Song of Solomon 7
KingCommentsSong of Solomon 7:1
The Excuse of the Sluggard Not to Work
A farmer who is too lazy to plow and sow at the right time will not find a harvest. His excuse for not plowing is that it is winter. He has no desire to expose himself to the cold and wet winter weather. It is much more pleasant in his cozy warm and dry farmhouse. The sluggard will always find an excuse with which to camouflage his laziness. He does not consider himself a sluggard, but thinks that circumstances are against him.
This character is typical of all those who want yield, possession or money without putting effort into it. They want results without effort. The whole attitude of a sluggard makes it clear that he lives for the present, while the future does not interest him. The wise person works with an eye to the future (cf. Galatians 6:9). He is constantly at work, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
Because the sluggard has neglected to plow, he will have nothing during the harvest. He will then go begging from those who did labor and did reap. For this he is not ashamed. People who are lazy and therefore suffer from lack also think that others will take care of them. They have no vision of the future and no sense of shame. But those to whom the sluggard knocks know him and send him away empty-handed. This is in accordance with Paul’s word: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Song of Solomon 7:2
God Sees Through the Heart of Every Man
He who is wise can discern what is going on in the heart (Proverbs 20:5). This is true of his own heart as well as that of others. The counsel or purpose in the heart is compared to “deep waters”. The picture indicates that a person’s plan is difficult to fathom. It takes “understanding” to bring it to the surface, to “draw it out”. We can gain that understanding by fearing the LORD and listening to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). If we don’t know clearly what someone is up to, we can still find out through our dealings with God.
Christ is “a man of understanding”. To Him all the deliberations of every person’s heart are perfectly revealed. He can let us know if we live in fellowship with Him. On the day of judgment, He will bring out and demonstrate the plans and deliberations of every man’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one needs to tell Him what is in man, for He does know it (John 2:25).
Many people do not know the deceitfulness of their own heart. They proclaim their “own loyalty” (Proverbs 20:6). So did the Pharisees on the corners of the streets with their righteousness (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5) and even before God (Luke 18:11-12). And they are not yet outdated. We can condemn the Pharisee who openly boasts of his good qualities, but what about ourselves? We can show humility with the intention of being honored for it. This is on the same level. We may not boast aloud, but we still like it when others see how dedicated we are.
Opposed to boasting about a certain goodness is “a trustworthy man”. Therein lies the fact that someone who boasts about himself is not trustworthy. Such a person promises all kinds of things with much boasting, but does not keep his promises. A trustworthy person is not full of himself, but of the other. He is focused on the other, he is there for the other. But where is such a person to be found? The question indicates that such a person is rare (cf. Proverbs 31:10; Psalms 12:1).
The good Samaritan did not proclaim his lovingkindness, but showed it. He was trustworthy. It is not about what someone says he is, but what someone does.
“A righteous man” is one who lives in accordance with the law of God (Proverbs 20:7). His life flows from the “integrity” of his heart. That integrity is in his heart because he lives in fellowship with God. There is nothing deceitful in his actions. He who lives in this way is a blessing to those around him, and first and foremost to those with whom he lives in the closest relationship: his sons. They are called “blessed” because they grow up and are raised in this atmosphere of integrity. This is the most beautiful legacy parents can leave their children.
“A king” who speaks justice distinguishes between good and evil (Proverbs 20:8). The throne speaks of government in general; “the throne of justice” speaks of the exercise of justice. One cannot appeal against this justice. Here the emphasis is on separation from evil. Dispersing has the meaning of making pure. He will do this “with his eyes”, indicating perfect understanding. He is concerned with removing “all evil” from his kingdom (Psalms 101:8).
No king or government has ever lived up to this ideal. The Lord Jesus will do what it says here. Thus, when He sits on the throne of His glory, He will “separate the nations from one another, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He will then send the goats to eternal fire, while the sheep may inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:33-46). He has eyes that see and fathom all things (Psalms 11:4).
No one can say he is pure in his thinking and doing (Proverbs 20:9). There are those who claim this, but they lie (1 John 1:8; 10). With a rhetorical question, the wise affirm that no one is without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:9). A person can say that he has cleansed his heart only when he has confessed his sins through which he may know that they have been forgiven by God (1 John 1:9). Cleansing does not lie in man himself, but outside of him, in God. God can forgive by virtue of the work of His Son on the cross.
