Posted by Jeff Short on February 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
– Proverbs 21:22
This proverb presents a military image. The
wise man is skillful and shrewd. Through wisdom, he is able to take down a stronghold of the powerful. This proverb presents wisdom as better than
strength, whether in terms of fortification or weapons (Ecclesiastes 7:19; 9:13-18). Wisdom is better than strength alone. The word for
confidence means trust, or refuge. Hoping or trusting in strength rather than God is evident folly. Wisdom trusts in God and wise counsel and is therefore better than human strength (Proverbs 24:5-6).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 15, 2018 · Leave a Comment
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
– Proverbs 21:20
This proverb is straightforward and we shouldn’t pull its punch by trying to spiritualize it. Wisdom says the wise lay up in store and the foolish squander all they have. The word for
wise means skillful and is used throughout Proverbs to refer to living prudently and righteously. Proverbs never instructs to seek wealth (Proverbs 23:4-5; 28:22), nor does it instruct to seek poverty (30:7-9). Rather, Proverbs instructs to sacrificially and persistently seek wisdom, for it is more important and valuable than earthly treasures (Proverbs 2:2-4; 3:14-15; 8:18-19; 16:16; 23:23). While Proverbs never promises wealth to those who acquire wisdom, wealth will generally come to those who acquire money wisely (Proverbs 10:4; 11:8; 16:11; 21:6; 22:22-23), and use money wisely (Proverbs 3:9-10, 27-28; 6:6-8; 11:24-26; 13:22; 22:9; 28:27; 31:16, 20-22). Proverbs also warns that wealth can be lost through folly (Proverbs 11:6; 21:5; 23:20-2124:30-31; 27:23-27; 28:22).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 3, 2018 · Leave a Comment
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
– Proverbs 21:11
Teachability is a mark of maturing and growing in wisdom (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9). The proverb contrasts the
wise and the
simple. The wise receives instruction and the simple has to see the scorner punished to wise up. Proverbs teaches us wisdom is imparted by instruction, correction, warning, and punishment. The wiser we are, the less time we will spend toward the punishment end of that scale.
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Posted by Jeff Short on January 10, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
– Proverbs 20:26
The word for
scattereth is the same as in Proverbs 20:8 (
see commentary). The term combined with the use of
the wheel in the second phrase completes the threshing, winnowing image. The previous proverb highlighted discernment in judgment. The winnowing image had to do with the searching eyes of the king separating the innocent and the guilty. This proverb uses the same imagery, but with two different emphases. Here wicked are not just sorted into proper categories, but rather the wheel is brought over them. So this proverb highlights the execution of just judgment and maintenance of justice by bringing punishment to evildoers.
The second emphasis is the attribution of the king who does this. He is wise. The word for wise means skillful. It was a term used commonly to describe a master craftsman; one who had learned the art and science of his craft and gained the technical expertise to execute a master work. The word was so used to describe the craftsmen who built the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 36:4). The word was also used to describe the work of the craftsmen who fashioned an idol in Isaiah 40:20, where it is translated cunning. The word appears 46 times in Proverbs and refers to one who is skilled in applying the word of God in all areas of life. So a wise king is one skilled in mastery of the art of ruling well and maintaining justice in the fear of the Lord and according to his word.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
– Proverbs 19:20
The fatherly addresses in the early part of Proverbs give repeated admonition to hear and receive wisdom (Proverbs 1:8; 2:1-9; 8:34-35). This proverb fits with general tenor of Proverbs that wisdom is accessible and offered to all (Proverbs 9:4-6). Though freely offered, wisdom is costly to acquire (Proverbs 2:3-5). Acquiring wisdom requires humbling oneself to
hear counsel and
receive instruction (Proverbs 2:1-2). The word for
counsel means advice and the word for
instruction means discipline. Both come to us from others and we must be willing to receive them. Ultimately, wisdom comes from God and he stores it up for the righteous (Proverbs 2:6-7). Being willing to receive counsel and instruction from others does not mean we merely take in all men’s opinions (Proverbs 14:15; 15:14). Acquiring wisdom is a lifelong pursuit and not a one-time event, but it does lead to blessedness (Proverbs 8:32-35).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
– Proverbs 18:15
The word for
knowledge means understanding, or learning. Getting and seeking knowledge means it can be increased. Our understanding and learning can, and should, grow. The proverb’s punch is in the seeming paradox. The
prudent and the
wise are seeking knowledge. The modern utilitarian mind wonders why they would do that if they are already wise and prudent. The word for
prudent has to do with separating, or making distinctions. The word for
wise means shrewd, skillful, or crafty. The first means having discernment—the ability to sort out the things learned. The second means being able to figure things out and make plans. They are continually looking and listening to acquire learning (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 15:14). Fools are only interested in what they think they need to know (Proverbs 14:6; 18:2; 26:12).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
– Proverbs 17:10
Proverbs consistently distinguishes the wise from the foolish by how they respond to correction (Proverbs 9:8-9; 15:5). The word for
entereth means to sink as we would say “sink in.” It’s like instructing someone and then telling them to let it sink in. The first phrase’s point is that the spoken word of
reproof sinks in deep to a
wise man. He hears
reproof, considers it, and is wiser for it (Proverbs 9:9). This contrasts with a
hundred stripes the
fool receives, but yet will still not amend his way. The term
fool is not a comment about mental capacity, but mental outlook that decidedly refuses wisdom (Proverbs 1:29). He won’t respond to the word of reproof, much less the beating of a rod (Proverbs 27:22). He prefers his folly and returns to it like a dog to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
– Proverbs 17:2
While possible, a servant rarely advanced beyond being a servant. A wise servant could merit reward (Proverbs 14:35). The emphasis of the proverb is on the
son that causeth shame. He is disinherited because of his foolishness and shall see the servant advance beyond him (Proverbs 11:29). Proverbs has many warnings to foolish sons and the consequences of their folly (Proverbs 10:5; 19:26).
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Posted by Jeff Short on August 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
– Proverbs 16:23
The use of
heart here refers to the mind, as is common in Proverbs. The first phrase means that wisdom informs and constrains speech. Wise speech is a mark of a wise heart (Proverbs 15:28). The word for
learning includes the idea of persuasion. This proverb is akin to verse 21 and highlights the worth of listening to wisdom (Proverbs 22:17-18).
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Proverbs 21:22
Posted by Jeff Short on February 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
This proverb presents a military image. The wise man is skillful and shrewd. Through wisdom, he is able to take down a stronghold of the powerful. This proverb presents wisdom as better than strength, whether in terms of fortification or weapons (Ecclesiastes 7:19; 9:13-18). Wisdom is better than strength alone. The word for confidence means trust, or refuge. Hoping or trusting in strength rather than God is evident folly. Wisdom trusts in God and wise counsel and is therefore better than human strength (Proverbs 24:5-6).– Proverbs 21:22
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