Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chapter 14 continues the second major section of Proverbs. It is also part of the first subsection of Chapters 10-15, which are primarily two-line, antithetical proverbs on various topics. The proverbs in this chapter touch on the use of words, contrasts of folly and wisdom, wisdom at home, friends, etc.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
– Proverbs 14:1
The contrast in this proverb is the result of the qualities of wisdom and folly. The wise woman is the woman who possesses wisdom and walks in wisdom. This is no statement on her physical appearance or domestic skills. She understands a house is built and continues through wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4). The stability of the home centers on the woman. Her wisdom starts with her husband where she can be a source of good (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14), even to being a crown to him (Proverbs 12:4), and his safe counselor (Proverbs 31:11). She is one with her husband in the teaching, training, discipline, and correction of their children (Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:3; 6:20; 23:22). A child that does not heed the instruction and pursues folly instead is equally dishonorable to mother and father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:26; 20:20). However, the children who rise in wisdom bless her (Proverbs 23:25; 31:27-28). And so her house is well established.
The contrast is the foolish woman. The word used here describes an obstinate silliness. Foolishness describes one who will not stretch to wisdom (Proverbs 24:7) and her words are destructive (Proverbs 10:14). She is quick tempered (Proverbs 12:16) and argumentative (Proverbs 20:3). This fool despises “wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7), runs on at the mouth rather than listen to wise counsel (Proverbs 10:8), and is a know-it-all (Proverbs 12:15). It is no surprise that such a foolish woman ruins her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and he would be better off on a roof or in a desert (Proverbs 21:19; 25:24). She neglects to care for her children and inherits shame (Proverbs 29:15). Thus, her house is destroyed by her own hands.
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
– Proverbs 13:10
The word for
contention means a quarrel or strife. The first phrase reveals how it comes by
pride, or stubborn arrogance. The proud bringer of strife is identified as a scorner (Proverbs 21:24). They will not receive counsel because they know best (Proverbs 12:15; 1:7). This is shown to be foolish by the contrast with
wisdom in the last phrase. Wisdom is frequently described as instruction or correction (Proverbs 1:2-3, 23; 3:11). Acquiring wisdom necessarily means listening to and receiving good counsel, instruction, and correction (Proverbs 19:20; 20:18; 25:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 31, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
– Proverbs 12:8
The word for
wisdom means intelligence or good sense. It indicates clear thinking as opposed to the
perverse, or crooked, mind. Wisdom here sees things as they are and makes prudent assessments. Wisdom is therefore
commended or celebrated.
Perverse thinking fails in analyzing reality and the resulting counsels are wrong. So they are
despised, or held in contempt.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
– Proverbs 11:2
The word for
pride indicates a high arrogance, or hubris. It speaks of one who must have his own way, and Proverbs points out the end of that way is
shame, or disgrace, and elsewhere destruction (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12). The word for
lowly means humility and it is the way of
wisdom. Humility with wisdom is better than great riches (Proverbs 16:19). Humility always precedes any true promotion (Proverbs 15:33).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
– Proverbs 10:31
To bring forth is literally to germinate or bear fruit. It is also put figuratively for speech as the idea that words are the fruit produced. A
just man will bear the fruit of wisdom in his speech (Psalm 37:30). The
froward tongue is contrasted. The word indicates something twisted, crooked, or otherwise perverse. Wicked prattling will ultimately be stopped (Psalm 31:18). The cutting out promised in the proverb puts one in mind of a bad tree with bad fruit being cut down and burned up.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
– Proverbs 10:23
The word for
sport means laughter and points to enjoyment or pleasure. The word for
mischief literally means a plan and the context dictates whether it is positive or negative. A
fool finds delight in bringing off some evil plan. He is thoroughly pleased when his plans meet with success (Proverbs 2:14; 15:21). By contrast, the man who has
understanding does not delight in making and prosecuting evil plans. He finds no joy in the follies and downfalls of others, but delights in
wisdom. He recognizes the supreme value of wisdom so that he will seek and sacrifice to attain it (Proverbs 2:3-4; 23:23).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
– Proverbs 10:19
Verses 19-21 deal with words, or our speech. This is one of the foremost themes throughout Proverbs. Wisdom affects what we say, the way we say it, when we say it, and how much we say. Kidner observed that three of the seven abominations in 6:16-19 have to do with sins with words. Here Solomon addresses the quantity of our words.
Multitude means abundance. Elsewhere, Solomon marks a fool by sheer quantity of words (Ecclesiastes 5:3; 10:14). Words aplenty means sins aplenty. The wise
refraineth, or withholds and restrains, their words. Seldom does our error lie in saying too little (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 17:27-28). Real wisdom discerns “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
– Proverbs 10:14
To
lay up means to hide or hoard. It isn’t a mere accumulation of knowledge here. It’s the picture of the wise householder Jesus painted (Matthew 13:52). Those who are wise know to take in knowledge and store it up to be used at the right time. This isn’t a utilitarian view of knowledge but rather a picture of discernment and discretion. The
foolish cannot store up knowledge because they speak more than they listen and readily devour foolishness (Proverbs 15:5, 14). Rather than storing up knowledge then, they are
near destruction (Proverbs 13:3; 18:7).
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 31, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
– Proverbs 10:13
The word for
understanding means to separate mentally. We would refer to that as discernment—thinking through something and being able to make distinctions and determine whether good or bad. We might also think of it as insight. The one who has an understanding mind, or heart, will speak forth
wisdom (Proverbs 10:11, 21; 15:7). Jesus also taught in the Gospels that the source of our speech is our heart, or mind (Luke 6:45). The man
void of understanding does not discern and goes on in the way of folly. Because he will not receive instruction, he will come to the
rod of correction (Proverbs 7:22; 26:3; Psalm 32:8-9).
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Proverbs 14:1
Posted by Jeff Short on May 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
– Proverbs 14:1
The contrast in this proverb is the result of the qualities of wisdom and folly. The wise woman is the woman who possesses wisdom and walks in wisdom. This is no statement on her physical appearance or domestic skills. She understands a house is built and continues through wisdom (Proverbs 24:3-4). The stability of the home centers on the woman. Her wisdom starts with her husband where she can be a source of good (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14), even to being a crown to him (Proverbs 12:4), and his safe counselor (Proverbs 31:11). She is one with her husband in the teaching, training, discipline, and correction of their children (Proverbs 1:8-9; 4:3; 6:20; 23:22). A child that does not heed the instruction and pursues folly instead is equally dishonorable to mother and father (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 19:26; 20:20). However, the children who rise in wisdom bless her (Proverbs 23:25; 31:27-28). And so her house is well established.
The contrast is the foolish woman. The word used here describes an obstinate silliness. Foolishness describes one who will not stretch to wisdom (Proverbs 24:7) and her words are destructive (Proverbs 10:14). She is quick tempered (Proverbs 12:16) and argumentative (Proverbs 20:3). This fool despises “wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7), runs on at the mouth rather than listen to wise counsel (Proverbs 10:8), and is a know-it-all (Proverbs 12:15). It is no surprise that such a foolish woman ruins her husband (Proverbs 12:4), and he would be better off on a roof or in a desert (Proverbs 21:19; 25:24). She neglects to care for her children and inherits shame (Proverbs 29:15). Thus, her house is destroyed by her own hands.
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