This week, we will be looking at a couple statements in the book of the Proverbs! This is a good way to start out the new year, because Proverbs is a book of wisdom. Who couldn’t use a little wisdom for 2023?
One of the reasons, that I cherish our church, is because we are a missions church. We believe wholeheartedly in showing the love of Christ. Today’s, scripture is to encourage us in fulfilling the vision God has established for this community believers.
1. Proverbs 17:1 “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”
2. Proverbs 17:8 “English Standard Version “A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.”
3. Exodus 23:8, KJV: “And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.”
4. Proverbs 17:9, NIV: Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
5. Proverbs 17:12, NASB: “Let a person meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his foolishness.”
6. Proverbs 17:17, NIV: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
7. Proverbs 17:19, KJV: “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.”
8. Proverbs 17:22 ( James Version) “22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
9. Proverbs 17:24 (King James Version) “24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.”
10. Proverbs 17:27 (King James Version) “27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
What a blessing!
God’s word gives us the the wisdom that we need in order to live a more abundant life. As Christians, we all have family members and friends who are just not walking in this type of wisdom. Then, when trials, tribulations, and storms come; rather than, applying the wisdom from God‘s word, they rely on their own wisdom; which creates a bigger storm in their life.
When we are using our own devices no good come out of that! Without the wisdom of God‘s word, what do we have? We have our own understand! What good is our own understanding? When we lean on our own understanding we forfeit the power of God. Each one of us has the power of the Holy Ghost inside of us and if we will quit being foolish and listen to Him; we would have a more abundant life.
Proverbs chapter 17:1 state the following: “17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.”
This is a typical proverb! Remember each proverb speaks into our life. This Proverb observes that a poor persons’s home is full of peace. Then, contrasts this situation to a wealthy person‘s home. It is our duty to respond with the answer to the following question: which is better? A Wealthy Home is usually filled with all kinds of worldly goods, which are supposed to make life easier and give us more idle time. Often times, in this type of environment builds anger and hostility. A home filled with peace and quiet gives us tranquility. Peace and quiet gives us the opportunity to meet with God.
I ask you is your home full of peace and tranquility or are you used to the background noise? If you have a lot of background noise, I challenge you to turn it off and seek God!
This proverb tells us that tranquility in the home is something that we should seek after! It Challenges us, this new year, to make our homes full of peace and not background noise. It also challenges us to have a peaceful home and not one full of arguing and strife. So, if you’re poor or you don’t have two nickels to rub together, but you have a home full piece and tranquility; then, you are blessed.
Proverbs 17:8 English Standard Version “A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.”
Proverbs 17:8 speaks about bribery. This Proverb gives us the wisdom that bribery works, but there is a cost! Man has tested this fact and that’s why it’s a popular activity. however, there are a lot of things in life that work, but they have consequences. These things could actually work against you! Sometimes, create a problem that can’t be fixed! Their other Bible passages that also state that we should not embrace the actions of bribery. Read with me what Exodus chapter 23:8 warns us about a bribe.
Exodus 23:8, KJV: “And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.”
I think verse 9 of Proverbs is a little tricky, because it can be used for good or it could be twisted and used for evil. The Holy Ghost has taught me that this Proverb is speaking about gossip. We should not be telling everything that we know! We should not be tweeting about it, or posting it all over Facebook, or having it pop up in conversation after conversation. The Bible speaks very negatively about gossip, because it tears down the body of Christ; instead, of building it up.
The proverb is giving us; into the fact that, robbery works but you will be violating your heart. You’re violating your heart because God said do not submit into accepting a bribe. The briber only apparently prospers in this life, because ultimately God hates bribes and will condemn the briber.
However, I have seen this scripture being abused. Abusers commonly use it to silence their victims. It is often used to intimidate victims of abuse incidents. God in his mercy did not include this scripture to help us cover up abuse. God loves the sinner, but hates the sin. For example, in most recent news, the Catholic church has covered up several instances of sexual abuse, we find this in almost every human organization, that certain issues are tucked under a rug. The intention was not to harm the church or organization, but yet it created a stumbling block for men, women, and children.
Proverbs 17:9, NIV: Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
God does not like the sins of abuse! God does not want any of his children to be abused! Therefore, all abuse must be reported and dealt with. Let’s make a vow, that in this year, (2023) that we help victims to bring things to light and not cover up abuse of any type.
Let’s look at another one! The Holy Spirit wants to point out proverbs 17:12; which states the following:
Proverbs 17:12, NASB: “Let a person meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his foolishness.”
What happens when you need a ride or an animal and they feel like their cubs are in trouble? You’re right! In this case, the bear will go in attack mode. God put natural affection in the genetic make up of the bear. from television, we have probably sen a bear spring into action to protect her cubs. Sometimes, people do not survive the mauling of a bear.
So, mother bears can be dangerous and we know not to approach them. This proverb tells us that we should run away. We should also not entertain the ideas of the foolish. Therefore, we should run away from the flu in there. We have to guard our hearts against people trying to give us worldly wisdom. Christians should be getting their wisdom from scripture. When the world gives us a tidbit of wisdom we should be able to discern if it’s accurate. If it is accurate, then the wisdom will show up in scripture. Don’t engage in the foolishness of the world. The advice in this proverb is to run.
