INSIGHT FOR LIVING 8
INSIGHT FOR LIVING 8
The wicked are an abomination to God and although they may pledge support for each other in sin, they will not go unpunished (CP Pr 16:5 also 3:32 and 11:20-21). Iniquity is atoned for when sin is repented of; and in the reverential awe of God men turn aside from evil (CP Pr 16:6 also 8:13 and 14:16 with Jer 3:22; 18:23, 30-32; 33:11-12; 14-16; Hos 14:1-2, 4). Solomon's next declaration that God makes a righteous man's enemies to be at peace with him does not however preclude New Testament Christians from persecution (CP Pr 16:7 and 2Chr 12:6-7; 17:10 with Mt 5:10; Mk 10:29-30; Lu 21:17-18; Jn 15:20; 2Ti 3:12). It is better to be poor and righteous than to be rich and unrighteous (CP Pr 16:8 also 15:16 and Psa 37:16 with Pr 10:2). A righteous man's heart devises many plans but the Lord directs his steps (CP Pr 16:9 also 19:21, 20:24 with Psa 37:23; 119:133). Next Solomon observes that a righteous king has great power, but also Divine wisdom to execute judgement (CP Pr 16:10. From a New Testament perspective this translates to Jesus (CP Isa 11:1-4 with Lu 4:16-20).
Just scales and balances are decreed by God. All weights and measures are of His making (CP Pr 16:11 also 11:1 and 20:10, 23 with Lev 19:35-36; De 25:13-16; Eze 45:10; Amos 8:4-6; Mic 6:10-11). God detests dishonesty. There is no middle ground for Christians. Every transaction in which they are involved must be scrupulously honest (CP Pr 16:12-15). Here Solomon expresses confidence in righteous kings to rightly govern (CP also V 10; 20:2, 8, 26, 28; 24:21; 25:5; 29:4, 14; 31:1-5), As previously noted in our study on 16:10 righteous kings have great power, but also Divine wisdom to execute judgement (CP Pr 16:16 also 3:13-14; 8:10, 18-19). This is also claimed by David in the book of Psalms for the commands and precepts of the Lord (CP Psa 19:9-10; 119:72, 127). These scriptures highlight the chastening power of God's word. The righteous man is ever departing from evil; he walks in the way prescribed by God and preserves his soul (CP Pr 16:17 also 15:19 and 22:5 with Isa 35:8). In the next Proverb Solomon observes the effect of pride and haughtiness (CP Pr 16:18 also 11:2 with Isa 14:12-15).
It is better to be humble and associate with the lowly than to share plunder with the proud (CP Pr 16:19 and 3:34 with Isa 57:15; Mt 5:3). Solomon next observes some fundamental principles of life: God blesses those who obey Him; happy is the man who puts his trust in the Lord (CP Pr 16:20 with 13:13; 28:25 and Psa 34:8). A wise man is acknowledged for his discernment and insight; his pleasant way of speaking increases learning (CP Pr 16:2 and V 24). Wisdom is a fountain of life for those possessing it, but the instruction of fools is folly (CP 16:22 with 10:11; 13:13-15; 15:10). Careful and persuasive speech comes from a wise heart which increases in learning (CP 16:23 with 22:17-18). Pleasantly spoken words refresh the soul (CP 16:24 and V 21). There is a way that seems right to a man, but whatever is not God's way will end in death and Hell (CP Pr 16:25). This is a repeat of 14:12 (CP 14:12 also 5:21-23 and 12:15 with Mt 7:13-14).
Solomon's next observations are that very little labour is for anyone but self - it is to satisfy some appetite or meet some need in life. The ungodly man works as hard at doing something evil and setting men against each other as the labourer does to earn a living. The ungodly causes strife and separates friends. He leads his righteous neighbour into unrighteousness and meditates on what sins he can commit. Hoary heads are crowns of glory on righteous men (CP Pr 16:26-31 with 12:26; 17:9; 20:29 and Lev 19:32). Conquest and self-control within accomplishes more than physical prowess without (CP Pr 16:32 with 14:29; 15:18; 19:11). God, not chance, is in control of what happens (CP Pr 16:33 with V 1-4, 9; 19:21; 20:24; Psa 37:23-24).
