V. 1 There is something about the possession of peace that makes it one of the most coveted experiences of life. All of us could use more of it in our life, yet many of us underestimate its essential value. It seems that our lives are filled so full with busyness, noise and strife that our hearts yearn for true quiet. And yet, when we find it the quiet makes us uncomfortable for some reason and we begin to fill up the quiet with the same….noise, business and strife. Peace and/or quiet are food for the soul and essential for survival. Yet, provided with the option of choice between peace and quiet or activity and noise we almost always for some reason choose the latter.
When was the last time that you really found a quiet place? How comfortable were you there? Solomon seems to suggest that often quiet and peace are found in nothingness, a place that we do not like to be. It is not our nature. Yet, King Solomon tells us that even a king would trade all that he had for nothingness and quiet at times.
It is our nature to choose the all often having nothing. Solomon’s advice is to not overlook the little to nothing for in it you may find true peace! Christ put it this way, ‘What will it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul’. And, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid’. He claimed to be the Author of Peace. Solomon would agree that choosing the One thing ,Christ, is peace and is much better than having it all, so to speak, with all of its inherent strife. He also would tell us to sacrifice the much of perceived valued in this life and trade it for the less or simple. As a wise king who had it all his very real and practical advice to us was to try the simple, there is a very good chance that it is more satisfying.
V. 2 A servant that is honest and is practicing wisdom will get many surprises in life. A servant is a servant and is expected to do their duties faithfully and dependably and is not expected to get anything extra for their service of their master. However, a wise servant often gets different treatment. A truly wise servant is not just doing a good job doing the expected duties of a servant, but goes above and beyond not in duty only, but in exceptional wisdom in performing their duties. In life, if you are smart, you tend to yield to those who you can depend on and who have the knack or gift in your area of need. So often what happens is if this person can be trusted, and they are proven to do as good a job or better than others, it is not long before they get the job with all of its duties, responsibilities and…benefits! A shameful son who has proven that they cannot be trusted with the responsibilities is not given the responsibilities and over time is unrewarded of the benefits too. Over time it is not uncommon, although this should not ever be the original intent of the servant, for the servant to be given either what they managed as a reward or rewarded handsomely for their wise and faithful service, sometimes in the form of an inheritance. This principle has many direct applications to the work environment.
V. 3 There are different processes used to refine different substances. But, one thing man has not learned to refine is man’s heart. The Lord knows how to ‘test’ our heart and try our motives. Both of the examples of silver and gold have value that increases when refined by intense heat. God, however, can use methods only known by His wisdom that can produce greater value than either heat refined gold or silver. God’s refining process can seem extremely intense and sometimes unfair when it is occurring. But, God’s methods are sure. They get the job done. In the end not only does God know our true intents, but often we do too. The end of the process transforming into precious gold is much more valuable than when it began.
V. 4 Those who do wrong seem to hear only ideas from those who also do wrong. Wicked deeds are fabricated and built on false principles, false hopes and lies. Wicked people looking for this outcome will only look for and hear this advice. Listening to and applying the truth would only spoil their plans of evil intent, improving the outcome of their plans to the good.
V. 5 God sees the gestures and responses that we give when no one is looking concerning the poor and those experiencing misfortune. All of us have at one time or another had thoughts less than we should have of others in unfortunate situations. We may have even not thinking at the moment laughed at misfortune. This verse tells us that we should be careful what we think, lest we be judged by God Himself. The end of the verse uses the term punishment making it clear what we shall receive and it reveals God’s attitude toward those who act this way. He will not be sending trouble our way to teach us a lesson, but punishment for what we have earned for this wrong. Scary…noteworthy.
V. 6 Children admire and adore/almost worship their fathers until it proven to them that we do not really care. Ignoring their admiration and not giving them the attention and acknowledgment when they only see their father can lessen or change this wonderful relationship over time. If attention, love and recognition are given back, mixed in with a little bit of time, this adoration may never change and can last a life time. Solomon also observed that grandchildren are pretty cool too. He probably made this observation from firsthand experience, experiencing the pure pleasure that grandchildren bring. Maintaining a good relationship with your children now is important if you are wanting to spend precious time with your grandchildren in the future.
V. 7 Some things do not become us. When a foolish person says something profound or of value they are not heard or taken seriously. So it is also true that lies are not for the lips of someone who wants to live a respected life. It says that it is not fitting for a respected person like a prince to speak lies and inappropriate words or gestures. Those around us may not say anything, but often think less of us and who we represent when we tell an off color joke, speak a lie or say something that is not fully appropriate. It is out of character and not representative of who we are and can lessen our position the next time we are called to represent it.
V. 8 Bribes. When we think of a bribe we often think of some shady deal in some secret or private place influencing some corrupt official to over look an injustice or to look the other way while someone proceeds doing something that normally would not be allowed. But bribes are more common than we might think. By definition a bribe is a gift bestowed or agreement made to do something for another person with the intent to influence the recipient’s conduct. If taken in the true sense of the definition true bribes occur all the time. I will pick up something from the store if you go by the bank for me. We offer to make someone their favorite meal if they help us do something they are reluctant to do. A child will even be good, being on their best behavior to influence mom or dad to let them do something they are reluctant to agree with. The thing desired may be allowed anyway, but the bribe makes it a sure thing. Be careful of those who bribe for influence or to get their agenda established. The gift or favor is often intended to compromise your original view or perspective. It is important to not be influenced by the bribe when making our decision. It is important to be clear of what you are agreeing to.
