7 “Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.”
The ASV adds a more faithful translation of this: "Surely extortion [unjust gain] maketh the wise man foolish..." This speaks to character; a wise man that compromises on core values (taking something that does not belong to him) looses the blessing of the upright and his wisdom is turned into foolishness. We must, if we are to remain wise, walk in the fear of the Lord and not violate good conscience. A gift or "A bribe" destroys the heart. The Proverbs speaks of covetousness and its ability to pull people into the wrong direction:- Proverbs 15:27 - He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
- Proverbs 19:6 - Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
- Proverbs 29:4 - The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
A bribe perverts justice and anyone who alters judgment because of a gift does damage to their own heart, conscience and character. This is a real temptation in the ministry; “O’ do not offend so and so, they are big givers” so the temptation is to water down the word of God so as to not offend but this kind of gift destroys the conviction of the heart.
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