INSIGHT FOR LIVING 7
INSIGHT FOR LIVING 7
This Proverb is also a prophecy presently being fulfilled, which teaches that the Godly will live in the new earth forever (CP also Pr 10:25; 12:3, 7; Psa 15:1-5 with 1Cor 15:58). Whatever is not God's way will end in death and Hell (CP Pr 14:12 also 16:25 (16:25 is a repeat of 14:12) and 5:21-23; 12:15 with Mt 7:13-14). Outward laughter cannot overcome inward sorrow. The sorrow remains when the laughter is ended (CP Pr 14:13 with Ecc 2:1-2). Next, the wicked and the disobedient are again contrasted with the Godly wise (CP Pr 14:14 with 1:31-33; 11:3, 5, 8; 12:15). He who is immature and lacks understanding is easily persuaded. He is gullible and believes in every way of man. But the wise man looks well to his going - he approaches life with caution and discernment (CP Pr 14:15 with 4:26-27; 9:4-6). A wise man avoids sin because he fears the consequences of his actions, but the fool becomes arrogant and presumptuously confident (CP Pr 14:16 with 1:7; 3:7; 12:18; 13:3; 22:3; 27:12 also Psa 34:11-14). A short tempered man acts foolishly, he flies into a rage and does not stop to consider the consequences, and a man of evil intentions is hated (CP Pr 14:17). The contrast here is between hot temper labelled as folly, and deliberate wicked intentions (CP Job 5:12-13 with 1Cor 3:19 and Psa 37:7-8).
Next, Solomon observes that the simple are born with the predisposition to act foolishly, but the wise are rewarded with knowledge (CP Pr 14:18 also V 24 with 4:7-9). From a New Testament perspective the next Proverb simply means that good will eventually triumph over evil (CP Pr 14:19). Many worldly friendships are formed on the basis of self-interest. The poor are despised and avoided, but the rich are cultivated (CP Pr 14:20-21, also 19:4, 6-7 and 29:26). New Testament Christians are strictly forbidden to show partiality toward anyone (CP Jas 2:1-5, 9). This does not mean that Christians are not to help provide for the poor though. They are obligated by Scripture to do so (CP Jas 2:13-16; 1Jn 3:17-18). Solomon declares the error of those who think evil in contrast to God's mercy and truth to those who think good (CP Pr 14:22 and 5:22-23 with 12:26). All labour profits, but idle talk brings only poverty (CP Pr 14:23 with 10:4 and 21:5 also 12:11, 24, 27; 13:4; 18:9; 27:23-27; 28:19). The crown of the wise is their riches of wisdom; the foolishness of fools only yields folly (CP Pr 14:24 also V 18 with 10:22). Solomon next observes that a true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies (CP Pr 14:25 also V 5 and 12:17. From a New Testament perspective this can be applied to the true witness of Christians who deliver souls from eternal damnation in contrast to cultists and other false teachers who speak lies and lead them to Hell.
The man who fears God has a strong confidence, and his children have a place of refuge. The fear of God is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death (CP Pr 14:26-27 also 3:7-8 with 13:14; 18:10; Isa 33:6 and Ro 8:31). To depart from evil through the fear of God is to obtain eternal life (CP Pr 14:28). Leaders are honoured in having many followers, but there is no honour when there are no followers (CP Pr 30:29-31). A wise man controls his temper, but a quick tempered man magnifies his folly (CP Pr 14:29 also 15:18; 16:32; 19:11 and Ecc 7:9 with Jas 1:19-20). A sound heart gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (CP Pr 14:30). A sound heart fears God (CP Pr 3:7-8; 9:10-11; 10:27; 19:23). He who oppresses the poor insults God who made them, but he who blesses the poor honours God (CP Pr 14:31 also 17:5; 21:13 with 14:21; 19:17; 22:2, 9). In the New Testament Jesus equates Christians' treatment of those in need with Himself (CP Mt 25:31-46 also Jas 2:13-17; 1Jn 3:16-19).
