Posted by Jeff Short on September 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be like unto him.
– Proverbs 26:4
This verse continues the theme of fools and works together with the next verse, which seems to be contradictory. The difficulty presented by the seemingly opposite statements is representative of the difficulty of dealing with fools in general. The key is in the second phrase in each saying. The consequence in this verse is being like a fool yourself. Don’t reason like a fool, use verbal overflows, answer before understanding, etc. In other words, don’t abandon wisdom to answer a fool.
Posted by Jeff Short on September 25, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
– Proverbs 26:3
This verse keeps with the theme of fittedness from the first two verses. The
whip,
bridle, and
rod are fit for the
horse,
ass, and
fool, respectively. The imagery works on at least two levels. The animals must be led and controlled by the whip and halter, just as the fool must be punished, or constrained by the rod. These animals are generally known for stubbornness and difficulty to handle and the fool is likened to them. Wisdom has previously shown the fool does not respond to verbal correction or instruction (Proverbs 10:13).
Posted by Jeff Short on September 22, 2018 · Leave a Comment
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
– Proverbs 26:2
The wording of this verse is difficult and commentators struggle with it. It’s best to take the verse as a part of the first 12 verses, else it would be the only one out of theme in this group. The
curse in this verse is opposite of the
honor in the first verse, so this verse seems connected in that way. Honor is not fitting for a fool and here the curse considered is
causeless, or without reason. The image given is of birds flitting about, but never landing and remaining. The causeless curse will not stick.
Posted by Jeff Short on September 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Introduction
Chapter 26 continues with Solomon’s proverbs collected by the men of King Hezekiah’s court. The proverbs in this chapter address the subjects of fools, sluggards, trouble makers, and speech.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
– Proverbs 26:1
Verses 1-12 speak about fools and dealing with fools. This proverb uses two weather images to warn us against honoring, or elevating, fools. The first image of snow in summer is something that it out of place. Snow simply does not belong in summer. The second image of rain in harvest is something that is unwanted and disastrous. The word for seemly means suitable, or becoming. Wisdom teaches to not give honor to fools, for they are not fit for it and will likely be disastrous.
Posted by Jeff Short on September 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
– Proverbs 25:28
This chapter ends with an obvious proverb comparing the lack of self-control to a city without defenses. The genius of the simile is that the city is not merely
without walls, but it is
broken down, or broken through. A man with no self-control has been overcome and has no resistance so he is vulnerable.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
– Proverbs 25:27
The wording of this proverb is difficult and the surprising second line has led to wide speculations. Previous proverbs have highlighted the benefits of honey and the necessity of moderation (Proverbs 24:13; 25:16). Overindulging in honey ruins it. The very quality that makes it desirable and pleasurable, its sweetness, is the same quality that makes it nauseating when gorged on. The second line of this proverb connects to the first in that way. Men searching their own glory ruins the very thing they are seeking.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
– Proverbs 25:26
The word for
falling down means to shake or slip. Its use here points to a loss of integrity for the
righteous, or just man. A
troubled fountain describes a water source that has been muddied by stamping, and a
corrupt spring is contaminated water in some way. The images portray water that has been ruined and is useless. The comparison is to the compromised person, who’s reputation has been lost and they are effectively useless.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
– Proverbs 25:25
The image uses water in a good form. Cold water is refreshing and invigorating to a thirsty soul. Being from a
far country meant rare, hard to come by. So good news here is an apt and timely word (Proverbs 15:23, 30).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
– Proverbs 25:24
This Proverb is the same as Proverbs 21:9 (
see commentary), and joins a group of proverbs on the same theme (Proverbs 19:13; 21:9, 19; 27:15-16). The contrasting parallel of the
corner of the housetop and the
wide house is contrasting solitude and society. Generally, we do not think it better to be alone in isolation, but it is preferred to the company of a contentious spouse.
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Proverbs 26:4
Posted by Jeff Short on September 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be like unto him.
– Proverbs 26:4
This verse continues the theme of fools and works together with the next verse, which seems to be contradictory. The difficulty presented by the seemingly opposite statements is representative of the difficulty of dealing with fools in general. The key is in the second phrase in each saying. The consequence in this verse is being like a fool yourself. Don’t reason like a fool, use verbal overflows, answer before understanding, etc. In other words, don’t abandon wisdom to answer a fool.Share this:
Filed under 26, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Fool, Proverbs