Posted by Jeff Short on March 4, 2018 · Leave a Comment
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.
– Proverbs 22:4
The beginning
by expresses a consequence. The condition is
humility and
fear of the Lord. The result, or reward, is
riches,
honor, and
life. The word for
humility means condescension, modesty, or meekness. The word is set opposite haughtiness in Proverbs 18:12. Pride brings destruction, but true honor is preceded by humility (Proverbs 11:2; 16:5, 18-19; 29:23). Fear and humility are the necessary conditions for acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 2:5; 8:13; 9:10). The rewards of wisdom are elsewhere expressed in these terms (Proverbs 3:16; 21:21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 3, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A prudent man foreseeth evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
– Proverbs 22:3
The word for
prudent means shrewd, or sensible. The word can be used negatively in terms of crooked schemes, as seen in the three uses outside of Proverbs (Genesis 3:1; Job 5:12; 15:5). The word is used positively in Proverbs to refer to planning ability. Such wisdom is the result of receiving instruction, correction, and training. The
prudent man has learned to look to the end of the way. He sees the potential for calamity and takes refuge from it. The word for
simple means silly, or naïve. They plunge forward in life with little or no thought about what lies ahead. The word for
punishment means penalty and here indicates the simple have to pay for their mistakes. Put plainly, the simple lack wisdom, but there is hope for the simple, if they will learn wisdom (Proverbs 1:2-5; 8:5; 9:4-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 2, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
– Proverbs 22:2
This proverb is a wisdom observation. We are warned against oppressing the poor because Yahweh has made them (Proverbs 14:31). This proverb adds he has made the rich, as well as all in between. That both classes
meet together means they share common existence in life. God sinks and raises people as he pleases, according to his purpose, and roles can be reversed instantly by his sovereign power (Daniel 4:35). This wisdom gives us two important implications for life. First, we should recognize God’s sovereign order in our own lives. We are where we are and we are what we are by God’s grace. Second, we should treat all people with dignity and respect because God is the creator of all and the ruler of all.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Introduction
Verses 1-16 of chapter 22 finish out the collection of proverbs known as “The Proverbs of Solomon.” These proverbs touch on different subjects, such as, fear of the Lord, riches, poverty, child training, prudence, speech, etc.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
– Proverbs 22:1
The word for name means name, but more figuratively it stands for reputation. Having a good reputation, or character, can be linked with wisdom in being better than riches (Proverbs 3:14; 13:15). The word for favor means grace, or favor. It points to being loved, or esteemed. Wisdom commends being a person known for wisdom, with a good character, as better than riches or worldly power.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 28, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
– Proverbs 21:31
The word for
safety means deliverance. Referent to the first phrase, that deliverance is a successful defense from attack or victory. The war
horse mentioned is a strong and valuable asset. Man can train and guide a horse (James 3:3), and so prepare it for battle. The proverb does not condemn arms and fortification, but rather the trust in such things (Psalm 20:7; 33:17-18). The prophets often rebuked Israel and Judah for trusting more in the strength of foreign nations than in the word of Yahweh (Isaiah 31:1-3). Wisdom doesn’t teach the futility of arming ourselves, but in trusting in those arms. Wisdom teaches us to trust in Yahweh who can deliver with or without man and his strength (2 Chronicles 14:11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
– Proverbs 21:30
Skill, intelligence, and plans do not stand
against the Lord, nor do they succeed apart from him. You have to fear the Lord to even begin in the way of wisdom, so refusing that is only the way of folly and destruction (Proverbs 1:7). Wicked fools delight in their folly and in turning away from the wisdom of Yahweh. If they do not come to repentance and forsake their own ways, they will meet with judgment and destruction (Proverbs 1:22-33).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
– Proverbs 21:29
The word for
hardeneth means to be strong, or firm. The word appears three times in Proverbs and is translated
impudent (Proverbs 7:13),
strengthened (Proverbs 8:28), and
hardeneth (Proverbs 21:29). The word for
directeth means to separate mentally, or understand. The proverb contrasts the
wicked and the
upright. The wicked man puts up a strong front, whereas the upright considers well his way. The proverb speaks of appearance versus substance. The wicked are more concerned about the right appearance, whereas the upright is more concerned about the right way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
– Proverbs 21:28
The word for
perish means to go astray, or be destroyed. A
false witness is a lying witness, which works all kinds of evil (Proverbs 6:19; 19:5). The second phrase is difficult and interpretations vary. The word for
constantly means enduring, or perpetuity. The word for
heareth means to hear intelligently, or to understand. From the contrast with the first phrase, we know a faithful witness is in view (Leviticus 5:1). In ultimate terms, truth will endure and falsehood will not last (Proverbs 12:19), and that seems the overall point of the proverb.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 23, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
– Proverbs 21:27
The word for
abomination means disgusting, or detestable. Here it refers to a form of ritual worship that God hates. The first phrase echoes Proverbs 15:8 and the issue is the odious nature of hypocritical worship. Getting the outward form right is meaningless when the heart is not right (1 Samuel 15:22-23). In the second phrase,
wicked mind refers to an evil intent, or plan. We could view this as an attempt to bribe God to overlook unrighteousness, or an attempt to entice God to deliver the wicked one through payment apart from repentance and faith. However, God refuses to hear those who will not hear him (Proverbs 28:9).
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Proverbs 22:4
Posted by Jeff Short on March 4, 2018 · Leave a Comment
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.
The beginning by expresses a consequence. The condition is humility and fear of the Lord. The result, or reward, is riches, honor, and life. The word for humility means condescension, modesty, or meekness. The word is set opposite haughtiness in Proverbs 18:12. Pride brings destruction, but true honor is preceded by humility (Proverbs 11:2; 16:5, 18-19; 29:23). Fear and humility are the necessary conditions for acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 2:5; 8:13; 9:10). The rewards of wisdom are elsewhere expressed in these terms (Proverbs 3:16; 21:21).– Proverbs 22:4
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