Proverbs Chapter 14

PROVERBS Chapter 14 The Home-Maker 14:1 Wisdom, fearing the Lord, doing His will can be really practical—it can save your marriage! “with her own hands”-We tend to want to blame marriage problems on everything but the people in the marriage. For how to “build a home”, see the last chapter of this book. Typically, we are either engaged in building up or tearing down. The wise build, the foolish destroy (24:3-5).

Someone has said that many a person has dug their marital grave with many little “digs”. The materials for building a home can also be found in Titus 2:4-5.

Loving And Hating God 14:2 Respect for God is demonstrated by a godly life, by respecting, honoring and applying the qualities which God approves. “crooked”-When people properly fear God, they do keep His commandments (Ecc. 12:13-14; John 14:15). But when people are devious or are engaging in wickedness, such is proof that they have not only cast off respect for God, but that they also actually despise what He stands for. “a person’s attitude toward the Lord—either fear Him or despising Him—shows up in his behavior” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p.

934). Some people do hate righteousness (John 15:18-19).

Words Come Back To Roost 14:3 “is a rod for his back”-the fool who is arrogant, boastful, and unwilling to listen, will end up punishing himself by the words that he has said. Fools do bring trouble on their own heads. Slander, gossip, proud talk, misleading and ungodly advice can end up giving you a whipping! “What people say has a great bearing on how they are received” (Gaebelein p. 983).

Neat But Negative

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14:4 “Orderliness can reach the point of sterility. This proverb is not a plea for slovenliness, physical or moral, but for the readiness to accept upheaval, and a mess to clean up, as the price of growth” (Kidner p. 106). People can be pennywise but pound-foolish. Meaningful results of any kind require investing time, money, and work. There are times when one must spend money in order to make money.

True And False Witnesses 14:5 “will not lie”-even for his or her friends. But a false witness pours out lies.

We need to realize that if someone lies to protect us, they will also lie to harm us, if we become a threat to their comfort. Be careful about relishing the half-truths that someone is telling about others, because they are probably saying similar things about you. Contrary to popular belief, a liar just doesn’t lie about one subject. Be grateful when someone tells you the truth, although it might not be flattering, because they will in turn tell the truth about you.

Wisdom Eludes The Know-It-All 14:6 “and finds none”-the scoffer might be very intellectual, but wisdom eludes him because he hasn’t started with the right foundation, i.e. the fear of God, and the right road map, i.e. the Scriptures. The mind of the scoffer is closed to everything except what they have already determined is right. “Their search for wisdom is vain because they don’t look in the right places and don’t recognize treasure when they stumble across it” (Alden p. 111). “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). “True wisdom is not to be won by those who are too conceited to receive instruction, and presume to depend upon their own judgment, and to weigh everything by their own standard” (P.P. Comm. p. 269). “knowledge is easy to him who has understanding”-i.e., who understands that God is and the Bible is His revelation to mankind. This is why the sincere babe in Christ can quickly learn more truth that the religious scholar who rejects the inspired status of the Scriptures.

Unprofitable Associations 14:7 Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing is gained associating with fools, in fact the danger is that you will become just as deluded are they are. “since nothing is gained by consorting with fools, why waste time with them?” (Alden p.

111). Compare with 13:20.

Real Sense, Real Folly 2

14:8 “is to understand his way”-the wise man is always reflecting on his conduct, past and present, he is always checking his motives and whether or not his lifestyle harmonizes with the Scriptures. “the folly of fools is deceit”-“the essence of folly is mental dishonestly” (Kidner p. 107). “Life confronts us with so many decisions in so many kinds of relationships. We must make so many choices.

We need God-given wisdom to know how best to proceed in each circumstance or with every opportunity” (Alden p. 111).

Making Light Of Sin 14:9 “Fools mock at sin”-fools mock at the idea of sin and guilt. To some people sin is a joke, an out-dated idea, and not for their generation. “When a fool sins, he makes fun of the idea of making amends for it” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p.

935). Fools give cute names to moral evil (“gay”, “alternative lifestyle”, “living together”, “significant other”, “compulsive behavior”, and so on. They also encourage others to join them (Romans 1:32). In addition, fools also mock at the idea of judgment and hell. “among the upright there is goodwill”-goodwill from God and others, or, instead of joking about sin, guilt and eternal consequences, the righteous, offer good will.

The Inmost Heart 14:10 In the final analysis, sympathy can only extend so far. One’s inner pain and joy cannot be fully experienced by anyone else. “The proverb forewarns against any unnatural or forced attempts to express empathy” (Gaebelein p.

985). “There is a portion of each person’s inner-self that no one else can fully enter into” (Hunt p. 168). So let us not feel sorry for ourselves if others don’t seem to be understanding what we are experiencing, and let us not require of others what they can’t give.

Reaping 14:11 Compare with Matthew 7:24-27. “Personal integrity ensures domestic stability and prosperity” (Gaebelein p. 985). “Flourish”-bud or sprout, like a tree budding with blossoms or sending out shoots. “suggesting a tree bursting into bud” (Kidner p. 108). Note the comparison, the tent of a righteous man is far more stable than the house of the wicked. In contrast to the wicked, the marriage of the righteous man blossoms, his children fear and serve the Lord, his home is peaceful and happy, there is warmth, friendship, and trust.

