“A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Proverbs 17:8 AMP
Today’s verse may seem to be a bit confusing. The verse seems to intimate that a bribe is a good thing. That is the furthest thing from the truth. First is to understand the word bribe. In the Hebrew, it is the word meaning something that is given. That gift can be given with no strings attached or with a specific purpose in mind. The other observation one must make is the use of the word “he.” When looking at the declension of the word bribe (gift) it is in the third person which can be translated he, she, or it. The use of the word he is a personification of the “active, living influence” that a gift has on a person. With that In mid, we see that Solomon is referring to the gift itself and not the one receiving it! Solomon is simply stating a fact that gifts given can become a tool for either good or evil. Look at a verse coming ahead in the proverb.
“A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket to pervert the ways of justice.”
Proverbs 17:23 AMP
Clearly here the word bribe (gift) is referring to a gift given for the explicit purpose of influencing a decision maker’s direction! We see that we must be on guard to the influence wielding evil doer that uses man’s greed or desire for wealth to subvert justice. Our verse tells us that the desire for “precious things” can be a dangerous force to recon with. We read in the book of Ecclesiastes,
“For oppression makes a wise man foolish, and a bribe corrupts the [good judgment of the] heart.”
Ecclesiastes 7:7 AMP
Oh that our governmental leaders would take heed of this verse! The prophet Isaiah warned,
“Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes And chases after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the widow’s cause come before them [instead they delay or turn a deaf ear].”
Isaiah 1:23 AMP
“Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are heroes at drinking wine And men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks, 23Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe, And take away the rights of those who are in the right!”
Isaiah 5:22-23 AMP
As we see governments around the globe trampling the rights of the innocent and defending the wicked, We can take comfort in that fact that there is a day coming when all will be called to account. A wise man will always remember this fact when enduring injustice in the world today. The key is keeping an eye on the King of our Kingdom, not the world’s! In chapter 29 Solomon exhorts those in leadership to benefit of doing the right thing.
“The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it.”
Proverbs 29:4 AMP
The law of God tells us that,
““You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous.”
Exodus 23:8 AMP
There are times that we ask the question why do the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? You are not alone! The Psalmist asked the same question as he watched the ruling class subvert the course of righteousness toward evil.
“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. 3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Psalms 73:2-3 AMP
His eyes were on what seemed to a positive result of a life of wickedness. It wasn’t until he looked to the Lord that he wrote:
“Then I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight 17until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. 18Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.19How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!”
Psalms 73:17-19 AMP
Remember that we are to “keep our eyes set on things above, not here below!” It doesn’t mean that we sit idly by. It does however remind us in this world sin and wickedness will seem to win. We should always remember that is really the righteous who will ultimately inherit the land! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken