Tag: Inspiration

Surety

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Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend. 

‘A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend.’ This means: A man who lacks wisdom and discernment is quick to shake hands on a deal, that is, to seal an agreement or contract, without carefully considering the consequences. By becoming surety, he pledges himself as a guarantor for another person’s debt or obligation, often doing so impulsively and in the presence of a friend.

Such a person exposes his lack of understanding by committing himself financially or legally on behalf of someone else without proper thought. Even if the friend is trustworthy, the act of hastily entering into such a risky obligation without due diligence is foolish.

In essence, this verse warns against rash promises and unwise financial entanglements. It teaches that true understanding involves prudence, restraint, and a careful weighing of consequences, especially when it comes to matters of trust and liability.

A Friend

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Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

‘A friend loves at all times.’ True friendship endures through every season of life, both joy and sorrow, prosperity and hardship. Such friendship is steadfast and unwavering, a rare and precious gift from God.

Ten examples of lasting friendship: Abraham, his faithful rescue of Lot shows a heart devoted to kin and friend alike (Gen. 14:14). Joseph forgave and cared for his brothers, demonstrating enduring love despite past betrayal (Gen. 45:5; 50:2). Moses interceded fervently for Israel, pleading on their behalf with God, embodying a friend who stands in the gap (Ex. 32:11-13; Deut. 9:18-29). Jonathan, his loyal love and covenant with David endured even through danger and death (1Sam. 20:33). Barzillai provided steadfast support to King David in his time of need (2Sam. 19:32). Ahikam stood as a protector and advocate for Jeremiah, preserving the prophet’s life (Jer. 26:24). Ebed-Melech risked his own life to rescue Jeremiah from the pit, a true friend in adversity (Jer. 38:7). Paul considered a brother and friend to many, expressing deep affection and care (Phil. 1:12, 20). Barnabas was known as the “son of encouragement” he supported and vouched for the early believers (Acts 9:27). Epaphroditus was a trusted companion who ministered alongside Paul, showing sacrificial friendship (Php. 2:26).

‘A brother is born for adversity.’ A friend loves in adversity or prosperity, and a brother is born to support and comfort a brother in distress.

He Has No Heart

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Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it? 

‘Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom…’ Why should a fool be entrusted with the means to acquire wisdom when he neither values it nor understands its worth? For though he holds treasure in his hand, his soul is void of understanding. He may possess silver and gold, access to teachers, and even the Scriptures themselves, yet if his heart is closed, wisdom cannot enter. He seeks knowledge in name, but not in truth; for his heart is not set to obey, nor does he desire the fear of the Lord. Wisdom cries aloud, yet he regards her not, and her reproofs are counted as nothing in his sight. Without reverence for truth or a willingness to change, all instruction is wasted.

‘Fool to get wisdom.’ Seven examples of lack of wisdom: Israel (2Chr. 30:10) – When invited to return to the Lord through the Passover, the northern tribes mocked and scorned the messengers of God, refusing the path of wisdom and mercy. The Jews in Nazareth (Luke 4:28) – Upon hearing the truth from Jesus in the synagogue, they were filled with wrath rather than repentance, rejecting the wisdom of God spoken in their midst. Herod Antipas (Luke 23:11) – Though he long desired to see Jesus and witness a miracle, he mocked the Saviour instead of humbling himself before divine wisdom. The Jews (John 5:40; 8:45) – They refused to come to Christ for life and rejected His words because He spoke the truth, proving they had no heart for true wisdom. The Athenians (Acts 17:32-33) – When Paul preached the resurrection, many mocked and turned away, valuing human philosophy over divine revelation. Felix the Governor (Acts 24:25-27) – Though convicted by Paul’s preaching on righteousness and judgment, he delayed repentance, preferring greed and power over godly fear. Herod Agrippa (Acts 26:28) – He was almost persuaded to become a Christian, yet he withheld his heart and remained in darkness, loving the praise of men more than the truth of God.

Justifies and Condemns

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Proverbs 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 

‘He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just.’ To declare the guilty as righteous, and to cast reproach upon the innocent, is to pervert judgment and defy the justice of God. Four examples of condemning the just: The Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin – The counsellors who falsely accused the Jews during the rebuilding of the temple sought to halt the work of God by slandering His servants (Ezra 4:1-16). Ahab and Jezebel – Through lies and false witnesses, they condemned righteous Naboth to death to seize his vineyard (1Kin. 21:5-24). The Jewish Leaders – They delivered up Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, to be crucified, choosing a murderer in His place (Matt. 27:11-50). Tertullus the Orator – Before Governor Felix, he falsely accused the Apostle Paul, twisting the truth to condemn a faithful servant of the Lord (Acts 24:1-9).

Beginning of Strife

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Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddles with. 

‘The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water…’ Just as water seeks the smallest opening in a dam and, once released, rushes forth with force too great to contain, so is the nature of strife. What begins as a small offence or a careless word may swell into bitter conflict and lasting division. Wisdom, therefore, teaches to stop contention at its very start, lest it grow beyond control.

‘Beginning of strife.’ Four examples of beginning strife: The Ephraimites provoked conflict with Jephthah out of pride and offence (Jdg. 12:1-6), resulting in the loss of forty-two thousand men. Abner, by proposing a contest of young men, sparked a deadly battle that claimed many lives (2Sam. 2:14-17). Rehoboam, by rejecting wise counsel and speaking harshly, turned the hearts of Israel against him (2Chr. 10:1-16). Jeroboam, by setting up false altars and opposing the house of David, led Israel into civil war and spiritual ruin (2Chr. 13:17).

