a “wicked servant.” I suppose we can add a clean crib to the sluggard’s excuses for avoiding work (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
– Proverbs 14:3
The phrase,
rod of pride, is difficult with various interpretations. The words,
mouth and
lips, are here put for speech, so the proverb is speaking to the fruits of our speech. In that light, the rod of pride speaks of some hurt that comes to the
foolish for their foolish speech. Solomon wrote foolish words call for punishment (Proverbs 18:6) and that punishment will be reaped (Proverbs 22:8). The
wise shall be kept or delivered from trouble through wise speech (Proverbs 12:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
– Proverbs 14:2
Fearing the Lord produces uprightness in our walk. The word for
uprightness means straight and has obvious moral implications. Walking in uprightness means departing from evil (Proverbs 16:17) and it is more valuable than earthly riches (Proverbs 28:6). In the contrast, despising the Lord produces perversity. The word for
perverse means crooked, or to turn aside. In the context, it is a departing from the upright way in the fear of the Lord. Because they do not fear the Lord, they despise wisdom and instruction that comes from him (Proverbs 1:7) and they hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:29). Because they do not fear the Lord, they do not depart from evil but rather pursue it (Proverbs 3:7; 16:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chapter 14 continues the second major section of Proverbs. It is also part of the first subsection of Chapters 10-15, which are primarily two-line, antithetical proverbs on various topics. The proverbs in this chapter touch on the use of words, contrasts of folly and wisdom, wisdom at home, friends, etc.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
– Proverbs 14:1
The contrast in this proverb is the result of the qualities of wisdom and folly. The wise woman is the woman who possesses wisdom and walks in wisdom. This is no statement on her physical appearance or domestic skills. She understands a house is built and continues through wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4). The stability of the home centers on the woman. Her wisdom starts with her husband where she can be a source of good (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14), even to being a crown to him (Proverbs 12:4), and his safe counselor (Proverbs 31:11). She is one with her husband in the teaching, training, discipline, and correction of their children (Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:3; 6:20; 23:22). A child that does not heed the instruction and pursues folly instead is equally dishonorable to mother and father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:26; 20:20). However, the children who rise in wisdom bless her (Proverbs 23:25; 31:27-28). And so her house is well established.
The contrast is the foolish woman. The word used here describes an obstinate silliness. Foolishness describes one who will not stretch to wisdom (Proverbs 24:7) and her words are destructive (Proverbs 10:14). She is quick tempered (Proverbs 12:16) and argumentative (Proverbs 20:3). This fool despises “wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7), runs on at the mouth rather than listen to wise counsel (Proverbs 10:8), and is a know-it-all (Proverbs 12:15). It is no surprise that such a foolish woman ruins her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and he would be better off on a roof or in a desert (Proverbs 21:19; 25:24). She neglects to care for her children and inherits shame (Proverbs 29:15). Thus, her house is destroyed by her own hands.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
– Proverbs 13:25
The word for
satisfying means to be full, e.g., to have one’s hunger satisfied. The contrast is the
want, or lack, of the
belly of the wicked. Providentially, this proverb speaks of God’s governance of the universe and the reward or retribution to the righteous and the wicked respectively (Proverbs 10:3). Practically, this proverb speaks to true satisfaction. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon starts out by labeling everything under the sun as vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2) and concludes all is “vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Vexation of spirit describes trying to grasp the wind. This seems contradictory to this proverb. Solomon goes on in Ecclesiastes to lament man’s plight of chasing the wind and never catching it. I don’t have time or space for a study of Ecclesiastes here, but the problem is resolved by understanding the “gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19). The righteous can find satisfaction because they acknowledge and thank God (1 Timothy 4:3-4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
– Proverbs 13:24
This proverb speaks directly and plainly to parents rearing children. More modern times turns the words upside down to make them opposite their intended meaning. The contrast is between love and hate and sparing and chastening. Love and hate are not to be understood only in terms of emotion and sentiment. They are meant to speak to actions. The word for
rod means a branch or stick and it is an instrument of correction (Proverbs 10:13; 19:18; 22:15; 29:15, 17). To spare the rod is to withhold correction and it is a hateful action toward the child because they are not being trained. The word for
betimes means early and points to early in life and maybe also early in the sense of being quick to give needed corrections. The motive of correction should always be the child’s good (Hebrews 12:5-11) and should not be done in anger or severity (Ephesians 6:4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
– Proverbs 13:23
The word for
tillage means fallow ground. The point is the poor man can eat of the land with hard work and good management. His lack of resource is no insurmountable obstacle (Proverbs 28:19). Contrariwise, failure to discern the time and respond accordingly leads to loss (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
– Proverbs 13:22
The word for
good is a general term encompassing a wide range of good. Such a man is upright, just, and wise. We infer he has gathered whatever he leaves through honest dealing, diligent work, and wise stewardship. Wealth acquired that way tends to last (Proverbs 13:11; 27:23-27). The word for
inheritance means to acquire a possession, or a bequeathal. Of course, such a man as described in the first phrase leaves more behind than silver and gold. He leaves a good name, good example, good instruction, and a good heritage. The children and the grandchildren of such an one are blessed beyond measure regardless of the size of their accounts. The contrast is how the wicked gather through unjust means and it tends not to last (Proverbs 10:2; 20:21). The contrast goes further and shows a providential correction. Their
wealth is
laid up for the just. What sinners gather will ultimately be possession of the righteous (Proverbs 28:8; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Psalm 37:9-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
– Proverbs 13:21
This proverb is in line with the general principle of sowing and reaping, which is throughout Proverbs as well as the rest of Scripture. The word for
evil means adversity or calamity, and
pursueth means to chase after. The way of sinners has calamity on their heels. The
righteous, or just, shall be rewarded with all forms of
good (Proverbs 11:31).
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Proverbs 14:4
Posted by Jeff Short on May 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
This proverb is straightforward. We might say, “You can’t be productive without having messes to clean up.” Keeping the barn, or the crib, clean is far easier and longer lasting when there are on oxen. The problem is apparent because a clean crib is not the point. Applications of this proverb are numerous. Many want a clean house and life and therefore want no children. Many want a clean church and restrict evangelism. God created man to work productively and make a gain in the earth (Genesis 1:27-29). Jesus reinforced this principle in the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27). That servant who tried to keep his master’s money clean was called a “wicked servant.” I suppose we can add a clean crib to the sluggard’s excuses for avoiding work (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13).– Proverbs 14:4
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Filed under 14, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Increase, Proverbs, Work