Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.Proverbs 16:20-24
These verses give a series of proverbs on wisdom applied to the various affairs of life. The RSV translates 20a 'He who gives heed to the word will prosper'. This is to take the Hebrew word in its primary meaning. The meaning then will be that if we take God's word seriously, opening our hearts to it in glad responsiveness and obedience, our lives will prosper; if we do not, they will not. This gives a good parallelism between 'giving heed to the word' and 'trusting the Lord' - the two things belong together. The AV reading however is possible also, and makes good sense. As Ironside puts it, 'To proceed wisely in a case presenting difficulties not readily overcome, is an earnest of coming good.' Let us suppose we are faced with a ticklish problem at work, the issue of which is clearly going to mean a great deal to all concerned. If we handle it unwisely, there will be a disaster; but if through the wisdom God has given us we deal with it rationally, sensibly, wisely, we shall find good. The message of 21, 23 and 24 merits consideration on its own, and we shall turn to it in tomorrow's Note but we shall take 22 here. 'Instruction' should read 'chastisement', as in RSV. The meaning appears to be that if the foolish will not be taught by wisdom, their own folly will serve as a rod to correct them. The fool is therefore his own worst enemy, and makes trouble for himself. This is folly indeed!