Practical Principles From Proverbs

Many of the proverbs are similar to each other; so, it may be easy to read through them without noticing some of the pearls of wisdom contained therein. The purpose of this article is to note some of those that might be overlooked. Much of the early chapters pertain to the immoral woman (portions of 5, 6, and 7), followed by a heavy emphasis on wisdom (8-9).

One that stands out is Proverbs 10:23: "To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom." The word translated "sport" usually means "laughter" or "mocking." To do evil or to practice wickedness is a good time for a fool. He is not motivated by righteousness or wisdom (they're probably too boring).

On a personal level, we may all know someone who is always willing to make a foray into naughtiness. He may by innuendo insinuate certain things about another (which are not true) in order to put people at odds with one another. This wickedness may result in two or more people fighting against one another—or at least experiencing hurt feelings.

As a psychological "game," this one is called, "Let's you and him fight," from Eric Berne's Games People Play. The purpose is to get unwary suspects at each other's throats. Shakespeare's Iago (from Othello) is the master of this technique. The villain undoubtedly took great delight in insinuating that the title character's wife, Desdemona, had been intimate with his lieutenant (Cassio). The play is called a tragedy because he succeeded in achieving his goal. How perverted a person must be to get a laugh out of this situation!

Solomon deals with similar souls in Proverbs 4:16; some are so wicked that "they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall." We do not need to be paranoid, but the fact is that there are some despicable people who do function as described. They may be subtle or overt, but the fact is that they are there. For Christians who have been taught to do what is good for all, such attitudes may be incomprehensible. The fact is, however, that wolves, in reality, do exist (Matt. 7:15).

Proverbs 10:24 deals with a familiar theme, the reward and punishment of the righteous and wicked, it provides, however, a different perspective: "The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted." Sometimes, the ungodly have no fear of the future—which really is foolish. But in this verse both the good and the evil have an expectation of their future recompense. The wicked actually fears what he has been warned will come upon him—and rightly so. He was not misinformed; what he feared will happen and actually come to pass. On the bright side, however, the righteous has desired and hoped for a reward, for eternal life, for a place in heaven. Those desires and expectations shall be granted.

A further note on this subject involves the wicked man. He may have deceived himself into thinking that, despite his evil ways, he will still receive a reward. Many people in today's world have this attitude. While door knocking several years ago, one woman assured your congenial editor that Adolph Hitler would be in heaven! He would be a little further down the ladder than the rest—but there nevertheless. There was no sense trying to talk rationally to such a silly person.

Most people would not go as far as she did, but many participate in evil activities and still think they will be in heaven. The fact is, however: "When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of the unjust perishes" (Pr. 11:7). It is a sad way to live; the ungodly's fears were correct; the over-confidence they exhibited to sustain themselves will fail.

Proverbs 11:17 fits with several other Biblical texts. "The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh." Was Haman a cruel person? How did he fare (Esther 7:10)? Was the rich man cruel to Lazarus? Where is he spending eternity (Luke 16:19-26)? The rich farmer behaved no better than these. Was his soul shocked when he died suddenly (Luke 12:15-21)? The servant who received mercy from his master and forgave him his debts was blessed indeed. But what happened when he failed to extend compassion to his fellow servant? He was delivered to the torturer's until he could pay his original debt (Matt. 18:31-34). Cruelty doesn't pay.

Jesus included in the beatitudes, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt. 5:7). Solomon mentions the subject frequently, exhorting his son: "Let not mercy and truth forsake you." How might they be procured? "Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart" (Pr. 4:3). It is not unusual to read in Proverbs of those who devise evil and are punished (14:22a); on the positive side, we read: "But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good" (14:22b).

What good does the merciful man receive for his soul—besides mercy? "He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. Who is one of the most-honored individuals in the New Testament? That's right—the one whom we call "the good Samaritan" (Luke 10:30-37). No one is more deserving of honor than is God. Are we not happy that He is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4)?

A related idea is this verse: "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will be watered himself" (Pr. 11:25). Some translations have that he will prosper and be refreshed. We think of watering plants and trees, but this appears to apply to human beings. It was a sign of hospitality to provide water. Rebekah gave Abraham's servant a drink of water (Gen. 24:17-18). Such a simple act is to be rewarded (Mark 9:41).

"Inherit the Wind"

This phrase found in Proverbs 11:29 was used for the title of the movie which incorrectly described what has been called the Scopes Monkey Trial. The trial took place in 1925—one hundred years ago. Scopes was a science teacher who violated a Tennessee law which prohibited teaching evolution in public schools and was found guilty. The movie, however, did a poor job of communicating accurately what happened.

