PROVERBS
The book of Proverbs is a collection of around nine hundred wise sayings and short memorable maxims that address the practical issues of daily life. King Solomon of Israel, whose name is synonymous with wisdom (1 Kin 4:29), wrote three thousand proverbs and over a thousand songs (1 Kin 4:32). Not all of these are preserved, but the book of Proverbs is a collection of these. Sayings of other wise persons are also included, among them Agur and King Lemuel, about whom not much is known (Prv 30:1, 31:1). The original collection was most likely put together during Solomon’s reign (971 to 931 BC), but more more proverbs might have been added later (Prv 25:1).
The book of Proverbs does not contain laws that God gave (like in Moses’ writings), nor words that God spoke (like in the prophets). The proverbs should therefore not be read as unalterable principles or divine promises, rather as witty saying, as shrewd observations of human life. These proverbs describe what often happens, but they are not guarantees that it will always happen that way. Often proverbs about a certain topic will complement each other, bringing out different aspects, or even balance each other out. In order to understand God’s wisdom on any given topic, all proverbs addressing this topic need to be looked at together. The book of Proverbs is therefore best studied topically.
What sort of topics does the book of Proverbs address? Anything and everything: family related issues (husband-wife relationship, attraction, adultery, raising children, disciplining children etc.), government related issues (responsibilities of a ruler, lawfulness, just judgment, injustice, lawlessness, rights etc.), economy related issues (hard work, laziness, stinginess, generosity, treatment of the poor, greed, saving, development etc.), communication related issues (truth, lies, the power of words, tongue, rebuke, correction, deception etc.) and many more. Proverbs is entirely focused on normal, practical every-day life.
The book of Proverbs belongs to the wisdom literature (together with Job and Ecclesiastes) and its main aim is to teach people wisdom. But what is wisdom? In Proverbs wisdom is born out of life in the fear of God (Prv 1:7, 9:10). Wisdom has little to do with intelligence, brain power or talent, but rather with a humble heart and a willing mind, accepting correction and applying truth in everyday life. Wisdom is always moral, and it is always practical. It is the ability to know what is good and choose it. It is the ability to live life successfully, which means to live life in a way that blesses those around us. Who then will obtain wisdom? All who seek it will obtain it, all who are humble enough to submit to God, all who are willing to learn and obey. But those who are proud, unwilling and feel superior will not obtain or understand wisdom.
The book of Proverbs is therefore a practical teaching tool for everyone. It has a special emphasis on parents teaching their children (Prv 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 etc.), but really it is for both the simple and the wise, for all who want to learn and all who want others to learn. Therefore Proverbs is one of the most practical, most easily applicable and most widely read books of the Old Testament. It challenges its readers’ attitudes, stirs up their thinking, sharpens their observation and encourages them to live wisely, – to live their lives in the fear of God.
Since Proverbs is a collection of around 900 proverbs on different topics, an overall study or chapter by chapter study is difficult. Rather a topical study is relevant. Following are studies on some topics that are mentioned in Proverbs. Many others could be chosen. For other examples see:
- “ECO 14 – Do not give surety”
- “GOV 11 – Proverbs on Government”
- “FAM 06 – Attraction”
- “ECO 04 – Work & Rest” partial
- “ECO 13 – Saving” partial
- “ECO 15 – Bribes & corruption” partial
- “ECO 16 – Pledges” partial
- “COM 01 – False witness & lying” partial
Repeated theme “Tongue” 19x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about the tongue in Proverbs
Prv 6:17 “Six things that the Lord hates: haughty eyes, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood.”
Prv 6:24 Teaching: “keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery / smooth tongue of the adulteress.”
Prv 10:20 “The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart / mind of the wicked is of little worth.”
Prv 10:31 “The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”
Prv 12:18 “Rash words are like sword thrusts: but the tongue of the wise is health / brings healing.”
Prv 12:19 “The lip of truth shall be established / shall endure for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Prv 15:2 “Tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge / makes knowledge good but the mouth of fools pour out folly.”
Prv 15:4 “A wholesome / gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
Prv 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
Prv 17:4 “An evildoer listens to false / wicked lips and a liar gives heed to a naughty / mischievous tongue.”
Prv 17:20 “The crooked of heart do not prosper, but the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.”
Prv 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat its fruit.”
Prv 21:6 “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
Prv 21:23 “Those who keep their mouth and tongue, keep their soul from troubles.”
