Douglas Jacoby Podcast

Proverbs: Chapter 18

Douglas continues his series on The Book of Proverbs, looking today at chapter 18. This Podcast was published on Jan 18, 2016.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Salient points:

Fools enjoy conversation but do not change their views; they only air them (v.2). Avoid such discussions -- advice seconded by Paul in the Pastoral Epistles (e.g. 2 Tim 14,23-26).
Note how various proverbs are connected, often quite loosely. See 18:1-2; 18:10-11; 18:17-19.
Note the delightful way the Hebrew language gets across the idea of how our words get us into trouble: "A fool's lips walk into a fight" (18:6 ESV). The image of walking lips is memorable.
Slackness has something in common with destruction (v.9).
There is a difference between gifts and bribes (v.16). Some gifts subvert justice; others simply grease the creaky wheels of bureaucracy. Generally speaking, the bribe/gift passages in Proverbs are only observations, neither commending nor condemning such practices.
It's important to hear both sides of a matter (v.17), otherwise lack of due diligence (or perhaps confirmation bias) will ensure we never change our mind!

Versions:

Challenge:

No slackness!
"Do it now! Today will be yesterday tomorrow."
"Some things have to be put off dozens of times before they completely slip our minds."

Next: Proverbs 19