The proverb has particular significance for practice. In our practice as believers, we must be aware that we are weak and that we do not always know our hearts through and through. Nor can we always fully fathom our motives. Paul was aware of this. He placed the judgment of his life in the hands of the Lord. He says: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
Song of Solomon 7:3
God Sees Through the Heart of Every Man
He who is wise can discern what is going on in the heart (Proverbs 20:5). This is true of his own heart as well as that of others. The counsel or purpose in the heart is compared to “deep waters”. The picture indicates that a person’s plan is difficult to fathom. It takes “understanding” to bring it to the surface, to “draw it out”. We can gain that understanding by fearing the LORD and listening to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). If we don’t know clearly what someone is up to, we can still find out through our dealings with God.
Christ is “a man of understanding”. To Him all the deliberations of every person’s heart are perfectly revealed. He can let us know if we live in fellowship with Him. On the day of judgment, He will bring out and demonstrate the plans and deliberations of every man’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one needs to tell Him what is in man, for He does know it (John 2:25).
Many people do not know the deceitfulness of their own heart. They proclaim their “own loyalty” (Proverbs 20:6). So did the Pharisees on the corners of the streets with their righteousness (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5) and even before God (Luke 18:11-12). And they are not yet outdated. We can condemn the Pharisee who openly boasts of his good qualities, but what about ourselves? We can show humility with the intention of being honored for it. This is on the same level. We may not boast aloud, but we still like it when others see how dedicated we are.
Opposed to boasting about a certain goodness is “a trustworthy man”. Therein lies the fact that someone who boasts about himself is not trustworthy. Such a person promises all kinds of things with much boasting, but does not keep his promises. A trustworthy person is not full of himself, but of the other. He is focused on the other, he is there for the other. But where is such a person to be found? The question indicates that such a person is rare (cf. Proverbs 31:10; Psalms 12:1).
The good Samaritan did not proclaim his lovingkindness, but showed it. He was trustworthy. It is not about what someone says he is, but what someone does.
“A righteous man” is one who lives in accordance with the law of God (Proverbs 20:7). His life flows from the “integrity” of his heart. That integrity is in his heart because he lives in fellowship with God. There is nothing deceitful in his actions. He who lives in this way is a blessing to those around him, and first and foremost to those with whom he lives in the closest relationship: his sons. They are called “blessed” because they grow up and are raised in this atmosphere of integrity. This is the most beautiful legacy parents can leave their children.
“A king” who speaks justice distinguishes between good and evil (Proverbs 20:8). The throne speaks of government in general; “the throne of justice” speaks of the exercise of justice. One cannot appeal against this justice. Here the emphasis is on separation from evil. Dispersing has the meaning of making pure. He will do this “with his eyes”, indicating perfect understanding. He is concerned with removing “all evil” from his kingdom (Psalms 101:8).
No king or government has ever lived up to this ideal. The Lord Jesus will do what it says here. Thus, when He sits on the throne of His glory, He will “separate the nations from one another, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He will then send the goats to eternal fire, while the sheep may inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:33-46). He has eyes that see and fathom all things (Psalms 11:4).
No one can say he is pure in his thinking and doing (Proverbs 20:9). There are those who claim this, but they lie (1 John 1:8; 10). With a rhetorical question, the wise affirm that no one is without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:9). A person can say that he has cleansed his heart only when he has confessed his sins through which he may know that they have been forgiven by God (1 John 1:9). Cleansing does not lie in man himself, but outside of him, in God. God can forgive by virtue of the work of His Son on the cross.
The proverb has particular significance for practice. In our practice as believers, we must be aware that we are weak and that we do not always know our hearts through and through. Nor can we always fully fathom our motives. Paul was aware of this. He placed the judgment of his life in the hands of the Lord. He says: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
Song of Solomon 7:4
God Sees Through the Heart of Every Man
He who is wise can discern what is going on in the heart (Proverbs 20:5). This is true of his own heart as well as that of others. The counsel or purpose in the heart is compared to “deep waters”. The picture indicates that a person’s plan is difficult to fathom. It takes “understanding” to bring it to the surface, to “draw it out”. We can gain that understanding by fearing the LORD and listening to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). If we don’t know clearly what someone is up to, we can still find out through our dealings with God.
