Today, I am reading and commenting on  Proverbs 14-17.

I found today’s passage challenging to write on because it is composed entirely of some of the proverbs for which this book is named (I know, I write this every year).   For the most part, these proverbs do not have a theme and are all useful lessons in wisdom.  However, there are a few ideas which the writer comes back to again and again.  The writer tells us that wisdom teaches us to control our tempers and not allow ourselves to let anger, or other emotions, control our actions or our tongues.  For that matter, the writer reminds us that wisdom teaches us to choose our words carefully.  Throughout the Book of Proverbs, the writer uses the word “mocker” as a synonym for fool.  It is worth noting that other translations use the word “scoffer” where the NIV uses “mocker”.   In this particular passage, the writer tells us that those who mock others, or scoff at them, have trouble finding wisdom, but those who seriously listen to others gain knowledge and wisdom easily.

The writer tells us that while we may plan our course, God determines how things work out.  If we plot evil, we will find everything going astray.  On the other hand, if we plan to do good, good will come of what we do, even if our plans do not work out as we intended.  Throughout the Book of Proverbs the writer teaches us that we should seek wise counsel when making plans, but here he reminds us that the wisest counsel includes allowing for God to direct us down a different path than what we planned to take.