b. “This expression could refer to a pitiless messenger that the king would send; but it also could refer to storms, pestilence, or any misfortune that was God’s messenger of retribution.” (Ross). But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. b. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs: A mother bear is notoriously angry and dangerous when she is robbed of her cubs. A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. Better is a dry morsel with quietness: There is nothing appealing about a dry morsel. “The man who builds a high gate exalts himself above his neighbor and assumes a lifestyle beyond his rank.” (Bridges), ii. When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive: If the fool cared about being considered perceptive, this gives an easy way for it to happen. Inequity or inhumanity in the judge seems an insult against the eternal throne of Jehovah. It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty. All Rights Reserved. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. a. If there be but the least breach, they stop it presently, otherwise the sea would soon flood them.” (Trapp). To upset this or reverse it is not good. i. He who repeats a matter separates friends: To uncover someone’s sin by repeated it to others will ruin relationships and divide friendships. “A broken spirit in an evangelical sense is God’s precious gift. “These fine family fruits need cultivating and protecting. The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. a. John Trapp Complete Commentary. Such people should understand that when they mock the poor, they despise (reproach) the One who made both the poor and themselves. Proverbs 17:17. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. And this interpretation seems to agree better with the scope of the context.” (Clarke). And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. “God likes not fair words from a foul mouth. A comparison shows which of two things is worse.” (Ross). This was the feeling David described in Psalm 32:1-4. i. This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. Dross in metal may be discovered and expurged by fire, but evil in the heart can be discovered and dealt with only by God. We might say that the price of wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, He who loves transgression loves strife: There are those who love both transgression and strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a son that makes his father ashamed. And bitterness to her who bore him: Because of the maternal instinct and bond, there is a special pain and bitterness that belongs to the mother of a foolish son or daughter. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. “He who is pleased to hear of the misfortune of another will, in the course of God’s just government, have his own multiplied.” (Clarke). Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments. Wherever he turns, he prospers: The gain one receives from a gift (or bribe) so delights them that it accomplishes the purpose of the gift. He who covers a transgression seeks love, a. b. We see the Son of God taking on our nature so that he might be our friend and brother (Hebrews 2:14). a. i. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be. i. The one who gives evil to the good can expect their own home to be troubled by evil. A merry heart does good, like medicine, “Taking gossip seriously is itself a form of malice practiced by those who have no respect for the truth.” (Garrett). Look at your mercies with both eyes; your troubles with only one eye. This proverb may simply state the fact that a bribe usually works. a. The price of wisdom also involves humility and willingness to receive correction. Proverbs 17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Yet the blessing of quietness and peace is so great, that it can make a dry morsel seem better than the alternative presented. It is natural for children to glory in their father, and fathers should live and parent in such a way that would cause their children to glory in them. Such people should never sit in the gate of respect, leadership, and authority. John Trapp Complete Commentary. It discourages those who do good and encourages those who do not. Proverbs 17:1 - Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife. First, that the heart will yield to no force other than that of God. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, Proverbs 17:1. Elders derive a sense of pride from their descendants, and children get their self-worth from parents. They seem to love to embrace a lie. Then, no one can or should have confidence in the system of laws and ways of justice. Commentary on Proverbs 17:2 (Read Proverbs 17:2) The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. “This proverb was very near the bone: both parents of Solomon had so repaid the devoted Uriah, and had duly received the sentence of line 2: see 2 Samuel 12:10ff.” (Kidner). a. b. b. a. b. Parents may find great grief in the foolish character of their children. “Contrary to judicial law and custom, one’s virtue, not the privilege of birth, ultimately counts for more in social and economic standing.” (Waltke). i. Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith. i. b. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. He blesses those who follow His commandments. Wisdom warns us against taking responsibility for the debts of others. a. You can also change some of your preferences. 1. If this is linked to religion, it flows from a narrow and perverted view and a spurious humility centered on the self. - Verse-by-Verse Commentary These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. It has the effect of drying up the bones.” (Bridges). An evil man seeks only rebellion: The instinctive response of rebellion belongs to the evil, not to the wise. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Better (sweeter) is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith. i. Morgan on the principle of this proverb: “Let it be applied. 17. Justice requires the opposite outcome – that the wicked are condemned and that the just are justified. www.easyenglish.bible. God never thinks that all should be equally condemned or justified; but that the appropriate answer be given to both the wicked and the just. 3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.. Ver. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good: The one filled with deceit will only find corruption and deceit in others. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. 17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee delight, And afford pleasure to thy soul. Proverbs 17 – Wisdom, Justice, and Family, Than a house full of feasting with strife, A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers, The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue, He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished, Children’s children are the crown of old men, Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor, He who repeats a matter separates friends, A cruel messenger will be sent against him, The beginning of strife is like releasing water, Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts, He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the, Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, He who has a perverse tongue falls into evil, He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back, Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, The eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness, A man of understanding is of a calm spirit, Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace, When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive, © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      .