Category: Devotions

What is it that in the midst of fools is made known? Is it folly or wisdom? The word wisdom and both verbs are feminine. It is thus that most modern versions contradict one another, depending on which option they choose. RSV says, but it (wisdom) is not known in the heart of fools. The RSV footnote shows it followed the Greek (LXX), but adds “Heb. lacks not.” The NRSV, reflecting the very latest scholarship, still inserts not known, while adding a note that not only the Hebrew lacks not, but also Greek and Syriac versions! NASV reads, but in the bosom of fools it (wisdom) is made known. Yet, the NAV (with Apocrypha) reads, but in the bosom of fools it is unknown! Surely Bibles that contradict one another cannot be the Word of God! Since folly is also feminine (14:24), there is no problem with the verb. The simple contrast in this proverb must be between the wise person who shows wisdom, and fools, who only display their folly!

The faith that justified Abraham was the same faith that justified Paul. Likewise, the true saints under the Old Covenant, lived on the sincere milk of the Word, and were nourished thereby, whatever the measure of their grasp of the fullness of its truth was. In more recent times, many individuals boasted, and denominations claimed, that their creeds were based on the Bible alone. Sadly, their practice does not support many of those claims. What Satan began with, Yea, hath God said, is now, for many, Yea, God has not said!

Because our readings are primarily devotional, we do not often digress into strictly matters of textual criticism. Such discussions are rather technical and may seem remote for the average reader’s needs. They seem rather involved, but they show how the Words of God can be corrupted. Allow this departure on 14:32, because it does illustrate how subtle changes are introduced into God’s Word unobserved by most new version readers.

2. How Do The Righteous Die? Hopeful! They sorrow not as others (1 Thes. 4:13-18), because death is swallowed in Victory (1 Cor. 15:42-58). Calvin said, “The word ‘hope’ I take for faith; and indeed hope is nothing else but the constancy of faith.” “Faith is the victory, that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).

1. How Do The Wicked Die? Hopeless! It is true that God desires not the death of the wicked. Terrible must that death be! You only die once. You had better learn to do it well! Yet sinners entertain the vain notion that they have a chance of heaven, but there is no such a chance in the message of today’s proverb!

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.