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A Study of Proverbs 26
January 06, 2008
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. This chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. It warns of four classes of sinners: fools, the lazy, talebearers and gossips, and liars and deceivers.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 26
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 01-06-2008
Proverbs 26:1: “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.”
To praise a fool for his folly is unbecoming. It simply serves no good purpose.
Proverbs 26:2: “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.”
By wicked living a man calls down trouble upon himself.
Proverbs 26:3: “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.”
Just as whips direct horses and bridles direct donkeys, a whipping directs the fool.
Proverbs 26:4: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”
Answer a fool with foolish replies, and you will be the same as he is.
Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”
Reprimand a man’s foolishness, lest he think that what he does is wise.
Proverbs 26:6: “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.”
Sending a message by a fool damages one’s self and invites violence. What if he gets the message wrong, or becomes afraid, and decides to lie?
Proverbs 26:7: “The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.”
Men are lame when their legs are not the same length. In the same manner, a parable is ineffective when told by a fool. Maybe he gets it wrong, or perhaps no one wants to hear.
Proverbs 26:8: “As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.”
Some translations render this as “As a small stone in a heap of stones…” Either way, the message is that praising foolishness does not make good sense.
Proverbs 26:9: “As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.”
A fool telling a parable is like a drunkard running a thorn into his hand. Neither one realizes the truth.
Proverbs 26:10: “The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.”
Matthew 5:45: “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
God sends blessings to all. The sin is when the blessed man abuses the gift, whether by failing to acknowledge the source or by misusing the resource.
Proverbs 26:11: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
2 Peter 2:21: “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22: But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
A failure to learn from mistakes is like a dog eating his own vomit.
Proverbs 26:12: “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Luke 14:11: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
One who thinks too highly of his own understanding cannot be corrected.
Proverbs 26:13: “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.”
The lazy man seizes any excuse, even rumors of wild animals in the streets.
Proverbs 26:14: “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.”
The door swings to and fro on its hinges, and the lazy man turns one way and then the other in his bed. While others go in and out, he stays in bed.
Proverbs 26:15: “The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.”
A lazy man hates the work involved in eating. He gets tired, resting his hand in the dish.
Proverbs 26:16: “The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”
The lazy man thinks himself wiser than seven truly wise men.
Proverbs 26:17: “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”
Meddling in the fights of others is like grabbing a dog by its ears—it brings trouble!
Proverbs 26:18: “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19: So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
A man who thinks it sporting to deceive his neighbor creates chaos and trouble.
Proverbs 26:20: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21: As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
Take away the fuel and the fire goes out. Stop gossiping, and quarreling ceases.
Proverbs 26:22: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23: Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.”
When you swallow the words of the talebearer, they settle deep inside you. Damage is done. A smooth talker who spreads tales is like a clay jar covered in waste silver. He sounds good, but that disguises his evil intentions.
Proverbs 26:24: “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25: When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
A hate-filled person will disguise his thoughts while working out his evil plans. He says what you want to hear, but his intentions are to do harm.
Proverbs 26:26: “Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.”
Deceit only hides hatred so long before everyone finds out the true intentions.
Proverbs 26:27: “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.”
A person who digs traps will fall into his own trap. He who rolls a stone to cause damage will find that stone rolling back to crush him. What goes around, comes around!
Proverbs 26:28: “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
Liars speak to hurt their victims, and those who flatter do so to hide their evil goals.
This chapter deals with four classes of evildoers:
(1) Fools, who behave stupidly, causing hurt to those who admire or believe them.
(2) Lazy people, who bring destruction upon themselves and their families.
(3) Talebearers, who damage the reputation of others.
(4) Liars and deceivers, who mask their evil intentions with slick speech.
