The Path You Choose: Wisdom, Words, and the Way of the Lord
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 8
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 189 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 14–16 offers a powerful comparison between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, pride and humility. These chapters emphasize that our inner character and relationship with God are reflected in our daily choices—how we speak, how we treat others, and whether we seek our own way or God’s. Solomon contrasts the consequences of foolishness, pride, and ungodly living with the blessings of wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord. These proverbs are not just moral sayings—they are deeply theological, calling us to align our hearts with God's will. Through practical instruction and spiritual insight, these chapters teach that the way of wisdom is not just good advice—it is the way to life, peace, and favor with God.
Proverbs 14 opens with a vivid contrast: a wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands, emphasizing the power of wisdom in establishing strong foundations. Throughout the chapter, Solomon highlights the fruit of godly character, truthfulness, and fear of the Lord in contrast to the instability, deception, and destruction of fools. The chapter warns against hasty anger, envy, and mocking sin, revealing that these attitudes lead to ruin. Verse 12 stands out—“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death”—reminding us that human judgment apart from God is flawed and dangerous. The fear of the Lord is lifted up as a fountain of life, turning one away from the snares of death. Overall, Proverbs 14 emphasizes the outcomes of our moral choices and the deep connection between wisdom and life.
Proverbs 15 focuses heavily on the power of words and how speech reveals the condition of the heart. A gentle answer is shown to defuse anger, while harsh words stir up strife, underscoring the responsibility believers have over their tongues. The chapter also reveals God’s constant awareness—“The eyes of the Lord are in every place”—highlighting divine omnipresence and moral accountability. A key theme is the contrast between the wicked, whose sacrifices are detestable to God, and the righteous, whose prayers delight Him, indicating that God values sincere hearts over empty rituals. Wisdom is shown to reside with those who listen to correction and fear the Lord, while folly is the path of the arrogant. The overall message is clear: wisdom begins with humility before God, and the wise are those who seek peace, pursue righteousness, and speak life-giving words.
Proverbs 16 centers on God’s sovereignty and how divine purpose overrides human plans. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord,” reveals that while we may strategize, ultimate outcomes are determined by God. This chapter speaks against pride and self-exaltation—“Pride goes before destruction”—and calls for humility and trust in the Lord. Righteousness and justice are emphasized, particularly in leadership and decision-making, reminding readers that God detests dishonest scales but delights in just dealings. The chapter also encourages self-control, stating that patience and restraint are more powerful than conquering cities. Proverbs 16 teaches that a life aligned with God’s will brings peace, stability, and divine favor, while self-willed paths lead to ruin, regardless of how right they seem.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name “Proverbs” comes from the Hebrew word “Mishlei”, which is the plural form of “mashal,” meaning a parable, comparison, or concise saying that expresses a moral truth. In Greek, the title is “Paroimiai,” and in Latin, “Proverbia.” The term refers to wise sayings that are memorable and instructive, meant to impart practical life lessons through brief, impactful statements.
Purpose of the Book:
Proverbs was written to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding, especially to the young, so they may live godly and successful lives. Its stated purpose is found in Proverbs 1:2–4:
“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.”
The book provides moral and ethical guidance based on “the fear of the Lord,” which is the foundation of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It is a practical guide to living with integrity, wisdom, justice, and spiritual discernment in everyday life.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
King Solomon is traditionally recognized as the primary author of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1 begins: “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.”
1 Kings 4:32 supports Solomon's authorship, stating:
“He spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.”This verse validates that Solomon was known for his exceptional wisdom and literary output.
Solomon reigned around 970–931 B.C. and was famed for asking God for wisdom rather than riches or power (see 1 Kings 3:5–14), making him a fitting author for this wisdom book.
However, Proverbs was compiled in stages:
Chapters 1–24 are largely attributed to Solomon.
Chapters 25–29 were compiled later by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah (Proverbs 25:1), about 200 years after Solomon’s time.
Chapter 30 is attributed to Agur son of Jakeh.
Chapter 31 contains the sayings of King Lemuel, taught to him by his mother.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b) affirms Solomon as the principal author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Early Church Fathers, including Origen and Jerome, also credited Solomon with the core of the book’s authorship.
Key People:
While Proverbs is largely poetic and instructional rather than narrative, a few individuals are named:
Solomon – The central figure behind most of the content.
Agur (Proverbs 30) – A wise man with a humble spirit who pondered divine mysteries.
King Lemuel (Proverbs 31) – A possibly non-Israelite king who shares wisdom from his mother, including the famous passage about the virtuous woman.