Christ is “a man of understanding”. To Him all the deliberations of every person’s heart are perfectly revealed. He can let us know if we live in fellowship with Him. On the day of judgment, He will bring out and demonstrate the plans and deliberations of every man’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one needs to tell Him what is in man, for He does know it (John 2:25).
Many people do not know the deceitfulness of their own heart. They proclaim their “own loyalty” (Proverbs 20:6). So did the Pharisees on the corners of the streets with their righteousness (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5) and even before God (Luke 18:11-12). And they are not yet outdated. We can condemn the Pharisee who openly boasts of his good qualities, but what about ourselves? We can show humility with the intention of being honored for it. This is on the same level. We may not boast aloud, but we still like it when others see how dedicated we are.
Opposed to boasting about a certain goodness is “a trustworthy man”. Therein lies the fact that someone who boasts about himself is not trustworthy. Such a person promises all kinds of things with much boasting, but does not keep his promises. A trustworthy person is not full of himself, but of the other. He is focused on the other, he is there for the other. But where is such a person to be found? The question indicates that such a person is rare (cf. Proverbs 31:10; Psalms 12:1).
The good Samaritan did not proclaim his lovingkindness, but showed it. He was trustworthy. It is not about what someone says he is, but what someone does.
“A righteous man” is one who lives in accordance with the law of God (Proverbs 20:7). His life flows from the “integrity” of his heart. That integrity is in his heart because he lives in fellowship with God. There is nothing deceitful in his actions. He who lives in this way is a blessing to those around him, and first and foremost to those with whom he lives in the closest relationship: his sons. They are called “blessed” because they grow up and are raised in this atmosphere of integrity. This is the most beautiful legacy parents can leave their children.
“A king” who speaks justice distinguishes between good and evil (Proverbs 20:8). The throne speaks of government in general; “the throne of justice” speaks of the exercise of justice. One cannot appeal against this justice. Here the emphasis is on separation from evil. Dispersing has the meaning of making pure. He will do this “with his eyes”, indicating perfect understanding. He is concerned with removing “all evil” from his kingdom (Psalms 101:8).
No king or government has ever lived up to this ideal. The Lord Jesus will do what it says here. Thus, when He sits on the throne of His glory, He will “separate the nations from one another, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He will then send the goats to eternal fire, while the sheep may inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:33-46). He has eyes that see and fathom all things (Psalms 11:4).
No one can say he is pure in his thinking and doing (Proverbs 20:9). There are those who claim this, but they lie (1 John 1:8; 10). With a rhetorical question, the wise affirm that no one is without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:9). A person can say that he has cleansed his heart only when he has confessed his sins through which he may know that they have been forgiven by God (1 John 1:9). Cleansing does not lie in man himself, but outside of him, in God. God can forgive by virtue of the work of His Son on the cross.
The proverb has particular significance for practice. In our practice as believers, we must be aware that we are weak and that we do not always know our hearts through and through. Nor can we always fully fathom our motives. Paul was aware of this. He placed the judgment of his life in the hands of the Lord. He says: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
Song of Solomon 7:5
God Sees Through the Heart of Every Man
He who is wise can discern what is going on in the heart (Proverbs 20:5). This is true of his own heart as well as that of others. The counsel or purpose in the heart is compared to “deep waters”. The picture indicates that a person’s plan is difficult to fathom. It takes “understanding” to bring it to the surface, to “draw it out”. We can gain that understanding by fearing the LORD and listening to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). If we don’t know clearly what someone is up to, we can still find out through our dealings with God.
Christ is “a man of understanding”. To Him all the deliberations of every person’s heart are perfectly revealed. He can let us know if we live in fellowship with Him. On the day of judgment, He will bring out and demonstrate the plans and deliberations of every man’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one needs to tell Him what is in man, for He does know it (John 2:25).
Many people do not know the deceitfulness of their own heart. They proclaim their “own loyalty” (Proverbs 20:6). So did the Pharisees on the corners of the streets with their righteousness (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5) and even before God (Luke 18:11-12). And they are not yet outdated. We can condemn the Pharisee who openly boasts of his good qualities, but what about ourselves? We can show humility with the intention of being honored for it. This is on the same level. We may not boast aloud, but we still like it when others see how dedicated we are.
