Tag: Proverbs

Folly

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Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly. 

‘Folly’ [Hebrew: cikluwth], silliness. Translated folly (Eccl. 1:17; 2:3, 12-13; 10:1) and foolishness (Eccl. 7:25; 10:13).

‘Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.’ Folly is a joy to fools, but wise men walk sensibly.

The simple are born with a disposition to folly, but the wise embrace knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to direct his way rightly, but the folly of fools is to live deceitful lives (14:8,18). The crown of the wise is their riches, but the fool produces folly by his acts of foolishness (14:24).

Three discoveries of Solomon (Eccl. 2:13-17): There is no supreme good or lasting happiness in all the pursuits of science, no genuine satisfaction in unbridled lusts, and no true joy in folly; wisdom excels folly as much as light excels darkness. The wise man sees clearly and weighs carefully the consequences of all he does; whereas the fool has no guide to his reason and no check on his passions as he blindly walks, groping in unbridled lusts. Both the wise man and the fool die, but the wise man isn’t remembered any more than a fool.

A Wise Son

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Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. 

‘A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.’ A wise son honours his parents, but a foolish one despises them. A wise son is a pleasure to parents (3:12; 10:1; 15:20; 23:15-16; 24-25; 29:3). See Proverbs 17:21, 25; 19:13, 26; 20:20; 28:7, 24; 30:11, 17, referring to fools making parents unhappy.

Four commands to sons: Hear – 13 such commands in Proverbs (1:8; 4:1, 10; 5:7; 7:24; 8:6, 32-33; 19:20, 27; 22:17; 23:19, 22). Be wise – commanded 4 times (6:6; 8:33; 23:19; 27:11). Guide the heart in the right way (23:19; cp. 2:17; 11:3). Don’t be a companion of drunkards and gluttons (23:20-21. Cp. 26:9; Deut. 21:20).

Four death-penalty sins for sons (includes everyone): Stubbornness in accepting correction. Rebellion against parents. Gluttony – excess in eating and to get drunk.

Strife

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Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.

‘A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.’ A fiery-tempered man causes trouble, but a man slow to anger promotes peace.

Wrath [Greek: thumos, Turbulent passions; domestic and civil turmoils; rage; determined and lasting anger.] Wrath (Gal. 5:20; Luk. 4:28; Acts 19:28; 2Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Heb. 11:27; Rev. 12:12; 14:8, 10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1; 18:3); indignation (Rom. 2:8); and fierceness (Rev. 16:19; 19:15).

Strife [Greek: eritheia] Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one. “Strife” (Gal. 5:20; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16); “contention” (Php. 1:16; Rom. 2:8).

Three sources of sin (1Cor. 3:3): Thoughts: envying, state of the soul. Words: strife, contention in words. Deeds: divisions, sin in conduct.

Better is…

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Proverbs 15:16-17 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 

‘Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.’ Better is poverty with the fear of the Lord, than riches with troubles.

Proverbs 22:4 states that by humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honour and life. Riches, honour, and life depend upon humility and fear of the Lord.

‘Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.’ Better is a poor man’s dinner where love is than a rich man’s feast with hatred and strife.

Psalms 37:16 states that the little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. This is always true due to the blessing of God upon the little. A righteous man is content with little under the most trying circumstances when he is blessed by his heavenly Father (15:16; 16:8; 1Cor. 10:31; 1Thess. 5:18).

Understanding

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Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 

‘The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.’ A wise man seeks knowledge, but a fool feeds on foolishness.

We read in Philippians 1:9 that Paul admonishes that our love will abound yet more and more with the increase in God’s knowledge and His judgments. Knowledge of His Word is necessary for our growth and renewal of our minds, otherwise, the enemy will destroy our lives and faith in God (Eph. 6:10-18). Knowledge in God’s Word is never for self-gain in popularity or to use against others. It must be the light of the path you choose (6:23; Ps. 119:105) to enable you to do all to His glory (1 Cor. 10:31) and live a life with meaning.

‘Seeks knowledge’ – Four examples of seeking knowledge: Solomon (1Kin. 3:5-10; Pro. 19:8), the Queen of Sheba (1Kin. 10:1-29; Matt. 12:42), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:28) and the Bereans (Acts 17:11).

The word fools means those who are perverse, those depending upon their own wisdom, which is foolishness to God (1:7; 12:15; 14:3, 9; 15:5; 27:22; cp. 1Cor. 1:20-25).

A Merry Heart

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Proverbs 15:13, 15 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 

‘A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.’ A happy disposition shows in the countenance, but a gloomy one keeps the spirit broken.

3John 1:2 we learn that that we can prosper and be in health, AS the soul prospers. Psalms 1:3 says that the righteous shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in his season and his leaf also shall not wither and that he shall prosper, portraying a rich and fruitful Christian life (cp. John 15:1-8). Material prosperity is as much the will of God as soul and body health (Jos. 1:5-9; 1Sam. 2:7-8; 3Jn. 1:2).

‘All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.’ The afflicted are always sad, but the merry are always happy.

