Saturday, January 4, 2014

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 17:4-7”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Wisdom of The Lord: The Power Of Our Speech: Proverbs 17:4-7
4) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5) Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6) Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.
7) Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

In our text for this morning, we will be looking at the Lord’s wisdom revealing to us the great influence of speech upon both the hearer and the speaker….

EXPOSITION:
4) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
1.  Speech can cause wicked acts to be committed by those who turn their attention to the message of lying lips.
2.  Those who enjoy the practice deceitful speaking will find pleasure in listening to others who do the same.

Through false speech men can be influenced to become corrupt through wicked deeds and mischievous speech

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”   (1 John 4:4-6)

5) Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
1.  Whoever laughs at the poor blasphemes his Creator.  This is because we were made to glorify and honor God.  By mocking the poor we are not displaying love, grace, mercy, humility, or concern for their welfare.  This stands in direct opposition to the image and glory of God.
2.  A person who is pleased when he sees the trials and ruin of others will not escape the judgment of the Lord.

Through mocking speech and a laughing tongue when aimed at the poor, the retribution of God will be felt.

6) Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.
In this verse the grandchildren and fathers being talked about are assumed to be living Godly lifestyles.  Ungodly rebellious grandchildren do not bring honor to the grandfather, nor does ungodly fathers bring honor to their children.  This is the implication of these verses.
1.  Godly grandchildren bring great honor and pride to their grandfather.  It reflects truths about both, his descendants, and the grandfather, himself.  The Godly grandchildren are living proof that the truths of God’s Word have been handed down and applied by faithful family members of each generation.  It also is a display of God’s blessings upon the following generations (a sign of the grandfather’s faithfulness to the Lord).
2. When father’s live lawful, God-honoring lives of submission to Christ and self-sacrifice to meet the needs of others, it becomes a source of honor and respect for their children.  In doing so, they are setting a wonderful example for their children to follow, and when they do this also will bring honor upon the child.

When godly lifestyles are seen in the lives of the ancestors and descendants in a family, honor, respect and joy is brought upon all the individuals of a family unit.  

“Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.  As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.  Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”   (Psalms 127:3-5)

Faithfulness and the following honor within a family unit not only involve their action but their speech as well… this type of speech is covered in greater detail in the next verse…


7) Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
1.  Speech that stands above the rest is a type of speech that does not beautify a fool, it stands in stark contrast to the speech of the foolish.  
2.  Speech that is selfish with intent to deceive does not bring beauty to the speaker who is abusing their position of authority.

Speech reflects the true nature of a person and clearly shows a person’s intent and the motives of their heart.

“But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?  Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.”   (Psalms 50:16-17)
    

SUMMARY:

Wisdom concerning our speech teaches us that:

1.  Error filled speech is influential in the performance of wicked deeds and producing mischievous speech
2.  Mocking speech and a laughing tongue when aimed at the poor, will bring forth the retribution of God
3.  Godly lifestyles and speech that is seen in the lives of the ancestors and descendants brings honor to a family.
4.  Speech reflects the true nature of a person, clearly showing a person’s intents and motives

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org


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