Whose Children

(Pro 14:26 KJV)  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

To see both the weakness and the strength of a paraphrase compare this to the Living Bible,

(Pro 14:26 LB) Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security.

As I read this today I found a resounding “Yes” developing in my heart.  I think there is some real truth in what the Living Bible says, yet it is just a paraphrase.   Is it a sound principle?  Obviously.  The idea that parents having a deep reverence for God will give their children an atmosphere to thrive in is solid.  

Do you notice the part that is assumption?   Read the KJV or NASB again.  When I read it that way it seems that the “children” are the Lord’s.  That is an encouraging understanding but it assumes that the “his” refers to God.   That is literal but the nuance picked up in the paraphrase could also be the emphasis.

So?  Let the Holy Spirit speak to you as you read.  This is an example where looking a little deeper, thinking a little broader and letting your imagination go to work can bring you greater truth.  It is a matter of addition, not substitution.  

Notice the Fence

(Pro 14:30 KJV)  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

The KJV sounds much more scientific than the NASB.  The NASB has “tranquil” (4832) for “sound”.  The Hebrew, as far as I can tell, has the idea of healing and being cured.  

Where do we get this cure?  There are frequent references in Proverbs to the fear of the Lord.  A reminder: Fear in Proverbs is not the phobia of the Greek but a sense of awe and reverence.  Read the rest of the chapter and you will find it several times.  It tells us to take a step back and put things in perspective.  When I am out walking I will occasionally have a dog start barking from close by and get me to jump.  When I stop and think I realize that the dog is behind a fence.  I might even notice that its tail is wagging.  That is where our confidence in God produces the tranquility mentioned here.

So?  A momentary spike in adrenaline is not a mark of doubt or danger.  It helps us focus on what the real problem is and get a better understanding of the security we have in Christ.  

Mock at Your Own Risk

Proverbs 14:9 (KJV) Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

A casual reading of this gives one impression.  Our popular culture will tell us that the problem in society is not sin but society itself.  We are all victims.  The Bible would call such thinking foolish.

A little deeper you get an offshoot of that.  The Bible teaches that we are born in sin.  We call it the sin nature or original sin.  To deny that makes you a fool.

When you look at the word “sin” you find that the most common translation is “trespass offering”.  This is the public confession of sin and seeking forgiveness from God.  In the OT this is through the ritual of sacrifice.  In the NT we look to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, confess our sin and trust Him for forgiveness.

So?  We are fools if we live in denial . Be one of the righteous by confessing and trusting. 

Influence

Proverbs 14:34 (KJV) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

I have often heard this quoted.  Usually it is to contrast the direction in which our country is going.  There is little evidence that righteousness is in demand today.  Maybe it is because we don’t understand the word.

We, or at least I, tend to equate righteousness with morality.  That is not a bad comparison but it goes deeper than that.  One of the roots of the word has to do with justice and judging.  It refers to the rule of law.  What that means is that the rules are agreed to ahead of time and applied equally to all people. 

If you look at countries that have had long term prosperity you will find the concept of the rule of law.  If you look at countries that are currently chaotic and broken down you see elites living in incredible wealth and the masses being manipulated without regard to justice.

So?  In this area you need the personal application in your own life and a political influence that goes beyond being politically correct and demands a blind justice.  Most of our influence will be in our families but you never know how God can use your obedience.  

Poison and Antidotes

Proverbs 14:5 (KJV) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

I often complain about the lack of information about the world which can be believed.  We all have heard of Fake News and if we pay attention enough to compare sources we see it everywhere.  This is a reminder that we should be developing trusted people and venues.  That will not happen overnight.  It takes time and demands that we are alert.

Has a news anchor given you false information?  You might only know if you remember what was said and compare it to later observations.  This, again, requires focus and effort on our part.

I think part of the idea here is that we are to be responsible consumers of news and information about the world around us.  Admit that liars exist.  Recognize evil when you see it.  Apply the appropriate response.  Sometimes that will be just ignoring it.  At other times action may be required.

So?  We are called to truth and honesty.  Be part of the light in a dark world.  

