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Nov
17

A Look at Proverbs 10.23

By | Proverbs

Pr 10.23
23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

23a

23b

doing wickedness

(doing) wisdom

is like sport

(is like sport)

to a fool

to a man of understanding

sport – laugh, laughter, play. Wrongness is so much a part of the nature of the fool that it’s satisfying activity, he “laughs” at his “sport”! This is something in which he finds satisfaction. “Sport” is implied in our parallelism of the wise person with the fool. They have this in common! Each one does something just for the pleasure of it!

fool – (see Pr10.18 study)

wickedness – plan, device.

understanding –

References to consider:

Wickedness

Pr 12.2
2 A good man will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

Pr 14.7
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

Pr 21.27
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

Pr 24.9
9 The devising of folly is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

Pr 10.4
4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Understanding

Pr 15.21
21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense,
But a man of understanding walks straight.

Pr 3.13
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.

Pr 9.10
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Sharpening for my life today:

Our gem touches the habits of our hearts! We might first want to notice that this jewel is not a contrast, “but,” { incorrectly translated by the ESV, NIV, NKJV Bibles } it’s a comparison, a commonality between the fool and the man of understanding. They have something in common!

The fool has no sense of sin because there is no moral foundation. Wrongness is such a part of the nature that it is satisfying activity.

The wise man has a sense of sin because there is a moral foundation. We can easily see that if sin is getting too close to us, it’s not because of our closeness to the Moral Foundation, the Lord and His Word!

Here we also find some insightful counsel. The person (or group) which commits sin and laughs it off is to be avoided! Such action not only clouds our ability to see, choose, act wisely, it is an abomination to the Lord and His Truth in our lives.

God’s Word and Ways in our lives brings blessing! We might just stop and reflect on this a little longer. What are we “laughing” about, “sporting” over, “making light” of? Sin is exceedingly deceitful! Here again, a great truth for habits of our hearts.

Pr 12.2
2 A good man will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

Oct
25

A Look at Proverbs 10.21

By | Proverbs

Pr 10.21
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

21a

22a

lips

(lips)

of the righteous

(of the) fools

feed

(starve) die

many

(self or many)

(for understanding)

for lack of understanding

Part of the purpose of looking at these terms is to build a vocabulary of biblical truth and gain much insight in our reading Scripture! Let me encourage you to take the time to consider the terms and look at the references. Remember, “terms” are “words” in context. Pay attention to the “term” in the context of Scripture where it is used.

on righteous – see Pr10.20

on fool – see Pr10.8

on heart / understanding – see Pr10.8, 13, 20

lack – (adjective) used predominately for lack of wisdom or understanding. (Interestingly, the verb is used most often to describe the “no lack” of God’s grace for His people!)

Lacking wisdom / understanding is characteristic of: one who sins, Pr6.32; one deserving the rod, Pr10.13; one who belittles his neighbor, Pr11.12; one who follows worthless things, Pr12.11; one who rejoices over folly, Pr15.21; one who makes foolish vows, Pr17.18; one who may be rich but doesn’t know how to enjoy blessing (You cannot enjoy blessing without God! Ec6.2); this one shows himself to be a fool, Ec10.2; but, to the one seeking wisdom there is gain in observation of this fool, Pr9.4, 16.

feed – see 2Sam5.2, the work of the King is to shepherd! Mal2.7, the work of the priest is to feed (Jer23.1)! Jer3.15, the work of the prophet is to feed/shepherd (Jer23.9ff; Isa39.9-10! N.B. — Jn10.10!

References to consider:

Pr 15.14
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Pr 14.3
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.

Right words upbuild – Pr10.11; 12.18, 25; 15.7; 20.15; 15.23

Sharpening for my life today:

Our gem, Pr10.21, certainly stands on its own, yet, it takes the concept of the “silver” of the previous Proverb and “puts some shoe leather” on it with some very practical analysis!

Consider: Even more than just the “words,” consider the course of the righteous. Theirs is as they live the feed / shepherd others with even the regular “words” of life!

Consider: Even more than just the “words,” consider the course of the fool. Theirs is that they benefit no one and even die themselves!

