Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
– Proverbs 17:4
Evil speech can be anywhere from slanderous to plotting and is here represented by
false lips and a
naughty tongue. This proverb isn’t so much about evil speech as it is about those who listen and delight in hearing it. For evil speech to spread, it has to have a ready ear (Proverbs 26:20). Delighting in bad talk reveals the hearer as bad also. The word for
wicked doer means a spoiler, or destroyer. The word
liar indicates a habitual liar. The law forbid taking part in talebearing, whether as a spreader or hearer (Leviticus 19:16-17).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
– Proverbs 16:12
The level of authority and responsibility a person has magnifies the severity of their sins (Luke 12:47-48). On the one hand, even good works can become abominable when mixed with the embrace of folly (Proverbs 28:9). Kings are in a special place of responsibility and accountability before God. They must be careful not to follow the counsel of the ungodly (Proverbs 20:18; 25:5). The word for
righteousness means justice and is explained as “faithfully judgeth the poor” in a similar proverb (Proverbs 29:14). Bearing authority with wisdom means upholding justice (Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:19; Proverbs 24:23; 28:21).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on July 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
– Proverbs 16:4
This proverb is an advanced piece of theology pertaining to the sovereignty of God over his creation. The word for
himself is the same as in verse 1 that was translated
answer. The first statement reveals Yahweh has made everything and everything is made for his purpose (Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11). The
day of evil, or trouble, speaks of judgment. The wicked will come to their deserved end and even this is by God’s purpose and for his glory (Job 21:30; Romans 9:21-22). The depth of theology here is beyond the scope of a brief commentary. God has a will and purpose from beginning to end for his creation from before the foundation of the world (Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 1:9-11). All of history is moving toward God’s designed end and this proverb emphasizes that the rebellion of the wicked and their rejection of his revealed will do not thwart his purpose (Daniel 4:35). Asaph wrote that even man’s wrath praises God and all else is restrained by God (Psalm 76:10).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on July 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
– Proverbs 15:29
Being far is contrasted with hearing prayer. The wicked go their own way, so God does not hear their cries (Proverbs 28:9; Psalm 34:16). The righteous walk in the way of wisdom that is pleasing to God. He is near to them and hears their prayers (Proverbs 15:8). The subject of prayer is infrequent in Proverbs.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on July 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth our evil things.
– Proverbs 15:28
This proverb is similar to Proverbs 15:2, but that one speaks of
wise and
fools and this speaks of
the righteous and
the wicked. The terms are not technically synonymous, but can be used for one another naturally because righteousness is a necessary consequence of wisdom, as wickedness is a necessary consequence of folly. The word for
studieth means to meditate or muse. The word for
answer means a response. In the first phrase, the reply of wisdom comes from the
heart, or the mind. Put simply, the wise think before they speak and, therefore, they say better things (Proverbs 15:2; 16:23). By contrast, the
wicked answer with their
mouth rather than their mind. The word for
poureth means to gush forth. Fools are quick to pour out their thoughtless opinions (Proverbs 10:19; 13:16; 29:11, 20; Ecclesiastes 10:12-14).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on July 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
– Proverbs 15:26
The word for
thoughts means contrivance, or plan. The plans, or imaginations, of the
wicked are abominable to God (Proverbs 6:16-19; 24:9). The contrasted phrase,
words of the pure, emphasizes God’s knowledge of the thoughts of men. Our hearts are ever open before him (Proverbs 15:11). The word for
pure means clean and
pleasant means agreeable, or delightful. The Lord hates a lying tongue but loves a tongue of truth (Proverbs 6:17; 12:22).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
– Proverbs 15:9
This proverb parallels the previous one. The former addressed religious acts and this one the life, or the
way. The
wicked do not pursue
righteousness as the upright do. The way of the wicked is characterized as darkness, proud, and perverting the way of wisdom (Proverbs 4:19; 21:4, 8). Their way is an
abomination to God. The word for
followeth after means to run after, or pursue. God loves those who pursue
righteousness in life and not merely pious rituals (Proverbs 21:21).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
– Proverbs 15:8
This proverb deals with worship and our approach to God. It is consistent with the rest of Scripture in that worship is a matter of spirit and not outward form (1 Samuel 15:22). The word for
sacrifice refers to the slaughter of an animal, and contextually to the purpose of offering to the Lord. It is a ritual act. Even if the outward act is performed impeccably, the wicked condition of the offerer’s heart makes it an abomination to God (Isaiah 1:10-15). The wicked despise God’s word and want to perform a ritual for acceptance, but God hates and rejects it (Proverbs 21:27; 28:9; Luke 6:46). The contrast is the
delight, pleasure or acceptance, of the
prayer of the upright (Proverbs 15:29; 1 Chronicles 29:17).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on June 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
– Proverbs 15:6
The
righteous and the
wicked are both gaining. The gain of the
righteous is stored up as
treasure, or wealth. The point of the first phrase is that through wisdom, the gains made by righteousness are a blessing (Proverbs 8:21; 21:20). These blessed gains come through honest and hard work (Proverbs 10:4; 21:5). The word for
revenues means income, or produce. The word for
trouble means to roil water, i.e., to stir up or disturb. The
wicked pursue gains hastily and craftily, so they come with much trouble (Proverbs 20:21; 21:5-7; 28:22).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 17:4
Posted by Jeff Short on September 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Evil speech can be anywhere from slanderous to plotting and is here represented by false lips and a naughty tongue. This proverb isn’t so much about evil speech as it is about those who listen and delight in hearing it. For evil speech to spread, it has to have a ready ear (Proverbs 26:20). Delighting in bad talk reveals the hearer as bad also. The word for wicked doer means a spoiler, or destroyer. The word liar indicates a habitual liar. The law forbid taking part in talebearing, whether as a spreader or hearer (Leviticus 19:16-17).– Proverbs 17:4
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 17, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Proverbs, Speech, Wicked