Posted by Jeff Short on June 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The king’s favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
– Proverbs 14:35
This proverb is a truism, or a general rule that competence and diligence are rewarded (Proverbs 22:29). People often think that promotion comes to a person because of luck, connections, or back room dealings. Those things do happen, but we generally receive what we have earned, or reap what we sow (Proverbs 17:2). The two phrases show both sides—
favor and
wrath. A servant causes shame by being unreliable, lazy, incompetent, etc. (Proverbs 10:5). Everyone makes mistakes and has to learn from them. The servant who does this will be rewarded with favor, and the obstinate servant with wrath (Proverbs 13:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
– Proverbs 14:34
The scope of Proverbs is usually the individual, but in some places it’s broadened. Here, Solomon speaks to a
nation and
people. The word for
righteousness means justice. A nation that pursues rightness and justice is exalted or lifted up. A nation that tolerates and approves sin by enculturating and codifying it, is brought to shame (Proverbs 11:11; Romans 1:32).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
– Proverbs 14:33
The word for
resteth means to settle down or repose. The
heart, or mind, of him who has discernment retains a store of
wisdom. In light of the parallel, the first phrase also indicates that wisdom is held within with reserve and quietness, not boasting. The contrast points to the
fools who thoughtlessly pour out what they believe is wisdom but is actually foolishness (Proverbs 12:16, 23; 13:16; 15:2, 28; 29:11). Solomon elsewhere noted that a fool’s words and actions continually identifies him as a fool (Ecclesiastes 10:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
– Proverbs 14:32
Proverbs speaks of life and death often, but usually in the sense of life being a reward for wisdom and death being the same for folly (Proverbs 3:2; 5:23). Many commentators think the afterlife too advanced a subject for the time of the Proverbs, but this proverb is one place it is glimpsed. The word for
driven away means to be cast down. The wicked shall not stand in the judgment and riches cannot deliver them (Proverbs 11:4, 7). The contrast is the
hope, or refuge, of the
righteous in
death. Hope is had because righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:4) and is the way of life (Proverbs 12:28).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.
– Proverbs 14:31
The word for
oppresseth means to extort or defraud. To oppress is to take advantage, even with violence (Proverbs 17:5; 28:8). The word for
reproacheth means to blaspheme or rail against. To oppress the poor is to mock and insult God, who will avenge them (Proverbs 22:2, 16, 22-23). The contrast is to honor God and to have
mercy on the poor. To have pity on the poor is to understand the providence of God and one’s place in the creation (Proverbs 14:21; 19:17). It is to bear the image of our maker and to love like him (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
– Proverbs 14:30
The word for
sound means healthy or whole, and
heart refers figuratively to the mind. We must guard our minds and feed them with sound wisdom to guard our life (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:8). Wisdom affects our overall health as does folly (Proverbs 17:22). The contrast here is with
envy, or jealousy. Envy, bitterness, resentment, anger, and all such thoughts and feelings are those that eat away at a man mentally, emotionally, and physically.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
– Proverbs 14:29
Being
slow to wrath is a mark of wisdom as self-control (James 3:17; Proverbs 16:32). Here the man is of
great understanding, or intelligence. The phrase
hasty of spirit means short of breath. It indicates one who is impatient and rash in words and actions. Such a man lacks self-control and particularly over his anger. This is a mark of
folly, or lack of wisdom (Proverbs 14:17; 25:28; Ecclesiastes 7:9). The word for
exalteth means to raise up and it here refers to a public display. Elsewhere, Solomon noted that fools promote shame (Proverbs 3:35). This proverb is one place that links patience with wisdom, so the implication is to grow in patience we must grow in wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the multitude of people is the king’s honor: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
– Proverbs 14:28
This proverb is a wise observation of life. A
king’s honor, or glory, is not in his conquests and power. The measure of a king’s true honor is in the peace, prosperity, and flourishing of the people under his rule (Proverbs 29:2; 1 Kings 4:20). The word for
want means an end or ceasing. In the context, it’s the end of prosperity and the opposite of flourishing, and such is the destruction, or ruin, of honor. This sort of ruler rules selfishly and invites rebellion (Proverbs 30:29-31).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
– Proverbs 14:27
Those who
fear the Lord are in the way of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The
fountain refers to a naturally flowing water supply. It is a source that is perpetually fresh. So, the fear of the Lord gives
life and refreshment continually to those who have it (Proverbs 22:4). Right fear will keep you from the
snares of death (Proverbs 2:10-18; 22:5). Proverbs in this vein illustrate the spiritual nature of wisdom in Proverbs and the seriousness of the subject.
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Proverbs 14:35
Posted by Jeff Short on June 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The king’s favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
This proverb is a truism, or a general rule that competence and diligence are rewarded (Proverbs 22:29). People often think that promotion comes to a person because of luck, connections, or back room dealings. Those things do happen, but we generally receive what we have earned, or reap what we sow (Proverbs 17:2). The two phrases show both sides—favor and wrath. A servant causes shame by being unreliable, lazy, incompetent, etc. (Proverbs 10:5). Everyone makes mistakes and has to learn from them. The servant who does this will be rewarded with favor, and the obstinate servant with wrath (Proverbs 13:18).– Proverbs 14:35
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