Posted by Jeff Short on March 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong men retain riches.
– Proverbs 11:16
The point of the contrast in this proverb is not to contrast men and women as such, but rather to provide a through-going contrast. Both lines present a contrast from start to finish. The word for
gracious points to kindness and charm. It can refer to objective beauty, but physical beauty is not meant, or at least not the emphasis here, as verse 22 later shows. To retain is to obtain and to keep. The point of the phrase is that
honor is obtained and kept through graciousness. The word for
strong means oppressive and tyrannical.
Riches can be obtained and kept by such means. The point of the contrast then becomes clear. Only
riches can be obtained that way. Such men will not retain
honor. The
gracious woman may or may not obtain wealth, but she will retain
honor.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
– Proverbs 11:4
The
day of wrath refers to divine judgment or reckoning. It could be a reckoning in this life or the final reckoning in the life to come. Either way, the gain that so dominates the thoughts of many will not provide any release before the righteous judge. He cannot be bribed and silver and gold are not sufficient to pay for sin. The way of wisdom is the way of
righteousness, or justice. There is safety in that way and deliverance from the fear of death (Proverbs 12:28; Hebrews 2:14-15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
– Proverbs 10:22
Labor without or apart from Divine blessing might lead to multiplied possessions, but it will not be without sorrow admixed (Proverbs 13:11; 15:6). There is a certain futility in all such labor, no matter the short-term gains (Psalm 127:1-3). When the Lord blesses wise, diligent labor, the increase is a blessing with joy (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The labor of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
– Proverbs 10:16
Following verse 15 is a wise saying proving wealth and poverty are not the greatest factors and that life is more than physical. The wisdom worldview here is considering outcomes, or results. Regardless of what a person possesses and whether that would class him as poor or rich, he will use what he does have according to the character he also has.
Labor takes in both the work and the wage.
Fruit is the product or gain received. The
righteous and the
wicked both have gains in this proverb. The spiritual dynamic is contrasted by those gains being either to
life or
sin. Whatever profit the wicked receives becomes unprofitable because they only use it to fuel ongoing offense, as the word indicates.
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
– Proverbs 10:4
A slack hand refers to laxness or slothfulness. It is contrasted with
diligent, which refers to definite, determined action. Wisdom teaches that slothfulness tends to poverty (Proverbs 6:9-11; 19:15; 20:4). Wisdom also teaches that diligent work tends to abundance (Proverbs 13:4; 21:5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
– Proverbs 10:3
Proverbs are pithy and not lengthy explanations. Nuances and qualifications are limited in the form. The general trend of this proverb contrasts the righteous and the wicked in their life provisions. The wise live justly and refuse gains by wickedness. This seems to put them at disadvantage, but Yahweh is merciful to them that they do not starve. The wicked use all means to secure wealth, but it’s often short lived. The point of the proverb is that there is higher justice than the court of men and he sorts the good from the bad (Psalms 27:16-20, 25-26).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
– Proverbs 10:2
The first phrase refers to wealth gotten through immoral or unethical means. Worldly wealth is always a temporary possession no matter how it is acquired (Proverbs 23:5). Such wealth can do no more than provide some temporary enjoyment. It cannot deliver (Psalm 49:6-10). The contrast is with true righteousness. The word indicates a just and upright life. Wisdom knows the true righteousness is found in Jesus Christ alone (Philippians 3:9) and it leads to true life, eternal life (Romans 5:21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 16, 2016 · Leave a Comment
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
– Proverbs 8:21
To
inherit is to acquire for a possession. Those who love wisdom and walk in her way will gain many possessions for their storehouses, or treasuries. In fact, they will be wholly filled or filled to the full. Wisdom is pictured as delighting to dispense rich gifts, which surpass the value of fine gold and choice silver. James wrote that God gives wisdom liberally to those who ask (James 1:5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on December 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
– Proverbs 8:18
Riches are wealth and
honor is glory and abundance.
Durable riches speaks of old or ancient wealth treasured up. Hence, it is enduring and not quickly fading. It is passed on from one hand to another. The wealth of wisdom is abundant, enduring, and just.
Righteousness is justice and opposite of oppression or extortion, which are common worldly means of gaining wealth. As you work through this chapter, keep note of both the physical and spiritual nature of the benefits of wisdom.
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Proverbs 11:16
Posted by Jeff Short on March 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong men retain riches.
The point of the contrast in this proverb is not to contrast men and women as such, but rather to provide a through-going contrast. Both lines present a contrast from start to finish. The word for gracious points to kindness and charm. It can refer to objective beauty, but physical beauty is not meant, or at least not the emphasis here, as verse 22 later shows. To retain is to obtain and to keep. The point of the phrase is that honor is obtained and kept through graciousness. The word for strong means oppressive and tyrannical. Riches can be obtained and kept by such means. The point of the contrast then becomes clear. Only riches can be obtained that way. Such men will not retain honor. The gracious woman may or may not obtain wealth, but she will retain honor.– Proverbs 11:16
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