January 22, 2024

The Markers of a Good Friend

Proverbs 17

Justin Farr
Monday's Devo

January 22, 2024

Monday's Devo

January 22, 2024

Monday's Devo

January 22, 2024

Monday's Devo

January 22, 2024

Big Book Idea

Living wisely; God's way.

Key Verse | Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17

1  Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting 1 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices with strife.
2  A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3  The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and the LORD tests hearts.
4  An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5  Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6  Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
7  Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a prince.
8  A bribe is like a magic 2 17:8 Or precious stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
9  Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10  A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
11  An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12  Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    rather than a fool in his folly.
13  If anyone returns evil for good,
    evil will not depart from his house.
14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
16  Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
    when he has no sense?
17  A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.
18  One who lacks sense gives a pledge
    and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
19  Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
    he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
20  A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
21  He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.
22  A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23  The wicked accepts a bribe in secret 3 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom
    to pervert the ways of justice.
24  The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25  A foolish son is a grief to his father
    and bitterness to her who bore him.
26  To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27  Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28  Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Footnotes

[1] 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices
[2] 17:8 Or precious
[3] 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom
Table of Contents
Introduction to Proverbs

Introduction to Proverbs

Timeline

Author and Date

Proverbs itself mentions Solomon (reigned c. 971–931 B.C.) as author or collector of its contents (1:1; 10:1), including the proverbs copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1). There are also two batches of sayings from a group called “the wise” (22:17–24:22; 24:23–34), and “oracles” from Agur (30:1–33) and Lemuel (31:1–9). No author is named for the song in praise of the excellent wife that ends the book (31:10–31). Although Proverbs was begun in the time of Solomon, it probably was not in its present form until the time of Hezekiah (reigned c. 715–686 B.C.).

Theme

The goal of the book is stated right at the beginning (1:1–7): to describe what wisdom is and to help God’s people become wise. Wisdom is founded in the “fear of the Lord,” and it enables believers to express their faith in the practical details of everyday life.

Audience

The book is addressed to a young man. The situations he will face while he is young receive much attention. These situations supply concrete examples from which all readers can apply lessons to their own lives. Anyone who is wise and who pays attention will benefit (1:5) from this instruction.

Reading Proverbs

The reader of Proverbs must seek to understand the various types of people the book describes. The most obvious characters in the book are the wise, the fool, and the simple. Proverbs urges its readers to be wise, which means embracing God’s covenant and living out the covenant in everyday situations (compare 2:2; 10:1). The fool is the person who constantly opposes God’s covenant (1:7b). The simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (14:15).

The first nine chapters of Proverbs are “wisdom poems” that urge the reader to pursue wisdom. The main section of Proverbs—the concise, memorable statements of two or three lines—begins in 10:1. Proverbs often seem to be mere observations about life, but their deeper meanings will reveal themselves if the following questions are kept in mind: (1) What virtue does this proverb commend? (2) What vice does it disapprove of? (3) What value does it affirm?

Key Themes

Proverbs offers wisdom on a wide array of topics from daily life: diligence and laziness (6:6–11); friendship (3:27–28; 18:24); speech (10:19–21); marriage (18:22; 19:14); child rearing (22:6); domestic peace (15:17; 17:1); work (11:1); getting along and good manners (23:1–2; 25:16–17; 26:17–19; 27:14); eternity (14:32; 23:17–18); and much more. It shows that “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).

  1. God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of life. A proper relation to God involves trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying that truth.
  2. A life lived by God’s will is a happy life (3:21–26).
  3. A life lived by God’s will is a useful life (3:27–28; 12:18, 25).
  4. A life lived by God’s will does not just happen. One must seek after it (9:1–6).

