Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 15:21-23

Proverbs 15:21-23

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

Occasionally, a man who loves God will find himself at a drunken party where men and women are engaging in licentious, riotous activity. The godly man sees nothing attractive in the foolishness. He would rather be anywhere in the world but sitting in the midst of those fools. He wonders how anyone could be “having a good time” with such senseless activities. But folly is joy to them that are destitute of wisdom. These people really do enjoy their sin. They are very comfortable with their self-centered, existentialistic, meaningless existence. They have fooled themselves into thinking that they live fulfilled lives, even after waking up with a hangover on Sunday morning, even after finishing off a third divorce and initiating another.

When children are young, they are drawn to that which is foolish and destructive. They enjoy participating in acts of vandalism and “practical jokes” which render harm and irritation to neighbors. They would much rather play all day than do anything productive. One of the goals of parenting is to teach children to value that which God values, and not to find their only delight in empty pursuits.

Although many in our hedonistic societies work only to play on the weekends, and the chief end of their lives is to indulge in pleasure, we take this as empty and purposeless. Our purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and we do this seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.

The man of understanding views sin in an entirely different light. He is not satisfied with, nor fulfilled by his sinful desires, thoughts, and actions. The direction of his walk is set by the righteous standard of God’s Word. He walks humbly before God, confessing his sin, and moving more and more in the paths of righteousness.

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established. 

To this point in the book, The Proverbs have clearly distinguished the Scoffer from the Wise Young Man. While the Scoffer rejects the offered correction and counsel, the Wise Man seeks it out. Life is far too important to be handled carelessly. People really do make tragic mistakes in life. They marry the wrong people, because they themselves are “the wrong people.” They make the wrong investments. They fall in with the wrong crowd, all because their hearts are in the wrong place. When they fail to seek counsel, or listen to good counsel, their purposes will fail. Their marriages and businesses fail.

Meanwhile, the wise seek out multiple counselors to aid them in every important decision. They will not arrogantly trust their own judgment or impulsively make decisions off the cuff. The fool is sure he can fly “by the seat of his pants,” because he thinks he is the exception to the rule. But the wise man is not so sure of himself. He makes decisions only after he has counseled with the wisest men he knows. This set of wise counselors happens not to be the collection of friends who would only rubber stamp his pre-conceived ideas on the matter.

Proverbs 15:23

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 

With every new day, we have new opportunities to encourage others in the home. Carefully prepared, thoughtful, edifying words are what it takes to nurture a happy home. The same thing applies to a church congregation. In fact, a healthy church is only a function of the kinds of words spoken by all, and by the leaders
especially. As we speak words of life and blessings, the first one to receive joy will be ourselves!

This rule is especially important for fathers and those who lead the home. On a Monday morning, when everybody is feeling a little bit low, it is important that somebody takes the lead in expressing gratitude and praise to God. Though we may not feel like it, let us start the day with these words. Perhaps we may feel a bit grumpy as we say it: “This is the day the Lord has made… We will rejoice and be glad in it!” At first, the mind and emotions may not be fully on board
with the message. However, as our ears pick up the words, and the brain processes the content once more, we begin to perceive our own attitudes changing. Here is the initiation of a positive feedback loop, impacting first ourselves, and then others around us. As the second half of the verse reminds us, there are many good things to say, but the real challenge is to identify just the right thing to say at the right time. Every family and every church community grapples with its own sins and trials, and certain admonitions and exhortations are dearly needed by our friends and family members. It is particularly the responsibility of wise and loving fathers and shepherds to identify the fit words to be spoken in due season!

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What sorts of things do you really enjoy? Are you attracted to what is foolish, or does your heart seek after what is good and what produces true love, joy, and peace in your life?

2. What are the most important of life’s decisions for which you would be a fool not to take good counsel? What sort of counselors might you seek out for these decisions?

3. Give several examples of good words spoken in due season. Can you think of any sermons or exhortations that encouraged or challenged you, messages that you very much needed to hear?