Posted by Jeff Short on December 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
– Proverbs 20:12
The
hearing ear and
seeing eye are expressions of understanding and obedience (Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 4:9-12). The second phrase shows these faculties to be gifts of God’s grace and therefore accountable to him. So not only does wisdom come from God, but the understanding of wisdom as well. This proverb also reveals the sovereign attribute of omniscience, since the
hearing ear and
seeing eye come from God, he possesses these in greater degree (Psalm 94:9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
– Proverbs 20:11
The word for
child covers from an infant to an adolescent, and is translated
young man in the fatherly addresses that begin the book (Proverb 1:4; 7:7). Here the context is supportive for understanding a young child is meant, and this fits with the later use of this word as well (Proverbs 22:6, 15; 23:13; 29:15). If we place this proverb with these other parenting proverbs, then the proverb instructs parents in discernment. Parents must interpret the actions of their child and either reinforce it if good, or correct it if bad. Motives and character are revealed in the actions of a child, just as with adults. Foolish parents turn a blind eye to what is behind the action and deal only with the action.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
– Proverbs 20:10
The law requires equity and justice in business (Leviticus 19:35-26; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). Unequal
weights and
measures here refers to cheating the transaction by a false weight. This could be a way of oppressing the poor and inviting Divine retribution (Proverbs 17:5). The word for
abomination means loathsome, or detestable. God hates all such cheating. The standard of measure belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 16:11) and proverbs such as this one show God’s sovereign omniscience. He ponders the hearts and judges by his standard.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
– Proverbs 20:9
This proverb is a rhetorical question that anticipates a negative answer. Though “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness” (Proverbs 20:6) and “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes” (Proverbs 16:2), wisdom teaches us God weighs the spirits and ponders the hearts of all. Wisdom concludes, “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness” (Proverbs 30:12).
The word for heart means the inner being, including the mind, will, emotions, etc. The first phrase asks whose inner intentions and motivations are clean, or innocent. Being pure from my sin points to the outward acts being morally good, or upright. This proverb speaks of rich theological truth we refer to as the depravity of man. Man is a fallen and corrupt creature who cannot keep from sin, nor purify himself from its defilement (1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 21:4; Job 9:30-31).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
– Proverbs 20:8
The word for
scattereth away means to toss about, or winnow. The word is used with the thought of winnowing in connection with a threshing wheel in Proverbs 20:26. Winnowing has to do with separating the chaff from the wheat. Verse 26 notes a wise king does this. The purpose of civil authority is to root evil out of the land (Proverbs 16:12). The king who is righteous is a blessing to his people and secures the conditions for flourishing for them (Proverbs 29:14). The primary purpose of civil government is to uphold and maintain justice, even as Paul wrote in the New Testament (Romans 13:1-7).
The reference to the king’s eyes here is speaking of discernment. Proverbs references the eyes of the Lord in different places in the sense of discernment (Proverbs 5:21; 15:3; 16:2; 21:2; 22:12). The king is as Paul wrote, “the minister of God” (Romans 13:4). The righteous ruler is seen as doing God’s work in upholding justice for the afflicted and oppressed (Proverbs 31:4-5), and representing and relieving the poor and oppressed (Proverbs 31:8-9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
– Proverbs 20:7
The word for
just means righteous, or lawful, in conduct and character. Walking justly is another aspect of walking in wisdom, for the upright man fears the Lord (Proverbs 14:2) and his integrity is better than wealth (Proverbs 19:1). Just men are a blessing to others because of their wise and healthy speech (Proverbs 10:11, 21), wise leadership (Proverbs 29:2), and their flourishing (Proverbs 11:28, 30). The blessing here is more specifically to his children after him. The just man blesses the generations that come after him through living out his life in integrity (Proverbs 10:7; 13:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
– Proverbs 20:6
The words for
goodness and
faithful are both terms that speak of loyalty, or steadfastness. The contrast in the proverb is between talk and reality. Many will claim loyalty but few are truly loyal. A true friend speaks faithfully (Proverbs 27:6), without hurting his friend (Proverbs 29:5). This proverb is counterpart to the saying about the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:10). The proverb highlights rarity, but not impossibility, for other proverbs speak of faithful friends (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
– Proverbs 20:5
The word for
counsel means purpose and refers to inner intentions, or motives. The image of
deep water is also used in Proverbs 18:4, and the meaning is consistent here. It refers to what is hidden, or beneath the surface. (For further explanation of the image, see
commentary on Proverbs 18:4). What lies in the heart of men is hidden, but a
man of understanding discovers it. The word for
understanding means discernment. The point of proverbs is “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:4). In other words, Proverbs teaches wisdom to those who will receive it. Wisdom discerns motives and true character hidden behind facades, or in this image, in deep water.
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
– Proverbs 20:4
Plowing in the cold is uncomfortable and hard work, but the time to plow is in the season, which is often rainy and cold. The
sluggard misses the opportunity and later has nothing. The word for
sluggard means sluggish, or lazy. Sluggishness suggests being slow to get to things and so the question, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?” (Proverbs 6:9). The
cold provides sufficient reason for the sluggard not to plow. The sluggard is professional at piling up excuses (Proverbs 26:13), and seven wise men are not sufficient to dissuade him from his folly (Proverbs 26:16). The word for
beg means inquire, or seek. The image suggests the sluggard seeks for the harvest of his field, but whatever effort he put in was not enough and not at the right time. The tragedy of the sluggard is realized in the sad end of his life tale. He comes to poverty, want, and nothing (Proverbs 6:10-11; 10:4; 19:15; 24:34).
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Proverbs 20:12
Posted by Jeff Short on December 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
The hearing ear and seeing eye are expressions of understanding and obedience (Isaiah 6:9-10; Mark 4:9-12). The second phrase shows these faculties to be gifts of God’s grace and therefore accountable to him. So not only does wisdom come from God, but the understanding of wisdom as well. This proverb also reveals the sovereign attribute of omniscience, since the hearing ear and seeing eye come from God, he possesses these in greater degree (Psalm 94:9).– Proverbs 20:12
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Filed under 20, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Omniscience, Proverbs, Understanding