Posted by Jeff Short on March 25, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
– Proverbs 30:10
Verse 10 begins the more proverbial section of Agur’s words. Consistent with wisdom sayings, Agur focuses on the tongue and is rooted in Dueteronomic code (Deuteronomy 5:11-21). The word for
accuse can range from neutral to malicious, and here the idea is of slander. The law did provide protections for slaves, such as in Deuteronomy 23:15-16. The result of such slander will be a
curse and punishment for being
guilty.
This wisdom saying has two primary applications. We are not to despise someone of inferior station, as if false accusation doesn’t matter when against the lowly. Also, we are not to meddle in the affairs of others, such as the business between a slave and master. Paul applied wisdom this way to the churches in Rome in Romans 14:4 over the matter of judging one another in areas of Christian liberty. Paul also applied such Torah wisdom to the church at Corinth and their divisive judging and comparing of preachers (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).
Posted by Jeff Short on November 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
– Proverbs 26:22
This verse is the same as Proverbs 18:8. The word for wounds only appears in these two verses and means to gulp down. The image is that of devouring food. Just as what we eat goes into the body and has internal effect, gossip and slander penetrate and have an effect on our souls. Wisdom teaches to refuse to hear such talk (Proverbs 26:17, 20-21; 20:3).
Posted by Jeff Short on September 12, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
– Proverbs 25:23
The final proverbs in this chapter don’t have a strong connection, or theme. The original in this verse is difficult, but the image is clear enough. The word for
driveth away means bring forth, so rain comes with the wind. The word for
backbiting means covering, or secrecy. When the word is used of speech, it indicates slanderous speech. The saying is that as sure as the wind brings the rain, a slandering tongue will bring an
angry countenance. Wisdom’s warning would here goes to the slanderer.
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
– Proverbs 25:10
Verse 10 gives the consequence of being hasty to contend with someone. Particularly, the verse continues the thought from verse 9 and revealing a “secret to another.” The word for
shame means to bow and, in the context, refers to being reproached. The word for
infamy means slander. The warning means you will be brought to disgrace and gain reputation as a slanderer. Of course, the answer to avoid this was given in the previous verse, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself” (Proverbs 25:9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
– Proverbs 10:18
Hatred can be hidden by flattery, inappropriate silence, or outright lies (Proverbs 26:24-25). Uttering a slander gives vent to the hatred rather than hiding it. Both are damaging and indicative of a fool (Proverbs 16:28).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Proverbs 30:10
Posted by Jeff Short on March 25, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Verse 10 begins the more proverbial section of Agur’s words. Consistent with wisdom sayings, Agur focuses on the tongue and is rooted in Dueteronomic code (Deuteronomy 5:11-21). The word for accuse can range from neutral to malicious, and here the idea is of slander. The law did provide protections for slaves, such as in Deuteronomy 23:15-16. The result of such slander will be a curse and punishment for being guilty.– Proverbs 30:10
This wisdom saying has two primary applications. We are not to despise someone of inferior station, as if false accusation doesn’t matter when against the lowly. Also, we are not to meddle in the affairs of others, such as the business between a slave and master. Paul applied wisdom this way to the churches in Rome in Romans 14:4 over the matter of judging one another in areas of Christian liberty. Paul also applied such Torah wisdom to the church at Corinth and their divisive judging and comparing of preachers (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).
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Filed under 30, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Meddling, Proverbs, Slander