UNDERSTANDING HUMAN TYPES PROVERBS 26:1-28

1 UNDERSTANDING HUMAN TYPES PROVERBS 26:1-28

2 Understanding Human Types Text: Proverbs 26:1-28, 1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. 2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3 A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. 6 Like cutting off one s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7 Like a lame man s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8 Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. 9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 10 Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.

3 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets! 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. 17 Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows 19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was only joking! 20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man s inmost parts.

4 23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. 24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. 25 Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. 26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Introduction: I. Smith outlined Proverbs 26 as follows: A. The fool (26:1-12) B. The sluggard (26:13-16) C. The petulant (26:17-21) D. The malicious (26:22-28) II. No reference is found to God in chapter 26, the purpose of the chapter being to identify certain types of characters who are to be avoided. (See Smith.)

5 Commentary: The Fool (26:1-12) Proverbs 26:1, Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. I. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, A. Snow in summer and rain during harvest are unusual, out of season, unwelcome events in Palestine. 1. 1 Samuel 12:16-18, Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king. Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel. B. However, elsewhere the coolness of snow at harvest time was regarded as a wonderful thing to off-set the heat of harvest. (See Coffman.) 1. Proverbs 25:13, Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. 2. In Proverbs 25:13 the reference is to snow stored up from the previous winter while Proverbs 26:1 is a reference to an untimely summer snowfall. (See Coffman.)

6 3. Rain falls ordinarily at stated times which accounts for the expression, the early and latter rains. (The Pulpit Commentary) II. Honor is not fitting for a fool. a. Proverbs 16:15, When a king s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. b. The dry season lasted from spring to October or November. (The Pulpit Commentary) c. 1 Samuel 12:16-19, Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king. Then Samuel called upon the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel. The people all said to Samuel, Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king. A. Smith wrote, A fool in a post of honor is as harmful to society as unseasonable weather. B. Honoring a fool, a wicked person who rejects the way of righteousness, is ridiculous, unseasonable, unsuitable, unwelcome, inappropriate as much or more so than snow in the summer or rain at harvest time.

7 1. Bland wrote that, What is described is a person put in a position for which he or she is not suited. The proverb could also relate to a politician, an athlete, an executive, or a preacher who receives accolades even though such a person is known to live an immoral life. 2. Praise and position beyond one s ability, experience and performance are absurd, incongruent, at least not fitting. 3. Proverbs 26:8, Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. 4. Proverbs 19:10, It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 5. It is out of place to show honor, respect to a fool or to elevate him to a position for which he is totally unqualified. Proverbs 26:2, Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. I. Like a fluttering sparrow (any small bird) or a darting swallow, A. These birds flutter around without ever landing. (Bland) B. Coffman added that the birds flight was aimless, they weren t going anywhere, and it was useless to try to catch them in flight. II. an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A. Birds flying through the sky are fleeting and cause no harm. (See Smith.) 1. Curses uttered toward good people do no harm and their utterance are soon past. (See Smith.)

8 2. A fool should not be feared, Smith wrote. 3. Such a phenomenon (fluttering and darting birds) is compared to someone receiving an undeserved curse. To express a curse to an innocent party is out of place. Yet because the curse is inappropriate, it will not take root in the life of the innocent person, Bland wrote. 4. Coffman defined a causeless curse as a curse spoken against one who does not deserve it. 5. In time these accusations will be seen for what they are, will not be believed, and will fly away without doing the righteous any harm. (See Clarke.) 6. I Samuel 17:41-44 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. Come here, he said, and I ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field! 7. Nehemiah 13:1-3 On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.

9 Proverbs 26:3, A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! I. A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, A. A horse and donkey will respond to physical punishments and restraints. 1. A whip and halter are necessary to achieve this control. II. and a rod for the backs of fools! A. Force (punishment) is needed to control horses, donkeys and fools, the amount of force required being determined by the resistance encountered. (See Smith.) 1. Proverbs 10:13, Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 2. Proverbs 19:29, Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. B. Bland wrote, Fools are like dumb beasts of burden and must be controlled. The only language fools understand is the language of brute force. 1. Proverbs 17:10, A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. 2. Proverbs 19:25, Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. C. Fools were a favorite topic of Solomon in Proverbs.