Prv 25:15 “By patience a ruler may be persuaded and a soft tongue can break bones.”
Prv 25:23 “The north wind drives away / produces rain: so an angry or backbiting tongue produces angry looks.”
Prv 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Prv 28:23 “Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.”
Prv 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue..”
Summary of negative statements
God is truth and he hates lying. Lying only lasts for a moment, it is a cope out, an eyewash and those lying will eventually fall into calamity. Also gain by lying will not last, will be a snare of death.
Proverbs issues a serious warning against those of smooth tongue, against flattery that entices to sin (for example adultery). A lying tongue works ruin, it hates its victims. Evil or lying people listen to evil or lying tongues.
Summary of positive statements
The tongue of the just is a choice silver, that brings forth wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is in the power of the tongue to bring healing and the wise will use it in this way. A gentle tongue is a tree of life. A wise woman has the teaching of kindness on her lips. Rebuke will in the long run bring more favor than flattery.
Principles or general thoughts
Lying may seem like an attractive cope out or an effective remedy to get my way or to get out of trouble, but only in the short run. In the long run it will backfire badly.
Truth may be uncomfortable or unpopular at the moment and some people may not respond well to it, but it is the better way to go. I need to learn to embrace truth, to do what it takes, to pay the price it may cost … to escape that by lying is self-deception and will create worse consequences later.
A straight answer reveals much and is from the Lord.
Power of the tongue: death and life. A soft tongue is powerful, breaking bones and persuading rulers. Controlling my tongue and mouth is an essential skill, it will keep me from trouble.
Repeated theme: Rebuke 8x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about rebuking in Proverbs
Prv 9:8 “A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you; the wise, when rebuked, will love you.”
Prv 13:1 “A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
Prv 13:8 “Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life, but the poor get not threats / hear no rebuke.”
Prv 24:24-25 “Whoever says to the wicked ‘You are innocent’ will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.”
Prv 26:4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will be a fool yourself.”
Prv 26:5 “Answer a fool according to his folly or they will be wise in their own eyes.”
Prv 27:5 “Better is open rebuke than hidden / secret love.”
Thinking about these verses
Prv 9:6 Don’t rebuke a scoffer > he will only hate you
Rebuke the wise > they will love you
Prv 13:1 A wise child loves discipline > case where discipline is effective
but a scoffer does not listen > case where discipline is of no use
Prv 13:24 to discipline a child = to love the child
to not rebuke a child = to not love the child. Rebuke is not evil, nor wrong, even needful
Prv 24:24-25 if you declare wicked innocent > will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations
if you rebuke the wicked > will have delight, will be blessed
Prv 26:4-5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly > you will be a fool yourself
Answer a fool according to his folly > they will be wise in their own eyes
Should I rebuke?
Yes, for to rebuke means to love, to care, to give importance. The good will respond well and appreciate it. But don’t be surprised or discouraged if some don’t take it well
Whom should I rebuke?
I should rebuke my child . It is the responsibility of parents to discipline in raising their child. I should rebuke the wise, for they will learn and appreciate the rebuke. I should rebuke the guilty, for when evil happens, somebody needs to stand up and check its effects and influence.
If rebuking scoffers, they won’t listen. In reality I often will not know who will scoff, and even if a scoffer ends up scoffing at my rebuke, I have not lost anything and it was a chance for the scoffer. The same goes for fools: If rebuking fools, I may well end up being a fool myself. This is unpleasant, but it is balanced with the positive effect that the fool may be shown his or her folly. They may become conscious of their own folly and maybe cease to “be wise in their own eyes”. So basically it’s a messy business, and likely unpleasant, but it is a chance for the other.
What should my goal be in rebuking?
My goal needs to be to prevent, check and stand up against evil. My goal needs to be the building up of the other person.
Repeated theme “riches” 16x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about anger, being angry or wrath in Proverbs
Prv 3:16 “Wisdom … long life is in your right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.”
Prv 8:18 “Wisdom … riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.”
Prv 11:4 “Riches do not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Prv 11:16 “the aggressive gain riches”
Prv 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall / whither, but the righteous will flourish like a branch / green leaves.”
Prv 13:7 “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have treat wealth.”
Prv 13:8 “Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life, but the poor get no threats.”
Prv 14:24 “The crown of the wise is their wisdom / riches, but folly is the garland of fools.”