In Pr 17 Solomon observes that a little with peace and contentment, is better than plenty with strife (CP Pr 17:1 with 15:7). Solomon then declared that a wise servant will be promoted above a son who brings shame to his family, and will share in the inheritance (CP Pr 17:2 with 10:5; 11:29; 19:26; 28:7). It is worth noting here that God gave Solomon's own servant Jeroboam control over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel, but only two to his son, Rehoboam (CP 1Ki 11:9-13, 29-43). Next, Solomon observes how precious metals are purified by fire, but God tries men's hearts (CP Pr 17:3 with 15:11; 16:2; Psa 26:2; 139:23-24; Jer 17:10). The refining fires for New Testament Christians are trials of their faith which they will undergo (CP Mt 5:10-12; Jas 1:2-4; 1Pe 1:3-9 with Ro 2:5-7; 5:3-4). The kind of talk a man listens to determines what he is at heart (CP Pr 17:4). Mocking the poor is mocking God who made them. He will punish those who rejoice in others' troubles (CP Pr 17:5 also 14:31). Grandsons are the glory of old men, and fathers are the glory of sons (CP Pr 17:6). Childrens' children here (KJV), are literally sons' sons - grandsons - and father are the glory of sons, not children per se (CP Pr 17:7).
As eloquent speech is unsuited to a fool, much less does lying suit a prince (CP also 12:22; 16:12-13). A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the one possessing it. It prospers him wherever he goes (CP Pr 17:8). A gift here (KJV), refers to a bribe - something given in return for a favour. Solomon is not condoning bribery; he merely observes that the one giving it generally prospers in his evil ways (CP also V 23; 21:14). Throughout scripture bribery is condemned (CP Pr 15:27; 28:16; Ex 23:8; De 16:19; Ecc 7:7; 10:19; Amos 5:12; Mt 28:11-15 with 1Ti 6:9-12). The man who forgives and forgets an offence against him procures love, but he who keeps remembering a matter alienates even close friends (CP Pr 17:9 also 10:12 and Jas 5:20; 1Pe 4:8 with 1Cor 13:4-7). Rebuking a wise man does more good than one hundred beatings to a fool (CP Pr 17:10). Solomon's observation here is that the wise receive rebuke with appreciation; fools do not (CP also Pr 9:7-8; 10:17; 15:12). An evil man who seeks only to stir up rebellion will face just retribution (CP Pr 17:11). Fools are less rational in anger than a wild bear robbed of her cubs (CP Pr 17:12).
Solomon next asserts that evil will never leave the house of the man who rewards evil for good (CP Pr 17:13 with Psa 109:4-5; Jer 18:20-23). Solomon's own father David repaid Uriah the Hittite's loyalty with evil. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and then had Uriah killed. Evil never left David's house thereafter (CP 2Sam 11:1 - 12:12). This translates to the law of sowing and reaping for New Testament Christians (CP Ga 6:7-10). Next, Solomon observes that it is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts; it is like letting out water, so do not let one even begin (CP Pr 17:14 with 20:3). Solomon then highlights two abominations to God (CP Pr 17:15 also 18:5; 24:24 with Ex 23:6-7; Isa 5:22-23). Next, Solomon questions why pay for a fool to get wisdom when he has no heart for the truth (CP Pr 17:16 with 21:25-26). A true friend is always there but a brother is born for the time of trouble (CP Pr 17:17 also 18:24 with 1Cor 13:7).
A man who guarantees another's debt in the event that he should default is devoid of good sense (CP Pr 17:18 with 6:1-2 (see also author's comments on Pr 6:1-5)). He who loves contention loves sin, and he who glorifies his position courts destruction (CP Pr 17:19 with 16:18). One crooked in heart finds no good, and he who has an unmanageable tongue falls into evil (CP Pr 17:20). Now contrast Pr 10:31-32 and 16:20-21 and CP Jas 3:1-12 (CP Pr 10:31-32; 16:20-21 with Jas 3:1-12). There is no joy in being the father of a fool, only sorrow (CP Pr 17:21 also V 25 with 10:1; 19:13). A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick (CP Pr 17:22 with 12:25; 15:13, 15 and 18:14). The wicked are able to pervert the course of justice with bribes (CP Pr 17:23 with 21:14 and Ecc 10:19). Wisdom is within reach of everyone who looks for it, but the fool's eyes are on everything else (CP Pr 17:24 with Ecc 2:14). Solomon observes again in Pr 17:25, as in V 21, that there is no joy in being the parent of a fool - only vexation for the father, and bitterness for the mother (CP Pr 17:25 also V 21 with 10:1). Next, Solomon also observes that it is a perversion of justice to punish the righteous and to strike leaders for uprightness (CP Pr 17:26 also V 15 with 18:5). Rash talk and quick temper betray a shallow character. Even a fool is considered wise and a man of understanding, who keeps quiet (CP Pr 17:27-28 with 10:19; 16:32 and Jas 1:19).