Word Pictures

Proverbs 14:3 (KJV) In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

In looking at the Hebrew for “rod of pride” I came up with my own paraphrase or word picture.  “Pride” has to do with a swelling or a wave on the ocean.  “Rod” can be a twig or stick. I had a vision of touching an overinflated balloon with a sharp stick.

So I suggest, “The mouth of a fool will burst his bubble.”

Where I actually started with this involved the questions I ask during a Bible study.  There are so many questions I have and they don’t seem to get answered when I am silent.  What is even more frustrating is that they don’t get answered when I speak up.  Am I being foolish for asking, am I am a fool because I have a question, am I a fool for expecting an answer?

So?  I guess we should let the pressure build until our mouths can’t take it any more.  When it is too much, ask away but it might be better to ask the Lord and have Him guide your study.  

Keep Track

Proverbs 14:5 (KJV) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

We see two obvious categories here.  One is the honest and the other is the dishonest.  And the statements seem to be obvious.  My question would be how can you tell the difference if they’re good at lying?

I think one of the ways that we can tell the difference now is by having paid attention in the past.  Has the person been known to tell lies before?  Have they had shady business dealings?  Have they refused to pay legitimate debts that are not written out as official contracts?  Have they repeatedly deceived?

A little bit of thinking in the past can give you great insight into a person’s character.  Of course, if you’re in a situation where you don’t know their past, you are faced with difficult decisions.  Work with what you have.

So?  You’ve heard about a leopard changing his spots.  The same thing is true of a liar.

Clever Evil

Proverbs 14:22 (KJV) Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

One of the ways in which evil presents itself is by putting on a disguise . I’ve heard the devil being described as an angel of light.  I know that the name “Lucifer” has the idea of light.  It’s quite easy to broadcast that you’re doing wonderful things while behind the scenes you’re doing everything you can to create evil.

Another way might be considered by perverting definitions.  This is big in our current culture.  You may have heard the term “deconstruction”.  It’s a school of philosophy, which says that there is no absolute meaning for words; that you can make them mean whatever you want at the current time.  We are seeing the results of that as people claim that socialism and communism are really wonderful things.

Another way is by misusing something which was intended to help and becomes really damaging.  I think of this in light of what we went through recently with the government shut down.  We saw millions of people complaining because they were not getting their EBT and SNAP benefits.  It doesn’t take a lot of attention to realize that government handouts have created a permanent under class that no longer are capable of taking care of themselves.  That’s something which was designed to help people in need but instead created needy people.

So?  It is possible to avoid evil. Your starting point is important.  What are your definitions?  What are your intentions?  These need to be based on a solid foundation in God’s word and in his person. 

Which Came First?

Proverbs 14:18 (KJV) The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

This is another example of the chicken and the egg.  Which came first?  Does folly make you simple and knowledge make you prudent?  Or as this seems to say are the simple, naïve, empty headed heading toward folly?  Are the prudent rewarded with knowledge?

Which comes first?  In one sense it’s another one of those puzzles that are hard to answer.  The reason it’s important is that this entire chapter is pointing out that we have free will.  We make choices.  We make decisions.  Those decisions are established by the direction of our heart and our mind.  What is it you want to achieve in life?  Are you out for yourself?  Are you selfish self-centered and narcissistic?  Then folly is ahead of you.  It’s not because God throws folly at you until it sticks; it’s that you insist on living a selfish life and will reap the rewards.

So?  God deals with you as an individual.  God in a sense, is a respecter of persons.  He wants you to make the choices so that He can reward you with His grace and eternal life or give you what you really want, which is a throne in hell.  In reality, the choice is yours.  You make it every day.  

Filtering

Proverbs 14:18 (KJV) The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

As I read this morning, it reminded me of how difficult it is for us to know what is happening in current events.  We go to the media and find that for the large part it’s all fantasy and lies.  We go to YouTube and we have lots of Clickbait and tantalizing titles.  We talk to our friends and they give us their opinions, which are very much their opinions

What are we to do?  The point here is that those who are simple or naïve, depending on your translation, just take what they hear and it produces nothing but folly.  On the other side, those who are prudent and careful in their thinking can end up with real knowledge.

So?  Again I remind you to start with the written word of God.  That will give you a standard by which to understand your world.  Once you have that foundation listen to what you hear, filtered through the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in your process.  