Outline

  1. Title, Goal, and Motto (1:1–7)
  2. A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
  3. Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
  4. The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise” (22:17–24:22)
  5. Further Sayings of “the Wise” (24:23–34)
  6. Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1–29:27)
  7. The Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
  8. The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1–9)
  9. An Alphabet of Womanly Excellence (31:10–31)
The Global Message of Proverbs

The Global Message of Proverbs

Proverbs: Wisdom for the World

The book of Proverbs is not simply a collection of “wise sayings” for life. It is heaven-sent help for stumbling sinners all over the world from every walk of life who are willing to listen to something other than their own fallen instincts. The “fool” in Proverbs is not someone who lacks intellectual capacity but one who stubbornly lives out of his own fallen intuitions, resisting instruction and correction. Likewise, the wise person in Proverbs is not someone who is intellectually superior but someone who humbly places himself beneath the authority of God. Such wisdom is for all God’s people everywhere.

In his great mercy God has clearly shown wisdom to the world—both through the instruction of his Word and in the person of his Son. The book of Proverbs summarizes true wisdom as rooted in the “fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). In Jesus such wisdom takes on new clarity and glory as the one who is the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24) and who “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30). God’s global people are to receive such wise instruction, to base their wise living in the fear and worship of God, and to testify to a lost world about God’s saving wisdom.

God’s Wisdom Is Theological and Practical

In one sense wisdom is very much universal. It is difficult to find a culture or tradition without its own legacy of wise sayings. Some of these are culture-specific; others reflect the shared human experience.

Scripture’s admonition and exhortation about wisdom, however, is clear. Our faith is not to rest on man’s wisdom but is to be rooted in God’s power (1 Cor. 2:5). The wisdom of this world is “folly with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Ultimate wisdom is from God (1 Cor. 1:30) and is revealed by God (1 Cor. 2:7). True wisdom is theological and God-given. Those who lack wisdom are to “ask God” for it (James 1:5). It is the Lord who gives wisdom (Prov. 2:6). In Proverbs 9:10 God’s people are reminded again that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (compare 1:7). True wisdom is not the handy tips for life that get handed down from generation to generation among those who do not know God. True wisdom is divine. It is rooted in God’s own saving revelation to his people.

God’s wisdom is not only theological; it is also practical. Indeed, wisdom is practical because it is theological. Theology impacts daily life, and this is clearly seen in the instruction of Proverbs. Everyday life issues are addressed, including parental relations (Prov. 10:1; 15:20; 19:26; 23:25), marriage (5:18; 12:4; 18:22; 19:13–14; 31:10), money (3:9; 10:4; 11:1; 15:16; 16:11), and the power and danger of words (4:5; 7:5; 10:19; 16:24; 17:27). These are life issues that affect people of every age and place. Proverbs provides a picture of both the blessed life grounded in the fear of the Lord and the danger-filled and foolish life of those who despise the Lord’s wisdom and instruction (1:7).

God’s Wisdom Is Individual and Global

Individual wisdom. For every person, in every place, in every time, the message of Proverbs rings true: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). Wisdom from above is not mere advice or pithy sayings. Rather, the worthiest and most blessed advice flows from God, when he has his proper central place in the heart and worship of each individual created by his hand and in his image.

Global wisdom. The message of Proverbs is also global. This is true, first, because only God’s wisdom comprehensively instructs and skillfully dissects with perfect insight the hearts of mankind from every place and for every time. God’s wisdom is global, second, in that God’s global people are called to global engagement and a global mission. The Lord is not a tribal god. The teaching of Proverbs is not tribal lore. God’s wisdom is eternal and global. And God’s people are called to be instruments, through word and deed, of teaching his wisdom to the world. Those who are wise in God represent God to the world. For example, the wise exhibit generosity to the poor and the needy (Prov. 14:21, 31). The wise in God speak enduring and reliable wisdom to a world desperately looking for life-giving counsel. The wise in God feed even their own enemies (25:21).

Taking God’s Saving Wisdom to the World

In the book of Proverbs the Lord has equipped his people to fulfill his global and eternal purposes. God’s purpose is to reveal himself to and then through a people who will bring eternal blessing to the world, and that purpose is still unfolding around the world today (Matt. 28:18–20). In his kindness God has made known both the path of the wicked (Prov. 4:14) and the path of righteousness (12:28). The one leads to destruction and the other to life (11:19).