Let’s address what it means to be a friend! Skip down to verse 17. Verse 17 says the following:
Proverbs 17:17, NIV: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
The scripture is talking about true friendship. A true friend is someone who loves at all times.
This includes times that we are not very lovable. This Love is even present when we are frustrated, when we are sour, and when we are even bitter.
A true friend loves us even those times.
True friends love in the times that we are at our worst.
A true friend will be there in the times that we need help.
There are so many people that call themselves our friends, but when life gets rocky they are nowhere to be found. When life gets hard a convenient friend we will leave high and dry, but a loyal and loving friend will stick by your side.
Well, now that, we see here what a true friend really loooks like. We are also wondering who is our really that friend in this life for us? This is because we are self-centered and self-absorbed. That’s hard to take, but is it true?
Now, I ask you: who are you a true friend to? This New year why don’t we all try to be this type of friend?
We seem to focus on whether we have true friends; instead of focusing on who we are a true friend too! This scripture challenges us to identify the characteristics of a friend and be that person. because, scripture also says that what a man sows he shall also reap. So, let’s sow seeds of true friendship!
Moving onto our next Proverb skip down to number 19.
Proverbs 17:19, KJV: “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.”
So, whoever loves transgression (this is a person who loves to do wrong) loves strife. then, the next part we are all wondering what it means, because it says: he who makes his door high. in the Hebrew, it dad he who exalt his gate. The proverb goes on to say that he who seeks to exalt his gate or to bring his door ha: we’ll meet destruction.
This is a figurative statement. When I taught English I found out that there were 12 different types of figurative language. We use figurative language in order to dress up our writing. Figurative language is a way to express our self sarcastically. Figurative language into the point one is trying to make.
For example, if an athlete is doing well, you might say they’re “on fire” figuratively. Well, someone in the days of king Solomon would possibly think that their clothes catch on fire (which hopefully doesn’t happen), then they’d be on fire literally.
Another example, for a busybody is the following: “The new neighbor is as curious as a cat; nothing escapes her attention.”
If we said these two expressions, back in the days of Solomon, the people would also scratch their head. Just like, we are scratching our heads today at the meaning: exalt your gate.
Perhaps, the meaning to exult your gate has to do with thanking yourself more highly than others. A gate of a house is its threshold. Raising the gate would make it hard to step over. Thus, possibly causing injury to the guest. The High threshold could indicate someone who is arrogantly built their house upon a hill to show that he or she is above everyone else.
But, the essence of this proverb is that causing strife is a no-no! Stirring up trouble between people he has a transgression. Strife only brings the division and hard feelings. Division and strife is what the devil wants in the house of the Lord. Where are these two entities are found; unity is absent. Where we do not have unity; We have the vision. House will not stand!
Let’s move onto the next one! It is a very common proverb! Most of you have even quoted it yourself! But, it reads as follows:
Proverbs 17:22 ( James Version) “22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
This is a physiological statement. It has a medical meaning about the opposite of joy and depression. Joy is good for you, but too much sadness leads to depression. Joy has a positive affect on our bodies. Therefore, a crushed spirit brings a negative impact on the body.
There are seasons in our life that we are happy and joyful, but there are always seasons of sadness. The goal of the Christian is not to take their eyes off of God, because even in our sadness the Holy Spirit brings joy and comfort.
I think, society has created a generation that feels entitled. From kindergarten to the 12th grade students are taught that the goal in life is to be happy and to always be in pursuit of happiness. They are also taught that they deserve to be happy. So, doing what good tutored to be a lifestyle. Well, as a Christian we know that happiness is only obtainable for a season, but True joy of the Holy Ghost. They are for, if you have never been born; then, happiness, becomes a struggling or a goal and attainable people become when we feel like it has become of our goals; yes lead to depression. Often times, unrealistic goals create crushed spirits.
Proverbs 17:24 (King James Version) “24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.”
The Bible describes as a person who rejects God. A fool Bounces from one Idea to the next. they seem to be excited, but you’re not deeply rooted in anything. They are always seeking worldly happiness and worldly success, but they are not focused on the one you can give them True Joy and true success. They dream a lot and they look in interesting places for answers. There are unsettled and easily rattled.
A wise person is very, very different. yes type person knows who guardians, has excepted yes son Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, and obeys the Holy Ghost. He she is focused upon my eye keeping all of God‘s resolutions. A wise person has not forgotten what they have them taught! A wise person searches the Scriptures for answers to life’s problems.
Proverbs 17:27 (King James Version) “27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
A cool spirit is a person that is slow to anger. We have visited the meaning of this Proverb befor, but the Holy Ghost wants us to revisit it now! A person who is slow to anger shows love more effectively, because they are not impatient. This year, we must work on showing people the love of God; which is not rude! Because, rudeness will not get people to come to God or to the church. Rudeness keeps people from joining us! People think that if we are rude we are no different from the world. There is a drought in the land. Let it not be because of our actions.
My prayer is that God makes us who can hold our peace. We had and women that are slow to anger. Women who can have self control. And that just do not react in anger.
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