Podcast Introduction

Today we will read Proverbs 17-18. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “The Best Medicine."

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash

Comments on Proverbs 17

Verse 3

A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

Silver and gold are purified in the fire. All the impurities rise to the top when these metals are heated in the crucible and the smelter. In the same way, God purifies our hearts. It is in the heat of trials that our weaknesses are exposed. It is a wise person who allows the Lord to remove the weaknesses, thus purifying the heart. I am the man I am today because of the trials that I’ve been through. Some of the trials were because of poor decisions on my part, and some were what some might call happenstance. I don’t believe in happenstance, though. I believe that we live in a fallen world, a world that is suffering because of sin. And sometimes bad things happen, to good and bad people. God allows these things to happen for various reasons. Sometimes the reason is to take us through the Refiner’s fire. Our faith grows, our reliance on Him grows, and He is glorified. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” All things. Even what appear to be tragedies. All things. 

Verse 6

Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of sons is their fathers.

As a grandfather, I can certainly say a hearty "Amen!" to the first part of this proverb. When I see how my grandkids' faces light up when they see me, my heart just melts. There are four of them now, with another due in about eight weeks as of today. (April 13, 2022) I can't wait to meet her!

The second part, "the pride of sons is their fathers", is something that men should aspire to. I was not a perfect dad. But my deficits, I hope, were made up for by the fact that my sons knew that I loved them. All three of them are very different from one another, and each has made choices in their lives that I have not always agreed with, but I love and respect each of them, and they know it. As I have grown older and (I hope) wiser, I try to be a dad that they can be proud of. For the dads listening...and even for the moms...remember to pray for wisdom as you raise your kids. Ask the Lord for guidance. Be in the Word, read, study, meditate on it. Let your kids see you read the Bible, and let them see and hear you pray. Let them know by your actions how important having a relationship with God is. Not just at church, but at home, too. 

Verse 22

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

The word "joyful" is sameach in Hebrew. It means glad, joyful, merry (Strongs Concordance). Merriam-Webster defines glad as 

1a) experiencing pleasure, joy, or delight : made happy. b) very willing (glad to do it). c) made pleased, satisfied , or grateful

4 *archaic* : having a cheerful or happy disposition by nature

So to have a joyful heart is to have (at least in part) a heart of gratitude. Sometimes when life gets difficult, it's hard to remember to live with a grateful heart. But as believers, we have so very much to be thankful for. Despite the circumstances we need to remember that we are deeply loved by the God of the universe. And as Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Of course you are. 

In Luke 12:7, Jesus said, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Yes beloved, God knows you and He loves you. So much that He gave His Son so that you would be with Him in eternity, if you have placed your faith in Him. 

For that reason alone,