Monday, September 23 – Proverbs 15, 16

1. What is better than being mighty or conquering a city? Proverbs 16:32

2. How does the Lord regard the sacrifice of the wicked? Proverbs 15:8

3. Where is a meal of herbs better than a fatted calf? Proverbs 15:17

Commentary and Reflection:

In today’s chapters, the following themes emerge:

1. Words matter:

“A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23 NKJV) 

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28 NKJV) 

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:1-2 NKJV) 

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV) 

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28 NKJV) 

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20 NKJV) 

“The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning.” (Proverbs 16:21 NKJV) 

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:23-24 NKJV) 

2. It Is wise to accept reproof:

“Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die.” (Proverbs 15:10 NKJV) 

“A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.” (Proverbs 15:12 NKJV) 

“The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” (Proverbs 15:31-32 NKJV) 

3. We should cultivate a positive perspective on life:

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15 NKJV) 

“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy.” (Proverbs 15:30 NKJV) 

4. Things that are worth more than money:

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:16-17 NKJV) 

“Better is a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice.” (Proverbs 16:8 NKJV) 

“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16 NKJV) 

5. God’s direction:

“The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:1 NKJV) 

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV) 

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25 NKJV) 

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33 NKJV) 

6. Consider this valuable proverb on the correction of sin:

“In mercy and truth, atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6 NKJV) 

Two valuable commentaries from the Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary:

1. Hell and destruction are before the Lord—so how much more the hearts of the sons of men!” (Proverbs 15:11 NKJV)

“Strictly speaking, ‘Sheol’ can be understood as ‘the grave’; however, biblical authors using it figuratively describe it as a place where the dead lie in unconscious sleep (see commentary on 2 Samuel 12:23).” SDABC, Proverbs 15:11 

   “‘Abaddon’ comes from the Hebrew root ‘abad,’ meaning ‘lost’ or ‘perish.’ It is a place of destruction (see commentary on Job 26:6).” SDABC, Proverbs 15:11 

2. The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” (Proverbs 16:4 NKJV)

“God made man upright, but when he sought out many schemes and sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:29), he set himself on a course for destruction on the day when all things will be fulfilled. Those who exercise free will to be born again (John 3:3, 7) are prepared for eternal life and will eventually inherit a purified world (2 Peter 3:13). God makes all things serve the purpose they were designed for. In the case of human beings, this is achieved through their own choices.” SDABC, Proverbs 16:4 

I wish you a blessed day.