Proverbs 15:21-22, Men Of My Counsel

September 27, Proverbs 15:21-22

Eph. 5:15-16; Acts 15:6, 31 “Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.”

Men Of My Counsel

Again and again the Book of Proverbs asks, What do you really think of Folly? Does it not warn us that “folly is wise in her own eyes,” and that “a fool constantly advertises his own folly”? Death overtakes him engaging in his senseless folly, and without a serious thought for his eternal destiny.

1. The Contrasts Presented: Verse 21 exposes a startling contrast!

a. Fool’s Gold is a sad and sometimes tragic deception. One such trickery recently rocked the financial markets, and emptied many a purse. Even worse is this fool. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom. This is senseless, heartless joy! To be destitute of wisdom is to lack heart. What a travesty this presents! Not only is he a fool in what he calls joy, but he boasts and revels in his folly. He can’t have enough of it! He hungers for the vanities of life as a starving man for good food. He delights in the sins of others, but in his own even more. Such a fool is never wrong. Truly, “a fool’s fortune is his misfortune!” How sad that his own father should have slaved to gather the faggots for his son’s burning!

b. Wisdom’s Goal: A man of understanding walketh uprightly. He uses his God-given mind wisely. He endeavours to straighten out the path on which he intends to travel. He puts time and effort into what he does, and lays a solid foundation for his house. When young, he applies himself to his studies with a single eye to the future. The fool makes no such progress. The wise turns from all foolery. He learns from God’s Word the price of folly, and keeps his goal clearly in focus as he moves steadily toward its realisation. Because his walk is upright, his path is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Pr. 4:18).

2. The Counsels Promoted: Verse 22 teaches us to guard, on the one hand, against ill-considered action, that can lead to serious mistakes, and on the other, to avoid indecision that may result in the opposite errors. Here is:

a. The Foolhardy who acts without taking counsel of wiser heads. This may stem from stubborn pride or stupidity or both! He is willing neither to consult others nor think it through himself. Such a fool is without counsel, without a safe guide on the journey of life, but can such a fool be given advice? Is it not like throwing water over a duck’s back?

b. The Coolheaded, on the other hand, both seeks counsel, and then takes it from those who have more knowledge and experience than himself. Because of sin, he doesn’t trust himself alone. He is ready to submit his plans to others. He moves through life with calm deliberation. In the final analysis, he looks to the One who is the Greatest Counsellor (Is. 9: 6)! His prayer is humble. “Give me, O my God, understanding, that my joy may be in thy wisdom, not in my folly” (Bridges). Humility is the hall-mark of genuine wisdom.

Thought: “Man’s requirements are not a drain on God’s resources.”

Prayer: Lord, for the wit to give ear to all, but not all to believe!