Subject: PROVERBS Title: Contrasting Truths Continued Text: Proverbs 29:1-27

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1 Subject: PROVERBS Title: Contrasting Truths Continued Text: Proverbs 29:1-27 Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. * The verse is one of the most sobering in all of the Scriptures. Contrasted with Ecclesiastes 8:11, we may have an interesting discussion, Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Proverbs 29:1 teaches us that after being warned over and over again of impending judgment, judgment comes without any second chance. Hardening one s neck is a figure of speech for rebelling against the reproof and reprover. 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people...28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. * Righteous rule produces a sense of joy and well-being. Wickedness will bring about the conditions for mourning. Contrast: George W. Bush - War on Terrorism - 12/01; Bill Clinton - Monica Lewinsky :3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. Proverbs 28:7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. * Wisdom: Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding...10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Proverbs 3:13, 19 Happy is the man that fi ndeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 210

2 Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! * The second half of the verse is illustrated in the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. 29:4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. * Stability, prosperity and longevity are produced by good (godly) judgment. But he that receiveth gifts (these could be taxes or bribes) will ultimately destroy the land. 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. * Some appropriate sayings for this verse: - Crows devour the dead, flatterers the living. - It is easier to flatter than praise. - No woman is so ugly that she will not believe flattery. * The net is the that of Proverbs 1:17, Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird - it is a trap! A man can be caught in a trap if he listens to flattery. By the way, flattery is a compliment accompanied by a self-serving motive. 29:6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. * The evil man of v.6 is the flatterer of v.5. According to Proverbs 1:17,18, the flatterer is also setting a trap for himself, And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. Ecclesiastes 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. * On the other hand, the righteous can sing and rejoice, he has nothing to worry about. Keep your life simple and honest, and minimize life s problems and complications. 29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 211

3 Proverbs 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. Proverbs 22:22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the affl icted in the gate: Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. * No comment necessary - the verse speaks for itself. 29:8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. * The scornful (angry and disgusting) are the evil men and flatterers of vs.5 & 6. They will create traps or snares for themselves and others that will bring wrath and judgment, e.g., legalizing the execution of the unborn by the U.S. Supreme Court, but wise men turn away wrath, i.e., their decisions are good and not deserving of God s wrath. 29:9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. * These three verses stand together. Trying to convince the fool of truth is like talking to a brick wall. There is no rest because the two, the wise man and the foolish man, cannot come to agreement. One is laughing while the other is enraged. * The fool is blood thirsty in v.10. He hates the righteous person, for his life is an indictment against the foolishness of the fool. But the just seeks the foolish man s soul, even the soul of politicians with whom we disagree. That is why the Apostle Paul wrote I Timothy 2:1-3, I exhort therefore, that, fi rst of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; * In v.11, the fool spews forth useless, foolish and inaccurate information. He has an answer for everything. He s parroting another fool. He doesn t know when to be quiet. The wise man listens, evaluates, formulates and speaks intelligently. He keeps it in till afterwards, until he has the facts. The best way to prove a fool wrong is to let him have his own way. 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. * The idea is that the ruler intentionally buys into the lie for he perceives he will be advantaged by it. All his servants are wicked by design. They are hired to promote the welfare of the ruler at any cost, particularly moral principle. 212

4 29:13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. * The idea is that the deceitful man, if he is not poor already, will become poor as a direct result of his deceitfulness - they meet together. However, the Lord will give light to both individuals to aid them in improving their lots in life. God places no spiritual premium on poverty. 29:14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. * Again, we are reminded how important that it is for us to be generous to the poor and to treat them justly. We may care a little, but God cares a lot (see v.7 and associated Scriptures). 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. * Children are fools. Foolishness must be driven from them through reproof and the rod. A godly system of discipline will help a child become an adult to act responsibly, but if left to himself, i.e., to figure life out on his own, he ll become an embarrassment, especially to his mother. 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. * The wicked produce fruit after their own kind. The wicked produce wickedness. The more wicked, the more transgression, but the righteous shall see their fall - ultimately at the Great White Throne Judgment. Psalm 37:35-36 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Malachi 4;1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 213

5 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In fl aming fi re taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. * See Scriptures listed for Proverbs 29:15. 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. * The word vision can be used many ways in the Scriptures: - An appearance of God before a man - I Samuel 3:1, And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. - A vision given directly to a prophet - Hosea 12:10, I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. - A prophetic message dealing with future events - Daniel 8:1, 2, 13, 15, 17, 26, In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai... - God speaking to a man - Genesis 15:1, After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. - An appearance of anything supernaturally - Luke 1:22, And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. - A revelation to an apostle - Revelation 9:17, And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fi re, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fi re and smoke and brimstone. * The vision is the revelation of God, or direct contact with God. It could be through the written Word. The Bible is God s vision or revelation to man. * The people perish when they reject the vision - Psalm 9:17, The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 214

6 * Happy is he...that keepeth the law - Overall happiness will usually result when being in harmony with the Creator. Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My fl esh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that fi ndeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 29:19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. * The verse implies that although the servant will obey the words, he will not take them to heart. Though he understand, he will not respond appropriately or completely. 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. * Simply put, engage brain before mouth. Those hasty in his words will often start fist fights, divorce proceedings, riots, barroom brawls, etc. Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Proverbs 25:8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 29:21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. * The word delicately means carefully. The verse is meant to encourage parents to take the responsibility of child rearing very seriously. * The phrase, at the length, means that the servant will essentially be his son in good fellowship for the rest of his life. 215

7 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. * Some other sayings to go along with this verse: - It is easier to swallow words than eat them. - Men make up in wrath what they lack in reason. - An angry man closes his eyes when he opens his mouth. 29:23 A man s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. * Jonah is a great example. He went about as low as one can go. 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. * The partner with a thief (an accessory or accomplice) is as guilty as the thief. The driver of the getaway car is just as guilty as the one who holds the gun on the cashier while she empties the till. * He that heareth cursing (hearing the planning of the crime) and does not bewrayeth (betrays) is one that we would say does not rat on the thief. 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 216

8 * First and foremost, we are to be concerned about the impact our actions have on the heart of God. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Psalm 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Psalm 26:1 A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 29:26 Many seek the ruler s favour; but every man s judgment cometh from the LORD. * Man is generally concerned about impressing other men, particularly if that man can be advantaged by the ruler, etc. However, ultimate judgment comes from the Lord, not from men, so be diligent about impressing God first! 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked. * The wicked hate the just to the same degree that the just hate the wicked. In looking at II Corinthians 6:14, What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? we can assume that when the two peacefully coexist, something is wrong! Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Proverbs 11:20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 217