Proverbs 29:16-21
 
Prov 29:16 (KJB)
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
 
This verse gives a good understanding of the world we live in. Since there are more unbelievers in this world, sin will be multiplied greatly. As the world population continues to grow, then sin will grow accordingly. It seems that sin is becoming much bolder in our day as it continues to do what it wants and it no longer hides in the shadows anymore. God is setting up this world in the final days for judgment as He removes His hand of restraint and sin just gets worse and worse. The second half of this verse speaks about the righteous, that is, the believers, will see the fall of the wicked. In many times in past years we have seen many wicked men rise to power such as Hitler, Pol Pot of Cambodia, Stalin, Lenin, Idi Amin and many others and many righteous have seen their downfall. The problem is that since we live in a sinful world, when one evil man is brought down, another one rises. The second half of this verse may have the final fall of the wicked in view. Their demise will take place at the last day on Judgment Day when every wicked person will be judged for their sins. Never again will there be a wicked person on earth after they are judged and sentenced to Hell.
 
Prov 29:17 (KJB)
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
 
Correct - Discipline
Rest - To settle down
 
If a child is corrected and that correction is properly administered, the child will learn from that correction and realize that if they have done wrong, now they have disciplined and can prevent further corrections if they do not repeat their actions. Once they are tested and reject the thing that caused their correction, then the parents will have rest because they know that their child has learned and that they do not have to continually watch over them. They can start learning to trust their child and as they grow they will continue to be obedient. This growth in obedience will give the parents much delight along with that rest making it a very calm and happy situation in the home.
 
Prov 29:18 (KJB)
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
 
Vision - Appearance
 
This verse is not speaking of the phony visions which are rampant in the modern charismatic movement. Before the Bible was complete God used visions, dreams, signs, and miracles to communicate truth to His people. What is in view in Proverbs 29:18 is the fact that without God’s guidance, the people will perish. In the days of Solomon, God would verbally speak with His High priest and give visions. If God did not communicate to His people, they would not know what to do and could possibly sin against Him. So He sent prophets and gave them visions to guide the people with truth. It is the same today, except we do not receive visions from God because we have His completed Word. So for guidance today, the Christian looks to the Bible as their guide. The Word of God today is akin to the visions that God gave before the Bible was complete. If God’s people do not follow the Scriptures, they will perish off the land because instead of the righteous being in authority, the wicked will become rulers and persecute the believers. The second half of this verse speaks about those who keep the law being happy. Now this is not saying they are happy because they keep the law, their blessedness or happiness is in keeping the law. Now no one can keep the law perfectly and that means those who try are under a curse and that would not produce happiness. What produces happiness is keeping the law perfectly in Christ. If one is saved, their happiness stems from joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Their joy is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Prov 29:19 (KJB)
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
 
Sometimes it is necessary to use corporal punishment even on an adult servant because they may not understand what they have done. They may not respond to words because if a person grows up with a rebellious spirit, then they may have to face physical punishment. Maybe that is why in the book of Philemon Onesimus had run away. Maybe being a slave, he desired to be free and see what others could see any time they want. If a person is held down, they will desire to be free and go where they want. Back to Proverbs. It was not uncommon that a slave did not understand proper words because the majority of them were well educated as they were used to run households and raise children. Even if the slave understands what he did wrong, he may not answer for two reasons. First, because he may get himself deeper into trouble if he gets tempted to yell at his master. Secondly, he may want his master to always guess if he understood the situation. He may also refuse to respond in rebellion.
 
Prov 29:20 (KJB)
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
 
Throughout the book of Proverbs we have run across many passages which speaks about the plight of the fool including how they will die in their sins. Here we have a passage which speaks about a man being hasty in his words. The reason that a hasty or hurried response is always dangerous is because a hasty response is normally against the person saying something and not in response to the situation at hand. If someone responds quickly to someone else, then they are not allowing themselves time to ponder and then act accordingly. There is a big difference between acting and reacting. One reacts to a situation and that reaction could add more fuel to the fire. Actions comes after a time of meditating on the problem. There is always a danger in hastiness of words and that is compared to the fool that there is more hope for him than someone who is hasty in their words. That says a lot because the fool is normally one who adds nothing but fuel to the fire and if that scenario holds more hope than one who is hasty in his words, then that in itself should cause a person to really do introspection.
 
Prov 29:21 (KJB)
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
 
Delicately - Pampers or indulge
 
If a man has a child who is a slave in his home and instead of bringing up that slave as any other child, he shows a massive amount of favoritism, when he gets older he may adopt him as his son. However, there may be a negative aspect to this verse. On the surface it sounds good, that the slave child is being pampered but if he grows up without any discipline, then later on, even if he is adopted, he may have a very bad attitude of self-centeredness and cause the family much problems. Discipline is necessary for every human being and especially a child. The word “length” in the Hebrew may also carry a meaning of “insolence.” I am sure we have all seen people who were pampered in their childhood and was not readied for the real world. Pampered children always want it their way and many times that selfishness goes all the way up to murder.

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