Opposed to boasting about a certain goodness is “a trustworthy man”. Therein lies the fact that someone who boasts about himself is not trustworthy. Such a person promises all kinds of things with much boasting, but does not keep his promises. A trustworthy person is not full of himself, but of the other. He is focused on the other, he is there for the other. But where is such a person to be found? The question indicates that such a person is rare (cf. Proverbs 31:10; Psalms 12:1).
The good Samaritan did not proclaim his lovingkindness, but showed it. He was trustworthy. It is not about what someone says he is, but what someone does.
“A righteous man” is one who lives in accordance with the law of God (Proverbs 20:7). His life flows from the “integrity” of his heart. That integrity is in his heart because he lives in fellowship with God. There is nothing deceitful in his actions. He who lives in this way is a blessing to those around him, and first and foremost to those with whom he lives in the closest relationship: his sons. They are called “blessed” because they grow up and are raised in this atmosphere of integrity. This is the most beautiful legacy parents can leave their children.
“A king” who speaks justice distinguishes between good and evil (Proverbs 20:8). The throne speaks of government in general; “the throne of justice” speaks of the exercise of justice. One cannot appeal against this justice. Here the emphasis is on separation from evil. Dispersing has the meaning of making pure. He will do this “with his eyes”, indicating perfect understanding. He is concerned with removing “all evil” from his kingdom (Psalms 101:8).
No king or government has ever lived up to this ideal. The Lord Jesus will do what it says here. Thus, when He sits on the throne of His glory, He will “separate the nations from one another, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He will then send the goats to eternal fire, while the sheep may inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:33-46). He has eyes that see and fathom all things (Psalms 11:4).
No one can say he is pure in his thinking and doing (Proverbs 20:9). There are those who claim this, but they lie (1 John 1:8; 10). With a rhetorical question, the wise affirm that no one is without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:9). A person can say that he has cleansed his heart only when he has confessed his sins through which he may know that they have been forgiven by God (1 John 1:9). Cleansing does not lie in man himself, but outside of him, in God. God can forgive by virtue of the work of His Son on the cross.
The proverb has particular significance for practice. In our practice as believers, we must be aware that we are weak and that we do not always know our hearts through and through. Nor can we always fully fathom our motives. Paul was aware of this. He placed the judgment of his life in the hands of the Lord. He says: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
Song of Solomon 7:6
God Sees Through the Heart of Every Man
He who is wise can discern what is going on in the heart (Proverbs 20:5). This is true of his own heart as well as that of others. The counsel or purpose in the heart is compared to “deep waters”. The picture indicates that a person’s plan is difficult to fathom. It takes “understanding” to bring it to the surface, to “draw it out”. We can gain that understanding by fearing the LORD and listening to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). If we don’t know clearly what someone is up to, we can still find out through our dealings with God.
Christ is “a man of understanding”. To Him all the deliberations of every person’s heart are perfectly revealed. He can let us know if we live in fellowship with Him. On the day of judgment, He will bring out and demonstrate the plans and deliberations of every man’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one needs to tell Him what is in man, for He does know it (John 2:25).
Many people do not know the deceitfulness of their own heart. They proclaim their “own loyalty” (Proverbs 20:6). So did the Pharisees on the corners of the streets with their righteousness (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 23:5) and even before God (Luke 18:11-12). And they are not yet outdated. We can condemn the Pharisee who openly boasts of his good qualities, but what about ourselves? We can show humility with the intention of being honored for it. This is on the same level. We may not boast aloud, but we still like it when others see how dedicated we are.
Opposed to boasting about a certain goodness is “a trustworthy man”. Therein lies the fact that someone who boasts about himself is not trustworthy. Such a person promises all kinds of things with much boasting, but does not keep his promises. A trustworthy person is not full of himself, but of the other. He is focused on the other, he is there for the other. But where is such a person to be found? The question indicates that such a person is rare (cf. Proverbs 31:10; Psalms 12:1).
The good Samaritan did not proclaim his lovingkindness, but showed it. He was trustworthy. It is not about what someone says he is, but what someone does.
