Proverbs Chapter 10 by Mark Dunagan

PROVERBS CHAPTER 10

Bound Up In A Lad’s Life 10:1 Once again it is asserted that Solomon is indeed the author (1:1). From this verse we learn that parents cannot truly disown their children. Concerning a fool, Kidner notes, “Some people, however, cannot disown him; it is their tragedy. To his father and mother the fool brings sorrow (10:1; 17:21), bitterness (17:25) and calamity (19:13). It is the price of loving him; but it causes him no qualms—he despises them (15:20)” (pp. 40-41). Raise your children right, because you cannot emotionally distance yourselves from their choices. Children have the ability to bring us tremendous pride and joy, or deep heartache and sorrow. In addition, let us hear no more the selfish excuse, “I’m only hurting myself”. “a family will thrive if the children are diligent in their work but collapse if they are lazy or resort to crime” (Garrison p. 117). This verse also helps to explain why parents are often willing to spend everything they have in the hopes of saving a child.

Righteousness Is The Best Security 10:2-3 For a time wealth gained by dishonest means may be satisfying, but in the long run such will destroy you morally, spiritually and eternally. A clear conscience cannot be bought with money. The general rule of life is that good people do not starve and wicked people do not get what they want (Psalms 34:910; 37:25). “Good people work hard, do not waste money on alcohol, or gamble their possessions away” (Alden p. 84). ”Whatever their worldly state (material means) the righteous are truly rich (10:20-22). “He will thrust aside the craving of the wicked”-God can providentially keep them from carrying out evil plans or enjoying various sinful pleasures. Don’t be fooled, wicked people, even very wealthy wicked people, do not have everything they desire! “The wicked are condemned to live forever with their unfulfilled, and so sterile, desires, which cannot be transformed into practical attainment” (Gaebelein p. 953).

The Value Of Hard Work 10:4-5 Laziness is a moral problem. “Once again idleness, which leads to ruin (financial, moral and spiritual), is contrasted with diligence. The wise son seizes the opportunities with keen insight into the importance of the season” (Gaebelein p. 953). “the industrious conscientious worker is eventually recognized by his superior and promoted, while the man who constantly watches the clock and puts forth as little effort as possible will stay in the same job slot forever, if he manages to keep his job” (Alden p. 84). Once again, we see that sleep (personal comfort of the moment) is the most important thing to the fool.

Goodness Brings Blessings Which Last 10:6-7 “conceals violence”-“a man’s evil, written, as we say, all over his face” (Kidner p. 85). Speaks hypocrisy and deceit. You simply can’t trust anything this man says. “He says what is advantageous to him with no concern about its truth” (Alden p. 85). “name of the wicked will rot”-God remembers the righteous, and most people want to forget the wicked. Like their character, even the memory of them is disgusting. “’Name’ refers to fame; the name of the wicked will eventually disappear, and it will leave a bad memory that excites abhorrence” (Gaebelein p. 954). While some wicked people become “popular” in the secular media, often after they wind down or die, even the world starts to judge them harshly.

The Obedient And The Opinionated 10:8 “Even in human fields of learning it is the second-rater who tends to ‘talk big’” (Kidner p. 86). “Sensible people do more than accept good advice---they submit to authority, acknowledging the necessity of rules” (Alden p. 85). “babbling fool”-“does not quit chattering long enough to learn anything. In Proverbs needless talking is often associated with folly” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 926).

Nothing To Hide, Nothing To Fear 10:9 The sinner will be found out (Numbers 32:23; Proverbs 28:18). No, they didn’t “get-away-with-it”. The righteous person doesn’t envy the wicked and neither do they waste time fretting or getting angry over the injustices in this world. Justice will prevail. The life of deception only holds promise of detection and disgrace. The wicked cannot hide forever, and neither can they fool most of the people most of the time; sooner or later all their deeds will come to light (1 Tim. 5:25).

Mischief Sooner Made Than Mended 10:10 “it means that a tiny gesture can do great damage, and a talkative fool becomes intolerable” (Kidner p. 86). Compare with 6:13-14

Sweet And Bitter Water 10:11 The words of righteous people give life, preserve life, and offer refreshment like a fountain of fresh water. Never underestimate the power of your speech, words can keep a person from giving up (1 Thess. 5:14). Compare with 13:14; 14:27; 16:22. “His words are free-flowing and as refreshing as a cool spring to a weary desert traveler” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 926). What the wise man says is beneficial to life. Who have you encouraged today? Do people feel depressed and discouraged after spending time with you, or do they feel refreshed and motivated?

