Better to Have Wisdom Than Gold
October 23, 2019
Commentary
Rulers should hate wrongdoing and value honesty (v. 12). They should value honesty not only in themselves but in others also. Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speaks what is right (v. 13). If someone angers a king he runs the risk of being put to death and only wisdom can appease his anger (v. 14). We find here a contrast between the king’s friendly countenance and the countenance of wrath (v.15). The look of friendliness is compared with the cloud of the latter rain. The latter rain came at the end of the growing season and at just the right time to mature the crops. A happy king was to the people like the latter rain. His countenance was important to the nation. Unless he had a friendly countenance the nation would wither and die or at best lead a stunted existence. The same is true with leadership today.
Wisdom is more desirable than gold, and understanding than silver (v. 16). The person who has wisdom and understanding has the best of this world and the world to come. Therefore he should guard himself from desires and appetites that lead him into sin (v. 17). The highway of the upright is plainly marked. That which does not begin with the fear of the Lord and steer clear of the highway of iniquity is nothing but Satan’s counterfeit. It is easy to be deceived by a counterfeit. It could be soap operas and some people even let sports become their God.
Application
I want honesty to be a character trait that is evident in my life. It is so easy to have blind spots and not be truthful and honest in every area of my life.
Proverbs 16:12– 17 (NET)
12 Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.
13 The delight of a king is righteous counsel, and he will love the one who speaks uprightly.
14 A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
15 In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.
Illustration: Nixon Driven From Office Because of “Watergate”
Dishonesty and injustice often cause great leaders to topple in shame. Think of what happened a few years ago to Richard Nixon, President of the United States. It was because he tolerated evil thoughts and tried to cover up for the bad deeds of others that he was forced out of office. If when the “Watergate” story first broke President Nixon had told the American people the truth and asked for their forgiveness they would have no doubt rallied behind him. Instead he told one lie in order to cover up another one. It soon became known that he had a vocabulary of four-letter words that he used with those close to him while he used another vocabulary to the general public. He never would admit to any wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).