Proverbs 17

 Proverbs 17:1 "Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife."

Proverbs 17:2 "A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren."

Proverbs 17:3 "The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts."

Proverbs 17:4 "A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."

Proverbs 17:5 "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished."

Our homes should be a place of peace to get away from the troubles of the world, not a battle ground.   A really good example of a slave who was elevated by his master was Abraham's slave who Abraham entrusted everything to. He even trusted him to choose a wife for his beloved Isaac.   I believe this is saying that we may go through fiery trials (to make us more pure in heart).  It is a terrible thing to look down on those less fortunate than your own self. The only reason you are not the poor one yourself, is by the grace of God.

Proverbs 17:6 "Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers."

Proverbs 17:7 "Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince."

Children's children are grandchildren, and they named them correctly, grand. We often end up spoiling our grandchildren possibly because we want them to have things we didn't have or things we couldn't give to our children!  Someone like a prince, whom God has put in authority, must be above reproach. They must be an example for the rest of us. It is even more important that they speak truth.

Proverbs 17:11 "An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him."

Proverbs 17:12 "Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly."

Proverbs 17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house."

Proverbs 17:14 "The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with."

Rebellion is another form of witchcraft and is very evil.  We all know that a bear whose cubs have been taken is a very dangerous animal. If you were to meet this mother bear, you would be in danger of great harm.  Being unthankful for someone doing good is a certain way to make sure they will not be doing much good. The Lord rewarded His people for good behavior.  We see here that the time to stop strife is before it starts.  Even the smallest break in the dam sets loose an uncontrollable flood force that can’t be stopped.

Proverbs 17:24 "Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth."

Proverbs 17:25 "A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him."

Proverbs 17:26 "Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity."

Proverbs 17:27 "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit."

This fool is never satisfied.  He is always looking somewhere else to move to solve his problems.   This grief he brings his father is in the fact that he did not take his father's instruction.  The injustice of punishing those who have done no wrong is easily seen by everyone, and God will not tolerate it.  Talking too much shows a lack of knowledge; especially talking too much about things you know nothing about.  If you listen, instead of talk, you can learn a lot more.