Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 17:22 (05/04/23)
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TITLE: The Driving Force | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
05/09/23 -
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But an advancing disciple, will want to know what God was actually saying to the initial recipients of His Word, and what His Word is saying to us, today.
Critical to the accurate interpretation and application of any given verse of Scripture, is the understanding of it, in light of the original language that the inspired human authors used to compose it.
Psalms 17: 22 was inspired in Hebrew.
So, let’s begin our study with some exegesis.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17: 22 NASB).”
The word “heart” in Proverbs 17: 22 NASB is an English translation of the Hebrew word “l-e-b” referring to the inner man, where he does his thinking. As Proverbs 23: 7 points out, however one thinks, be it good, bad, or evil, so he is.
The word “medicine” in Proverbs 17: 22 is an English translation of the Hebrew word “g-e-h-a-h” that refers to the source of a treatment, healing, or cure.
Secular physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists will concur that there is a link between one’s thinking and his physical and mental well-being.
Even when there is no effective treatment for a bodily illness or condition, having the “mind of Christ (1Cor. 2: 16 NASB)” will enable the stricken one to make the best of his or her situation, and experience such things as the type of peace that surpasses all (human) understanding (1).
The word “spirit” in Proverbs 17: 22 NASB is an English translation of the Hebrew word “r-u-a-c-h” that refers to a driving force behind an activity, like the wind in the sails of a clipper ship.
Having the knowledge, but lacking the desire, the wisdom, or the enabling power to make an effective use of it, will not get you very far. The individual with a broken spirit has had the wind taken out of his or her sails.
The phrase “dries up” in Proverbs 17: 22 NASB is an English translation of the Hebrew word “y-a-b-e-s-h,” referring to being dried up and withering away, resulting in the person becoming physically ill, confused, disappointed, and or depressed.
This is the end result of not possessing, or not making use of, the available medicine (knowledge), to either eliminate or to deal with the affliction at hand.
For the advancing disciple, the knowledge is accurate Bible Doctrine.
The word “bones” in Proverbs 17: 22 NASB is g-h-e-h-r-e-m, referring to bones that are a part of the total skeleton. Just as an intact and functioning skeleton gives form and supports the body, the skeleton of our edified soul structure gives our spiritual life form and stability (2).
Human beings come into this world as trichotomous (three-part) beings, consisting of a tangible physical body, a soul, and a spirit (3). What impacts one or more of these three parts can impact the remaining others.
Perhaps more than any other source, there is nothing more capable of becoming either the healing medicine or the deadly poison of Proverbs 17: 22, than the inspiring or crushing words that come from a human tongue.
A superficial slap, deserved or undeserved, will sting for a moment, but negative words go down deep into the soul, inflicting emotional pain and injury, from which some will never fully recover, this side of Heaven.
God has chosen to use the tongues of His people to promote the unadulterated Gospel Message, to share accurate Bible Doctrine, and to mutually comfort or edify others.
Satan uses the tongues of those he has deceived to promote his alternative agenda, and to raise doubts, fear, confusion, and discouragement in the hearts of those who choose to seek out and Honor God.
Rather or not our words become a Proverbs 17: 22 healing medicine, or a destructive weight that crushes and dries up the bones of others, is a daily choice we make, for which we will give an account.
In closing, keep in mind these words of Jesus.
“… Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it (provided encouragement/discouragement) to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me (Matt. 25: 40 NASB parenthesis mine).”
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(1) Phil. 4: 7 (2) Matt. 7: 24-27 (3) 1Thess. 5: 23
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