When love and grace is observed by the world in the lives of God’s people and supremely in the cross of Christ, it is indeed “folly” to them (1 Cor. 1:18, 21). But “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25). The wise in God share the good news of the wisdom of God in the gospel of Christ with nations both near and far. Such sharing, when it lands on receptive ears, is “like cold water to a thirsty soul” (Prov. 25:25).In grace God is opening blind eyes through the gospel to his glorious wisdom. In grace he has shown us and empowered us toward a life of God-honoring, upright living. In grace he will use us as his global ambassadors till the day we join in the angelic choir proclaiming, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev. 7:12).

Job Fact #9: Proverbs in Job

Fact: Proverbs in Job

Proverbs in Job. In 17:5, Job may have been quoting a proverb to warn his friends not to make false accusations against him. Proverbs are an effective and memorable way of stating a truth. The book of Proverbs is a rich resource of such wisdom.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Proverbs Fact #4: Garlands

Fact: Garlands

Garlands were wreaths woven from leaves and flowers. They were worn around the head or neck during various celebrations such as weddings. They were also symbols of honor for military success. In Proverbs, they symbolize the honor that comes from following the way of wisdom (4:9).

Proverbs Fact #7: The simple person

Fact: The simple person

The simple person (7:7) is one of the primary character types described in the book of Proverbs. The term describes someone who is immature and easily misled (14:15).

Proverbs Fact #10: A different kind of security

Fact: A different kind of security

A different kind of security. In biblical times, if a person was unable to pay his debt, the consequences could be serious. The whole family could be sold into slavery. If someone put up “security” for another person, he promised to pay that person’s debt if he was unable to do so himself. Proverbs teaches that putting up security for another person is generally unwise, since those who do so risk losing everything if the other person cannot pay his debt (11:15).

Proverbs Fact #27: Gluttony

Fact: Gluttony

Gluttony refers to excessive eating. The Bible condemns gluttony as well as drunkenness. Proverbs teaches that eating and drinking in excess can lead to poverty (23:19–21).

Proverbs Fact #28: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Fact: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs. Although most of the Proverbs were collected or written by King Solomon, who reigned from 971–931 B.C., the book of Proverbs did not exist in its present form until the time of King Hezekiah, some 200 years later. Hezekiah and “his men,” probably his scribes, recorded chs. 25–29.

Proverbs Fact #29: Rock badgers

Fact: Rock badgers

Rock badgers are small cliff-dwelling animals closely resembling guinea pigs. They live and forage for food in large groups and are good at hiding. They are best known for posting sentries that alert the group when danger is near. Perhaps it was this mark of wisdom that earned them a mention in Proverbs (30:26).

Proverbs Fact #16: Bribe

Fact: Bribe

A bribe is anything that is given with the intent of persuading someone to act in a person’s favor. Bribes were forbidden in Ex. 23:8. The poor often lost their cases in court because they could not afford to bribe the judge (Prov. 17:23).

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

Romans 3 OT Reference
Sinful Condition
v. 10, none is righteous Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20
v. 11a, no one understands Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 11b, no one seeks for God Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one Ps. 14:3/53:3
Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips)
v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9)
v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips Ps. 140:3
v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness Ps. 10:7
Sinful Action
v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7
v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery Isa. 59:7
v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known Isa. 59:8
Summary Statement
v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes Ps. 36:1
Study Notes

Prov. 17:1 A poor but loving home is better than a home filled with feasting and strife (see 5:17).

Study Notes

Prov. 17:3 Crucible and furnace suggest that the LORD tests hearts through difficulties.

Study Notes

Prov. 17:8 A bribe is like a magic stone . . . prospers. The writer observes that those who offer bribes often get what they want, but he does not condone such actions (compare note on 14:20). The wise person will ponder this reality and recognize it as a temptation.

Study Notes

Prov. 17:9–13 This section begins by stressing the importance of friends forgiving one another (v. 9). It then notes the wisdom of accepting friendly correction (v. 10). It concludes with statements about the dangerous effects of constant rebellion against God (v. 11–13).

