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.
    

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Solomon continues to address topics of a similar nature to those of previous chapters while bringing to them new insights. One of these frequent topics is the tongue, which is prominent in this chapter. Is not Solomon's interest in addressing the tongue in his wisdom material because the tongue is the main instrument one has for wielding his influence, either for good or for bad? It is so powerful, Solomon says in this chapter, that it holds the power of life and death. Because of this power, we enjoy wielding the tongue for our purposes. But we often do so to our own detriment, for we can also trap ourselves with our tongue and bring strife and devastation upon ourselves. If so foolishly inclined, we will also fail to listen, giving answers before we fully know the situation. Nor are we interested in understanding - only in showing off our opinions. Thus, instead of displaying our wisdom, as we suppose we are doing, we reveal our ignorance and foolishness.

Is one interested in justice? Then he will hear both sides of the argument before making a judgment or forming his opinion. Neither will he pervert justice due the innocent in partiality to the guilty. We touched on this issue in the previous chapter. In our court systems it is not always possible to get to the truth for lack of evidence and reliable witnesses. So on which side of justice do we err? Is it in protecting the innocent or the guilty? Solomon cautions against overbalancing the scales toward perverting justice due the innocent in favor of the guilty. In my opinion, this is an error U.S. courts has been increasingly propagating over the last couple of decades. It has become increasingly difficult to rule against the guilty, even when guilt is obvious, due to the technicalities that have been established. Technicalities that have so overbalanced the system in partiality to the guilty that justice due the innocent is often withheld from them.

Concerning Conflict, Solomon says an effective tool for resolving them is the casting of lots. In his culture, the casting of lots was a method of determining God's will. It was understood that in asking for God's guidance and then casting the lots, God would direct the outcome according to His will. New Testament understanding of seeking God's guidance is more personal than this, with the presence of God's Spirit in us to give us understanding of His will. The point of Solomon's counsel here is the seeking of God's guidance in resolving conflict. The key to this approach is the submission of all parties to God's will and guidance. Without this willing submission, resolution of conflict is not easily obtained, thus leading so frequently to violence rather than resolution.

I will wrap up with the topic of Pride, leaving a number of topics uncovered. These uncovered topics are single statements which are actually worthy of our attention, even though I am choosing not to address them in my reflections. The topic of pride is closely attached to that of conflict. Great insight is not required to recognize that pride is nearly always a strong contributing factor to conflict. Both in bringing the conflict and in failure to resolve it. Solomon tells us in this chapter that pride leads to a man's downfall, but that humility leads to honor. It has often been a person's pride that has driven them to conflict, conflict, even, that leads to their death. All, supposedly, to protect their honor. But Solomon tells us that is backwards. It is through humility one gains honor. One's honor is lost through pride and conflict.