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Antithetical Parallelism blessing character discernment father fool hate home honor integrity knowledge life view love memory mentoring mother mouth name pervert Prov 10.1 Prov 10.2-3 Prov 10.4-5 Prov 10.6 Prov 10.7 Prov 10.8 Prov 10.9 Prov 10.10 Prov 10.11 Prov 10.12 Prov 10.13 Prov 10.14 Prov 27.17 Prov Intro reputation righteous rod scoffer security shame strife Synonymous Parallelism tongue walk wicked words
 

A Look at Proverbs 10.32

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Pr 10.32
32 The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.

 The Parts:

Parallelism Examined

32a

32b

lips of the righteous

mouth of the wicked

bring forth
(know)

(does not bring forth)
(does not know)

what is acceptable

what is perverted

acceptable – delight, favorable, pleasure (for shades of meaning, see the verses below)

bring forth (know) – knowledge which integrates with life, includes perception. This “knowledge” reflects in relationships, behavior, attitudes.

References to consider:

Acceptable

Ps 5:12 (favor or goodwill of God)
12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.

 Lev 1:3 (delight or acceptance of an individual)
3 ‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer it, a male without defect; he shall offer it at the doorway of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord.

Ps 40:8 (desire, pleasure in the specific will of God or man)
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”

Sharpening in my life today:

Our final gem in Proverbs 10 turns our attention to the “form” of words.

Just a note on the “form of words” in Proverbs may give us an illustration. When we read Proverbs, it, by our standards, seems more abstract. The use of the third person style seems rather impersonal and often less “directive” than we may have expected. We’re often much more prone to “directly” say something!

By this manner of teaching, the teacher builds an evaluative grid into the learner. When the learner enters life, he is able to evaluate himself (an reward himself) regarding his choices of wisdom, or, of foolishness!

Proverbs places the locus of training, responsibility, and control within the hands of the learner who must now choose. Here is how “wisdom,” i.e., skill in living, is developed.

Our “likeness” to the God of life and His righteousness will impact the “form” of our words! When we come to the New Testament, we’ll find such a walk is one of love, Eph5.4.

4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

This is a good time to look at the “form” of our words for speech “formed” in righteousness “perceives” (knows) and brings forth pleasure, delight, and favor with those around us.

Such speech is good, profitable, beckoning, but, most of all it reflects God’s likeness in us!

We may not see ourselves as divinely ministering, yet with words well formed we can surround someone with the likeness of God’s favor, encouragement, blessing, guidance, and much more!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.21

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

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!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.20

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Pr 10.20
20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

 The Parts

Parallelism Examined

20a

20b

tongue

heart

of the righteous

of the wicked

choice silver

little

choice – “to take a keen look at” – almost always used with theological overtones (Dt12.5; 14.2), involves careful and thoughtful choices (1Sam17.40; 1Ki18.45; Isa1.29; 40.20), key is serviceability, not just arbitrariness (Isa41.8-16; 43.10).

words of the righteous – What is “righteous”? Spend some time considering your answer.

words of the righteous – Who puts them out? Spend some time considering where the “words” your taking in are coming from.

“Righteous” makes a straight path (Pr11.5); guards integrity (Pr13.6); hates what is false and dishonest (Pr13.5; 29.27); committed to justice (Pr29.7); disapproves any miscarriage of justice (Pr18.15; 17.15); gives honest and accurate testimony (Pr12.17); generous (Pr21.26); bold (Pr28.1); wise (Pr8.20); keeps getting up after falling (Pr24.16); displays stability (Pr10.25); experiences joy (Pr10.28); attains life (Pr11.19). He blesses and responds to the prayers of the righteous (Pr10.6; 15.29).

Sharpening for life today:

Could you describe a “choice” car, or horse, or weapon, or guitar, or golf course? Now, what would “choice” speech be?

Where would you look for “words of the righteous”? A good place to start would be godly company, godly writers, godly singers . . . by the way, who’ve you been listening to on a regular basis? “Take a keen look at” the words that are filling your heart and head!

The words of the righteous come from the heart (mind) of the righteous! The words of the world are common at best, deceptive and resistive of the Lord’s Word and Ways at worst.

So, if the tongue of the righteous is choice silver, how is your bank account today?

Suppose, after balancing your “choice silver” account you’ve found your account a little short, maybe even deeply overdrawn, where would you look for some solid deposits?

