Proverbs 30-31

Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:4 asks several questions that refer to other passages.

• It asks about going up to heaven, presumably seeing the wonders therein, then descending to earth to tell of it. See Job 38:33.
• It goes on to ask about gathering up the wind and wrapping up the waters. See Job 38:8-11.
• Establishing the ends of the earth? Job 38:4
• What is His name and His Son’s name?

• YHWH - the uncreated, eternal God who simply is that He is, the immovable first mover. (Exodus 3:13-14)
• Yeshua HaMashiach - the Savior and anointed one. (Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31)

Proverbs 30:8 was echoed in Matthew 6:11 when Jesus taught His listeners to pray for daily bread. A reference back to manna in the wilderness that daily fed the Israelites for forty years. A balance between abundance that tempts us to forget God (a modern risk), and poverty and asceticism that cause us to think we earn God’s favor by physical starvation and suffering. God is with us in both circumstances, but the request is simply to trust in God and receive what He provides as sufficient.

Proverbs 30:12 was paraphrased by Jesus when He pronounced woe on the Pharisees as being like whitened sepulchers full of dead men’s bones. (Matthew 23:27)  There is a temptation to think that position with a religious organization, or theological prowess in all the details free us from the need to walk daily in God’s grace and practice purity of heart. As long as we exist, in this life or the next, we need to hear His voice, learn to recognize His hand at work, and obey Him.

Proverbs 30:14 was also repeated by Jesus as a warning to the crowd about teachers of the law who devour widow’s houses.  (Mark 12:40) 

Proverbs 30:15-16, 18-19, 21-23, and 29-31 all have a three-four poetic construction. How does this emphasize and call attention to the difference in quality of the fourth item?

Proverbs 30:15-16 Jesus talked about the fire of hell that is never quenched, which is worse than all earthly trials and woes. (Mark 9:44-48)

Proverbs 30:18-19 Animals in the wild and ships at sea are amazing, but none is as subtle and rewarding as the relationship of Christ and the church, as Jesus woos His people to draw closer to Him.  (Ephesians 5:22-24

Proverbs 30:20 repeats the unflattering description of an adulterous woman who has no sense of right and wrong. (3:5-8)

Proverbs 30:21-23 Most likely, the emphasis of the fourth element is based on the story of Hagar (Genesis 16:4), and the family dynamics that ensued. This was far from the only case for a practice that was likely common in the times of Solomon, who had 700 wives (2 Kings 11:3). The Bible is honest about the impact of polygamy on people’s lives.

Proverbs 30:24-28 Different types of small creatures exhibiting unexpected life skills should tell us something. Storing up food for winter. Making themselves homes in barren rocks. Organizing themselves without a designated leader. Ubiquity in places they are not welcomed.  What does the uncontrollable ubiquity of vermin indicate? What do vermin symbolize? Temptations? Sin? Angels & demons? When we are part of God’s kingdom, we still have to deal with a proliferation of small stuff.

Proverbs 3:29-31 Animals can strut but they are only animals. Their pride may be presumptuous or may be an act. A king with his army behind him is stately, reflecting the support he has to protect his people from attackers. Even more so, the King of kings with His church. 

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:3 The end of Solomon’s reign, and the splintering of Rehoboam’s kingdom may be what Lemuel had in mind about spending manly vigor on women who ruin men. (1 Kings 11:1-9) It also stands in sharp contrast to the wife of noble character. (31:10)

Proverbs 31:6 Wine ultimately represents the blood of Christ in the Lord’s supper. (1 Corinthians 11:25-27) 

Proverbs 31:8-9 Rulers of all types (not just kings) should speak up for and defend the rights of the destitute and needy.

Proverbs 31:10-31 In an extended metaphor for the church, the bride of Christ, the wife of the lamb, Solomon gives many examples of the ministries of the church in the world we live in. In this passage he does not allude to issues covered in 1 Corinthians 7 or Ephesians 5.

Proverbs 31:10 To be noble at home is a higher value than worldly wealth. Revelation 21:9-11 shows the wife of the lamb shining with glory, like a precious jewel.

