Proverbs 15:6-10

Proverbs 15:6-10 contain five contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, pertaining to true and false treasures, speech, prayer, righteousness, and discipline.

Verse 6--In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Verse 7--The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
not so the minds of fools.

Verse 8--The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Verse 9--The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

Verse 10--There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way,
but one who hates a rebuke will die.

These verses abound in great ideas for godly living. Here are some of them:
1. There are different qualities of treasures or riches. Many love earthly wealth, possessions, and accumulations of things. Such treasures pass away quickly. Eternal treasures abide and satisfy the human heart (see Matthew 6:19-21).
2. Words are very powerful. Some bless their hearers with knowledge and encouragement and motivation. Those who speak such words receive God's approval.
3. There are things which God "abhors" or "hates," which are an "abomination" to him. One is a person who lives a wicked life but worships God--as if he or she were devoted to God. Another is a person whose daily way of life opposes God's desires and instructions.
4. There are things which make God rejoice, which are a "delight" to him. One is the prayer of a person who is living according to God's will. That person's life agrees with her or his lip.
5. Discipline is like a refining fire which removes alloys or dross from silver or gold or some other kind of precious metal in order to make it as pure as possible. The Lord disciplines people because he loves them (see Proverbs 3:11-12).

John Willis