Study Notes

Prov. 17:14 This verse advises the reader to either avoid or resolve conflict before control is lost. like letting out water. Once a dam has been breached, there is no holding back the water—an appropriate image for the rapid and damaging escalation of a quarrel.

Study Notes

Prov. 17:18 pledge . . . security. See note on 6:1–5.

Study Notes

Prov. 17:9–19 These verses include two collections of proverbs (vv. 9–13 and vv. 14–19) on the theme of interpersonal conflict.

Prov. 17:19 Transgression and strife go together (see v. 14). Transgression is in the heart of the person who loves strife and is unwilling to “quit before the quarrel breaks out” (see v. 14). Such a person is characterized by pride and arrogance (makes his door high). While he aims to ruin others, in reality he is achieving his own destruction.

Study Notes
Proverbs Fact #16: Bribe

Fact: Bribe

A bribe is anything that is given with the intent of persuading someone to act in a person’s favor. Bribes were forbidden in Ex. 23:8. The poor often lost their cases in court because they could not afford to bribe the judge (Prov. 17:23).

Study Notes

Prov. 17:25 The picture of a foolish son grieving the mother who bore him expands on v. 21 (see also 15:5, 20; 23:22–25). Such images should encourage both children and parents to seek the benefits of wisdom.

Study Notes

Prov. 17:23–26 Verses 23 and 26 speak of justice being thwarted. Verse 24 speaks of the fool who wastes his life chasing unattainable goals (the ends of the earth), and v. 25 speaks of the fool who causes distress for his parents. Folly and injustice both fill life with grief and irritation.

S3:016 Proverbs 17

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Dive Deeper | Proverbs 17

When life gets hard, how do you handle it? For me, I pray for God's will to be done, but then I often fail to rely on the people that God has put in my life to help me through tough situations. It goes against my instincts to ask the people closest to me to talk me through what I'm dealing with, or even to pray for me. In the past, I also failed to pray regularly for the wisdom that Scripture shows us is necessary to live our lives.

But it shouldn't be that way. In Proverbs 17:17, God shows us that He puts true friends in our lives specifically for this purpose, and it is through tough times that friendships grow and strengthen. In the Gospel of John, Jesus shows the value that He places on friendships with His disciples. He knows what is about to happen to Him, but in one of His final acts before the crucifixion, He washes His disciples' feet as an example of the selfless love and devotion that we are to show to one another (John 13:1-17).

I can recall several times in my life when I was hopelessly deadlocked while trying to make a difficult decision. As I began to pray for wisdom, God opened my eyes and made it crystal clear what I needed to do. It was so exciting to see God's plans right in front of me because I prayed for wisdom! God encourages us to earnestly and specifically pray for wisdom. Several times in Proverbs 17, we are reminded that, because of our sinful nature, we are naturally foolish individuals who need to ask God for wisdom.

This month's memory verse

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

– Ephesians 4:2

Discussion Questions

1. In what ways do you rely on your community to help you through life's difficulties?

2. The verses in Proverbs can seem disjointed at first, but as you read, you'll notice various themes woven through the passages. After reading Proverbs 17, what connections do you see in the verses?

3. When did you last pray to God for wisdom? How was that prayer answered?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Scaman

Lots of drastic unusual comparisons. How might they be agreed with by people of various ages in America today? as if a survey Some proverbs from this chapter people come more into agreement with as they gain life experience and age include: A dry morsel with quiet is better than a house full of feasting with strife (Proverbs 17:1): A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers (Proverbs 17:8): A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17): Some others may resonate more with a particular age range age 12 and Under: Most Likely to Agree With: Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers (Proverbs 17:6). Least Likely to Agree With: Meeting a she-bear robbed of her cubs is better than encountering a fool in his folly (Proverbs 17:12). Because it's unusual for their experience same answer for the over 55 crowd age 14-19: Most Likely to Agree With: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Least Likely to Agree With: The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice (Proverbs 17:23). age 21-30: Most Likely to Agree With: A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers (Proverbs 17:2). Least Likely to Agree With: A dry morsel with quiet is better than a house full of feasting with strife (Proverbs 17:1). They seem to move more in the firstion of agreement when over 55. age 31-55: Most Likely to Agree With: A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers (Proverbs 17:8). Least Likely to Agree With: Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince (Proverbs 17:7). age Over 55: Most Likely to Agree With: A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22). Least Likely to Agree With: Meeting a she-bear robbed of her cubs is better than encountering a fool in his folly (Proverbs 17:12). Because it's unusual for their experience
HS

