Posted by Jeff Short on September 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
– Proverbs 17:10
Proverbs consistently distinguishes the wise from the foolish by how they respond to correction (Proverbs 9:8-9; 15:5). The word for
entereth means to sink as we would say “sink in.” It’s like instructing someone and then telling them to let it sink in. The first phrase’s point is that the spoken word of
reproof sinks in deep to a
wise man. He hears
reproof, considers it, and is wiser for it (Proverbs 9:9). This contrasts with a
hundred stripes the
fool receives, but yet will still not amend his way. The term
fool is not a comment about mental capacity, but mental outlook that decidedly refuses wisdom (Proverbs 1:29). He won’t respond to the word of reproof, much less the beating of a rod (Proverbs 27:22). He prefers his folly and returns to it like a dog to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:11).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
– Proverbs 17:9
This proverb speaks of the goal or consequence of covering versus repeating. Covering a wrong is not speaking of covering up sin in order to get away with it, but rather the covering of a past wrong in the sense of overlooking it if possible or forgiving it (Proverbs 10:12; 19:11). The goal of doing so is to promote
love, reconciliation, and peace. The word for
repeateth means to duplicate and some commentators express it as harping. The word for
very friends means an intimate friend. Harping on old beefs can spoil relationships of all kinds (Proverbs 16:28).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
– Proverbs 17:8
The word for
gift means bribe, or reward, and it is mostly negative in the Old Testament usage. The word for
precious means favor, or charm. It describes a
stone that is seen as some charm of favor, or magic charm. The second phrase describes the one who uses it as prospering wherever he turns his bribe. The proverb describes the short term success of the palm greaser. Using bribes can range on the scale of wickedness, but it is always wicked to do so (Proverbs 17:23). God’s righteousness is described as never taking bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17). The law, which demands holiness like God’s holiness, forbids the giving or taking of bribes (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 27:25).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
– Proverbs 17:7
The word for
excellent literally means overhanging. It implies excess and here describes
speech that is high and lofty. We would call it big talk, or even boasting. It could be pretentious putting on of airs, or arrogant prattle. The first phrase means such talk is not fitting, or appropriate, to a
fool (Proverbs 26:7). The word for
fool here is not only senseless but also wicked. The same word is used in Psalm 14:1 to describe one who has rejected the first principle of wisdom, the fear of the Lord. Similarly, as the second phrase points out,
lying lips are not becoming to a
prince. A
prince is a ruler and as such a minister of God for righteousness, or justice (Romans 13:1-4). Falsehood in one supposed to uphold truth is a travesty (Proverbs 16:10-13; 12:19).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
– Proverbs 17:6
This proverb highlights generational blessings that come with wisdom (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20). The cutting off of family is a curse to the wicked (Psalm 109:13-15). The blessed man has family that brings joy and honor (Psalm 127:1-5; 128:1-6).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Marker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
– Proverbs 17:5
The word for
mocketh means to deride, or ridicule. The word for
reproacheth means to defame, or blaspheme. The
poor are those who are destitute and needy. The first shows that selfish cruel treatment of the unfortunate is a slight not only to them, but to the God who made them (Proverbs 14:31; Exodus 4:11). The word for
calamities means misfortune, or ruin. The word for
unpunished means to be held guiltless, or innocent. The second phrase furthers the seriousness of the first. To rejoice in the calamities of others and to take delight in their ruin is evil and God will avenge it (Proverbs 16:5; 24:17).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
– Proverbs 17:4
Evil speech can be anywhere from slanderous to plotting and is here represented by
false lips and a
naughty tongue. This proverb isn’t so much about evil speech as it is about those who listen and delight in hearing it. For evil speech to spread, it has to have a ready ear (Proverbs 26:20). Delighting in bad talk reveals the hearer as bad also. The word for
wicked doer means a spoiler, or destroyer. The word
liar indicates a habitual liar. The law forbid taking part in talebearing, whether as a spreader or hearer (Leviticus 19:16-17).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
– Proverbs 17:3
On the face, this proverb is obscure, but the wisdom revealed is not too advanced for the Proverbs. The parallelism gives us what we need to discern the meaning. The
fining pot and
furnace refer to the crucible used for testing and purifying precious metals such as
silver and
gold. These images were used to speak of testing by trials God designs for the purifying of His own (Job 23:10; Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10; 1 Peter 1:6-7). The second line goes deeper. It is the
hearts, or the inner man, his thoughts, feelings, and motives, which are tried (Proverbs 15:11). God’s testing is not of outward appearance but of internal thoughts and motives (Proverbs 24:12). So God tests with full knowledge and purpose to draw out the impurities of the heart as the refiner separates the dross from the metal.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on September 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
– Proverbs 17:2
While possible, a servant rarely advanced beyond being a servant. A wise servant could merit reward (Proverbs 14:35). The emphasis of the proverb is on the
son that causeth shame. He is disinherited because of his foolishness and shall see the servant advance beyond him (Proverbs 11:29). Proverbs has many warnings to foolish sons and the consequences of their folly (Proverbs 10:5; 19:26).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 17:10
Posted by Jeff Short on September 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs consistently distinguishes the wise from the foolish by how they respond to correction (Proverbs 9:8-9; 15:5). The word for entereth means to sink as we would say “sink in.” It’s like instructing someone and then telling them to let it sink in. The first phrase’s point is that the spoken word of reproof sinks in deep to a wise man. He hears reproof, considers it, and is wiser for it (Proverbs 9:9). This contrasts with a hundred stripes the fool receives, but yet will still not amend his way. The term fool is not a comment about mental capacity, but mental outlook that decidedly refuses wisdom (Proverbs 1:29). He won’t respond to the word of reproof, much less the beating of a rod (Proverbs 27:22). He prefers his folly and returns to it like a dog to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:11).– Proverbs 17:10
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 17, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Fool, Proverbs, Reproof, Wise