“A righteous man” is one who lives in accordance with the law of God (Proverbs 20:7). His life flows from the “integrity” of his heart. That integrity is in his heart because he lives in fellowship with God. There is nothing deceitful in his actions. He who lives in this way is a blessing to those around him, and first and foremost to those with whom he lives in the closest relationship: his sons. They are called “blessed” because they grow up and are raised in this atmosphere of integrity. This is the most beautiful legacy parents can leave their children.
“A king” who speaks justice distinguishes between good and evil (Proverbs 20:8). The throne speaks of government in general; “the throne of justice” speaks of the exercise of justice. One cannot appeal against this justice. Here the emphasis is on separation from evil. Dispersing has the meaning of making pure. He will do this “with his eyes”, indicating perfect understanding. He is concerned with removing “all evil” from his kingdom (Psalms 101:8).
No king or government has ever lived up to this ideal. The Lord Jesus will do what it says here. Thus, when He sits on the throne of His glory, He will “separate the nations from one another, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He will then send the goats to eternal fire, while the sheep may inherit the kingdom (Matthew 25:33-46). He has eyes that see and fathom all things (Psalms 11:4).
No one can say he is pure in his thinking and doing (Proverbs 20:9). There are those who claim this, but they lie (1 John 1:8; 10). With a rhetorical question, the wise affirm that no one is without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:9). A person can say that he has cleansed his heart only when he has confessed his sins through which he may know that they have been forgiven by God (1 John 1:9). Cleansing does not lie in man himself, but outside of him, in God. God can forgive by virtue of the work of His Son on the cross.
The proverb has particular significance for practice. In our practice as believers, we must be aware that we are weak and that we do not always know our hearts through and through. Nor can we always fully fathom our motives. Paul was aware of this. He placed the judgment of his life in the hands of the Lord. He says: “For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
Song of Solomon 7:7
Do Not Measure With Two Measures
One of the things that make a person’s heart impure and are charged as sin is measuring with differing weights and measures. By using two different weights, a light one for selling and a heavy one for buying, the merchant seeks to enrich himself at the expense of the buyer and seller, respectively. The same applies to the use of two different measures of contents (Proverbs 20:23; Proverbs 11:1; Deuteronomy 25:13-16).
Emphatically, the wise man says that “both of them are abominable to the LORD”. God abhors dishonesty in business and will bring His judgment on it. Deceptive weighing stones and content measures are just two examples of fraud and deception. They result from man’s greed. God hates these dealings because He is perfectly just, honest and trustworthy and wants to see these qualities in the dealings of those who are named after His Name. Deceptive dealings go against His nature and against the nature of everyone who has His nature.
Song of Solomon 7:8
Deeds Show the Character
The behavior a person shows, even already at a young age, reveals his character (1 Samuel 3:18-21). It is like the tree that is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16). Behavior shows what is in a person. Parents can recognize certain traits in a child’s behavior. Therefore, they should pay close attention to how the child behaves and speaks. They can correct unpleasant character traits and encourage good character traits through education, discipline and their own example.
Song of Solomon 7:9
The Hearing Ear and the Seeing Eye
God provided the human body not only with ears and eyes, but also with the ability to make proper use of them. What shapes our life comes primarily from what our ears hear and our eyes see. It is one of the characteristics of God Himself that He hears and sees (Psalms 94:9; Exodus 4:11) in contrast to dead idols (Psalms 115:4-7). The hearing ear and the seeing eye must be consecrated to Him.
Therefore, it is not merely about physical function, such as perceiving sound and light. More so, with the ear it is about the spiritual ability to obey what has been heard. This shows that what has been said has been listened to and understood. The eye involves the spiritual ability to discern between good and evil.
We have ears to hear God’s Word, what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7). We have eyes to see Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). We can pray to have enlightened eyes of the heart to see and enjoy our spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:17-18).
Song of Solomon 7:10
Do Not Sleep, but Be Awake and Work
Sleep is a blessing. It is a gift from God that allows our body to rest after a day of work and regain its strength for the next day. However, the warning sounds not to love sleep. He who loves sleep is a sluggard, and laziness leads to poverty. Sleep is a great blessing, but it becomes a curse if we prefer sleep to work.
When sleep has done its beneficent work, the eyes must open to get to work. He who knows his responsibility and goes to work with diligence will be satiated with bread. He will have enough to eat.
