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).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
– Proverbs 14:17
This proverb gives two types of foolish anger. Being
soon angry is what we call hot or quick-tempered. It applies to a man who is quick to react in anger and doesn’t have appropriate self-control (Proverbs 14:29; 16:32). His lack of control of his temper causes him to deal
foolishly. He speaks and acts rashly and foolishly in the heat of anger, whereas a calmer head can see the situation better (Proverbs 14:29). The second is a
man of wicked devices. This describes one who plots and contrives (Proverbs 6:18; 12:2). We call this a cool or cold anger, which may plot elaborate schemes of revenge. Such a person is
hated and seen as more loathsome.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
– Proverbs 14:16
Proper fear marks a
wise man. Through wisdom and fear he identifies
evil and departs from it to go in the way that is upright (Proverbs 22:3; 3:7; 16:6, 17). The contrasted mark of the
fool is confidence. He is overconfident in his own wisdom and way (Proverbs 26:12; 14:12), so he
rageth, or passes on his determined way despite warnings or counsel (Proverbs 7:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.
– Proverbs 14:9
The wording here is difficult with various interpretations. The general sense comes out in the antithetical parallelism of the two phrases. The word for
sin means guilt or an offense. The word for
favor means delight or acceptance. Both words are used elsewhere in reference to sacrifices, but that seems beyond the scope of the interpersonal relationships suggested in this proverb and the Proverbs as a whole. So
fools scoff at guilt, or the sense of personal offense (Proverbs 10:23; 26:18-19). They see no need of reconciliation or making right any action (Proverbs 30:20). The word for
righteous means straight or upright. It’s a term often describing a man’s relation to another as being a just one. The contrast is the righteous have a sense of wrong done and strive to maintain a good conscience (Proverbs 12:2; 13:15; Acts 24:16).
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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.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
– Proverbs 14:7
Proverbs are designed to teach us wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). Discernment, which is being able to distinguish and analyze properly, is part of wisdom. We need to discern people, to see their character underneath the surface. Solomon does not teach us to make rash judgments, but rather to consider, be thoughtful, and deliberate as we proceed (Proverbs 14:8, 15). This proverb warns us about who we allow to speak into our life and affect us. Once we discern a lack of wisdom in one, we must not allow them to teach us (Proverbs 9:6; 13:20; 19:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
– Proverbs 14:3
The phrase,
rod of pride, is difficult with various interpretations. The words,
mouth and
lips, are here put for speech, so the proverb is speaking to the fruits of our speech. In that light, the rod of pride speaks of some hurt that comes to the
foolish for their foolish speech. Solomon wrote foolish words call for punishment (Proverbs 18:6) and that punishment will be reaped (Proverbs 22:8). The
wise shall be kept or delivered from trouble through wise speech (Proverbs 12:6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chapter 14 continues the second major section of Proverbs. It is also part of the first subsection of Chapters 10-15, which are primarily two-line, antithetical proverbs on various topics. The proverbs in this chapter touch on the use of words, contrasts of folly and wisdom, wisdom at home, friends, etc.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
– Proverbs 14:1
The contrast in this proverb is the result of the qualities of wisdom and folly. The wise woman is the woman who possesses wisdom and walks in wisdom. This is no statement on her physical appearance or domestic skills. She understands a house is built and continues through wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4). The stability of the home centers on the woman. Her wisdom starts with her husband where she can be a source of good (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14), even to being a crown to him (Proverbs 12:4), and his safe counselor (Proverbs 31:11). She is one with her husband in the teaching, training, discipline, and correction of their children (Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:3; 6:20; 23:22). A child that does not heed the instruction and pursues folly instead is equally dishonorable to mother and father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:26; 20:20). However, the children who rise in wisdom bless her (Proverbs 23:25; 31:27-28). And so her house is well established.
The contrast is the foolish woman. The word used here describes an obstinate silliness. Foolishness describes one who will not stretch to wisdom (Proverbs 24:7) and her words are destructive (Proverbs 10:14). She is quick tempered (Proverbs 12:16) and argumentative (Proverbs 20:3). This fool despises “wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7), runs on at the mouth rather than listen to wise counsel (Proverbs 10:8), and is a know-it-all (Proverbs 12:15). It is no surprise that such a foolish woman ruins her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and he would be better off on a roof or in a desert (Proverbs 21:19; 25:24). She neglects to care for her children and inherits shame (Proverbs 29:15). Thus, her house is destroyed by her own hands.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
– Proverbs 13:19
The wording in this proverb is difficult and various interpretations have been offered. The second and contrasting phrase gives the emphasis to the first phrase. Taken in this light, the
desire mentioned must be a good desire as the obtaining it yields the
sweet result. The contrast is that
fools refuse the good that comes from wisdom and righteousness because they cannot
depart from evil. It is an abomination to fools, just as the upright are to the wicked (Proverbs 29:27). This proverb then reflects the spiritual nature of the fool’s problem. He doesn’t lack good information. He refuses it because he loves his folly more (Proverbs 26:11). He is wise in his own eyes and does not fear the Lord and therefore will not depart from evil nor purge his iniquities (Proverbs 3:7; 16:6).
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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
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