Evil for Good

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Proverbs 17:13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 

‘Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.’ The man who returns harm for kindness, and repays mercy with cruelty, has set his hand against righteousness. Ingratitude shall be his portion, and mischief shall cling to his dwelling. The curse shall not be turned away, for he has sown corruption and shall reap sorrow all the days of his life.

Twenty characteristics of the wicked: They utter wickedness with their mouths (Ps. 109:2), speaking words that defile and destroy. They deal in deceit, twisting truth to serve their own ends. They speak lies freely, having no regard for honesty or righteousness. They fill their speech with hatred (Ps. 109:3), wounding with every word. They harbour hatred without cause, despising others without provocation. They scorn the love of the righteous (Ps. 109:4), repelling compassion and virtue. They repay good with evil (Ps. 109:5), returning kindness with cruelty. They answer love with hatred, revealing the corruption of their hearts. They serve as instruments of satan (Ps. 109:6), doing his bidding in opposition to God. They feign prayerfulness (Ps. 109:7), cloaking wickedness in religious pretence. They are devoid of mercy (Ps. 109:16), showing no compassion for the suffering. They oppress the poor and the needy, taking advantage of the vulnerable. They shed innocent blood, committing violence against the helpless. They delight in cursing (Ps. 109:17-19) and wear it like a garment. They reject blessings, showing no gratitude for the good they receive (Ps. 109:17). They speak evil of others (Ps. 109:20), spreading slander and harm. They mock the upright (Ps. 109:25), reproaching those who walk in righteousness. They are without pity or kindness, hardened in heart and cruel in action. They stand as adversaries to the godly (Ps. 109:29), resisting those who seek to do right. They unjustly condemn the poor and needy (Ps. 109:31), adding affliction to affliction.

In His Folly

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Proverbs 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 

‘Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.’ A bear robbed of her cubs is exceedingly fierce, but she is less dangerous than a fool in his folly. Let a man meet a bear bereaved of her whelps, raging in her fury and blinded by grief, rather than encounter a fool abandoned to his folly. For the bear, though fierce, is guided by nature and may be turned away; but the fool, in the blindness of pride, knows not reason, nor does he regard wisdom. His way is destruction, and they who walk with him are soon cast down.

Rebellion

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Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 

‘An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.’ A wicked man stirs up rebellion, his heart is hardened against counsel, and he regards not the way of peace. Therefore, shall a cruel messenger be sent against him, an instrument of judgment, swift and unrelenting, to execute vengeance and establish order in the land. For he that sows discord shall not go unpunished, and his destruction comes speedily.

‘Rebellion’ Hebrew: meriy (H4805), translated “bitter” (Job 23:2); rebellion (1Sam. 15:23; Deut. 31:27; Neh. 9:17); rebellious (Isa. 30:9; Ezek. 2:5-8; 3:9, 26-27; 12:2-3, 9, 25; 17:12; 24:3; 44:6); and rebels (Num. 17:10). This verse could be literally translated: For rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and self-will is as wicked as having idols.

Reproof – Part 2

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Proverbs 17:10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Biblical correction: A sign of love and the path of wisdom (continues): [2] Correction is the mark of the wise – The wise are distinguished by their openness to correction. They see rebuke not as an insult but as an opportunity to grow (9:8-9; 15:31-32). Wisdom is not shown by how much we know, but by how humbly we respond to being corrected. [3] Fools and the proud reject correction – Fools and the hard-hearted hate being corrected. Their pride blinds them to the truth, and they react with anger, denial, or mockery (12:1; 17:10). A foolish person often requires harsher consequences to learn, but even then may not change (27:22). [4] Correction is essential in discipleship and Christian living. Correction plays a vital role in the life of true followers and disciples of Christ. Jesus, Paul, and the early saints often corrected false beliefs, sinful behaviour, and spiritual laziness (2Tim. 3:16-17; Tit. 1:13; Gal. 6:1). Correction should be truthful, firm, and gentle, always aimed at restoration, never destruction. [5] God’s correction brings life, not condemnation – The purpose of divine correction is to make us holy, fruitful, and fit for His kingdom (Heb. 12:10-11). God corrects not to punish, but to purify. Every act of discipline has our eternal good in view.

Correction, whether from Scripture, the Spirit, or others, is a vital tool for spiritual maturity. To reject correction is to reject wisdom and life; to receive it is to walk the path of righteousness (10:17).

Reproof – Part 1

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Proverbs 17:10 A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. 

A single word of correction penetrates deeply into the heart of a wise man, for he welcomes instruction and learns from rebuke. But even a hundred lashes cannot change the heart of a fool, who remains hardened and unteachable. Wisdom listens and grows; folly resists and suffers.

The word “fool” here is from the Hebrew kĕciyl, referring to one who is dull of understanding and morally stubborn.

This contrast highlights the difference between teachable humility and prideful foolishness.

Biblical correction: A sign of love and the path of wisdom: [1] Correction is an expression of love – Biblical correction is not harshness but an act of compassion. To lovingly correct someone is to desire their growth and restoration, not their shame or condemnation. God’s correction is not rejection; it is a mark of His love. Just as a good father disciplines his child to guide him toward wisdom and maturity, so God shapes His children through discipline, because He delights in their growth (3:11-12). Christ’s rebuke is never cold or cruel; it flows from His deep love for His people. His call to repentance is a call to restoration. To be corrected by Him is to be loved by Him (Rev. 3:19). True love doesn’t allow someone to continue in destructive ways. Correction is care in action. To be continued…