Blah, Blah, Blah

In your mind you think, “Oh, no! Not ‘so-and-so.’ He never let’s you get a word in edgewise. Talk, Talk, Talk.”

I grew up hearing the not-so-lovable reference: Chatty Cathy. It described the girl or woman who just never seemed to stop talking. Often times it was even used as a double put-down for a boy who could not control his tongue.

Perhaps you’ve heard the amusing saying: “It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Or, "Blessed is he who has nothing to say and refrains from using words to express it."

There are many amusing, and no-so-amusing sayings to describe those who have little control or discretion over their speech.

• It is embarrassing to “stick your foot in your mouth.”
• It would be very embarrassing to learn that your closest friends refer to you as a ‘Chatty Cathy.’
• It would be ‘beyond embarrassing’ to learn that people actually avoid you because you simply talk, talk, talk . . . too much!

Embarrassment is not the real concern.

   When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
   But he who restrains his lips is wise.
   --Proverbs 10:19

Be wise!

Are The Proverbs Believable

Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
--Proverbs 30:5

God’s word has already been tested. There is no need for us to test or evaluate God’s word to see if it holds true. For example:

Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, 
But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 
 —Proverbs 10:4

Is it necessary for you to try this out before you believe it? Do you need to research this saying by observing the results of others who are either negligent or diligent in their work? Does it upset you or make you doubt when you think of people who are ‘exceptions’ having seemingly struck it rich in other ways such as: inheritance, get-rich-quick scheme, lucky find, auction treasure, etc.?

Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives.
—Proverbs 19:18 (New Living Translation)

Has modern research governed our thinking about discipline? Who wants to test this proverb on their own children only to find out that God had it right? Do you know children that appear to be exceptions (they had no discipline in the home but turned out great, and vice versa)? If so, would you be willing to omit discipline and just cross your fingers and wish for your child(ren) to turn out great?

Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, 
     for they are on their way to poverty, 
     and too much sleep clothes them in rags. 
 —Proverbs 23:20–21 (New Living Translation)

What would it take to test this proverb? How long to prove it true or false? Do we look at teachings like this but disregard the warning about those with whom we spend our time? Can I associate with evil and not be affected?

The Proverbs do not stand as neutral teachings subject to the testing and approval of man.

In the first proverb quoted here, to ‘take refuge’ in God is to trust His word even when it seems to go against the wisdom of our day. It will serve as a protection to you just as a shield protects a warrior on the battlefield.

God’s word is true. It is trustworthy. It is ready for use.

Embrace the Proverbs. Embrace the truth of God’s word. Here are four more proverbs for our day that are important to live by:

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, 
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. 
—Proverbs 16:32

A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, 
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
 —Proverbs 22:15 (New Living Translation)

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, 
Favor is better than silver and gold. 
—Proverbs 22:1

Do not let your heart envy sinners, 
But live in the fear of the Lord always. 
—Proverbs 23:17

You will need to supply only one thing: genuine faith.

Mark Stinnett

A Shady Deal

   Ill-gotten gains do not profit, 
   But righteousness delivers from death.
   --Proverbs 10:2

Some translations read, “Treasures gained by wickedness,” or something similar. So, what exactly is Solomon talking about?

The term ‘gains’ or ‘treasures’ is not referring to a hidden treasure or a gold mine. It is literally, ‘that which you store up.’ So, you might think about your savings account, your retirement account, your Swiss bank account. (You get the point.) Your ‘gains’ might also be material possessions that you have collected and stored up.

The Hebrew term for ‘ill-gotten’ is rooted in the idea of ‘wickedness.’ So, the idea is that of possessing money or things which you have accumulated through dishonest means. Perhaps it was a white lie, fudging some numbers on your income taxes, taking supplies from your workplace, withholding information on the sale of a house or car (a shady deal); perhaps something more serious.

On the surface it would appear that you beat the system. You may have even eased your conscience by rationalizing that you were not caught; or it was so small it really did not matter; or other people do it all the time, or ________ (fill in the blank with your favorite rationalization).

It would appear that you have benefited from your gain, but consider the contrast found in the proverb: Profit is set in contrast with . . . death.

The brutal reality is that while there ‘appears’ to be a profit (benefit), there is death.

In stark contrast: Righteousness (doing what is right in God’s eyes) delivers from death.

We know the opposites: life and death. We would never choose death over life. However, Solomon sets things in a more practical language:
There is life and there is wealth gained through dishonesty.

Be wise.
Choose life.
Do right.

There's a lot of babbling going on

Today, a lab experiment.

