Proverbs 16:28-33

Prov 16:28 (KJB)

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

 

Froward - Perversity

Whisperer - Slanderer or one who grumbles

Separateth - Cause division

 

(Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. In Galatians 6:7 we see the principle of sowing and reaping. It does not matter what a person sows, because they will reap what has been sowed. The problem is that what is sowed is a small seed and what is reaped is a plant many times the size of that seed. This means that if a person sows strife, then they will reap much more animosity than just bad words. It will grow and affect others they come in contact with. This man who sows strife also has the ability to separate the best of friends because he knows how to use a slander to his advantage. This man knows how to cause division and that is why he is called perverse. Sometimes children use this method to pit their parents against each other to gain some kind of favor or to get their own way. Parents must be on the lookout for this scheme. Those who are best friends or partners in a venture must also be on the lookout for this type of scheming by someone who seeks some kind of advantage.

 

Prov 16:29 (KJB)

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

 

Enticeth - Be gullible or be deceived

Leadeth - Walk, act, or go

 

Dovetailing the idea of the evil man in verse 28, he not only sows the strife himself but he looks for others who can join him in his hate parade. He does not try to entice those who are wise, but he looks for those who are gullible or are easily deceived, that is, those who believe everything they are told without checking it out. Just as those who live to dig up dirt on others, we must learn to dig up the truth about what we are being told. There are many deceivers in every realm, whether secular or spiritual who seek to bring others under their authority by pandering to the base part of every human, that is, to believe the worst about others without any proof the other person is doing something wrong. In the spiritual realm, there are people who are jealous of the true believers and try to draw people away from the true Gospel and bring them under their thumb. It is a form of violence because it causes the soul of man to suffer in Hell for eternity if they do not become saved. Everyone must be on the lookout for those who have a personal agenda, that cause strife, and by leading people away from truth.

 

Prov 16:30 (KJB)

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

 

Shutteth - Narrow or squint

Moving - Purse, tighten, or pucker

 

(Psa 35:19 KJV) Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. The same word used for “moving” in Proverbs 16:30 is the same word used in Psalm 35:19 for “wink.” It is a sign of derision. The perverse man squints his eyes showing his contempt for the other person. Then when he has planned his evil venture, he will then speak those words and try to bring his nefarious plans to fruition. David saw his enemies doing the same thing. They looked at him in derision and wanted to kill him. This is also the mindset of those who devise evil and try to bring others under their thumb. These hate mongers do not have any love for those they are leading because their agenda is to exalt themselves and they do not care who they use to achieve that goal.

 

Prov 16:31 (KJB)

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

 

Hoary head - Gray hair

 

Just because someone has a head of gray hair, it does not mean they have wisdom or that they are not a fool. Many unbelievers live long enough to have gray hair. The fool’s gray hair is their crown of foolish glory but it is fed by foolishness as we read in a previous verse. The gray hair which is a crown of glory is the one that is found in the way of righteousness, which is, only attributable to the saved. Since they have walked in wisdom for many years (although some get saved in their golden years) they are able to impart that wisdom to younger believers so they will continue to grow properly in the Lord with the correct works and understanding of the Scriptures.

 

Prov 16:32 (KJB)

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

 

Mighty - Valiant, Powerful, or warrior

 

The Book of Proverbs has much disdainfulness for the person who has an impetuous spirit. Impetuosity has gotten more people Into trouble and especially financial trouble where a person will charge everything they see and not concern themselves with how they are going to repay. One who is quick to get angry will definitely reap some bad rewards. This is why it speaks of a person who is slow to anger as being much better than a warrior. It is much harder to control our emotions, especially in a situation where they begin to engage. If something happens which makes us angry, if we are slow to come to that anger, it means we are in control of our emotions. A warrior is one who lives for battle but we are not to live in uncontrolled emotion. A person might be able to take a city captive but it is a possibility that an army much stronger than the occupying one can take it from them. If a person rules their spirit, that is their emotional source, then they are in control and will not allow themselves to be out of control, knowing that an out of control person will reap the consequences of their actions.

 

Prov 16:33 (KJB)

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

 

Whole Disposing - All the judgments

 

This verse has absolutely nothing to do with gambling. So many think this verse is referring to gambling and it is not. In ancient times, when a decision was needed that only the Lord could give, lots were cast and the decision came from the Lord. (Acts 1:24-26 KJV) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, {25} That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. {26} And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. After the death of Judas, Matthias was chosen by lot. (Jonah 1:7 KJV) And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. The sailors cast lots and it fell upon Jonah as they were seeking the cause of the great storm which befell them. So these lots in the Bible were not gambling as one thinks of shooting dice. The lot was used when there was an uncertain decision which had to be made and they sought the Lord by this means for an answer. Every time the lots were used, it was used for the purpose of gaining an answer from the Lord. Lots in the Bible were never associated with any games of chance.

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