Monday, April 13, 2015

Reflections on Proverbs 18

 Proverbs 18 (Contemporary English Version)
  1. It's selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense.
  2. Fools have no desire to learn; they would much rather give their own opinion.
  3. Wrongdoing leads to shame and disgrace.
  4. Words of wisdom are a stream that flows from a deep fountain.
  5. It's wrong to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from getting justice.
  6. Foolish talk will get you into a lot of trouble.
  7. Saying foolish things is like setting a trap to destroy yourself.
  8. There's nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip! It melts in your mouth.
  9. Being lazy is no different from being a troublemaker.
  10. The LORD is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety--
  11. the rich think their money is a wall of protection.
  12. Pride leads to destruction; humility leads to honor.
  13. It's stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen.
  14. Being cheerful helps when we are sick, but nothing helps when we give up.
  15. Everyone with good sense wants to learn.
  16. A gift will get you in to see anyone.
  17. You may think you have won your case in court, until your opponent speaks.
  18. Drawing straws is one way to settle a difficult case.
  19. Making up with a friend you have offended is harder than breaking through a city wall.
  20. Make your words good-- you will be glad you did.
  21. Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.
  22. A man's greatest treasure is his wife-- she is a gift from the LORD.
  23. The poor must beg for help, but the rich can give a harsh reply.
  24. Some friends don't help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.

Solomon gives considerable attention once again, in chapter 18, to the power of the tongue. Through our words, he says, we have the ability to give life and impart a fountain of wisdom. But through our words we can also bring death and provoke strife. To give an answer before listening is foolishness and disgraceful for the one speaking. The one who does not use his words wisely will find his mouth to bring devastation and his lips to be a trap for his life. But when words are used wisely, a man's mouth can be a fountain of wisdom.

We might say that wise or foolish use of the mouth begins with acceptance or rejection of wise counsel and knowledge. Seeking after knowledge and counsel is another topic Solomon addresses in this chapter. If one isolates himself, he says, removing himself from contact with others from whom he can receive counsel, he rebels against sound judgment. There are also those, he says, who rebel against sound judgment and reject understanding, but do so, not by isolating themselves, but by listening only to themselves, showing off their own opinions. But if one is discerning, he will acquire knowledge, and wisely seek after it.

Another topic Solomon addresses is justice and conflict. On this subject, he counsels us not to accept a person's story regarding a conflict without cross-examing him. Then the story may not seem so convincing. Neither should we listen to only one side of a conflict. Neither is justice served when partiality is shown to the guilty party. Better than seeking to make right a conflict, Solomon says, is to avoid conflict in the first place. Once a brother is offended a fortress is thrown up between him and the one who offended him which makes the conflict very hard to resolve. Interestingly, Solomon suggests, as a good solution to quarrels, the casting of lots. It is unclear whether he was referring to the Old Testament practice of casting lots by those who worshipped God as a means of seeking God's guidance in the matter, or simply referred to it as a practical means of resolving a conflict. Either way, while the practice may be useful in resolving a conflict it may not be particularly helpful in restoring a broken relationship due to the conflict.

These are the predominate topics in the chapter. Several others are given only a passing mention.

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