10 1. Proverbs 10:8,13, 14, 23, The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. 2. Proverbs 12:1, 8, 15, 23, Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. 3. Proverbs 13:15-16, Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. 4. Proverbs 14:6-8, 15-16, 18, 24, 33, The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

11 5. Proverbs 15:7, 14, 21, The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. 6. Proverbs 17:10, 12, 24, A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. D. Clarke wrote, Correction is as suitable to a fool, as a whip is for a horse, or a bridle is for an ass. Proverbs 26:4, Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. I. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, A. A person should not stoop to the fool s level in exchanges of recriminations, Smith wrote, by arguing with him as if he were a sensible person. B. We are not to stoop to the fool s level, Bland explained. 1. Proverbs 23:9, Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. 2. Proverbs 17:12, Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 3. Do not lower yourself to the fool s level by answering him as if he is a sensible person. (The Pulpit Commentary)

12 Note: Verses 4 and 5 are not contradictory. They simply state that how fools are answered depends on the circumstances. (Coffman) II. or you will be like him yourself. A. When answering a fool would cause you to act like a fool, don t answer him. 1. Matthew 21:23-27, Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. By what authority are you doing these things? they asked. And who gave you this authority? Jesus replied, I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John s baptism where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men? They discussed it among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven, he will ask, Then why didn t you believe him? But if we say, From men we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, We don t know. Then he said, Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 2. Matthew 22:21-22, Caesar s, they replied. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar s, and to God what is God s. When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. 3. John 21:20-23, Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had

13 said, Lord, who is going to betray you? ) When Peter saw him, he asked, Lord, what about him? Jesus answered, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? Proverbs 26:5, Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. I. Answer a fool according to his folly, A. Smith wrote, a Fool should be exposed and silenced, answered as his folly deserves. B. Fools are to be answered so they will see their faults and make correction, Bland wrote. II. or he will be wise in his own eyes. A. If left uncorrected, the fool will think he has won the argument because of his wisdom. (See Smith.) Note: As circumstances change, the way in which fools should be answered changes. Under some circumstances, fools are not to be answered while in others they should be answered. (See Bland.) Wise people must decide when to and when not to answer fools. B. If responding to a fool will keep him from thinking he is wise, that he has said something worth hearing, he should be answered. Proverbs 26:6, Like cutting off one s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

14 I. Like cutting off one s feet or drinking violence (damage), A. If a person trusts a fool with important duties, he harms himself, cuts his own feet off, drinks violence. (See Smith.) B. Bland wrote, The image activates the reader to question who in his right mind would do this. The answer is, the one who sends a message by the hand of a fool. C. The phrase drinking damage, et.al. is found elsewhere in Scripture. 1. Job 15:15-16, If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! 2. Job 34:7, What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water? II. is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. A. A fool is not to be trusted. (See Smith.) 1. Don t depend on an unreliable, unqualified fool to perform important duties! 2. If you do this, you will suffer because such a person will fail to deliver the message entrusted to him. Proverbs 26:7, Like a lame man s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. I. Like a lame man s legs that hand limp

15 A. A fool s proverb is useless, like a lame man s limp legs. (see Bland.) B. The legs of a lame man are not equal. (KJV) II. is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. A. A fool is totally unable to deliver reliably any message of significance. (See Smith.) 1. His parable is as useless as the legs of a lame man. (See Smith.) 2. The fool s proverb is lame, limp, of no instructional benefit, value. Proverbs 26:8, Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. I. Like tying a stone in a sling, A. Bestowing honor on a fool does no good, is ridiculous. B. A stone tied to a sling makes the weapon useless, which is a ridiculous thing to do. C. Tying a stone to a sling makes the weapon useless! A proverb in the mouth of a fool is useless, without value. II. is the giving of honor to a fool. A. To do so makes the fool look ridiculous, does the fool no good and may well harm the public in general.