Troublemaker-Peacemaker 10:12 “Covers does not mean ‘makes up for’, as the verse is popularly quoted to imply” (Kidner p. 87). Rather, love doesn’t harp on a matter, gossip or stir up strife. Love wants the matter resolved, love gives the sinner a chance to repent (Matthew 18:15ff; 1 Cor. 13:4-8). Love doesn’t gloat over the sins of others. Compare with James 5:20 and 1 Peter 4:8. Love is willing to cover a sin, extend forgiveness, when the sinner repents. Hatred doesn’t want reconciliation, love wants fellowship restored, love is hopeful for the best, always willing to forgive the repentant. Hatred wants to hold on to a grudge. The real test of a person is not when they are the victim, but rather, when the person who wronged them humbly repents. Love won’t hush up its own sins (28:13), nor will it shirk the obligation of giving a rebuke when necessary (27:5-6). Carefully note that love doesn’t atone for our sins, being loving doesn’t make up for sins that we have committed.

Speech, Wise Or Foolish 10:13-14 God will deal with the fool, but by force. The person who rejects wisdom, will suffer in this life. “Corporal punishment such as beating or spanking was practical as well as recommended…..Unfortunately today we see a decided swing away from this advice on correction with regard to (rebellious) children in the home as well as hardened criminals” (Alden p. 87). “Store up knowledge”-1. Holds the proper knowledge for the right occasion. 2. Is quick to listen rather than speak (James 1:19). 3. “the wisdom of silently storing knowledge rather than foolishly talking prematurely” (Gaebelein p. 955). 4. The fool is ever talking and boasting, the wise man is ever learning.

Don’t Despise Money 3

10:15 Note, God doesn’t over-react. Despising wealth isn’t spiritual and there is nothing morally superior about being poor. “don’t affect to despise it; don’t embrace poverty out of laziness or romanticism” (Kidner p. 87). Though wealth should never be placed above honor (28:20) or trusted in (11:4; 23:5), it can provide a hedge against some disasters.

What Is Sin Paying These Days? 10:16 “The lesson is that one is not to blame poverty or wealth for the quality of one’s life. A man uses his possessions according to his character: as tools for good or ill” (Kidner pp. 87-88). Compare with Ecc. 5:12. The fruits of a godly life are pleasant. “While money may provide a measure of protection, money wrongfully gained carries the sentence of death with it” (Garrett p. 119). The benefits of the righteous life is a meaningful life, but the wicked only reap trouble (Galatians 6:7).

Stay Teachable, You Stay Progressive 10:17 “heeds”-instruction is only beneficial when it is obeyed, it is not enough to merely listen or be present when such instruction is offered. No middle ground exists, one either forsakes reproof or one keeps it. Keeping it for a while doesn’t count. Since everyone sins, everyone will find themselves being corrected. How you handle such correction will reveal whether you are on the path of life or death. Once again, there is only one path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

The Hater’s Dilemma 10:18 “Have hatred in your heart, and you must play either the humbug or the fool in your words” (Kidner p. 88). The anti-gossip theme appears a half-dozen times in Proverbs (16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20,22). Instead of meaning well, the gossip is motivated by sinful anger. The fool will try to pretend that they aren’t upset or mad. Instead of dealing with anger in a godly manner, they will attempt to pretend that they don’t have a problem. “When a person hates someone but tries not to show it he is often forced to lie. And hatred often leads to slandering the other who is despised” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 927).

Words, The Good, Bad And The Ugly 10:19-21 “many words, transgression is unavoidable”-Words, use them sparingly! Compare with James 3:2-8 and Matthew 12:36 “every careless word”. 4

“Although the wise person gives sound advice, wisdom is found more in those who are silent than in those who are verbose” (Garrett p. 121). Keep this verse in mind when you hear modern society telling us to “air all our feelings, vent our frustrations and get everything off our chest”. Talking is good, but what is our motive for wanting to vent? Being frustrated or upset still doesn’t give you the right to say things which are foolish and sinful. God feels that a sin can be ceased an addiction can be overcome without spending 20 years talking about it (1 Corinthians 6:11). In addition, when people “vent”, often God is wrongfully accused. 10:20 Your words are worth what you are worth! “The good man’s words are like silver; scarce, beautiful and valuable” (Alden p. 88). Too many people think that they have something wise to say—without being wise themselves. You cannot offer what you don’t have, you cannot speak words which are nobler than the condition of your heart. Not to mention their words, even the thoughts (heart) of the wicked aren’t worth anything. “What the righteous say is infinitely more valuable than what the wicked intend” (Gaebelein p. 956). 10:21 “feed many”-You will never know how many people that you truly helped. Discouraged preachers, teachers, elders and deacons need to keep this verse in mind! Compare with 1 Timothy 4:16. The word “feed” infers that some people will listen, some people are listening! It infers that there will always be people who realize their need for God and sound teaching. (Proverbs 15:7; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:29; Hosea 4:6). Point To Note: In this life, many people often get a big laugh out of the behavior of the fool. In fact, many people seem to like to have a fool around. But there is nothing funny about being a fool, such a person will end up lost because they refused to listen to God and His word.