Proverbs 31:11 Paul writes that he wants to present his readers as a pure virgin to Christ, as a husband. (2 Corinthians 11:2) 

Proverbs 31:17 Her arms are strong for the task because the Father strengthens her through the Holy Spirit in her inner being. (Ephesians 3:16-17)

Proverbs 31:19 & 24 The church clothes herself and her family with righteousness and royalty and it overflows. (See below, 31:21-23)

Proverbs 31:20 Paul gave instructions for adding widows to the charity list, that including that she had earlier assisted those in distress. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

Proverbs 30:21 The church clothes her members with the blood of the Lamb.  (Revelation 7:14)

Proverbs 31:22-23 The church is clothed in the glory of God, and has gates and foundation stones reflecting the sons of Jacob and the apostles. (Revelation 21:9-14)

Proverbs 31:26 The church speaks with wisdom, some of which is found in this book. (Proverbs 8)

Proverbs 31:27 Paul gave instructions that if anyone did not work, they were not to be fed. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

Proverbs 31:31 Once again, the gates of the New Jerusalem are mentioned (Revelation 21:12 & 21).

The bottom line on Solomon’s praise of the virtuous wife should not overlook that he was primarily writing to his own contemporaries on her incredible value. The wife who is faithful to her husband, and works diligently to operate her household taking care of feeding and clothing them and maintaining the property, who has an excess of fruit so that it can be sold at a profit, such a woman is a far better wife than one who may be attractive and sexy but lacks these traits.  Young men would do well to keep this in mind when they consider marriage. 

Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 26 deals primarily with three subjects: verses 1-12 - fools (and foolishness); verses 13-16 - sluggards (and laziness); and verses 17-28 - evil speakers (and gossips). In the New Testament we read that people who are these kinds of people cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10); but we we also find that people who do these things, the works of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). The inference in Galatians is that if we do not have the Holy Spirit outworking His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22- 25), then even if we believe the fundamental doctrines of the faith, we are living in the flesh. 

Proverbs 26:1-12 mostly deals with fools, except for verse twelve which warns of something worse. These verses deal with the natural consequences of foolishness. The New Testament has a number of passages dealing with spiritual foolishness.

• Matthew 25:1-13 In this parable, the foolish virgins did not take oil with them, and missed the wedding banquet. In the context of Matthew 24, Jesus is talking about being ready for His return. Why did the groom say to the bride’s attendants who didn’t bring oil that He didn’t know them? Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit; the foolish virgins wanted to be part of the ceremony and the celebration banquet, but not participate in bringing light. 
• Luke 11:37-41 Jesus called the Pharisees foolish because they adhered to external cleanliness practices but their interior lives were filthy. They didn’t connect that while people only see external actions, God sees the heart. Jesus was rather hard on the Pharisees on several occasions, and called them things worse than fools.
• Like 12:16-21 In the parable of the rich fool, God calls the man a fool who built bigger barns to store his surplus, to then retire to a life of ease. God asked the man a simple question - when you die tonight, who will get your stuff? He didn’t say the fool died intestate, only that during his life he stored up for himself but was not rich towards God. (See also Matthew 6:19-21) He was a fool because he didn’t realize that he couldn’t take it with him.
• Luke 20:1-8 When Jesus  responded to the Pharisees’ question with a question, He probably had in mind the advice of Proverbs 26:4-5. He had earlier identified them as fools because they thought that God didn’t see or care about their interior life. Now He stumps them with a question that goes straight to their heart. They refused to repent when John the Baptist preached, so He wasn’t going to give them an answer now. Their folly prevented them from recognizing Him, whom the prophets they studied fulfilled.
• Romans 1:21-22 Paul, speaking of ancient idolators, referred to as fools those who knew God through His creation, including both His power and His nature and character, and turned to worship the creation instead. They did not thank God nor glorify Him even though they knew better. Paul goes on to say (in chapter 2) that anyone who passes judgment on someone else for doing the same things that they do is just as foolish and will reap God’s judgment.
• 1 Corinthians 1:20-27 & 3:18-19 In these passages, Paul contrasts the wisdom of man with the foolishness of God. His point is that man does not see the spiritual dimension, unless God reveals it, which He has in Christ. The creator dying to redeem His creation seems like foolishness on the human level, but it is God’s wisdom. Anyone who is wise by the world’s standards but rejects this is the true fool at the deepest level.
• Galatians 3:1-3 Paul asks who misled them into thinking that the Christian walk, which they began through faith in Christ crucified for our sins, can be completed and perfected by following rules pertaining to the flesh. Legalism, the same disease that ruined the Pharisees, was threatening the Galatian Christians. They were being foolish and in danger of becoming fools who judged solely on the basis of externals.

