chapter18

Seeking all wisdom

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom (Proverbs 18:1).

We find in this world that many scholars separate themselves from their daily chores and write some books out of their knowledge. If he or she seeks and intermeddles in his/her pursuit of knowledge with all wisdom, the desire of his or her heart will be fulfilled. All wisdom comes from God. With this wisdom, we should pursue our earthly vocation after separating ourselves from the daily chores which distract our attention.

Fool and understanding

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself (Proverbs 18:2).

A fool is not interested in understanding anything that confuses him or her. But his or her heart may discover this aptitude in him or her. It is the heart that enlightens the fool. Whatever knowledge or understanding is imparted to him or her by way of education, it goes into his/her heart. Today many people commit folly because their hearts are not enlightened by knowledge. Crimes are committed by young people or children because their hearts are not enlightened by sound moral education.

Wicked and contempt

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach (Proverbs 18:3).

The wicked indulge in wrong things because of his contempt for good things or morality. He by his wicked deeds brings ignominy to his parents, society or organization. The wicked does not crave for justice and righteousness but injustice and unrighteousness. The soul of the wicked is full of darkness. He does not bother for law and order because of his contempt for it. Immoral or criminal persons bring shame to their parents, society, nation or organization.

Many organizations hire people with dubious character and they have no concern for the rules of the organization. Ultimately, their conduct results in bringing a bad name to their organization.

Wellspring of wisdom

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook (Proverbs 18:4).

The words of a man's mouth reveal reveal his character. A man made righteous by the blood of Jesus has to take all precautions about what he speaks. He has to speak the words of Jesus Christ. The wellspring of wisdom has to flow from his life through his words so as to comfort, heal and edify others.

Unrighteous judgment

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment (Proverbs 18:5).

Our judgment has to be based on evidence. We should not favour the person of the wicked in order to deny justice to the one who is righteous. The righteous are those who are innocent. People who have not committed any crime should not be punished.

Nowadays, judgment is delivered by judges based on the personality of the person involved even if it overthrows the righteous.

Fool's lips

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes (Proverbs 18:6).

He who enters into contention is a fool. We should avoid contention in any matter but should peacefully settle any contention. The fool looks for strokes to precipitate the matter.

Many dissentions and fightings could have been avoided if we had controlled our tongue. A brawl leads to contention. A man of wisdom would never enter into contention. A child of God with wisdom would weigh his or her words so as to avoid wounding the hearts of others.

Nowadays, we find many children of God use their lips to cause misundersrtanding and dissention. Thus they become fools in the sight of God.

Fool's mouth

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul (Proverbs 18:7).

If through your word a false testimony is given so as to destroy the property or the reputation of others, you would become a fool and your lips would become the snare of your soul. Your very lips would destroy your own life or your property.

Words of Talebearer

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly (Proverbs 18:8).

Talebearer is one who spreads a gossip or a rumour or secrets that may cause trouble or harm. One who spreads secrets of another person with a view to harming the reputation of the latter is a talebearer even if such secrets are truthful. However, one who speaks the truth and spread it so as to expose falsehood of the wicked is not a talebearer.

Slothful in work

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster (Proverbs 18:9).

A person who is slothful in his work is brother to one who is a great waster. Being slothful is tantamount to being a great waster. A slothful person wastes the resources which are available to him. He is good for nothing in any organization. Proverbs exposes the character of laziness in many verses. We cannot afford to have any slothful person in any organization. Japan did prosper economically and industrially after the great devastation of the second world war because the people were industrious.

There are many intelligent people but they are not industrious. A hard-working person, though being a dunce, will no doubt prove himself to be a great asset in any organization. A hard-working person by repeating a task through trial and error method excels an intelligent person who is slothful.

Name of Lord

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe (Proverbs 18:10).

The Name of Jesus Christ is a strong tower. The righteous take shelter under His very name and feel secure. No power on this earth can touch a person who takes shelter under His Name. Those whose sins are forgiven through His precious blood are the righteous.

