Better a Little With...
Comments for Study 15
Proverbs 15:1-33
Memory Verse: 7
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I. The Eyes, the Tongue, and the Lips (15:1-9)
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* Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
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* Proverbs 15:2 "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."
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* Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good."
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* Proverbs 15:4 "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
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* Proverbs 15:5 "A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence."
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* Proverbs 15:6 "The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble."
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* Proverbs 15:7 "The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools."
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* Proverbs 15:8 "The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him."
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* Proverbs 15:9 "The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness."
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II. To Welcome Death and Destruction (15:10-21)
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* Proverbs 15:10 "Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die."
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* Proverbs 15:11 "Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD-- how much more the hearts of men!"
* "Death" -"Sheol" (a transliteration) in the original Hebrew is translated into English as either "hell", "grave", "pit", or "death". "Sheol" occurs 65 times in the Old Testament.
* "Destruction" -"Abaddon" (a transliteration) in the original Hebrew and Greek is translated into English as "destruction" in all occurrences in the Old Testament. It is associated with Hades and destruction. Its root is the Hebrew verb "abad" (a transliteration).
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* Proverbs 15:12 "A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise."
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* Proverbs 15:13 "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."
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* "spirit" -"Ruah" (a transliteration) in the original Hebrew is translated into English as "spirit", "wind", and "breath".
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* Proverbs 15:14 "The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly."
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* Proverbs 15:15 "All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast."
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* This drawing in public domain from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) is titled "Het leerzaam huisraad : vertoond in vyftig konstige figuuren, met godlyke spreuken en stichtelyke verzen / door Jan Luiken"
The title is, "The Chest". According to the attendant scripture (Proverbs 15:16), the wealth gathered into a treasure chest is no substitute for the fear of God and all the good that brings. The poem accompanying this illustration notes that a steel chest with all its locks and keys is mere vanity compared to the treasure chest of the soul, which is secure even through death. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and wrote the accompanying poem.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
The motto is "Yet, it can't hold it.". The accompanying poem is:
The Iron chest, which so faithfully locks,
Is Keeper of the treasures:
O Man! Take care of thy heart's Chest,
That other one is only Vanity,
And even disappears with this Time,
And afterward leaves a gnawing pain.
But the Heart, the Noble human heart,
If that became a Chest of wealth,
Outfitted with various locks,
Against Theft by the old Serpent,
And the World's cunning behavior,
Then wealth would be enjoyed.
Because that is the right Chest,
Whose supply will not fail,
In times of want and need,
Yes even, in the Hour of Death,
When all other wealth fled,
Then its stuff and coins count as payment before God.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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* Proverbs 15:16 "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil."
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* Proverbs 15:17 "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred."
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* Proverbs 15:18 "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."
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* Proverbs 15:19 "The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway."
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* Proverbs 15:20 "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother."
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* Proverbs 15:21 "Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course."
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III. The Lord is... (15:22-33)
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* Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
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* Proverbs 15:23 "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!"
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* This drawing in public domain from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) is titled "De Bykorf des Gemoeds : Honing zaamelende uit allerley Bloemen / Vervattende over de Honderd konstige Figuuren ; Met Godlyke Spreuken En Stichtelyke Verzen, Door Jan Luiken"
The title is, "The Ivy: Help Yourself". A man contemplates a tree trunk that is totally covered with ivy. On the background left a village and a horse-drawn cart. On the right, a farmhouse with a façade that is covered with ivy; in front of the farmhouse are several people and farm animals, including pigs. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem, as well as for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture text is Proverbs 15:24.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
The motto is "Everyone who grows on the Earth,
Should hold on to Heaven". The accompanying poem is:
Ivy doesn't need fastenings or ties,
But holds on with its own hands.
Though formerly where it stood,
It had to creep along the ground, according to its nature,
For the lengthy growth of thin tendrils,
So that feet would tread on its green shoots:
But while it now fastens itself and goes upward,
It decorates the place it covers beautifully;
And does not restrain the upward guiding of branches,
All to extend higher and wider:
Do look dull man, who conducts much so lightly,
With little force, and feeble compassion,
Shalt thou henceforth remain on earth?
Where the dumb plant surpasses thee with adhering,
That is not, like thou, endowed with understanding,
And yet raises itself so with its hand.
If thou dost not also want to be trodden on by feet,
Then thou should at least, save thyself.
Be thou too tender, to stand by thyself,
Fasten with the Ivy, thy hands somewhere,
Thy hands of sincere God-desire,
And lay hold of the trunk of Christ our Lord;
Climb up thereby, to the joy of all Angels,
And fashion a jewel of various virtues,
By maintaining what He has offered,
Thus thou wilt stand in splendor before God.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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* Proverbs 15:24 "The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave."
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* Proverbs 15:25 "The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact."
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* Proverbs 15:26 "The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him."
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* Proverbs 15:27 "A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live."
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* Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil."
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* Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous."
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* Proverbs 15:30 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."
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* Proverbs 15:31 "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise."
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* Proverbs 15:32 "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."
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* Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
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