There are those that have set themselves against God and the things of God, scoffers, proud and arrogant, in Psalm 73:8–9 (LEB) “They mock and speak maliciously of oppression; they speak as though from on high. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue roams the earth” and it is a bad end for them. Sadly though, there are others that may follow them, those that simply don’t know or haven’t yet understood. It is God’s word that these people need in Psalm 19:7–8 (LEB) “The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life. The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice. The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes”. And, by learning and understanding, we come to a new kind of life where in Proverbs 21:8 (LEB) “the pure is upright in his conduct” and in Proverbs 20:15 (LEB) “precious jewels are lips of knowledge”.
Judgments Are Prepared for Scoffers
Proverbs 19:24-29
This is a hard message in our culture where we have a religious mind that only says love everyone. Yes, God is love and God is also Holy and Righteous. Here there is a description of a person that does not know God and doesn’t want to. These people, “the scoffer”, ‘ “A proud person, an arrogant person—‘Scoffer’ is his name.” BDB 267 s.v. זֵד suggests, “A presumptuous man, [who is] haughty, scoffer is his name.” ‘1 in
Psalm 73:8–9 (LEB) They mock and speak maliciously of oppression; they speak as though from on high. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue roams the earth.
These people cause trouble for everyone if they are not stopped in
Proverbs 19:25 (LEB) The scoffer you shall strike, and the simple, may they learn prudence, and reprove the intelligent and he will gain knowledge.
We find that “There are three types of people in this proverb: the scorner with a closed mind, the simpleton with an empty mind, and the discerning person with an open mind (D. Kidner, Proverbs [TOTC], 135). The simpleton learns by observing a scoffer being punished, even though the punishment will have no effect on the scoffer.”2 and then “when warnings fail”3 judgments are necessary in
Proverbs 19:29 (LEB) Judgments are prepared for the scoffers, and flogging for the back of fools.
The word here for Judgements is “9150 שֶׁפֶט (šě·p̄ěṭ): n.masc.; ≡ Str 8201; TWOT 2443a—LN 38.1–38.13 punishment, judgment, i.e., act. of inflicting pain or suffering on a guilty party, either to improve behavior, or for strict justice”4 but there is no expectation that the scorner will improve behavior so this is simply “for strict justice” of the scoffer.
It is Honorable to Refrain From Strife
Proverbs 20:1-5
He Who Walks in His Integrity is Righteous
Precious Jewels are Lips of Knowledge
Proverbs 20:11-15
We are known for our actions and others gain experience with us over time and know our character. Young men are developing and so there is no basis yet for knowing them until they expose their heart through their actions in
Proverbs 20:11 (LEB) Even by his acts, a young man will make himself known, whether his acts are pure and upright.
but young people often make mistakes and we may carry the consequences for those mistakes into our adult relationships. Some say that people never change, but with God, we can change our way, we can repent, and in
Ephesians 4:22–24 (LEB) that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth.
It is then our challenge to allow God to change others as we keep the door open for them to choose to live for God. It is not always easy for us but we are to forgive and not judge as Jesus said in
Luke 6:37 (LEB) “And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned”.
There is for us a new kind of life where we give thanks to God, where we bless and not curse, a life where we find the most valuable things with one being in
Proverbs 20:15 (LEB) There is gold and many costly stones, but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.
A Plan Will be Established by Advice
Proverbs 20:16–20
Wait for Yahweh and He Will Deliver You
Proverbs 20:21–25
Loyalty and Faithfulness Will Preserve a King
Proverbs 20:26–30
The Plans of the Diligent Only Lead to Abundance
The Pure is Upright in His Conduct
Proverbs 21:6–10
These Proverbs offer the outcome of bad behavior where death results in
Proverbs 21:6 (LEB) He who makes treasure by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and seeker of death.
and “violence” is “swept away” in
Proverbs 21:7 (LEB) The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to do justice.
Then, there is an awkward translation in the LEB using the word “foreigner”. And, in the KJV it is translated “strange”. The word here is “2261 וָזָר (wā·zār): adj.; ≡ Str 2054; TWOT 521—LN 88.289–88.318 guilty, i.e., pertaining to a person that has violated a standard, implying a moral corruption”5 so, in
Proverbs 21:8 (LEB) Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner, but the pure is upright in his conduct.
where the word upright is “(yā·šār): n.masc. [see also 3838]; ≡ Str 3477; TWOT 930a—1. LN 88.12–88.23 what is right, i.e., what conforms to a moral standard (Job 33:27; Mic 3:9; Pr 16:13; Ps 111:8); 2. LN 88.12–88.23 upright person, i.e., one who conforms to a standard (Mic 2:7)6 so, this might be read as: the crooked (the person) that has violated pure and upright conduct (based on God’s standard) is morally corrupt, they are guilty but those with a pure heart toward God are upright (follow after God’s ways) in conduct.
Study Verses
- Proverbs 19:24-29 Judgments Are Prepared for Scoffers
- Proverbs 20:11–15 Precious Jewels are Lips of Knowledge
- Proverbs 21:6–10 The Pure is Upright in His Conduct
Today’s Reading
- Proverbs 19:24-29
- Proverbs 20:1-30
- Proverbs 21:1-10
References
- 1. Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Pr 21:24). Biblical Studies Press.
- 2. Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Pr 19:25). Biblical Studies Press.
- 3. Kidner, D. (1964). Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 128). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- 4. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
- 5. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
- 6. Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.