Tag: Life

Excellent Speech vs. Lying Lips

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Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 

Refined and noble speech is out of place on the lips of a fool, just as deceit is a disgrace to a ruler. A fool may mimic the language of wisdom, but it does not suit him; it rings hollow and false, like fine garments worn by a beggar with no understanding of their worth. Even more inappropriate is falsehood in the mouth of a prince, for a ruler is called to lead with truth, justice, and integrity. When he lies, he corrupts the very office he holds.

The Hebrew word for “fool” here is nabal, which denotes someone who is morally senseless, irreverent, or corrupt, a person who despises wisdom and the fear of the Lord (Ps. 14:1). Such a man may attempt to speak with elegance, but wisdom does not dwell within him. His words lack the weight of truth and are often used to manipulate, impress, or deceive rather than to edify or enlighten.

Fools may wear the mask of eloquence, but their hearts remain unchanged. Their speech is out of harmony with their nature.

If foolishness and falsehood are shameful in any man, they are doubly so in a leader, a prince or a ruler. A prince, entrusted with authority and the well-being of others, must walk in truth and righteousness (2Sam. 23:3). When he lies, he not only sins personally but betrays the trust of the people he governs (14:5; 25:5).

A ruler who lies dishonours both his people and his Maker. Truth is the foundation of justice, and without it, leadership collapses into tyranny or chaos.

Noble words belong to those of a noble heart. To see a fool speak with elegance is as unsettling as seeing a prince speak lies; it violates the order of wisdom and undermines integrity. Let us seek not only refined speech, but hearts refined by truth and righteousness, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).

The Crown of Old Men

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Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. 

‘Children’s children are the crown of old men…’ Grandchildren are a source of deep joy and honour to the aged. They are not merely a sign of family continuation but a living testimony to a life well-lived, a legacy extended, and a heritage passed down through generations. Just as a crown adorns the head of a king, so do grandchildren adorn the hearts of grandparents with pride, affection, and fulfilment.

In turn, children look to their parents as a source of identity and honour. A righteous and faithful father becomes a model for his children, a standard they admire, a legacy they inherit, and a name they bear with pride. The integrity, wisdom, and love of a parent become the “glory” of the child, shaping their self-worth and values.

A child must have the correct guidance to ensure that he will choose the path of righteousness (22:6). Guide him with firm instruction from the very start when he first begins to walk life’s path. Teach him not only what is right, but show him how to do it: how to carry out responsibilities, avoid the traps of danger, and embrace the blessings found in a godly life. Impress these truths deeply into his heart through consistent teaching, example, and practice, until they become second nature. Cover him in prayer, and plant within him a reverent awe for God. Then, even when he is grown and makes his own choices, he will remain on that path.

His Maker – Part 2

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Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. 

Those who find joy in the suffering or downfall of others are not guiltless. To be glad at another’s calamity is to harden one’s heart against compassion and mercy, virtues central to God’s own nature. Such joy in destruction is a sin that God promises to punish.

Two biblical examples of being punished for rejoicing at calamity: [1] The Tyrians – “Son of man, because that Tyrus had said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken… I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee…” (Ezek. 26:2-6). Tyre rejoiced at Jerusalem’s fall, expecting to profit from her ruin. But God judged Tyre severely. [2] The Edomites – “In the day that thou stood on the other side… even thou was as one of them… neither should thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah…” (Obad. 1:10-15). Edom stood by and gloated over Judah’s destruction. For this, God declared judgment.

The phrase “shall not be unpunished” means that such a person will not go guiltless before God. He who mocks the poor or rejoices in calamity places himself under divine judgment. God is a just Judge and will not overlook cruelty or pride disguised as pleasure.

Let us walk in humility and compassion, knowing that every soul, rich or poor, is made in the image of God. To mock the weak or celebrate another’s fall is to stand in opposition to the heart of God. “He that has mercy on the poor, lends unto the Lord” (19:17), and “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

His Maker – Part 1

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Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. 