Redefining

Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV) The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

I make a point of regularly pointing out the difference between a skeptic and a cynic.  Perhaps here is a better word to describe the role of the skeptic.  Skeptics do not deny truth they just ask for proof.

Maybe it would be better to consider myself prudent, rather than skeptical.  It sounds more noble for one thing, but it means much the same.  There is truth.  Biblical truth is relatively easy to find.  Political truth and current events truth is almost impossible.  That is why we need to start with the Bible and then move on with a smell test to see what the world tells us.

So?  Accept that there is truth to be found, and that God will help you find it but like many things in life if you don’t go looking, it will remain buried. 

Clues of Eternity

Proverbs 14:32 (KJV) The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

There are some scholars who like to claim that the Old Testament has no belief in the afterlife.  That’s obviously an opinion.  Even in the days of Jesus you have the Sadducees and Pharisees.  One believed in the afterlife, one didn’t.  So the discussion went on even then.

If you do not believe in an afterlife, if the Bible does not teach an afterlife, then what is this?  “Hope” is talked about here.  There is a hope in the face of death.  The word is usually translated “trust”.  The point for us is even when we face death we can trust.

I don’t know if your church has a time were you share prayer requests but one of the things that keeps coming up in our church are people who are facing medical issues moving towards death.  It is reality.  As human beings death is one of those things along with taxes that we can count on, assuming Jesus doesn’t return first.

So?  Live in hope.  Live in trust.  God will be there on the other side for us.

Fake Is Bigger Than the News

Proverbs 14:15 (KJV) The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Have you read or watched any news today?  Did you believe what you read?  If you did you have my sympathy.  Buried in all that we are inundated with are some facts and some truth, but very little.  The problem isn’t that there is no truth.  The problem is that we don’t want to put the effort into digging it out.

There is a process.  It starts with listening carefully.  It then goes to comparing what different people say and what you know from the past.  You also need to mix in a heavy dose of common sense.  When you read a story about a person that goes totally against what you know their character to be, get out your salt shaker, and have a few grains.

I recently heard about a man from South Africa who was talking in glowing terms about how good things were there.  My skeptic bell went off, and I said to myself that does not go along with other things I have read and heard from what I consider reliable sources.  I asked the person reporting if they could vouch for the character and veracity of the person who was talking about South Africa and I got a pretty solid, “No”.   My conclusion was that the person speaking was either living in a bubble or being very dishonest.

So?  The most vital ingredient in finding truth in what goes on around you is a healthy skepticism that is willing to accept what is provable, but also willing to look beyond the surface to see if there was fraud or deceit going on.  Again, the basis that you need to judge truth is knowing the truth itself, found in the Scriptures.  The principles and standards there that can give you a foundation for evaluating everything else.  Don’t be simple.

I Don’t Understand

Proverbs 14:6 (KJV) A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

I’m sure we have all run into a situation where we carefully explain some thing and make it perfectly obvious and the person we’re talking to will get a puzzled look on their face and say, “I don’t understand.”  Sometimes you can take a look at what you were saying and find a little bit better way to clarify it, but often all you can do is kind of shake your head and wonder what part of clear facts don’t you understand?

I think that the CSB gives us an insight here,

Proverbs 14:6 (CSB) A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

The use of the word “perceptive” is a good choice.  When I look up the word in my software, part of the definition of being perceptive, having understanding, involves paying attention.  One of the great ways to understand some thing is to actually pay attention.

So?  Read.  Listen.  Contemplate.  And of course, that leads to a better chance of understanding.  Also include the assumption that you really want to understand.  Keep in mind that claiming you don’t understand on judgment day won’t carry a lot of weight. 

Deception

(Pro 14:8 KJV)  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

At first this seems like a contrast of two personalities, and it is, but that’s not the point.  You notice that one has “understanding” (995), and the other focuses on “deceit” (4820).  As I read this, I found myself wondering just who is being deceived?  I found the answer earlier in the same verse.

Another word I noticed that stood out when I began asking myself this question was that word in the first half of the verse “his”.  It says the prudent understands his way, but the fool deceives himself about what he’s doing.

The most insidious and prevalent form of deceit is in fooling yourself.  We have different words for it, such as “rationalization”.  We explain it away, because we feel that we are locked into our own perceptions and can’t see things from the other persons point of view.  We have a million excuses, but it ultimately comes down to deceiving ourselves.

