PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:1 The benefits of the sensible labor of the WISEST OF WOMEN and the careful speech of the WISE are contrasted with the harmful effects of the acts of FOLLY and the words of the FOOL. WITH HER OWN HANDS TEARS IT DOWN. Sinful people sometimes foolishly destroy the results... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:4 If the STRENGTH OF THE OX is the means for plowing the ground to produce ABUNDANT CROPS, then protecting OXEN in a stable is a necessary part of the labor, even though it involves the unpleasant work of cleaning the stable. An empty stable may be CLEAN (thus not requir... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:5 A person’s character is shown through his speech. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:8 This section begins and ends with contrasts between the PRUDENT (vv. Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:15) and FOOLS and the SIMPLE (vv. Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:15). A person’s conduct in life always has consequences.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:9 GUILT OFFERING. See Leviticus 5:14. The UPRIGHT finds ACCEPTANCE from the Lord because his sacrifice was sincerely given (see Leviticus 1:3). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:20 THE POOR IS DISLIKED is an observation on how the world works, not an endorsement of such an attitude (see v. Proverbs 14:21; and note on 10:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:21 Proverbs 1:1 commends being GENEROUS TO THE POOR, particularly those among God’s people (see Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 21:13; Proverbs 31:20; see Deuteronomy 15:7). ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:24 The phrase THE FOLLY OF FOOLS BRINGS FOLLY appropriately captures the continuous nature of the foolish path. See v. Proverbs 14:8; Proverbs 16:22. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:26 The FEAR OF THE LORD brings the CONFIDENCE of lasting security (v. Proverbs 14:26) and molds a person’s character to follow the right path (v. Proverbs 14:27). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docu [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:27 THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. The “teaching of the wise” is also called a “fountain of life” in an otherwise identical proverb (Proverbs 13:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:28 Verses Proverbs 14:28 and Proverbs 14:35, both of which concern a KING, provide a frame for this paragraph. A person must rule his HEART with WISDOM (vv. Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 14:33). He must understand that all are under a higher sovereign (v.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 14:34 RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION. Morally righteous behavior has far-reaching effects, especially when rulers make fair laws and show concern for their people. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]