Posted by Jeff Short on November 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
– Proverbs 19:20
The fatherly addresses in the early part of Proverbs give repeated admonition to hear and receive wisdom (Proverbs 1:8; 2:1-9; 8:34-35). This proverb fits with general tenor of Proverbs that wisdom is accessible and offered to all (Proverbs 9:4-6). Though freely offered, wisdom is costly to acquire (Proverbs 2:3-5). Acquiring wisdom requires humbling oneself to
hear counsel and
receive instruction (Proverbs 2:1-2). The word for
counsel means advice and the word for
instruction means discipline. Both come to us from others and we must be willing to receive them. Ultimately, wisdom comes from God and he stores it up for the righteous (Proverbs 2:6-7). Being willing to receive counsel and instruction from others does not mean we merely take in all men’s opinions (Proverbs 14:15; 15:14). Acquiring wisdom is a lifelong pursuit and not a one-time event, but it does lead to blessedness (Proverbs 8:32-35).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
– Proverbs 19:19
The word for
wrath literally means heat, so it stands for anger, or rage. The word for
punishment means a penalty, or a fine. It has a legal connotation. The first phrase pictures a hot and quick tempered man who creates trouble for himself (Proverbs 29:22). Proverbs elsewhere warns against association with angry men (Proverbs 22:24-25). The point of this proverb is similar to such warnings. The second phrase has a condition and consequence. The word for
deliver means to save and refers to somehow rescuing him from the penalty he has incurred. If you bail such a one out of trouble, you will have to do so repeatedly. In other words, the angry man will not learn the folly of his way and leave it. Wisdom discerns how to handle the situation and when to let someone suffer the consequences of his own actions.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
– Proverbs 19:18
The word for
chasten means to chastise, or to discipline. It can be used literally in terms of corporal punishment or figuratively in terms of instruction and verbal correction. The intention seems to be to include the whole range of meaning in the rearing of children, both the rod and instruction. This proverb speaks of discipline in terms of hope and opportunity. Wisdom teaches that discipline must take place early, or soon when needed (Proverbs 13:24). This wisdom word is to parents. Folly is already there and doesn’t have to be added (Proverbs 22:15). Neglect by the parents, or laziness, leaves no hope and misses the opportunity (Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:15). The word for
hope means expectation. While we cannot make our children be wise, we can correct their folly and instruct them in wisdom. There is hope in doing so (Proverbs 29:17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
– Proverbs 19:17
Oppressing or mocking the poor will meet with retribution (Proverbs 14:31; 17:5). This proverb gives the same connection. To mock or give to the poor is to mock or give to God, respectively. Jesus affirmed this in the judgment narrative in Matthew 25:40, 46. The word for
pity means to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. The context with
lendeth and
pay him again, obviously indicates a giving to the poor. The second phrase promises a recompense for compassionate generosity. God promises reward that could come in different forms and at different times (Proverbs 11:24-25; 28:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
– Proverbs 19:16
The word for
commandment means law, or precept. It’s often used in Proverbs for the instruction of father and mother (Proverbs (2:1; 3:1; 6:20; 7:1). However, the instructions of father and mother are instructions in divine wisdom with life or death consequences (Proverbs 4:4; 6:23; 13:13). The fist phrase is like saying keep the commandment and keep your life. The word for
despiseth means to hold in contempt, or think lightly of. The word for
shall die means to be put to death, so it connotes a judicial punishment. Despising the way of wisdom and God’s commandment is not to merely run the risk of natural death, but it is to run afoul of the righteous Judge and face irremediable punishment.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
– Proverbs 19:15
The word for
deep sleep refers to a trance-like state of unconsciousness. It describes the state of Adam when God took his rib (Genesis 2:21), and Abram when God sealed his covenant with him (Genesis 15:12). Sleep is the continually indulged pleasure of the sluggard (Proverbs 6:9-10; 20:13). The sluggard sleeps and misses opportunities and is unaware of the ruin coming on him. He eventually awakes to loss and hunger (Proverbs 24:30-34).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
– Proverbs 19:14
Proverbs commends the wisdom that manages an estate well and passes an inheritance to children (Proverbs 13:22). Wisdom never guarantees wealth or inheritance in this life. This proverb contrasts two different kinds of blessings, going from lesser to greater. Though with
inheritance God’s grace must be acknowledged, it is even more so in getting a
prudent, or wise,
wife (Proverbs 18:22). This proverb also provides a contrast from the previous one that relates two conditions of an unhappy life.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
– Proverbs 19:13
Proverbs begins with Solomon’s fatherly admonitions to his son to forsake the way of folly and embrace the way of wisdom. The first nine chapters teach us a father should make every effort to bring up his son in the way of wisdom, but, ultimately, the son must choose to refuse folly and pursue wisdom. When a son chooses folly, it is a grief, heaviness, and sorrow to his father (Proverbs 17:21, 25). Here it is a
calamity, which is a ruin. The man who has foolish children is robbed of joy.
The word for contentions means brawling, or strife. A woman who is querulous and quarrelsome is like an incessant dripping that must drive a man mad (Proverbs 27:15). No one can live with constant complaining, criticizing, and nagging and also have joy or peace of mind in life. The Proverbs mention other conditions that are better to live with (Proverbs 21:9, 19). Having either condition, or both, makes life a misery.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass.
– Proverbs 19:12
Power and danger lay behind the
roaring of a lion (Proverbs 20:2). The king’s
favor, or pleasure, is equally capable of real beneficence. Wisdom advises caution in answering a king (Proverbs 16:14-15). The king should also take note and exercise control of himself, realizing he has the position to do great damage (Proverbs 28:15).
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Proverbs 19:20
Posted by Jeff Short on November 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
The fatherly addresses in the early part of Proverbs give repeated admonition to hear and receive wisdom (Proverbs 1:8; 2:1-9; 8:34-35). This proverb fits with general tenor of Proverbs that wisdom is accessible and offered to all (Proverbs 9:4-6). Though freely offered, wisdom is costly to acquire (Proverbs 2:3-5). Acquiring wisdom requires humbling oneself to hear counsel and receive instruction (Proverbs 2:1-2). The word for counsel means advice and the word for instruction means discipline. Both come to us from others and we must be willing to receive them. Ultimately, wisdom comes from God and he stores it up for the righteous (Proverbs 2:6-7). Being willing to receive counsel and instruction from others does not mean we merely take in all men’s opinions (Proverbs 14:15; 15:14). Acquiring wisdom is a lifelong pursuit and not a one-time event, but it does lead to blessedness (Proverbs 8:32-35).– Proverbs 19:20
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