Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
– Proverbs 10:14
To
lay up means to hide or hoard. It isn’t a mere accumulation of knowledge here. It’s the picture of the wise householder Jesus painted (Matthew 13:52). Those who are wise know to take in knowledge and store it up to be used at the right time. This isn’t a utilitarian view of knowledge but rather a picture of discernment and discretion. The
foolish cannot store up knowledge because they speak more than they listen and readily devour foolishness (Proverbs 15:5, 14). Rather than storing up knowledge then, they are
near destruction (Proverbs 13:3; 18:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
– Proverbs 10:10
Rather than a contrast, this proverb gives us a comparison going from bad to worse. Winking is a gesture often used as deception or to give reassurance (Proverbs 6:13). It is usually the means of one taking advantage in some way. The word of such a one is not trustworthy causes injury. As in Proverbs 10:8, the prating fool prefers his own foolishness and will not receive instruction. The result is being taken as in a snare.
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
– Proverbs 10:8
Solomon here contrasts characteristics of the wise and foolish. The parallelism also speaks of the results of each. The
wise in heart, or mind, are teachable and will
receive commandments. Having wisdom in Proverbs never amounts to being a know-it-all but being a learner (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9). It is a distinct mark of wisdom. The
prating fool is literally the foolish of lips. It refers to talkativeness in volume of words but also being opinionated where the fool delights more in his own foolishness than the counsel of wisdom (Proverbs 12:23; Ecclesiastes 10:14). Because the fool won’t hear instruction and prefers his own vain thoughts, he will fall or come to ruin (Proverbs 18:6-7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
– Proverbs 8:5
Simple means gullible or naïve. The simple person is thoughtless and careless. Fools are obstinately stupid in life. It is not a comment on their mental capacity, but rather their willfulness in foolishness. Wisdom is a broad term that means prudence, shrewdness, or discernment. Wisdom is thoughtful, deliberate, and careful. Understanding points more specifically to discernment and an understanding heart speaks of having good sense. The cry and design of wisdom is to give wisdom and understanding to the simple and the fools. All men are born simple and foolish. We must grow in wisdom and understanding by taking heed to the cry and words of wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 13, 2016 · 1 Comment
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
– Proverbs 5:12
Solomon continues the future lament and state of regret that awaits the man taken by the strange woman. He realizes too late he is a fool, because fools hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22, 29-32; 15:5). He regrets discounting the reproofs of wisdom (Proverbs 1:25). In the end, he becomes a proverb (Proverbs 13:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 8, 2016 · 1 Comment
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
– Proverbs 1:32
Turning away points to the active refusal of wisdom (Proverbs 1:23). It is as though wisdom is considered and found detestable and discarded. Refusing wisdom is suicidal (Proverbs 8:36). Prosperity speaks of abundance and security. Every perceived gain by folly, no matter how small, only confirms fools in their way. Their way leads to destruction.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 6, 2016 · 1 Comment
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
– Proverbs 1:30
Wisdom reiterates the reproof from verse 25 and provides explanation for the judgment to come in the next verse. It highlights the active refusal of wisdom by the fools who go their own way. This is a display of man’s depravity that he will only of himself choose sin and folly.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 5, 2016 · 1 Comment
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
– Proverbs 1:29
Fools actively reject wisdom. It is foolishness to them. This is in explanation of the previous two verses. Though wisdom cries long, there comes a time when she cannot be found. This verse describes the hardened, obstinate sinner who hated knowledge and refused to fear God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and no one starts in wisdom but they start there (Proverbs 1:7). By refusing the fear of the Lord, they show they try to come some other way, but none is found.
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 3, 2016 · 1 Comment
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
– Proverbs 1:27
Fear expresses alarm. Desolation, destruction, whirlwind, distress, and anguish point to suddenness and confusion. A part of the suddenness of a fool’s calamity is that it comes unlooked for. A fool thinks not too far ahead and doesn’t think they will come to ruin. It’s beyond question these will come upon the fool. It’s only a matter of time.
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Proverbs 10:14
Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
To lay up means to hide or hoard. It isn’t a mere accumulation of knowledge here. It’s the picture of the wise householder Jesus painted (Matthew 13:52). Those who are wise know to take in knowledge and store it up to be used at the right time. This isn’t a utilitarian view of knowledge but rather a picture of discernment and discretion. The foolish cannot store up knowledge because they speak more than they listen and readily devour foolishness (Proverbs 15:5, 14). Rather than storing up knowledge then, they are near destruction (Proverbs 13:3; 18:7).– Proverbs 10:14
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