Read Proverbs 14:15–18
Questions from the Scripture text: Who are easily deceived, and how (Proverbs 14:15a)? Who are protected from this, and how (verse 15b)? What does the wise man’s soul do (Proverbs 14:16a)? What does he himself do as a consequence? What two things does the fool’s soul do, that denies him this protection (verse 16b)? Who acts foolishly (Proverbs 14:17a)? What happens to the man of wicked intentions (verse 17b)? What do the simple inherit (Proverbs 14:18a)? With what are the prudent crowned (verse 18b)?
To what are fools “quick”? Proverbs 14:15–18 looks backward to the sermon in last week’s midweek meeting. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fools are quick to believe anything and to rage for any reason.
This little section (Proverbs 14:15-18) is bookended by the two verses comparing the “simple” and the “prudent.” That makes Proverbs 14:15 serve both as the conclusion to the previous section and the introduction to this one. That is also the case with Proverbs 14:18, which dovetails with Proverbs 14:24 and the language of “crowning” and “folly” in both verses. As we pay attention to how this extended portion of the book is crafted, we find that it is carefully and complexly organized, not at all haphazard, as some have thought.
When considering Proverbs 14:8-15, we noted how gullible the simple is. Not only is he deceived by his own folly (Proverbs 14:8b), but his being unmoored makes him vulnerable to believe just about anything (Proverbs 14:15a). Now, the pairing of verse 15a and Proverbs 14:18a brings us full circle. The simple believing every word (Proverbs 14:15a) puts him in line to inherit that very folly in which he deceives himself (Proverbs 14:18a). It’s a vicious cycle. The more foolish you are, the more gullible you will be. And the more gullible you are, the more foolishness you will inherit.
The prudent, however, consider well their steps (Proverbs 14:15b), so that in the path in which they walk, they are crowned with more knowledge. So, there is actually a virtuous cycle for those who operate out of the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of the Holy One.
The middle of this short section centers on the instability of the heart of the fool. He is not only quick to believe anything; he is also quick to become angry. He rages (Proverbs 14:16b), and he is quick-tempered (Proverbs 14:17a). As a result, he becomes more and more disconnected from reality. Lacking the protections afforded by the fear of the wise man (Proverbs 14:16a), he runs headlong, self-confidently (verse 16b), into the harm (verse 16a) for which he is hated (Proverbs 14:17b). Whether it is believing others or flying into a rage, the fool is “all gas and no brakes.” And he lacks all self-awareness. He neither perceives his end, nor how others perceive him. The only thing that he seems to plan for is that which he positively knows is evil (verse 17b).
By contrast, what great benefit there is in the fear of the Lord! It makes a man careful (Proverbs 14:15b) so that he departs from evil (Proverbs 14:16a, meaning both ‘wickedness’ and ‘harm’). And the prudence gained from the fear of the Lord is itself crowned with even more knowledge (Proverbs 14:18b). Thus, the Lord gives us to learn by experience how good it is to fear Him and to know Him.
What have you easily believed that you later realized you had to abandon? When have you been quick to anger, and what were the consequences? How would the fear of the Lord spare you from either of these? What are you doing to pursue this fear of the Lord?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us to fear You and to know You, so that we would not be left to ourselves. Give us the stability and carefulness that come from knowing You, so that we will not be easily tossed either by winds of doctrine or by waves of circumstances. Bu make us to stand and to build upon the rock that is Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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