proverbs 17, the nature of the fool - bible study...

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The Nature

of the

Fool

Proverbs 17:1-28

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN., 37215, John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


The Nature of the Fool

Text: Proverbs 17:1-28, 1. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. 2. A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 3. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. 4. A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. 5. He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6. Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 7. Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8. A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9. He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. 10. A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. 11. An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him. 12. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 13. If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. 14. Starting a quarrel is like beaching a dam; so drop the matter be-fore a dispute breaks out. 15. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the LORD detests them both.



16. Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? 17. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18. A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. 19. He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. 20. A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. 21. To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. 22. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23. A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. 24. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. 26. It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. 27. A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. 28. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV) Introduction: I. Dave L. Bland wrote:

A. “Chapter 17 contains several recurring thoughts.”

1. “The most common thread woven here addresses the nature of the fool.”



a. Proverbs 17:2, A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. (NIV) b. Proverbs 17:7, Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! (NIV) c. Proverbs 17:10, A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (NIV) d. Proverbs 17:12, Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. (NIV) e. Proverbs 17:16, Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? (NIV) f. Proverbs 17:18, A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. (NIV) g. Proverbs 17:21, To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. (NIV) h. Proverbs 17:24, A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (NIV) i. Proverbs 17:25, A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. (NIV)



j. Proverbs 17:28, Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV)

2. “In addition, as is the case throughout the sentence literature, there is the theme of the family.”

a. Proverbs 17:1, Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (NIV) b. Proverbs 17:2, A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. (NIV) c. Proverbs 17:6, Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (NIV) d. Proverbs 17:21, To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. (NIV) e. Proverbs 17:25, A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. (NIV)

Introduction: Commentary: Proverbs 17:1, Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (NIV) I. Little to eat with peace, quietness is better than a house full of feasting with strife.



A. New English Bible, “Better a dry crust and concord with it than a house full of feasting and strife.”

Proverbs 17:2, A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. (NIV) I. New International Version, “A wise servant shall rule over a dis-graceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.” II. New Revised Standard Version, “A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child that acts shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the family.” III. Eliezer, a servant of Abraham, was just such a person.

A. Genesis 15:2,3, But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." (NIV)

Proverbs 17:3, The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. (NIV) I. A pot, smelter, crucible refines silver, a furnace purifies gold, and Jehovah tries, tests the heart.

A. Genesis 22:1, Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. (NIV)

Proverbs 17:4, A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. (NIV) I. An evil doer, a wicked man heeds, listens to wicked, evil lips.



II. A liar pays attention, gives ear to a mischievous, malicious tongue. III. Septuagint Version, “A bad man hearkens to the tongue of trans-gressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.” IV. Good News Bible, “Evil people listen to evil ideas, and liars listen to lies.” Proverbs 17:5, He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. (NIV) I. The person who mocks the poor shows reproach, contempt for God their maker. II. Whosoever is glad to see calamity, gloats over another’s disaster will not go unpunished, will himself experience disaster. III. This verse teaches:

A. Do not laugh, make fun of poor people or people with problems or disabilities. B. The one who mocks others will experience the problems of the people he ridicules.

Proverbs 17:6, Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (NIV) I. Grandfathers are proud of their grandchildren. II. Children are honored by their fathers. Proverbs 17:7, Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! (NIV)



I. “It does not become a fool to speak loftily. How much less do lying lips a noble!” II. Excellent, arrogant speech does not suit a fool. Lying lips of a ruler, prince are even worse. III. The fool who “puts on airs,” pretends to be bright makes himself appear ridiculous. Proverbs 17:8, A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. (NIV) I. New International Version, “A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.”

A. Giving and receiving bribes is sinful! B. However, bribes of all kind are everywhere in our world!

II. Revised Standard Version, “A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who give it; wherever he turns he prospers.” …unless he goes to jail. Proverbs 17:9, He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (NIV) I. Overlooking offenses promotes, cultivates love. II. Harping on a matter, stirring up trouble, gossiping, backbiting, tale bearing can separate even the best of friends. III. Righteous people do not make it a habit to criticize others and do not lend an ear to the gossiping tongues of others. IV. Forbearance and kindness pour oil on troubled waters.