Now, take some time to do a little “trip planning” for your course in life. It is through the words of the righteous that God sends His blessing and abundance to people to meet many needs!

Is this a Proverb “for” you? Before you answer this question, you might want to ask, “Is this a Proverb ‘about’ you”? How do you impart righteous words? Where do you impart righteous words?

If your orientation is “other directed,” we will tend toward words that upbuild, feed, shepherd others. Let me suggest that “other direction” is loving, choosing for the highest good of another! So, if this Proverb is “about” you as you are “other directed” with your words, then “how” do I find righteous words, and, “where” do I find righteous words?

The answer to that question won’t come in the “words” themselves, but in the fruit, produce, result, substance of our “words.” Are they feeding and shepherding others?

We don’t want to miss that the “fool,” even though surrounded by “the lips of the righteous which feed many,” dies because of his self-focused direction for life! The (self-focused) fool can neither receive life from those who give it or give life to those who are in need!

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, we have with righteous words the opportunity to revive, lead, feed, comfort, defend, guide, yes, bless those around us. The greatest source of righteous words is found in God’s inerrant Word! Make it an ongoing habit to hear what God says so you can speak what God says and be use of Him to render blessing and provision for those around you!

Remember, it is through the words of the righteous that God sends His blessing and abundance to people to meet many needs! Here’s a course for life worth pursuing!

Jul
22

A Look at Proverbs 10.8

By | Proverbs

Prov 10.8
8 The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.

Parallelism Examined

8a

8b

wise

fool(ish)

of heart

babbling (of lips)

will receive

will be

commands

ruined

wise – one who recognizes limitations and is willing to learn

heart – in the anthropology of the Old Testament, the “heart” points typically to the mind or thinking

commands – this is a direction expecting responsible actions, the violation of this brings discipline and consequences. Consider all that God “commands,” God enables the means to accomplish, Ex 31.2-6; 35.30-36.1.

fool(ish) –

babbling – one who gives the impression of wisdom with many words, words which are often not connected with living!

ruined – to be thrust down, out, away! Consider, without the guidance of the “commands,” calamity lies ahead!

References to consider:

Matt 15.18
18 “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.

Eccl 12.13
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Num 15.30-31
30 ‘But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 ‘Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’ ”

Violating the commandments of God brings the consequence of being “cut off.” Scholars suggest two meanings with the context being the determinative factor. Either meaning is most intensive! Gen 9.11 points to death. Ex 12.15 points to excommunication from the believing community. It is probably worth consideration that, according to 1 Kings 11.31-39, Solomon’s kingdom was destroyed because he violated “commands.”

The “Fool” (‘ewil)

Crucial to understanding Proverbs is to understand the words used for “fool” (aka: scoffer). Wisdom confronts this thinking. In this Proverb we encounter one of the important words.

This particular “person” or “fool” hates wisdom, can’t stand it, loves folly. They turn you off when you speak of wisdom, God’s ways, or of Christ! Of the four key words for fool in Proverbs, this one is not invited to the feast hosted by Wisdom, ch 9. Only the naïve and the kesil are invited.

He despises wisdom, Prov 1.7 He is self-confident, Prov 12.15; has all the answers!
He dies for lack of sense, Prov 10.21 – lack of “heart” He is flippant, mocks at sin and making restitution, Prov 14.9; the word “sin” in this verse is “trespass offering”
He rejects his father’s wisdom, Prov 15.5 He is quarrelsome, Prov 20.3
He finds that wisdom is beyond him, Prov 24.7 His ANGER is readily recognizable, Prov 12.16
He serves the wise, Prov 11.29 He is extreme, either rages or laughs, Prov 29.9
He is talkative, Prov 10.8, 10; and is therefore considered wise when he keeps quiet, Prov 17.28 He does not benefit from discipline, Prov 16.22; he thinks his own way is without error!
  He is incorrigible, entrenched, Prov 27.22; you can’t grind it out of him!

Sharpening for my life today:

Consider sharpening with the Lord: What the Lord commands, the Lord enables! He commands blessing to those who obey. Conversely, violation brings consequences.

Consider sharpening with others: a great place to start is practicing humility!

Consider sharpening with yourself: a wise person recognizes his limitations and is open to learning, instruction, direction.