Proverbs Chapter 15 Continued
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife."
In this scripture, we see hotheads as contrasted to peacemakers.
We see again, here the wrathful man is always trying to start a battle over just any little old thing, but the man slow to anger is a peacemaker and will go to almost any length to avoid an argument.
Proverbs 15:19 "The way of the slothful [man is] as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous [is] made plain."
Slothful means lazy, in fact, very lazy. A man who is this lazy will lie up in bed and let the thorn bushes grow up all around him. He is too lazy to remove them.
The righteous man speaks also of an industrious man who keeps his path clean and ready to go.
Proverbs 15:20 "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother."
A wise son follows the instructions of his father and learns his lesson well. His father is proud of him, because he was an obedient son who was quick to learn and learned his lesson well.
The foolish man despises his mother, because he does not want to learn anything from anyone else and especially from his mother. She wants to help him, and he is too arrogant to let her help.
Proverbs 15:21 "Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly."
(Compare Prov. 14:12).
Proverbs 16:25 "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death."
Proverbs 15:22 "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."
This is a very good saying about listening to advise from others and weighing to make the best decision possible. The old saying goes, "Two heads are better than one".
A good decision is made with multiple wise advisers. The more crucial the decision, the more appropriate is corporate wisdom.
It would be foolish indeed to not discuss something to be done and then take the best advice.
Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!"
Verse 23 is connected to 22. We see here one of the counselors who has given good advice and he rejoices in that his advice was taken. His message was given at just the right time.
Proverbs 15:24: "The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath."
We see that the wise choose the way that leads to heaven above. They are aware that hell exists beneath. They are on a higher plane. They seek the way of the Godly. Their home is in heaven; and they refuse the way of sin that leads to hell.
Proverbs 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow."
The proud don't think they need any help from anyone. God loves and helps the humble. We must reach out for his help before He will give it.
When evil men try to take the property of widows, God will intervene. The most desolate (widows), who have God’s help possess a more permanent dwelling place than the prosperous and
God helps those who cannot help themselves. We really need Him, but some are too proud to admit they need Him.
Proverbs 15:26 "The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words."
Jesus taught that sin occurs first in the heart and thought.
In the following scriptures, we see the sin actually occurs in the heart and mind.
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Matthew 12:34 "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Matthew
The thoughts of the sinner are evil and are an abomination to God. A pure person has pure thoughts and his words are pleasant.
Proverbs 15:27 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."
Some people just want more and more. To many, having a lot of “stuff” is something which makes them look good to others. In many cases, this gain is brought about by deceptive practices. This type person can cause a terrible financial or legal problem for their family as they can never be satisfied.
A greedy person is not just greedy with outsiders, but with the members of his family as well. The number one cause of divorce in America today is debt. A greedy person is always accusing the other members of the family for the debt mess they are in and consequently arguments occur which leads to divorce.
In some families, there is an unselfish person who enjoys giving to the rest more than receiving themselves. The person who loves to give and not get, will prosper or live.
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things."
The person who is slow to speak says fewer things that they regret later. A righteous person will carefully choose the words they say so as not to hurt the feelings of the one they are speaking to.
Wicked people don’t guard their words. An evil person doesn't care about anyone else's feelings and just blurts out evil things.
Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
Sin separates us from God. Some have taken this Scripture to mean that God will not hear the prayer of the sinful man. Judge for yourselves from the following scriptures.
John 9:31 "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."
1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil."
I believe God does hear his prayers but will not answer until the sinful man repents.
God is far from the wicked because the wicked has rejected or walked away from God, not the other way around. God does answer the righteous quicker as we see in the following Scripture.
James 5:16 "Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Proverbs 15:30 "The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat."
If we have Jesus in our heart, we have His Light shining within us. Others see in this person a joy unspeakable that radiates out to everyone they come in contact with. A good report maketh the bones fat is very similar to the statement: Good news lifts you up. It makes your heart leap within you.
Whatever is good, sound truth and wisdom stirs the heart by relieving anxiety and producing a cheerful face.
Proverbs 15:31 "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise."
Over, and over again, in the book of Revelation, it is said, "He that hath an ear let him hear". This is talking about opening your ear of understanding to God. We are to be wise unto salvation.
The acquiring of wisdom demands a teachable spirit.
Proverbs 15:32 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
A person who refuses to be taught is hurting himself more than anyone else. An unlearned person makes many mistakes. He has no facts to work with.
The person who wants to understand will listen carefully to someone who knows more, and will even take correction from that person to learn.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honor [is] humility."
We have said before that humility is very important. We must walk humbly before God. The honor must come from God and not man. If we fear God, we will follow in His ways. We will study his Word and know what His will is for our life.
If we fear (respect), Him, our desire will be to please him. This fear actually means we will love Him and respect Him and do everything we can do to obey His commandments and the things He has told us to do (through Jesus), in the New Testament.
Proverbs Chapter 15 Continued Questions
1.In verse 18, who stirreth up strife?
2.A man slow to anger could be called a ________?
3.Who is a slothful man?
4.What kind of hedge is around a slothful man?
5.Who maketh a glad father?
6.Why does the foolish despise his mother?
7.How does a man of understanding walk?
8.A man destitute of wisdom walks in _______ _______ _____.
9.Without _______ purposes are disappointed.
10.Why is it good to listen to other’s advice?
11.What is meant by, the way of life is above to the wise?
12.Where is the home of the Godly?
13.The Lord destroys the house of the proud but establishes whose borders?
14.Where does sin first occur?
15.The thoughts of the wicked are an _____________ to the Lord.
16.Describe a pure person.
17.Who is a greedy person greedy with?
18.What is the number one cause of divorce in America?
19.Who can bring peace to a family (besides God)?
20.What is the difference in the way the righteous answer and the evil?
21.In verse 29, the Lord hears whose prayers?
22.Why is the Lord far from the wicked?
23.In James 5:16, what kind of prayer availeth much?
24.The ear in verse 31, is talking about what?
25.Who despises his own soul?
26.Why should we fear God?