Proverbs 12:17 The truth whisperer
He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. Proverbs 12:17 NASB
He that whispers faithfulness declares righteousness, but a false witness is a fraud. (Rotherham)
“Speaks truth” is more nuanced in Hebrew than the English reveals. The word speak means to blow with a breath of air. The word for speak is puach, like a puff of air, breathing words for a purpose. Interestingly, ruach is a similar Hebrew for spirit or wind, often used of the Holy Spirit. The word for truth is emunah and means firmness, steadfastness, fidelity. Something stable or true or faithful. The picture is of someone whose breath, the words from their heart and being and the good intent of their soul, reflect what they are: faithful. Sure. Full of integrity. From the heart the mouth speaks. That little puff of air which comes out? It reflects me — legally.
The word “witness” comes from the Hebrew root meaning: to return, go about, repeat, do again. Only recently do we have iPhones and the instant ability to record events. Although not perfect and without context, a recording removes the interpretation, bias, perspective, and time — which affects a person’s memory. When a court is establishing an account of what happened, the judge or jury must rely on those who saw and recorded it in their memories to recount the event. A witness is an important part of that history who “does again” and repeats what he or she saw.
An iPhone has no motive to lie about what I recorded. People do.
Is it any wonder that when qualifying a witness an attorney will explore a person’s biases, motivation for coloring an incident a particular way, their history at telling the truth, and poke holes at their account? The honesty I choose to live every day and my commitment to the truth affect the way I observe my world. And when a person is more committed to an outcome (that they desire) than to honesty, it too affects his perception of what happened. It’s incredible to consider, but if I rehearse something enough in my mind, I will believe it, even if it never happened.
Take the sunrise, for example. One man will yawn and slowly breathe in the smell of coffee, sit back and enjoy the incredible miracle of the color palette adorning his sky. Not only is it a thing of great beauty, it represents a new day. A fresh start. While looking, he hears a chorus of voices within singing of the majesty of my Father who created this moment just for him. In another city a few miles away, another man looks up and sees the clouds overhead. Tired, weary, and bitter, he curses the city he lives in. How can there be a God in this hellhole? Today is another day to get ahead of others before they get ahead of him.
Whose version of the sunrise would you rather believe?
As if by repetition Solomon wants to make his point he says later:
A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness speaks lies. Proverbs 14:5
I desire my eyes and memory to be open to the reality of what is happening in my world today. For all the bias and hurt I carry, I want the incredible interaction with my good God to be that which comes out of my lips, telling all that will listen: “do again.”