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 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
– Proverbs 14:18
The word for
inherit means to acquire and it speaks of the reward to the
simple. The simple man is easily led astray. If not corrected, he progresses in his simplicity until he fully possesses folly (Proverbs 19:25; 1:32). On the other hand, the
prudent grow in wisdom until they are compassed with
knowledge (Proverbs 3:35; 4:7-9). The word for
crowned means to encircle round. It’s uncertain if the meaning is an ornament, but it definitely speaks to the reward of wisdom. The good news is the
simple are called upon to come to wisdom (Proverbs 9:4-6). Those who do are
prudent and gain the reward of wisdom (Proverbs 9:9-11).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
– Proverbs 14:12
The word for
right means straight and level. It can also express moral uprightness. When taken with the contrasting phrase, it refers to an apparent good way to good ends. Obviously, the way seems good because the man will not listen to wisdom (Proverbs 12:15). The
end refers to the outcome or even the reward. The word for
death means death in a natural or penal sense. It can refer to the state of death or can symbolize ruin. Taken here as a symbol, death speaks to the complete ruin of the plans of the man on the way that seemed right. In other words, it is not that he might find a little disappointment but complete ruin. More bluntly, the word indicates the ultimate destination of fools who refuse wisdom but go in the way of folly (Proverbs 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:24).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
– Proverbs 14:8
Wisdom is to
understand, which means to separate mentally. The
prudent shows wisdom in examining his
way. He considers well and chooses carefully his way (Proverbs 2:9; 14:15). The word for
deceit means a fraud or treachery. This is the way of
fools (Proverbs 11:18). They search for short-cuts and back doors. They are quick to use deceit to gain their ends, so they go in a false way.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
– Proverbs 13:16
The
prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with
knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The
fool layeth open, or displays his
folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on January 31, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
– Proverbs 10:13
The word for
understanding means to separate mentally. We would refer to that as discernment—thinking through something and being able to make distinctions and determine whether good or bad. We might also think of it as insight. The one who has an understanding mind, or heart, will speak forth
wisdom (Proverbs 10:11, 21; 15:7). Jesus also taught in the Gospels that the source of our speech is our heart, or mind (Luke 6:45). The man
void of understanding does not discern and goes on in the way of folly. Because he will not receive instruction, he will come to the
rod of correction (Proverbs 7:22; 26:3; Psalm 32:8-9).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on January 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chapter 10 begins the second major section in the book of Proverbs and also begins what we think of as proper proverbs. It is a collection of wise sayings in memorable form, usually a two-line, parallel structure. Chapters 10-22 are the “Proverbs of Solomon,” containing 375 proverbs and they divide into two major divisions. Chapters 10-15 have an antithetical parallel structure, meaning they are formed by two lines that contrast. They often contrast the good and the bad. There are 185 proverbs in these chapters. Chapters 16-22 contain 190 proverbs that have a synthetic parallel structure, meaning the two lines compare similar things or the second line continues the first. These proverbs often compare the good with the better or the bad with the worse.
There is no obvious order or topical arrangement to the proverbs in this collection. These proverbs speak to various subjects, such as speech, ethics, learning, wealth, relationships, etc. The change in style between the two sections is discernible, indicating a deliberate arrangement, but there is no further structure apparent. These proverbs are inspired sayings of Divine wisdom that apply the law to the individual person.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son in the heaviness of his mother.
– Proverbs 10:1
The first phrase is the title, or heading, of this section. This first proverb is a two-line contrast. The first line has a wise son and a glad father. The second line has a foolish son and a grieved mother, as heaviness indicates. This proverb also illustrates the multi-layered meaning of proverbs in general. The more we meditate on them as we go through life, the richer they become to us.
The obvious teaching on the face of the proverb is that a wise child is a blessing and cause of joy to his parents. The contrast is that a foolish child brings shame and grief to his parents. There is instruction both to children and to parents. The proverb gives encouragement and warning to children to keep the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12), which is the first with promise (Ephesians 6:1-3). The proverb also gives the same to parents, because it is the responsibility of parents to properly instruct their children and in so doing or neglecting they will bring themselves blessing or grief (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6; 23:15-16, 24-25).
This proverb is also one sample, or type, of the broader category of human relationships. We are connected to others and the choices we make and the way we go affects others in our sphere. Though each individual has to seek wisdom and to keep the wisdom they find, that doesn’t happen in a vacuum without any connection to others around us. Whether we pursue wisdom or not will affect husbands, wives, parents, children, extended family, neighbors, co-workers, etc.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on January 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
– Proverbs 9:18
This makes the fourth time Solomon has reached this conclusion in his warnings (Proverbs 2:18-19; 5:5; 7:26-27; 9:18). We have already noted the general trend in Proverbs that wisdom tends to life and folly tends to death. The various aspects of death in Proverbs call for a much larger treatment than in the brief comments here. The ancient Semitic worldview in the Old Testament viewed death more in terms of a realm than a single event that ends life. They thought in terms of a conflict between the realm of the living and the unseen realm of the dead. The foolish guests of the foolish woman have entered in the way of death and consort with that realm as the words for
the dead and
the depths of hell indicate. The fools do not understand that going that way means they are unlikely to be recovered (Proverbs 2:19; 7:25-27).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on January 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
– Proverbs 9:17
The invitation is laid bare here for its foolishness, and yet it is still appealing to the simple. The stolen and secret aspects give an artificial tinge of taste and excitement. It is not lasting and the end is far worse (Proverbs 20:17). In contrast to the well prepared feast of wisdom, folly only offers what is common and bland dressed up with a false covering to seem sweet for a little while.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 14:24
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.
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).– Proverbs 14:24
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 14, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Crown, Folly, Fool, Proverbs, Wise