Proverbs 17:24, Life Focused or Fickle!

November 22, Proverbs 17:24

Ps. 119:37; Phil. 3:12-16; 4:11-13 “To me to live is Christ.”

Life Focused or Fickle!

When Wisdom enters the heart (2:10) it must rule there (14:33), for it is the Word of God. “The prudent man keeps the word of God constantly in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness” (Henry). It also directs the faith and life of the wise by the principle of the Love of God. All this is before the eyes of the one who is here contrasted with the fool.

1. A Directed Life: Wisdom is before him that hath understanding (24a). Again, The wise man’s eyes are in his head (Eccl. 2:14).

a. He sets his face toward the great uncreated Wisdom as the firm objective and concern of his life. His face is an index of his soul for it reflects Christ. A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine (Eccl. 8:1). Wisdom, here, is said to “appear” on the countenance of the wise. Paul likens it to an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18). His wisdom is ever ready for use; it is always before his eyes (1 Cor. 1:30).

b. He aims to get what he is after, if focus and motive mean anything. His is a disciplined, concentrated mind and a life that works within the limits of his circumstances. He knows where he is going, and is determined to get there. He is rooted and grounded in his hold on life’s goal. He trusts the word of Jesus when He said, If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine (Jn. 7:17). Like the Apostle Paul, he says, This one thing I do…. I press toward the mark for the prize (Phil. 3:13-14). Spiritual greatness does not come from without but from within. His is indeed a focused life!

2. A Distracted Life: But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth (24b). An old proverb puts this more humorously, “Far fowls have fine feathers.”

a. His aim is directionless. The eyes of a fool roll to and fro! He imagines that something far distance is the only thing that can meet his need. He does not see what is just under his nose. His mind is here, there and anywhere, except where it should be, on the task in hand. Ours is said to be an age when everyone wants it, but no one is willing to reform himself. No wonder the Psalmist cried, Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity.

b. His life is meaningless, full of dreams without reality, illusions, all too impractical or too idealistic. His eyes scan the world over but he never achieves his goal or realises his dream. He looks at emptiness. “Far off water won’t quench near fire.” He is like the one who is seeking rest and finding none (Mt. 12:43). Thus happiness is always “someplace else.” Discontentment sets in, and even God is blamed for the place where he is. He is the master of procrastination, and never does anything in the end (Jas. 1:8). Yet are not many of us as guilty? It is the old “siren call of far away fields” that are greener than the ones in our own back yard!

Thought: Learn wisdom; keep your eye fixed; your feet firm on its path.

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to seize the impossible for Thee, not just dream.