16 B. It also raises the question as to why the honor would have been bestowed on such a fool. Proverbs 26:9, Like a thornbush in a drunkard s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. I. Like a thorn bush in a drunkard s hand, A. A thorn bush injures a drunkard who handles it and others whom he may hit with it. A proverb in the mouth of a fool can do him and others harm. (See Bland.) 1. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard is the reading of the KJV. B. Proverbs can be properly and improperly used. (See Bland.) 1. Some, like fools, don t know what to do with the wisdom contained in the Proverbs. 2. To benefit from proverbs we must know when and how to use them. (See Bland.) II. is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. A. McGee envisions here a fool who takes upon himself the teaching of proverbs. 1. In the course of teaching he harms himself and those who listen. (See McGee.) 2. A parable in the mouth of a fool can be a dangerous thing.

17 Proverbs 26:10, Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by. I. Like an archer who wounds at random (shoots arrows at passersby), A. This is murder, not a reasonable rational act. 1. Job 16:13, his archers surround me. Without pity, he pierces my kidneys and spills my gall on the ground. B. An archer who indiscriminately shoots arrows in all directions harms many people including the innocent. II. Very interestingly, the King James Version reads, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. A. McGee states, We can be very sure of the ultimate outcome. God will take care of things and handle all these matters. III. is he who hires a fool or any passerby. A. A fool should not be hired; neither should randomly selected passersby be employed. (See Smith.) 1. Incompetents will only harm you, others and the work to which he is assigned. (See Bland.) B. Coverdale via Clarke wrote, A man of experience discerns all things well; but whoso hears a fool, hears such a one as will take no heed.

18 C. A person who hires a fool or any passerby harms himself. Proverbs 26:11, As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. I. As a dog returns to its vomit, A. 2 Peter 2:22, Of them the proverbs are true: A dog returns to its vomit, and, A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud. B. This, to humans, is utterly repulsive! 1. For a Christian to return to a life of sin is totally, utterly repulsive to God! C. The dog goes to his own vomit, so is a fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. (LXX) II. so a fool repeats his folly. A. A fool is incorrigible; that is, once a fool, always a fool. 1. There is no hope for the fool. 2. Fools are deeply entrenched in their ways and repeat over and over his stupid acts. a. Proverbs 1:15-19, my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who

19 go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. Proverbs 26:12, Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. I. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?... A. The person who regards himself as superior to others in wisdom, is conceited, thinks he needs no improvement, is hopeless. B. The parable takes the form of certain others such as: (See Bland.) 1. Proverbs 22:29, Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. 2. Proverbs 29:20, Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. C. Those wise in their own eyes are not limited to fools, Bland stated. 1. Proverbs 3:7, Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 2. Proverbs 28:11, A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. 3. The one wise in his own eyes is worse than the ordinary fool.

20 D. Nothing so shuts the door against improvement as selfconceit. 1. Isaiah 5:21, Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 2. Romans 1:22, Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 3. Romans 12:16, Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 4. Revelation 3:17-18, You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. II. There is more hope for a fool than for him. A. There is no hope for the fool and even less for the arrogant egotist. B. Bland concludes, deal with your own arrogance before evaluating the fool. C. A fool in Proverbs is a wicked person, rather than a mentally incompetent person. (Coffman) 1. The wicked fool will not repent and, therefore, he will never be reformed.

21 a. Matthew 9:12, On hearing this, Jesus said, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. b. Luke 15:7, I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. c. Luke 18:14, I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. The Sluggard (26:13-16) Proverbs 26:13, The sluggard says, There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets! I. The sluggard (slothful) says, There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets! A. A sluggard is full of excuses for his laziness. (See Smith.) 1. Proverbs 22:13, The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! or, I will be murdered in the streets! B. Bland stated, Along with the fool, the sluggard is one of the characters the sage most enjoys ridiculing. 1. Proverbs 6:9-11, How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

22 2. Proverbs 24:30-34, I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 3. Proverbs 22:13, The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! or, I will be murdered in the streets! 4. Proverbs 19:24, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! C. The sluggard refuses to get out of the house, Bland noted. Proverbs 26:14, As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. I. As a door turns on its hinges, A. Coffman explained, Just as the door moves on the hinges, but does not go anywhere, the sluggard turns over and over in his bed but does not get out of it and go to work anywhere to do my work. 1. Proverbs 6:9-10, How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest 2. Proverbs 24:33, A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest

23 II. So the sluggard turns on his bed. A. As a door swings on its hinges, goes nowhere and accomplishes nothing, so a sluggard tosses in bed, goes nowhere, and accomplishes nothing. B. The sluggard refuses to get out of bed, Bland wrote. C. Scriptures: 1. Proverbs 6:9-11, How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 2. Proverbs 24:33-34, A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 26:15, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. I. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; A. The sluggard is too lazy to move his hand from the bowl to his mouth. 1. Proverbs 19:24, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 2. That is really lazy!!

24 B. The sluggard refuses to eat, Bland wrote. 1. Proverbs 19:24, The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! II. he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. A. This surely has to be the absolutely laziest person known to mankind! Proverbs 26:16, The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. I. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. A. Smith wrote that the sluggard is arrogantly opinionated. 1. He regards himself as wiser than everyone else combined and believes he has no need to study the matter on which he has given an opinion. a. Ecclesiastes 12:12, Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 2. Coffman wrote, The idle fool sets more value upon his own opinion than that of any number of wise men. 3. The Pulpit commentary states this sluggard is too lazy to think!

25 B. Sluggards are frequently mentioned in Proverbs. (See Tate via Coffman.) 1. Proverbs 6:6-11, Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 2. Proverbs 10:26, As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. 3. Proverbs 11:16, A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. 4. Proverbs 14:4, Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. 5. Proverbs 15:19, The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. 6. Proverbs 18:9, One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. 7. Proverbs 19:15, Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. 8. Proverbs 24:30-34, I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with

26 weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. 9. Proverbs 31:27, She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. C. This sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than a multitude of the wisest men. 1. Proverbs 6:31, Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. 2. Proverbs 9:1, Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. 3. Proverbs 24:16, for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. The Petulant (26:17-21) Proverbs 26:17, Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. I. Like one who seizes a dog by the ears Note: Smith labeled the type person discussed in verses 17-21 as petulant, a word meaning insolent or rude in speech or behavior, characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor; peevish. (Webster)

27 A. This person is so unwise that he grabs a dog by its ears and gets bitten. (See Smith.) B. Dogs in Palestine were scavengers, not pets, and to grab a dog by his ears was a sure way to get bitten. (See Coffman.) C. This type of person needlessly provokes others, here illustrated by provoking a stray dog by grabbing its ears. (The Pulpit Commentary) II. is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. A. This person, as he passes by, involves himself in other people s quarrels and suffers injury because of this meddling. B. We are not to meddle in other men s affairs! C. If you meddle in other men s matters, you will get bitten, suffer harm. D. Police officers who are called to intervene in matters of domestic conflict can attest to the dangers of such a situation. 1. On occasion the officers are attacked by both of the domestic combatants. Proverbs 26:18-19, Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was only joking! I. Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows A. Firebrands were darts with some blazing material attached. (Smith)

28 B. Deadly arrows are those which strike a person and kill him, or at least have the potential to kill. II. is a man who deceives his neighbor A. This deceit has to be a serious offense to be compared with firebrands and deadly arrows. B. The man who deceives his neighbor and then tries to pass it off as a joke, is like a madman, with no concern for the deadly consequences of his actions. (Broadman Bible Commentary via Coffman) III. and says, I was only joking! A. The petulant person mistreats his neighbor badly, inflicts harm, and tries to laugh it off by claiming he was just joking. (See Smith.) B. This verbal abuser is deceptive, hypocritical, but wants people to believe he is just having fun, trying to amuse. (Bland) 1. Anyone who speaks in a questionable manner should be viewed with suspicion! (See Bland.) 2. Malicious words can be just as harmful as shooting firebrands or deadly arrows. (See Clarke.) 3. Malicious words are deadly instruments of madmen, absolutely no joking matter! Proverbs 26:20, Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

