Posted by Jeff Short on August 24, 2022 · Leave a Comment
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
– Proverbs 30:20
Verse 20 is the conclusion the sage was driving at with the list of incomprehensible things. There’s no need to puzzle long over the list and seek mysterious meanings. Each operates in a natural, ordered, and designed way—the eagle in the air, the serpent on a rock, the ship in the sea, and the man and woman in marriage. The wonder is the hardness of the “adulterous woman.” Descriptions and warnings about her have abounded in the wisdom sayings (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:1-14, 20-23; 7:1-27; 9:17; 22:14; 23:27-28). The point of the wisdom sayings is not that women are the main ones guilty of sexual sins, or are worse than men. We must remember that wisdom sayings are given in the form of fatherly or motherly instructions to a young man and a part of wisdom is understanding the application of wisdom to various people and situations.
Just as the eagle and the serpent move naturally in their habitat, the adulteress is at home in her adulteries. Sexual sin is just as normal and natural as eating and drinking. She sees no spiritual or moral value at stake, “I have done no wickedness.” God designed and ordered one man, one woman marriage and all sexual activity outside that order is sin of various descriptions in Scripture.
Posted by Jeff Short on October 20, 2020 · Leave a Comment
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
– Proverbs 29:27
This verse ends the collection of Solomon’s proverbs collected by Hezekiah’s men, which began in 25:1. A thematic contrast between the righteous and the wicked has ran through this collection and finds an appropriate conclusion in this last verse.
The word for abomination speaks of something abhorrent and detestable. It is usually applied to what God hates (Proverbs 3:32; 6:16; 11:1 et al). In this saying, the word describes the intense incompatibility between the righteous and the wicked. This saying then also contributes to the wisdom theme of the two way featured so prominently in chapters 1-9.
A brief survey of this collection of proverbs reveals Solomon’s practical wisdom in touching on family, neighbors, friends, citizens, kings, rulers, etc. This, of course, demonstrates that the way of wisdom, the way of righteousness, not separated from mundane daily concerns, but rather the way lies through them. Of course, the way of wisdom in society gives a foretaste of the glories of Christ’s kingdom where wisdom reigns over all the earth.
Posted by Jeff Short on June 8, 2020 · Leave a Comment
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
– Proverbs 29:16
This saying seems to have the wicked ascending to authority, like in Provers 29:2. The increase of wicked authority will increase the sins of a society. The point of the saying comes in the contrasting last line. The wicked may outnumber the righteous at various times, but ultimately the righteous will outlast the wicked.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 30, 2020 · Leave a Comment
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
– Proverbs 29:12
Verses 12-14 form a small group of sayings related to kingship and rule. This saying relies on the Deuteronomic kingship ideal, where the ideal king is exemplar in keeping God’s law and presiding over a nation of the faithful (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). The king’s character will shape the character of his kingdom, for good or bad. This saying warns against the bad. If the king will listen to lies, more lies will be told him. The last phrase presents a thorough corruption to
all his servants.
Posted by Jeff Short on April 8, 2020 · Leave a Comment
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
– Proverbs 29:7
This saying rounds out the group of sayings concerned with justice. The
cause of the poor refers to justice, the rights and needs of the poor. The
poor as a group often represent not merely the economically depressed, but those who are weak and vulnerable in various circumstances. The
righteous know the state and condition of the easily oppressed, much like the faithful shepherd knows the state of his flocks (Proverbs 27:23). Such knowledge is coupled with action (Proverbs 29:4; 13-14; 26), but those who care nothing about it are here called
wicked (Proverbs 21:13).
Posted by Jeff Short on March 10, 2020 · Leave a Comment
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
– Proverbs 29:2
This saying echoes the theme of righteous rule contrasted with wicked rule. The general tenor of wisdom emphasizes the flourishing of people under righteous rule and also issues warning to rulers (Proverbs 11:10-11; 28:12, 28; 29:16).
Posted by Jeff Short on November 19, 2019 · Leave a Comment
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
– Proverbs 28:15
The sayings in verses 15-16 continue the theme of wisdom to rulers. The saying compares a
wicked ruler to a
roaring lion and a
ranging bear. Wild and predatory animals provide descriptive analogies for various foolish human behaviors (Proverbs 19:12; 20:2; 30:29-31). The saying means a wicked ruler abuses power to prey on helpless, poor people. Wisdom teaches that God is a just judge who will execute justice for the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 17:5).
Posted by Jeff Short on October 22, 2019 · Leave a Comment
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
– Proverbs 28:12
The saying is close to Proverbs 28:28 and Proverbs 29:2. Wisdom acknowledges the blessing of righteous rule and the rejoicing and glory are emblems of human flourishing (Proverbs 11:10). The contrast is with wicked rule and the result that men hide themselves. The contrast is with open rejoicing and glory. The seek refuge from the oppression and injustice of the rule.
Posted by Jeff Short on May 20, 2019 · Leave a Comment
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
– Proverbs 28:4
Verses 4-6 contrast the wicked, evil men, and the perverse with the righteous who are described as keeping the law, seeking the Lord, and walking in uprightness. This verse contrasts the conditions of
forsake the law and
keep the law. The word for forsake means to leave, or neglect. The word for keep means to guard, or heed. Leaving the law leads to praising the wicked and keeping the law leads to contending with the wicked. Leaving God’s fixed, transcendent standard leads to lack of discernment between right and wrong, and even to calling evil good and good evil (Psalm 10:3; Isaiah 5:20).
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Proverbs 30:20
Posted by Jeff Short on August 24, 2022 · Leave a Comment
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Verse 20 is the conclusion the sage was driving at with the list of incomprehensible things. There’s no need to puzzle long over the list and seek mysterious meanings. Each operates in a natural, ordered, and designed way—the eagle in the air, the serpent on a rock, the ship in the sea, and the man and woman in marriage. The wonder is the hardness of the “adulterous woman.” Descriptions and warnings about her have abounded in the wisdom sayings (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:1-14, 20-23; 7:1-27; 9:17; 22:14; 23:27-28). The point of the wisdom sayings is not that women are the main ones guilty of sexual sins, or are worse than men. We must remember that wisdom sayings are given in the form of fatherly or motherly instructions to a young man and a part of wisdom is understanding the application of wisdom to various people and situations.– Proverbs 30:20
Just as the eagle and the serpent move naturally in their habitat, the adulteress is at home in her adulteries. Sexual sin is just as normal and natural as eating and drinking. She sees no spiritual or moral value at stake, “I have done no wickedness.” God designed and ordered one man, one woman marriage and all sexual activity outside that order is sin of various descriptions in Scripture.
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Filed under 30, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Adultery, Commentary, Proverbs, Strange Woman, Wicked, Wisdom