Proverbs 26:11 is quoted  in 2 Peter 2:22, about a dog, after a bath, returning to its filth. Peter’s point, based on verses 20-21, is that someone who actually experiences salvation through faith in Christ and then returns to the world’s lifestyle is worse off.  See also Hebrews 6:4-6.

Proverbs 26:12 Someone who thinks he knows everything is worse than a fool. Know-it-alls aren’t very popular either.  Paul took the opposite approach. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

 

Proverbs 26:13-16 deals with laziness. Although acedia (spiritual sloth) is one of the seven deadly sins, there is not much mention of it in the New Testament. It is a subtle sin, that of not taking the initiative to develop one’s spiritual life, just letting things slide. An insidious way the devil has of seducing believers into ineffectiveness. 

Paul did say to the Thessalonians that anyone who would not work should not be allowed to eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). This laziness seems to have been in the context of a communal arrangement for living, working, and sharing. This is the challenge for all communities that have all things in common. Most communes, start with the best intentions and commitment, but usually last at most a generation or two. Both social welfare programs and communist governments have the same built-in weakness. This is human nature, apart from the higher challenge of spiritual sloth.

Proverbs 26:17-28 Evil speech and gossip are intermixed in this passage. Paul mentions gossip six times in his epistles, without explanation, and with the implicit understanding that everyone disapproves of it. The problem is that it is so easy to gossip without realizing it. So are many other sins.  Jesus spoke to the quarrelsome aspect of life in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:9, 21-26), and dealing with enemies (Matthew 5:38-48). He also addressed speaking oaths (Matthew 5:33-37) although this was not in the context of evil speech, but of lying and making an oath to try to convince people of your sincerity. In all of these cases, His point was that life in God’s kingdom is a fundamentally different nature than natural human behavior; it is a Holy Spirit-empowered embodiment of God.

Proverbs 26:27 is a metaphor for gossip and evil speech. It returns with vengeance on the perpetrator.

Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27:1-2 Our plans for tomorrow will possibly collide with God’s plans, and or the devil’s opposition. But the central injunction is to not boast, but allow others to provide praise of our actions, rather than boasting ourselves. This underlies a spiritual concern, that of applying God’s standards to our lives, rather than our own ideas of good and bad. 

Proverbs 27:5-6 correction and affection are interwoven in our lives. A rebuke from a friend may wound our spirit, but beware of the person who is excessively flattering and always complimenting us. A true friend does not want to let you go in the wrong direction (metaphorically). Someone who always tells you how wonderful everything you do is, likely has ulterior motives, and may be a secret enemy.

Proverbs 27:8&10 Running away from home does not solve interior problems of the heart, nor does it enable us to escape from God. (Luke 15:11-32)

Proverbs 27:17 Encourage men’s friendships. (See 27:5-6)

Proverbs 27:18 The statement that whoever protects their master will be honored seems a bit inconsistent with John 18:10-11. Peter tried to defend Jesus and was rebuked. But of course, he later was honored. (Acts 2:16-41) Honor does not always come immediately.

Proverbs 27:19 The mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Matthew 12:34) Beyond our words, everything we do flows from the heart. (Proverbs 4:23)

Proverbs 27:21 The test is to see if we understand God’s role in everything that happens, or take credit for it ourselves, instead of glorifying God.

Proverbs 27:22 A fool and folly are linked more closely than grain and chaff.

Proverbs 27:23-27 Both spiritually and physically, attention to details is important.

Proverbs 28-29

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:2,3,12,15,16&28 all deal with evil rulers

• Proverbs 28:2 Perhaps the best example of this contrast between a rebellious country and a discerning ruler is Northern Israel’s rebellion against Rehoboam (1 Kings 13:33-34), and Israel’s blessedness in the reigns of David (1 Chronicles 17) and Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:29-31).
• Proverbs 28:12&28 An example of the righteous hiding during the reign of the wicked is Ahab and Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-4)

Proverbs 28:6,8,11,20,&22 talk about the rich and the poor

• Proverbs 28:6 How blessed are the poor in spirit, because they are blameless in God’s kingdom. (Matthew 5:3)
• Proverbs 28:11 The poor in spirit are blessed by seeing earthly riches (indeed all things) from the perspective of God’s kingdom. (Matthew 5:3)
• Proverbs 28:20 Good and faithful servants will be put in charge of many things, and share in their Master’s happiness. The punishment of those eager to get rich is is the vacuity of earthly wealth. (Matthew 25:21&23)

Proverbs 28:1 Why do the wicked flee when not being pursued? Is is fear of man? Or is it guilt before God?

