Pro 17:2 | KingComments | STEP | The contrast in , rendered in a “better ... than” construction, is simple and understandable. The wise man will agree that poverty with peace is better than prosperity with strife (cf. ). He prefers “peace”, when there is nothing more than “a dry morsel” to satisfy hunger with, to “strife” when there is an abundance of food. The “dry morsel” is bread without anything to make it easier and more palatable to swallow (cf. ; ). A meager meal “and quietness with it” means that those who partake of it find satisfaction in fellowship with God and with one another. As a result, the meager meal becomes a feast. This is better than “a house full of feasting” with slaughtered animals where those who partake of it are at odds with one another. As a result, the banquet is immersed in bitterness. Abundance often brings with it a deterioration of values and standards, resulting in an increase in envy and strife. Here it seems to be about sacrificial animals brought into the temple, God’s house, as peace offerings, some of which the offeror may eat together with others ( ). Having disagreements while eating the peace offering is contrary to its character. On the contrary, the peace offering is an expression of unity. Such a situation occurs in the church in Corinth. The believers feel spiritually rich, but among themselves there is division. Paul admonishes them about this ( ). The saying in is about “a servant who acts wisely”, a servant who makes good use of all his abilities in serving his lord. Opposed to the servant’s way of doing things is the way of that lord’s son. The son lives a wicked life. His father is ashamed of this. He disinherits his son and in his place makes the servant co-heir with the brothers, meaning he adopts him as a son. This gives the servant a place above the disinherited son, resulting in his rule over the son. It is an encouragement to all who are faithful in their work. Faithfulness is rewarded with a position of ruling and sharing in the inheritance of the family. One who serves faithfully in humility is placed above one who has a certain position but behaves unworthily in it. The first line of makes clear the meaning of the second line of verse. Just as in “the refining pot” and “the furnace” respectively silver and gold are heated to make those precious metals purer, so the LORD tests hearts ( ; ; cf. ; ). God examines every thought and motive. Those examinations and trials are always to the increase of the worth of him who is being purified. God wants to purify by the heat of trials the hearts of His own from everything that prevents Christ from becoming visible. The God-fearing also asks God Himself to do so ( ). In that mind, we are able to eat the peace offering with quietness ( ) and are worthy heirs ( ).

‏ Proverbs 17:2

Quietness, Inheritance and Refining

The contrast in Pro 17:1, rendered in a “better ... than” construction, is simple and understandable. The wise man will agree that poverty with peace is better than prosperity with strife (cf. Pro 15:16-17). He prefers “peace”, when there is nothing more than “a dry morsel” to satisfy hunger with, to “strife” when there is an abundance of food. The “dry morsel” is bread without anything to make it easier and more palatable to swallow (cf. Rth 2:14; Jn 13:26).

A meager meal “and quietness with it” means that those who partake of it find satisfaction in fellowship with God and with one another. As a result, the meager meal becomes a feast. This is better than “a house full of feasting” with slaughtered animals where those who partake of it are at odds with one another. As a result, the banquet is immersed in bitterness. Abundance often brings with it a deterioration of values and standards, resulting in an increase in envy and strife.

Here it seems to be about sacrificial animals brought into the temple, God’s house, as peace offerings, some of which the offeror may eat together with others (Lev 3:1-17 ; Lev 7:28-34). Having disagreements while eating the peace offering is contrary to its character. On the contrary, the peace offering is an expression of unity. Such a situation occurs in the church in Corinth. The believers feel spiritually rich, but among themselves there is division. Paul admonishes them about this (1Cor 11:17-34).

The saying in Pro 17:2 is about “a servant who acts wisely”, a servant who makes good use of all his abilities in serving his lord. Opposed to the servant’s way of doing things is the way of that lord’s son. The son lives a wicked life. His father is ashamed of this. He disinherits his son and in his place makes the servant co-heir with the brothers, meaning he adopts him as a son. This gives the servant a place above the disinherited son, resulting in his rule over the son.

It is an encouragement to all who are faithful in their work. Faithfulness is rewarded with a position of ruling and sharing in the inheritance of the family. One who serves faithfully in humility is placed above one who has a certain position but behaves unworthily in it.

The first line of Pro 17:3 makes clear the meaning of the second line of verse. Just as in “the refining pot” and “the furnace” respectively silver and gold are heated to make those precious metals purer, so the LORD tests hearts (Mal 3:2-4; 1Pet 1:6-7; cf. Isa 48:10; Zec 13:9). God examines every thought and motive. Those examinations and trials are always to the increase of the worth of him who is being purified.

God wants to purify by the heat of trials the hearts of His own from everything that prevents Christ from becoming visible. The God-fearing also asks God Himself to do so (Psa 26:2). In that mind, we are able to eat the peace offering with quietness (Pro 17:1) and are worthy heirs (Pro 17:2).