Proverbs 18
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Proverbs 18:1-2:
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. |
We are lonely but fearful of intimacy. Digital connections and the sociable robot may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. Our networked life allows us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other. We’d rather text than talk. (Sherry Turkle, Alone Together, 1)
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24–25)
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Notice that it is “desire” that has come between him and God. It is his demand for self-gratification that ignites the conflict between him and his loved ones. He attacks the authorities in his life, blind or calloused to the reality that his sinful lusts have driven the wedge between he and his parents.
A fool is bullheaded and headstrong; driven by greed and lust, lacking discretion. Author Derek Kidner writes, “The double trouble of the fool is his ‘closed mind’ and ‘open mouth.’” (Derek Kidner, The Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 127).
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A life with less people actually might sound kind of appealing. You may struggle to relate to the possible dangers of isolation. Wisdom, however, knows the hazards hiding in the shadows of our seclusion: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1).
What kind of isolation did the wise man have in mind? The next verse gives us a clearer picture: A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2) He doesn’t want to hear what others think; he only wants someone to hear what he thinks. This strikes a major nerve in the book of Proverbs. As this wise father prepares his son for the realities of life in this wild and menacing world, he wants him to see that some of the greatest threats are stowaways, striking from within. He warns him, in particular, about the ruinous power of unchecked pride. -Marshal Segal; Desiring God 
Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
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a. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire: To cut one’s self off from family, friends, and community is often to express a selfish desire. It shows an unwillingness to make the small (and sometimes large) sacrifices to get along with others.
i. “The Mishnah uses this passage to teach the necessity of not separating from the community, because people have responsibilities as social beings (Aboth 2:4).” (Ross)
b. He rages against all wise judgment: God designed us after His own triune nature; He designed us to live in community. The instinct many have for isolation must not be over-indulged; it is against all wise judgment.
i. “The protest of this proverb is against the self-satisfaction which makes a man separate himself from the thoughts and opinions of others. Such a one finally ‘rages against,’ or ‘quarrels with all sound wisdom.’” (Morgan) -Enduring Word
i. “The Mishnah uses this passage to teach the necessity of not separating from the community, because people have responsibilities as social beings (Aboth 2:4).” (Ross)
b. He rages against all wise judgment: God designed us after His own triune nature; He designed us to live in community. The instinct many have for isolation must not be over-indulged; it is against all wise judgment.
i. “The protest of this proverb is against the self-satisfaction which makes a man separate himself from the thoughts and opinions of others. Such a one finally ‘rages against,’ or ‘quarrels with all sound wisdom.’” (Morgan) -Enduring Word
Isolation dies in church families that know they need, and want, to gather. For them, Sunday mornings aren’t a sweet addition to a full and happy life; they are the foundation of a full and happy life. God means for us to know him, serve him, enjoy him, and become like him as a part of Christ’s body. The more isolated we become, the more we cut ourselves off from the fountains of his grace, mercy, and guidance.
Proverbs 18:3-13:
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
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Proverbs 18:14:
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? |
Derek Prince wrote: "When you have given yourself without reservation, when you have poured out you love, when you have made yourself available--and then you are rejected--the wound within may be described as a "crushed spirit." Other translations use the phrase "wounded spirit" or "broken spirit." Wounds in the spirit go to a deeper level than the conscious mind or the human memory. Many people carry wounds in their spirit that the mind will not face and the memory does not recall. But these wounds have not been blotted out of the spirit. "A crushed spirit who can bear?" It takes away strength. It takes away initiative. It takes away the joy of living. It saps the very life force."
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Proverbs 18:15-20:
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
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Proverbs 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. |
Would every politician, pundit, celebrity, and commentator commit that verse to memory and take it to heart?
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In a largely illiterate world, laughing was something one did with other people. Early theorists of humour considered it a form of speech rather than writing. And speech could be extremely dangerous, as the Bible warned: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Proverbs); ‘The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity’ (James). Elsewhere in scripture the tongue is compared to a razor, a sword, a bow, an arrow – words were lethal weapons. The Bible didn’t offer much justification for laughter. Saint Paul, for instance, told the Ephesians not to indulge in ‘foolish talking or jesting’. Only the example of Elijah, who taunted the false prophets of Baal, seems to show that, as the 17th-century theologian Isaac Barrow wrote, ‘facetious wit’ was sometimes the best response to ‘base and vile’ things. ‘When plain declarations will not enlighten people ... and blunt arguments will not penetrate,’ he argued, ‘then doth reason freely resign its place to wit, allowing it to undertake its work of instruction and reproof.’ -Fara Dabhowala
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Proverbs 18:22-24:
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. |
Gospel singer and former Kelele Takatifu Member Moji Short Baba walked down the aisle with the love of his life Nyawira Gachugi, in a secretly guarded affair. The two shared pictures of their wedding on social media, making it public that they were officially husband and wife.
“Been waiting to use this verse for a long time, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22" @nyawiragachugi I am glad I found you! And I can't wait to see what God has in-store for us!❤️#MygoodNyamu #mtunamtuwake #2021NIYETU,” wrote Moji Short Baba. -The Pulse |
Proverbs 18:23:
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.
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Proverbs 18:24:
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
A reminder to choose my friends carefully and, when I do that, I know who I can truly trust and rely on
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