Words of Wisdom are More Valuable than Gold
20: 12-19
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
Ears to hear and eyes to see are both gifts from ADONAI (20:12 Hebrew). So much of the wisdom of proverbs is based on experience that arises out of observation. This is what makes wisdom seem so practical as a result of the fear of ADONAI (to see link click Ai – The Fear of ADONAI is the Beginning of Wisdom), describing the relationship with Lady Wisdom (see Am – Lady Wisdom’s Rebuke of the Foolish). But this simple proverb brings additional insight: there is no seeing or hearing apart from ADONAI.401 Though human perception is no match for divine wisdom, it can be relied on in many situations, not because of human ingenuity, but because ADONAI has made both gifts.402
If you love to sleep, you will become poor; keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty to eat (20:13 CJB). This proverb is yet another that warns about the negative consequences of laziness (see Be – Don’t be Lazy). The implication seems to be that whoever prefers sleep to work may anger the father enough to be cut out of the family will. The opposite expressed in the second colon is that an alert person will not lack for food.
The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “This is worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain (20:14)! What we have here is the case of “seller beware!” Ancient Near Eastern commercial transactions, as in some places even today, were done by barter and negotiation. Here, the shrewd buyer makes it seem as if there is something wrong with the merchandise; when the seller agrees with a lower price, the buyer goes to his friends and brags about his negotiating skills. The purpose of the proverb seems to be a warning against the deception of appearances. Proverbs is often concerned that commercial transactions are fair. Typically, the warning is directed at the shrewd seller (11:1, 16:11, 20:10), but here it is the shrewd buyer.403
Words of wisdom are more valuable than much gold and many jewels (20:15 NLT). The deceptive words of verse 14 give way to a proverb commending wise words in general, and in part to protect verse 14 from the common misinterpretation that because lies and bragging are so common in the oriental bazaar they are acceptable. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “That which is most valuable cannot be obtained ‘over the counter’ or through sleazy deals.” Unlike the “better-than” proverbs that compare something bad with something worse (16:8), this one compares that which is good with something better. It doesn’t aim to criticize possessing wealth, but to simply state that if a choice must be made, wisdom is “better-than” gold and many jewels. It puts wealth in its proper perspective. After all, wealth often comes through wisdom, so better to get that. One can be wise and rich! Though wisdom comes through due diligence, and requires the long, hard work of education, it is finally superior to any treasure because, as 3:15 makes clear, it brings riches, honor, long life, and peace (see Av – Happy is the One who Find Wisdom).404
Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners (20:16 NLT). This proverb is another warning against providing loans or supporting loans for another person, especially for a stranger (also see 6:1-5 and 11-15, 17:18, 22:26, and 27:13). This proverb is addressed to those who are thinking about making a loan, and it says that no mercy should be shown to foolish people who stick their necks out in such a way. Better to be generous to someone in need (11:24, 28:27, 29:7 and 14) than to expect to get paid back for such a loan.405
In granting a loan to strangers, Solomon’s principle is to not take unwanted risks, and he suggests that a person’s credibility should be examined. Interestingly, the rabbis suggest that compared to 6:1 and 16 draws a distinction between misfortune and when a person willfully neglects sound advice. As Rabbi Eliezer Ginsburg wrote concerning Rabbi Yonah’s understanding of this passage, “How foolish a person is when he forgets the natural consequences of indulging his passions. Were he to keep the painful results in mind, he would subdue his divine of material gratification.406
Bread obtained by fraud may taste sweet; but afterward the mouth will be filled with gravel (20:17 Hebrew). Bread, considered the staple of food, may stand for any kind of material possession, and like any kind of material possession, be obtained by fraud. At first it may seem enjoyable and beneficial, but afterward it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. In other words, what appears to be bread in the mouth is actually gravel to be spit out. This can be seen in the stolen water that Madam Folly offers to the young men, saying that it is sweet (see Bo – Madam Folly’s Invitation to Death). In reality, however, drinking that water leads to death. Thus, the proverb is a warning against pursuing gain through false means.
Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice (20:18 NLT). The wise person does not act on impulse, but only after careful reflection (15:28, 19:2, 20:18 and 25, 21:5). This proverb encourages thoughtful preparation for action, and then applies this principle particularly to war. Bad things will happen if one enters into a war without thinking. The thought is similar to 24:6, where it says: Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. The general principle, though, allows the reader to apply the idea to other aspects of life. On the other hand, it seems odd to conclude that the second colon is only figurative language and does not have reference to actual warfare. Since the proverb applies the principle to warfare, this may well be a proverb that finds its primary setting in the royal court.407
A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so don’t get involved with a talkative person (20:19 CJB). Gossip takes private information and makes it public so as to embarrass people. As believers in the congregations of God, we need to refuse to listen to gossip, passing on information when we are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. You may know that spreading gossip is wrong, but you shouldn’t listen to it either, if you want to protect the Body of Messiah. Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, and it makes you just as guilty as the person who stole it.
When someone begins to gossip to you, have the courage to say, “Please stop. I don’t need to know this. Have you talked to that person directly?” People who gossip to you will also gossip about you. They cannot be trusted. If you listen to gossip, God says you are a troublemaker. Troublemakers listen to troublemakers (17:4 CEV). These are the people who cause divisions. They are controlled by their impulses, because they don’t have the Spirit (Jude 19).
It is sad that in God’s flock, the greatest wounds usually come from other sheep, not wolves. Paul warned about “cannibals in the pews” who devour one another and destroy fellowship (Galatians 5:15 AMP). A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler (20:19 NRSV). The fastest way to end conflict in the congregation is to lovingly confront those who are gossiping and insist they stop it.408 As Solomon points out: There are six things that ADONAI hates, yes, seven that are detestable to Him, and the seventh is the person who stirs up dissension in the congregation (6:16 and 19b Hebrew).
Dear heavenly Father, praise You that Your words of wisdom are so much more valuable than gold. Wisdom. What you God can see and hear everything. That is amazing! You see into the secrets of the heart and You can discern the motive behind why something was done. What a great joy and comfort it is to know that You have a deep and steadfast love for me. Your love, ADONAI, is in the heavens, Your faithfulness up to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like the great deep (Psalms 36:6-7b). Thank You also that in Your wisdom, You have already prepared beforehand, deeds for me to do for Your honor. For we are His workmanship – created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). You are such a wise Father! What a joy to listen to Your wisdom, and to live to please You! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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