Wealth Rightly Enjoyed 10:22 Yes, one can be rich and godly at the same time! The verse makes it clear that wealth isn’t a curse to the godly person. The person who is trying to serve God, will enjoy his material prosperity, for him, it won’t have any negative side-effects. The verse reminds us that before prosperity arrives, we need to be mature enough and unselfish enough to handle it. Instead of yearning for prosperity, we should pray, “God help me to be godly before I become prosperous, let the spirituality and maturity come first!” But wealth without God brings trouble (1 Timothy 6:9-10). The verse also warns us against the feeling of self-sufficiency, “It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich”.

Taste—Depraved Or Sound 10:23 Ouch! Do I enjoy sinning, do I find pleasure in sinning—then I am a fool! Is wisdom and godliness boring to you? The fool is the type of person who thinks that he is living the only way to be lived. He thinks he is smart, and that everybody else is missing out on the main thing in life. “One’s character is revealed by what one enjoys” (Gaebelein p. 957). Note, the righteous man is happy, but instead of enjoying sin, he enjoys wisdom, living right. Compare with Philippians 4:8.

The Insecurity Of The Wicked 10:24-25 “What the wicked fears will come upon him”-Even the wicked man who is living it up, still can’t escape from a guilty conscience. The sinner, who is involved in constant pleasure, still is forced, and still finds himself contemplating the future and eternity (Ecc. 3:11). “In the ultimate sense, it is inescapable, for what the wicked man shrinks from is, in the end, God; and he must stand before Him” (Kidner p. 89). In addition, the sinner will never find complete satisfaction, in contrast all the desires of the righteous person will be granted and fulfilled. The wicked will truly experience everything they dread. “Freedom from fear is such a great blessing; we simply don’t appreciate it until it is taken away” (Alden p. 90). Point To Note: People can put up a good front. “Many know they are not right, but outwardly they seem to act as if there is nothing to worry about….As instantly as men cry out for God’s mercy when they think they may suddenly die shows they have done some thinking ahead of time about their manner of life knowing it was not right” (Hunt p. 121). So don’t believe the person, who while defiantly rejecting God, claims that they have never been happier. Sinners, are also expert lairs. The verse also infers that many people consciously know the choice they have made when they start living apart from God. Many sinners know they have traded the temporary for the eternal and immediate pleasure for eternal happiness. 10:25 Disaster often comes upon the wicked very suddenly (like Haman, the Book of Esther). The present apparent prosperity of the wicked means nothing, because none of it can prevent God’s judgment from happening (Luke 12:1521). “The wicked man bases everything on what is temporal; he knows that he is finished it that goes (Psalm 1; Matthew 7:24-27)” (Kidner p. 89).

The Exasperating Sluggard

10:26 “Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes”-“Vinegar to the teeth is an irritant that is unpleasant to experience, and smoke to the eyes is a hindrance to progress. This little proverb portrays the aggravation in sending a lazy person on a mission---it could be a confusing, unpleasant, ordeal” (Gaebelein p. 957). But how often are we told by society, that we need to give such a person another chance? “a lazy employee is a pain to his employer” (Alden p. 90). Carefully note that God doesn’t blame society for the sluggard, i.e., all of us in the community are responsible for the laziness of this man, all of us are guilty for not encouraging him more often.

Massive Certainty 10:27-30 Here is a contrast in expectations. The godly person will experience the joyful fulfillment of all their hopes and dreams. But what every person outside of Christ hopes for---will be dashed. The righteous person won’t end up seeing life as a bitter disappointment. Keep these verses in mind next time you hear someone claiming that Christians are “missing out”. 10:27 Respect for God is a key to happiness. 10:28 The person who rejects God will end up disappointed. His or her dreams of happiness and contentment apart from God or His rules—will never be realized. 10:29 “God’s moral governance of the world is security for the righteous and a (an unknown) terror for sinners” (Garrett p. 122). 10:30 As is often stated in the OT, the rebellious among the people of God will find themselves removed from the Land of Promise (Deut. 28-30). If the people were godly, they would live in the land; if not, they would find themselves in exile. And God kept His promise (2 Kings 17; 2 Chron. 36). In a similar manner, the righteous will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). They will be the recipients of all of God’s blessings, and they will truly get more out of this life than the sinner.

The Fruit Of The Lips 10:31-32 Perverse, foolish and filthy speech is a complete waste. The fool thinks that anytime is a good time for crude and perverted language. “perverse words are those that play the devil’s advocate and confound and twist sound moral judgment” (Garrett p. 123). 10:32 “what is acceptable”-What is fitting, well-timed and appropriate. What is truly needed at the moment (Colossians 4:6).