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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Posted by Jeff Short on May 12, 2018 · Leave a Comment
They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
– Proverbs 23:35
The saying concludes with the words of the drunkard. It’s a pathetic picture of the self-destruction a man is brought to who indulges and feeds his addictions and compulsions. The drunkard is senseless and painless toward all remedial efforts. He says, “I was not sick,” and, “I felt it not.” The drunkard is truly a particular type of fool, heedless of correction (Proverbs 27:22). In true proverbial fashion, he says, “I will seek it yet again.” The fool who will not learn wisdom, will only continue on hardened against correction and senseless of the consequences (Proverbs 26:11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 11, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
– Proverbs 23:34
This verse continues the ill effects of intoxication. It describes drunkenness and the resulting dizziness and sickness. Though man stand upon the earth, drunkenness makes him feel tossed about on the sea.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 10, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
– Proverbs 23:33
This verse continues with the effects of excessive drinking. One’s perception of reality and judgment are impaired. Kings and leaders are not to be indulgent drinkers because they need soberness of mind not to pervert justice (Proverbs 31:5; 1 Timothy 3:3). Of course, wine and strong drink are not the only mind altering substances. The first phrase speaks of the
eyes, as in what will attract your attention while under the influence that you would not otherwise consider. The second phrase speaks of the
heart, or mind, and what you
utter, or speak. Clearly, under the influence of intoxicating drinks, you will think, say, and do things you would not when thinking clearly.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 9, 2018 · Leave a Comment
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
– Proverbs 23:32
Wisdom typically looks to the end of a way, or the outcome of a course of action. The previous verse exposed drunkenness’ beginnings and this verse its endings. Excessive indulgence in wine is compared to bites from venomous snakes. Whatever good and pleasure was perceived in wine, the abuse of it has done away with it. Again, the warning against drunkenness is much like the warning against the strange woman (Proverbs 5:3-4, 11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 8, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
– Proverbs 23:31
Verse 31 begins direct warning against drunkenness. The warning starts where drunkenness, and other sins, start. This verse describes wine in an appealing and tempting way. The word for
look means to see, consider, and inspect. Wisdom understands the way of temptation and sinful actions and consequences result from a chain of decisions within. Consider the young simpleton in Proverbs 7:1-27, and though his actions seem impulsive, it is clear his sin worked from inside out. Wisdom warns not to look on, or fantasize about the drink. The warning here is much like the warning to avoid strange women (Proverbs 5:8; 6:25; 7:25) and evil men (Proverbs 4:14-15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2018 · Leave a Comment
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
– Proverbs 23:30
Verse 30 answers the riddled verse 29. The word for
tarry long means to loiter, or stay. It describes on who is constantly drinking wine and being drunk. The word for
wine refers to fermented drinks, which are intoxicating (See
commentary Proverbs 20:1). The word for
mixed wine means a mixture. This wine could have various ingredients added to it, typically to increase its potency (Proverbs 9:2). This fits with the context of the saying. Abusing substances such as alcohol does increase the tolerance to the substance and stronger substances have to be sought.
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Proverbs 24:3
Posted by Jeff Short on May 16, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
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.– Proverbs 24:3
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.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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Filed under 24, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Building, Commentary, House, Proverbs, Understanding, Wisdom, Work