Proverbs 11:22 (Mini Sermon)

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22. Pro 11:22 – "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion." A. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, i. In the Old Testament, pigs were considered unclean animals (Lev 11:7; Isa 65:4; Isa 66:3, 17). ii. Pearls are not to be cast before swine who are undeserving of them (Mat 7:6). iii. A jewel of gold is unfitting for a pig. a. It would look ridiculous and out of place. b. It would make the person look foolish who put the jewel in the hog's nose. c. It would be a waste of something beautiful on a (relatively) ugly brute beast. d. It would even make the pig look stupid. B. so is a fair woman which is without discretion. i. Definitions a. So adv. – II. Placed at the beginning of a clause with continuative force, and freq. preceded by and. 9. Denoting similarity or parallelism in some respect between two facts, actions, etc. b. Fair adj. – 1. Beautiful to the eye; of pleasing form or appearance; good-looking. c. Woman n. – I. 1. a. An adult female human being. d. Female adj. – I. Belonging to the sex which bears offspring. e. Discretion n. – I. 1. The action of separating or distinguishing, or condition of being distinguished or disjunct; separation, disjunction, distinction. II. 2. The action of discerning or judging; judgement; decision, discrimination. III. 6. Ability to discern or distinguish what is right, befitting, or advisable, esp. as regards one's own conduct or action; the quality of being discreet; discernment; prudence, sagacity, circumspection, sound judgement. ii. A woman without discretion is a foolish woman. a. Foolish adj. – 1. Fool-like, wanting in sense or judgement. b. A foolish woman is clamorous (Pro 9:13). c. Such a woman is not attractive, but repulsive and repellant (Pro 21:9, 19; Pro 25:24). iii. A woman without discretion will often end up being a whore (Pro 7:10). a. Despite her physical allure, she is not truly attractive. b. She is loud, stubborn, and impudent (shameless) (Pro 7:11-13). iv. A pretty face on a woman who lacks discretion is as unbecoming as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout. a. In a similar way that a jewel of gold in a swine's snout is unfitting for a pig, looks ridiculous and out of place, and is a waste of something beautiful, so it is with a beautiful woman who lacks discernment, judgment, and good decision making with regards to what is right, befitting, and advisable concerning her own conduct. b. A pig with a nose ring might look attractive to a brute boar following his instinct when the sow is in heat, but she is not going to look attractive to a rational person. c. Just as a golden nose jewel in a pig's snout does not make the pig attractive, so a beautiful face does not make a foolish woman look attractive to a good man. v. It is good character and virtue, not just a beautiful face, which makes a woman truly attractive (Pro 31:30; 1Pe 3:3-4). vi. No amount of jewelry, makeup, or fine clothing will make an indiscrete woman attractive.