There is no hope for the wicked who die in their wickedness, but the righteous have hope in death of eternal life (CP Pr 14:32 also 11:3, 5-6, 18-19; 12:28). However, God has made provision for the wicked to be saved if they turn away from their wickedness and follow after righteousness (CP Eze 18:20-23, 27-32; 33:11-20 with Ga 6:7-8). The wise do not parade their wisdom, but a fool's lack of wisdom is reflected in his words and actions (CP Pr 14:33 with 12:16). Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (CP Pr 14:34 with 11:11). A wise servant will gain the king's favour, but a foolish servant will incur his wrath (CP Pr 14:35 with 16:14-15; 19:12).
Next, in V 1 and 2 in Ch 15, Solomon contrasts the difference between soft and harsh words, and the tongues of the wise and the foolish (CP Pr 15:1). A gentle response will turn away anger, but harsh words stir it up (CP V18 also 14:29; 16:14; 25:15). In Pr 15:2 Solomon observes that a wise man uses knowledge rightly, but a fool has no true sense of its proper use (CP Pr 15:2 also V 7 and 28 with 12:23; 13:16; 14:33). In V 3 Solomon alludes to the omnipresence of God (CP Pr 15:3 also 5:21 with Job 31:4; 34:21-22; Psa 139:7-12; Jer 16:17; Mt 6:1-18; He 4:13). The ways of man are before God and He records every word and deed, which will be brought up, at both the Judgement Seat of Christ in Heaven where the righteous will be judged (CP Ecc 12:14; Ro 14:10-13; 2Cor 5:10), and the Great White Throne Judgement where the wicked will be judged before being cast into the Lake of Fire, at the end of Christ's millennial reign (CP Rev 20:11-15; 21:8). A gentle tongue soothes and revives, but a piercing tongue breaks the spirit (CP Pr 15:4 with 12:18 and Psa 64:2-3). A fool spurns his father's instruction, but he who heeds correction benefits from it (CP Pr 15:5 with 13:18). There is priceless treasure in the house of the righteous, but in the ill-gotten gains of the wicked there is trouble (CP Pr 15:6 with 1:10-19; 8:18-21; 10:2, 16, 22; 15:27; 24:4). It is in the hearts of the wise to disperse knowledge, but not so with fools (CP Pr 15:7). The sacrifice of the wicked is an offence to God, but He delights in the prayer of the righteous (CP Pr 15:8, also 3:32 and 21:3, 27 with Ecc 5:1; Isa 1:10-16; Jer 6:19-20; Amos 5:21-24; Mic 6:6-8; He 11:4).
God hates the way of the wicked, but He loves that of the Godly (CP Pr 15:9 with 21:21). Correction is grievous to the backslider and he who hates correction will die (CP Pr 15:10 with 5:12, 23 with 10:17). If God knows all about what transpires in death and beyond, how much more does He know the secrets of men here and now (CP Pr 15:11 with 1Sam 16:7; 2Chr 6:30; Job 26:6; Psa 44:21; 139:8; Jn 2:24; Ac 1:24; He 4:13). Those Scriptures all teach the omniscience of God (CP Pr 15:12). A scoffer resents being corrected, nor will he go to the wise person for counsel (CP Pr 1:22, 30; 10:8; 13:1; 17:10; 2Ti 4:3-4). A merry heart causes a smiling face, but a broken spirit causes dejection and despair (CP Pr 15:13 also 15:15 with 12:25; 17:22; 18:14). A wise man seeks knowledge, but a fool feeds on foolishness (CP Pr 15:14 with Isa 32:6). The afflicted are always sad, but the merry are always happy (CP Pr 15:15 (see also comments on 15:13)). Better is poverty with the fear of God than riches with troubles (CP Pr 15:16 with 10:2; 16:8; Psa 37:16 and 1Ti 6:6). Better a little to eat where love is than a fattened ox where there is hatred (CP Pr 15:17 with 17:1). A fiery-tempered man causes trouble, but one slow to anger averts it (CP Pr 15:18 also V 1 with 14:29; 16:32; 19:11; 26:21; 28:25; 29:11 and Jas 1:19). The way of a lazy man is beset with many obstructions, but the way of the upright is smooth (CP Pr 15:19 with 20:4; 22:5, 13; 26:13-16).
