Posted by Jeff Short on June 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.
– Proverbs 14:31
The word for
oppresseth means to extort or defraud. To oppress is to take advantage, even with violence (Proverbs 17:5; 28:8). The word for
reproacheth means to blaspheme or rail against. To oppress the poor is to mock and insult God, who will avenge them (Proverbs 22:2, 16, 22-23). The contrast is to honor God and to have
mercy on the poor. To have pity on the poor is to understand the providence of God and one’s place in the creation (Proverbs 14:21; 19:17). It is to bear the image of our maker and to love like him (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
– Proverbs 14:30
The word for
sound means healthy or whole, and
heart refers figuratively to the mind. We must guard our minds and feed them with sound wisdom to guard our life (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:8). Wisdom affects our overall health as does folly (Proverbs 17:22). The contrast here is with
envy, or jealousy. Envy, bitterness, resentment, anger, and all such thoughts and feelings are those that eat away at a man mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
– Proverbs 14:29
Being
slow to wrath is a mark of wisdom as self-control (James 3:17; Proverbs 16:32). Here the man is of
great understanding, or intelligence. The phrase
hasty of spirit means short of breath. It indicates one who is impatient and rash in words and actions. Such a man lacks self-control and particularly over his anger. This is a mark of
folly, or lack of wisdom (Proverbs 14:17; 25:28; Ecclesiastes 7:9). The word for
exalteth means to raise up and it here refers to a public display. Elsewhere, Solomon noted that fools promote shame (Proverbs 3:35). This proverb is one place that links patience with wisdom, so the implication is to grow in patience we must grow in wisdom.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the multitude of people is the king’s honor: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
– Proverbs 14:28
This proverb is a wise observation of life. A
king’s honor, or glory, is not in his conquests and power. The measure of a king’s true honor is in the peace, prosperity, and flourishing of the people under his rule (Proverbs 29:2; 1 Kings 4:20). The word for
want means an end or ceasing. In the context, it’s the end of prosperity and the opposite of flourishing, and such is the destruction, or ruin, of honor. This sort of ruler rules selfishly and invites rebellion (Proverbs 30:29-31).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
– Proverbs 14:27
Those who
fear the Lord are in the way of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The
fountain refers to a naturally flowing water supply. It is a source that is perpetually fresh. So, the fear of the Lord gives
life and refreshment continually to those who have it (Proverbs 22:4). Right fear will keep you from the
snares of death (Proverbs 2:10-18; 22:5). Proverbs in this vein illustrate the spiritual nature of wisdom in Proverbs and the seriousness of the subject.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
– Proverbs 14:26
Proverbs begins with the “fear of the Lord” as “the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
Confidence and security are particular blessings of that fear in this proverb. We are urged not to misplace our fear, but to put it in the Lord and we will have refuge (Proverbs 3:25-26; 18:10). The second phrase indicates a legacy left by the man who fears the Lord (Proverbs 13:22; 20:7).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
– Proverbs 14:25
True justice is dependent on truth, according this proverb and elsewhere (Proverbs 14:5). Wisdom will not trust in a false witness, for such a witness may benefit in the short term, but it is just as likely to hurt. True righteousness will not rejoice in unrighteousness even if it might benefit them.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
– Proverbs 14:24
The wording of this proverb is difficult. The first phrase speaks of the rewards of wisdom as
riches. This is consistent with the call of wisdom and the promise to those who acquire it (Proverbs 3:16; 4:7-9; 8:18). The point of wisdom is not temporal wealth but spiritual riches (Proverbs 11:4). The contrast emphasizes the reward of
fools is
folly.
Foolishness is sown by
fools and
folly is harvested. The point could be the irremediable nature of the fool in his folly (Proverbs 17:10; 27:22). He is joined to it and always returns to it (Proverbs 26:11).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
– Proverbs 14:23
Proverbs doesn’t provide a shortcut to riches, but it does consistently assure us there is
profit in diligent work. The word for
profit means a gain, or increase. The sure way to it is
labor, or toil (Proverbs 28:19). The contrast to hard work is idle talk, the
talk of the lips. The word for
penury means want, or lack. It can indicate poverty. Idle talk can be in many forms, such as excuses (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13), talking rather than listening (Proverbs 26:16), or pursuing quick schemes (Proverbs 28:19). These sort usually have big ideas about what they’re going to do, but it is always going to be done and never done.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 14:31
Posted by Jeff Short on June 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy on the poor.
The word for oppresseth means to extort or defraud. To oppress is to take advantage, even with violence (Proverbs 17:5; 28:8). The word for reproacheth means to blaspheme or rail against. To oppress the poor is to mock and insult God, who will avenge them (Proverbs 22:2, 16, 22-23). The contrast is to honor God and to have mercy on the poor. To have pity on the poor is to understand the providence of God and one’s place in the creation (Proverbs 14:21; 19:17). It is to bear the image of our maker and to love like him (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).– Proverbs 14:31
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 14, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Mercy, Oppress, Poor, Proverbs