Correction

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Proverbs 15:10, 12 Correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way: and he that hates reproof shall die. A scorner loves not one that reproves him: neither will he go unto the wise. 

‘Correction is grievous unto him that forsakes the way.’ Correction is painful to the backslider.

‘A scorner loves not one that reproves him.’ Three examples of hating reproof: Ahab (2Chr. 18:7; Pro. 17:4); the Jews (Amos 5:10), and the Pharisees (Luke 7:30).

No man needs chastening by intense pain unless he is a rebel against God, as stated in Job 33:14. In that case, God allows satan to afflict him in a final effort to bring him back to Himself. God does not permit any such affliction as described in Job 33:19-22 unless it is necessary after rejection, as in Job 33:14-18, the only exception being this rare case of Job. The fact is that no other person, as far as we know, has been tried in the way Job was – as an example for others – and even this was not a chastening of God but all pain and consequences came from satan (Job 1:9-19: 2:7). We were given the book of Job that we might learn from his experience. However, his life story should not be used as an excuse for unbelief. Job did not have the Bible and its faith-building promises as we have today, so we are without excuse. Christians are to resist the devil in his attacks, and he will flee from them (Jas. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8-9). One can be quickly freed from the adversities Job endured by appropriating the benefits now revealed in both Testaments (Ps. 34:9-10; 37:1-8; 84:11; 91:1-12; 103:1-4; Mat. 7:7-11; 8:17; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8; 24:49; John 10:10; 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 5:32; 1Cor. 12:1-11; 2Cor. 1:20; Eph. 6:10-18; Heb. 2:1-4; 11:6; Jas. 5:14-16; 1Jn. 3:21-22; 5:13-14).

Sacrifice

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Proverbs 15:8-9 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness. 

‘The sacrifice of the wicked.’ Three examples of wicked sacrificing: Cain (Gen. 4:5); Saul (1Sam. 15:1-35); and the Jews (Isa. 1:11-15; 66:3)

Psalms 40:6 states that God didn’t desire sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings and sin offerings, did He not require and Hebrews 10:6 states that He had no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Obedience to His Word (Jas. 1:22-26) is required of anyone claiming to be a Christian (follower of Christ – 1Pet. 2:21-23). 

‘The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loves him that follows after righteousness.’ God hates the way of the wicked, but He loves that of the godly.

Revenues

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Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 

‘Revenues’ [Hebrew: tebuw’ah] increase (15:6; 8:19; 16:8; Isa. 23:3; Jer. 12:13). The gain of the wicked is through crime and trouble. Psalms 94:11 states that the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (1Cor. 3:20). Quoted from. The wise of the world are always full of schemes and plans for earthly gain, all empty and futile. Religion cannot be used for personal gain (Mark 7:11-12), but false preachers will always propagate those parts of religion from which they receive the most personal gain and honour (Matt. 23:16-22).

The Christian must not gain the world at the expense of his soul (Matt. 16:26). He must serve readily, not for personal gain (Tit. 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2) and not use wrong methods to raise money to increase his income (1Tim. 3:3, 8; Tit. 1:7). Put your life into service for God whether or not you receive personal gain and applause (Rom. 12:11).

A Fool

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Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent. 

‘Fool’ [Hebrew: ’eviyl] The ways of a fool: He is jealous and envious (1Sam. 26:21). He is insensible to danger (2Sam 3:33). He denies God (Ps. 14:1; 53:1). He is ignorant of the future (Ps. 49:10). He is ignorant of God (Ps. 92:6). He is a whoremonger (7:22). He rejects God’s commandments (10:8). He chatters empty talk (10:8, 10). He utters slander (10:18). He is a mischief maker (10:23). He is conceited (12:15). He proclaims foolishness (12:23). He parades his own folly (13:16). He is quick-tempered (14:17). He rages and lives in sin (14:16). He pours out foolishness (15:2). He despises his parents (15:5). He is incapable of decent speech (17:7). He does not profit by reproof (17:10). He is insensible (17:12). He is not interested in wisdom (17:16). He is a shame to parents (17:21). He is always dissatisfied (17:24). He is contentious (18:6). He has no delight in knowledge (18:2). He is perverse in speech (19:1). He cannot appreciate luxury and honour (19:10; 26:1, 26:8). He is a meddler (20:3). He despises wisdom (23:9). He is incapable of wisdom (24:7). He gives foolish answers (26:4-5). He is not dependable (26:6). He is hopeless (26:12). He is inseparable from folly (26:11; 27:22). He trusts in himself (28:26). He utters all he knows (29:11). He is unbearable (30:21-22). He walks in darkness (Eccl. 2:14). He destroys self (Eccl. 4:5; 10:12). He is light and frivolous (Eccl. 7:6). He acknowledges he is a fool (Eccl. 10:3). He is full of empty words (Eccl. 10:14). He has no foresight (Matt. 7:26; 25:2-8). He is covetous (Luke 12:20-21). He constantly debates non-essentials (2Tim. 2:23). He is ignorant (1Pet. 2:15).