Read Proverbs 17:7–9
Questions from the Scripture text: What is not suitable for whom (v7a)? What else is even less suitable for whom else (v7b)? How does the holder of a bribe view it (v8a)? For what does he use it (v8b)? What does the man in v9a do? With what effect? What does the man in v9b do? With what effect?
What does folly do? Proverbs 17:7–9 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a fool harms an entire community, not only himself.
v7 picks up where 16:30 had left off, with the subject of wicked speech. Again, the Scripture drives home the point that speech flows from the heart, which is why the fool is not found with lips of excellence (v7a, more literally). Just so, a prince must not be a godless fool; his lips must never lie (v7b). From the same wickedly manipulative heart comes the view of a “bribe” as a sort of “magic stone” (both more literal than NKJ in v8a) that enables him always to achieve his ends. To lying and bribery, this wicked heart adds unforgiveness and gossip (v9). The next passage (v10–15) will deal with the proper handling of a fool, which is made urgent by the difference between the great good to a community that wisdom does (v9a) and the great harm to a community that folly does (v9b). The fool harms more than himself!
In what communities has God placed you? How could your folly hurt them? What are you doing to eliminate that folly?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for Your heart-changing grace. Change our hearts, so that we will live wisely and do good to those communities where you have placed us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP14 “Within His Heart, the Fool Speaks” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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