Proverbs 15.24
“The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.”
Here again we are reminded of the two very different paths that lay before us. The path of wisdom and prudence which leads upward to life, or the path of foolishness and disobedience which leads downward to Sheol. The reference to Sheol is a reference to the realm of the dead.
We must always keep in mind that the way of death is deceitful. It does not say, “Follow me and you will die.” Rather, it attempts to deceive us. It advertises itself as fun, fulfilling, and exciting. But that is a lie.
Jesus warned of this in the Sermon on the Mount: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7.13-14)
Beware the path of death! First it attracts, then it kills.
Proverbs 15.25
“The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.”
The arrogant are those who place themselves first, above God and other people, so God will see to their downfall. On the other hand, the widow is the epitome of social vulnerability in ancient Near Eastern culture. In a predominantly patriarchal society, a widow had no one to represent her in society or in court, so she was often the victim of manipulative and malicious people. In God’s kingdom, the widow is to be honored and protected.
God hates arrogance. In the very next chapter of Proverbs it says, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5). In the New Testament it says, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5.5)
The warning is clear: The Lord will actively oppose arrogance and self-centeredness.
Proverbs 15.26
“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.”
The contrast here is between the thoughts and words of the wicked, versus the thoughts and words of the wise. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord. They violate who God is, and they violate who God created man to be. The thoughts and words of the wicked represent man’s rebellion against God.
On the other hand, the thoughts and words of those who are faithful to God are the sound of purity to the Lord’s ears. The thoughts and words of the faithful are pleasing to him.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19.14)
