Discovering Wisdom's Path: The Guiding Principles
Proverbs 17:1-28
Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying we must ask the following questions:
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE(Multiple times & translations and notice the words that standout)
Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. It's a Great app, better on computers or on smartphones)
StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)
Literal Word (New American Standard Bible) (Works well on a smartphone or computer + for searching for words like a printed concordance)
Biblia.com (New Century Version) (Great on a computer especially if you have a logos account)
BibleRef.com (New King James Version) Basic able to compare core translations.
Bible.com (Lexham English Bible)
Hashtags:
#Wisdom
#Fools
#Strife
#Wicked
#Evil
#Speech
#Bribes
#Health
Themes
Wisdom and Understanding
The Value of Righteousness
The Power of a Tranquil Spirit
Consequences of Foolishness
Interpersonal Relationships
The Sanctity of Truth and Justice
Topics
Inner Peace Over Riches
Honoring Parents
True Friendship
The Danger of Lies
The Consequences of Wrongdoing
Understanding Through Suffering
Potential Sermon Titles: ??
Intro Questions to get us thinking:
- If money and time were no object, what would you do for "peace and quiet"?
- With the resources you actually have, what gives you "peace and quiet"?
ESV Text with Highlights
#God
#People = the wise, the foolish, friends, family members, rulers, and evildoers
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
#People = the wise, the foolish, friends, family members, rulers, and evildoers
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
Proverbs 17 ESV
Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting[a] 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[b] 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[c]
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.
OBSERVATIONS(Reflect on the topic and build the concept the writer is trying to communicate to the original audience)
ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)
Bible Project (NLT) (Helpful videos and instructions for the bigger picture)
Thematic Bible(Books and Chapters Structure)
Bible Hub = Outline, Themes, Topics, People, Locations, and Questions
STUDY RESOURCES (This takes some work and here are more resources than you can go through completely)
NETBible (New English Translation) (Great for original text information)
BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BlueLetter (King James Version) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)
StudyLight (New Revised Standard) (Great site with commentaries by Burton Coffman)
KnowingJesus (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- From this chapter, do you get the idea the author was: (a) Poor but peaceful? (b) Rich and resentful? (c) Young and restless? (d) A grief-stricken parent? (e) A proud grandparent? Why do you think so? Where in these proverbs do you see elements of each?
- What conflict management ideas do you see in Proverbs 17:1, 4, 9, 11, 14, 17 and 19? What insight do get from these images: (a) Dry crust vs. feasting? (b) Malicious tongue? (c) Repeating an offense? (d) Breaching a dam? (e) Building a high gate?
- In what sense is verse 2 true? How did this come true for Solomon's servant and son (see 1 Ki 11:28ff)?
- In what sense is verse 22 true (see 15:13,30)? What about the grief-stricken "father of a fool" (vv. 21,25)? How does he get a cheerful heart (see Jas 1:2ff)?
- What principles for justice and justification do you see here (Proverbs 17:8, 13, 15, 23, 26)? In what ways are "bribes," "flogging," and "paying back evil for good" practiced today? How does the Lord deal with the perpetrators and victims of injustice? How should we?
APPLICATION(God wants us all to arrive at action, life-changing faith)
The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)
Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)
- If the Lord detests the injustice of acquitting the guilty, why does he acquit you of your sin (see Ro 3:26; 4:5)? How does God remain just in doing that?
- With what crucible has the Lord been testing your heart: Rebel child? Relationship end? Job loss? How do you know it is the Lord testing you and not you falling into temptation (see Jas 1:3,12-15)? Can you think of a self-administered lab test for your heart-felt motives?
- What recent crucible experience tried your true friends? How has a test separated your close friends? Which "brother" (or sister) proved in adversity to love you at all times?
- When you are wrong, how do you like to be corrected: 100 lashes with a tongue, whip or wet noodle? On the other hand, what kind of correction only provokes you or stiffens your neck? Why?
- When corrected by the Lord, how does it feel? Are you ever in his doghouse very long? What does it take to get you back on the "path of righteousness"?
- Money talks (v. 8). How have you seen this work in your life with friends? With parents? At work? At school?
- In what ways can you identify with the author's experience of family strife (v. 1), grief (vv. 21,25), disgrace (ν. 2) and pride (v. 6)? What would you want your group to pray concerning your family ties?
- Who in your group deserves the "Appearance of Wisdom" award (vv. 27-28)? Don't all speak up at once! This is best done by silent ballot.