Hugh Stephenson

From the ESV SB on verse 17:3 "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts." “As precious metals are subjected to intense heat in a "furnace," in order to refine impurities out of them, so the LORD subjects His saints to fiery trials to free us from the base things of the world and to purify us (cf. James 1:1-18; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Job is the classic example of this truth (Job; cf. Daniel 3:19- 26; Malachi 3:3).” Two thoughts today on two different verses- On 17:3 I know the Lord is refining me as the silversmith does silver and the goldsmith does gold.   Also, I know my heart is what he is refining.   My prayers today for you all and myself is that we embrace this refining and purifying process as it undoubtedly draws us into a more intimate relationship with him.   May your heart and mine be more interwoven with His each day.   (Source unknown)
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Proverbs 17:1-14 More on verse 3- “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” In the same way this verse leads me back to all the tests in my life and how I have responded. Up until a few years ago none of my responses ever reflected the humility and faith in God that Job shows. Job knows all about this issue and his story is one of my favorites. I love God’s answer to Job and the others in 38:1 after all have pontificated about why all these ills have befallen Job. - “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind…” The following verses are wonderful pronouncements on the sovereignty of God I also think of this verse from Romans which seemed harsh to me at first reading many years ago - - “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Rom 9:21) One of the most important but hardest journeys for me has been learning more of the sovereignty of God. His love for me does not look like love does for the culture. Sometimes it seems harsh and I don’t see the purpose. Other times I do and I see it as Him drawing me to Him. He knows that I will surrender myself to something and it’s better for me if its Him. Constable offers this - “This proverb advances the thought of the previous one. Not only is it "wise" to restrain one's speech, but other people will consider him wise who does so. Elisha's lack of verbal response, when the sons of the prophets told him that God would remove Elijah from his presence that day, gained Elisha a reputation for wisdom.” (2 Kings 2:3, 15). Gratitude - Today I am grateful for knowing more about God’s nature, character and goodness. This knowledge helps me have wisdom that I can use for His purposes. Prayer - That I might continue to see trials and tests as loving direction and correction by my Father who loves me more than I can ever know.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Proverbs 17:15-28 - “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (v. 28) There is another version of this verse I have heard in a non-Biblical setting: “Better to have everyone think you’re a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”. And a slightly different statement I have been taught to consider before speaking: “Does this need to be said?” “Does this need to be said be me?” “Does this need to be said by me now?” I am sure that there have been times when I answered yes to these before speaking. But I can’t remember any. Amy and I joke with each other that neither one of us has an unexpressed thought; if it comes in to our head its going to come out of our mouth. We call it “blurting”. We are both trying to be better about this and have our own version of a re:gen step 6 repentance plan. I am still forming mine but so far it looks like the best way of for me for now is to just be quiet and count to 5. Then I’ll say a quick pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me towards speech that is glorifying to Him or encouraging / edifying to others. If the answer is no to both then really pray as to whether or not my thought needs to be expressed. I do and say enough foolish things already without mindlessly adding to that list. Gratitude - For the wisdom of God expressed through King Solomon in these proverbs. For the word of God that daily instructs me how to glorify Him and love others. Prayer - That my speech by full of praise for God, love & encouragement for others and the proclamation of what He had done and is doing for me.
GJ

