Understanding Wisdom and Justice
Proverbs 29:1-27
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- When do you break into melody to yourself: (a) With the radio? (b) In the shower? (c) After church? (d) Never?
- As for your ability to sing, are you a Johnny one-note, a joyful noise, or a one-man barbershop quartet?
- What song is part of your bedtime ritual or teaching method with your children?
#People =
- The Wise
- The Fool
- The Righteous
- The Wicked
- The Ruler
- The Servant
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
1He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts giftsa tears it down.
5A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.b
11A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,c
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.d
22A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Wisdom instructs against stubbornness and insubordination.
Accepting Criticism (29:1): If you refuse to accept criticism, you will be broken.
Wisdom and Wickedness (29:2–8): “The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father.… Evil people are trapped by sin.”
Facts about a Fool (29:9–11): A fool has no restraint on his emotions.
Potentates and the Poor (29:12–14): If a king honors liars, all his advisers will be wicked. He will have a long reign if he is fair to the poor.
Spanking, Not Spoiling (29:15–17): Discipline produces wisdom, but spoiling a child brings a mother disgrace.
No Revelation, No Restraint (29:18–19): If people are not wise and accept guidance, they run wild.
Thoughtless Speech (29:20–26): There is more hope for a fool than for one who speaks without thinking.
The Godly and the Ungodly (29:27): They detest each other.
Proverbs Chapter 29 offers a collection of wise sayings that emphasize the importance of righteous leadership, self-discipline, and humility. The chapter highlights the consequences of foolishness, stubbornness, and wickedness, while promoting justice, humility, and the fear of the Lord as the foundation of a prosperous life. Here are the key themes:
Proverbs 29 offers timeless wisdom on leadership, justice, discipline, and personal conduct. Here's a summary of its key themes and teachings:
The chapter emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership and its impact on society:
- When the righteous are in authority, people rejoice; when the wicked rule, people groan
- A just ruler brings stability, while the wicked bring turmoil
- Leaders who listen to lies will have corrupt officials
- Kings who judge the poor fairly will have their thrones established forever
Proverbs 29 stresses the value of discipline and heeding correction:
- Those who repeatedly ignore rebuke will face sudden, irreversible destruction
- A rod of correction imparts wisdom, while a child left to themselves brings shame
- Disciplining children brings peace and delight to parents
The chapter contrasts the actions and outcomes of the wise and foolish:
- A wise person brings joy to their father, while one who consorts with prostitutes squanders wealth
- The wise calm heated situations, while mockers inflame cities
- Fools vent all their feelings, but the wise hold them back
Solomon emphasizes the importance of justice and caring for the vulnerable:
- The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern
- Both the poor and the oppressor receive light (understanding) from the Lord
The chapter offers insights on personal integrity and behavior:
- Flattery is described as setting a trap for one's neighbor
- The fear of human opinion leads to a snare, but trusting in the Lord keeps one safe
- There's more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks hastily
Proverbs 29 repeatedly contrasts the outcomes of righteous and wicked behavior:
- The righteous will see the downfall of the wicked
- An unjust person is detestable to the righteous, and the upright are detestable to the wicked
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- If you were to put mood music to the reading of this chapter, would it be classical, up-beat or just old-fashioned? In a major or a minor key?
- What might the righteous person of Proverbs 29:6 choose to sing about?
- What else marks the righteous (Proverbs 29:2, 7, 16, 27)? What notes would they be singing?
- Proverbs 29:8-9, 11, 20, 22 again raise the twin issues of anger and fools. How do you deal with the temperament of a fool? What hope does Solomon offer here?
- Who are "stiff-necked" folk (Proverbs 29:1)? How and when do you think such irrevocable destruction occurs?
- What is the result of dishonesty in leadership (Proverbs 29:12)? Are "lies" (Proverbs 29:12) more powerful than "rebukes" (Proverbs 29:1) or "mere words" (Proverbs 29:19)? Why might that be?
- How might "discipline" give meaning to "words" (Proverbs 29:19)?
- Of what value is a "revelation" (Proverbs 29:18)? Why is that? What incident in Israel's early history might be in mind here? What is significant about this convergence of law, the prophets and wisdom literature in one verse?
- Which proverb here penetrates an area of your life?
- If "mere words" (Proverbs 29:19) or "rebukes" (Proverbs 29:1) are not enough to correct someone, but only make one "stiff-necked" (Proverbs 29:2), what else is needed? What does this say about nagging mates? Stem-winding preachers? Self-help books? The Bible itself? Why are flesh and blood examples and multi-image shows more forceful than mere words?
- These proverbs seem to suggest that lasting change is not externally imposed but internally motivated. When is "leaving a child to himself" (Proverbs 29:15) a healthy corrective? And when is that too permissive?
- If "from the Lord we get justice" (Proverbs 29:26), what does this say about courts of appeal (civil and church)? Does one judicial process exclude the other? Or reflect the other? How will you handle your next disagreement with someone concerning this truth?
- What threats do righteous people face (Proverbs 29:10)? What threats do you fear most?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others via social media links at this bottom.
