"Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool--how much worse lying lips to a ruler." Proverbs 17:7
Though it is sometimes not easy to get the point of scripture, we must not only feed on its obvious principles, we must also taste the secondary truths. I am a big fan of word-weaving, subtleties and some double entendre.
I even enjoy punning around occasionally. Language is interesting and if we are to communicate in any kind of memorable way we must mix up the style and be creative whenever we can, especially if that holds the reader's attention or if what we are saying is vitally important. Both are the case here. Obviously, Solomon is saying something wise and therefore vitally important, but he is also trying to get the reader to think. So let's think. What else could this verse be saying?
Here is a short list of suggestions. 1. Fools shouldn't brag, that makes sense 2. Rulers shouldn't lie, seems sensible 3. Fools would be best off not speaking, One proverb says... People may think you a fool, don't open your mouth and prove it. (One of my favorite proverbs) 4. Rulers are fools if they lie, hmmmm, I can see how that can happen. 5. Arrogant foolish talk is bad, but rulers lying is even worse, just compare the potential consequences.
There are even more subtle, hidden and poignant messages in this proverb, can you think of any? Every piece of proverbial wisdom has many applications and we should try to dig them out of the verses. It is very unsuitable, even arrogant for us to ever read the Word and not allow the Spirit to apply it to us personally. I am needing proverbs now in my life for two reasons. A subtle reminder of the obvious, plus a challenge to understand the deeper nuances and secondary meanings in every verse of the Word. Did you think of any more principles herein? How about this one? "An arrogant, lying ruler must be even doubly worse than a fool." Or, "A lying, arrogant fool is bad, but a lying arrogant ruler is even worse." Hope you keep digging the nuggets of truth out of His Word. Proverbs is the 'mother lode' of wisdom. In a day in age when there is so much lying and arrogance coming from the mouths of fools and rulers, we would do well to tap into this golden vein of reliable truth. I am sure starving and hungry for high integrity wisdom these days.
How about you?
Pastor Fred
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