Many proverbs are simple statements of comparison and contrast. However, the one I have chosen for this blarticle (blog article) is a little different. I think its meaning is straightforward, but it provides a good specimen for dissection. But don't worry, it will not be messy; we will use simple observation. I hope it will be of benefit when reading/pondering proverbs that are similar.

One of the most common types of proverbs consists of two contrasting statements with similar elements. In general, the reader is easily able to align the elements.

Example:
   Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
   But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
   --Proverbs 10:4

The simplicity of the connected elements makes this proverb easy to understand. The elements that match are as follows:
  Object: A hand compared to a hand.
  Description: A negligent hand in contrast to diligent hand.
  Result: Poor in contrast to rich.

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Another example:
   He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
   But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
   --Proverbs 10:5

Matching elements:
  Object: A son compared to a son.
  Activity: Gathering in summer in contrast to sleeping in harvest.
  Character: Wise action in contrast to shameful action.
The character (wise/shameful) is descriptive of the inner person that motivates, and also the external result.

-------------

Now for today’s proverb. Though not difficult to understand, you will see a departure from the simple comparison/contrast with easily identifiable related elements.

   The wise of heart will receive commands,
   But a babbling fool will be thrown down.
   --Proverbs 10:8

The elements presented differ in kind:
Heart appears to be set parallel to babbler, but they are not alike in 'kind.'
In addition, one receives the other is acted upon; actions but different in 'kind.'

To see the complete picture, the reader has to ‘fill in some of the blanks.’

Object: A person compared to a person.

Description: The wise of heart is descriptive of the inner 'being' of a person. The inner being of the fool is not described, but his heart is obvious. So...The wise of heart stands in contrast to the ________ of heart.

Action: The fool expresses himself outwardly by babbling. This stands in contrast to the wise who:_______.

Result: The resulting actions come to each from an outside source. However, the action words show contrasting pictures: receiving contrasted with being thrown down. So, let’s put it all together with implied elements in brackets.

Object: One who is wise of heart contrasted with one who is [foolish of heart].
Action: [Silence or listening] contrasted with babbling.
Result: [Willingly] receiving commands contrasting with [unwillingly] being thrown down (i.e. cast out).
Extended result: [Accepted for service and life] contrasting with rejection [and destruction].

Now, even without any 'lab work' the meaning is clear, so let's not miss the point:
The one who is wise of heart will stop and listen before blabbering his mind. He will be able to receive commands (a form of instruction). He ‘receives’ instruction and carries it out and as a result is accepted and reaps the benefits.

In contrast is the fool spills his foolish heart with babbling words, unable to 'receive' instruction because he is always talking. There is only one choice; he must be removed. He is worthless.

There sure is a lot of babbling going on these days.
Quiet!
Listen! 
Receive instruction.
You'll make yourself useful.

What Are You Chasing?

“The proverbs,” those wise, clever, pithy (and often unrelated) sayings really begin in chapter ten with an announcement:

          The proverbs of Solomon.

          A wise son makes a father glad,

          But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

                                                                  --Proverbs 10:1

I won’t press the matter, but it is probably correct to think of the first nine chapters as a lengthy introduction. It is as if Solomon was careful to prepare the mind of his son so that he could listen to wisdom. How did he prepare him?

If I had to reduce the first nine chapters into  one statement...

Chase after the knowledge and discernment of the Lord; do not chase after women.

In chapters eight and nine wisdom is personified as a woman who is desirable, offering wisdom, discretion, and life. In stark contrast is the ‘strange’ woman (adulteress) who is ultimately portrayed as naive. She doesn’t even realize that she seduces men to their deaths.

How many young men have fallen prey to the lure of a girlfriend, the power of pornography, the seduction of another man’s wife? For a moment of pleasure a life is changed!

Changed forever!!!

How many young men have set their eyes on a good and lofty goal in life; high thoughts of service, generosity, and devotion to God, perhaps even entering into the ministry? But things changed. It was not the demands of career or changed interests; rather it was the momentary distraction of the sexual lure of a woman.

Foolish!

Even if he is careful/clever enough to escape public notice, the guilt in the heart changes him. The lofty goals smashed. Changed forever!

It is not that God’s forgiveness cannot heal. But the power of sin and its psychological entanglement are great and all too often defeating.

Watch his parents...

Filled with high hopes his father’s heart is deeply saddened; his mother weeps.

There are many ways to act foolishly, but sexual sin is among the most devastating.

Young men! Sexual purity is of greatest importance. Purity of he spirit is the pursuit of God's wisdom and knowledge and discernment. You will NEVER regret the sin you did not commit!

The 'first' proverb...

          A wise son makes a father glad,

          But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

Chase wisely.