I’m writing a single post for these two days because the material fits together in a way that makes that make sense.
If the proverbs seem to contradict themselves, seek a deeper understanding in an attempt to resolve an apparent contradiction. For example, in verses 26:4 and 5, Solomon advises against answering a fool according to his folly, and then advises that one answer a fool according to his folly. How can this not be a contradiction?! The whole counsel of proverbs teaches that one can never win an argument with one who thinks he is always right. The point he’s making is don’t bother with fools. The apparent contradiction is an interesting way to get that point across, don’t you think?
Not many of us count our wealth in the size of our flocks and herds, but all of us have wealth of one kind or another. Solomon advises us to know the condition of our finances so that we can make sure that they meet our needs, enable us to fulfill our responsibilities, and perhaps gain us something in the way of a return. And yet in verse 28:8 Solomon seems to disparage multiplying wealth. Multiplying wealth wasn’t the issue as much as the means by which it is multiplied. The whole counsel of Scripture frowns on multiplying wealth by unscrupulous means. In the Law God forbade His people to charge interest to a needy brother. He also seems to be against a pure profit means of gaining wealth. For example, selling someone something worthless in a deal where the seller gains a profit and the buyer gains nothing is not acceptable. The seller must sell something of true worth; taking people’s money for anything that is not truly worthwhile is not right. That certainly is different from our culture, where advertising campaigns often try to persuade us to spend our money in exchange for minimum value. Have we bought into our culture’s value for making maximum profit by any means necessary?
If you see other apparent contradictions that you can’t resolve, I recommend that you seek help from the Holy Spirit to understand. You are also welcome to contact me, but I don’t believe that I can offer the absolutely satisfying, transforming revelation that the Holy Spirit can.