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Key Topics in this chapter of Proverbs
#Wisdom #Fools #Strife #Wicked #Evil #Speech #Bribes
“Wisdom”—
“A servant that deals wisely shall have rule over a son that causes shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren” (Proverbs 17:2).
“Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding” (Proverbs 17:24).
“He that spares his words hath knowledge” (Proverbs 17:27).
“He that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:27).
“Fools”—
“Excellent speech becomes not a fool” (Proverbs 17:7).
“A rebuke enters deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool” (Proverbs 17:10).
“Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly” (Proverbs 17:12).
“Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?” (Proverbs 17:16).
“He that begets a fool doeth it to his sorrow” (Proverbs 17:21).
“The father of a fool hath no joy” (Proverbs 17:21).
“The eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth” (Proverbs 17:24).
“A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him” (Proverbs 17:25).
“Even a fool, when he holds his peace is counted wise; When he shuts his lips, he is esteemed as prudent” (Proverbs 17:28).
“Strife”—
“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife” (Proverbs 17:1).
“The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: Therefore leave off contention before there is quarreling” (Proverbs 17:14).
“He loves transgression that loves strife” (Proverbs 17:19).
“Wicked”—
“A servant that deals wisely shall have rule over a son that causes shame” (Proverbs 17:2).
“An evil-doer gives heed to wicked lips; and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).
“An evil man seeks only rebellion” (Proverbs 17:11).
“A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice” (Proverbs 17:23).
“Evil speech”—
“An evil-doer gives heed to wicked lips; and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).
“Much less do lying lips a prince” (Proverbs 17:7).
“He that harps on a matter separates chief friends” (Proverbs 17:9).
“He that hath a perverse tongue falls into mischief” (Proverbs 17:20).
“Bribes”—
“A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turns, it prospers” (Proverbs 17:8).
“A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice” (Proverbs 17:23).
#Dissension and #Strife
Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 17:1
Proverbs 18:18-19
#Bribery
Proverbs 15:27
Proverbs 17:8, 23
Proverbs 21:14
#Conflict
Pr 3:13–35 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches…
Pr 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.
Pr 13:10
Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Pr 15:18
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Pr 16:7
When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Pr 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
Pr 17:1
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.
Pr 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Pr 17:19
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
Pr 18:1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Pr 18:6
The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.
Pr 18:17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
Pr 18:18
Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.
Pr 18:19
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
Pr 19:13
A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
Pr 20:3
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Pr 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Pr 21:19
Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
Pr 22:10
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
Pr 23:29–35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly…
Pr 24:17–18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them.
Pr 25:8–10
do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
Pr 25:21–22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
Pr 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Pr 26:17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
Pr 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
Pr 26:21
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
Pr 27:15–16
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
Pr 28:25
The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
Pr 29:8
Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
Pr 29:9
If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
Pr 29:22
An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Pr 30:32–33
“If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
or if you plan evil,
clap your hand over your mouth!
33 For as churning cream produces butter,
and as twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.”
#Health
- Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
- Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
- Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
- Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
- Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
- Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
- Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
#Happiness
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. - Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
- Proverbs 10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
- Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
- Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.
- Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
- Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
- Proverbs 14:10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
- Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
- Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
- Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
- Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
- Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
- Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
- Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
- Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- Proverbs 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
- Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
- Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
- Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
- Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Other Resources:
Other YouTube Videos
- Audio Recordings
Through the Word = Audio
Proverbs 17 - A Merry Heart Does Good
Discovery Bible Study
Articles
- Devotions
ARE YOU EASILY OFFENDED?
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9
Countless friendships are destroyed because one person gets offended by something the other one said or did.
A mark of spiritual growth is how quickly we get over slights and insults; the more mature we are, the less time it takes to “forgive an offense” and move on.
What if our friend ditches you and your feelings are hurt. Or, a friend is too busy to return your phone calls or emails. Let’s say you are out to dinner with another couple and the other woman insults your wife to be funny.
Offenses come…Jesus said they would. (John 16:33)
People are people. If you’ve been offended by a friend, or felt slighted, get over it! Don’t let bitterness even think about putting down roots. “Love…is not irritable…it keeps no record of being wronged…never gives up…and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)
This often seems impossible…and without God’s love, it is. So, yield to His love, overlook offenses and walk in love, because next week you’ll be the one needing unconditional love. When it comes to being perfect, we’ve all failed. If you want your friends to overlook your slip-ups, be quick to overlook theirs.
Thought of the Day: Make this your prayer today: “Father, thank You for the relationships You’ve blessed me with. I make a decision today to release anyone who has ever offended me in the slightest… to overlook it… forget about it, and move on. I will not keep a record of their wrongs. I will offer mercy and unconditional love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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