Posted by Jeff Short on October 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
– Proverbs 18:19
The word for
offended is a strong term, meaning rebelled against, or quarreled with. The
strong city and
bars of a castle speak of difficult defenses to overcome. A
brother could be a familial relation, or at least a close friend. Once offended, it is difficult to truly repair and reconcile the relationship. Wisdom would teach it is far better to not give offense in the first place (Proverbs 16:32).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
– Proverbs 18:18
Casting lots was a way of making decision deemed too difficult, or contested, in the Old Testament. Proverbs has one other mention of lots in Proverbs 16:33, which emphasizes God’s sovereignty such that the faithful understand the disposing is of the Lord. The proverb here refers to the lot for the purpose of ending
contentions, or strife.
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
– Proverbs 18:17
Chapter 18 yields three warnings on being hasty and jumping to conclusions in forming our opinions on a matter. The first phrase is a wisdom observation. When a man states his case, he will naturally do so in a favorable light to his position. This could be by misintent, but doesn’t have to be. We generally give things from our own point of view, and such perspective tends to be favorable to us. When a man makes his case, it
seemeth just, or sounds reasonable and right.
The second phrase pushes the proverb further. We need not get hung up on the neighbor in the text. The word can mean fellow, or even just another person. The word for searcheth is from the Hebrew chaquar, which means to penetrate, to search, to search out, or to examine. The word is used to speak of mining in the earth (Job 28:1-3), searching and exploring a land (Judges 18:2), and tasting and trying drink (Proverbs 23:20). William Wilson said of this word, “The general import seems to be, to examine with pains, care, and accuracy, in order to make a full and clear discovery, or a complete, exact calculation” (Old Testament Word Studies, p. 373).
The law stipulated when one was accused of a crime, the accused and the accuser had opportunity to state their case, were subject to cross-examination, and the judges were required to make “diligent inquisition” to ensure the matter thoroughly examined and established (Deuteronomy 19:15-21). This proverb is broader than the law, though relying on the principle of righteousness. We should hear a man out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is right. We should also be willing to be searched out whenever we make any sort of claim.
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
– Proverbs 18:16
The word for
gift is a general term meaning a present. It differs from the word used in other proverbs that speak of bribes (Proverbs 17:8, 23). The proverb reminds us gifts have good uses, such as appeasing anger (Proverbs 21:14). Jacob hoped to appease anger if any remained in his brother Esau (Genesis 32:20). Bribing or judges or perverting justice is not in view here. The proverb generally states that gifts can open doors, or gain opportunities. The implication is for us to use gifts wisely with understanding that they can be dangerous as well (Proverbs 15:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
– Proverbs 18:15
The word for
knowledge means understanding, or learning. Getting and seeking knowledge means it can be increased. Our understanding and learning can, and should, grow. The proverb’s punch is in the seeming paradox. The
prudent and the
wise are seeking knowledge. The modern utilitarian mind wonders why they would do that if they are already wise and prudent. The word for
prudent has to do with separating, or making distinctions. The word for
wise means shrewd, skillful, or crafty. The first means having discernment—the ability to sort out the things learned. The second means being able to figure things out and make plans. They are continually looking and listening to acquire learning (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 15:14). Fools are only interested in what they think they need to know (Proverbs 14:6; 18:2; 26:12).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
– Proverbs 18:14
The word for
spirit means wind, or breath. The word refers to the inner being of a man.
Spirit and
wounded spirit distinguishes between a whole, healthy state of being and a broken one. The word for
wounded means smitten, or broken. A man with a healthy, positive state of being can bear up under physical
infirmity more than the
wounded spirit. Wisdom teaches one’s spirit, or state of mind, does affect the body (Proverbs 12:25; 15:13; 17:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
– Proverbs 18:13
The word for
answereth means to turn back, or return. Here it speaks of making a reply to some
matter, which is a word or something said. The word for
heareth means to hear intelligently. The word refers to listening with understanding, or comprehension. The first phrase speaks of making a hasty reply, or we would say, jumping to conclusions. The proverb speaks of speaking on a matter without knowing what you are talking about and the parallel phrase plainly labels it
folly. Such folly leads to
shame, or disgrace. It is a disgrace to be so foolish as to speak to something we don’t understand. This proverb pairs well with Proverbs 18:2 and Proverbs 18:17.
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
– Proverbs 18:12
To be
haughty is to be lofty, or exalted, at least in one’s own eyes. Self-conceit primes one to be brought low (Proverbs 16:18; 26:12; 29:23). The second phrase appears in another proverb where
humility is coupled with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 15:33). Wisdom brings honor, but that path leads through humility (Proverbs 3:16).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
– Proverbs 18:11
This proverb is linked to the previous one with similar images, though wealth is contrasted with the name of the Lord as safety. Wealth has benefits and offers protections of a sort on earth, but those are limited. Wealth in itself is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong. Trusting in riches is to be ultimately confounded (Proverbs 11:4).
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Proverbs 18:19
Posted by Jeff Short on October 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
The word for offended is a strong term, meaning rebelled against, or quarreled with. The strong city and bars of a castle speak of difficult defenses to overcome. A brother could be a familial relation, or at least a close friend. Once offended, it is difficult to truly repair and reconcile the relationship. Wisdom would teach it is far better to not give offense in the first place (Proverbs 16:32).– Proverbs 18:19
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