Also, Wisdom is personified (especially in Proverbs 1, 8, and 9) as a woman calling out in the streets, inviting people to choose righteousness over folly. While not a literal person, this literary device plays a key role in the theological and philosophical tone of the book.
Conclusion
Proverbs presents wisdom as a choice and a lifestyle—not merely knowledge, but skillful living in harmony with God’s truth. It contrasts the way of the wise with the way of fools and stresses the rewards of obedience, humility, integrity, and reverence for the Lord. The final chapter, Proverbs 31, highlights the virtues of a godly woman, emphasizing that wisdom is not just theoretical but lived out in daily faithfulness.
Ultimately, the book teaches that the wise person fears the Lord, walks in humility, seeks godly counsel, and avoids sin. As Proverbs 9:10 declares,
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
In Proverbs 14, God is shown as a just and observant Judge who weighs the actions and hearts of people. His desire is for people to walk in wisdom, live uprightly, and fear Him, which leads to life and security. The chapter emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is a source of life and protection, revealing God's role as both protector and provider. He is not distant or indifferent; rather, He actively observes the ways of the righteous and the wicked, rewarding those who choose truth, humility, and reverence toward Him.
There is no specific Hebrew name of God mentioned in this chapter, but the presence of “the LORD” (YHWH) is implied in verses like Proverbs 14:26–27, which highlight the “fear of the LORD” as a theme. The lesson God is teaching here is that wisdom begins with reverence for Him, and that those who walk in integrity build secure lives. God calls us to consider the consequences of our paths—what seems right to man may end in death, but the way of wisdom leads to peace and stability in Him.
In Proverbs 15, God is revealed as omniscient—He sees everything, both good and evil (v.3), and listens attentively to the prayers of the upright (v.8). He is holy and cannot be pleased with wickedness or empty sacrifices. Yet, He is relational and tender-hearted, delighting in the prayers of the righteous and the humble. God is a wise Father who disciplines in love and desires to guide His children in paths of righteousness and peace.
No specific Hebrew names like El Shaddai or YHWH are used directly, but God's name appears as "the LORD" (YHWH) multiple times (e.g., vv.8, 9, 26, 29), showing His personal, covenantal relationship with His people. The lesson God is teaching in Proverbs 15 is that He values the motives and heart posture of His people more than outward actions. Words have power, and wise, gentle speech reflects a heart aligned with God’s wisdom. A life that fears the Lord is one that produces discernment, joy, and peace.
Proverbs 16 reveals God as sovereign, directing the course of human plans and ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled. He is actively involved in the affairs of the world—establishing steps, weighing motives, and executing justice. He is righteous, loving justice and humility, and opposing pride and wickedness. God is also wise and values self-control, peace, and integrity in those who follow Him.
This chapter frequently uses "the LORD" (YHWH), particularly in verses like 1, 3, 4, 9, and 33, emphasizing His control over human plans and outcomes. The lesson God teaches here is to trust Him with our plans, knowing that only His purposes will ultimately stand. He warns against pride and highlights humility, integrity, and reliance on Him as marks of wisdom. A life submitted to God’s sovereignty will be one of peace, purpose, and lasting success.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What do these chapters reveal about how God views wisdom versus foolishness?
How does God's response to the righteous differ from His response to the wicked in Proverbs 14–16?
What do these proverbs teach about God's attentiveness to human actions and motives?
How does Proverbs 15:3 ("The eyes of the Lord are in every place...") shape our understanding of God’s omnipresence?
In what ways is God shown to be both just and compassionate in these chapters?
What does it mean that God weighs the motives of the heart (Proverbs 16:2), and how does this reflect His character?
How does the fear of the Lord connect to our understanding of God's holiness and authority?
Questions About Themes:
What is the consistent message about the power of our words across Proverbs 14–16?
How do these chapters contrast pride and humility, and why is humility so highly valued?
What themes emerge about planning versus trusting God’s direction (see Proverbs 16:1, 9)?
How is the fear of the Lord portrayed as a foundation for wisdom and life?
What role does self-control play in the life of the wise, according to these chapters?
What themes in these chapters show the long-term consequences of wise versus foolish choices?
How do justice, righteousness, and fairness appear as repeated moral expectations throughout these chapters?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways am I building my life on wisdom or on foolishness right now?
How do my words reflect what’s truly in my heart—and how can I grow in speaking with gentleness and wisdom?
Are there areas in my life where I am trusting my own way instead of submitting to God's will?
How can I practice the fear of the Lord in a deeper, more consistent way this week?
What would it look like for me to truly walk in humility and let God direct my steps?
Do I seek God's approval in what I do—or am I more focused on outward appearance or people’s praise?
What steps can I take to invite God into my daily plans and trust His sovereign hand over my future?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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