Category: Devotions

In this verse there are two more different words for poor (14:20, 21, 23). The first means thin (Joseph’s poor kine). These poor are so stricken with poverty; but they are not responsible for their condition. The one who oppresses them. therefore, reproaches his Maker. The second word for poor is often translated needy (30:14; 31:9, 20). These poor must resort to begging. Could this be why the rabbis taught that God created the poor for the benefit of the rich so that they would have someone to give alms to?

We must not let our behaviour be set by the world’s standards, but by the Word’s Standard. Enoch had this testimony, that he pleased God (Heb. 11:5). Let us strive to follow the principle that motivated Paul. He would have us ask, Do I now please men or God (Gal. 1:10)? Verse 29 deals with anger and patience. Verse 30 shows there is a vital relation between soundness of mind and a healthy body!

There are several Hebrew words translated honour. The one used here (hadar) means large, ample. To honour the king, the crowd must be large, for want of people is the destruction of the prince, his terror. In Ps. 29:2 it means beauty, and in Ps. 45:3-4 it is twice rendered Majesty. Such honour can rarely be attributed to an earthly king, but must be ascribed to the One who is King of Kings!

Fear of man robs of confidence. Such fear has torment. The fear of the Lord produces a true and abiding confidence because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us (Rom. 5:5).

Fear of God stands for actual godliness. It is simply another way of expressing true Saving Faith. This fear is a holy, humble, happy principle of life. It is a fear born of love. Bridges defines it as “reverence tempered with love.” Many think this strikes a discordant note, but it does not. To fear the Lord delivers from all fear (Matt. 24:35). The godly fear, but are not afraid. This is a fear that emboldens while the world’s fear “doth make cowards of us all.

D. Kidner rejects the Christian overtones of the A. V. (KJV) here. He believes this proverb belongs strictly in the context of the law-court. In that case, thinks David Thomas, this true witness cannot deliver souls if the facts should prove incriminating! Therefore, a true witness cannot always deliver souls. Robert Alden says, “A faithful witness might save innocent people from the death penalty, or symbolically, from a New Testament point of view, his true testimony about man’s destiny and need of Jesus Christ might save his soul for eternity. This symbolic meaning may be more than what Solomon meant, yet certainly is not more than what the Holy Spirit might have meant when He included this proverb.” This is a very important reminder that the Author of all Scripture is the Holy Spirit. The New Testament is always the key to the Old Testament. Only as we understand this true witness as a Gospel witness will this proverb prove invariably true.

2. The Results: The previous verse stressed the activity. Now the emphasis is on the results of that activity. It seems both parties receive rewards, yet how differently they turn out. A Crown is the reward for wisdom, but only foolishness for fools. The repetitions of the words for fool provide a graphic witness to the utter emptiness of folly. Proverbs reminds us that riches are a gift from God, and shows us how to treat this gift, and the dangers inherent in its possession.

1. The Actions: Two types of activity are described. In v.23 the contrast is between real labour and mere talk, while in v.24 it is the different results of wisdom versus folly. All are not born equal, neither is all labour equal, nor is all talk useless. Purposeful work always profits, while the tongue, without a godly heart, makes for poverty. “The stirring hand gets the penny” (Henry).

Evil does as evil thinks! To do evil is bad enough, but how much worse to devise evil. Those who carry out the evil plots of their superiors are held accountable even when they are obeying orders from above. Are not those at the top even more guilty? We sometimes hear of corporate executives fined or sent to jail for crimes of their companies, and of so-called warlords being convicted for the atrocities carried out by the soldiers under their command.

The Book of Proverbs looks at the subject of unkindness from many angles. In 11:12 it is to be void of heart (marg.). The “observation” of a sad fact in 14.20 has become, in 14:21, a “lesson” of a sin act. To despise one’s (poor) neighbours surely to sin. It rejects the will and loses the blessing of God. To have mercy on the poor brings happiness or blessedness, a foretaste of Heaven. Here let us observe.

This proverb sets forth an all too common fact of life. Though written thousands of years ago, its message is as contemporary as today, nor has the way of the world changed in the interim. The poor is hated… but the rich has many friends. Still more sadly, what this proverb depicts is often the way of those who profess to follow Him who was the Friend of sinners. Perhaps more poor folk have been turned away from our churches because of this un-Christlike treatment than almost any other sin, unless it be race!