Proverbs 14 deals with the dimensions of life. Home and family (14:1); our daily walk(14:2); our speech (14:3); our work (14:4); our integrity (14:5); our decisions (14:6); our religion (14:9); our heart (14:10).
Proverbs 14:4 Working people have to deal with messy situations - problem solving is part of any job, such as raising a family or repairing automobiles. But the outcome of someone doing that job well - fixing problems, cleaning up messes - is abundant fruit.
Proverbs 14:12 The devil is superb at deception - making things that are wrong appear to be right, leading one who thinks they are on the right road to death. To discern the difference between the appearance and the substance of rightness requires wisdom, and paying attention to what the proverbs tell us about wisdom. To reject, or simply to ignore these attributes leaves a person wide open to being deceived by Satan. The Holy Spirit goes throughout the world bringing conviction concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:8) Rejecting our inner sense of guilt or conscience puts us on the wrong road (way).
Proverbs 14:17 speaks for itself, making a distinction between things done without time for reflection, which are foolish, and evil scheming, which takes time and effort to think about and plan for evil. Being constantly aware of the presence of the Lord in our lives should help protect us from foolish spur-of-the-moment actions. There is a difference between ignoring His voice, which opens the door to foolishness, and rejection of the Lord, which leads to contemplative evil planning.
Proverbs 14:21 & 31 talk about God’s perspective on the poor and needy. There are innumerable paths that lead to this condition, some innocent and some as a result of personal actions. These proverbs do not distinguish on that basis, but simply pronounce God’s blessing on those who are kind to them. It does not further specify what form that kindness takes, only that it is wrong to despise and oppress them. Whether this blessing extends to governmental programs or not, it is clearly true on an individual level. Blessing does not always mean giving material items like food or money. That could potentially just lead to worse problems like drug addiction or overdose, or encourage slothfulness. Blessing might be a kind word, or sharing the wisdom that leads to a prosperous and blessed life. Implementation details are up to the Holy Spirit to direct.
Proverbs 14:23-24 extols the fruit of hard work, which is profit. This implies that God blesses hard work. The opposite is not laziness, as one might expect, but mere talk. This is further expanded to say that wealth is the crown of wisdom, not to imply that being rich is in and of itself virtuous, but that the reward of wise labor is wealth. Profit does not always lead to wealth, unless those profits are wisely used. For example, an individual may squander their earnings in innumerable ways. In some countries, the profits from peoples’ hard work are completely taken and used for governmental purposes, and the people remain poor. Politicians talk. These are the self-perpetuating endless cycles of folly. ‘Nuf said.
Proverbs 14:32 The true test of our lives is when calamity, even unexpected death, occur. All of the pretense, the facade, organizations and structures that the wicked have built up can be destroyed in the blink of an eye. This principle is what led Job’s comforters to accuse him of hidden but gross sin. But Job clung to the second half of this proverb, in Job 13:15. He knew his condition, and clung to and trusted God. Later he justified himself, explaining that the first part of this proverb didn’t apply to him. And ultimately he was vindicated without dying, and received a transcendent revelation from God.
Proverbs 14:34 Beyond the personal level, sin and righteousness have consequences at the national level. The cause of these consequences can be seen in the natural outworking of disrespect, murder, adultery, theft, dishonesty, and covetousness resulting in social breakdown. At the spiritual level, God also judges individuals for their violations of these commands (Exodus 20:12-17), but they are tied to the previous verses (Exodus 20:3-11), which is the spiritual foundation of a functioning society. Nazi Germany, the DPRK, and Haiti are examples of the social embrace of evil leading to disaster. Disgrace is a level of consequence below disaster but is on the same road.
Proverbs 14:35 The King of kings delights in wise servants!
There are, of course, also verses on familiar themes, such as fools and folly, fear of the Lord, speech, and wisdom and the wise.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath. Blessed are the peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)
Proverbs 15:5,10,31-33 Paying attention to and heeding discipline and correction shows prudence, gives understanding, and makes one at home among the wise. Humility and fear of the Lord is an indication of wisdom and honor. (Exodus 2:12) There are two stages of leaving the path of God. In His mercy, the Lord allows stern discipline, before the undisciplined arrive at death. (15:10) Recognizing circumstances and events as the Lord’s discipline is the first step in responding by making changes in our life. For many, it is simply intuitive that certain things are from Him, to try to convince us to change, to purify our hearts and lives. If we respond, we are one step closer to what He has in mind for us. Either to fail to recognize His hand, or to recognize and reject what He is doing in our lives, is to choose to stay self-centered and earthly focused. Reread Hebrews 12:4-11. There are eternal consequences. Sharing His holiness is the essence of being in heaven.
Proverbs 15:8,29 Prayers of the upright please the Lord, and He hears them. The implication is that the wicked are so far from Him (by choice, mutually) that He has trouble hearing them. But He does hear prayers of repentance.
Proverbs 15:11 & 28 The heart lies open before the Lord, and the righteous wisely weigh what comes out of it, to determine what is of the Lord, and what is of man. Even the righteous have human thoughts and need to discern what comes from the Lord.
Proverbs 15:15-17 deal with the consolations in poverty; that cheerfulness, reverence for the Lord, and love are better than the turmoil and hatred that often accompany wealth. There is not a one-to-one correlation, but the value of the former is greater than the value of the latter to our lives.
Proverbs 15:22 gives a recipe for success. Have many advisors. Listen to them. Ask the Lord to help discern whose advice is wise. Curiously this verse does not commend listening to your critics. Perhaps this is because even though wicked schemers may have insights others don’t, the Lord will not bless the fruit of their mouths. Fools have no insight into anything.
Proverbs 15:25 See 16:18. It is not just the proud person, but all who dwell with him who suffer. The widow may be poor, but the Lord protects her.
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