A. Ephesians 4:32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)

Proverbs 17:10, A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (NIV) I. A wise prudent man of understanding profits more from a mild rebuke than does a foolish man from a hundred lashes, stripes. II. Septuagint, “A threat breaks the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.” Proverbs 17:11, An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him. (NIV) I. New International version, “An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.”

A. Ancient Eastern Kings like Solomon would regard all serious crimes as rebellions. B. Our Presidents swear to defend our country against all enemies, foreign or domestic.

Proverbs 17:12, Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. (NIV) I. New English Bible, “Better face a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid man in his folly.” II. This teaches us not to become involved in conflicts with fools.



Proverbs 17:13, If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. (NIV) I. New English Bible, “If a man repays evil for good, evil will never quit (leave) his house.” II. Galatians 6:7,8, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whasoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (KJV) Proverbs 17:14, Starting a quarrel is like beaching a dam; so drop the matter be-fore a dispute breaks out. (NIV) I. New International Version, “Starting a quarrel is like breaching (breaking a hole in) a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (gets bigger and bigger). Proverbs 17:15, Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the LORD detests them both. (NIV) I. God detests:

A. Acquitting the guilty. B. Condemning the innocent.

II. When called to jury duty we must do our utmost to reach the correct, just verdict!

A. Absolving the guilty is condemning the innocent. B. Inversely it is horribly grievous to have innocents on death row.



Proverbs 17:16, Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? (NIV) I. A rich fool cannot buy understanding with money.

A. If he spent all his money on college tuition, he would still be a fool. B. Money can’t buy wisdom! ...especially if the person doesn’t want to get wisdom. C. by the way, how did the fool get the money to start with? Steal it? Inherit it?

Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV) I. In times of trouble we learn who our real friends are! II. True brothers are at their best, come to our aid in times of adversity.

A. “Blood is thicker than water.” B. Not all siblings are “true brothers,” some are our worse irritants.

Proverbs 17:18, A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. (NIV) I. The Bible gives stern warnings against becoming surety for another’s debts.

A. “Would you stand good for my bail bond?” B. “I need a new car. Would you co-sign my note, please?”



II. A man that signs another person’s note isn’t very wise; he is void of understanding. III. New International Version, “A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.”

A. “Strikes hands” equals our “shaking hands,” giving our word on an agreement. B. Proverbs 6:1-5, My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. (NIV)

Proverbs 17:19, He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. (NIV) I. The person who loves transgression, crime, a quarrel also loves strife, trouble, sin because they go together.

A. You can’t have one without the other.

II. The person who builds a high gate, makes his doorway inaccessible, gives the impression that he has valuables on the grounds and this invites thieves, burglars, destruction. Proverbs 17:20, A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. (NIV)



I. The man that has a wayward, perverse, cynical, bitter heart does not prosper, finds no good. II. The person with a perverse, deceitful tongue says one thing at one time and something quite contrary at another time. This kind of person is sure to fall into mischief, trouble. Proverbs 17:21, To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. (NIV) I. Proverbs 17:21, He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath not joy.

A. Proverbs, when it speaks of fools, has in mind rascals, sinners, willfully wicked, not those of limited mental ability.

Proverbs 17:22, A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (NIV) 1. A cheerful heart is good medicine. II. A crushed spirit, depression, a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A. A sunny, cheerful disposition is good for a person’s health. B. Gloom, doom, and depression contribute to ill health.

Proverbs 17:23, A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. (NIV) I. A wicked, perverse man accepts secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. Proverbs 17:24, A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (NIV)



I. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view.

A. to succeed in business, family, life, etc. we must keep focused.

II. The eyes of a fool don’t stay focused on anything, but wander to the ends of the earth, jump from one thing to another.

A. “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” B. The grass is always greener on the other side of the road.

Proverbs 17:25, A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. (NIV) I. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother. Note: This verse is comparable to certain others in Proverbs. Proverbs 17:26, It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. (NIV) I. It is not good to punish, smite the noble, righteous people because of their integrity. II. Moffatt, “It is not fair to fine the innocent, and most unfair to scourge a noble soul.” III. Many righteous have been punished, persecuted for righteous living.

