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 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
– Proverbs 13:25
The word for
satisfying means to be full, e.g., to have one’s hunger satisfied. The contrast is the
want, or lack, of the
belly of the wicked. Providentially, this proverb speaks of God’s governance of the universe and the reward or retribution to the righteous and the wicked respectively (Proverbs 10:3). Practically, this proverb speaks to true satisfaction. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon starts out by labeling everything under the sun as vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2) and concludes all is “vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Vexation of spirit describes trying to grasp the wind. This seems contradictory to this proverb. Solomon goes on in Ecclesiastes to lament man’s plight of chasing the wind and never catching it. I don’t have time or space for a study of Ecclesiastes here, but the problem is resolved by understanding the “gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19). The righteous can find satisfaction because they acknowledge and thank God (1 Timothy 4:3-4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
– Proverbs 13:24
This proverb speaks directly and plainly to parents rearing children. More modern times turns the words upside down to make them opposite their intended meaning. The contrast is between love and hate and sparing and chastening. Love and hate are not to be understood only in terms of emotion and sentiment. They are meant to speak to actions. The word for
rod means a branch or stick and it is an instrument of correction (Proverbs 10:13; 19:18; 22:15; 29:15, 17). To spare the rod is to withhold correction and it is a hateful action toward the child because they are not being trained. The word for
betimes means early and points to early in life and maybe also early in the sense of being quick to give needed corrections. The motive of correction should always be the child’s good (Hebrews 12:5-11) and should not be done in anger or severity (Ephesians 6:4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
– Proverbs 13:23
The word for
tillage means fallow ground. The point is the poor man can eat of the land with hard work and good management. His lack of resource is no insurmountable obstacle (Proverbs 28:19). Contrariwise, failure to discern the time and respond accordingly leads to loss (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
– Proverbs 13:22
The word for
good is a general term encompassing a wide range of good. Such a man is upright, just, and wise. We infer he has gathered whatever he leaves through honest dealing, diligent work, and wise stewardship. Wealth acquired that way tends to last (Proverbs 13:11; 27:23-27). The word for
inheritance means to acquire a possession, or a bequeathal. Of course, such a man as described in the first phrase leaves more behind than silver and gold. He leaves a good name, good example, good instruction, and a good heritage. The children and the grandchildren of such an one are blessed beyond measure regardless of the size of their accounts. The contrast is how the wicked gather through unjust means and it tends not to last (Proverbs 10:2; 20:21). The contrast goes further and shows a providential correction. Their
wealth is
laid up for the just. What sinners gather will ultimately be possession of the righteous (Proverbs 28:8; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Psalm 37:9-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
– Proverbs 13:21
This proverb is in line with the general principle of sowing and reaping, which is throughout Proverbs as well as the rest of Scripture. The word for
evil means adversity or calamity, and
pursueth means to chase after. The way of sinners has calamity on their heels. The
righteous, or just, shall be rewarded with all forms of
good (Proverbs 11:31).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
– Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs speaks often about the influence, for good or bad, of others upon one’s life. The fatherly addresses in the opening chapters alert to the presence of evil influences and instruct and warn to avoid them (Proverbs 1:10; 2:12; 4:14). The proverbs proper also warn this way (Proverbs 16:29; 22:24-25; 23:20; 28:7). The first phrase commends the good of walking with
wise men. The result is becoming wise oneself (Proverbs 2:20). The second phrase warns that to flock with
fools, which the word for companion means, will to be inherit the same end as fools (Proverbs 1:11-19; 2:12-19; 9:6).
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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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Posted by Jeff Short on May 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
– Proverbs 13:18
This proverb is a truism of outcomes in life. The word for
shame points to disgrace, or dishonor, and
poverty is just that. This comes to one who refuses
instruction, which is discipline including correction. Despising instruction is the proverbial characteristic of the fool (Proverbs 1:7). The contrast is to regard
reproof. To regard is to keep or give heed. The word for
reproof leans more to the correction. Such correction is an indispensable part of acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 15:5, 31-32; 9:9; 25:12).
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Proverbs 14:1
Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
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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