Rich man's wealth

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit (Proverbs 18:11) .

Nowadays, many rich people keep accumulating assets and the richman considers his wealth as his strong city and as an high wall. But in the sight of God, this wealth is considered as his own conceit which means the habit or attitude of thinking yourself better than others, even when there is no reason to think so. It is a vanity show. Your wealth gets destroyed in a natural calamity. Your eathly possession will not be accounted for in the heaven.

Haughty heart of man

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility (Proverbs 18:12).

Destruction is certain if the heart of a man is haughty. Today many people after much prayers have not been blessed by God because there is pride lurking in their lives. When we go to God with a humble heart, He hears and honours us.

Quick to speak

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (Proverbs 18:13).

In this world, we are quick to speak without hearing the matter. This happens in the judiciary also. Without hearing the arguments, judges pronounce their judgments. In the Christian world also, leaders rush to judge others without hearing the matter. We also answer without hearing properly those who do not agree with us.

Wounded spirit

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? (Proverbs 18:14)

There is no perfect person in the Christian world. He or she has some weakness. But his or her spirit can sustain it. A spiritual man has this nature. But if the same person has his or her spirit wounded due to sin, he or she cannot sustain it.

Heart of prudent

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge (Proverbs 18:15).

Prudence comes by getting knowledge but wisdom comes from God. We need both prudence and wisom. We can acquire scriptural knowledge by meditating the word of God but we get wisdom from God when we apply what we have learnt, to our life practically. When we obey God after learning His ways, we become closer to Him and He gives us wisdom.

Man's gift

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men (Proverbs 18:16).

God gives us special gifts to shine in our life and we are sought out by great men in this world. A gift may be your special ability or talent which is sharpended by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Many children of God have an inferiority complex about their ability. They do not know that as the indwelling Holy Spirit sharpens their intelligence, they are honourned by great men of this world.

First in own cause

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him (Proverbs 18:17).

We may be justified in our own cause but when others judge us in a righteous manner, we can see our own faults. You cannot see your back but others can see it.

Casting lots

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty (Proverbs 18:18).

We should not believe in casting lots in deciding on any contentious issue at all. We should judge the issue from all angles and then decide. If we do so, it will separate friends who are powerful.

Offended brother

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle (Proverbs 18:19).

Do not offend any brother who is close to you either by your words of by your actions. He may be a brother in Christ or a brother not in Christ. It is not easy for you to win him back though it is easy to win a strong city in a war. Contentions with the brother concerned have to be sorted out amicably failing which the same would become insurmountable like the bars of a castle.

Fruit of mouth and power of tongue

(Let us club verses 20 and 21 for better understanding).

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled (Proverbs 18:20).

Whatever you speak decides your material blessings in this world. Through the word of your mouth, you can prevent inheriting good things. Be careful of what you speak. Do not speak much but less. Unnecessary words either spoken or written may be disastrous. Jesus was careful in His words.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).

Whatever you speak may cause death if the words are false. Through false testimony, a man can cause death or disaster in the life of another person. Similarly, your word may cause life or blessings for others. If you want to be blessed in your material life, speak less and on the point but based on the truth. You have to love the word of your mouth. Do not withhold your word due to fear but love to speak it boldly.

Finding wife

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22).

In this world, celibacy is not good. People should get married. A man who finds his wife does find a good thing in his life. God does bless him in his marriage. God has instituted the first marriage in the garden of Eden.

Poor and rich

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly (Proverbs 18:23).

In this world, the poor people are very humble and use intreaties to get their material needs satisfied but the rich people are very arrogant using impolite language.

Man with friends

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Friendship is considered more precious than brotherhood. A true friend sticks to you than a brother in a calamity. A brother may help you because of his blood relation due to selfish reasons but a friend helps you because of his true love for you.

Next....Chapter 19