29 I. Without wood a fire goes out; A. Smith wrote, a petulant person delights in stoking the fires of controversy. 1. Proverbs 22:10, Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. 2. Proverbs 16:28, A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. B. Bland observed that the slanderer is destructive, produces dissension (kindles strife), and delights in contention. 1. His words are alluring which makes them even more dangerous. 2. Malicious gossipers by talebearing fan the flames of dangerous quarrels. (Coffman) 3. Be sure of this: Without tale-receivers there would be no tale-bearers! (See Clarke.) II. without gossip a quarrel dies down. A. As a fire must have fresh fuel to continue burning, so contention is kept alive by such whispering, gossip, talebearing, slander. (See Smith.) Proverbs 26:21, As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. I. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, A. Without coals there would be no embers. Without wood there would be no fire.

30 II. so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. A. malicious speech is a lethal weapon. Such speech is like a madman shooting arrows; it is like an angry dog, like coal or wood fueling a fire, like a pit into which one can fall, Bland wrote. 1. Some people delight in causing trouble everywhere they go! a. Proverbs 21:9, Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. b. Proverbs 27:15, A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; 2. Without a quarrelsome man there would be no strife. The Malicious (26:22-26) Proverbs 26:22, The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man s inmost parts. I. The words of a gossip (talebearer) are like choice (dainty) morsels; Note: Smith wrote, The next series of proverbs deals with malicious, especially deceitful, persons who dissimulate their hatred under a cloak of friendship. A. Many people love to hear gossip and respond to the words of a talebearer as if they were dainty morsels; i.e., something delightful, Smith well wrote.

31 1. Proverbs 18:8, The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man s inmost parts. B. Bland wrote, The verbal abuser is a man of strife, a slanderer, a deceiver and a madman. 1. The verbal abuser will reap the consequences of his wickedness. (Bland) II. they go down to a man s inmost parts. A. These morsels go to a man s inmost parts, to the very heart and soul of people who delight in hearing gossip. B. The slanderer does permanent psychological damage. (See Bland.) 1. Some people like to hear these bits of gossip or tales, but they are hard to digest and will finally make them sick. (McGee) 2. Christians must turn a deaf ear to gossipers. Proverbs 26:23, Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. I. Like a coating of glaze over earthenware A. The coating of glaze made the earthenware appear to be more valuable than it actually was. 1. Proverbs 25:11, A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

32 B. The slanderer is a blatant hypocrite! a phony! a two-faced person! (McGee) II. are fervent lips with an evil heart. A. These gossipers speak with feigned interest and concern, but in truth they are evil hypocrites. (See Smith.) B. Don t be deceived by the hypocritical exterior of people. C. an attitude of deep, settled malice may be cloaked by cruelty of speech and charming manner. The polished exterior is not what it appears to be, Bland wrote. D. Fervent lips in this verse are those which hypocritically and insincerely make great professions of friendship. 1. Lips that seem to burn with affection, and give the kiss of flowing love, may mask a heart filled with envy and hatred. (The Pulpit Commentary) a. Matthew 23:27-28, Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men s bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 2. Judas Iscariot kissed our Lord and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies.

33 Proverbs 26:24, A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. I. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, A. A malicious man pretends, purports to be something he is not. (Bland) 1. 1 Kings 14:4-5, So Jeroboam s wife did what he said and went to Ahijah s house in Shiloh. Now Ahijah could not see; his sight was gone because of his age. But the LORD had told Ahijah, Jeroboam s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else. II. but in his heart he harbors deceit. A. Coffman explained, Verse 24 speaks of the man who hates another, but flatters him with a view to finding some way to destroy him. 1. Jeremiah 9:8, Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. Proverbs 26:25, Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. I. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, A. Do not be deceived by the eloquent, charming speech of the hypocrite.

34 1. Don t trust your enemy! II. for seven abominations fill his heart. A. Seven abominations refer to limitless wickedness of all kinds. (See Smith.) 1. behind a veneer of friendly words seven abominations lurk; while he smiles to your face he will stab you in the back. (Aitken via Bland) a. Matthew 12:45, Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation. b. Mark 16:9, When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 2. the verbal manipulator breeds continual disorder in the community, Bland wrote. 3. Such a person is full of abominations; limitless wickedness fills his heart. Proverbs 26:26, His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. I. His malice may be concealed by deception, A. Proverbs 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.

