Proverbs 17 #Relationships #Wisdom #Knowledge #Understanding

Contents

Proverbs Chapter 17. 1

RELATIONSHIPS. 1

Relationships With People. 1

Our Communications with them.. 1

Relationship Skills. 3

Our Relationship With the Godhead. 3

Words Lead Actions and They Have Consequences. 5

INTEGRITY. 6

THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM… 6

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships With People

Our Communications with them

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.  When we look back at Prov 15:17 we are reminded that Solomon preferred a dish of vegetables served with love that the finest meat served with hatred. Today we tend to say, “Money cannot buy happiness!” Social media memes will declare that it can buy things that will make life easier. That is a point of reference for physical things. What is true happiness? Having things that make you “feel happy” or having a happy spirit? One that remains happy regardless of the circumstances is happy because they are at peace. Paul said it did not matter what state he was in he was content.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. We hang out with people who are of the same mindset that we are unless the intention is to share the Gospel with them. A person who hates lies will not participate in them.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. One should never expect a fool to speak as if they are a wise person. The same thing applies to a person who is a liar and does not appear to know what it means to be truthful.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Controlling one’s emotions enables us to prevent contentious situations. But when an individual cannot remain calm, regardless of the circumstance, the slightest thing will release a torrent of putrid speech and or social media posts.  When one has to give other people a tongue lashing just to feel good about themselves they have “let out the torrent of emotional water on an unsuspecting public!” My pastor in NY used to say if you want to know the metal that a Christian is made of make them angry and then sit back and watch.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. Only a sinful heart will produce sinful words and be willing to participate in shameful speaking, dirty jokes, and uses perverse and or profane language. A righteous person does not use profanity no matter how much they are goaded. This type of heart cannot be hidden. It will reveal itself under adverse conditions.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Remaining silent will keep people guessing. No one will know the level of one’s understanding of a subject until one begins to speak about the subject in a manner that is contrary to what a wise person knows to be a fact. No, this Scripture is not saying a fool is a wise person because they are silent. However, it is stating that sometimes silence is best!

Relationship Skills

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. Just think about Joseph’s situation in Egypt. He was a servant even in his enslavement and imprisonment. But what was his final end? How did he arrive at that level of prominence over Pharaoh’s own son? Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from God placed him there.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Don’t spread a person’s sin around for the world to see and or hear. Many times, when we share a weakness that a person has with others it makes them look terrible. It can also result in them losing the respect of their friends. This is a very prevalent practice in social media. Before a person knows it, people are not talking to them and they do not know why. It is because the telephone game is not live, upfront and personal. What’s more, it is even more destructive because it is in print and can and will be easily forwarded to others. Even parts of a discussion in Messenger can be shared with others. It is a very destructive practice. Love will cover the person’s indiscretion.

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Now, this is interesting. Have you ever been a member of a family where your brothers and sisters appear to love you less than you dear friend(s)? I know people who have experienced this type of acceptance from their friends. They don’t have to prove anything to them. A true friend will always be a source of love, no matter what!

Our Relationship With the Godhead

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Scripture states that God will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver as He purifies the Levities. Well, he does the same thing with the fiery trials of the saints. The fiery trials enable us to exercise faith and trust in Him.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. God cannot stand to know that we will look down our noses on anyone, but He is even more displeased when we do this to people who are poor or have experienced circumstances beyond their control. i.e. a disabled person has no control over how they became disabled. Teasing them is irreproachable in God’s eyes. Scripture speaks to how we should react to someone who is impoverished and God’s attitude toward the act of “despising others.”

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.  A person who operates from the standpoint of wisdom will think before they speak, and or act; therefore, they may not enjoy being scolded, but they will take correction. On the other hand, a fool is used to being beaten for being foolish. So, beating them for their foolish behavior is a waste of time. They have become calloused.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Scripture states that rebellion is as witchcraft and to have a stubborn spirit is as sin and idolatry. Either of these character traits will result in eternal separation from God. People who do not want to know where they will be going if they are foul-mouthed persons who are rebelling against God will generally despise anyone who tells them where their final destination will be. It is a fact whether they will accept it or not.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.  WOW! It is better for me to meet a bear whose cub I have stolen than to be a fool is becomes in the actions of a fool.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.  Solomon is well aware of this situation because Uriah was the husband of his mother. He knew what his father did to Uriah who was nothing but dedicated to David. However, because his father was trying to cover up his sin he killed Uriah. God blesses us for following His directives about our relationship with Him and with others. That is all the ten commandments are about.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are an abomination to the LORD. I spoke to someone today who was irate because a person on television was justifying the behavior of someone who was wicked and was condemning the behavior of the persons who were doing their job.  It is as simple as that.

 Words Lead Actions and They Have Consequences

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.  Being thankful for the gift of grace is something that all Christians are well versed in. Scripture says that God blesses His children abundantly.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. The love of sin leads to nothing but destruction.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. And 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

See the previous verses about the life of a fool and the results of that life. When our children choose to live sinful lives, our hearts are broken.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. When one is happy it sends endorphins a flooding into our bodies. It is like medicine. But depression causes all sorts of health problems.

INTEGRITY

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. Just look at the justice system today; corruption in business. A company would rather recall equipment that they know is faulty than spend the money to correct it in the first place.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?  You cannot buy wisdom or pay for an education. Yes, you can purchase a degree online. However, when one applies for a position that requires them to use the “acquired skills” they will be lacking.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. Never sign a document to say you will pay for the person’s debt if they cannot pay for it themselves. Why? Likely you will end up doing just that! See the discussion in chapter 6 verses 2-4.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. The other man’s grass is greener because he fertilizes it and you do not! We cannot run away from relational challenges. Ask the person who has been married 4 times.

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. A wise person has learned how to listen intently.