Prv 19:14 “House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Prv 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and favor / loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Prv 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches, honor and life.”
Prv 22:16 “He who oppresses poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Prv 23:4-5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Prv 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Prv 27:24 “Attend to your work / assets … for riches do not last forever, not a crown for all generations.”
Prv 30:8 “Remove far from me vanity, lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me.”
Thinking about these verses
Having wisdom will lead to length of days, honor, righteousness and riches, riches that will endure (Prv 3:16, 8:18). The reward for humility and fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life (Prv 22:4). Wisdom, understanding and knowledge will build the house and fill the rooms with riches (Prv 24:3-4). Wisdom will lead to riches, which is a crown or honor to the wise (Prv 14:24).
Though wisdom will often counsel me to have self-control, to restrain myself, to not pursue riches (and definitely not in an unrighteous way, like aggressiveness and stealing from the poor Prv 11:16, 22:16), in the long run wisdom with still result in honor, life and even economic well-being. The way of self-restraint, the way of proper pursuit of more important things, the willingness to forego certain things, the willingness to pay the price will in the end bring about the very things (here: riches) that if I had given them priority and pursued them at any price, would elude me, or would not do me good. That’s why is says that those who trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish (Prv 11:28). In the day of wrath it is not riches that will help or profit, it is righteousness will deliver from death (Prv 11:4). Riches may fool one into believing one can buy one’s way out of any trouble, but that is not so. A wise prayer is “Do not give me poverty or riches … or I shall be full, deny you and say “Who is the LORD?” This acknowledges the deceptiveness of riches, leading to self-reliance, independence and false security.
Though riches are not evil, they tend to become a false security, a deception. Riches do not last, and though I may be rich now, that is no guarantee for the future (Prv 23:4-5). Therefore sitting back and enjoying privileges is a deceptive state, too. Rather I should be concerned with good stewardship of the assets I have, developing skill, self-control and work habits, which will carry me even if things should take a downturn (Prv 27:24).
Riches also are a too attractive thing, a temptation, something that easily gets priority over all other things and therefore destroys the person.
Being rich may also attract violence (kidnapping, demands for ransom, Prv 13:8), a trouble the poor don’t have. Also it tends to attract flatterers and people of ulterior motives. Rich people have the tiring job of constantly sifting people’s motivations. Which is why some rich pretend to be poor (Prv 13:7). They are sifting people’s motivations and trying to protect themselves from opportunists.
House and riches is an inheritance from fathers, and that is a blessing, but some things only God can grant, like a prudent wife (Prv 19:14).
Many things are to be pursued much rather than riches: a good name, loving favor, righteousness, integrity and good standing (Prv 23:4-5).
Repeated theme “anger”, “angry”, “wrath” 26x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about anger, being angry or wrath in Proverbs
Prv 11:4 “Riches do not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Prv 11:23 “The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath.”
Prv 12:16 “Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.”
Prv 14:17 “One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly, and the schemer is hated.”
Prv 14:29 “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
Prv 14:35 “A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.”
Prv 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Prv 15:18 “Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.”
Prv 16:14 “A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.”.
Prv 16:32 “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.”
Prv 19:11 “Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.”
Prv 19:12 “A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
Prv 19:19 “A violent tempered person will pay the penalty; if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.”
Prv 20:2 “The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.”
Prv 21:14 “A gift in secret averts anger; an a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.”
Prv 21:19 “It is better to live in a desert land, than with a contentions and fretful / angry wife.”
Prv 21:24 “The proud, haughty person, named “scoffer”, acts with arrogant pride / deals in proud wrath.”
Prv 22:8 “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.”
Prv 22:24-25 “Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads, or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
Prv 24:17-18 “Do not rejoice when your enemies fall … or else the LORD will … be displeased, and turn away his anger from them.”
Prv 25:23 “The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”
Prv 27:3 “A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”
Prv 27:4 “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?”
Pro 29:8 “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.”
Prv 29:22 “One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.”
Prv 30:33 “For as pressing milk produces curds, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.”
Contrast of the effects of an angry versus a self-controlled temperament
Those who are fools (Prv 12:16), the quick-tempered (Prv 14:17), hot-tempered (Prv 15:18), violent tempered (Prv 19:19), hasty tempered (Prv 14:29), hot heads (Prv 29:22), those who speak harsh words (Prv 15:1) and those given to anger – all parallel descriptions > they will show their anger, stir up anger (Prv 15:1) and strife (Prv 15:18), exalt folly (Prv 14:29), act foolishly (Prv 14:17), reap calamity (Prv 22:8), pay the penalty (Prv 19:19), bring themselves into trouble time and again (Prv 19:19, Prv 22:24-25), set a city aflame (Prv 29:8) and cause much transgression (Prv 29:22).