greg jones

Love what the deeper dive has to say about friends and friendships. I noticed how it said “talk me through what I’m dealing with”. I’ve been blessed throughout my life to have some great ones. That said sometimes, the wisest thing I can say to them is “I don’t know.” And sometimes, “I don’t know walk me through that a little more” is an appreciated phrase I hear from them. Q2 Taking some liberties with the question and reading some of the Proverbs 17 verses intratexually with the book of Job. Proverbs 17:20-28 as themes and Job 1-2 as inverse themes. P 17:20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. J 2:10b In all this Job did not sin with his lips. P17:21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy. J 1:1-5 Job’s life and offspring are described, whether or not Job sired fools, the text in ambiguous. But Job is not described as living a sorrowful joyless life while his children are alive. There is no reason to connect Job’s sorrows to the acts of his children. P17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. J 2:12b,13 And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great. (In the moment Job needed and received the inverse of v22) P 17:23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. Job 1:6-12 God and Satan make a deal out of view. Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? Job 8:3 (Bildad speaking) P 17:24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. Job 3:11 Why did I not die at birth,
 come out from the womb and expire? (Job laments. Doesn’t make him foolish) P 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” P 17:26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Book of Job That is the tension from the beginning to the end of the book of Job. Why has the righteous and noble Job been stricken? P 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. That actually describes Job’s friends when they first show up and are just silent. Speaking later they reveal their lack of knowledge. P 17:28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. The Book of Job-The friends don’t keep silent. The book of Job doesn’t refute the practical wisdom of Proverbs. In it’s ancient way it is a graduate level look at the Proverbs that makes some statements. Job was living a virtuous life. His virtuous life did not guarantee him a virtuous outcome. The friends that God placed in Job’s life didn’t come with a guarantee of wise counsel. Didn’t necessarily make them bad friends that didn’t have his best interest in mind. A lesson that can be taken from Job, guard against being a naive wisdom giver. And also guard against being a naive wisdom taker. If it wasn’t a folly that was, and still is easy to fall into, we wouldn’t have the book of Job. It can prevent a whole lot of relational heartache.
LD

Lindsey Driscoll

Justin, thank you for reminding us that praying to God for the Godly wisdom we see in proverbs should be a constant thing In our lives as believers. Q2 - what connections do I see in Proverbs 17? Wow.. step into the ring! Ding Ding! A fool loves to fight! It’s so convicting to ask myself “do I love to fight?” If I do I love sin. Yikes! Proverbs 17:19 is very clear that this is true. The biggest area I see this in my life and others is in marriage. It is so easy to see when I start to share grievances with my husband, It can be non-stop flow like the breached dam from Proverbs 17:14. 1. Proverbs 17:17:9 reminds me all my husbands and my sins are covered by the blood and love of Christ. Proverbs 17:27-28 remind me that using restraint with my words before starting a conflict is growing in Godly wisdom.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Justin. As a baby believer, encountering the verse about the crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, along with 27:21 ("The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives") was one of the first proverbs that hit HARD. It challenged me to make a habit of internally submitting any and all compliments or praise to the Lord as a praise offering, lifting them to the Giver of all good things that made it possible for me to do or be anything worthy of praise. To this day I still mentally gather up any praise that comes my way into a bouquet I lift to the Lord. The other verse in this chapter that is personal, is one I love in the King James: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine . . ." One of the Lord's biggest blessings to me has been a heart bursting with joy, and I love how the word "merry" describes what that looks like. Especially when I can see it in other merry-hearted, joyful souls. On our recent cruise, our waiter at dinner each night was so brimming with merriment that the slightest provocation made him bubble over with easy, unforced laughter and smiles. It lifted the spirits of everyone he came into contact with. See? Medicine.
JC

Jason Cromwell

There's the old joke in Christian circles that says, "Don't pray for patience, because God will increase your opportunities to be patient. Pray for perseverance instead." It goes the same for Wisdom as well. I have found that God increases my chances to use Wisdom instead of making me wiser.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. I go to God first. Then I go to community. 2. I see a connection between “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker” and  “he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished”. 3. It turned cold. I prayed for wisdom (and continue to pray for wisdom) to get through the cold and not to fall dead. These prayers have been answered with heart filled efforts and energy from God. Justin - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You made a good point in saying “God shows us that He puts true friends in our lives specifically for this purpose, and it is through tough times that friendships grow and strengthen”. God definitely helps us do our best in friendships and helps us value friendships.