This verse is a solemn warning against two grievous sins: mocking the poor and rejoicing over the misfortunes of others. Both are offences not only against humanity but against God Himself, who is the Creator and Judge of all. To scorn or belittle the poor is to show contempt for the One who made them. God is the Maker of both rich and poor (14:31), and He sees every soul as valuable. When someone mocks the poor, they mock the God who fashioned them with care and purpose.

Two biblical examples of mocking the poor: [1] The Princes of Judah – “The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of His people, and the princes thereof: for you have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.” (Isa. 3:14-15). “To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor…” (Isa. 10:2). These leaders oppressed the poor for personal gain, revealing their contempt for God’s justice. [2] The rich in James’ Epistle – “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields… cries: and the cries… are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” (Jas. 5:4). The wealthy withheld wages and exploited workers, showing heartless disregard for the needy. To be continued…

Wickedness Part 2

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Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue.

Four great sins (continues): [3] Mockery – Whoso mocks the poor reproaches his Maker (17:5). Mockery reveals a heart filled with pride and void of compassion. It scorns those whom God loves, the weak, the suffering, and the lowly. Proverbs 3:34 declares, “Surely He scorns the scorners: but He gives grace unto the lowly.” To mock others is to exalt oneself above them in arrogance, forgetting that all men stand equal before a holy God. The wicked do not correct with love; they tear down with ridicule. [4] Gloating – Rejoice not when thine enemy falls (24:17). Gloating is the joy of the wicked when others stumble. It is a cruel delight in another’s downfall. But Scripture warns that the Lord sees it and it displeases Him (24:18). The godly mourn over sin and destruction, even of their enemies, while the wicked celebrate it. Gloating reveals a heart hardened to mercy and blind to its own need for grace.

A wicked person not only sins but celebrates it in others. He listens to lies, lives by deceit, laughs at the broken, and delights in ruin. But the Lord sees the heart and tries the reins. “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy” (28:13). Let the wise fear the Lord, turn from evil and walk in truth, humility, and compassion, for these are the marks of the righteous.

Wickedness Part 1

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Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; and a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue. 

The path of the wicked is not only shaped by evil deeds but also by the company and counsel he keeps. He lends his ear to lies, welcomes corruption into his heart, and walks in agreement with the crooked. Wickedness is rarely solitary; it grows in the soil of falsehood and is fed by voices that oppose truth.

Four great sins: [1] Lying – a lying tongue is but for a moment (12:19). Lying is the foundation of many evils. A wicked man not only lies but loves it. He prefers the comfort of a flattering falsehood over the sting of saving truth. The Scripture warns that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight (12:22). To lie is to speak in the native tongue of satan, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Every false word spoken is a wound against trust, truth and the image of God in man. [2] Deceit – the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). Deceit is more subtle than lying; it is the art of leading others astray with half-truths, silence, or misdirection. It wears the mask of innocence while plotting harm. The wicked do not only fall into deceit, they use it as a tool. Psalm 5:6 says, “The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” Deceit destroys relationships, erodes justice, and cloaks evil under the pretence of good. To be continued…

Tries the Hearts

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Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts. 

‘The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.’ Just as the crucible refines silver and the furnace purifies gold, so the Lord tests and proves the hearts of men (Jer. 17:10). The heat of fire reveals the purity of precious metals; likewise, the trials ordained by God expose the faith, motives, and character of the soul. The testing is not to destroy, but to refine, to separate the dross from the true.

Scripture gives us many witnesses to this refining work: Abraham, tested in obedience when called to offer his beloved son (Gen. 22:1-24). Israel, was tested in the wilderness, that their hearts might be known and humbled (Deut. 8:2). Hezekiah, was tested when God withdrew to reveal what was in his heart (2 Chr. 32:31). Mary and Martha, were tested by delay, though loved deeply by Jesus (John 11:5-6). The rich young ruler was tested in surrender, but he walked away sorrowfully (Matt. 19:16-22). The Syrophoenician woman was tested in perseverance and faith and rewarded richly (Matt. 15:23-28).

Therefore, count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials, knowing that the trying of your faith works patience (Jas. 1:2-4). The Lord, who tries the hearts, does so as a master refiner, never to harm, but always to purify and prove what is eternal.

