Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Proverbs 15:5-10 General Proverbs of Wise Living

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Proverbs 15:5-10

[5] A fool despises his father’s instruction,

but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

[6] In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

[7] The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

not so the hearts of fools.

[8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

[9] The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

[10] There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;

whoever hates reproof will die. (ESV)

General Proverbs of Wise Living

v.5 Fools resent correction because our sinful human nature rebels against God’s Law (Romans 7:23; see also FC SD V 20*). Believers in Christ, however, are prudent and take advantage of the opportunity to study God’s Word and delight in His Law (Psalm 1; Psalm 119, Romans 7:22). In this life, in this sinful world, even the most faithful need to be prodded at times to do what is right in God’s sight (FC SD VI 7-9). The preacher to the Hebrews reminds us that God uses His Law to discipline His children, and such action by God is an essential part of the Christian life. If we are without discipline, in which all have participated, then we are illegitimate children, not sons and daughters of God (Hebrews 12:8; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

v.6 This proverb is not an exact parallel in that it contrasts the house of the righteous with the income rather than the house of the wicked. This is intentional. The righteous have a wealth that endures, which is already theirs in the Gospel (review Proverbs 3:1-20). On the other hand, wicked people only have volatile monetary income, which can wax and wane and even disappear altogether. At Christ's return, such wealth will be worthless, and the wicked will have everlasting trouble replacing fleeting monetary difficulties.

v.7 This proverb is another inexact parallel between the lips of the wise and the heart of the fool. The former is externally observed, while the latter is hidden from human eyes but not God's. Wise people spread God's gracious gift of wisdom, their most valuable possession, to others through their words. Fools are not inclined to share what they harbor in their heart but keep it selfishly to themselves.

v.8 Read the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16) after reading this proverb. Here Solomon compares the way God receives those who worship Him insincerely with those whose worship is righteous. The insincere worship is thus because the heart of the worshiper has rejected God, even though he goes through the motions of worship, perhaps out of a sense of duty or treating it as a sort of "incantation" or ritual that will benefit him, forgetting that it is in worship that God delivers the gifts He has to give through the Means of Grace. Our prayer and praise are then an involuntary response to such Divine Grace. Sincere worship is offered by those to rely on the Gospel to make them righteous and able to follow His Word. Outward conformance to worship is not acceptable to God if their heart lacks faith *Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23).

v.9 This verse is connected to the previous as an explanation of God’s rejection or acceptance of different people’s worship. God loves those who pursue righteousness. For more on this subject, see Isaiah 51:1; Matthew 6:33; & 1 Timothy 6:11.

v.10 This proverb ties together with verses 5, 8, & 9, describing the action of those who leave the path of righteousness. They require the severe discipline of God's Law to move them to repentance. Only after this contrition (the burdening of their conscience by their sins turning their hearts to repent) may they receive the Gospel's message. This proverb serves as a warning to those who are not inclined to turn their heart so. The warning also serves to explain why the harsh application of the Law is necessary for those who abandon the path of life: eternal death awaits them if they do not repent. This thought will be continued in verse 11.

* Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 5, Paragraph 20: https://bookofconcord.org/solid-declaration/law-and-gospel/