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
- Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
- What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
PRAYER: Dear God, may I never lose sight of what is right, and help me to always do what is good in your eyes. In the Name of Jesus.
NOTICEABLE GROUPINGS IN CHAPTER 29
“Ruler”—
“When a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh” (Proverbs 29:2).
“The king by justice established the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it” (Proverbs 29:4).
“If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked” (Proverbs 29:12).
“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever” (Proverbs 29:14).
“Many seek the ruler’s favor” (Proverbs 29:26).
“Righteous”—
“When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2).
“The righteous doth sing and rejoice” (Proverbs 29:6).
“The righteous take knowledge of the cause of the poor” (Proverbs 29:7).
“The righteous shall look upon their fall” (Proverbs 29:16).
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous” (Proverbs 29:27).
“He that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked” (Proverbs 29:27).
“Trap”—
“A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps” (Proverbs 29:5).
“In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare” (Proverbs 29:6).
“Wise”—
“Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father” (Proverbs 29:3).
“Wise men turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8).
“If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest” (Proverbs 29:9).
“A wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it” (Proverbs 29:11).
“The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15).
“Parenthood”—
“Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance” (Proverbs 29:3).
“The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15).
“Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17).
“He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last” (Proverbs 29:21).
“Destruction”—
“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).
“He that exacteth gifts overthroweth it” (Proverbs 29:4).
“A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his steps” (Proverbs 29:5).
“Scoffers set a city in a flame” (Proverbs 29:8).
“The righteous look upon their fall” (Proverbs 29:16).
“Wicked”—
“In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare” (Proverbs 29:6).
“The wicked hath not understanding to know it” (Proverbs 29:7).
“The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life” (Proverbs 29:10).
“If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked” (Proverbs 29:12).
“When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth” (Proverbs 29:16).
“Abomination”—
“The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect” (Proverbs 29:10).
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked” (Proverbs 29:27).
“Poor”—
“The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it” (Proverbs 29:7).
“The poor and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both” (Proverbs 29:13).
“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor; His throne shall be established for ever” (Proverbs 29:14).
“Fool”—
“If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man; Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest” (Proverbs 29:9).
“A fool uttereth all his anger” (Proverbs 29:11).
“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words: There is more hope of a fool than of him” (Proverbs 29:20).
“Speech”—
“A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his steps” (Proverbs 29:5).
“Scoffers set a city in a flame” (Proverbs 29:5).
“The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15).
“A servant will not be corrected by words” (Proverbs 29:19).
“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him” (Proverbs 29:20).
“Bad company”—
“He that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance” (Proverbs 29:3).
“Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul” (Proverbs 29:24).
“Anger”—
“Wise men turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8).
“If a wise man that a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest” (Proverbs 29:9).
“A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it” (Proverbs 29:11).
“Established”—
“The king by justice establisheth the land” (Proverbs 29:4).
“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever” (Proverbs 29:14).
“Jehovah”—
“The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both” (Proverbs 29:13).
“Whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
“A man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah” (Proverbs 29:26).
“Rejoice”—
“When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2).
“Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father” (Proverbs 29:3).
“The righteous doth sing and rejoice” (Proverbs 29:6).
“Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17).
“He that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18).
THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED
“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words” (Proverbs 15:26).
The wicked have thoughts. They are usually expressing them too. You talk to them about Jesus, and you will see that they have thoughts. But, they are not the kind of thoughts that God would have. They are thoughts that do not agree with God’s thoughts. They are thoughts that lead away from God rather than to Him. They are thoughts that degrade instead of inspire. They are thoughts that oppose God rather than submit to Him.
Because of the way that wicked people think, it is hard to help them, it is hard to deal with them for God. God knows this. The just deplore the way of the wicked, and the feeling is mutual—the wicked deplore the way of the righteous (Proverbs 29:27). God deplores the way of the wicked and would have them turn from it immediately.
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September 8, 2009
Anger: Reflect Before You Respond
by Rick Warren"A rebel shouts in anger; a wise man holds his temper in and cools it" (Proverbs 29:11 TLB).
When you're angry, don't respond impulsively. Delay is a great tool in controlling anger. I'm not saying delay indefinitely, or even beyond a day; the Bible says don't go to sleep when you're angry. I'm talking about delaying it for five minutes.
When you start to get ticked off, you take 'time out' for a few minutes. Give yourself some time to stop, reflect and think it through. If you don't stop and think, you are likely to do the wrong thing. You need to reflect before you respond.
When we get angry, we need to get in the habit of stepping back, waiting a few minutes, and looking at the situation from God's point of view. Notice the Bible says a wise man lets his anger cool down (Proverbs 29:11). So 'cool it' is a Biblical term! A modern translation might be: "The wise man waits and chills out." Thomas Jefferson, the author of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, said, "When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred."
While you're cooling down, ask yourself three questions to help you understand why you are angry:
- - Why am I angry?
- - What do I really want?
- - How can I get it?
Understanding the reason for your anger will give you greater patience and, perhaps, even the ability to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11).
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