Proverbs 10:21 When my words feed_

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

Daily I have a choice: Do I sustain life or slowly let it eek away?

Strong says the Hebrew word for nourish means: to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; to graze, by extension, to associate with (as a friend), companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with. Activity that sustains.

Words are so powerful. They have the ability to nourish. Think about it – what we say can actually feed another especially the context of tending a friendship, looking after the welfare of someone, or simply being a companion. Who I am and what I contemplate in my heart may feed another.

The word sense means “heart” and is used figuratively for a wide variety of feelings, the will, and the intellect. It’s the same word used in the previous verse (10:20). For lack of sense, or heart, or more accurately, for lack of anything within the heart, comes famine. Death.

So what is the difference between the two sources that result in life or death? Righteousness or foolishness are not trite moral labels I may easily apply to others. They reflect something real. Something tangible. There’s not much to say about the fool. They simply don’t have anything to offer. Or worse, they are hurtful. It’s easy to have an empty feeling when around that person. To dry up. Death. On the other hand, being “right” or “just” removes any obstacles in knowing my heavenly Father. In my relationship with the One who is rich and full, who cares for me and is absolutely committed to my health and wellbeing, it would be impossible to intermingle with Him without coming away full and overflowing. And from that heart flows friendship, wisdom, care, and tending of those needing help, and in a word, life