He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Anatomy Of The Wise: The Heart (Part 3):
Proverbs 15:27-30
27) He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that
hateth gifts shall live.
28) The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the
wicked poureth out evil things.
29) The LORD [is] far from
the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30) The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
EXPOSITION:
Solomon
now returns to the subject of the wise man’s “heart” (his desires), which he
had begin to cover in verses 9-17 of this same chapter.
In
his previous teachings we saw that wisdom, or foolishness, is clearly on
display in the desires of man’s heart in many, various areas of his life. (these will be detailed in the summary at the
end of this devotion.
Solomon
now continues his study in verse 27….
27) He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that
hateth gifts shall live.
1.
A person that “turns themselves over to” acquiring worldly profit harms his
house, placing it in turmoil like boiling water.
2.
A person that is an enemy of living for riches shall be health giving and empowering
to his household
The
life goals and handling of responsibilities will clearly display the priorities
of one’s life and the state of their heart.
“The heart [is] deceitful above all [things],
and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man
according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings. [As] the partridge sitteth
[on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by
right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a
fool.” (Jeremiah 17:9-11)
28) The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the
wicked poureth out evil things.
1. A man who is right with God will desire to
give Godly counsel to those to whom he is ministering.
2. A man who is guilty and condemned in God’s
sight will only give forth harmful guidance originating from his fallen nature
and worldly reasoning.
The
counsel that is given to others is a clear display of the condition of a man’s
heart.
“But sanctify the Lord God
in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)
29) The LORD [is] far from
the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
1. When the wicked cry out to the Lord, He is unattached
and separated from him.
2. Those who are accepted by the Lord will have
their prayers accepted and He will actively intervene. This intervention can take many forms: either remedying the situation or giving grace
to persevere (while delaying the remedy or allowing the situation to continue indefinitely).
In any case, He will intervene and be
with us every step of the way. Also, He
promises that the level of His intervention will be determined based upon His
glory and our good.
Prayers
that result in the Lord’s intervention in life situations are another sign of a
heart that is right with God.
“Though the LORD [be] high,
yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (Psalms 138:6)
30) The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.
1. The many blessings and miracles of the Lord that
are revealed to us through the opening of our spiritual eyes will brighten and
lighten the heart of the wise man. These
blessings include His intervention in our life resulting in our physical blessing
of health, financial supplies, employment etc.
and spiritual blessings of salvation, understanding of truth, our
church, and the indwelling Spirit etc.
But His blessings do not stop there. Also, He opens our eyes to His many blessings
that can be see all around us in nature and the world at large.
2.
When a wise person hears of the Lord’s blessings
given to loved ones, friends, and spiritual brethren, that will also give them
strength and satisfaction. The life of a
wise man is not selfish in nature therefore He finds joy, comfort and encouragement
from hearing of the Lord’s blessings in the lives of others.
The
knowledge of the Lord’s many various blessings upon others, as well as himself,
will encourage and bring joy to the heart of the wise man.
“And the LORD shall guide
thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and
thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters
fail not.” (Isaiah 58:11)
SUMMARY:
In
our study on the heart of the wise, we have seen that the desires of a man will
affect the following areas of his life:
1.
The truths of God
2.
The correction that proceeds from the hand of God
3.
Wise counsel from the people of God
4.
The future goals that he desires to achieve.
5.
The recognition and valuing of his spiritual blessings he has received
6. Existence of the fear of God
7. Love for God and others around him.
8. The priorities of life
9. The fulfillment of responsibilities
10.
The content of the counsel that is given to others
11.
The answering of prayer requests
12.
The response to knowledge of the Lord’s many various blessings upon others
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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