Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. THE ROD AND REPROOF GIVE WISDOM ( ): BUT A CHILD LEFT (TO HIMSELF) BRINGETH HIS MOTHER TO SHAME. The mother, by her weakness and over-indulgence, was most in fault, and therefore shall bear the chief "shame" of her son's misconduct....

LEFT TO HIMSELF - The condition of one who has been pampered and indulged. The mother who yields weakly is as guilty of abandoning the child she spoils, as if she cast him forth; and for her evil neglect, there shall fall upon her the righteous punishment of shame and ignominy....

EXPOSITION This chapter reinforces many precept given previously. PROVERBS 29:1 HE THAT BEING OFTEN REPROVED HARDENETH HIS NECK; literally, _a man of reproofs—_one_ _who has had a long experience of rebukes and warnings. Compare "a man of sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3). The hardening of the neck is a metaphor derived from obstinate draught animals who will not submit to the yoke (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 27:8). Christ calls his yoke easy, and bids his followers

THE ROD AND REPROOF GIVE WISDOM,.... Are the means of giving wisdom to a child, reproved by its parent with the rod; and of driving out foolishness from him, and of making him wiser for the time to come; he shunning those evils for which he was before corrected, Proverbs 22:15; So the children of God grow wiser by the corrections and chastisements of their heavenly Father, which are always for their good; and he is a man of wisdom that hearkens to the rod, and to him that has appointed it, and learns the proper instructions from it, Micah 6:9; BUT A CHILD LEFT TO [HIMSELF] BRINGETH HIS MOTHER TO SHAME; a child that has the reins thrown upon his neck, is under no restraint of parents, but suffered to take his own way, is left to do his own will and pleasure; he does those things which his par

CHAPTER 29 THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS These final instructions given in proverbs cover the similar ground as those in the previous Chapter s. Wisdom shines out in each, and the contents of every proverb shows that the author is not Solomon but He who is perfect in knowledge. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Scripture abounds with examples of cases of hardening the neck and the heart, like Pharaoh, Ahab and others. This proverb will be finally proven to be the truth when an ungodly age will end with judgment for those who were often reproved and continue in sin. Once more the sin of flattery is mentioned. “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet” Proverbs 29:5. Flattery is akin to lying and can never be right, but is always a mistake, which results in the gravest consequences. More servants

PROVERBS 29:2. _cf._ Proverbs 11:10 f., Proverbs 28:12. Proverbs 29:4. he that exacteth gifts: lit. a man of presents. Proverbs 29:9 b. Who is the subject? If it is the wise man, the meaning is that however he treats his opponent, seriously or lightly, he cannot end the matter. If it is the fool, the thought will be that he shows no decorum of manner. The proverb seems directed against a wise man's going to law with a fool....

_left_to himself] Comp. 1 Kings 1:6....

TEXT Proverbs 29:10-18 10. The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect: And as for the upright, they seek his life. 11. A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. 12. If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked. 13. The poor man and the oppressor met together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both. 14. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever. 15. The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother. 16. When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall. 17. Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul. 18....

KINGS AND FATHERS 3. Cp. the prodigal son (Luke 15)....

LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 29 V1 A man might refuse to change his behaviour, even if many people try to correct him. A terrible trouble will suddenly ruin that man’s life. No remedy can save him. V2 When good people succeed, everybody is happy. When wicked people rule, everybody suffers. V3 A man’s wisdom brings joy to his father....