我們知道，上帝鑒察人心，亦熬煉人心（17：3）。因為義人的心經過熬煉，就生出純淨之心。然而，惡人的劣行在上帝的眼前將無所遁形，他們必要從上帝的面前被挪去。清心與謙卑的人，卻能坦然無懼地奔向上帝、奔向他們的堅固臺，在那裡他們便得安穩地庇護（18：10）。若是富足、驕傲又自負的惡人，他們就會自以為不需要上帝，他們將信心投注在他們所賺得的錢財上，他們相信錢財將會保障他們，猶如一座高牆（18：11）。內心溫馴相信耶和華的人，他們雖然貧窮，卻是住在一處遙遠的佳美之境。「敗壞之先，人心驕傲；尊榮以前，必有謙卑」（18：12）。上帝要叫那些順服祂旨意而行，且行在其中之人得著尊榮。

        在十七章和十八章中，提到了許多關於愚蠢行為的處理之道，而持別強調有關口舌上的愚蠢行為。諸如，那些所謂說謊言的、嘲弄人的、詐騙人的、愛說閒話的、誹謗人的，還有那些樂於惹起爭端的人等，皆被納入愚昧行為之列（17：4~5，7，9，20；18：2，6~8）。所羅門亦將那些「未曾聽完先回答的」歸入和愚昧同屬（18：13）。如經上所記，生死皆操在舌頭可怕的權下（18：21）。我們必須隨時謹記，我們都要為自己所說出的話向上帝交帳。求聖靈幫助我們成為一個使人和睦、心中有安靜之靈，叫我們成為口裡只說賜生命造就話語的人（18：21），但願這些話語亦能成為一股使人飽足與豐盈的（18：20）「智慧泉源」（18：4）。

        銀髮不僅是年歲的冠冕（16：31），而他們的子孫同樣亦是一項冠冕（17：6）。從其他處的經文，我們知道子女是其父親的「榮耀」，而且這頂為其祖父的「冠冕」必須是優秀的、智慧的，不致貽羞家族的冠冕。愚昧子，也就是那不為其父母或尊長所尊重的，使父母憂傷、愁苦和痛苦的嘲弄子（17：2，21，25）。憂傷會使人靈裡破碎，會導致有害身體健康的毒素；然而，「喜樂的心乃是良藥」（17：22；18：14）喜樂的心確實是一份上帝所賜的祝福，要賜給一切跟隨耶和華且遵行祂旨意的人。喜樂的心使人靈裡剛強，能在疾病中產生忍耐（18：14）。

        那被形容為，擁有無條件之愛（17：17；18：24）的賢妻（18：22）與真實良友，應該算是另外一種生命的福份了。如此一良友將會比弟兄還要親密，然而「弟兄為患難而生」（17：17）。在困難之時，他可以倚靠來自弟兄的扶持，正如身為家族中的每一份子，都有相互關心和扶持其兄弟姊妹的責任。在舊約聖經中，弟兄有扮演著「同宗族贖回者」及「血親復仇者」的責任角色（利25：25，47；申19：11~12；25：5~6）。那也許是受到時代因素的影響吧！但是，就是連弟兄都無法成為我們的依靠時；而那位我們所愛、所相信的耶穌，祂將會成為我們的永遠依靠。

        主啊，感謝您！因為您應許當我們奔向您時，您就要成為我們的避難所。儘管，別人可能向我們失信，但您始終可信。但願我們學會，住在您裡面的奧秘。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        We learn that God, who knows and sees the heart of mankind, also tests the heart (17:3). For the righteous, His testing produces refinement and purity of heart, but before God's watchful eye, the vileness of the wicked will be exposed, and they will be cast out from the presence of God. The pure in heart and the humble, however, can unashamedly run to the Lord, their Strong Tower, where they receive refuge (18:10). The wicked, if they are rich, are proud and self-sufficient, thinking that they do not need God. They put their trust in their money, believing that it will protect them like a high wall (18:11). The meek who have the Lord, though they be poor, are in a far better place. "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility" (18:12). God will honor those who are submissive to do His will and walk in His way.

        Much of chapters 17 and 18 deals with acts of folly. The emphasis is upon the folly of the tongue. Fools are classified as those who are liars, mockers, deceivers, gossipers, slanderers, and those who enjoy stirring up dissension (17:4-5, 7, 9, 20; 18:2, 6-8). Solomon also includes as foolish those who jump to hasty conclusions without hearing all the facts (18:13). It is written that the tongue has the awesome power of death and life (18:21). We must continually remember that we are held accountable for our words. May the Holy Spirit help us to be peacemakers (17:14) and have that calm spirit to speak only the right words that bring life (18:21), and may they be a "wellspring of wisdom" (18:4) that are satisfying and filling (18:20).

        Not only is the silver-haired head a crown to the aged (16:31), but their grandchildren are a crown as well (17:6). From other verses, we learn that the children who are the "glory" of their father and the "crown" of their grandfather must be good, wise, and not bring shame to the family. The foolish son, including the one who is a scoffer, having no respect for his parents or any authority, brings sorrow, grief, and bitterness to his parents (17:2, 21, 25). Sorrow can cause a broken spirit, which can have an adverse effect on one's health; but "a merry heart does good, like medicine" (17:22; 18:14). A merry heart is truly a blessing from God which is available to all those who follow the Lord's way and walk in His will. It can lead to a strong spirit which can help sustain them in sickness (18:14).

        Other blessings of life are listed as a good wife (18:22) and a true friend, who is described as having unconditional love (17:17; 18:24). Such a friend can become closer than a brother, and yet "a brother is born for adversity" (17:17). In times of trouble, one can depend upon a brother to give aid, for as a family member he is responsible to help care for his sibling. In the Old Testament, the brother was responsible for being the "kinsman redeemer" and the "blood avenger" (cf. Lev. 25:25, 47; Deut. 19:11-12; 25:5-6). There may be times, however, when even one's brother cannot be relied upon; but we who love and believe in Jesus have in Him a friend upon whom we can always rely.

        Thank You, Lord, for Your promise of refuge when we run to You. Though others may fail us, You will never fail. May we learn the secret of abiding in You.