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A Study of Proverbs 15
July 22, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The fifteenth chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. A wise woman strengthens, rather than destroys, her household. God despises false witness. Those who act in anger, act foolishly. The righteous help the poor and the needy.
Bernie Parsons
Proverbs Chapter 15
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ 07-22-2007
Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
When someone is angry, soft words may disarm, while your own angry words are like throwing gasoline on an already raging fire.
Proverbs 15:2: “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”
“Slow to speak, slow to wrath, and swift to hear” says it all. Just because you know something does not mean that you should tell it. Choose words wisely.
Proverbs 15:3: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
God sees and knows it all, and keeps a record!
Zechariah 4:10: “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
Proverbs 15:4: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
James 3:10: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11: Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
Matthew 15:18: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
What we say is a reflection of who we are. We speak from the heart.
Proverbs 15:5: “A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
A wise man accepts correction, for it makes him better. A fool will not listen and learn.
Proverbs 15:6: “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.”
Matthew 12:35: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
Righteousness is a treasure. The wicked call down trouble upon themselves.
Proverbs 15:7: “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.”
Wise folks can give good advice, but the foolish have nothing to offer.
Proverbs 15:8: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9: The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.”
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.”
The wicked are wicked precisely because the do not love the Lord and His word.
Proverbs 15:10: “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”
Those who refuse to follow God will lose their way, and perish.
Proverbs 15:11: “Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”
Daniel 2:20: “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”
Jeremiah 23:23: “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
24: Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”
Job 26:6: “Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.”
God knows the depths of death and destruction, and He knows the hearts of men.
Proverbs 15:12: “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
One who rejects advice and knowledge will not seek it when he needs it.
Proverbs 15:13: “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Ecclesiastes 8:14: “There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15: Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.”
Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Happiness comes from within, and is not the function of external things.
Proverbs 15:14: “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.”
The discerning person seeks additional knowledge; fools seek further foolishness.
Proverbs 15:15: “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”
See verse 13. The continually sorrowful are morose; the merry of heart rejoice often.
Proverbs 15:16:” Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17: Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”
The poor righteous are happier than the rich who hate, or are hated.
Proverbs 15:18: “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Becoming angry and wrathful creates further problems between people.
Proverbs 15:19: “The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.”
The lazy bring problems upon themselves, while the righteous make a smooth path.
Proverbs 15:20: “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.”
A wise son—or child—listens to his father’s advice, while a foolish man disregards his parents, bringing shame and dishonor to himself.
Proverbs 15:21: “Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.”
The unwise rejoice in foolishness, while the discerning walk in righteousness.
Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established. “
Absence of wise advice leads to failed plans. Several wise advisors guide the way to success.
Proverbs 15:23: “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
Speaking appropriately, and wisely, establishes a man’s good reputation.
Proverbs 15:24: “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”
The wise chooses righteous paths of life, avoiding that which leads to destruction.
Proverbs 15:25: “The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.”
James 4:6: “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
God opposes the proud but is champion of the helpless, such as the widow.
Proverbs 15:26: “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Wicked thoughts produce wicked words, which God hates. The righteous speak truth.
Proverbs 15:27: “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
The greedy accept bribes, bringing trouble upon his household.
Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”
The righteous think before speaking, while the wicked gush evil words and thoughts.
Proverbs 15:29: “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”
See verses 8 & 9.
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.”
Proverbs 15:30: “The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.”
The righteous are satisfied and happy.
Proverbs 15:31: “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32: He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33: The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
The wise seek instruction and accept correction. Those who reject instruction and wise advice do so to their own destruction.
