Back to Proverbs for a while now and we embark on the bulk of Proverbs which is a series of pithy one-liners. In reading these we must remember that they are proverbs, they are not laws. This becomes clearest when we come to the part where two adjacent proverbs flatly contradict each other.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. Why is it the mother that feels the grief? No doubt the father would be upset too, but fathers tend to have the attitude, "he has made his decision and has to take the consequences". Anyway, whether we are wise or foolish, our behaviour has an impact on people beyond ourselves.
There are several themes in these proverbs, let's just look at one of them
Righteousness
- Delivers from death (v2)
- Blessings crown our head (v6)
- Give us a good name (v7)
- Speak words that are a fountain of life (v11)
- Brings life (v16)
- Speak good words (v20)
- Speak words that build others up (v21)
- Their desires are granted (v24)
- Stand firm forever, even in the midst of storms (v25)
- Joy is our heritage (v28)
- Will never be uprooted (v30)
- Speak words of wisdom (v31)
- Speak positive words (v32)
These are the fruit of the righteousness that Christ brings. There are many other things in this chapter. We cannot focus on them all at once. If there is some other that has grabbed your heart as you read the chapter, then meditate upon that.
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