Proverbs 17:13, 15

Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abominations to the LORD.

What a frightening warning to those who insist on persecuting the righteous! This particularly applies to those who have access to power. According to Romans 13, the civil magistrate is duty-bound to reward the good and punish what is evil; and good and evil may only be defined by the righteous standard of God’s law. Therefore, when governments reward homosexuals and prosecute those who say something that is in opposition to homosexual behavior, we would conclude, by the clear dictates of God’s laws, that these legislators or judges will suffer the curse of God upon them and their families. This curse may also extend to all those whom they represent. In the case of the Sodomites, who themselves tolerated evil and persecuted the righteous, the entire city-state felt the brunt of God’s judgment.

There is a God in the heavens, and He will certainly bring justice where there is injustice. It is only for us to stand and defend the righteous laws of God, love our neighbor as ourselves, and live peaceably with all men. Every government subsidy of abortion, every public school that promotes homosexuality, every economic policy that breaks down the integrity of the family, and every preacher of God’s Word arrested by the magistrates will not go unnoticed by the Magistrate of Heaven! Those in positions of power that oppose righteousness will only bring the destruction they wrought back down on their own heads. They only construct monuments to their own ignominy. They destroy the social systems they pretend to lead.

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning of strife is like the releasing of water. Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 

Here is the secret to maintaining peace in the family. The best point to stop a fight is at the beginning because each new word uttered in an argument serves only to intensify the anger and resistance on both sides. How much easier would it be if you could patch the dam break when it is nothing more than a small stream of water, instead of waiting until it turns into a raging torrent?

We need to be “on our game” when it comes to addressing small sources of irritation and disagreement in our family life. Always be prepared to conciliate, quickly confess your own sin in a conflict, provide a soft answer, or encourage a brother or sister to remain humble. Listen for raised voices, exaggerated accusations, or impatient irritation, and be ready to patch the cracks in the dam right away.

Proverbs 17:15

He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abominations to the LORD.

For related commentary, reference Proverbs 17:13.

Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

Occasionally you will find a fool who appears to be seeking wisdom. He might even pay $40,000 to attend Harvard University each year, while he participates in drunken fraternity parties or takes part in the atheist club on campus. If the fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” the university man who argues against God’s existence has no heart for wisdom. The end result of his studies and his work will be the breaking down of institutions, the destruction of science, and the collapse of a civilization.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What happens to legislators who vote for hate-crime laws in order to prosecute pastors who preach against homosexuality?

2. When is the best time to stop an argument or prevent a church split?

3. Why do fools appear to seek after wisdom when they really have no heart for it?