Posted by Jeff Short on August 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
– Proverbs 16:8
Proverbs doesn’t denounce wealth in itself, just as the rest of Scripture, though wealth is never exalted as a goal or the ultimate mark of God’s favor. This proverb highlights wealth in relation to ethics and approaching legality. The terms,
righteousness and
right, refer to justice. The contrast is between having
little or
great revenues, or income. The proverb does not exalt poverty, for
little is what we would call a modest income. The point of interest is how the
little or the
great is obtained. It is better to be just in whatever we have, whether
little or
great (Proverbs 15:16; 21:6-7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
– Proverbs 15:25
The word for
proud means lofty or arrogant. The proud are pictured in Proverbs as making gains through oppression and exploitation (Proverbs 16:19). The proud are numbered among the wicked targeted for divine retribution and judgment (Proverbs 16:18; 14:11). There is nothing inherently virtuous in being a
widow, but along with the fatherless, the widow stands for those who are weak and vulnerable. Widows are easily and often oppressed and deprived of justice (Isaiah 1:23; 3:14; 10:2; Matthew 23:14). The tenor of the proverb would count the widow here as among the righteous weak and they have protection and justice from the Lord, which is greater than the spoils of the wicked (Proverbs 12:7; 14:11).
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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.
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
– Proverbs 10:6
Wisdom is much more concerned with outcomes over time than immediate gains or losses. The
just is a righteous or lawful man. The perspective is his relation to and dealing with others. Over time, his just dealings return
blessings, or benedictions, upon him. He has a reputation or a good name. Conversely, the
wicked pour out foolishness from their mouths (Proverbs 15:28). Ultimately
violence covers them as their mouths prove to be their own snare and destruction (Proverbs 12:13; 18:6-7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 11, 2016 · Leave a Comment
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
– Proverbs 8:16
Like in the previous verse, wisdom is the good of any good authority on earth. Wisdom is required to hold authority without abuse or vainglory. Wisdom will restrain unrighteousness and teach hatred of “evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth” (Proverbs 8:13). These things are all the corruption of power and lead to oppression, extortion, and perversion of justice. These are all things that afflict men when the foolish wicked bear rule (Proverbs 29:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 10, 2016 · Leave a Comment
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
– Proverbs 8:15
If ever justice is decreed, it is by wisdom. Any good reign is accomplished by wisdom. When the wicked and fools bear rule, incompetence, oppression, tyranny, and injustice abound. The point is that any good government requires wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 28, 2016 · 1 Comment
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
– Proverbs 3:27
This verse is variously interpreted to command consideration of the needy (Deuteronomy 24:14-15) or the upholding of justice in personal dealings (Leviticus 19:13). We can see both in the verse. They go together. The phrase “to whom it is due” could refer to an owner. In this sense, justice comes to the fore. We also have an obligation to the poor and needy, which suggests that acts of charity also have a sense of justice (Deuteronomy 26:13; 1 John 3:17-18). Overall the verse has a sense of urgency. Whether we give in acts of charity or of justice, we are to do it quickly, or be soon to do it. Withhold not is saying do not put it off. We should be quickly just and considerate in our personal dealings.
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Proverbs 16:8
Posted by Jeff Short on August 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs doesn’t denounce wealth in itself, just as the rest of Scripture, though wealth is never exalted as a goal or the ultimate mark of God’s favor. This proverb highlights wealth in relation to ethics and approaching legality. The terms, righteousness and right, refer to justice. The contrast is between having little or great revenues, or income. The proverb does not exalt poverty, for little is what we would call a modest income. The point of interest is how the little or the great is obtained. It is better to be just in whatever we have, whether little or great (Proverbs 15:16; 21:6-7).– Proverbs 16:8
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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