Proverbs 18:14-24

Proverbs 18:14-24

One is apt to wonder if Solomon was a lonely man. Beyond all the regal trappings, the multitude of officials and courtiers was he emotionally isolated? Some of his sayings seem to speak wistfully of good times and experiences as if they were observed but not experienced. Then there are the sad realities that he may have had to carry.

Verse 14 reminds us of ‘the facts of four.' A man can go 40 days without food, four days without water, and 4 minutes without air but will not last four seconds without hope.

We tend to think of verse 16 from the perspective of the lesser man bringing the gift. But what about the greater man who receives the gift? Did Solomon ever want to be approached by someone who didn't come to him with a gift or a bribe and an agenda?

Verse 17 is fundamental to all matters legal. But beyond the legal system, it ought to be part of our daily discernment. As a judge, Solomon would have seen the claims and cases of a plaintiff fall apart under cross-examination. The context of verses 18-19 is interesting. The second part of the proverb is typically translated “and decides between the mighty” or “keeps strong opponents apart." The word "decide" literally means "divide." There is more than a judicial rendering, but an end of a connection. Perhaps two parties that were once friends from now on are never going to speak to each other. This gives us a fuller meaning to verse 19. The word ‘offended’ in the first line can be translated as ‘rebellion’ or 'rebel.' The picture here is not a difference of minor opinion or even a heated argument; this is a picture of warfare. The contention has advanced to the point of open warfare. The harsh words are like iron bars on a castle; they can be removed, but the building must be torn down. Verse 24 seems to be forlorn and may have been Solomon's self-reflection. How does a man of many friends come to destruction (NASB)?  Maybe because his standard for friendship was too low. His friends didn't share what mattered most to Solomon. But there is a friend, literally a lover, who is closer than a brother. Was Jonathan on Solomon's mind, or perhaps Jesus?

“Lord, never allow me to lose my commitment to having quality people in my life. AMEN”

Proverbs 18:1-13

Proverbs 18:1-13

There's a myth that seems to cross all cultural and historic lines. The myth of the lone self-sufficient hero. There is something in our fallen nature that seems to want to be or to idealize the loner. Generally, those who try to be the lone ranger sort don't do so for altruistic reasons. The first three verses of this chapter are descriptive of the motives, the nature, and the end of the self-proclaimed isolationist. In verse one he is only concerned with his own agenda and will hear no other opinion. In verse two he is so convinced that he is right that all he can do is talk about his great plans and capacity. In verse 3 he leaves a legacy of scorn, and at his passing people will not recall his great selfish accomplishments as much as the reprehensible life. The poem “Invictus” is perhaps a good example of such a hopeless life.

The next five verses, while ancient, seem to be most applicable to the age of social media. The theme of “our words” is developed between the positive in verse 4 and several examples of negative use of words in verses 5-8. In verse 4 what comes out of our mouths is, for the most part, reflective of the depth of our hearts or souls. The words of wisdom are like a fresh-flowing, refreshing, and life-giving stream that comes from an artesian spring. In verse 5 we see the typical response of the wicked is to support the wrong side. As a society, we seem to be in a hurry to share or post our opinions. Such people are fools, and verses 6-7 describe what they do to themselves. We all know that those who talk too much are foolish. Everyone admits that. However, we are all susceptible to being shaped and influenced by this sort of blather. In verse 8 we see that rumors, innuendos, and gossip have a tendency to be gobbled up. We love to hear it, and, more than we would like to admit, we are shaped by it. So in addition to what we say, we need to be careful of what we hear. 

“Help me, Lord, that all my words will be a life-giving blessing to those who hear them. AMEN."