On the other hand the prudent (Prv 12:16), those slow to anger (Prv 15:18), those who answer softly (Prv 15:1), those whose temper is controlled (Prv 16:32) > they can ignore an insult (Prv 12:16) and overlook an offense (Prv 19:11). They have great understanding (Prv 14:29), they are able to calm contention (Prv 15:18), turn away wrath (Prv 15:1, 29:8) and appease the anger of a king (Prv 16:14).
“The rod of anger will fail.” Though there may well have been real reasons for the anger, the anger, the outburst does not actually reach its goals. Anger may be able to coerce a short-term yielding and cooperation of the other person (because of its force), but it doesn’t accomplish what the person wanted.
Anger as an emotion is common to all humans. Anger is an appropriate and needed reaction when our boundaries are overstepped or injustice happens against us. Anger gives the strength to defend oneself, or fight or flee. But anger as a character trait or temperament is no longer a good thing: Proverbs describes such humans as “those given to anger”, meaning those who give themselves over to the emotion of anger, letting it become a pattern in their life and personality,
Angry persons are fearsome, especially if they are in leadership (Prv 16:14). Though fear is a powerful short term motivator, it doesn’t accomplish the long-term goal. And it creates a host of serious negative consequences along the way. Anger is self-focused, it is a one-sided view, it forces its will on others, it ignores others and their rightful claims or opinions. Anger is a steam-roller, often others are overstepped, overpowered, which in turn leads them to respond in anger and self-assertion.
Anger oversteps, anger insults, anger coerces, anger provokes, anger creates anger in the other. It is the match to the tinderbox. It has high potential to escalate any conflict, to turn a fly into an elephant, to blow everything out of proportion and escalate things far beyond what the angry person ever wanted in the first place. It sets “the city aflame” indeed (Prv 29:8) and causes “much transgression” (Prv 29:22) in both myself and the other.
Anger therefore is trouble, and often unneeded trouble. Anger most often seriously hurts those it is shown to and often harsh words are spoken, that the angry person regrets later for having said them. It’s a fire, it’s damage done.
The counter-measure is self-control. It is the ability to stay reasonable even when provoked, offended or insulted. It will not let the negative emotion take over, but will seek to maintain a fairness, a consideration of the other person, allowing for reasonable actions and good motivations on the other side.
Other points
“A violent tempered person will pay the penalty; if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again” (Prv 19:19). If I try to contain the consequences of the lack of self-control in another person, that will not be effective as it means the angry person has no reason to change or awareness of just how destructive his or her anger is.
“Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads, or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare” (Prv 22:24-25). The damage anger and lack of self-control does will also fall on the ‘friends’. Also The mindset of being easily offended, of complaint, of demand, of seeing myself as the injured person with a right to be angry, is very infectious. If I hang around a person like that, I likely be influenced.
“It is better to live in a desert land, than with a contentions and fretful / angry wife” (Prv 21:19). Women are no less tempted by anger. Anger as a character trait wears down those around the angry person. It is interesting that an alternative translation of ‘angry’ is ‘fretful’, which we associate more with ‘worried’, ‘fearful’. This seems to indicate that the self-focus and self-centeredness that produces anger also is the basis for the mindset of continual worry, constant dissatisfaction, complaint and fearfulness. Though fear as an emotion is (of course) not a sin, the holding on to fear and the self-centeredness of fear can be.
Since Proverbs is a collection of around 900 proverbs on different topics, an overall study or chapter by chapter study is difficult. Rather a topical study is relevant. Following are studies on some topics that are mentioned in Proverbs. Many others could be chosen.
Repeated theme “Tongue” 19x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about the tongue in Proverbs
Prv 6:17 “Six things that the Lord hates: haughty eyes, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood.”
Prv 6:24 “Teaching: keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery / smooth tongue of the adulteress.”
Prv 10:20 “The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart / mind of the wicked is of little worth.”
Prv 10:31 “The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”
Prv 12:18 “Rash words are like sword thrusts: but the tongue of the wise is health / brings healing.”