35 II. but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. A. Even though malice can be concealed for awhile, it will eventually become obvious what kind of person this individual really is and he/she will one day be publicly revealed, exposed. B. Those who use their organs of speech to harm the community will themselves suffer the evil they intended for others. Bland wrote. C. The assembly is thought by Bland to refer to an informal gathering of citizens. Proverbs 26:27, If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. I. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; A. This is perfectly illustrated by Haman s being hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. 1. Esther 7:10, So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king s fury subsided. B. Scriptures: 1. Psalm 7:15-16, He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

36 2. Psalm 9:16, The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. 3. Ecclesiastes 10:8, Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. C. Pits were often designed to trap wild animals. II. if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. A. In ancient times, Coffman wrote, stones were placed on high places and rolled down on marching soldiers or other military targets. 1. Judges 9:53, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull. 2. 2 Samuel 11:21, Who killed Abimelech son of Jerub- Besheth? Didn t a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall? If he asks you this, then say to him, Also, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead. 3. Inadvertently the one who helped place the stone finds himself in its downward path and is killed or severely injured. 4. Let us not plot against others, lest we injure ourselves. (The Pulpit Commentary) Proverbs 26:28, A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

37 I. A lying tongue hates (its victims) those it hurts, A. Smith wrote, A liar selects as the objects of his slander those whom he hates. The person with a smooth mouth conceals his real thoughts. His intention is to bring about somebody s downfall. B. The verbal abuser of verses 17-28 stands as the male counterpart to the quarrelsome woman elsewhere referenced. (Bland) 1. Proverbs 19:13, A foolish son is his father s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. 2. Proverbs 27:15-16, A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. 3. Proverbs 21:9, Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 4. Proverbs 25:15,24, Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 5. Proverbs 21:19, Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. 6. Proverbs 7:21, With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. C. Clarke wrote, The debtor cannot bear the sight of his creditor; nor the knave, or him whom he has injured.

38 II. and a flattering mouth works ruin. A. R.B.Y. Scott via Bland translated this verse, A lying tongue is a man s worst enemy, and smooth talk leads to downfall. B. A flattering mouth worketh ruin; brings destruction on those who succumb to its seductive words. (The Pulpit Commentary) C. Scriptures: Conclusion: 1. Proverbs 5:3, For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 2. Psalms 12:3, May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 3. Psalm 55:21, His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. 4. Isaiah 30:10, They say to the seers, See no more visions! and to the prophets, Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. I. Ten proverbs in charter 26 are comparisons beginning with the word like. A. Proverbs 26:1, Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

39 B. Proverbs 26:2, Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. C. Proverbs 26:6, Like cutting off one s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. D. Proverbs 26:7, Like a lame man s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. E. Proverbs 26:8, Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. F. Proverbs 26:9, Like a thornbush in a drunkard s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. G. Proverbs 26:10, Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by. H. Proverbs 26:17, Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. I. Proverbs 26:18-19, Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, I was only joking! J. Proverbs 26:23, Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. II. Proverbs 26 addresses the following non-productive people and activities and warns God s people to avoid all these things: A. Fools and foolishness.

40 B. Sluggards and laziness. C. Meddlers and meddling. D. Deceivers (hypocrites) and insincerity. E. Talebearers and gossiping. F. Quarrelers and quarrelsomeness. G. Haters and maliciousness. H. Liars (flatterers) and lying (flattering).

41 Questions Proverbs 26:1-28 (Questions based on NIV text) 1. Into what four (4) categories, sections does Smith outline Proverbs 26? 2. No reference is found to God in Proverbs 26. How do you account for this fact? 3. Define fool as used in Proverbs 26: 4. In what way(s) are snow in summer and rain in harvest bad things? How can the coolness of snow at harvest time be a good thing?

42 5. When each year did the early and latter rains fall in Palestine? 6. It is of to show, to a or to elevate him to a for which he is. 7. In what way(s) is a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow like an undeserved curse? 8. ( ) is needed to, and, the amount of being determined by the. 9. What does Proverbs say about fools? Consider as many references as possible.

