Title: Wisdom in Community / Proverbs 18:10-24
Content Introduction>************************************************ *
This chapter describes wisdom in the community to which it belongs from various aspects. In particular, rather than explaining wisdom in a fragmentary way, it coherently explains the wisdom related to the way of life with the frame of community in mind. This chapter, emphasizing the community life order, consists of the first part (verses 1-9), which describes the reality of the foolish, and the second part (verses 10-24), which explains the principles of life of the wise.
Bon Law>****************************************************
In this chapter, which speaks of wisdom in community, I would like to look at three important points.
First: that true wisdom is manifested in language life (verses 6-8, 20-23) The author spends a lot of time emphasizing the relationship between language life and wisdom in this chapter. It even extends to the point that language life has a decisive influence on the life and death of an individual (verse 21). The previous chapter focuses only on the phenomenon of language life, but this chapter goes one step further and focuses on the results of life revealed by the use of language. Here's a diagram of this:
present
result
Chapter 17
Lies and listens to evil words (verse 4)
Speaking out of control (verse 7)
Separation of close friends (verse 9)
Chapter 18
Conflict and begging for a rod (6)
Bringing destruction (v. 7)
Brings satisfaction (verse 20)
Life and death depend (verse 21).
Second: The righteous and the wicked reveal qualitative differences in their lives. The author continues to emphasize the fact that the thoughts that arise in the minds of the righteous and the wicked are inevitably expressed through life. That is, ① the result of the wicked life is separation from the community (verse 1), being despised and insulted (verse 3), bearing distorted testimony (verse 5), ruining the house (verse 9), being proud (verse 12) He appears to be harmed (v. 24) by many friends. On the other hand, ② the righteous are humble (v. 12), seeking knowledge (v. 15), reconciled with brothers (v. 19), and close with friends (v. 24).
Third: That true humility begins with a relationship with God (12:15:33). The author does not understand humility in a relative dimension, but in an absolute relationship with God. That is why the author contrasts “the fear of the Lord” with “humility” (15:33), revealing that true humility begins with the fear of the Lord.
From this chapter we can learn the following lessons. ① True wisdom is that it is revealed to be beneficial to the community (17:9) ② It is revealed concretely through the lives of the righteous and the wicked (14:14) ③ The righteous should be careful about their language life (James 3:3-12)
Conclusion>****************************************************
That's right! A foolish person has self-centered values, loses objective judgment, and is lazy in basic life postures. However, the wise person is humble before God and bears good fruit in their relationship with their neighbors. Therefore, let us become saints who fear God and promote the good of the community. *Amen*