Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
This warning appeared at the beginning of Proverbs (1:19), and also near the end (28:16). The word greed and covetous are from the same word-root and bear the same wicked fruit! It is one of the most powerful temptations of which sinful hearts are capable, and also one of the most destructive morally and spiritually. Notice the sharp contrasts in our verse today, and learn to shun this evil plant and its wicked fruits (Isa. 5:8-10).
The contrast here is between the thoughts of the evil and the words of the pure. These thoughts are said to be an abomination to the Lord, while the words of pleasantness (marg.) are acceptable. Perowne points out that, according to Maurer, there may be a sacrificial meaning intended because of the reference in Malachi to a pure offering (1:11). Calvin and others believe the pure offering is not something happening at the time of the prophet, but is yet future, when the heathen are received into the kingdom of God (K-D).
The house of the proud is the home of a cruel oppressor. The contrast is with the widow who is more vulnerable to abuses by the unscrupulous. It can be extended to include the overbearing boss or tyrant or priest who lords it over his dependents. What horrible stories are coming out of the West concerning the inhuman exploitation of nannies, especially from the Third World! William Plumer rightly observed: “Men may be changed by divine grace, but man is unchanged.”
Did you notice Proverb 15:23 was synonymous? The two lines amplify each other. This is also true of 15:24. Yet there is a graphic contrast set forth here. The path of the wise leads ever upward in order to keep as far as possible from the way of hell beneath. Which way are you on right now?
Today’s proverb says, A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is. Such a word comes when “the mouth is under Divine discipline” (Bridges). Have we forgotten the miracle of speech? How tragic when one loses the ability to speak! Let us not take for granted the wonderful fact that we can communicate good words to one another, or abuse it by base or unworthy words. What a blessing it is to speak that blessed word when most needed.
Are not disappointments the common lot of humanity? Without counsel purposes are disappointed. So it has been for prince and peasant, for rich and poor, young and old. The word purposes comes from the root to think. They are devices or thoughts, usually of man. Another meaning of disappointed is to be frustrated, to make ineffectual. Do any of these words describe you? Is your life clouded because of some past disappointments?
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.
There is similarity in line one of 10:1 and today’s verse (15:20), but note the difference in the second part, but a foolish man despises his mother. Bringing gladness and despising are not strictly opposites as in 10:1 where gladness and grief (heaviness) are contrasted. In 15:20 the mother’s grief lies beneath the surface. Instead, we are told of a callous son who stoops to despising his mother. An old saying has it; “Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts.” The message of our verse, however, is quite clear. Wise sons (children) bring joy to both parents, but foolish children end despising both father and mother.
Difficulties, imagined or real, are conquered, because the way of the righteous is made plain, literally, cast up as a highway, or as in the margin, “is raised up as a causeway.” “And he (God) shall say, Cast ye up (make plain), cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people” (Isa. 57:14). This is the picture we have in today’s proverb. It is God’s Highway being made plain for the redeemed.
There is a surprising contrast in today’s Proverb. We would expect the slothful contrasted with the diligent or industrious. The contrast, however, is between the slothful and the righteous person! This reminds us that there is something dishonest and sinful about laziness! He is wicked because as a slothful servant he neglects his duty to God as well as himself and others. Laziness here is just another name for unrighteousness. Laziness lives on the labours of others! Further, it demonstrates that the straight course is not only the easiest but also the best. The righteous man is the honest man. He faces the challenges of life, prepares himself well, and works hard to accomplish his goal. He travels on his way both freed of obstacles and made smooth for easier travel.