Prv 12:19 “The lip of truth shall be established / shall endure for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Prv 15:2 “Tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge / makes knowledge good but the mouth of fools pour out folly.”
Prv 15:4 “A wholesome / gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
Prv 16:1 “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
Prv 17:4 “An evildoer listens to false / wicked lips and a liar gives heed to a naughty / mischievous tongue.”
Prv 17:20 “The crooked of heart do not prosper, but the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.”
Prv 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat its fruit.”
Prv 21:6 “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
Prv 21:23 “Those who keep their mouth and tongue, keep their soul from troubles.”
Prv 25:15 “By patience a ruler may be persuaded and a soft tongue can break bones.”
Prv 25:23 “The north wind drives away / produces rain: so an angry or backbiting tongue produces angry looks.”
Prv 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Prv 28:23 “Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue..”
Prv 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue..”
Summary of negative statements
God is truth and he hates lying. Lying only lasts for a moment, it is a cope out, an eyewash and those lying will eventually fall into calamity. Also gain by lying will not last, will be a snare of death.
Proverbs issues a serious warning against those of smooth tongue, against flattery that entices to sin (for example adultery). A lying tongue works ruin, it hates its victims. Evil or lying people listen to evil or lying tongues.
Summary of positive statements
The tongue of the just is a choice silver, that brings forth wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is in the power of the tongue to bring healing and the wise will use it in this way. A gentle tongue is a tree of life. A wise woman has the teaching of kindness on her lips. Rebuke will in the long run bring more favor than flattery.
Principles or general thoughts
Lying may seem like an attractive cope out or an effective remedy to get my way or to get out of trouble, but only in the short run. In the long run it will backfire badly.
Truth may be uncomfortable or unpopular at the moment and some people may not respond well to it, but it is the better way to go. I need to learn to embrace truth, to do what it takes, to pay the price it may cost … to escape that by lying is self-deception and will create worse consequences later.
A straight answer reveals much and is from the Lord.
Power of the tongue: death and life. A soft tongue is powerful, breaking bones and persuading rulers. Controlling my tongue and mouth is an essential skill, it will keep me from trouble.
Repeated theme: Rebuke 8x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about rebuking in Proverbs
Prv 9:8 “A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you; the wise, when rebuked, will love you.”
Prv 13:1 “A wise child loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
Prv 13:8 “Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life, but the poor get not threats / hear no rebuke.”
Prv 13:24 “Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.”
Prv 24:24-25 “Whoever says to the wicked ‘You are innocent’ will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.”
Prv 26:4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will be a fool yourself.”
Prv 26:5 “Answer a fool according to his folly or they will be wise in their own eyes.”
Prv 27:5 “Better is open rebuke than hidden / secret love.”
Thinking about these verses
Prv 9:6 Don’t rebuke a scoffer > he will only hate you
Rebuke the wise > they will love you
Prv 13:1 A wise child loves discipline > case where discipline is effective
but a scoffer does not listen > case where discipline is of no use
Prv 13:24 to discipline a child = to love the child
to not rebuke or correct a child = to hate the child. Rebuke is not evil, nor wrong, even needful
Prv 24:24-25 if you declare wicked innocent > will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations
if you rebuke the wicked > will have delight, will be blessed
Prv 26:4-5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly > you will be a fool yourself
Answer a fool according to his folly > they will be wise in their own eyes
Should I rebuke?
Yes, for to rebuke means to love, to care, to give importance. The good will respond well and appreciate it. But don’t be surprised or discouraged if some don’t take it well
Whom should I rebuke?
I should rebuke my child . It is the responsibility of parents to discipline in raising their child. I should rebuke the wise, for they will learn and appreciate the rebuke. I should rebuke the guilty, for when evil happens, somebody needs to stand up and check its effects and influence.
If rebuking scoffers, they won’t listen. In reality I often will not know who will scoff, and even if a scoffer ends up scoffing at my rebuke, I have not lost anything and it was a chance for the scoffer. The same goes for fools: If rebuking fools, I may well end up being a fool myself. This is unpleasant, but it is balanced with the positive effect that the fool may be shown his or her folly. They may become conscious of their own folly and maybe cease to “be wise in their own eyes”. So basically it’s a messy business, and likely unpleasant, but it is a chance for the other.
What should my goal be in rebuking?
My goal needs to be to prevent, check and stand up against evil. My goal needs to be the building up of the other person.
