Posted by Jeff Short on April 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
– Proverbs 12:25
The word for
heaviness means anxious care, and
stoop is obviously to bow down. A person with many anxieties is weighed down and burdened. A
good word is encouraging, helpful, and fitting (Proverbs 15:23; 16:24; 25:11; 27:9). Words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21). That power can be used for good or ill. Obviously, wisdom strives to use words aright.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
– Proverbs 12:23
The word for
concealeth means to hide or cover. A couple of senses are covered here. The wise man stores up knowledge (Proverbs 10:14), and he measures out his words (Proverbs 10:19; 11:13; 15:2). The main thought of the proverb is restraint or control over the tongue exercised by the
prudent. The contrast comes in the fool proclaiming, or crying out, foolishness. Talkativeness is a mark of a fool (Proverbs 15:2). Not only does a fool pour out foolishness, but he also proves himself to be a fool by doing so (Proverbs 13:16; Ecclesiastes 10:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
– Proverbs 12:19
The
lip of truth and the
lying tongue are obviously put for a contrast between true and false words. True words endure, have lasting value. False words are momentary. They are usually spoken for some immediate purpose and not for lasting worth. Even if we think of cultural myths that perpetuate from one generation to the next, they will ultimately fall and truth will always stand (Proverbs 19:5, 9; Revelation 21:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
– Proverbs 12:18
Wisdom teaches words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21). The contrast of this proverb is between the power for bad and the power for good. The word for
speaketh means babble and indicates rash, hasty speech like that prompted by anger. The
piercings of a sword speak of a wound from stabbing. Rash and angry words are wounding, and sometimes deeply so (Proverbs 25:18). The contrasted words are
wise words. Wise words are honest and just (Proverbs 24:26). Wise words are calm and measured (Proverbs 10:19; 15:1). Wise words are also appropriate for the season (Proverbs 15:23). The word for
health means a curative, i.e. a medicine. Thus, wise words are also wholesome, nourishing, life-giving (Proverbs 10:21; 16:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
– Proverbs 12:14
To be satisfied is to be filled to satisfaction. The metaphor of
fruit is suggestive. It is what is produced and usually not immediately. Whether we think of a farm setting or wild fruit, it takes time to get the product. We should view our words as a kind of work and sowing. Then we must understand that word-work and sowing will produce a harvest, whether bad or good (Proverbs 13:2; 18:20-21). It is just as the work of our hands that brings a
recompence, or a requital of our effort. Refusal to heed wisdom in this matter means the sluggard will have nothing in the winter (Proverbs 20:4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
– Proverbs 12:13
Proverbs speaks much to words, their use and their danger. Here words of
transgression, or rebellion, ensnare the speaker. Solomon warned his son of speaking hastily and the snare that could result from it (Proverbs 6:1-2). The word for
trouble means tightness, or straitness. We might say to get in a bind. The
wicked speak rebellious words that get them in a bind (Proverbs 18:7), but the
just speak wise words that deliver, or keep, them out a bind (Proverbs 13:2; 18:20).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
– Proverbs 11:12
To despise is to hold in contempt or as insignificant. We would say it is to look down on someone else. Considering the contrast, despising means gossiping, slandering, or even openly deriding one’s neighbor. It could include scorn and mockery, even when covered with a thin veneer (Proverbs 26:19). Conversely, the wise man will keep silence rather than speak such to his neighbor (Proverbs 10:19; 15:28; 17:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.
– Proverbs 10:32
The word for
acceptable means delightful and pleasant. The words of the righteous are fitting words (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11). There is beauty in them and these come from a well of wisdom (Matthew 13:52). The words of the wicked are presented in contrast. They are not few, well-chosen, nor beautiful (Proverbs 15:2, 28). They only speak
frowardness, which is twistedness or perversity.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
– Proverbs 10:21
The
righteous receive instruction and grow in wisdom. Because they have a store of wisdom, they also speak and give out wisdom (Proverbs 12:18; 15:4). The emphasis is usually placed on the life-giving nature of their instruction. Here it speaks of the abundance they have to give to others. The word for
feed indicates to tend a flock or put them to pasture. The word used for
fool here speaks of one who despises wisdom, mocks, and is quarrelsome. He stubbornly refuses wise instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 12:15). Because they have no store of wisdom, they cannot feed others as the righteous do and they starve themselves.
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Proverbs 12:25
Posted by Jeff Short on April 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
The word for heaviness means anxious care, and stoop is obviously to bow down. A person with many anxieties is weighed down and burdened. A good word is encouraging, helpful, and fitting (Proverbs 15:23; 16:24; 25:11; 27:9). Words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21). That power can be used for good or ill. Obviously, wisdom strives to use words aright.– Proverbs 12:25
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