In fact, the Biblical phrase was actually used against those who believed the Bible and opposed evolution. If they continued to oppose evolution, their efforts would prove fruitless, and they would gain nothing. However, the opposite is true. Those who have failed to oppose this ungodly theory of evolution are the ones who have inherited the wind, since it undermines God, the Bible, sin, morality, and salvation.

What does the phrase in Proverbs 11:29 mean? It states: "He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind…." Inherit is not one of those obscure Hebrew words. It is found 61 times in the Old Testament. It is translated "inherit" on 30 of those occasions and "inheritance" on 19 others. What is ironic is that a father usually leaves an inheritance to his children, but here the father is receiving an inheritance from his children apropos of the kind of parent he has been.

Consider David, for example. Did he trouble his own house? Certainly, he did when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. He set a bad example for his sons by taking another man's wife. What did he inherit because of this blunder? His son Amnon likewise took sexual license in forcing his sister Tamar to satisfy his fleshing desires, after which he despised her and sent her away in a forlorn state. Might he have committed this action anyway? Perhaps, but David troubled his house by choosing to disregard the holy law of God.

Was David's own guilt the reason he did not punish Amnon? The second inheritance David received was that his son Absalom despised him because he had done nothing to Amnon for violating his sister. Thus, he decided that justice (or was it revenge?) was up to him, and he saw to it that Amnon was put to death. But that is not all. He then led a rebellion against his father. David inherited this attack by troubling his own house. Then he grieved over Absalom when he was killed by Joab. God was merciful to David, however, in allowing his son Solomon to reign in his place.

Didn't Eli inherit the wind after troubling his house? Although he tried to correct his sons who were both sexually immoral and disrespectful of the sacrifices offered to God (1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22-25), it was too late. We have no record of Eli setting a bad example, per se, but he troubled his house in this way: "…his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them" (1 Sam. 3:13). Eli's inheritance was to hear of his son's deaths and the capture of the ark of the covenant, which occasioned his own demise (1 Sam. 4:17-18).

The example one sets as a parent has consequences. A number of decades ago, church members at a congregation in Peoria would pick up an older man every Sunday and bring him to worship. He was in a wheel chair and could not drive. None of us knew for certain what his home life had been, but we did learn that he had four sons who would have nothing to do with him. How sad if he had brought this situation upon himself!

Inheriting the wind might suggest futility—nothing to hold onto—nothing to grasp. Even though we all enjoy a breeze on a hot day, a wind is something that can be destructive. A great wind destroyed the house Job's children were eating and drinking in (Job 1:18-19). So, the proverb indicates that evil results will accrue to the one who troubles his house.

"He Who Wins Souls Is Wise"

Interestingly, the very next verse presents a positive perspective: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise" (Pr. 11:30). Everything bears fruit. Ungodliness bears evil fruit—even weeds. The one who troubles his house does not obtain good results. The one who lives righteously, however, brings forth good fruit. He is a blessing to all.

God originally placed the literal tree of life in the Garden of Eden. After man sinned, God removed him because He did not want mankind to live forever in a state of sin. The phrase, tree of life, is found ten times in the Scriptures; six of these refer to the tree—three in Genesis and three in Revelation. Christians who "do His commandments" have a right to the tree of life (Rev. 22:14).

The other four times the phrase is used as a symbol in Proverbs of that which is great, wonderful, refreshing, perhaps nourishing. Besides Proverbs 11:30, it can be located in Proverbs 3:18; the passage (beginning in 3: 13) praises wisdom: "She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her." She is precious and of great value.

Proverbs 13:12 adds: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." It's a relief; it's a positive gain. The last one is Proverbs 15:4: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life…." Solomon recognized what many have learned about Christianity. The tongues of Christians are to be used to build each other up; good words motivate us to be strong.

But what about winning souls, which is something usually associated with converting those lost in sin (a New Testament doctrine)? The Pulpit Commentary quite briefly states: "He who gives men the tree of life attracts souls to himself, to listen to his teaching and to follow his example" (9:1:219). This attitude will draw men today, also, to listen to the gospel. Hearing complaints or listening to someone be belligerent or argumentative will not draw many to the gospel. A righteous example, excellence of speech, and words of wisdom will draw people to the gospel today. How about it? Are we perceived as a tree of life?