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PROVERBS

CHAPTER 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

This verse reminds us that even Christians have problems in the family. Even the poorest of families can have genuine relationships without conflict. The richest of families can also.

However, it is better to be poor and have no family conflict, than to be rich and have family difficulties.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

A son who brings shame to the family may not be capable of correctly guiding the affairs of the family as its "head." Therefore, a good and capable servant may be chosen to manage things.

If we are in the position of "servant," we should be diligent and strive to be commended for the effort. Joseph, Jacob's son sold into Egyptian slavery, was that type of servant. He eventually became the "head" of all Pharoah's household and nation.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

The "fining pot" is the pot used to heat silver (or gold) to a liquid form. Once it becomes liquid, the impurities rise to the top and can be skimmed off.

Under the process of HEAT, the silver or gold is purified by extracting the dross (impurities).

Just as heat allows this process for the silver or gold, God "trieth" the "heart" (or spirit) of a person.

And God can determine the genuineness of the person's commitment to Him. God can also "clean up" the impurities in us.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. 5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

A person is known by his actions. It is the "wicked," or UNSAVED person who will listen to lies without checking them.

It is the "wicked" person (without God) who will not only HEAR lies, but SPREAD them!

When a person mocks, or makes fun of, another person just because they are poor, that person is actually REPROACHING GOD! Keep in mind that a person may be poor monetarily, intelligently, or even spiritually.

When someone is "glad" at another's calamity, that person is callous and uncaring. That kind of attitude shows that God is not at the center of the heart.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

OH! How we grandparents love our grandchildren! They are our great JOY! If you DON'T want to know about a person's grandchildren, don't make the mistake of ASKING! Grandparents LOVE to brag on grandchildren.

Just as grandparents love grandchildren, children should love their parents! And children should be BRAGGING on their parents at all times!

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

It is highly improbable that the "wicked," or "vile" person (fool) will have a vocabulary which reflects goodness and clean talk. Its not the norm.

Neither is it normal for a leader (prince) to speak in lies! Keep in mind, that a saved person is a "prince" with God!

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

The word "gift" here means bribe. The person who willingly receives a bribe, has his eyes focused on the bribe more than being truthful and honest in relationships. To this person, receiving a bribe is "prosperity." He doesn't see the truth that it is illegal and a transfer of honesty to deceipt.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

When a Christian observes another doing something wrong, he should certainly speak to that person about his actions. But if the Christian is relly wanting to act in love, he will keep the matter between the two. He will not TELL others about it.

As we have said before, the "wise" person is one who is seeking God. That person will receive a reproof. A person who is not seeking God will not desire reproof for sin.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

WHAT A STATEMENT! The heart set on rebellion will not receive gentle kind words. Jesus did not speak kind and gentle words to the Pharisees. He called them "snakes," and "dead men."

To a person who desires to know God, Jesus is a wonderfully kind Messenger. But to a person who is full of himself and pride, Jesus is a callous Messenger.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Now, I can think of lots of things I'd rather face than a she-bear who has lost her cubs! But God reminds us that even THAT is better than being caught up in the "foolishness" of not believing HIM.

When a person rewards evil as if it were good, he magnetizes evil to himself.

If a small hole opens in a dam, the water begins to spew out. Then the force of the water, will make the hole larger and larger until it breaks the dam.

When strife begins to appear, it is best to back off and consider alternative measures. A little strife leads to a little more, and a little more, until there is an eruption of temper.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

I'm afraid we have this problem deeply seeded in the society of America today. We have awarded what God calls an abomination with special protection. Homosexual partners are given special treatment as if they were married couples.

We have also allowed gambling to be promoted and used by state governments.

These things are "justifying" the wicked!

We have also "condemned" the just. Those who speak out against homosexualism and gambling are called INTOLERANT.

To JUSTIFY the wicked, and to CONDEMN the just is an ABOMINATION to God! He SEPARATES Himself from it.
(((Also see verse 26.)))

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

The foolish person doesn't use money to buy wisdom, he spends it on foolishness. He has no "heart" for wisdom.

So are we as humans. God has given us a GREAT PRICE in Jesus Christ. The "fool," though, says there is NO GOD. He will not make use of the "price" to purchase genuine wisdom.

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Well, I never had a physical brother; but I did have some sisters. And believe me, they could be very "testy" at times!

Isn't it great to have a "friend" who loves you as you are? Isn't it great to have a friend in whom you can confide, and know that it will go no further?

I'm very glad to say that with God's help, all three of my sisters are my "friends" today!

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

When a person becomes a partner to another without investigating the other person and the purpose of the partnership fully, he exhibits shallow thought.

Many are those Christians who become partners with others that are diabolically against God. And they do it without thinking properly, because their focus is upon money. Instead of thinking with God's WORD at the center of their hearts, they are thinking with their pocketbooks.

Once, there was a young man dating a lady in our church. He was a Christian, but he had taken a job as a beer salesman. He began coming to church, and soon became convicted about his job. Before he would marry the young lady, he quit his job. The very next month, God made sure he received a job that was compatable with Christian ethics. And guess what? He got PAID better!

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. 20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Transgression, willful sin against God, certainly leads to strife with God.

Acting in pride will lead to strife also - even to destruction.

The "froward" (worthless) heart can "find no good." When a person places no value on anything, it is impossible to find anything "good."

Bad language leads to "mischief," or immorality.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Perhaps one of the greatest joys of life is to have a child. But to have a child and see him come to nothingness in his life is great sorrow.

There is no sorrow like a Christian having a child who will not surrender to Christ.
(((Also see verse 25.)))

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Don't you just enjoy being with people who have a "merry heart?" They always have a smile, and an encouraging word.

On the other hand, it is difficult to associate with someone who has a "broken spirit." Constant complainers don't make many friends.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

A person who would bribe someone else is described as "wicked."

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

The person who surrenders to God in his life has WISDOM before him at all times. He has the WORD OF GOD.

But the person who doesn't surrender to Christ has his "eyes...in the ends of the earth." He's constantly LOOKING but never FINDING!

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

A man is known by his actions and words. A person who knows Christ will have joy in his heart and good language on his lips.

But the person without Christ will demonstrate it by speaking unwisely and with nasty language.

Please continue in Bible Study with us.