A Wise Servant

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Proverbs 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 

‘A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame.’ A wise and faithful servant will rise to a position of authority, even over a son who brings disgrace to his family. For wisdom and integrity are more valuable than mere birthright, and it is character, not bloodline, that earns true honour and leadership.

A son who walks in folly is a grief to his father and a bitterness to her who bore him (17:25; 10:1). He despises correction and mocks wisdom, choosing instead the path of pride and ruin (15:5). Though his name is written in the household, his deeds estrange him like a stranger at the gate. The lamp of the wicked shall be put out, and his inheritance shall wither like grass in the noonday heat. But the son who honours the Lord brings joy to his household and shall be as a crown upon his father’s head.

Better is…

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Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. 

Seventeen “Better” sayings in Proverbs: Wisdom is better than gold and silver (3:14; 8:19). Wisdom is better than rubies (3:15; 8:11). A person who is despised but lives humbly is better than one who honours himself falsely (12:9). A little with the fear of the Lord is better than great treasure with trouble (15:16). A simple meal with love is better than a rich feast filled with hatred (15:17). A patient person is better than a hot-tempered warrior (16:32). One who controls his spirit is better than one who conquers a city (16:32). A dry morsel with peace is better than a house full of feasting with strife (17:1). A poor person who lives honestly is better than a fool who speaks perversely (19:1). A poor man is better than a liar (19:22). It is better to live alone in a corner of the roof than with a quarrelsome wife in a spacious house (21:9; 25:24). It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman (21:19). It is better to be honoured later than to exalt oneself and be humiliated (25:7). Open rebuke is better than hidden love (27:5). A nearby neighbour is better than a distant relative in times of need (27:10). A righteous poor man is better than a wicked rich man (28:6). It is better to live rightly in humility than to enjoy wealth gained through sin.

‘A dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.’  It is better to live with little, just a dry piece of bread, if there is peace and quiet, than to dwell in a house full of feasting and abundance where conflict and tension are constant companions. True wealth lies not in possessions, but in the presence of harmony and contentment.

Disposing Thereof

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Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. 

‘The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.’ This verse reminds us that while humans may make decisions or take actions – symbolised here by the casting of lots – God is sovereign over the outcome. What may seem to be left to chance is, in reality, governed by divine will.

In ancient Israel, casting lots was a method used to discern God’s will, particularly in decisions where human wisdom was insufficient. This was not gambling or random guessing – it was a sacred act, often performed in the context of prayer, reverence, and priestly guidance. The imagery of “casting into the lap” likely refers to a fold in the garment or a pouch, often associated with the high priest’s ephod, which contained the Urim and Thummim.

Urim and Thummim: These two sacred objects, placed in the breastpiece of the high priest, were used as divinely appointed tools to reveal God’s judgment on matters requiring direction. The priest would seek God’s counsel, and a stone would be drawn, indicating a yes or no answer, or occasionally, silence from God.

Urim: derived from the Hebrew root ’ôr, meaning light, fire, illumination, or enlightenment. It means “lights.” Symbolically, it represents divine revelation, clarity, and truth illuminated by God. Thummim: From the root tamam, meaning completeness, integrity, or perfection. It means “perfections.” This suggests moral and spiritual completeness, pointing to God’s perfect and just decisions. Together, Urim and Thummim signify “Lights and Perfections” – representing clear, flawless guidance from the Lord. They were not used for trivial questions but for matters of deep national or spiritual importance.

Scriptural references to Urim and Thummim: Exodus 28:30  Instructs their placement in the priestly breastplate. Leviticus 8:8 describes their actual placement on Aaron. Deuteronomy 33:8 affirms their use in the priestly tribe of Levi. Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65 refer to awaiting a priest with the Urim and Thummim to resolve genealogical questions after the exile. The Urim appears on its own in Numbers 27:21, where Joshua is instructed to consult Eleazar the priest for decisions. 1 Samuel 28:6 Saul seeks the Lord, but receives no answer, not even by Urim.

While the physical Urim and Thummim are no longer in use, the principle remains: We may cast the lot – make plans, set goals, or take action. But God’s judgments are pure, perfect, and full of light. This proverb is a call to humble trust in divine providence.