Proverbs 10:1-10

Proverbs 10 1-10

v.1 Now we move to a new section in the book. “The Proverbs of Solomon” transitions from the previous section which was more of a discourse. We will now see more of the pithy statements that we so often equate with the book.

The first proverb contrasts a wise and foolish son. The wise son brings happiness to his parents the foolish son brings grief. Verse 1-5 probably all relate to the wise and foolish son. Notice that verse five contrasts the two sons again. Verses 2-5 are likely meant to give more detail to the two.

v.2 “Treasures gained by wickedness” are treasures obtained in a sinful way. The son who resorts to a life of crime will not profit. While he may enjoy stolen money it will only be temporary. It will soon be taken from him as he is caught by the authorities. He will not be able to help his aging parents out financially as he pays the price for his crime.

The wise son will live a life of righteousness. As a result, he will keep himself from an early death. In so doing he can be a blessing to his parents.

v.3 The righteous son does not prosper because he works hard. He prospers because the Lord blesses him. On the other hand, the Lord curses the wicked man. He gives to the righteous and takes away from the wicked. This promise to the wicked may come to pass in this world, the world to come or both. The point is that the wicked will suffer, and the righteous will be blessed.

v.4 A “slack hand” describes a lazy person. The son who is lazy should not expect to prosper. Lazy children will not be a blessing to their parents.

In contrast, the hand of the diligent will receive wealth. We do well to teach our children to work hard if they wish to have something in life. We do this by modeling a balanced work ethic as well as requiring them to take care of specific responsibilities around the home.

v.5 The summer is the time of the harvest. The wise son works hard at gathering the harvest when it is ripe. In doing so he helps the family and shows himself to be wise and respectful of his parents. The foolish son just sleeps when it’s time to harvest. He brings shame on his family because he proves that he is an ungodly child. He has no desire to help the family or portray a good work ethic before God and the community. His actions prove that he will be a leech his entire life unless he changes.

The work ethic of children was important in the days of Solomon. There were no nursing homes to care for the elderly. Parents depended on their children to take care of them during their years of waning health. If their children were too lazy to do so they were in dire straits. The foolish son who only cared for himself forced his parents to suffer. In doing so he broke one of God’s commandments “honor thy father and mother”. Therefore, he was not only foolish but wicked as well. The wise son worked hard to care for himself and his parents. In doing so he proved to fear the Lord by keeping His commandments.

v.6-7 These two verses contrast the wicked and the righteous.

The righteous are crowned with blessings. When future generations think of them they will remember them as blessed of God.

The wicked have mouths covered with violence. They constantly destroy with their tongues and devise wicked plans with their lips. Their memory will rot away. People will remember them as disgusting and spiritually dead.

People will remember us. We should desire that their memories are that we were pleasing to the Lord. We bring shame upon ourselves and our descendants when we choose the path of the wicked. On the other hand, we bring blessings to our descendants when we are remembered as a person of integrity and righteousness. Let us be famous for our righteousness not infamous for our sinfulness.

v.8 The wise receive instruction. They are not perfect or else they would not need instruction.  They receive the commandments with humility. The “babbling fool” is the person who talks too much. Instead of listening to the commandments they reply with excuses or simply refusing to obey. In so doing they bring themselves to ruin by inviting God’s judgment. When God speaks, we do well to simply obey Him.

v.9 Two walks are contrasted: The walk of integrity and the crooked walk. Those that walk in integrity have nothing to hide. They are free from hypocrisy.

The sinful walk a crooked path. This describes their moral character. They may appear to be righteous but in reality they are crooked. Their ways will soon be found out. In other words, their actions will soon reveal their ungodliness.

v.10 Winking is a way to communicate without speaking. It is used by the secretive and deceptive. It is probably used in this context of one who signals another person quietly. He makes a deal with one person, deceiving them, while working in company with an accomplice. He causes sorrow to the one he deceived. In other words, he takes advantage of him in some way.  

The babbling fool is the deceiver. He uses his words to deceive the person. Eventually he will come to ruin as mentioned in verse 8. In essence he is not only deceiving he is also being deceived. In both cases, he is the deceiver! He will experience the judgment of God.   

Thoughts To Consider

1. It is our responsibility to train our children to have a good work ethic.

2. We are all leaving behind a memory, is it an attractive one or a repulsive one?

3. How we respond to God’s word reveals if we are foolish or wise.

4. The wise have nothing to hide & the foolish will hide nothing, all will be revealed.