Read Proverbs 15:13–19
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of heart has what effect in Proverbs 15:13a? But what sort of heart has what other effect in verse 13b? Whose heart seeks what in Proverbs 15:14a? But what do fools employ instead of the heart (verse 14b)? Upon what does it feed? How many of the afflicted’s days are evil (Proverbs 15:15a)? What is the condition of the heart in verse 15b? How often does it feast? What are the two combinations in Proverbs 15:16? Which is better? What are the wo combinations in Proverbs 15:17? Which is better? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:18 describe? What differing effects do they produce? What two types of men does Proverbs 15:19 describe? How does their character determine their experiences?
What can make someone happy in his circumstances? Proverbs 15:13–19 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that happiness is gained not by improved circumstances but by godliness with contentment, the fear of the Lord.
The thread that ties this section together is how one’s character actually shapes his circumstances or his experience of them.
In Proverbs 15:13-15, it’s not differing circumstances, but different dispositions of the heart that make someone either glad or miserable. The merry heart is the understanding heart. It has a continual fest in the knowledge that it seeks, and it is glad in every circumstance. The sorrowful/afflicted heart lets its mouth run out ahead of it. Because it feeds on foolishness, it does not enjoy the sumptuous fare of a feast. Instead, its spirit is broken, and it finds every day evil.
In Proverbs 15:16, the fear of the Lord makes what little one might have into a blessing. But is absence makes any amount that one might have into a problem. The more that the godless has, the worse. What is true vertically, with the first table of the law and the first great commandment in verse 16, has its counterpart horizontally, with the second table of the law and the second great commandment in Proverbs 15:17. This verse is not praising vegetarianism; it says that when there is love in the place, even being vegetarian can be overcome! But there is no quality or quantity of food that can be a blessing in the midst of hating and being hated.
In Proverbs 15:18, strife does not come from the circumstances but from the type of man that is involved—either wrathful or slow to anger. And in Proverbs 15:19, one finds his path painful, or safe and secure, not because of the features in the path itself but due to his own constitution: whether he is lazy or upright.
In all of these ways, we see the difference that the fear of the Lord makes in one’s life. It is more of a blessing than if one’s circumstances could be dramatically altered. For, the chief thing in every situation is to know Him and to receive the good from His hand, in whatever particulars His love and wisdom agree together to give to us.
This is not only the effect of a right attitude, but also because of differences that the fear of the Lord make in one’s character, such as his seeking knowledge, being slow to anger, and being diligent. Such character qualities change the actual circumstances, which is a blessing compounded by the contentment of the heart that fears the Lord.
Dear reader, you may be tempted to think that if this or that thing in your circumstances changed, you would be happier. But the truth is that if you, yourself, were changed, to fear the Lord more, then you would be happier.
What changes to your circumstances are you tempted to think would make you happier? But what are some specific things, mentioned in this passage, that actually need to change, for you to be happier?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving to us to fear You and to know Your goodness to us. Grant that we would be content with You, and that as You conform us by Your Spirit to the character of Christ, You would make us to find ourselves filled with the joy of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”
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