Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:1

19:1 The contrast is between a poor person who is honest and a devious (and perhaps rich) fool who distorts the truth. The poor person has it all over the fool; he is better off. 19:2 Also, it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge. This man knows what he wants to do, but he doesn’t know how to do it, so he goes off “half-cocked.” Haste only adds to his misery. He is in too much of a hurry to ask for directions or to follow them if given, so he misses the way and goes around in circles. 19:3 When men make a mess of their lives, they turn around and blame the Lord. Thus, Adam tried to put the blame on God with the words “The woman whom You gave to be with me . . .” (Gen_3:12). More than we know, apostasy has its seeds in moral failure. A man engages in some form of immorality, then instead of confessing and forsaking the sin, he turns away from the Christian faith and rages against the LORD. W. F. Adeney comments, “It is monstrous to charge the providence of God with the consequences of actions that He has forbidden.” 19:4 The fact that wealth makes many friends is a proof of the innate selfishness of the human heart. The poor man is separated from his friend because the latter wants only those friendships that will benefit him. 19:5 One who gives false testimony or engages in other forms of dishonesty will surely be punished by the Lord, even if he is never caught in this life. 19:6 The nobility here means a generous or powerful person. Many try to cultivate his friendship with the hope of getting favors. People tend to befriend those from whom they hope to benefit. 19:7 The relatives of a poor man often desert him. Much more do his friends give him the cold shoulder. He appeals to them pathetically for help and sympathy, yet they abandon him. 19:8 It is a form of enlightened self-interest to seek wisdom and common sense. And to hold on to understanding and insight is a sure road to success. 19:9 We should not be surprised at the frequency with which this is repeated. After all, one of the Ten Commandments deals with perjury (Exo_20:16). 19:10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool. He doesn’t know how to act in the midst of culture and refinement. Neither does a slave know how to act in a position of authority. He treats his former superiors arrogantly. 19:11 A man of good sense knows how to control his temper. He can graciously overlook it when somebody wrongs him. The big-heartedness which David frequently displayed toward Saul illustrates the proverb well. 19:12 The king’s wrath, like a lion’s roaring, warns offenders of danger ahead. His favor to those who are obedient subjects is as gentle and refreshing as dew on the grass. Rom_13:1-7 sets forth these two aspects of governmental authority and cautions, “Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (v. 5). 19:13 Two things that make domestic life miserable are a wayward son and a nagging wife. The former brings grief to his father, and the latter is as annoying as a continual dripping of water on metal. 19:14 You can inherit real estate and money from fathers, but only the LORD can provide a prudent wife. She is a special gift of God. This reminds us of Isaac and Rebekah’s storybook marriage, of which it is said, “The thing comes from the Lord” (Gen_24:50). It was a marriage that was arranged in heaven. 19:15 Laziness is like a drug that casts one into a deep sleep. An idle person courts poverty and will suffer hunger. This is true in connection with Bible study and prayer. 19:16 The one who obeys the commandment of the Lord is doing what is best for himself in the long run, both physically and spiritually. The person who lives recklessly and carelessly will die. 19:17 Giving to the poor is lending to the LORD. God will not only pay back the amount loaned but will pay good interest as well. Even a cup of cold water given in His name will be rewarded (Mat_10:42). Henry Bosch illustrates: A father once gave his boy a half dollar, telling him he could do with it as he pleased. Later when he asked about it, the little fellow said he had lent it to someone. “Did you get good security?” inquired his father. “Yes, I gave it to a poor beggar who looked hungry!” “O how foolish you are. You’ll never get it back!” “But Dad, I have the best security; for the Bible says, he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord!” Thinking this over, the Christian father was so pleased that he gave his son another half dollar! “See!” said the boy. “I told you I’d get it again, only I didn’t think it would come so soon!” We lose what on ourselves we spend, We have, as treasures without end, Whatever, Lord, to Thee we lend, Who givest all. Christopher Wordsworth19:18 Discipline your son while he is still young and teachable. Corporal punishment, administered fairly and in an atmosphere of genuine love, will not harm him but, on the contrary, will do him an enormous amount of good. The second line, “do not set your heart on his destruction,” means you should not let his life be ruined by your refusal to punish him. Permissiveness is cruelty. It could also mean, of course, “Don’t become so angry that you are in danger of overpunishing him.” 19:19 A hot-headed man will suffer punishment for it. Even if you rescue him from the consequences of his vile temper, he will soon be at it again, and you will have to do it again. 19:20 Listen to sound advice and receive instruction in early life, so that you may be wise in later life. As someone has said, “Wisdom is a long-term investment.” 19:21 Man makes all kinds of plans, nevertheless it is the LORD’s purposes that come to pass. “Man has his wickedness but God has His way.” Ultimately man can do nothing against the truth (2Co_13:8). 19:22 Darby’s translation of this verse is priceless: “The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.” The quality that endears a man to you is kindness. That’s what makes him to be desired as a friend. A poor man who has nothing but sympathy to offer is better than a rich man who promises help but doesn’t deliver it. 19:23 The fear of the LORD is the pathway to life. The one who has it has every reason to be satisfied. He will not be overtaken with calamity. 19:24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. He reaches into the bowl of potato chips but is too lazy to lift them to his mouth. They are too heavy. 19:25 Even if you strike a scoffer, he won’t change, but at least some impressionable onlookers might learn a lesson. This is reminiscent of 1Ti_5:20, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” You don’t have to strike one who has understanding. A word of rebuke will make him correct his error and grow wiser in the process. 19:26 A son who mistreats or slanders (Berkeley) his father and evicts his mother from the home is shameful and disgraceful himself and brings disgrace and reproach to his heartbroken parents. It is small thanks for all his parents have done for him. 19:27 This proverb is like a diamond; every way you turn it, it sparkles with new light. The three most probable interpretations are these: The KJV means, “Excellent advice for young people in schools and colleges where the Bible is under attack! Better to sacrifice a college career than to subject yourself to a barrage of doubts and denials.” The RSV and Berkeley read: “Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to stray from the words of knowledge.” There is no sense in getting good instruction if you are not going to obey it. You are wasting your own time and the teacher’s, and increasing your load of guilt. “It is better not to know, than, knowing, to fail to do.” The third interpretation is a warning: “Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge” (NKJV). 19:28 A disreputable witness scorns justiceexcept when he is on trial! He greedily devours or spreads iniquity. He resembles Eliphaz’s description of man, drinking iniquity like water (Job_15:16). 19:29 While scoffers and fools play to the balconies from the stage of human history, punishment and judgments are waiting in the wings. As soon as the curtain is drawn, the inevitable meeting will take place.