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother (CP Pr 15:20 with 10:1). Folly delights a man who lacks judgement, but a man of understanding walks uprightly (CP Pr 15:21 also 10:23 with Eph 5:15). Plans fail for lack of good advice, but succeed with many advisers (CP Pr 15:22 also 11:14; 20:18; 24:6 with Lu 14:31). A man enjoys giving sound advice, and to be able to say the right thing at the right time is good (CP Pr 15:23 with 24:26; 25:11 and Isa 50:6). The way of the wise leads upward to life and avoids the pitfalls of Hell (CP Pr 15:24, also 2:18 and 14:16 with Php 3:20; Col 3:1-2). The Lord will judge the proud, but preserve the humble (CP Pr 15:25 with 2:21-22; 10:25; 12:7; 14:11 also Psa 68:5-6). The Lord hates the thoughts of the wicked, but delights in the kind words of the righteous (CP Pr 15:26 with 3:32; Psa 24:3-5). He that is greedy of dishonest gain brings grief to his family; but he who hates bribes enjoys life (CP Pr 15:27 with 11:29; 28:16; and De 16:19; Ecc 7:7; Jer 17:11 also 1Ti 6:10). The righteous man thinks carefully about how he answers, but the mouth of the ungodly pours forth evil (CP Pr 15:28 also V 2; 10:32; 12:23 with Eph 4:29 and 1Pe 3:15). The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous (CP Pr 15:29 also Psa 34:15-17; 145:18-19). From a New Testament perspective this translates to Christians being assured always of answered prayer (CP Jn 9:31 with Mk 11:22-24; Jn 15:7; Php 4:6-7; 1Jn 3:22; 5:14-15). Righteousness rejoices the soul and good news is healthful (CP Pr 15:30 also V 13 with 16:15 and 17:22). He who heeds advice shall be a companion of the wise (CP Pr 15:31 also V 5 with 1:23; 6:23). He hates his own soul who rejects advice, but the one who profits by it gains understanding (CP Pr 15:32 also V 5 and 31 with 1:7; 5:12-13, 23 and 8:36). Wisdom teaches the fear of the Lord, and humility comes before honour (CP Pr 15:33 also 18:12 with Mt 23:12; Lu 14:11; 18:9-14; 1Pe 5:5-6). Wisdom also comes with humility (CP Pr 11:2; 13:10).
God prepares both the plans in the heart of the righteous and the answer of their tongue (CP Pr 16:1 also V 33; 3:6; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 30-31 with Jer 10:23 and Mt 10:19). While man can be self-deceived, God sees the motives and intentions of the heart (CP Pr 16:2 also 21:2 and Psa 19:12-13 with 1Sam 16:7; 1Cor 4:4-5; He 4:12). The plans of the righteous entrusted to God will be fulfilled (CP Pr 16:3 also 3:5-6 with Psa 1:1-3; 22:8; 37:5; 55:22; 90:16-17 and 1Pe 5:7). Next Solomon observes that the Lord has made all things for His own purpose, even the wicked for the day of Judgement (CP Pr 16:4 also Isa 43:7; Col 1:16-17 and Rev 4:11 with Job 21:30; Ro 1:18-20; 8:28-30; 9:17-23). Pr 16:4 is used by some in the contemporary Church to teach the Doctrine of Predestination; that God has already predetermined the eternal destination of everyone who has ever been, or ever will be born, and decreed their lifestyle. But when studied in the light of the other scriptures on this subject noted here the clear teaching is that God has simply reserved the wicked for the day they will receive their well-deserved punishment and He will be glorified. (For a more detailed teaching on the Doctrine of Predestination see author's study Salvation - a free will choice or predestinated? In his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1)).