Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Advice to a Wise Son 1a; Proverbs 15:18-24

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Proverbs 15:18-24

[18] A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

[19] The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,

but the path of the upright is a level highway.

[20] A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

[21] Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

[22] Without counsel plans fail,

but with many advisers they succeed.

[23] To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

and a word in season, how good it is!

[24] The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. (ESV)

Advice to a Wise Son 1a

v.18 This verse calls all the way back to Proverbs 15:1. This proverb is not trying to say the wise man never gets angry. Rather, he is one who can control his anger and hold it, even when provoked. This is the definition of “long-suffering;” one who patiently puts up with a lot of trouble or unhappiness, especially when it is caused by someone else. Contrasted is the hothead who flies off the handle at the slightest provocation and stirs up more problems in the doing.

v.19 This proverb teaches that the path of a lazy individual is blocked by his own laziness. The sluggard finds the effort to be diligent in his work too painful, like forcing one's way through a hedge made of thornbushes. On the other hand, the diligent person is conscientious in his work and finds his path smooth and level like a well-constructed highway. The word "highway" is the same as that used in Isaiah 19:23; 40:3; & 62:10. This is what John the Baptist quoted when asked who he was: "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” (Mark 1:2-3 ESV). Jesus is the only way to the Father and eternal life (John 14:6).

v.20 This verse begins a series of proverbs from a Wise father to a Wise son, which will run through Proverbs 17:24. In verse 20, the Wise son, who listens to a Wise father and takes his advice to heart, makes the Wise father glad. The fool who ignores all sage advice and refuses to internalize it brings grief to himself and his family.

v.21 Continuing with the thought of the previous verse, this proverb also contrasts the fool with the Wise. The fool finds his joy in stupidity, and it takes him everywhere but on the straight path. The man of understanding imbibes Wisdom from his teachers and finds his joy on the straight and narrow path.

v.22 This verse reinforces the thoughts of the preceding ones regarding the path or highway of Divine Wisdom. The fool does not listen to Wise counsel, and therefore his plans fail. Being unable to discern between foolish and Wise counsel is the same as having no counsel at all. The person who is discerning and surrounds himself with counselors steeped in Divine Wisdom easily finds the path to executing successful plans.

v.23 In this proverb, the focus shifts from receiving Wise advice to giving it. Here, a person's joy is found in giving Wise advice in a timely manner. This gives us another reason to seek the advice of other believers in Christ. It gives them more opportunities for joy as they aid in the well-being of those who seek their counsel.

v.24 This proverb concludes the little series that began in verse 20. As we have previously learned, there are two paths in life. One leads to heaven, and the other to hell. The prudent person listens to Divine Wisdom and is led upward on the path to eternal life, and leaves the path to hell at his back, not even crossing into his sight.