Repeated theme “riches” 16x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about anger, being angry or wrath in Proverbs
Prv 3:16 “Wisdom … long life is in your right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.”
Prv 8:18 “Wisdom … riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.”
Prv 11:4 “Riches do not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Prv 11:16 “the aggressive gain riches”
Prv 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall / whither, but the righteous will flourish like a branch / green leaves.”
Prv 13:7 “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have treat wealth.”
Prv 13:8 “Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life, but the poor get no threats.”
Prv 14:24 “The crown of the wise is their wisdom / riches, but folly is the garland of fools.”
Prv 19:14 “House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Prv 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and favor / loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Prv 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches, honor and life.”
Prv 22:16 “He who oppresses poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Prv 23:4-5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Prv 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Prv 27:23-24 “Attend to your work / assets … for riches do not last forever, not a crown for all generations.”
Prv 30:8-9 “Remove far from me vanity, lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me.”
Thinking about these verses
Having wisdom will lead to length of days, honor, righteousness and riches, riches that will endure (Prv 3:16, 8:18). The reward for humility and fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life (Prv 22:4). Wisdom, understanding and knowledge will build the house and fill the rooms with riches (Prv 24:3-4). Wisdom will lead to riches, which is a crown / honor to the wise (Prv 14:24).
Though wisdom will often counsel me to have self-control, to restrain myself, to not pursue riches (and definitely not in an unrighteous way, like aggressiveness and stealing from the poor Prv 11:16, 22:16), in the long run wisdom with still result in honor, life and even economic well-being. The way of self-restraint, the way of proper pursuit of more important things, the willingness to forego certain things, the willingness to pay the price will in the end bring about the very things (here: riches) that if I had given them priority and pursued them at any price, would elude me, or would not do me good. That’s why is says that those who trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish (Prv 11:28). In the day of wrath it is not riches that will help or profit, it is righteousness will deliver from death (Prv 11:4). Riches may fool one into believing one can buy one’s way out of any trouble, but that is not so. A wise prayer is “Do not give me poverty or riches … or I shall be full, deny you and say “Who is the LORD?” This acknowledges the deceptiveness of riches, leading to self-reliance, independence and false security).
Though riches are not evil, they tend to become a false security, a deception. Riches do not last, and though I may be rich now, that is no guarantee for the future (Prv 23:4-5). Therefore sitting back and enjoying privileges is a deceptive state, too. Rather I should be concerned with good stewardship of the assets I have, developing skill, self-control and work habits, which will carry me even if things should take a downturn (Prv 27:24).
Riches also are a too attractive thing, a temptation, something that easily gets priority over all other things and therefore destroys the person.
Being rich may also attract violence (kidnapping, demands for ransom, Prv 13:8), a trouble the poor don’t have. Also it tends to attract flatterers and people of ulterior motives. Rich people have the tiring job of constantly sifting people’s motivations. Which is why some rich pretend to be poor (Prv 13:7). They are sifting people’s motivations and trying to protect themselves from opportunists.
House and riches is an inheritance from fathers, and that is a blessing, but some things only God can grant, like a prudent wife (Prv 19:14).
Many things are to be pursued much rather than riches: a good name, loving favor, righteousness, integrity and good standing (Prv 23:4-5).
Repeated theme “anger”, “angry”, “wrath” 26x in Proverbs
Listing of verses about anger, being angry or wrath in Proverbs
Prv 11:4 “Riches do not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Prv 11:23 “The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath.”
Prv 12:16 “Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.”
Prv 14:17 “One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly, and the schemer is hated.”
Prv 14:29 “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
Prv 14:35 “A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.”
Prv 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Prv 15:18 “Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention.”
Prv 16:14 “A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.”.
Prv 16:32 “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.”
Prv 19:11 “Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.”
Prv 19:12 “A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
Prv 19:19 “A violent tempered person will pay the penalty; if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.”
Prv 20:2 “The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion; anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.”
Prv 21:14 “A gift in secret averts anger; an a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.”
Prv 21:19 “It is better to live in a desert land, than with a contentions and fretful / angry wife.”
Prv 21:24 “The proud, haughty person, named “scoffer”, acts with arrogant pride / deals in proud wrath.”
Prv 22:8 “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.”
Prv 22:24-25 “Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads, or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
Prv 24:17-18 “Do not rejoice when your enemies fall … or else the LORD will … be displeased, and turn away his anger from them.”
