Posted by Jeff Short on September 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
– Proverbs 17:8
The word for
gift means bribe, or reward, and it is mostly negative in the Old Testament usage. The word for
precious means favor, or charm. It describes a
stone that is seen as some charm of favor, or magic charm. The second phrase describes the one who uses it as prospering wherever he turns his bribe. The proverb describes the short term success of the palm greaser. Using bribes can range on the scale of wickedness, but it is always wicked to do so (Proverbs 17:23). God’s righteousness is described as never taking bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17). The law, which demands holiness like God’s holiness, forbids the giving or taking of bribes (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 27:25).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
– Proverbs 17:7
The word for
excellent literally means overhanging. It implies excess and here describes
speech that is high and lofty. We would call it big talk, or even boasting. It could be pretentious putting on of airs, or arrogant prattle. The first phrase means such talk is not fitting, or appropriate, to a
fool (Proverbs 26:7). The word for
fool here is not only senseless but also wicked. The same word is used in Psalm 14:1 to describe one who has rejected the first principle of wisdom, the fear of the Lord. Similarly, as the second phrase points out,
lying lips are not becoming to a
prince. A
prince is a ruler and as such a minister of God for righteousness, or justice (Romans 13:1-4). Falsehood in one supposed to uphold truth is a travesty (Proverbs 16:10-13; 12:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
– Proverbs 17:6
This proverb highlights generational blessings that come with wisdom (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20). The cutting off of family is a curse to the wicked (Psalm 109:13-15). The blessed man has family that brings joy and honor (Psalm 127:1-5; 128:1-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Marker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
– Proverbs 17:5
The word for
mocketh means to deride, or ridicule. The word for
reproacheth means to defame, or blaspheme. The
poor are those who are destitute and needy. The first shows that selfish cruel treatment of the unfortunate is a slight not only to them, but to the God who made them (Proverbs 14:31; Exodus 4:11). The word for
calamities means misfortune, or ruin. The word for
unpunished means to be held guiltless, or innocent. The second phrase furthers the seriousness of the first. To rejoice in the calamities of others and to take delight in their ruin is evil and God will avenge it (Proverbs 16:5; 24:17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
– Proverbs 17:4
Evil speech can be anywhere from slanderous to plotting and is here represented by
false lips and a
naughty tongue. This proverb isn’t so much about evil speech as it is about those who listen and delight in hearing it. For evil speech to spread, it has to have a ready ear (Proverbs 26:20). Delighting in bad talk reveals the hearer as bad also. The word for
wicked doer means a spoiler, or destroyer. The word
liar indicates a habitual liar. The law forbid taking part in talebearing, whether as a spreader or hearer (Leviticus 19:16-17).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
– Proverbs 17:3
On the face, this proverb is obscure, but the wisdom revealed is not too advanced for the Proverbs. The parallelism gives us what we need to discern the meaning. The
fining pot and
furnace refer to the crucible used for testing and purifying precious metals such as
silver and
gold. These images were used to speak of testing by trials God designs for the purifying of His own (Job 23:10; Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10; 1 Peter 1:6-7). The second line goes deeper. It is the
hearts, or the inner man, his thoughts, feelings, and motives, which are tried (Proverbs 15:11). God’s testing is not of outward appearance but of internal thoughts and motives (Proverbs 24:12). So God tests with full knowledge and purpose to draw out the impurities of the heart as the refiner separates the dross from the metal.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
– Proverbs 17:2
While possible, a servant rarely advanced beyond being a servant. A wise servant could merit reward (Proverbs 14:35). The emphasis of the proverb is on the
son that causeth shame. He is disinherited because of his foolishness and shall see the servant advance beyond him (Proverbs 11:29). Proverbs has many warnings to foolish sons and the consequences of their folly (Proverbs 10:5; 19:26).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Introduction
Chapter 17 continues the “Proverbs of Solomon.” The proverbs in this chapter are general with no grouping. They touch on a variety of topics, such as fools, speech, friendships, etc.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
– Proverbs 17:1
The overall statement of this proverb is being poor but having peace is better than being prosperous but having contentions. A dry morsel is a crust of bread without anything on it or to dip it in. It is a poor meal (Proverbs 15:17). The word for quietness means peace and security. A house full refers to abundance and sacrifices, by the parallelism, refers to a feast. The word for strife means controversy or dispute. Opportunities abound in life for strife, but wisdom avoids and appeases it, while folly starts it or enflames it (Proverbs 15:17; 17:14; 18:6; 20:3; 26:17, 21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
– Proverbs 16:33
The casting of lots in the Old Testament time was a way of making decisions deemed too difficult, or the settling of disputes. The word for
disposing means judgment, or verdict. The point of the proverb is God’s sovereign determinations and not random chance controlling events. This proverb closes chapter 16, which has strong statements of God’s sovereignty from the start (Proverbs 16:1, 9).
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Proverbs 17:8
Posted by Jeff Short on September 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
The word for gift means bribe, or reward, and it is mostly negative in the Old Testament usage. The word for precious means favor, or charm. It describes a stone that is seen as some charm of favor, or magic charm. The second phrase describes the one who uses it as prospering wherever he turns his bribe. The proverb describes the short term success of the palm greaser. Using bribes can range on the scale of wickedness, but it is always wicked to do so (Proverbs 17:23). God’s righteousness is described as never taking bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17). The law, which demands holiness like God’s holiness, forbids the giving or taking of bribes (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 27:25).– Proverbs 17:8
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Filed under 17, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Bribe, Commentary, Justice, Proverbs, Wicked