Read Proverbs 17
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
13 Evil will never leave the house
of one who pays back evil for good.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accept bribes in secret
to pervert the course of justice.
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Go Deeper
Like most of the middle section of Proverbs, Proverbs 17 offers many small but valuable suggestions on ways to live that can produce a better life. It jumps through feasting, wealth, grandparents, friends, fathers, momma bears…oh my. It can be quite overwhelming to take in each bit of advice and carry them with you throughout the day, so let’s try to focus on one theme in this chapter and glean all we can from it.
A primary theme we can grab from the passage is that of the peacemakers versus the troublemakers. It seems that the verses have this contrast of what a peacemaker is like, does, sounds like, etc. followed by that of the troublemaker. Even as we start this passage with, “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting and strife” (v. 1).
We can see that the peacemaker is valued. Most would rather be in a peaceful home, where all they have to offer you is the heel of the bread loaf that has been sitting out for a few days, than in the home of someone always ready to pick a fight, but has a table with brisket and sausage and ribs and every Thanksgiving side and dessert you can imagine (you know, the ones you wait all year for). We usually try to avoid those dinners at all costs.
While we can see these contrasts throughout the passage, let’s re-read verse 9: “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” A peacemaker is someone who keeps short accounts. They are not easily offended and do not gossip about what someone has done to them or said about them. They promote love by assuming the best and/or going to that person in love to understand, not to win an argument.
This chapter (and this entire book) is chock-full of more examples of this. Let’s hold tight to these and be examples of our Lord’s peace here on Earth.
Questions
- What is one way you can practice being a peacemaker today?
- Did any of these proverbs stick out to you today?
- Are there any that were confusing that it might be helpful to dive deep into?
Pray This
One way Proverbs 17 says we can be a peacemaker is to live with a cheerful heart. Verse 22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Pray and ask God to give you a cheerful heart today!
4 responses to “Proverbs 17”
So many good ones in this chapter, but this one is my favorite:
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.
Wow! That’s a warning! Stay away from fools bent on folly!
Calm, joy, peace or strife, resentment, arguementiveness. I am a peacemaker and an ostrich that hides her head in the sand especially where conflict is concerned. I do not like a rocking boat. I have been learning that Jesus walked right into the strife or conflict. He sat and listened, educated the people on what God would want from them without being pushy. Even when the Pharisees brought Him the woman caught in adultery, Jesus did not react impulsively. He bent down, let the accusers speak, and then responded in a way that exposed their own hearts while protecting the dignity of the woman (John 8:1-11).
Proverbs 17:14 – “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” When we disagree with someone it is hard to be kind. We want our voice to be heard. We can learn from Jesus’ example over and over. Be quite, let the person speak. Being wise means to sit still, hear with understanding and to be calm. Now letting that happen in my life every time would be amazing. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God thank You for teaching me about how to navigate this world. Thank You for helping me to change my mind. Thank You for gleaning wisdom from every bit of Your Word. God continue to show me how to sit still, listen, to speaker and listen to Your Holy Spirit. God thank You for today, these minutes, and being able to love people, be kind, be slow to answer, to be compassionate. God You are so amazing in my life, and I am so thankful. Thank You for You effervescing out of my every word and action today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
the Lord detests them both.
Praying for our courts today. May wisdom from God allow the juries, judges, and all involved to condemn the guilty and acquit the innocent.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (v17).
In every season of my life I’ve had friends “carry me on a mat to the feet of Jesus.” They’ve shown up and served delivering hope, comfort and love. It’s been the kindness & favor of God to me delivered through their hands. Two seasons are forever imprinted on my heart, the birth of our daughter at 26 weeks which meant a 3 month stay in NICU, and the death of my parents 6 months apart. Both times left an indelible mark on my spiritual journey and the stones of remembrance I carry to this day are the intentional care of my dear friends. Their example has set a high bar for me to “bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).