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.

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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.

Expectations

What do you expect when you read the Bible? Do you have the same expectation when reading different books of the Bible: The Psalms as compared to Genesis as compared to the gospel accounts? What about The Proverbs?

Unlike many books of the Bible the book of Proverbs announces its purpose within the first several verses. A person might generalize the purpose of Proverbs by describing it as a book of wisdom, but what should a person expect?

Solomon described the expectation for the reader:

   To receive instruction in wise behavior,
   Righteousness, justice and equity.
   --Proverbs 1:3


When a person reads a nugget of wisdom in The Proverbs, it is often applied to a specific event in one's life in a kind of 'moment by moment application.' The purpose of the entire book applies to the scope of one’s life. The Revised Standard Version accurately suggests this broad purpose:
   [That men may] receive instruction in wise dealing....

'Wise behavior' or 'wise dealing' is defined in three areas: Righteousness, justice, and equity. Together these describe the full development of ‘wise behavior': conduct in a morally right way, conduct in a legally correct way, and application in all things rightly, or evenly.

Applying the Proverbs to your life, you can expect to be equipped:

• Morally; not as a moral perfectionist, yet not immoral;
• Legally; not as a legalist following the letter of the law, but law abiding;
• Practically; not being a hypocrite, but applying things properly to yourself and others.

Of all the accusations levied against Jesus, no one ever said that he was overly pious or ‘holier than thou.’ No one accused of Jesus of being a morality policeman or judge. He applied the instruction of God perfectly as a true example of ‘wise behavior’: Full of righteousness, justice, and equity.

Have you ever considered that the Proverbs will equip you to be more like Jesus?

Read Proverbs.
Ponder Proverbs.
Apply Proverbs.
Expect wise dealings.