Posted by Jeff Short on May 28, 2018 · Leave a Comment
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his works?
– Proverbs 24:12
Proverbs doesn’t often refer cases upward, but verses like this one bring us back to the deeply theological realities of wisdom. We know that justice, or righteousness, is the context of this saying. Walking wisdom means walking in the way of justice, and that may not be the way of momentary successes. If we consider proverbs such as Proverbs 18:16 and Proverbs 17:23, we righteousness is more important than wealth. Additionally, religious acts will not make up for the lack of doing righteousness (Proverbs 15:8; 16:6; 21:27; 28:9, 13). The first phrase is a feigned ignorance and the rest of the verse dismisses this with the sovereign omniscience of Yahweh. Wisdom understands Yahweh knows us inside and out (Proverbs 5:3, 11, 21; 16:2; 17:3; 20:12; 21:2), and shall reward us according the reality of ways (Proverbs 3:32-33; 11:4, 19, 21; 12:14; 15:9; 16:4; 17:5; 19:5; 28:20).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and that are ready to be slain;
– Proverbs 24:11
These next two verses illustrate the failure of verse 10 and end with God’s sovereign judgment as strong incentive to live righteously. Commentators vary on the specific application of those who are
drawn unto death and
ready to be slain. At least, the phrases refer to those in mortal dangers, and most likely due to some form of unjust oppression. The word for
deliver means rescue and the condemnation here is failure to rescue. The general tenor comports with the teaching of wisdom, which requires eschewing the way of the wicked and doing righteousness (Proverbs 31:8-9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment
If thou faint in the day of adversity, they strength is small.
– Proverbs 24:10
Verses 10-12 form the next saying, which deals with perseverance in the face of difficulty. The word for
faint means to slacken and the word for
adversity means to tighten. There may be a play on the words there. Adversities are all sorts of distresses and troubles. Wisdom knows adversities test and reveal character, as the second phrase shows the faint has
small strength. Wisdom requires us to quit the way and counsels of foolishness and to act wisely in the time of trouble (Proverbs 31:8-9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
– Proverbs 24:9
The word for
thought means plan, and usually refers to bad plans. The word for
foolishness means silliness, or folly. The first phrase refers to scheming, which is decidedly not according to wisdom. Such folly refuses instruction, embraces death, and goes woefully astray (Proverbs 5:21-23). Through such folly a woman destroys her own home (Proverbs 14:1), a hot headed man is exposed (Proverbs 14:17, 29), the character of a fool is known by the foolishness poured out of his mouth (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2, 14), and a man’s whole way is corrupted (Proverbs 19:3). Therefore, his love of folly and planning foolishness is
sin.
The scorner, or scoffer, then, becomes an abomination to men. He becomes disgusting, or detestable, even in the eyes of men. The scorner is fixed in his evil ways because he will not receive correction (Proverbs 9:7-8; 13:1; 15:12). He is odious to men because he is a meddler and bringer of problems (Proverbs 21:24; 22:10; 29:8). Wisdom teaches us judgment is “prepared for scorners” (Proverbs 19:19), and he shall receive tooth for tooth (Proverbs 3:32-35).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
– Proverbs 24:8
Verses 8-9 form a saying on the general disapproval of scheming men. The word for
deviseth means to plait, or weave, like a basket or rug. The word is used of Joseph’s brother for the evil they “thought” against him (Genesis 50:20). It literally refers to weaving strands together but is used more figuratively to speak of a plan or contrivance. The word for
mischievous means a plan, or a scheme, and usually an evil one. The word for
called is to call out by name, and so an evil planner comes to be known as a schemer. The wicked in Proverbs are characterized as always thinking about and planning evil things (Proverbs 6:14, 18; 14:22; 24:2).
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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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Proverbs 24:12
Posted by Jeff Short on May 28, 2018 · Leave a Comment
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Proverbs doesn’t often refer cases upward, but verses like this one bring us back to the deeply theological realities of wisdom. We know that justice, or righteousness, is the context of this saying. Walking wisdom means walking in the way of justice, and that may not be the way of momentary successes. If we consider proverbs such as Proverbs 18:16 and Proverbs 17:23, we righteousness is more important than wealth. Additionally, religious acts will not make up for the lack of doing righteousness (Proverbs 15:8; 16:6; 21:27; 28:9, 13). The first phrase is a feigned ignorance and the rest of the verse dismisses this with the sovereign omniscience of Yahweh. Wisdom understands Yahweh knows us inside and out (Proverbs 5:3, 11, 21; 16:2; 17:3; 20:12; 21:2), and shall reward us according the reality of ways (Proverbs 3:32-33; 11:4, 19, 21; 12:14; 15:9; 16:4; 17:5; 19:5; 28:20).– Proverbs 24:12
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Filed under 24, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, God's Sovereignty, Judgment, Justice, Proverbs