Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Crabb makes a difference between discord and strife. He says, "Discord evinces itself in various ways — by looks, words, or actions; strife displays itself in words, or acts of violence. Discord is fatal to the happiness of families; strife is the greatest enemy to peace between neighbours; discord arose between the goddesses on the apple being thrown into one assembly. Homer commences his poem with the strife that took place between Agamemnon and Achilles." The passages suggests three ideas concerning strife. I. IT IS AN EVIL OF TERRIFIC PROGRESS. This strife spreads. One angry word leads to another, one act of resentment, will kindle a fire that may set a whole neighbourhood or a nation into conflagration. A drop of strife soon becomes a river, and the river a torrent. II. IT IS AN EVIL THAT SHOULD BE CHECKED. "Therefore leave off contention." Every lover of his race and his God should suppress it. It is a desolating thing, it makes sad havoc in families, neighbourhoods, churches, nations. 1. Be inspired with the spirit of peace. 2. Maintain the character of peace. 3. Use the argument of peace. Thus he will check the spirit of strife. III. IT IS AN EVIL WHICH CAN BE EASILY CHECKED AT THE BEGINNING. YOU may mend the embankment with tolerable ease at the stage when it emits only a few oozing drops. The mightiest and most furious beasts of prey you can easily destroy at their birth; the most majestic and resistless river you can stop at its spring head. So it is with strife, in its incipient state you may easily crush it. Crush the upas in the germ, tread out the conflagration in the spark. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. |
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