Tag: Proverbs

They Eat of the Fruit of Their Own Way

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Proverbs 1:28-33 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkened unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. 

‘They eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.’ Five examples of sowing and reaping: Cain (Gen. 4:3-15). Israel (Num. 11:4-6; Ps. 106:13-14). Saul (1Sam. 15:1-35; 1Chr. 10:13). Haman (Esther 5:1-7:10). Judas (Matt. 26:24; Acts 1:20-25).

‘For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.’ Five examples of destruction: Israel (Deut. 32:15-25; Hos. 13:6-8). Babylon (Isa. 47:7-9). Moab (Jer. 48:11-15). Sodom (Gen. 19:1-38; Ezek. 16:49). Tyre (Ezek. 28:2-7).

‘But whoso hearkened unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.’ Twofold end of the righteous: He shall dwell safely. He shall be quiet from fear of evil.

‘Dwell safely’ – Five examples of dwelling safely: Noah and family (Genesis 6-8). Three Hebrew children (Dan. 3:1-30). Daniel (Dan. 6:1-28). Christ’s sheep (John 10:28-29). David (Ps. 23:1-6).

You Have Set At Nought All My Counsel

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Proverbs 1:23-27 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But you have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes; When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you. 

‘Because I have called, and you refused.’ Twelve reasons for being damned: Refusal of wisdom’s call (1:24). Disregard her invitation. Setting at nought her counsel (1:25). Rejection of her reproof. Hatred of her knowledge (1:29). Refusal of fear of the Lord. Rejection of wisdom’s counsel (1:30). Despising her reproof. Reaping fruit of own way (1:31). Being filled with own schemes. Turning away or backsliding (1:32). Being satisfied with prosperity.

Wisdom is personified here indicating that every man is endowed with natural faculties to know right from wrong and to make godly decisions (John 1:9; Rom. 2:12-16). It is man’s own God-given wisdom which will laugh and mock at the calamity he brings upon himself through folly and rejection of her pleading. See Psalms 1:1-6.

‘I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes.’ Tenfold end of the wicked: His calamity laughed at (1:26). His terror mocked. Fear and desolation a reality (1:27). Destruction will be like a whirlwind. Distress coming upon him. Anguish seizing him. Not being heard when praying to God in punishment (1:28). Seeking God when it will be too late to find Him. Reaping what has been sown (1:31). Being required to be satisfied with own plans.

Wisdom Cried

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Proverbs 1:20-22 Wisdom cried without; she uttered her voice in the streets: She cried in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttered her words, saying, How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: chokmowth] (the plural of Chokmah) is wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, skill. Translated as “wisdom” 145 times (1:2, 7; 2:2, 6, 10; 3:13, 19; 4:5, 7, 11; 5:1; 7:4; 8:1, 11-12; 9:10; 10:13, 23, 31; 11:2; 13:10; 14:6, 8, 33; 15:33; 16:16; 17:16; 24; 18:4; 21:30; 23:23; 24:3, 24:14; 28:26; 29:3, 15; 30:3; 31:26; Ex. 28:3; 31:3, 6; 35:26; 31, 35; 36:1-2; Ps. 37:30; 51:6; 90:12; 104:24; 111:10; Eccl. 1:13-18; 2:3-26; 7:11-25; 8:1, 16;). It is the predominant word for wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

‘Cried without’ – Five places wisdom preaches: in open places, streets, mobs, gates, and cities (1:20-21).

‘Concourse’ [Hebrew: hamah] to be in great commotion or tumult; mob; uproar.

‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? …’ This is the 1st prophecy in Proverbs (1:22-33) unfulfilled except in part. Wisdom’s sixfold message: How long will you simple ones love deception and flattery? How long will you scorners continue to scorn wisdom? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Turn at my reproof [Hebrew: shuwb] be converted (Ps. 6:10; 19:7; 51:13; Isa. 1:27). I will pour out my spirit unto you (1:23). I will make known my words to you.

‘You simple ones’ – Three classes Wisdom preaches to the simple ones (1:4); scorners (Ps. 1:1); fools.

‘Simple ones’ – Simple ones love simplicity [Hebrew: pethiy] silly, deceptive, flattering, and enticing talk and conduct; scorners delight in scorning wisdom and fools despise knowledge (1:22; 9:7-9).

If Sinners Entice Thee

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Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. 

‘Sinners’ [Hebrew: chata’] criminal; to miss the mark; pass the limits of the law. Translated as sinners (Ps. 1:1, 5; 25:8 etc.).

‘Consent thou not’ – Five examples of consenting not to sin: Joseph (Gen. 39:9-10). The unknown prophet (1Kin. 13:8-9). Jehoshaphat (1Kin. 22:49). Joash (2Chr. 24:2). Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:14-16).

‘If they say, Come with us …’ Note the sevenfold enticement of sinners to young men, showing how gangs and sinful relations are formed to this day (1:10-14).

‘Grave’ [Hebrew: She’owl] is incorrectly translated for the Hebrew word for grave is qeber which is the grave, the place of the body; this should have been translated as hell [she’owl] the place of departed souls. The body goes to the grave at death, where it turns to dust. The soul, however, goes to Sheol, a place of consciousness after death.

‘Pit’ [Hebrew: bowr] is a hole bored or dug, referring to a grave. This verse contrasts She’owl, hell – the place of the soul (where it is swallowed up alive) – and bowr, the place of the body.

‘Walk not thou in the way with them.’ Contrast the seven recruiting arguments of Proverbs 1:10-14, with the seven reasons why a young man should not join gangs or ungodly relations (1:15-19).

‘Their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.’ Quoted in Romans 3:15 and states that they intend to bring harm to others.

‘Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.’ Just as the enemy set traps to ensnare us, so do his followers. One cannot ensnare those whose eyes are open.

‘Own blood … own lives.’ The consequence of those who plan evil against others – it shall happen to you. Matthew 7:12 states the golden rule of “do unto others as you want others to do unto you” and Galatians 6:7-8 gives the law of sowing and reaping.

An Ornament of Grace

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Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 

‘Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.’ Scripture warns that children should obey their parents IN the Lord (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20), thus not against what God commands and never in any sinful way. Unsaved parents may still give good advice or instructions on basic matters of life that one can follow always bearing in mind the consequences of those decisions.

‘Hear the instruction.’ Five examples of hearing instruction: The Rechabites (Jer. 35:18-19). Samuel (1Sam. 1:28; 2:18; 3:19-21). Jesus Christ (Luke 2:51). Paul (Acts 9:1-43; 26:19). Timothy (2Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Acts 16:1).

‘An ornament of grace’ – When you ornament something, you’re beautifying, embellishing, or adorning it. So must whatever we learn from our parents be those things that give us a godly character with integrity and that equip us for life to be a blessing to others.

‘Chains about thy neck.’ Gold necklaces indicated political dignity (Gen. 41:42; Dan. 5:7, 16, 29), so this verse says that obedience to parents is the best way to become prominent among men (1:8-9) in the right way, not for one’s own status in life, but always for God’s glory (1Cor. 10:31).

Romans 12:3 warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, thus, not to be conceited and self-important, but to be humble.

A Wise Man Will…

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Proverbs 1:5-7 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

‘A wise man will hear.’ Five examples of wise men hearing: The Eunuch (Acts 8:27, 39). Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7). The Bereans (Acts 17:11-12). Apollos (Acts 18:24-28). Jesus Christ (Isa. 50:4-6).

‘Interpretation’ That is the point of what is said. 2Peter 1:20-21 states clearly that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation [thus one’s own opinion of what God might intend to have said], but prophecy came not by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 

‘Their dark sayings.’ Riddles, enigmas, and parables abounded in the East.

‘Fear’ [Hebrew: yir’ah] religious reverence. Translated as “fear” 14 times in Proverbs (1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17). In Proverbs 1:2-6 Solomon shows the advantage of acting according to the dictates of wisdom; in Proverbs 1:7-33 he shows the danger of acting contrary to them.

‘Beginning’ [Hebrew: re’shith] is the first principle. Religious reverence is the beginning, not the end of knowledge. True wisdom is to justify God and condemn self.

‘Fools’ [Hebrew: ’eviyl] Three Hebrew words translated as “fool” in Proverbs: [1] The Hebrew: ’eviyl means lax or careless habit of mind and body; to be perverse, silly, and a fool. Used 19 times in Proverbs (1:7; 7:22; 10:8, 10, 14, 21; 11:29; 12:15-16; 14:3, 9; 15:5; 16:22; 17:28; 20:3; 24:7; 27:3, 27:22; 29:9). [2] The Hebrew: keciyl means dense or stupid, manifesting itself in impiety and irreverence. Used 49 times in Proverbs (1:22, 32; 3:35; 8:5; 10:1, 18, 23; 12:23; 13:16, 19-20; 14:7-8, 16, 24, 33; 15:2, 7, 14, 20; 17:10, 12, 16, 21, 24-25; 18:2, 6-7; 19:1, 10, 13, 29; 21:20; 23:9; 26:1, 3-12; 28:26; 29:11, 20). [3] The Hebrew: nabal refers to a vile and vulgar person. Used 3 times in Proverbs (17:7, 21; 30:22; cp. Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

‘Despise wisdom.’ Five examples of despising wisdom: Cain (Gen. 4:6-8). Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 2:12, 25). Nabal (1Sam. 25:25). Rehoboam (1Kin. 12:13). Athenians (Acts 17:18, 32).

To Know… To Perceive…

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Proverbs 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 

‘To know …’ The fifteenfold purpose of Proverbs: To know wisdom (1:2). To know instruction. To perceive understanding. To receive instruction in wisdom (1:3). To receive instruction in justice. To receive instruction in judgment. To receive instruction in equity. To give subtlety to the simple (1:4). To give young men knowledge. To give young men discretion. To attract the wise man (1:5). To increase learning. To help attain wise counsel. To make known the words of the wise in proverbial form (1:6). To express dark sayings.

