(Proverbs 21:14) A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
So once again we have an entire Proverb chapter that has no theme that I can see running through it. I did however divide the verses up and reorganized them under similar subjects. And there was one verse didn’t make the cut. It just didn’t have a brother to hang out with. So I felt sorry for it and thought I’d pay it some attention.
I consulted the Great Commentaries. Nothing really profound in there. Most agree that the second part of the verse in the bosom carries with it the signification of being still in secret. So we see a picture of someone quickly and quietly slipping a gift into the fold of another’s garments up close to the bosom. So some think that this is akin to bribery. I don’t know.
I will say this: Whatever it is, the Bible says it works. I think the concept is that the more direct and personal the gift may be, the more effective it will be in bringing about results.
Now, notice there is no tone of rebuke or disapproval in the text. It’s good godly advice to attempt to pacify your antagonist by maybe slipping him a gift, a good gift, up close and personal. Maybe this verse should have been categorized under Love and Marriage.
See how this demonstrates the heart of the antagonized? A heart of love, concern, and desire to reconcile is a heart that gives gifts and rewards. Jesus said (Luke 6:27-28) Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Do good, bless, and pray! And the Proverb 21:14 says, If you want real results, put some effort into it. This verse (Luke 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. I honestly just saw this. That verse is always used to admonish us to give in church, love offerings, missions, good works of the church usually to good people.
Sorry, but the Bible says what it says. The context of that passage is about loving your enemies, the ones that use you, smite you, and take from you. He’s talking about sinners, unthankful and evil. He’s saying we shouldn’t judge them, but instead forgive them and give to them.
Yup! Luke 6:37 ends in a colon. So God may bless the cheerful giver to good people and people that deserve a gift, but we can’t use this verse for that blessing. Nope. This blessing belongs to the giver that gives to the undeserving enemy. I’m glad we looked into this. Wow! That’s a game changer. Put that in your budget, aye?
But think about this. Was that not us? The striker? The thief? The unthankful? The sinner? The enemy of God? But God blesses us and gave to us what we didn’t deserve. He gave to us knowing that we’d never be able to pay him back. (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus is for the most part saying, Do unto others as I have done to you. Be like me.
Below are the rest of the verses in this chapter of Proverbs placed in the categories I saw fit:
Lying
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
Opposites Attract
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
The Bad
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The LORD
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
The Good
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Money
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Love and Marriage
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.