Song of Solomon 7:11
Be Honest in Word and Walk
Here we hear a buyer complaining about how bad the sale is for him (Proverbs 20:14). Once he has negotiated and paid his low price through his dramatic performance, he leaves and then boasts about it. This doesn’t even have to mean that he tells others how clever he has been. He can just also just inwardly rejoice extraordinarily that he has been so smart and the seller so stupid. What matters is that he glories in his arrogance (James 4:16).
Bargain hunting is not evil and neither is haggling. This verse is a warning to an inexperienced seller not to be fooled by pathetic or intimidating buyers. Being handy in business is one thing, but making a deceptive performance in a negotiation to buy far below the value of the product is unacceptable to God and unworthy of a member of His people.
A person can be rich in earthly treasures (Proverbs 20:15). A lot of people in the world are. But the real wealth is that of having “lips of knowledge”. Such lips are “a precious thing”. It is rare to find someone who speaks with knowledge. Lips that speak knowledge are lips that teach knowledge, that speak well thought out words. Lips of knowledge a person gets through the long and hard work of education.
This involves the knowledge of Christ and of God’s standards for life. This knowledge is applied to all situations in life. As a result, one knows how to behave as a wise person in them. The result is that God is honored and one’s neighbor is blessed. What a tremendously precious thing such lips are in a world like ours.
In Proverbs 20:16, the wise one urges the creditor toward one who has been foolish enough to become “surety for a stranger” to even take the surety’s garment. Becoming surety has been discussed before (Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18) and is always strongly discouraged, especially in the case of a stranger. It is a proverb that should discourage becoming surety for another.
It marks the stupidity of those who do so. Such a person must bear the consequences. He is literally stripped. His garment goes to strangers as pledge. Then he never sees it again. The warning is that you are in danger of losing everything to the creditor, who can pawn your things to strangers if you become surety.
Good things acquired dishonestly bring no satisfaction (Proverbs 20:17). There is such a thing as “enjoying the passing pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), but it is indeed only temporary. The aftertaste is very bitter. Not only is there a lack of taste and nourishment in what has been stolen, but the consequence is that nothing at all can be eaten with pleasure. Gravel ruins the teeth so that food can no longer be consumed with taste (Lamentations 3:16). Eating becomes difficult and hurts. God causes this result.
We see it in the eating the first “bread obtained by falsehood” eaten by man. We also see the consequences. Adam and Eve ate bread obtained by falsehood when they took the fruit from the tree of which God had told them not to eat (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-6). The fruit looked very attractive and no doubt the taste will have been exquisite. But what dramatic consequences resulted from eating that bread of falsehood. The truth of this proverb, which applies to everything acquired in a lying way, repeats itself daily. Satan is still out to tempt people to eat of the bread he offers, which is always bread obtained by falsehood (Proverbs 9:17).
Song of Solomon 7:12
Be Honest in Word and Walk
Here we hear a buyer complaining about how bad the sale is for him (Proverbs 20:14). Once he has negotiated and paid his low price through his dramatic performance, he leaves and then boasts about it. This doesn’t even have to mean that he tells others how clever he has been. He can just also just inwardly rejoice extraordinarily that he has been so smart and the seller so stupid. What matters is that he glories in his arrogance (James 4:16).
Bargain hunting is not evil and neither is haggling. This verse is a warning to an inexperienced seller not to be fooled by pathetic or intimidating buyers. Being handy in business is one thing, but making a deceptive performance in a negotiation to buy far below the value of the product is unacceptable to God and unworthy of a member of His people.
A person can be rich in earthly treasures (Proverbs 20:15). A lot of people in the world are. But the real wealth is that of having “lips of knowledge”. Such lips are “a precious thing”. It is rare to find someone who speaks with knowledge. Lips that speak knowledge are lips that teach knowledge, that speak well thought out words. Lips of knowledge a person gets through the long and hard work of education.
This involves the knowledge of Christ and of God’s standards for life. This knowledge is applied to all situations in life. As a result, one knows how to behave as a wise person in them. The result is that God is honored and one’s neighbor is blessed. What a tremendously precious thing such lips are in a world like ours.