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: Chokmah] wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, skill. Translated as “wisdom” 145 times (1:2, 7; 2:2, 6, 10; 3:13, 19; 4:5, 7, 11; 5:1; 7:4; 8:1, 11-12; 9:10; 10:13, 23, 31; 11:2; 13:10; 14:6, 8, 33; 15:33; 16:16; 17:16; 24; 18:4; 21:30; 23:23; 24:3, 24:14; 28:26; 29:3, 15; 30:3; 31:26; Ex. 28:3; 31:3, 6; 35:26; 31, 35; 36:1-2; Ps. 37:30; 51:6; 90:12; 104:24; 111:10; Eccl. 1:13-18; 2:3-26; 7:11-25; 8:1, 16;). It is the predominant word for wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

‘Instruction’ [Hebrew: muwcar] to understand; comprehend; chasten; discipline.

‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: biynah] discernment and discrimination. Translated as understanding (1:2; 3:5; 4:1-7; 7:4; 8:14; 9:6, 10; 16:16; 23:23; 30:2); wisdom (23:4); and knowledge (2:3).

‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: sakal] prudence, good sense. Translated as “wisdom” (1:3); “wise” (10:5, 19; 14:35; 15:24; 17:2); “wisely” (16:20; 21:12); “teach” (16:23); “instruct” (21:11); “prosper” (17:18); “prudent” (19:14); and “understanding” (21:16).

‘Justice’ [Hebrew: tsedeq] righteousness, justice (1:3; 2:9; 8:15; Job 8:3; Ps. 89:14; etc.).

‘Judgment’ [Hebrew: mishpat] verdict; sentence; decree. Translated as “judgment” 296 times (Ex. 21:31; 23:2, 6; etc.).

‘Equity’ [Hebrew: meyshar] evenness. Translated as “equity” (1:3; 2:9; Ps. 98:9; 99:4) and “equal” (17:2).

‘Subtilty’ [Hebrew: ‛ormah] shrewdness. Translated as “subtilty” (1:4; cp. Gen. 3:1; Matt. 10:16); “guile” (Ex. 21:14); “wilily” (Jos. 9:4); “wisdom” (8:5); and “prudence” (8:12).

‘Simple’ [Hebrew: pethiy] inconsiderate; unwary; artless, guileless, and unsuspecting; those who, through lack of knowledge and experience, act rashly and unwisely (1:22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12). Referring to those who are unsaved.

Proverbs

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Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel

‘Proverbs’ [Hebrew: mashal] from a related word meaning “to rule,” in the sense of mental superiority. It is not a collection of human wisdom, but of divine rules to govern all of man’s conduct – his civil, religious, and business life. It is used for an allegory (Ezek. 17:2); a discourse (Num. 23:7-8); a taunt or triumph song (Isa. 14:4); an argument (Job 29:1); a byword (Ps. 44:14); a lament (Mic. 2:4); a proverb (Pro. 1:1; 1Kin. 4:32; 2Chr. 7:20; Ps. 69:11; Jer. 24:9); and a parable (Ezek. 20:49; cp. [Greek: parabole] as a type or figure in Heb. 9:9; 11:19). Proverbs is quoted nine times in the N.T. (1:16; 3:7, 11, 34; 11:31; 25:21; 26:11).

Date and place written: Except for Proverbs 30-31, the proverbs were spoken by Solomon about 1,000 B.C. Proverbs 1-24 were perhaps written by him in a book. Proverbs 25-29 were Solomon’s proverbs added to the first part of the book by Hezekiah about 730 B.C. The last 2 chapters were added at an unknown time.

Author: Solomon is the first sacred writer whose name is at the head of his work. “The Proverbs of Solomon” is the entire title (1:1; 10:1; 25:1; cp. 30:1; 31:1). He wrote the first 29 chapters. They are the only proverbs in existence of 3,000 uttered by him (1Kin. 4:32). He could not have borrowed much, if any, from men before him, as all uninspired ethical writers lived after his day. He could have quoted what he heard from his father David, for many of the same wisdom is mentioned in his writings in Psalms . The last 2 chapters were spoken by an unknown man and woman, and who added them to the proverbs of Solomon is not known unless it was Hezekiah (Pro. 25:1).

‘Solomon the son of David.’ He was the fourth son of David and Bathsheba (2Sam. 5:14).

Theme: Practical moral and spiritual truth in proverbial form for people of God (2Tim. 3:15-17).

Statistics: 20th book of the Bible; 31 chapters; 915 verses; 15,043 words; 49 questions; 27 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 67 sins; 66 things about fools; 28 things about sluggards; 22 things about kings; 25 abominations; 215 commands; 120 promises; 27 blessings; 24 secrets of life; 17 “better” things; 560 proverbs.