Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Seventeen
We will now look at Proverbs chapter seventeen:
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. Proverbs 17:1 (NASB)
We should strive to have peace – within ourselves and our families. Of course this is not always possible – but it better than living in strife.
2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers. Proverbs 17:2 (NASB)
A wise servant will be more honored than a son who acts shamefully. The wise will have their inheritance increased.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 (NASB)
It takes intense heat to purify gold and silver. Similarly – it often takes the heat of trials for the Christian to be purified. Through trials, God shows us what is in us and clears out anything that gets in the way of complete trust in him. Peter says,
“Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.” 1 Peter 1:7 (MSG)
When tough times come your way, realize that God wants to use them to refine your faith and purify your heart.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Proverbs 17:4 (NASB)
We all gravitate to the things we want to hear. Birds of a feather flock together – is an old saying – but it has much truth in it. Birds flock with those who sing the same song.
5 He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 (NASB)
Few acts are as cruel as making fun of the less fortunate, but many people do this because it makes them feel good to be better off or more successful than someone else. Mocking the poor is mocking the God who made them. We also ridicule God when we mock the weak, those who are different, or anyone else. When you catch yourself putting others down just for fun, stop and think about who created them and in whose image they were created.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 (NASB)
To see generations in the family line is a blessing. Many live to see grandchildren – I have seen a few that have seen great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. Proverbs 17:7 (NASB)
Here is a contradiction – a fool who has excellent speech and a leader who lies all the time. The Message translation says:
“We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.” Proverbs 17:7 (MSG)
8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. Proverbs 17:8 (NASB)
Solomon is not saying that bribery is good – but he is making an observation about the way the world operates. Sometimes wicked people prosper by their wicked ways. Bribes may get people what they want – but the Bible clearly condemns bribery:
"You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.” Exodus 23:8 (NASB)
9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NASB)
This proverb is saying that we should be willing to disregard the faults of others. Forgiving faults is necessary to any relationship. It is tempting, especially in an argument, to bring up all the mistakes the other person has ever made. Love, however, keeps its mouth shut—difficult though that may be. Try never to bring anything into an argument that is unrelated to the topic being discussed. As we grow to be like Christ, we will acquire God's ability to forget the confessed sins of the past.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. Proverbs 17:10 (NASB)
A word is enough to the wise. A gentle reproof will enter not only into the head – but also into the heart of a wise man. Blows are not enough for a fool – even a hundred blows. You cannot beat good sense into a person.
11 A rebellious man seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Proverbs 17:11 (NASB)
Here is the sin and punishment of an evil man.
1. His sin. He is an evil man who seeks only evil.
2. His punishment. Because he will not be reclaimed by gentle methods – “a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.” Judgment is coming for all of us – but those who live for evil – watch out!
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. Proverbs 17:12 (NASB)
This verse is telling us that it is better to meet a mother bear that has been robbed of her cubs – than a fool in his folly. Let me tell you a mother bear will tear you to pieces. In her furry she will rip you apart – but that is better than meeting a fool in the hell-bent in their stupidity.
13 He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. Proverbs 17:13 (NASB)
Here is a promise – or an awful warning. As a person pays kindness with unkindness – good with evil – evil shall not depart from their houses. You reap what you sow – for God’s word cannot fail.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 (NASB)
The beginning of strife is like a small crack in the dam – it will only get worse in time. So leave the quarrel before it starts.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 17:15 (NASB)
God hates injustice and here are two examples of it.
1. Those who side with the wicked – justifying them.
2. Those who side against the righteous – condemning them.
Both of these are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? Proverbs 17:16 (NASB)
What is this – a fool out shopping for wisdom? How can this be? For they would not know wisdom if it came up and looked them in the face.
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NASB)
What kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty — being available to help in times of distress or personal struggle. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages.
18 A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. Proverbs 17:18 (NASB)
Our pledges should be yes or no – nothing more. If we owe something we should pay. If you don’t pay – you are a thief and a liar.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction. Proverbs 17:19 (NASB)
Clarke says of this verse:
“In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses very low, not more than three feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from riding into the courts and houses, and spoiling their goods. He, then, who, through pride and ostentation, made a high gate, exposed himself to destruction; and is said here to seek it, because he must know that this would be a necessary consequence of exalting his gate.”
20 He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. Proverbs 17:20 (NASB)
The thoughts of a person directs their lives. If your thoughts are evil you will speak evil – you will do evil – you will be evil. Jesus said:
"The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” Matthew 15:18-19 (NASB)
21 He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. Proverbs 17:21 (NASB)
All of us would like our children to be successful – but how heartbreaking it is when our children do foolish things. There is no joy in that.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (NASB)
To be cheerful is to have true joy and a positive outlook on the future. To be around people who are joyful is as welcome as pain-relieving medicine.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice. Proverbs 17:23 (NASB)
Here again is a proverb against injustice. God is always righteous and just and any person who does not seek God’s justice is a wicked person.
24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24 (NASB)
While there is something to be said for having big dreams, this proverb points out the folly of chasing fantasies. How much better to align your goals with God's goals? Although there is nothing wrong with planning for the future – remember only God knows what tomorrow holds.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him. Proverbs 17:25 (NASB)
This proverb has been true down through the ages. How much grief a foolish child can bring!
26 It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Proverbs 17:26 (NASB)
To punish those who are doing right is a perversion of justice.
27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27 (NASB)
This proverb highlights several benefits of keeping quiet:
(1) It is the best policy if you have nothing worthwhile to say
(2) It allows you the opportunity to listen and learn
(3) It gives you something in common with those who are wiser
Make sure you pause to think and to listen so that when you do speak, you will have something important to say.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. Proverbs 17:28 (NASB)
There is a modern day proverb which says: “It is better to be thought a fool – than to open your mouth and confirm it.”
