Posted by Jeff Short on February 22, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
– Proverbs 21:26
This proverb continues from the previous one and describes the
desire of the slothful. Greed marks the slothful and unrighteous. Greed contributes to their ruin (Proverbs 15:27; 28:22, 25). The antithesis in the second phrase shows generosity a mark of the
righteous. Generosity is set against greedy coveting by showing the righteous giving without restraining their giving (Proverbs 11:24-26; 14:21, 31; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
– Proverbs 21:25
The word for
desire means longing, or wish. In the negative sense, the word refers to greed and lust. The desire is explained in the next verse as daily, greedy coveting. The word for
killeth can mean to die as a penalty, or what we might call execution. The slothful man’s desire destroys him. The first phrase is explained by his refusal to work. The
slothful have an animal laziness that marks them (Proverbs 6:9-11; 12:27; 19:24). When laziness is couple with strong appetites, then unrighteousness is sure to follow. The slothful man will go to various evil means to obtain what he desires and bring ruin upon his own head.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
– Proverbs 21:24
The wording of this proverb is awkward. The word for
name indicates the reputation or character of a person by figure. The
scorner, or scoffer, is at the far end of the spectrum of fools in Proverbs. They are not simple or ignorant, but
proud and
haughty, which means they obstinately refuse wisdom (Proverbs 9:7-8; 13:3; 15:12). The word for
wrath means outburst of passion. The
scorner is marked by arrogantly pouring out his anger. He is ripe for judgment (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12; 19:29).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
– Proverbs 21:23
The word for
keepeth in both occurrences means to guard, or hedge about. The act of closely guarding your speech also guards your life to prevent
troubles, or adversity, as the word indicates. Proverbs consistently testifies to the wisdom of controlling your words so that they are few (Proverbs 10:19; 17:27-28), timely (Proverbs 15:23), righteous (Proverbs 16:13), and cool tempered (Proverbs 15:1; 25:15). The mouth of the wicked and foolish will always bring them into trouble (Proverbs 6:2; 11:8; 18:6-7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
– Proverbs 21:22
This proverb presents a military image. The
wise man is skillful and shrewd. Through wisdom, he is able to take down a stronghold of the powerful. This proverb presents wisdom as better than
strength, whether in terms of fortification or weapons (Ecclesiastes 7:19; 9:13-18). Wisdom is better than strength alone. The word for
confidence means trust, or refuge. Hoping or trusting in strength rather than God is evident folly. Wisdom trusts in God and wise counsel and is therefore better than human strength (Proverbs 24:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 16, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
– Proverbs 21:21
The word for
righteousness means rightness, or justice. The word for
mercy means goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. The word has a range of meaning that includes pity, but also loyalty, or fidelity. Sometimes it is translated as
kindness or
lovingkindness. The word is used to describe God’s remembering to show kindness to Naomi (Ruth 2:20), and Boaz doing the same for Ruth (Ruth 3:10). The two together describe a life in the way of wisdom and the proverb speaks directly to those pursuing that way. Pursuing and keeping to the upright way of wisdom enriches the life of the wise (Proverbs 3:16; 22:4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 15, 2018 · Leave a Comment
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
– Proverbs 21:20
This proverb is straightforward and we shouldn’t pull its punch by trying to spiritualize it. Wisdom says the wise lay up in store and the foolish squander all they have. The word for
wise means skillful and is used throughout Proverbs to refer to living prudently and righteously. Proverbs never instructs to seek wealth (Proverbs 23:4-5; 28:22), nor does it instruct to seek poverty (30:7-9). Rather, Proverbs instructs to sacrificially and persistently seek wisdom, for it is more important and valuable than earthly treasures (Proverbs 2:2-4; 3:14-15; 8:18-19; 16:16; 23:23). While Proverbs never promises wealth to those who acquire wisdom, wealth will generally come to those who acquire money wisely (Proverbs 10:4; 11:8; 16:11; 21:6; 22:22-23), and use money wisely (Proverbs 3:9-10, 27-28; 6:6-8; 11:24-26; 13:22; 22:9; 28:27; 31:16, 20-22). Proverbs also warns that wealth can be lost through folly (Proverbs 11:6; 21:5; 23:20-2124:30-31; 27:23-27; 28:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
– Proverbs 21:19
This proverb is similar to Proverbs 21:9. The word for
wilderness means earth, or land. The word is common throughout the Old Testament. It can refer to the planet, the geographic land belonging to a nation, or even to ground, as in, the soil. It is put in this proverb over against living with a
contentious woman, so wilderness or desert captures the idea of living in solitude, perhaps even without a house, being preferable to a house and the society of a mad woman. Wisdom teaches it is better not to be married than to be married to a quick-tempered and argumentative spouse.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 12, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
– Proverbs 21:18
Commentators vary on the meaning of this proverb as it presents some difficulty. The word for
ransom means covering and, in this context, refers to a price, or compensation. Theologically, we think of atonement with this word and I think that can put us off on the wrong foot. The same word is used in a couple different places in the law. The first is in a section of the law pertaining to ox goring, or more fundamentally, liability (Exodus 21:28-36). Exodus 21:28 refers to an accidental death by ox goring. The ox was to be stoned and not eaten. The owner’s liability was covered by the loss of the ox and there was no further criminal penalty.
However, if the owner knew the ox was disposed to goring and he did not keep it penned up, he would be criminally guilty when the ox killed someone. This would be like what we call involuntary manslaughter today where there is demonstrable criminal negligence leading to death. In this case, the owner shared in the guilt and was to be put to death along with the ox (Exodus 21:29). The law made a provision where the owner could pay a sum of money as a ransom for his life (Exodus 21:30). The phrase sum of money is translated from the same word as ransom in Proverbs 21:18. This was an amount set by the family of the victim, which would be approved by the judge or adjusted as he deemed necessary. The sum of money was a ransom price for the owner’s life, because otherwise he would be executed.
The next occurrence of the word is in Number 35:31-32 where such a satisfaction is not permissible in the case of murder. The ransom was a just restitution to the aggrieved. This proverb becomes clear when we consider the relation of the wicked to the righteous. The wicked are variously described as plotting and planning evil (Proverbs 6:14; 24:8-9). Not only do they plot evil generally, but they plot evil against the righteous specifically (Psalm 37:12, 32; Proverbs 1:11; 24:15). Wisdom also teaches that the evil plans of the wicked will ultimately ensnare them (Proverbs 5:22; 11:5-6; 12:13). This justice will also come specifically because of their plans and schemes against the innocent (Proverbs 1:11, 18). So the wicked transgress against the upright in their plans and actions, and the judgment that comes to them exacts the ransom price from them.
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Proverbs 21:26
Posted by Jeff Short on February 22, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
This proverb continues from the previous one and describes the desire of the slothful. Greed marks the slothful and unrighteous. Greed contributes to their ruin (Proverbs 15:27; 28:22, 25). The antithesis in the second phrase shows generosity a mark of the righteous. Generosity is set against greedy coveting by showing the righteous giving without restraining their giving (Proverbs 11:24-26; 14:21, 31; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27).– Proverbs 21:26
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