Proverbs 16

Proverbs is often referred to as a ‘book of wisdom’, but there are various perspectives on how the book should be read. Some interpret proverbs as individual nuggets of wisdom, but that can be problematic. There are often dueling proverbs or enigmatic sayings. Perhaps it would be better to say that Proverbs is a ‘book for wisdom’. The proverbs are meant to stimulate thought, to be pondered and perhaps debated so as to develop a clearer understanding of what is intended. A person should ask himself or herself, “In what sense, and in what circumstances are these things true? When should they be considered as contingent on God’s overall wisdom and plan? That is, this verse seems true, but what if there is more to it and God sees it differently?”

This view does not detract from the ‘truth’ of the proverbs, but guards against simple non-reflective applications of a verse. Chapter 16 shows us what ‘proverbs for wisdom’ looks like.

16: 1-5.             To humans belong the plans of the heart,

                                           but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

                         All a person’s ways seem pure to them,

                                           but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do,

                                           and he will establish your plans.

The LORD works out everything to its proper end—

                                           even the wicked for a day of disaster.

                         The LORD detests all the proud of heart.

                                           Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

So, let’s think about it. These verses contrast what might be called human wisdom with the hidden wisdom of God. A human makes plans; nothing wrong with that. A human may try to choose the best way to behave and the best plan for the future. However, when we have done our best, what we do is still contingent on, that is, dependent on, what God might say about any upcoming venture.

Think about it. Are we really in a position to judge our motives when we are able to manipulate events in our favor, and then baptize it as God’s will? The proverb suggests that God will be the final judge of our motives.[1] Thus, we can make plans, but we must make room for God to overturn our plans and establish new plans for us. The wisdom here, then, is in holding lightly to our own self-evaluation and our own plans for the future. It is better to “commit to the Lord whatever you do” than to “commit to your plan no matter what happens.”

Think about it. Everything is better when the Lord is in it, in fact, when the Lord is in charge of it. Only the Lord sees far enough ahead to “work everything out to its proper end.”

One more thing. Until now we have assumed the good will of the person we are talking about, or perhaps our own good will. When such a person holds their plans lightly waiting for the Lord to reveal his own plan, then everything works out to its proper end. However, some are not people of good will. Some insist on their own self-serving plan. Things will also work out to their proper end with such people, but they definitely will not like that end.

16: 6-9.              Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;

                                           through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.

When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way,

                                           he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

Better a little with righteousness

                                           than much gain with injustice.

In their hearts humans plan their course,

                                           but the LORD establishes their steps.

These verses wrap up the ideas expressed in the first set: Make your plans, but always be open to the Lord rearranging your life. Day by day, proceed in the fear of the Lord to express love and faithfulness; it is the best that you can do. If righteous behavior turns out not to be profitable, then think about this: “Better a little with righteousness, than much profit achieved with injustice.” Always be open to the Lord establishing your steps, even if you had other plans.

16: 10-15.         The lips of a king speak as an oracle,

                                           and his mouth does not betray justice.

Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;

                                           all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Kings detest wrongdoing,

                                           for a throne is established through righteousness.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips;

                                           they value the one who speaks what is right.

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

                                           but the wise will appease it.

When a king’s face brightens, it means life;

                                           his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

Let’s consider again how we interpret these proverbs. We said early on, the proverbs are not statements of the Law nor are they the preaching of Prophets. There are such books in the Old Testament; but in the Hebrew canon, the Writings,[2] which includes the Book of Proverbs, are a separate section at the end of the collection. It would be a mistake to interpret these statements about a king as Law, or even as a statement about reality. We know that kings do not always speak the truth; the history of the kings of Israel and Judah shows that. Most turned out to be evil men and women.[3] So, this is a proverb about ‘wise kings’, which sets a bar by which to measure who is wise and who is wicked. A wise king does not betray justice; and the measure of justice belongs to God who has honest scales and balances. A wicked king will be exposed. Go read I and II Kings.

Let us skip a few verses to get to the end of this devotional.

16: 18, 19, 21. Pride goes before destruction,

                                                         a haughty spirit before a fall.

                                  Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed

                                                         than to share plunder with the proud.

The wise in heart are called discerning,

                                                         and gracious words promote instruction.

These verses are about discernment, which is necessary when the way is not entirely clear. The enemy of discernment is pride, that is, a know-it-all attitude that leads to behavior that serves selfish purposes. Discernment leads us to the purposes of God.

6: 25, 33.                   There is a way that appears to be right,

                                                         but in the end it leads to death.

                                  The lot is cast into the lap,

                                                         but its every decision is from the Lord.

The reason for discernment is that a short-term decision that leads off the path may instead be a detour down Alligator Alley. The casting of lots was rarely used in Ancient Israel; the closest thing to it was the Urim and Thummin stones held by the high priest. However, the disciples did cast lots to see who would succeed Judas Iscariot. The limited uses of lots, in the hands of righteous and discerning people, appears to reveal the right way. But, it is not the lots (dice) themselves, it is the decision behind it that God has already made.

These proverbs are about discernment; they state something and invite us to think about it both from a human perspective, then from God’s perspective. That doesn’t mean that the proverb is open to any interpretation. A math book presents problems, but the student is supposed to work through the problem to find the right solution. Likewise, we are to wrestle with the proverbs to find the truth in their collective message.

[1] Craig Keener and John Walton, in the footnotes for The NRSV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, (2019), note that: “An analogy exists between Yahweh measuring (or weighing) the ‘spirits’, and the Egyptian god Thoth weighing the heart of the dead person against the balance of Ma’at (truth and justice) in order to determine whether the deceased will enter into the afterlife.” Page 1057.

[2] ‘The Writings’ is a section of Hebrew Scripture that include the Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, and I and II Chronicles.  

[3] King Ahab’s queen, Jezebel, dominated him and often led him into acts of injustice. Queen Athaliah ruled for her young son and caused much trouble.