Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
– Proverbs 24:7
Commentators differ on whether verse 7 is its own saying, or if it is part of the saying before it or after it. It seems best to take it on its own as a saying, though connections can be made with the saying before and after. The word for
wisdom here is the general term comprehending all aspects of wisdom—knowledge, understanding, discernment, etc. Being
too high means it is above, or beyond, a
fool. Though a fool may seek wisdom, he cannot find it, or even recognize it when it is before him (Proverbs 14:6; 17:24). The previous saying emphasized the necessity of wise counsel in making war, but this saying shows the fool unable to even speak to high matters. The image of the
gate refers to the place of judgment in the city. It is where important matters were discussed and decided, as well the place of deciding legal matters. Wisdom requires opening one’s mouth to come to the defense of the oppressed and plead for judgment for them (Proverbs 31:8-9). Though fools are known for prating foolishness (Proverbs 15:2, 28), they have nothing to say when wisdom is needed.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 19, 2018 · Leave a Comment
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
– Proverbs 24:6
The word for
counsel means steerage and is put for guidance. The word for
safety means rescue, or deliverance. It is most often translated “salvation.” Receiving wise counsel is part of being wise, or walking in the way of wisdom (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 20:18). This saying highlights the alien nature of wisdom, which we must receive through varying channels. It is not a leaning on our own hearts, but a leaning on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
– Proverbs 24:5
Verses 5-6 form the next saying on the importance of wisdom. Obviously, an increase in wisdom does not mean an increase in muscular strength. The figure speaks of the value of wisdom in terms of perception, skill, and strategy. Wisdom makes the best use of the strength available, and also exploits the weaknesses of the opponent. Therefore, wisdom strengthens and is better than greater strength with less wisdom (Proverbs 8:14; 21:22; Ecclesiastes 7:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
– Proverbs 24:4
This verse completes the saying and the metaphor of house building. A house is not really beautiful and useful until furnished and lived in. God created the world through wisdom and furnished it for the life, learning, flourishing, and joy of man to bring glory to his Creator. We image God and walk in his way when we build through wisdom. Through wisdom we equip our families for this vocation, and wisdom is certainly not only about material possessions. Wealth laid up is symbolic of walking in wisdom (Proverbs 15:6; 21:20).
The word for knowledge means cunning, or understanding. It is one of words in Proverbs under the umbrella of wisdom. It refers to acquired knowledge. It can be used in the negative sense of a lack of knowledge, such as ignorance. The instruction and correction of wisdom gives knowledge (Proverbs 1:4; 2:6). Knowledge acquired is worth more than silver and gold stored (Proverbs 8:10).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 16, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
– Proverbs 24:3
Verses 3-4 form the next saying, which is a metaphor illustrating the positive, constructive power of wisdom. The imagery of wisdom building a house is elsewhere in the Proverbs and it provides an excellent illustration of lasting success (Proverbs 9:1; 14:1). The word for
wisdom means skill, like that of a craftsman. This word functions like an umbrella term over other words that are more like components of the whole picture of wisdom. The word for
understanding means intelligence, sense, or discernment. The word for
builded means to build up and the word for
established means to be made firm, or secure. Wisdom begins the building on a sure footing and completes the structure with lasting stability.
This saying also touches upon the ontological realities of vocation within the created cosmos. God has created and established with wisdom (Proverbs 3:19-20; 8:22-31). As image bearers of God, we are to build, or work, with wisdom. It is easy to see then why building, or working, with folly is destructive, because it gives false witness to the Creator, will not be established, and cannot stand. When we work and build with God-fearing wisdom, our work is established and we give faithful witness to the Creator and are walking in his way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 15, 2018 · Leave a Comment
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
– Proverbs 24:2
The warning of verse 1 is explained is this verse, which completes the saying. The warning against the company of evil men is not considered here in terms of the consequences of their behavior, but rather the deficiencies of their character. The word for
studieth means to ponder, or meditate. The word for
destruction means violence. Their
heart, or mind, is fixed on violence and doing evil. Their speech comes from their heart, which is obsessed with
mischief, or trouble. The energies of evil men are devoted to violence and trouble (Proverbs 6:14). They are not thinking, speaking, and doing wisdom. Wisdom is neither prized nor sought with them. If we are to seek wisdom (Proverbs 2:4), then we will not seek the company of evil men for they are bent away from it (Proverbs 2:12-15; 16:28-30).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Introduction
Chapter 24 continues the “words of the wise” in verses 1-22 and adds an appendix of wise sayings in verses 23-34. The sayings cover various topics such as, envy, wisdom, fools, perseverance, futility, enemies, good citizenry, judgment, false witness, and learning wisdom. There is no apparent structure beyond the usual verse pairs that form a saying.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
– Proverbs 24:1
Verses 1-2 form a saying warning against envying
evil men. The word for
envious means to be jealous. The word for
desire means to wish for. Wisdom instructs not to envy the prosperity of evil men, nor want to be with them. Wisdom has elsewhere warned of the folly of making bad companions (Proverbs 1:11-15; 13:20; 23:20). The warning starts with envy, which is an inner desire or jealousy that sees something desirable in the lives of the wicked. To one without wisdom, the life of evil men looks free, exciting, and prosperous. Wisdom knows better, because wisdom takes the long view (Proverbs 23:18; 24:20).
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Proverbs 24:7
Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Commentators differ on whether verse 7 is its own saying, or if it is part of the saying before it or after it. It seems best to take it on its own as a saying, though connections can be made with the saying before and after. The word for wisdom here is the general term comprehending all aspects of wisdom—knowledge, understanding, discernment, etc. Being too high means it is above, or beyond, a fool. Though a fool may seek wisdom, he cannot find it, or even recognize it when it is before him (Proverbs 14:6; 17:24). The previous saying emphasized the necessity of wise counsel in making war, but this saying shows the fool unable to even speak to high matters. The image of the gate refers to the place of judgment in the city. It is where important matters were discussed and decided, as well the place of deciding legal matters. Wisdom requires opening one’s mouth to come to the defense of the oppressed and plead for judgment for them (Proverbs 31:8-9). Though fools are known for prating foolishness (Proverbs 15:2, 28), they have nothing to say when wisdom is needed.– Proverbs 24:7
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