Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: The Consequences of Being a Fool, Pt.2 Proverbs 17:13-18

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Proverbs 17:13–18

[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. (ESV)

The Consequences of Being a Fool Pt.2

v.13 One who repays kindness with malice is courting trouble. Repaying evil for evil is bad enough, escalating a situation into a much larger feud. But to show ingratitude to one who has been good to you by attacking them is the height of folly and invites the formation of a long-lasting rift (Matthew 18:23-35; 21:33-44).

v.14 The imagery of this proverb is clear. Do not start a fight. Once begun, it is like breaking a dam—once the water starts to flow, the damage increases unpredictably without knowing how to stop it. If the fight has already begun, one should disengage before it gets out of hand.

v.15 This verse is also very straightforward. Making excuses for the wicked and condemning those who are righteous are equally abhorrent behaviors to God. But we sinful humans do exactly that. We see it in society all the time, and foolishness is reaching ever higher levels of stupidity. Judges and governments are to act on God's behalf as they administer justice according to his Word (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14). When we allow such action to continue, we are as bad as those who started and promoted it. Our Christian freedom is not to be used to stand idly by while God's Word is discarded but to actively seek to put leaders in power over us who respect and keep it. We are also to call sin what it is and not sugarcoat it. Silence implies consent.

v.16 A fool who tries to buy Wisdom but does not have the sense to discern and utilize it is a fool indeed. This proverb speaks of spiritual Divine Wisdom. The fool thinks he can buy the priceless, free gift of salvation by grace. Similarly, it is impossible to grant spiritual insight to those who actively reject the Gospel. As Jesus taught us, we do not throw pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Only the Holy Spirit working the renewal of repentance and faith in those who hear the Word are enabled to receive it and grow in Wisdom by grace alone (review Proverbs 1:3-7).

v.17 True friendship, like Wisdom, cannot be bought. "Brother" means a brother in Christ (Psalm 133:1). A brother in Christ can provide the support that endures in a time of trial. Such a person is bound by God's gracious love and provides better support than a biological relative (Proverbs 18:24). For examples in the Bible, read about Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18).

v.18 This is another proverb regarding foolish business deals (Review Proverbs 6:1-5). This verse asks us to contemplate the difference between true friendship (v.17) and those alliances formed by mere economic actions (v.16 & 18).