Proverbs 16:9-33

Proverbs 16 9-18

v.9 This verse is similar to verse one. It recognizes the sovereignty of God over mankind. Man may make his own plans, but it is God who directs the steps of man. God has kept much evil that has been planned in the heart from taking place. God may restrict us from doing what we desire to do or He may release us to do it. He has complete control over the actions of humanity.

v.10-15 These verses deal with truths concerning the king. They must be understood in that context. They assume that the king is a godly king and should be interpreted that way.

* A godly king judges righteously (10). An oracle is wisdom that has been revealed mystically (spiritually) to the king. As a result, his judgment will not be sinful. The wisdom to make the decisions he needs to make comes from outside of himself. It comes from God.

* A godly king does not take advantage of his people (11). A “just balance” describes a fair amount of product that is sold for a fair price. The system of weighing items was often polluted by deceitful merchants. They gave less product for a higher price. A godly king ensures that his citizens do not take advantage of people. His goal is not to take more taxes from the community than necessary. He deals fairly with others and demands that his people do the same. His system of weighing products is honest and therefore, of the Lord.

* A godly king hates evil (12). The godly king recognizes that he has a responsibility to shun what is evil. He does this in his personal life and in the kingdom. He will make sure that his laws do not promote or permit wickedness. The reason given is that throne is established by righteousness. “Established” means to be secure. The king recognizes that God may take the throne from him if he indulges in wickedness. His kingdom should seek righteousness if they want to prosper.

* A godly king delights in honesty (13). “Righteous” describes what is honest and true. When speaking to the king the people should speak in truth. The temptation may be to be dishonest to the king to impress him or excuse something you have done. The godly king is looking for people who are honest. He needs people he can trust. Speak truthfully to the king.

* A godly king should be respected (14). The king has the power to imprison or even inflict the death penalty (messengers of death). God gives him this authority (Rom.13:4). The wise person will therefore seek to keep the king happy (appease). This could relate to verse 13, as a king may be upset if he is lied to. The citizens should strive to keep the kings’ laws. In doing this he respects the king.   

* A godly king gives benefits to those he favors (15). Simply put, it pays to be on the king’s good side. The “light of the king’s face” describes the look on the king’s face. If a person puts “light” on his countenance he makes the king happy. This person need not fear death. He will enjoy the king’s protection. His “favor” means his delight, his goodwill, his pleasure. His favor will bring great benefit. It will be like the spring rain. The rain waters the crops bringing abundant harvest. The abundant harvest leads to joy.

The kingdom should seek to please the king as he leads them into righteousness. They will then experience great benefits.

v.16 We all have a choice in life. We can choose to seek riches (silver and gold). Or we can choose to seek after God’s wisdom. It is obviously better to choose wisdom. Wisdom brings eternal blessings; riches bring temporary blessings at best.

v.17 The road the righteous are on keeps them from evil (sin). Remaining on the highway of holiness will preserve our soul! Living in sin leads to spiritual death. It is the way of wisdom to choose the righteous road and protect ourselves rather than forsake it and harm ourselves.

v.18-19 A “haughty spirit” is a proud person. Proud people lift themselves up above others. In their spirit they believe themselves to be better than others. They may be physically more attractive, financially more secure, talented more than others, etc. All these things simply deceive them into thinking they are better than other people.

The humble are contrasted with the proud. They are “lowly”. That is they do not lift themselves up above others. Their spirit is humble. They may not enjoy the “spoil” of the world. Popularity, prosperity, promotion, etc. may pass them by. Such spoils are only temporary, however. In the end the humble will be better off. The Lord will lift them up and the meek will inherit the earth.    

Thoughts To Consider

1. We should choose our leaders based on their character.

2. If you want to please the King of kings, be honest with Him.

3. Silver and gold cannot buy you a home in heaven.

4. To be the best, have the best, and look the best is not always the best.  

v.20 “Discover good” and “happy” are words with similar meanings. They refer to a state of blessing in the individual’s life. The person who experiences this blessing is the one who  “gives thought to the Word” and “trusts in the Lord”.

