TRY IT, IT WORKS

I have a habit of writing my blog in longhand prior to entering it in the computer. The problem is that I often have difficulty reading my own handwriting. Oh, well, here goes!

Verse 9:   Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
                   But whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Verse 10: A rebuke impresses a discerning man more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Verse 11: Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Verse 9:   The way to preserve peace is to make the best of everything; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves.

Verse 10: A gentle reproof will enter, not only the head, but the heart of a wise man.

Verse 11: Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man.

Every time I read through Proverbs I am reminded of things I learned growing up. Of course, some would say that I have never really grown up. And as look I at it, they may be right. I have mentioned before that Proverbs was recommended to me as a great book to start my devotions after I became a Christian. And it was not long after that that I realized that my parents had been using Proverbs as a guide for raising their children. When I read certain verses, or passages, in Proverbs it brings back so many memories of my mom and dad, and the life lessons they taught us. Proverbs 17 is one of those passages.

Verse 9 tells us one of the best ways to preserve peace. Use love to cover over an offense. And, as always, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary says it better than I ever could. “The way to preserve peace is to make the best of everything, not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves.” Try it, it works!    

Verse 10 says that “A gentle reproof will enter not only the head, but the heart of a wise man.” This is from Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, “A rebuke impresses a discerning man more than a hundred lashes a fool.” I am not sure exactly when it happened, but one day I realized early in my childhood that I would much rather be spanked than to have my mom or dad tell me how disappointed they were in something I had said or done. Then I would be sent to my room to think about it for a period of time. The only good thing I remember about spankings is that once they were done, the punishment was over. Having to think about it seemed to last for an eternity!

Verse 11 is bad enough in the NIV, “Evildoers foster rebellion against God, the messenger of death will be sent against them.” This verse has always sounded like a plot of one of Stephen Kings’ novels. Even Matthew Henry’s Commentary has a foreboding message for us. “Satan, and the messengers of Satan,  shall be let loose upon an evil man.” Just thinking about that sends shivers up and down my spine!

Well, there you have it, my understanding of three verses in Proverbs 17, and the memories of an uncluttered mind. If you take anything away from this blog, remember that the best way to preserve peace is to cover an offense against yourself with love and make the best of everything. And, try not to notice what is said or done against ourselves! Give it a try, it works!