Questions from the Scripture text: What kind of witness does what (Proverbs 14:25a)? What other sort of witness does what (verse 25b)? What gives strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26a)? Why (verse 26b)? What else does the fear of YHWH give (Proverbs 14:27a)? And what does this life do (verse 27b)? What provides what benefit to whom (Proverbs 14:28a)? What does the opposite do (verse 28b)? What does slowness to wrath show (Proverbs 14:29a)? What does impulsiveness show (verse 29b)? What provides what benefit (Proverbs 14:30a)? But what causes what harm (verse 30b)? Who does what to Whom (Proverbs 14:31a)? But who else does what else (verse 31b)? What happens to whom (Proverbs 14:32a)? But who has what (verse 32b)?
How can we end well? Proverbs 14:25–32 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we end well by living mindfully of God.
This section combines themes from the previous sections.
Proverbs 14:25 pulls forward the idea from Proverbs 14:5, focusing now on the fruit of the true and false witness. The tongue can be a great power either for good or for evil.
Proverbs 14:26-27 pull forward the idea from Proverbs 14:16a, focusing now on the fruit of fearing YHWH. Not only does the fearer of YHWH depart from doing evil (verse 16a), he has confidence (Proverbs 14:26a), refuge (verse 26b), and life (Proverbs 14:27a) for himself and his children, so that he does not end in death (verse 27b). The wise not only fear YHWH for themselves but teach this fear to their children as “the law of the wise” (cf. Proverbs 13:14).
Sadly, the particular application of this to Rehoboam fell upon deaf ears. By rejecting the law of the wise (cf. 1 Kings 12:13), and taking his strong confidence in himself rather than in the fear of YHWH (cf. 1 Kings 12:14), he lost the honor that came from the allegiance of the multitude (Proverbs 14:28a, cf. 1 Kings 12:16) and suffered the downfall that comes by lack of people (Proverbs 14:28b, cf. 1 Kings 12:15).
Proverbs 14:29-30 pull forward the idea of Proverbs 14:16-17, focusing now on the outcome to the one who rages or is quick-tempered. It is not just that he acts foolishly (cf. Proverbs 14:17a), but that the impulsiveness of his spirit (Proverbs 14:29b) subjects him to an envy that brings him to death and decay even while he lives (Proverbs 14:30b).
Proverbs 14:31 pulls forward the idea of Proverbs 14:20-21, stating what was implicit before. The despiser of the poor neighbor sins, and the one merciful to the poor neighbor is blessed, because of Who is the Maker of that neighbor. Oppressing the poor despises the Lord (Proverbs 14:31a). Honoring the Lord means being merciful to the needy (verse 31b).
Finally, Proverbs 14:32 is a concluding summary to all of chapter 14 to this point. Wisdom and folly are not merely how good at life you are. They refer to whether or not you are responding properly to God in your life. And they have consequences not only for what comes of us in this life, but especially in eternity. The righteous has a refuge not only in life, but in death, because the living God is his Refuge!
How have you been using your powerful tongue? How are you approaching your life as a response to God? Parents, how are you teaching wisdom to your children? Children, how are you heeding the wisdom of your parents? In what ways is your spirit too impulsive? By what spiritual and mental habits are you addressing this? Where does your heart take refuge; will this avail in your death?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are our Maker and our neighbor’s maker. By Your Spirit, make us to live as those mindful of You, especially as You have been our Redeemer in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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