Bible study of Proverbs chapter 14 verses 28 to 35. Aided with Wesley's Explanatory Notes, and Matthew Henry's Commentaries.
28 28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. (Proverbs 14:28) (NKJV)
28 28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined. (Proverbs 14:28) (RSV)
28 28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined. (Proverbs 14:28) (NIV)
The king is glorifed when his kingdom has a big population. A great leader is one who has a lot of followers. Without followers, a manager or a leader is not deemed to be a leader.
29 29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive[c] exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29) (NKJV)
29 29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29) (RSV)
29 29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Proverbs 14:29) (NIV)
Exalteth - Heb. lifteth up, like a banner, makes it known and visible to all men.
The person who is patient and slow to anger, is somebody who when anger will not take hasty reaction which is unwise and later regretted, and not say something rash which will be later regretted. Be slow to react when angered, this way shows that the person is an understanding and wise person.
Try to understand the other party. Do not be so angry. Try to understand the reason the other party is causing the anger.
The person who is hot tempered will react very fast when angered. Hasty speech, hasty reaction may cause a greater tension, a bigger argument, a quarrel, or even a fight.
30 30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) (NKJV)
30 30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but passion makes the bones rot. (Proverbs 14:30) (RSV)
30 30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones. (Provebs 14:30) (NIV)
A good and peaceful heart and calms emotion will bring goodness to the body, and health. Envy and jealousy is a negative emotion causing much stress, and affects our health negatively.
31 31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. (Proverbs 14:31) (NKJV)
His maker - Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger.
31 31 He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him. (Proverbs 14:31) (RSV)
31 31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs 14:31) (NIV)
If we are kind to the needy and the poor, we are honouring God. Whenever we honour one of the lesser people, we are honouring God. We should be charitable toward the needy and the poor. Whoever oppress or take advantage of the poor people, he is giving no respect to God because God created all people, rich and poor. Whoever does not give face to the poor people, God's creation, is not giving face to God.
32 32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But the righteous has a refuge in his death. (Proverbs 14:32) (NKJV)
32 32 The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing,
but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.[j] (Proverbs 14:32) (RSV)
32 32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. (Proverbs 14:32) (NIV)
The wicked is brought down because of punishment for his wickedness. The wicked may lose his life, may lose his riches and wealth, may lose his power and honour, may lose his health, all because of his bad doings.
The righteous person will always trust God and seek refuge in God. Even in dangers, in disaster, in ill health, in poverty, the righteous will persist in his trust in God. Even death will not shake his trust and believe in God Almighty.
33 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known. (Proverbs 14:33) (NKJV)
Resteth - Is laid up and hid there. In the midst - In the heart. Made known - They will publish in all times and companies.
33 33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding,
but it is not[k] known in the heart of fools. (Proverbs 14:33) (RSV)
For the wise person, he doesn't boast of his wisdom, or show off his knowledge. He keeps his wisdom and knowledge in the heart. Wisdom is to be used in life, not something to show off or to brag about.
For the foolish person, he may brag about the limited knowledge that he has. The fact that a person tries to show off his wisdom and knowledge is indeed folly.
34 34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) (NKJV)
34 34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people. (Proverbs 14:34) (NIV)
Justice in a country, equality between people of all races and religions, equality between men and women, integrity in the society are all good practices that will exalt a country. The country will be respected and honoured by people and by God.
On the contrary, if the people continually sin against God and men, and forsake the commands of God, these people will be chastised and punished for their evil doing. But God will forgive if the people turn back to God again and repent.
35 35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame. (Proverbs 14:35) (NKJV)
35 35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Proverbs 14:35) (RSV)
Shame - Both to himself, by his foolish management of the king's affairs, and to the king who made so foolish a choice of a servant.
35 35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Proverbs 14:35) (NIV)
A manager naturally likes staff who can perform their work well and wisely. A boss likes the employees who are work diligently and wisely. But the manager and the boss will be angry with the staff who does work that is shameful, for example, sending a wrong invoice to customer, sending wrong goods to customer, poor service to customer resulting in a complaint.
Monday-Tuesday, Feb 9-10, 2014.
Michael Yeap.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
Wesley: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/proverbs/proverbs-14.html
27) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.28
28) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.29
29) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.30
30) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.31
31) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.32
32) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.33
33) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.34
34) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.14.35
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