“Trust” literally means “to attach oneself to”. It carries the idea of relying on someone. The person who relies on the Lord uses the wisdom God gives him to make decisions. Therefore, he will make wise decisions and have the blessings of God in his life.

v.21 Wise people have discernment. They know more than simply the facts. They can dissect problems and situations and make a proper decision. As a result, their words are “sweet”. That is, they are pleasant. People listen to them because they can communicate information as well as explain complex problems. This ability increases learning. That is their pupils (or hearers) learn a lot from them.

v.22 “Good sense” should be understood as the knowledge of God. It is a fountain of life to those who have it. God’s word brings abundant life. If we want to truly live, we need to make sure we know and follow God’s wisdom.

The fools learn in a completely different way than the wise. Folly is the fools’ teacher. Folly refers to circumstances that lead to pain in the fools’ life. It could be through punishment (Divine or judicial) or some other consequence of a reckless lifestyle. Because he forsakes the wisdom of God he must learn through the school of hard knocks!

v.23 The wise man’s heart determines what his mouth will say. He does not speak out of emotion or anger. He discerns his words in his heart and trains his mouth to only say what is right. As a result, people will listen to him. He adds learning to his lips. If we want to be good teachers, we should use wisdom in our speech.

v.24 Gracious words are words that make others feel good. They build up and encourage. This verse teaches that they have both spiritual and physical effects. They are like honey to the soul. Honey is sweet and tasty. There is something about sweets that put a smile on people’s faces and puts us in a festive mood. Pleasant words do this spiritually to the believer. When we encourage and compliment people it increases their spiritual stamina.

Honey also contributes to physical life (health to the body). It is food; therefore, it gives us sustenance. Our words can have a physical effect on people. Depression affects a person both psychologically and physically. Depressed people often stop eating, taking care of themselves, taking their medicine, etc. Our pleasant words can encourage a person to come out of depression which will in turn result in them taking better care of themselves. They will then even benefit physically from our words.

v.25 This proverb is repeated. It is found in 14:12. The Lord must think it an important Proverb. The “way” is a road. To the wicked man, their way looks right. That is the course of life they choose to live. It is a life apart from the wisdom of God. At the end of the road, however, is death. This is spiritual death. It is what awaits everyone who travels the broad road. As wonderful, easy and right as this road may seem, it always ends in death.

v.26 This verse teaches that desire creates zeal. The hungry man works hard to quench his own appetite. The hungry man must take care of himself if he wants to live. This is an interesting principle. What determines whether the zeal is godly or not is the appetite of the person. If our desire is godly then our zeal will be godly. If it is ungodly we will simply be zealous for the things that displease God.

v.27-30 These verses describe three different evil men.

The worthless man (27) plots evil. This probably refers to the digging of a pit that would be used as a trap to catch someone. His words destroy just like fire. He is known for what he does and says.

The dishonest man (28) spreads strife. Strife is division. This man causes divisions wherever he goes. He whispers secrets and rumors and even separates the closest of friends.

The violent man (29) entices his neighbor. The violent man hurts people. He injures, steals, frightens etc. He also draws (entices) others to follow his wicked ways. He is a cunning person. Verse 30 shows his craftiness. He communicates in secret by winking with his eyes and by moving his lips. His secrecy in communication reveals that he is about to bring violence upon someone.

v.31 Grey hair should be worn as a crown of glory. That is, it is nothing to be ashamed of. It reflects wisdom. Proverbs teaches that long life is a fruit of wise and righteous living. A righteous life leads them to their crown of glory (grey hair).

v.32 This proverb teaches that it is better to be able to conquer yourself than it is to be able to conquer a city. If we have an anger problem, we have not conquered ourselves. If we are not careful our anger will destroy us. It is of extreme importance that we recognize the weaknesses we have in our life and conquer them before trying to conquer anything else.

v.33 Casting of lots was a method used to determine the will of the Lord. It was equivalent to our “rolling of the dice”. It may seem at face value to have been completely left to chance. However, the outcome (disposing means verdict) was purely in God’s control.     

Thoughts To Consider

1. A good teacher prepares lessons with wisdom.

2. Make sure your words are sweet and edifying not sour and bone breaking.

3. What you crave is what you labor for.

4. Righteous anger is not quick tempered. It is patient and discerning.