He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Intervention of The Lord: Man’s Walk On
Earth: Proverbs 16:31-33
31) The hoary head [is] a
crown of glory, [if] it be found in
the way of righteousness.
32) [He that is] slow to
anger [is] better than the mighty;
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33) The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
In
this section of Scripture, Solomon is completing the second part of his study
on the Lord’s intervention in man’s earthly walk. The first part of this study can be found in
vs 8-9 of this same chapter.
EXPOSITION:
31) The hoary head [is] a
crown of glory, [if] it be found in
the way of righteousness.
Gray
hair is a mark of old age. It can also
be a mark of wisdom and God’s grace, if their life is spent living for the
Lord. In this case, their gray hair brings
honor and respect and gratitude from those who are fellow laborers in Christ.
And Elihu the son of
Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I [am] young, and ye [are] very old;
wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty
giveth them understanding. Great men are not [always]
wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.” (Job 32:6-10)
32) [He that is] slow to
anger [is] better than the mighty;
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
1. A person who has learned to control his
temper is of greater value than those who use their greater strength in an
uncontrolled fashion. When strength is
not controlled it can do great harm and undo the good that is done by many
others.
2. Likewise a man who has his desires, motives
and thoughts under his control is of more value than those who possess great supreme
authority and power, yet selfishly abuse those under his control.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
33) The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
The
casting of lots is spoken of many times in the Bible, throughout the ages
different objects were used as “lots”.
In our time, the practice of flipping a coin or tossing dice is probably
similar to what took place when lots were cast.
In
this proverb, the casting of lots is representative of the random events that
take place in our life. Our proverb is teaching
us that even seemingly random acts are actually under the control of Almighty
God. There is no event that takes place
on earth that is either allowed, or brought about by the Lord. In either case, the Lord is in absolute
control of all the events of this world.
“Remember the former things
of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is]
none like me, Declaring the end from the
beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying,
My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird
from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I
have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will
also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)
SUMMARY:
The
Lord intervenes in the lives of men by:
1. Granting long lives, wisdom and experience to
men.
2. gracing them to control their temper, desires,
motives, and thoughts.
3. using their authority and strength properly
4. controlling all events in life, including
those that are seemingly random.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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