Discovering Wisdom's Path: The Guiding Principles
Proverbs 17:1-28
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- 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"?
#People = the wise, the foolish, friends, family members, rulers, and evildoers
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
- 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?
- 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.
“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).
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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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