If you don’t have a church home where they regularly teach the Bible and present Jesus as the Lord of life, look around and find that church. Ask the Lord to lead you to some godly mentoring, find some counsel in your church for direction for some godly reading. Also, don’t forget to stop taking in all the “cheap” things that have been taking your time and attention! Take that “keen look” right now!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.19

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Pr 10.19
19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

19a

19b

(he)

he

(who does not restrain)
there are many words

who restrains

(his lips)

his lips

(is not wise)

is wise

transgression is unavoidable

(transgression is avoidable)

transgression – it would be profitable to read some of the verses below on “transgression” to get a flavor for this powerful term. This term is not well rendered in the NIV or NKJV as “sin.” This is a violent term, well rendered “rebellion”! It’s about tearing away from where we should be, what is godly and wise. It’s sin! And, it often happens in our relationships! Within a relationship it speaks of things like a breach of relationship, going beyond the “limits” of that relationship.

wise – one who is capable of reasoning through a complex arrangement of thoughts resulting in a wise dealing and good practical common sense, “prudent,” intelligent understanding of a (reason or) relationship, moves toward being successful, pays attention. This quality is well worth your personal consideration as well as training your children. In a culture pounded toward the empty path of being “popular,” this is a much more productive path! This term, maskil, is often used in the titles of the Psalms, e.g., Ps 32, 52, stressing “to give insight and success in life.”

References to consider:

Transgression

Pr 28.21
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

Partiality is self‑demeaning! The one who judges and the one judged have a relationship!

Ge 31.36
36 Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?

Jacob and Laban have a relationship.

Ge 50.17
17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

Joseph and his brothers have a relationship.

1 Sa 24.11
11 “Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.

David and Saul have a relationship.

Wise

Is 41.20
20 That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the Lord has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Pr 21.12
12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Turning the wicked to ruin.

Ne 8.13
13 Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.

Pr 1.3
3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;

1 Sa 18.14-15
14 David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him.

“prospering,” NASB margin: “acting wisely” (and being successful!) This characteristic produced by the Spirit in David’s life clearly set him apart from Saul.

Je 10.21
21 For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the Lord; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.

“prospered,” this had not come, thus judgmetn comes! They didn’t understand and weren’t successful in God’s life.

Pr 19.11
11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

“discretion,” understanding the particulars. As this unfolds, there is success in life!

Pr 12.8
8 A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised.

Sharpening for my life today:

Relationships vary, so do our words, both the content and the number! Remember when you “didn’t have much to say”? It wasn’t lack of content, it was lack of relationship.

Here we learn that even “advise” should be given within the “limits” of relationship. Here’s a good Proverb about “what to say, and, when to say it”!

Remember, our words are very much part of our ministry. There is nothing “idle” about conversation for one who is “wise” in the Lord!

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A Look at Proverbs 10.14

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Prov 10.14
14 Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

The Parts

Parallelism Examined

14a

14b

wise men

foolish (men)

store up

(do not store up)

knowledge

(knowledge)

(for profit, good, ministry)

ruin is at hand

store up – treasure, hold close . . . not to hoard but for a definite purpose. This is not just inventory but a storehouse of blessing. Wise people speak with deliberation, weighing their words!

knowledge – this is an apprehension of reality, experience, how things work. Unfortunately, we thing “knowledge” is just information! As a result we have vast numbers in our culture educated beyond their intelligence!

ruin – “to be broken,” thus ruin, can include terror and dismay. Fools don’t weigh their words, they just dump their mouths!

at hand – being most near, even intimate proximity like a kinsman or neighbor, a relationship

References to consider:

Prov 18.6
6 A fool’s lips bring strife,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Prov 9.9
9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Prov 13.3
3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Eph 4.29
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ezek 24.16-17
16 “Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come. 17 “Groan silently; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your mustache and do not eat the bread of men.”

When do I “speak,” or “share,” or “tell,” or “express”? Notice carefully God’s words to Ezekiel on an occasion of major grief and sorrow. “Groan silently” . . . 

God acknowledged Ezekiel’s thoughts, feelings, passion are real. He did not tell Ezekiel to not think or feel. He told him to acknowledge this “inwardly” (which is always to/before the Lord).

God directed him to control the expression of his emotions, words, thoughts according to the constraints of a larger purpose.

Let’s summarize. Our thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings are to be . . . 

  • Acknowledged to ourselves and God according to their full weight (positive or negative).
  • Subordinated in public expression to allowing God to use us for His purposes. Expression is legitimate only when it does not conflict with God’s purposes. Always evaluate whether my expression will serve God, thus minister to another person. [For further reading along this line, see the excellent book by Larry Crabb, “The Marriage Builder” (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982), pp 68-70.]

Sharpening for my life today:

Prov 27.17

Prov 27.17

Let me share an unfortunate actual story. A fine Christian woman’s husband died unexpectedly. It was a devastating shock and as a result she felt deep and sudden loss and pain. A couple representatives (I won’t say “Deacons” so you won’t brand some poor denomination) from her church paid her a visit at this time of grief. Their “word” for her was Rom 8.28,

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Therefore, she was not to grieve, trust God, and move on with life.

While these representatives “word” was absolute truth from God’s Word, and more than likely well intentioned, they were not “wise words.” The goal of “words” is always to minister, not provide quick solutions, which are often directed to cut off feelings and interaction. God is not concerned about our giving answers! He is deeply concerned about our ministry to strengthen, support, care, minister!

Even fools can have good information and a great ability to express themselves! Unfortunately, they often don’t store wisdom, they just dump their mouth! Our goal is to minister!

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