Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: The Consequences of Being a Fool Pt.3, Proverbs 17:19-23

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Proverbs 17:19–23

[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

to pervert the ways of justice. (ESV)

The Consequences of Being a Fool Pt.3

v.19 This proverb points out that those who are wrapped up in their sin enjoy seeing and promoting conflict. Scholars debate the meaning of the second line. One interpretation, which makes the most sense in light of the first line, is that a hostile individual builds his gate high, like the tower atop an ancient city wall, in anticipation of conflict. His excessive defensiveness actually invites attack by enemies who enjoy strife as much as he does. Misery loves company, sinners flock together, and those who like conflict seek others who will give them a good fight.

v.20 Those with sinful minds and hearts who reject the Holy Spirit's work in them will not find the good that God offers them in the Gospel because they are not capable of receiving it. "The mindset of the flesh is hostile toward God; it does not submit to the Law of God because it is not able" (Romans 8:7; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). A crooked heart is straightened and renewed when one is baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-4, 22; 7:22-8:11; 12:2). Baptized believers live "according to the Spirit" and set their minds "on the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). One result of a crooked heart is a deceitful tongue, and his sinful speech leads him down the path of calamity—eternal death if he does not repent.

v.21 This proverb repeats the theme of many others, reminding us of the importance of instructing children in Wisdom so they will not grow into fools. This is common sense in the ordinary world and a warning of the consequence in eternity if children are not instructed in the Gospel. The Wise parent raises Wise children who are a joy to them in this life and benefit not only now but eternally.

v.22 This proverb echoes Proverbs 14:30: One's attitude can affect their health. Believers can "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 3:1; 4:4 because of God's promise to raise the dead to everlasting life. God, the Great Physician, offers repentant sinners the ultimate healing cure. One who rejects the Gospel will find His bones dried up to dust on the last day, with only eternal torment to look forward to.

v.23 This verse recalls Proverbs 17:8 & 17:15. It is again about twisting justice, pointing out, like Proverbs 9:17, that they do so in secret. Those involved in such secret perversions of justice may not see the harm among his conspirators, but they will be shown to be evil when the light of true justice is shone upon them. Eventually, all will be made known in God's time, and their sin will be exposed for what it is (Matthew 10:26-27).