43 10. Harmonize verses 4 and 5. 11. No person in his would off his, that which is destructive or send an important by the of a. All these things are harmful to the person who does them. 12. A s that and a in the of a fool are both useless, of no. 13. A tied to a is useless. David could never have killed with such a weapon. a is also useless and ridiculous. 14. A in a s is a danger to and. A in the of a can be a thing. 15. The NIV translates Proverbs 26:10, Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passerby while the KJV reads, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. How do you account for the marked differences in these two versions?

44 16. How is an archer who indiscriminately fires arrows at random like a man who hires a fool or any passerby without references? 17. A s returning to its own is to,! For a to return to a of is, to. 18. Who is likened to dogs in 2 Peter 2:22? 19. Do you agree that a fool is incorrigible; once a fool always a fool? Give reasons for your answer.

45 20. What does the Bible say about a person s being conceited, wise in his own eyes? 21. There is more hope for a fool than for the person wise in his own conceits. How much hope is there for a fool? with your own before the, Bland suggested. 22. Why is there so little hope for a fool? 23. In verse 13, what excuse did the sluggard make for not going to work? 24. How is a door turning on its hinges like a sluggard who turns in his bed? What is the point of the parable?

46 25. The sluggard is too lazy to feed himself. Who is worse than a sluggard? A foolish sluggard? Who is worse than a foolish sluggard? An egotistical foolish sluggard? Give reason for your answers. 26. What does Proverbs say about sluggards? 27. Define petulant 28. In the days of Solomon, what was expected of dogs? How were they treated? What connection was there between dogs and Jezebel?

47 29. How smart would it have been for a person to grab a dog off the streets of Jerusalem and lift him off the ground by his ears? What would likely happen to a person who did such a thing? 30. How smart is it to meddle in other people s quarrels? What might happen to the meddler? 31. Define Firebrands: Deadly Arrows: Madman: 32. The man who his and then tries to pass it off as a, is like a, with no concern for the of his. (Broadman Bible commentary via Coffman)

48 33. The person his,, and tries to it off by he was just. (See Smith.) 34. Without - there would be no -. (See Clarke.) 35. keeps a burning. keeps a dies down. 36. How is charcoal related to embers? How is wood related to fire? How is a quarrelsome man related to kindling strife? How are these three comparisons alike? 37. Define malicious. 38. How are the words of a talebearer like choice morsels?

49 39. Some people like to these of or, but they are to and will finally make them. (McGee) must turn a to. 40. What does the Bible say about hypocrites, pretending to be something they are not? 41. What is meant by fervent lips in verse 23? 42. The is a! a! a -! (McGee) 43. List the top ten (10) Biblical hypocrites; that is, in your opinion. List them in order of the severity of their hypocrisy beginning with the worse hypocrite of which you can think.

50 44. What techniques do people use to appear to be something they are not? 45. How can we correctly identify the hypocrite and the honest, sincere person? How can we differentiate the one from the other? 46. Do not be by the, of the. Don t your! 47. What are the seven abominations which fill the heart of the malicious hypocrites?

51 48. What is meant by the assembly in verse 26? What is the application of this principle in our time? 49. Explain what is meant by digging a pit and rolling a stone in verse 27. How were these used to trap/kill animals and/or enemies? 50. Give Biblical examples of people who were harmed by the devices they had intended for others. 51. What does the Bible say about lying and flattering tongues? 52. Those who follow God are never to be,,,,

52,, and ( ). 53. We must never be guilty of,,,,,, and ( ). 54. Ten proverbs in chapter 26 are comparison. What comparison are made in Proverbs 26:1? Proverbs 26:2? Proverbs 26:2? 55. What comparison are made in Proverbs 26:7? Proverbs 26:8? Proverbs 26:9?

53 56. What comparison are made in Proverbs 26:10? Proverbs 26:17? Proverbs 26:18-19? Proverbs 26:23? 57. What people and activities are forbidden in Proverbs 26?