Wisdom is in Sight

Proverbs 17:15-28

15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.

19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.

26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

27 He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Wisdom is in sight of those with God-given understanding as they seek to know more to be more skillful in living according to His word.   The eyes of the wise heart do not support the evil words and works set against those who are fair and righteous, knowing those things are an abomination to the Lord God.  They do not make God’s friends their enemies or justify sin as if it was good or acceptable because they want to serve their own pleasure instead of honoring God.  Wise men do not try to buy wisdom if they have no desire to be wise in the first place, yet some think that their money or power can buy their way to God’s favor.  Good friends are wise enough to care for each other and support the good while exposing and lovingly exhorting to better understanding and actions (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Often the picture of a brother of blood set against us as Jesus said in Matthew 10:21 and Luke 21:16 would happen.  The friends of God’s calling into His family is a tie which binds us together to love at all times, however.  We should also not give empty promises on a whim without first counting the cost (Luke 14:28) to be able to follow through on the commitments.  Friends consider whether they can do what they promise and not just give quick commitments they cannot keep as siblings often do.  The ones then who love for sinful behavior and exalt themselves in pride only run into destructive problems along the way, the road away from und and wisdom.  Deceit in the thoughts of the heart and perverted speech are only sign of the ignorance of evil intent because they fail to grasp God’s view on them.  If we pattern foolishness and scoffing to those we associate closely with, we only make them fall into the same trap of joyless sorrow instead of the joy of righteousness in the Lord on the straight and narrow way.  Our inner joy in this wisdom of skillful understanding heals the soul instead of destroying it.  That joy of obedience is God’s prescription for us.  But the one without this understanding tries to buy his way out of facing justice as he seeks to gain the whole world but loses his life instead (Matthew 16:25).  Such evil seekers who spurn knowledge, understanding, and wisdom bring only grief and bitterness to their Father who made them in His image.  We are not to be foolish enough to punish the ones who do what God says is right, good, and ethical, but are to keep our words true and not overdone in a peaceful delivery and countenance.  This is often difficult, but worth the reward of wisdom in the end.  It is wise to hold our tongues and keep the peace.  This is the perception of wisdom and not the appearance of it as the foolish believe.  These things bring wisdom in our sight.