Prv 25:23 “The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”
Prv 27:3 “A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”
Prv 27:4 “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?”
Pro 29:8 “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.”
Prv 29:22 “One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.”
Prv 30:33 “For as pressing milk produces curds, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.”
Contrast of the effects of an angry versus a self-controlled temperament
Those who are fools (Prv 12:16), the quick-tempered (Prv 14:17), hot-tempered (Prv 15:18), violent tempered (Prv 19:19), hasty tempered (Prv 14:29), hot heads (Prv 29:22), those who speak harsh words (Prv 15:1) and those given to anger – all parallel descriptions > they will show their anger, stir up anger (Prv 15:1) and strife (Prv 15:18), exalt folly (Prv 14:29), act foolishly (Prv 14:17), reap calamity (Prv 22:8), pay the penalty (Prv 19:19), bring themselves into trouble time and again (Prv 19:19, Prv 22:24-25), set a city aflame (Prv 29:8) and cause much transgression (Prv 29:22).
On the other hand the prudent (Prv 12:16), those slow to anger (Prv 15:18), those who answer softly (Prv 15:1), those whose temper is controlled (Prv 16:32) > they can ignore an insult (Prv 12:16) and overlook an offence (Prv 19:11). They have great understanding (Prv 14:29), they are able to calm contention (Prv 15:18), turn away wrath (Prv 15:1, 29:8) and appease the anger of a king (Prv 16:14).
“The rod of anger will fail” (Prv 22:8). Though there may well have been real reasons for the anger, the anger, the outburst does not actually reach its goals. Anger may be able to coerce a short-term yielding and cooperation of the other person (because of its force), but it doesn’t accomplish what the person wanted.
Anger as an emotion is common to all humans. Anger is an appropriate and needed reaction when our boundaries are overstepped or injustice happens against us. Anger gives the strength to defend oneself, or fight or flee. But anger as a character trait or temperament is no longer a good thing: Proverbs describes such humans as “those given to anger”, meaning those who give themselves over to the emotion of anger, letting it become a pattern in their life and personality,
Angry persons are fearsome, especially if they are in leadership (Prv 16:14). Though fear is a powerful short term motivator, it doesn’t accomplish the long-term goal. And it creates a host of serious negative consequences along the way. Anger is self-focused, it is a one-sided view, it forces its will on others, it ignores others and their rightful claims or opinions. Anger is a steam-roller, often others are overstepped, overpowered, which in turn leads them to respond in anger and self-assertion.
Anger oversteps, anger insults, anger coerces, anger provokes, anger creates anger in the other. It is the match to the tinderbox. It has high potential to escalate any conflict, to turn a fly into an elephant, to blow everything out of proportion and escalate things far beyond what the angry person ever wanted in the first place. It sets “the city aflame” indeed (Prv 29:8) and causes “much transgression” (Prv 29:22) in both myself and the other.
Anger therefore is trouble, and often unneeded trouble. Anger most often seriously hurts those it is shown to and often harsh words are spoken, that the angry person regrets later for having said them. It’s a fire, it’s damage done.
The counter-measure is self-control. It is the ability to stay reasonable even when provoked, offended or insulted. It will not let the negative emotion take over, but will seek to maintain a fairness, a consideration of the other person, allowing for reasonable actions and good motivations on the other side.
Other points
“A violent tempered person will pay the penalty; if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again” (Prv 19:19). If I try to contain the consequences of the lack of self-control in another person, that will not be effective as it means the angry person has no reason to change or awareness of just how destructive his or her anger is.
“Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads, or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare” (Prv 22:24-25). The damage anger and lack of self-control does will also fall on the ‘friends’. Also The mindset of being easily offended, of complaint, of demand, of seeing myself as the injured person with a right to be angry, is very infective. If I hang around a person like that, I likely be influenced.
“It is better to live in a desert land, than with a contentions and fretful / angry wife” (Prv 21:19). Women are no less tempted by anger. Anger as a character trait wears down those around the angry person. It is interesting that an alternative translation of ‘angry’ is ‘fretful’, which we associate more with ‘worried’, ‘fearful’. This seems to indicate that the self-focus and self-centeredness that produces anger also is the basis for the mindset of continual worry, constant dissatisfaction, complaint and fearfulness. Though fear as an emotion is (of course) not a sin, the holding on to fear and the self-centeredness of fear can be.