Emotions Can You Trust Them?

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14:12 Compare with 16:25 and Jeremiah 10:23. “which seems right to a man”intuition, gut feelings, emotions or human opinion is often guiding those on the road to hell. Our feelings aren’t the standard for truth! Our consciences need to be informed and taught by the word of God to be useful. So much for the idea, “if it feels good do it”, or, “follow your heart”. But how many modern thinkers argue that one’s heart is an accurate guide?

Bitter-Sweet 14:13 Some people try to handle adversity with laughter, but laughter can’t solve every problem. “there is a tragedy in life, from which gaiety offers no full or final escape (Luke 6:21-25; John 16:20-22)” (Kidner p. 108). Real grief cannot be fully masked by superficial joy. The verse also reminds us that many supposedly “happy” unbelievers are truly sad, people can put up a false image of themselves. In addition, we should learn to deal with grief, rather than trying to avoid it.

Table For One 14:14 “backslider in heart”-one who turns away from God. Such a person will be forced to eat the fruits of their own evil deeds. Don’t be deceived, retribution is always at work. Such a person will be “fully repaid”. “In heart”-long before a person quits attending they have already given their heart to the devil. Hence, withdrawal is simply the acknowledgment that a person doesn’t presently have a relationship with God, and hasn’t had such a relationship for some time.

Gullible 14:15 There are different ways of becoming a fool. One is to naively believe everything you hear. We need to examine carefully what we hear and compare it to the teaching found in Scripture (1 Thess. 5:21-22; Matthew 10:16). “Faith is wonderful, but faith in the wrong thing or person can be eternally disastrous” (Alden p. 112). God isn’t glorified when we are gullible, and neither are believers to be mind-numbed robots. A Wise person weighs the evidence carefully and really thinks about what he or she is going to commit themselves to.

Over-Confident 14:16 Being cautious is a good thing, but how often does the world glorify the person who is reckless, self-assured, overconfident and boastful? A wise man 4

deliberately shuns evil (3:7; 8:13; 16:6). This proverb is like the statement, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread”. “Courage and an adventuresome spirit may be admirable at times, but only a thin line separates them from recklessness and unnecessary risk-taking” (Alden p. 113).

Quick Temper 14:17 The person who becomes angry really easy will end up doing something foolish and sinful. Haste and passion are a dangerous combination. Impatience, foolishness, pride and a quick temper usually all go together. A temper problem then is simply a symptom of a much bigger problem. “a man of evil devices”-“the cold cunning of a man of schemes may be even worse (or more dangerous) than a hot temper” (Kidner p. 109). Anger will blur our judgment, one good reason to be slow to anger (James 1:19).

The Fool And The Wise Rewarded 14:18 “the proverb is not blaming a man’s folly on his heredity, but warning him that by habituation he is storing up only more and more foolishness” (Kidner p.

109). Unfortunately, the fool often passes on his folly to the next generation!

Evil Pays Homage 14:19 Ultimately, the wicked will acknowledge that the godly were on the right path and were believing the right things. Complete vindication will come to every believer. Even in this life, “goodness, however scant its earnings, commonly wins a reluctant or conscious respect” (Kidner p. 109). Compare with Philippians 2:10, and the account of the Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:24).

Fair-weather Friends 14:20 “expresses the unfortunate truth that greed is a more compelling trait than generosity; people are more eager to have rich friends than poor ones….Do we avoid poor neighbors? Do we covet attention from the rich? Do people want our attention because we have money? Have we bought our friendships?” (Alden p.

114). This truth in clearly seen in the number of “fan-clubs” that exist, and the number of people who are eager to meet some famous person. Compare with James 2:1ff.

The Sin Of Contempt 5

14:21 Most people probably don’t view contempt (to belittle, ridicule, scorn, etc..) as a sin. “Despising means treating with contempt, discarding one as worthless” (Gaebelein p. 988). Do we view those less fortunate with contempt?

One cannot despise the poor and be right with God. Compare with Matthew 25:35-36 and Galatians 2:10. Shunning or trying to avoid poor people is an indication that our heart is more impressed with material things than the souls of others.

Paid In Their Own Coin 14:22 One cannot remain right with God, morally pure and good, if one is plotting evil. But many people think that they can do evil things and yet be a basically good person at the same time. The word here translated “devise”, means to work for, plan, plow or think up. Doing evil demands some mental forethought, people don’t just stumble into sin. What are we devising? “kindness and truth”-or mercy and truth, two qualities that are inseparable.

Toil Or Talk 14:23 There is no substitute for deeds. The word “labor” here is also found in Genesis 3:19. People should be more afraid of idle talk than hard work. In this book we are given various causes of poverty: stinginess (11:24; 28:22); haste (21:5); hedonism (21:17); oppression (22:16); favoritism (22:16). “Sometimes children come to look down upon their lazy, wind-bag, good-for-nothing dads who are always talking about the trip the family is going to take, the house they are going to build, etc…, but who never get any of it done” (Hunt p. 174).

