Posted by Jeff Short on July 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
– Proverbs 15:24
The wisdom of Proverbs reveals there are ultimately only two ways—the way of life and the way of death. The
way of life is the way of wisdom, instruction, and correction (Proverbs 6:23; 10:17). It is the way that delivers from death (Proverbs 12:28; 14:23). The word for
above means upward, or higher. It is contrasted with
hell beneath, which is
sheol, or the realm of the dead. It is the end of the way of folly as seen in the warnings against the way of the strange woman (Proverbs 2:18; 5:5; 7:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
– Proverbs 15:23
This proverb presents a dual blessing of wisdom. Wise words spoken at right times bless both the speaker and the hearer. Whether or not a man possesses wisdom will often be revealed in his speech (Proverbs 12:16; Ecclesiastes 5:3). This proverb focuses on the positive effect of wise words. The speaker has joy by speaking wisdom that is received (Proverbs 12:14). The hearer has joy by receiving wisdom and benefiting from it (Proverbs 12:14; 16:13; 24:26; 25:11-12).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
– Proverbs 15:22
The word for
counsel means a company of persons in close deliberation. The assumption about the counsel is that it is wise counsel. Proverbs treats bad counsel in other places (Proverbs 1:10-19; et al.). Fools are marked by either refusing all counsel or foolishly gorging all advice (Proverbs 15:14; 26:12). The word for
multitude means abundance and is put over against having no
counsellors. The word for
established means to set upright, like the erecting of a statue. The essential truth of this proverb is seeking and receiving wise counsel makes our plans better and increases the likelihood of success (Proverbs 11:14; 20:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
– Proverbs 15:21
Foolishness in Proverbs is a choice, or it is a consequence of rejecting wisdom’s instruction and correction. This proverb identifies
folly as
joy to those who are
destitute of wisdom, or without understanding. Fools delight in folly as a sport and pleasure (Proverbs 10:23; 14:9). The word for
understanding means intelligence and reason. It describes one who is skilled in discernment. The word for
upright means straight, or direct. The discerning ones deliberately choose the way that is good (Proverbs 14:16; 16:17). This is a man who has good sense and considers the end (Proverbs 22:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
– Proverbs 15:20
The word for
glad means to brighten, or cause to rejoice. A
son receiving and walking in wisdom makes a
father glad. This is a persistent theme in Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1; 23:15-16; 29:3). Parents cannot make their children wise, but they continually instruct and correct in hope they will receive wisdom. When the children receive correction and instruction, parents are blessed in numerous ways and rejoice. The contrasting line is a different perspective than the usual. The focus is not as much on the effect on the mother, but rather on the son who is
foolish. Such a man is hardened and dishonors his parents (Proverbs 23:22; 30:17), and sins against God (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
– Proverbs 15:19
The word for
slothful means sluggish and lazy. The first phrase indicates his personal affairs are a tangled mess. He is averse to hard work and will not receive wisdom (Proverbs 12:27; 19:24; 26:15-16). The immediate point is that laziness makes everything harder and more frustrating for others (Proverbs 10:26; 18:9). The word for
righteous in the contrasting phrase means upright or straight. The parallelism indicates there is unrighteousness with laziness. The
way of the righteous is clear and straight (Proverbs 3:6; 8:9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
– Proverbs 15:18
Hatred, pride, and anger in a man is the root of stirring up strife (Proverbs 10:12; 28:25; 29:22). The word for
wrathful means heat, and we would say hot-headed, a quick temper, or a short fuse. He escalates strife and contentions like adding fuel onto a low burning fire (Proverbs 26:21). The contrast is with one who is
slow to anger. He has the patience and wisdom to defuse situations and persuade for good (Proverbs 15:1; 25:15).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
– Proverbs 15:17
This proverb also deals with wealth, though indirectly. Wealth is not the focus, rather the contrast of
love and
hatred. To have
love is to have good relationships with family and even friends. It is to have a home of peace and contentment. The
dinner of herbs is a modest meal as opposed to the
stalled ox, which is an indication of means. Love is absent where
hatred is present and it brings strife and contention to a house. Obviously, the first condition is better than the second with a house of strife, anger, and contentions (Proverbs 17:1; 21:19).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
– Proverbs 15:16
This is one of those proverbs that refute the notion the blessing and prosperity of wisdom is material. It is better to have wisdom than not (Proverbs 3:14; 8:11, 19; 16:16), and it is better to have
the fear of the Lord, a meager supper, righteousness, a humble spirit, integrity, and uprightness than riches (Proverbs 15:17; 16:8, 19; 17:1; 19:1; 28:6). The word for
trouble means tumult, confusion, and vexation. We might say it is a great grief or worry of mind. Material substance is not ultimate, and not to be preferred when it comes with trouble (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12).
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Proverbs 15:24
Posted by Jeff Short on July 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
The wisdom of Proverbs reveals there are ultimately only two ways—the way of life and the way of death. The way of life is the way of wisdom, instruction, and correction (Proverbs 6:23; 10:17). It is the way that delivers from death (Proverbs 12:28; 14:23). The word for above means upward, or higher. It is contrasted with hell beneath, which is sheol, or the realm of the dead. It is the end of the way of folly as seen in the warnings against the way of the strange woman (Proverbs 2:18; 5:5; 7:27).– Proverbs 15:24
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