A. Acts 12:1-3, Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (These were the days of unleavened bread.) KJV



B. Matthew 14:3-5, At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. (KJV)

Proverbs 17:27, 28, A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV) I. King James Version, He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. II. Two badges of a wise man are:

A. Reticence. To speak and act intemperately. B. Calmness of temper.

III. Moffatt, “Even a fool may be counted wise if he keeps his mouth shut.”



Questions

Proverbs 17:1-28

1. _____________________ to ______________________ with ________________________, is better than a ____________________ of ____________________ with _______________________________. 2. “A _________________ who _____________ _________________ will _____________________ over a ________________________ that __________________________ _________________________, and will _________________ the _____________________ as one of the __________________________.” (NRSV) 3. A ____________________________, ________________________, ________________ ___________________ a ____________________ ____________________________, and _________________________, __________________ the ____________________________. 4. To whom do you listen? Whose advice do you take? What does this say about your character? _____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 5. Whosoever is _____________________ to see _________________, _____________________ over another’s ____________________ will not go ______________________, will himself ___________________ ___________________________.



6. _________________________ are ______________________ of the ___________________________. ___________________________ are _______________________ by their ___________________________. 7. _________________, ___________________ __________________ does not suit a _____________________. ________________________ of a _____________________, ____________________________ are even _______________________. 8. “A _______________________ is a _______________________ to the one who _____________________________ it; wherever he turns he ______________________.” (NIV) ... unless he ________________ to ______________________. 9. _______________________ __________________________ do not make it a ________________________ to _____________________ others and do not __________________ on __________________ to the _____________________________ ___________________________ of ___________________________. 10. A _________________________ _______________________ man of ______________________ ________________________ more from a ________________________ _______________________ than does a __________________________ __________________________ from a __________________ _______________, _______________________. 11. “An ________________________ _____________________ is bent only on ____________________; a _______________________ will be sent ______________________ him.” (NIV) 12. Proverbs 17:12 teaches us __________ to become ______________ in ___________________________ with ________________________. 13. Whoever returns __________________ for ____________________ will never free himself from receiving the effects of ________________.



14. “______________________ a ______________________ is like __________________ (___________________ a _______________ in) a __________________________; so ________________________ the ____________________ before a _________________________ breaks out.” (NIV) (...and gets _________________ and _________________). 15. God detests _____________________ the _________________ and ___________________ the _____________________! (NIV) When called to ___________________ ___________________ we must do our ______________________ to reach the ______________________, _____________________ _______________________! 16. Of what use is ______________________ to a fool. If he spent all his ___________________on __________________ _______________ he would still be a ________________________. 17. “A ___________________________ ________________________ at _________________________, and a ________________________ is _______________________ for _____________________.” (NIV) How many brothers, friends do you have that are of this kind? ________ ________________ Are you this kind of friend, brother? ____________ why or why not? ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. A person that ___________________________ another individual’s ______________________ isn’t very _______________________; he is _________________________ of __________________________. The ____________________ gives ________________ ________________ against becoming _____________________ for __________________’s ______________________. “_________________________” equals



our “________________________”, giving our ___________________ on an _________________________. 19. The person who loves ____________________ also loves _______________________ because they go together. The person who builds a ______________________ ______________________ gives the ___________________ that he has ______________________ on the _____________________ and this invites ____________________. 20. Does a man with a perverse heart prosper? ____________________ A _______________________ __________________________ leads to ______________________. 21. Define fool as used in Proverbs 17:21? What effect does such a person have on his parents? ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. Give examples to show that a merry heart (a positive attitude) is heals while a broken spirit (a negative attitude, depression) cause illness, trouble. ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. A ______________________, __________________________ man ____________________ __________________ ___________________ to _________________________ the _________________________ of ______________________.



24. A discerning man focuses on ________________________ while a________________________ doesn’t stay ____________________ on ______________________--. 25. “A _______________________ _______________________ brings ________________________ to his __________________________ and _______________________ to the one who ___________________ him.” (NIV) 26. It is not ______________________ to ____________________ an ________________________ man nor to ______________________ of _________________________. 27. What characterizes men of knowledge and understanding? ________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. “Even a _____________________ may be ____________________ __________________________ if he _________________________ his _______________________ ________________________.” (Moffatt) 29. What are some of the wisest things you have ever done? __________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. What are some of the most foolish things you have ever done? _____ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



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proverbs 17, the nature of the fool - bible study...

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