Unfortunately, too many people try to get out of working, or think that hard work is something to be avoided. Being right with God, doesn’t mean that God will remove all the work from my life.

Crown Or Fool’s Cap 14:24 Wisdom can also be useful in gaining material things. Wise men are typically blessed with wealth, because such men work hard, use their resources wisely, and refuse to waste or squander the fruits of their labors on sinful or foolish enterprises. “Decorate folly as you may, deck it out in gaud and ornament, it is still nothing but folly and is discerned as such” (P.P. Comm. p.

274). “The point would be that the fool can only expect greater exposure of his folly” (Gaebelein p. 989).

The Life Saver 6

14:25 “a man who will trim the facts for you will trim them as easily against you; and a career or a life may hand on a word” (Kidner p. 110). People who witness in court cases are in a strategic position; they can have a great influence over other people’s lives” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 936). In addition, those who faithfully preach the gospel are saving people’s lives also (2 Tim. 4:2-4; 1 Tim. 4:16).

Godliness-Fortress and Fountain 14:26-27 A healthy respect for God will keep one from temptation and foolishness (1:7). Such a man also demonstrates to his children that there is something stronger and better than what the world offers. A tremendous amount of confidence, peace, security and safety is gained when one is right with God. Children are blessed when their parents have a respect for God. Exodus 20:5-6 makes it clear that children will reap the benefits of righteous parents if they love the Lord too. “fountain of life”-such a man departs from evil, and a healthy respect for God produces and leads to so many other virtues, knowledge, wisdom, purity, holiness, kindness, mercy, and so on. A godly parent is like a fountain in the home, which is continually giving refreshment to the family.

A King’s Glory 14:28 “It is a reminder that solitary splendor is self-extinguishing” (Kidner p.

111). A teacher who has no students is like a king who has no subjects; their titles are worthless. “the proverb is a simple statement of fact, a reminder of worldly vanity and empty pomp. Take heed lest you too present yourself as a kingdomless king” (Alden p. 115). Such a proverb should remind every ruler, without the people, they are nothing. So treat your subjects well!

Patience, Opposite Of A Quick Temper 14:29 Patience is evidence that a person understands some very important truths. “Exalts folly”-either promotes it or displays it publicly. “to exalt or lift up for show” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 936). “Everyone must strive to lengthen temper in order to become more resilient to life’s ups and downs” (Alden p. 115).

Our world tends to excuse the person who bursts into a rage. But God makes it clear that such will only produce other foolish actions, words or decisions. A short-temper never results in any wise choices or statements.

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Contentment—The Healthy Choice

14:30 “passion is rottenness to the bones”-If we worked harder at solving emotional problems many of our physical ones might go away. Envy, jealousy, anger and lust will bring constant inner turmoil. The word “passion” describes passionate zeal, a violent excitement that is never satisfied. “to nurse a resentment is bad for body as well as soul: it is no sacrifice when we renounce it” (Kidner p. 111). It shouldn’t surprise us that this book teaches an inherent connection between mind and body, for the true author is the One who created man in the first place. Compare with 15:13,30; 17:22; 18:14.

Rags And Respect 14:31 Since God is the Maker of everyone, and since He defends the cause of the vulnerable (22:22-23), we need to be merciful and kind to those who are less fortunate. We honor God, when we treat the poor with respect and courtesy.

Remember, that poor man is also created in the image of God. Remember, there are certain poor people that we are not to financially assist (2 Thess. 3:10).

Final Ruin Or Final Refuge 14:32 Count no man happy until he has died happy. The wicked may prosper for a season, but eventually they are thrust down, their sins catch up to them, .

Problems can be disastrous for the wicked, because they have no hope in the Lord. In contrast, even in death, the righteous man has security, peace and safety. Do you want to face death with confidence?

Where Wisdom Is Home 14:33 While wisdom’s true abode is with the wise, even among fools it is not wholly unrecognized. “Rests”-the idea also could be that the wise man isn’t flaunting his wisdom, but a fool is constantly spouting out his so-called knowledge.

A Nation’s Stature 14:34 “Here is the most searching test of policies and achievements” (Kidner p.

112). “to any people”-this truth applies to any nation, and not merely the Jewish nation in the OT (Jeremiah 18:1ff). Removing true religion (which includes the concept of absolute truth, morality, purity, ethics) from national politics, domestic and foreign policy is a grave mistake. History has proven that sin leads to the deterioration of any culture. Hence, speaking out against sin, standing up for the truth, being vocal and placing your vote with the party or candidate which is concerned about truth and morality is so important.

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Efficiency Is Rewarded 14:35 “The saying is a bracing reminder not to blame luck or favoritism but one’s own shortcomings, for any lack of recognition” (Kidner p. 112). Obviously, Solomon had had his share of incompetent assistants. Any employer can really identify with this verse. “But the incompetent one…is the bungler who botches the king’s business and whose indiscretions and incapacity expose his master to scandal and criticism” (Gaebelein p. 992).

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