As we wrap up our studies in Proverbs for this year, we are reminded that God created the world with order, but sin has disordered it. Our relationships with God, others, and creation are all disordered. Those who belong to Christ are the first fruits of the new creation, a new kingdom of restored order. Although life in this world will always have many elements of disorder, Proverbs provides us with wisdom in how to live according to God’s good order. Generally, life goes better when we live according to His will as revealed in Scripture.
Dissatisfied Hearts
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (v. 12 ESV).
We’ve all experienced times when our desires have been delayed, or when we received them they weren’t all we really expected. It can be heartbreaking and discouraging to not receive the things we most desire. But a desire fulfilled brings vitality and refreshment to us.
The question is, how do we find fulfillment? The following verses give us some clues.
Revere God’s Word
“Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded” (v. 13).
The path to fulfillment starts with revering God’s Word. This verse presents two extremes: despising or revering. Probably none of us would say we despise the Bible, but we may at times dread it. We might not particularly want to hear a sermon or sit down and read the Bible. We don’t come to it with anticipation of hearing from God.
How might God view our ambivalence toward His Word? If your spouse were traveling and sent you a letter, they would certainly expect you to read it. If you didn’t even bother to open it, they would wonder if you really loved them as much as you claim. A lack of reverence and desire for the Word is equivalent to despising it.
We all have room to grow here, and God knows our hearts. Our feeble efforts to engage with Scripture and draw close to God will be rewarded with vitality, favor, and honor.
The Word Brings Vitality
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death” (v. 14).
Jesus said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). A branch that is disconnected from its vine will quickly dry out and crumble. The Word of God is a source of life for the believer. We need to read it, hear it taught, and apply it to life so that we can keep growing in faith. Knowing and responding to the Word helps us avoid many snares in our words, work, money, and relationships.
The Word Brings Favor
“Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly” (vv. 15-16).
Those who act with good sense and prudence with the favor of others, but folly can’t be hidden. For good or ill, our reputations often precede us. We live in a world where the relationships we cultivate can significantly influence our options and our future. It is often true that “It’s not what you know but who you know that counts.” Following the wisdom of God’s Word in our decisions and relationships can put us on a path toward a more fulfilling life.
Verse 17 appears to give a specific example of this:
“A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.”
We don’t use messengers much anymore, but in ancient cultures a messenger had an important role as a representative of his master. They had to be trusted individuals who would not distort the message or make a tense situation worse by his words. A modern example might be an assistant who offends clients and coworkers with his words and then finds himself unemployed because of it.
Fulfilled Desires
“Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools” (vv. 18-19).
This section of Proverbs ends with a repetition of the ideas from verses 12-13. Those who pay attention to Scripture and apply its principles will find fulfillment in life and will avoid many disasters and ruin.
We started this year with a reminder to choose the wise path, and that choice remains before us every day. Will we choose to do the hard work of revering God’s Word and apply it to life? It takes discipline to make the time to read the Bible, study it, and gather with others to make sure we understand it correctly. Are we willing to do that as individuals, families, and as a church? Our children need to see that it matters to us. [As an aside, if you’re using a Bible on your phone or device, do your kids know whether you are reading the Bible, a novel, or just playing games?]
This is not meant to be condemnation, because “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). However, the Holy Spirit may be bringing conviction to some who need to consider the path they are on. In Christ we have the ability to grow and change as God intended.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1).
Application
1) Where do you fall on the spectrum of revering God’s Word or despising it? Do you feel a need for change?
2) Do you have a plan for reading and studying Scripture? (Time, place, and order.) This site provides a variety of plans that may help you get started.
3) Pray for the desire and discipline to make the Bible a higher priority in your life and the lives of those you love.
4) Look for ways to connect with others for discussion of Scripture. The Sunday morning discipleship hour and Wednesday night Bible study are two great options.
