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Proverbs Chapter Seventeen
March 18, 2017

Last week we saw that though we have plans and dreams for our life, it is through God that these plans and dreams are delivered to us. This weak we learn why certain behaviors cause grief in life. We learn that through life God tests our intent to see who is honest and who lies. People who lie are more likely to listen to angry people. Some people choose to make fun of poor people and tragedies that others face. Both types of people make fun of God and will be punished. If you want to know who your friends are, tell a secret; your friend will not tell anyone. As we align ourself to God, God will make our dreams come true. Everything that happens in the world around us serves a purpose for God, and if what we do is pleasing to God, God can even make our enemies to be at peace us. In everything we do, our foundation must be in God and reflected by honest decisions we make. Through the circle of life, grandparents delight in their grandchildren, and children delight in their parents.

Proverbs 17:1-10
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Wise people learn more from a few choice words than fools learn from being flogged in punishment. One way to tell evil from good is to understand what in the end is desired. Like Satan, an evil person seeks rebellion. If you confuse evil for good, evil will never leave. In life disputes will arise and like it is easier to keep water in a cup than trying to collect it from the surface of a table, stop disputes before they happen. Stand beside the righteous and avoid the evil or you will be cursed. Remember that you can only choose your friends; family you cannot. Even with your closest friend, never become responsible for one of your friend's obligations.

Proverbs 17:11-19 
An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

People who like to break the law enjoy disorder and problems in life. Those who seek to make them self out as great will only fall. Parents of children who lie and use bad language know their child will have a troubled future. Children who doubt everything or who act foolishly cause their family grief. Those who are wise pay attention to what is dear and near to them. Fools worry about things that are removed from them.

Proverbs 17:20-28
He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.  A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Wise people are careful with the words they speak; a fool is not careful. Even the fool is considered to be wise when the fool says nothing.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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