Proverbs 17 Righteous vs. Wicked Part II (or "This Again?")

Ok.  Here we are again:  It is Friday and we are looking at the upright and the wicked...does this seem familiar?

Some of the verses in this chapter are very familiar...

• 17:1--Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.
  
• 17:6--Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
  
• 17:22-- A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
  
• 17:25--A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

Some have become popular:

• 17:28--Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise:  When he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.  In popular language you hear: "Better to be quiet and thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Some have rather interesting second parts:

• 17:17--A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  When I first read this one as a kid, I thought my brothers were my adversaries!  This could refer to how friends facing adversity together, become as close as family.  It could also be referring to the forever bonds we have as family.
  

Haven't we all experienced these truths?

• He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends--v.9.
  
• A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool--v. 10.
• He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding--v.27.

I am also challenged by these verses:

• The beginning of strife is like letting out water (think whooosh! and a great release of pressure), so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out--v. 14.  You know how it is when you get mad?--how hard it is to stop if you voice those first hot words?  That is when v. 27 is the hardest one for me to apply.
• Can my house be characterized by being full of peace or strife?  Matthew Henry puts it this way:  "Those that live in unity and quietness, and that study to make themselves obliging to one another (!) live very comfortably, though they work hard and fare hard, though they have but each of them a morsel, and that a dry morsel.  There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there be a joint satisfaction in God's providence and a mutual satisfaction in each others' prudence.  Holy love may be found in a cottage (shack).  Those that live in contention, that have plenty of dainties, live uncomfortably; they cannot expect the blessing of God upon them.  Love will sweeten a dry morsel, but strife will sour and embitter a house full of sacrifices."

Father help us today to seek to be wise in your eyes.  Help us to be good stewards of the relationships you have given us here--help us to be kind to each other and to be a strength to each other.  Help us to see and put into action ways to make our homes an oasis--places of re-creation and harmony.  Thank You for Your love for us.  Amen.