Not all means of influence are bad. It is a wise person that realizes that there are ways to help influence others to see our way in right parameters. I.e.if you help me lift these heavy objects I will let you use my truck. But, more times than not bribes are intended to overlook or do something that is not entirely right. Town agendas, political machines, business deals and personal agendas often depend heavily on some form of influence that would be in the strictest sense of the word a bribe. There may not even be anything illegal in what is done, but the offer is intended to make sure others will see it your way assuring that you get what you want. Bribes occur everywhere. It is important that we evaluate what someone is asking us to agree to. Be aware, if someone offers you an unexpected gift it is wise to be sure of the intent. Some gifts are just that, a gift with no strings. But, others come with expectations. To the one offering the bribe, the bribe is a precious stone and can open doors otherwise closed. V. 23
V. 9 A true friend keeps confidence in matters that are no one else’s business. Repeating things that are meant to be kept in confidence injures relationships. Sometimes permanently. This verse in several translations has the component of forgiving those who have wronged us covering their transgression and keeping a friend. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we do not see our mistake until some time has passed. If we are quicker to forgive than to judge good friends usually realize their shortcoming and in time make up or ask forgiveness. If we were too quick to judge them, when they finally realize their wrong they will feel that there is no door to enter to right the wrong. Friendships that are lasting have the component of forgiveness built into them.
V. 10 A wise man is like a sponge. The wise have an open heart for right and wisdom. They are looking for answers, ready to hear and apply them. A fool only interested in foolishness. They are not interested in true answers but will repeat the same foolish actions again and again getting the same result. Solomon made the observation that the fool is so set in their ways that you cannot beat wisdom into them.
V. 11 Sometimes it is necessary to meet force with force. Truly evil people will not listen to reason. They are only bent on causing trouble and will stop at almost nothing to get what they want. Recognizing an evil person for who they are and meeting them with a straightforward blunt message on the consequences of their actions if they proceed is the only way to reason with them. This kind of person does not even flinch at idle threats or suggestions. They only stop to think if they believe you will and can carry out retribution that is severe enough to injure them for their actions. Some of our current world leaders fall into this category.
V. 12 Wow!! This is serious! Solomon says that it is worse to encounter a fool than to encounter a bear, getting between her and her cubs. Are there those people in your life that when they call or knock on your door or that you see on the street that you know if you connect with them that it is going to be a bad day? What is it this time? Even a contact with them gets complicated and is nothing but trouble. You cannot fix their problem anyway. They won’t let you. They won’t listen to anything you say. You’ve tried many times before and it was HOPELESS! Solomon would ask the question, ‘what is your first response when you encounter a bear’? He would probably tell you to do the same when encountering a fool working their folly. When they call or knock on your door or you meet them on the street don’t answer the door or go the other way when you see them…quick! You will be better off.
V. 13 Rewarding evil for good is not smart. An evil response no matter the initial action, good or bad, only prompts a harsh response. But, if a person has the habit of giving an evil response not acknowledging the good done to them there is no hope for them, their house will be filled what they give out. V. 26
V. 14 Contention between two people usually starts small and can get out of hand quickly. It is like a match when lit can grow rapidly and spread quickly. We know we should not give a response or say what we are thinking. Giving a response may give us some pleasure, but what you start is world war III. You had the power to either push the button or not. You chose to push it. You knew what would happen. You said it anyway. You asked for it. You knew it had the potential of starting a nuclear reaction that would be unable to be stopped. Oh,oh. Too late. The dam breaks and now everything is in ruin. Solomon advises us to break the chain reaction. Stop fission in its tracts. Bite your tongue. Swallow your pride. It is better to not start or continue strife. If we do we may be asking for more than we bargin for.
V. 15 Many in our country believe that we have it all backward, and maybe they are right. It seems that those who rob, those who cheat, those who steal, those who are unwilling to work, those who borrow and do not intend to make plans to pay back are rewarded or protected. It often seems that those in our land, who work, are honest, treat people right, pay their debts, pull their share of the weight and then some and live prudent lives go unrewarded and are often penalized. I often wonder how the Lord feels about our system of justice in our current day. We would be wise to listen and apply some of the wisdom Solomon is attempting to share with us. Is it not time to call good good and bad bad?
V. 16 It does not matter how much money a fool has, they will never purchase wisdom. A fool no matter how much money he has would not know wisdom when they saw it. Some even if they could afford it and so happened to stumble upon it would not know how to apply it. It is like trying to do higher math having a 2nd grade education. This says something about who we choose to do a task or job that we need to have done. Send the wise person to do the job, especially if it required you to pay for it, and rely on them to make a decision for you. Giving any amount of money or responsibility to a foolish person is an embarrassment to them and to you.
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