Proverbs 28:5 Hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) leads to the breastplate that we need to protect our heart from being misled or attacked by lies, temptations, etc (Ephesians 6:14). Evildoers lack this basic piece of armor.

Proverbs 28:13 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us. (1 John 1:9)

Proverbs 28:14 An example of heart-hardening is the Pharisees whom Jesus confronted, who led the people astray. (John 12:40) 

Proverbs 28:18 God has shown us what is good, to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8)

Proverbs 28:19 People obsessed with the fantasies in electronic games will have the fruit of poverty.

Proverbs 28:24 Robbing one’s parents definitely violates the fifth commandment.  (Exodus 20:12)

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29:1 Jesus lamented over Jerusalem’s refusal to repent despite the prophets sent to her and mourned over her judgment. (Matthew 23:37-38) This happened about 40 years later in 70 AD when the Romans burned and tore down the temple and destroyed the city.

Proverbs 29:2 shows a slight variation to 28:12&28. Groaning if they can’t hide like Elijah.

Proverbs 29:3 was illustrated by the parable of the prodigal son. (Matthew 15:11-32) However, in that parable, the older son, although he obeyed his father in all things, did not bring joy to his father’s heart because he did not love his younger brother and rejoice at his redemption.

Proverbs 29:4 presents the contrast between justice and bribes. It is more of a cultural reflection, and more specifically that a culture in which bribes are normal and expected and acceptable will be unstable. The King will bring stability if the culture will respect justice and reject bribery. This is part of a prescription for good government. God established government for a purpose (Romans 13:1-7). Their reason for existence is for the good of their subjects, to bring punishment on wrongdoers. Those who use the power of government to obtain bribes are not doing this, and tear it down, and implicitly will ultimately face judgment.

Proverbs 29:9&11 In court, a fool will be put in his place, but he will be enraged. If the Judge gives a verdict, the wise will calm the waters. 29:9 is reflected in 1 John 3:12. Abel did not take Cain to court, but God’s giving Abel approval and not Cain sent him off the deep end.

Proverbs 29:13 The Lord does not play favorites - everyone has eyes. This is reflected in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:45). God is no respecter of persons. Equal treatment before the law makes sense. Jesus held the rich and poor to the same moral standard, but told the rich young ruler to give all his possessions to the poor and follow Him. (Matthew 19:21) Proverbs also sets out God’s perspective on worldly vs. spiritual wealth. (28:6&11) 

Proverbs 29:14 Based on this proverb, we can expect that in the final judgment, the King of kings will judge fairly. (Revelation 20:4, 11-13)

Proverbs 29:18 The importance of giving and receiving wise instruction. The Bible is a fount of wisdom. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is wisdom. Not only are believers expected to let it bubble over, they are expected to seek out the Holy Spirit to receive it. What a blessing awaits us if we heed the words of Jesus! (John 13:17)

Proverbs 29:23 echoes 16:18. Matthew 5:3 has Jesus revealing the same concept.

Proverbs 29:26 Justice ultimately comes from the Lord. Human rulers may try to dispense justice, but no one is perfect except Jesus. How does God reconcile mercy and justice? Does mercy to the wrongdoer deny justice to the injured party? Does justice for the injured party deny mercy to the offender? In human courts we try to get restitution where that is possible, but what about bodily harm? Saul of Tarsus did not throw stones at Stephen, but he implicitly approved his stoning. (Acts 7:52) Yet Paul went on to preach the gospel to a large part of the Roman Empire. Where was justice for Stephen? It was God’s mercy that transformed Saul’s life, but He also said that Paul would suffer greatly in His service. (Acts 9:16) Stephen’s life was a seed sown that sprouted into a worldwide evangelism ministry, perhaps because of his final words. (Acts 7:60)

Proverbs 29:27 The righteous and the wicked are in a mutual dysadmiration pact.