A few of the sayings in this chapter caught my attention as being a little outside of the box, so let’s review those.
“A bribe is like a precious stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.” (v8) Since a bribe has value in helping people prosper, does that mean we should all go around bribing people? Of course not. A bribe may be ‘a precious stone’, yet we’re told that wisdom is ‘more valuable than a precious stone’ (see Pro 3:13-15).
“A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” (v10) We recently talked about discipline – a wise person invites correction, and learns more deeply from it than a foolish person will learn from a brutal beating. This shows yet again that violence a poor correctional method.
“Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.” (v12) It’s better to be torn apart by an enraged bear, than to meet a fool in their folly – apparently they’re even more dangerous / destructive than the bear. If we are a fool, it’s time to smarten up and not put people in that kind of danger. If we meet a fool, let’s not get sucked into their destructive ways.
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” (v14) Have you ever seen a dam break (possibly in a video)? Intentionally starting an argument is similar. First there’s a small crack, then two, then a bigger crack, and before you know it a torrential flood is destroying everything in its path. Let’s not intentionally start fights / quarrels – they rarely end well.
“Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?” (v16) Have you ever seen someone ‘seek wisdom in all of the wrong places / ways’? Fortune tellers, mediums, con artists, ‘Dr. Google’, and others make livings because of this foolishness. Looking for wisdom in the wrong places, or misapplying wisdom once it is sourced, are very easy mistakes to make. This is why it’s crucial to seek God and God-honoring people for true wisdom.
Father God, our Faithful Creator and King, You are wise and wonderous beyond description. May we learn to seek You as our only source of wisdom, and flee foolishness when we see it. Please help us discern Your righteous paths, and hold fast to them. May we honor and glorify You in our decisions, avoiding foolishness, and set Christlike examples for those around us. We glorify and praise You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training