Thy Strong Word — Proverbs 15:16-33: The Value of a Simple Life

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Solomon emphasizes the profound value of simplicity and reverence over wealth and turmoil, guiding readers toward a life marked by spiritual depth and moral integrity. This passage extols the virtues of fearing the Lord and delighting in a modest life over the complexities and troubles that accompany wealth. He also stresses the significance of the Lord’s blessing in achieving true happiness, contrasting it with the emptiness of pursuing material gain alone.

The Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 15:16-33.

Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

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Proverbs 15:16-33

¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
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.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
but he who hates bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes^[a] the bones.
³¹ The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
³³ The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

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Footnotes

1. Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org