Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
– Proverbs 13:16
The
prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with
knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The
fool layeth open, or displays his
folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.
– Proverbs 13:15
The word for
understanding means prudence. The first phrase someone with good sense, who has good judgment. They also give good counsel and do good work and hence earn
favor (Proverbs 3:4; 14:35). The word for
hard means rough and indicates the contrast for
transgressors is a loss of favor. Their way is difficult (Proverbs 4:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
– Proverbs 13:14
The word for
law means direction or instruction. It can refer to any instruction, though it often refers to God’s law-word. Here it is qualified as the
law of the wise. The wise have the fear of the Lord and have acquired wisdom (Proverbs 14:27). Their wise instruction functions two ways. The
fountain of life imagery suggests they are a source of life as well as refreshment. Their law also teaches
to depart from the snares of death, or delivers from death (Proverbs 15:24; 16:6, 17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
– Proverbs 13:13
This is a Proverb that brings us back to the seriousness of receiving or rejecting divine wisdom. The Proverbs is not a collection of homespun advice. Despising and rejecting the
word leads to destruction (Proverbs 1:25, 30-31). Alternatively, fearing and keeping the
commandment leads to life (Proverbs 10:27; 11:31; 9:10-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
– Proverbs 13:12
The word for
deferred means to stretch or draw out. It indicates a
hope, or expectation, that is delayed. The phrase
heart sick is akin to what we would call depression, though not necessarily the full clinical sense. The point is the unbearable discouragement of endless waiting. When that longing is fulfilled,
it is a tree of life. This imagery is used a few times in Proverbs (Proverbs 3:18; 11:30). It indicates a source that is life-giving and sustaining. The phrase here speaks of a reviving of the overwrought soul.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.
– Proverbs 13:11
The word for
vanity means empty. It is contrasted in this proverb with
labor, which indicates work with the hands. So
vanity here doesn’t exclude illegitimacy but the contrast speaks more to haste and trying to gain wealth without working for it. It reminds us of those always attracted by the offer of making a lot of money with little time or effort. Other similar proverbs speak of haste instead of vanity (Proverbs 20:21; 21:5). The general tenor of Proverbs teaches that diligence, hard work, and good stewardship increases wealth without the attendant sorrows of the vain pursuers (Proverbs 27:23-27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
– Proverbs 13:10
The word for
contention means a quarrel or strife. The first phrase reveals how it comes by
pride, or stubborn arrogance. The proud bringer of strife is identified as a scorner (Proverbs 21:24). They will not receive counsel because they know best (Proverbs 12:15; 1:7). This is shown to be foolish by the contrast with
wisdom in the last phrase. Wisdom is frequently described as instruction or correction (Proverbs 1:2-3, 23; 3:11). Acquiring wisdom necessarily means listening to and receiving good counsel, instruction, and correction (Proverbs 19:20; 20:18; 25:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
– Proverbs 13:9
The course a person is on in life gives an expectation for their end. We might say the
righteous have a bright future. The word for
rejoiceth can include the idea of brightening. They are in the way of increasing light (Proverbs 4:18). The
lamp being
put out refers to darkness and to death. The image is a repeated warning (Proverbs 20:20; 24:20). Whatever brightness the wicked enjoy in life will be turned to darkness when their expectation dies (Proverbs 11:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
– Proverbs 13:8
The word for
ransom means a price or even a bribe. The word for
rebuke in this context likely means a threat. This proverb is obscure but it seems the contrast indicates a rich man is a target for extortion perhaps, whereas the poor man offers no such target and is not bothered with the fear of it. In this sense, the poor man is freer.
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Proverbs 13:16
Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
The prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The fool layeth open, or displays his folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).– Proverbs 13:16
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