In Proverbs 20:16, the wise one urges the creditor toward one who has been foolish enough to become “surety for a stranger” to even take the surety’s garment. Becoming surety has been discussed before (Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18) and is always strongly discouraged, especially in the case of a stranger. It is a proverb that should discourage becoming surety for another.
It marks the stupidity of those who do so. Such a person must bear the consequences. He is literally stripped. His garment goes to strangers as pledge. Then he never sees it again. The warning is that you are in danger of losing everything to the creditor, who can pawn your things to strangers if you become surety.
Good things acquired dishonestly bring no satisfaction (Proverbs 20:17). There is such a thing as “enjoying the passing pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), but it is indeed only temporary. The aftertaste is very bitter. Not only is there a lack of taste and nourishment in what has been stolen, but the consequence is that nothing at all can be eaten with pleasure. Gravel ruins the teeth so that food can no longer be consumed with taste (Lamentations 3:16). Eating becomes difficult and hurts. God causes this result.
We see it in the eating the first “bread obtained by falsehood” eaten by man. We also see the consequences. Adam and Eve ate bread obtained by falsehood when they took the fruit from the tree of which God had told them not to eat (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-6). The fruit looked very attractive and no doubt the taste will have been exquisite. But what dramatic consequences resulted from eating that bread of falsehood. The truth of this proverb, which applies to everything acquired in a lying way, repeats itself daily. Satan is still out to tempt people to eat of the bread he offers, which is always bread obtained by falsehood (Proverbs 9:17).
Song of Solomon 7:13
Be Honest in Word and Walk
Here we hear a buyer complaining about how bad the sale is for him (Proverbs 20:14). Once he has negotiated and paid his low price through his dramatic performance, he leaves and then boasts about it. This doesn’t even have to mean that he tells others how clever he has been. He can just also just inwardly rejoice extraordinarily that he has been so smart and the seller so stupid. What matters is that he glories in his arrogance (James 4:16).
Bargain hunting is not evil and neither is haggling. This verse is a warning to an inexperienced seller not to be fooled by pathetic or intimidating buyers. Being handy in business is one thing, but making a deceptive performance in a negotiation to buy far below the value of the product is unacceptable to God and unworthy of a member of His people.
A person can be rich in earthly treasures (Proverbs 20:15). A lot of people in the world are. But the real wealth is that of having “lips of knowledge”. Such lips are “a precious thing”. It is rare to find someone who speaks with knowledge. Lips that speak knowledge are lips that teach knowledge, that speak well thought out words. Lips of knowledge a person gets through the long and hard work of education.
This involves the knowledge of Christ and of God’s standards for life. This knowledge is applied to all situations in life. As a result, one knows how to behave as a wise person in them. The result is that God is honored and one’s neighbor is blessed. What a tremendously precious thing such lips are in a world like ours.
In Proverbs 20:16, the wise one urges the creditor toward one who has been foolish enough to become “surety for a stranger” to even take the surety’s garment. Becoming surety has been discussed before (Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18) and is always strongly discouraged, especially in the case of a stranger. It is a proverb that should discourage becoming surety for another.
It marks the stupidity of those who do so. Such a person must bear the consequences. He is literally stripped. His garment goes to strangers as pledge. Then he never sees it again. The warning is that you are in danger of losing everything to the creditor, who can pawn your things to strangers if you become surety.
Good things acquired dishonestly bring no satisfaction (Proverbs 20:17). There is such a thing as “enjoying the passing pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), but it is indeed only temporary. The aftertaste is very bitter. Not only is there a lack of taste and nourishment in what has been stolen, but the consequence is that nothing at all can be eaten with pleasure. Gravel ruins the teeth so that food can no longer be consumed with taste (Lamentations 3:16). Eating becomes difficult and hurts. God causes this result.
We see it in the eating the first “bread obtained by falsehood” eaten by man. We also see the consequences. Adam and Eve ate bread obtained by falsehood when they took the fruit from the tree of which God had told them not to eat (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-6). The fruit looked very attractive and no doubt the taste will have been exquisite. But what dramatic consequences resulted from eating that bread of falsehood. The truth of this proverb, which applies to everything acquired in a lying way, repeats itself daily. Satan is still out to tempt people to eat of the bread he offers, which is always bread obtained by falsehood (Proverbs 9:17).