So?  God has much to say to us.  If we listen, we learn.  If we ignore, then it is much easier to deceive ourselves.  Again I say, read, listen, contemplate, think, and grow in your understanding of God, and what He has for you. 

Be an Ox

(Pro 14:4 KJV)  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Once again, Moffatt’s translation makes me sit up and take notice.  This verse starts off very simply,

    “No oxen, no corn:”

I think we often tend to overlook the people who are doing the basic tasks, but keep our lives going.  We forget to be thankful for their efforts.  What they do is not glorious. It is not sexy. But it is necessary.

It would help if we would be thankful for these people, and it might be a great thing to do to thank them for what they contribute.

So?  Maybe we should start thanking the clerks stocking the shelves in the grocery stores when we walked by.  Sure they get paid.  I also think they are unappreciated.  Perhaps the clerk behind the counter when you get a hamburger needs to be thanked for their consistency and showing up for work.  The list is endless.  Who knows, it might become a way of reaching out in evangelism.

Schedules Reflect Priorities

(Pro 14:7 KJV)  Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

The second half of this verse is a bit different in the KJV and NASB.  I read it this morning in the NASB and there is seems to say that I will not be able to “discern” (3045) [yada] truth when I am in the “presence” (5048) of a “fool” (3684).  My thoughts went to the many situations I might be in where the presence of others keeps me from hearing the voice of God.  There are many.  Some are just a part of life such as having young children in the home.  Others are totally avoidable.  You don’t really need to attend that basketball game.

The point being made here is that we have to make intelligent, moral choices.  We need to decide if we want to hear the voice of God or whether that is second tier.  If it is a priority we need to seek time when we can listen.  It may be only a small slice.  It may be inconvenient.  It is still necessary.

So?  God wants to speak.  He wants us to hear.  He is doing His part.  We need to do ours.

Good Times

(Pro 14:9 KJV)  Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

The Amplified Bible likes to add things.  Sometimes they are deeper definitions and other times they are cool take-offs.  This verse has one of the latter.  In the first phrase it adds, “but sin mocks the fools.”  Not in the text but an interesting comment.  People with evil intent tend to look down on believers.  They think living morally is silly.  What this insert is pointing out is that God has the last laugh.  The result of their depravity will come back to bite them.  You may not see it.  They may not admit it.  It is still true.

I remember being in Vietnam and when making my way back to my bunk I saw a guy laying in the gutter.  He was passed out from all the alcohol he had “enjoyed”.  The next day he was talking about what a great time he had.  I asked him what he had done.  He said, “I can’t remember but I had a great time.”  

So?  No thanks.  Don’t get excited about their reports of the good times. 

Early Decisions

(Pro 14:22 KJV)  Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

As I meditated on this verse my thoughts went to the old issue of the chicken and the egg.  Which comes first the “devise” (2790a) or “err" (go astray NASB) (8582)?  My thoughts go to my questions about free will and grace.  There is a concept called “prevenient grace”.  My understanding of this is that it describes the working of the Holy Spirit in the unrepentant heart.  It is how God nudges or offers us chances to make decisions that nudge.  Because I believe in free will I think people make decisions before repentance that either move them toward or away from God.  Because I believe in original sin, I don’t think the natural man is capable of knowing where it will lead.  It does reflect he desire of the heart.

So?  God works on us a long time before we read the tract or hear the sermon.  I tend to think that usually our inclinations are what prompt Him to extend grace to us.  There are a lot of pitfalls down this path but it needs to be considered. 

Live by Extension

(Pro 14:21 KJV)  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Everywhere we look we see evidence of what a Godly life should be like.  Here we are told to be “gracious” (2603a).  The KJV has “mercy”.  To those who speak Hebrew this would call to mind the verse that mentions Noah finding grace.  The words are related just like they are in English.  They also seem to relate to the character of God.  

We are to live Godly lives.  That means being like Jesus in our daily acts.  That means being gracious to those society rejects.  Keep in mind that God has every reason to reject us and yet He extends His favor.

So?  Consider it an extension of the Golden Rule.  We are not to treat people as they deserve but as God expects.