We left off last week at v. 21 of chapter 14 with Solomon reminding us to remember the poor, having mercy on them. Mercy not only provides for their right now real need, but also does what it can to help remedy the situation. Mercy wants to get involved if allowed, and befriend to have a helping influence, not having pity, but having compassion. It is nice when neighbors are real friends, rich or poor. One translation puts it this way ‘If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; It is sin to despise anyone’.
V.22 It is only a matter of time before those who plot and devise evil come to ruin. They always end up down a dead end street. But, those who devise and plan for good, helping others in the process, earn love and respect from others receiving mercy, truth and respect back. If you are truthful to others, they will usually speak honestly back to you.
V. 23 Some people talk too much. It is true that some earn their living by talking. But, all too often too much talk dramatically reduces the bottom line. This is not saying that we do not need to be personable in our business relations and dealings. It is just saying that in much conversation typically there is little work done and if your income depends upon how much you produce your income will be less if talk is plentiful. One translation puts it this way ‘Work and you will earn a living. If you sit around talking you will be poor’.
Solomon talked quite a bit about the practical benefits of living a wise life. The application of wisdom he stated makes life work better. It puts food on the table, deals with difficult situations avoiding devastation, and gives the impression that the application of wisdom is prudent and profitable. He says in verse 24 that because of the application of wisdom one manages and uses material goods with prudence and has something to show for it when it is all over. He calls the riches they acquire their crown. In our way of thinking today we may think that he is referring to raw dollars or a large bank account. But in Solomon’s day riches were possessions varied in their makeup.
Over life applying wisdom the wise pick up things that Solomon would term as riches. These items had great value and were probably more practical in nature during their day and might be horses, cattle, jewelry, land, servants, crops, etc. Over and over again Solomon says that wisdom has practical benefits in life including the leftovers or end products he called riches .It is only natural for the wise to acquire things of value by their actions of hard work, prudence and taking care of what they receive. The fool is only left with folly, poverty, pain and want or empty dreams, not having applied the habits of the wise.
V. 25 says that a true witness wants to help instead of hurt whenever given the opportunity. Their perspective is to tell the truth, while at the same time not being spiteful or desiring to injure someone when given the opportunity. A deceitful witness not only speaks lies, but looks for opportunities to drive the wound deep and inflict injury and as much damage as possible. A true witness is not vengeful and is willing to be truthful even when they are the one wronged.
Verse 26, what a GREAT verse. It says that BOLD CONFIDENCE is found a proper relationship and reverence/respect/fear for God. Heb. 10:19 says ‘Having, therefore, brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus’ reminds us that true bold confidence comes from being in God’s presence. Self confidence is motivating and helpful, but this, the fear of the Lord confidence, fears nothing…only God. With this perspective and confidence we see nothing but what we must do with God at our side, and do not make our decisions based of fear.
David knew this confidence when he faced the lion and the bear, and…oh yea, when he faced Goliath. Luke 12:4-5 reminds us to fear no man even if they are able to kill the body. It goes on to say that we do need to fear the one that is the keeper of our life and our soul. A great deal of our confidence is found in having found our place of refuge. Again, David’s confidence was found in knowing where to find true refuge and he went there routinely in difficult and impossible circumstances. We find references in the Psalms saying this. V. 27 goes on to say that this proper fear of God is actually a fountain of life giving water and is a pleasant, an assuring confident place to be found in time of need. Walking in this relationship with God keeps us from places and dangers that can actually be deadly. The right fear of God brings LIFE to our lives and sustains us.
v. 28 To rule you have to have subjects. Solomon reminds us to take a look at who is following us. If there is no one following our influence may be negligible. It is true that we may not be recognized for our greatness as yet so maybe we should not give up on being an example. But, when you are called to lead in something it is a good idea to take inventory as to who is being affected by your influence. Not only how many are following needs to be considered, but who the followers are is also indicative of what our actual influence on others is.
Speaking of kings, the more subjects you have usually the more influence and power you have. However, the king also knows that security was not always in numbers, and at times you receive more assurance from being associated with a few solid, you can count on friends or subjects. But, honor, as Solomon says, given to a king is elevated the more subjects you have. A prince with no followers better not exult themselves publically. At least not so the king knows about it. For us, we need not always be exulted in pride by how many are following us, but who is following us and why. It is good to influence others in the right way. If we are not influencing anyone in a way that they want to follow our example in some things maybe we need to think about being a better follower our selves of the Master.
V.29 It is only natural for one without discretion and experience to not have self control. Someone who has learned through experience, having knowledge, knows not to react impulsively. They have been there. They have made their mistakes. Quick actions only hurt the situation. They know how to wait and choose their words saying them at the right time. A fool does not learn from past experiences. They have been here before and it has hurt, and yet they learn nothing from the experience for the next time. Again, the next time they jump right in using no restraint and judgment, speaking their mind to their detriment, later wishing they had been silent.
V. 30 What you are thinking inside can eat away at you eventually eating you up. Envy, hate, spite and jealousy can do more damage to you than to the one you are thinking about. Conversely, love, kindness, faith, belief and a bit of optimism can affect the body in a healthy way. Solomon says that envy is rottenness to the bones. I wonder if he was being literal here. Did he actually observe physical effects in those internalizing these emotions? We need to be careful of what emotions we are holding onto. A judgmental and critical spirit can hurt us and others too.
V. 31 One who oppresses anyone or any group of people is not mindful of God’s presence. We rarely forget how to treat others when we know and are aware that someone else is present and looking on. However, we often forget about God. When we respect the poor and others that are in a vulnerable position God is pleased. When we are in right relationship with God we take on His perspective having mercy and compassion on those that are not able to care for themselves. We are a bad example and a reproach to God when we do not treat others as He would, remembering that He does take note and is ALWAYS present.
V. 32 Wickedness usually has the effect of ensnaring those who are perpetrating it. A fool proof plan with evil intent frequently comes unraveled as it progresses. The righteous however will find hope, encouragement and support even in death. This support comes not only from those they have helped or those they know, but they find hope in death, knowing that they have nothing to hide and are ready to meet God. A wicked person is not only ensnared in their own devises, but they have no confidence when meeting God.
V. 33 Those that have understanding in their heart operate from a foundation of wisdom. It affects everything they say and do. But, you do not always see their wisdom till it is needed. Foolishness is easily spotted. It clamors for attention and has a lot of noise and flash, but little substance when evaluated. We are naturally drawn to noise and flash. We need to be careful to judge whether what we see is wisdom or folly.
V. 34 A nation that does right, where is it in our world today. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a nation exulted for its righteousness instead of being exulted only by brute force? What is our nation propagating and teaching the other nations of this world? Nations will give an account to God for their influence on other nations. Will the only things that other nations learn from us be materialism, force and improper morals or will it indeed be righteousness?
Let the people that are in the nation choose what they will be known for. A nation is made up of many people, not just leaders. It is true that our leaders are responsible for their actions and how they lead us and our leaders may have broader influence because of their position, but it is still up to us to choose righteousness or waywardness. It has been said that ‘If the people will lead, the leaders will follow’. One righteous life in a nation can have an influence on many leaders. The righteousness of the people can tip the scales of a nation in spite of their leaders. We have seen examples of this in the fall of great governments that were not representing their people. Righteousness exalts a nation. Sin, on the other hand, is a reproach and the down fall of any nation. May the people of a nation be leaders in righteousness.
V. 35 Want to please a king or is there anyone you want to impress? Be wise and helpful and you will be their first choice. Want to be the recipient of the king’s wrath? Bring the king shame and you will not only get reprimanded for your downfall, but he may tend to take out his frustration from other things on you also.
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