4/2/2023
Turn with me to Proverbs 15:30-33. These are our verses to begin studying and memorizing this week.
Proverbs 15:30-33 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones. 31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. 32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
Introduction
Last time we had an overview of where we were at in the book of Proverbs in preparation for beginning our new section. Now we will begin looking at Scripture’s own introduction and transition to the next large section of Proverbs which goes from Proverbs 15:30-22:16. Solomon is still the author, but these proverbs move from primarily being made up of contrasting antithetical “but” proverbs to primarily being made up of synonymous and synthetic proverbs. These proverbs primarily repeat a concept in different words, or expand on the first part of the proverb in the second part.
Because Proverbs 15:30-33 is making such a big transition between sections it has connections both to what comes before as well as to what comes after. The first and last verses of this four verse introduction are these newer synthetic proverbs (30 and 33). The second one is unique in being one full thought without the normal distinct halves (v. 31). Then the third verse is a contrasting antithetical proverb like we saw in the last section (v. 32).
Put together all four verses form an extended introduction which emphasizes the importance of listening to the life-giving reproof of God’s wisdom. The next section will bear that out by showing God’s intimate and sovereign involvement in the affairs of humanity as He reveals His perspective and imposes His judgment.
Beyond that, all four of these verses add to themes which we have seen earlier in this chapter. The references to reproof in verses 31 and 32 were focused on in 15:5 and 15:12. The gladness of the heart in verse 30 was seen in 15:13, 15:14, 15:20, and 15:23. Likewise, the fear of the Lord from 15:33 was mentioned back in 15:16. (The wise were also referenced in 15:2, 7, 12, 20, 24, and the Lord’s insistence on humility was seen in 15:25.)
Amazingly enough, with all of that connectedness to other verses, there is also quite the interconnectedness within itself. The first three verses communicate their truths using a number of body parts in their imagery. We see the eyes, the heart, fat, bones, and the ear all mentioned. The heart is even referenced a second time in v. 32 where what is translated “acquire understanding” (NASB) is “get a heart” in Hebrew.
Additionally, after the benefit of good news is highlighted in verse 30, the topic of listening to reproof closely connects verses 31 and 32 with each other. Likewise, verses 31 and 33 connect over their focus on the wise and wisdom.
All in all, these four verses quite artistically provide a fitting transition from the previous section while preparing us for the new one. When we look carefully we also see that the message of these verses flow right into each other. They emphasize the good news that wisdom for life may be had through the fear of the Lord as we humbly listen to His reproof.
With that overview let’s take a closer look now at verse 30.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.
Radiant joy is contagious. True hope and encouragement revives the soul.
There are a number of truths that may be seen in this proverb. On the general physical level the face that is radiant with joy is contagious and uplifting to those around them. Whether it is the excited eyes of a child whose joy in life and new experiences brings delight to others, or the joy in the eyes of a loved one whose good attitude, hope, humor, or confidence is infectious to you, one’s outward demeanor can indeed gladden the heart of the people around them. It improves their perspective and outlook. It reminds people of some of the joy, hope, and purpose that God originally built into life. What a blessing it is to be around people with this kind of inward joy that radiates out.
The first part of Proverbs 15:13 laid the foundation for this proverb. It told us that:
Proverbs 15:13a A joyful heart makes the face cheerful
Our current proverb takes that to the next level. Not only does a joyful heart make the face cheerful, those cheerful, bright eyes encourage and help others. Not only does our internal joy affect our own demeanor and expressions, but they also end up affecting and lifting up the hearts of others.
Similarly, on the physical level good news brings life or health to the body. We do not normally speak of good news putting fat on one’s bones. To some in our day and age that might even seem to be quite undesirable. However, in the Hebrew way of thinking this would be a picture of gaining good health and vitality. Instead of the skin and bones that famine, worry, or discouragement could bring this would be getting a robust physique which reflected abundance, hope, and prosperity. Putting fat on the bones has the idea of becoming healthy, of gaining vigor and strength. Thus we might more naturally say that good news “refreshes” or “revives” ones body.1 Life is brought back into one’s heart and mind.
This word is similarly used over in Psalm 23:5 to refer to the customary refreshment God gives to His children when He picturesquely anoints or refreshes their head with oil.
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Here in Proverbs 15:30 it is used in the future general sense that good news will cause this kind of reviving and refreshment that would occur after a long journey in the heat, or after a prolonged period without sufficient food. The gaunt, malnourished state is fixed.
Good news often removes the burden of what might have been weighing one down. It takes away the exhaustion and discouragement that all too often sets in with the harsh realities of life. It brings relief and refreshment. It gives encouragement that good change is happening. It brings hope and purpose. It causes rejoicing and happiness.
On the eternal level of our relationship with God this proverb goes even farther.
The light of the eyes here reminds us of Proverbs 13:9 where we saw that “the light of the righteous shines brightly.” This kind of righteous-life-light leads people to what brings true joy and true hope in God’s redemption and His way of wisdom. Then there can be real, unfading, eternal gladness of heart. This is a joy and gladness which circumstances cannot remove, and which does not require a change in our outward circumstances to receive.
Likewise, the good news that is being talked about in this four verse introduction is much more than just general good news. It is the good news of God’s way of wisdom, of God’s way of redemption, of what will protect one throughout life, and of what will cause one’s life to truly be a success and go on into eternity with God’s favor and blessing. That is a good news worth hearing, having, and sharing!
Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see an example of good news bringing refreshment with the queen of Sheba when she visited Solomon. She had heard the good news or “reports” about Solomon and his wisdom. So she had to go see for herself.
1 Kings 10:6-10 Then she said to the king, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 “Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard. 8 “How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. 9 “Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” 10 She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great amount of spices and precious stones. Never again did such abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.
The truth of the good news of what God was doing through Solomon brought this queen to recognize the goodness of the one true God of Israel and to praise Him. It led her to value wisdom more than things. She was so refreshed and encouraged through the wisdom and guidance of this good news that she showered Solomon with a staggering amount of gold, jewels, and precious spices.
Proverb in Comparison: When we look at this word for “news” in the rest of the Old Testament we see an interesting thing. In almost all other cases it is used negatively in reference to bad news. Reports of impending doom, of God’s judgment, or of invading armies were often referred to. For some reason, good news seems to be much rarer.
The two main exceptions2 were the good report of Solomon’s wisdom the queen of Sheba had heard about—which did not even equal reality—and the good report about the coming Messiah in Isaiah 53:1—which no one believed. There we see the ultimate good news of God’s plan of redemption through Jesus. Look at this life-altering news:
Isaiah 53:1-12 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? 9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
There is no better good news than that. Nothing could refresh and revive our souls like this can. Though we each, like sheep, by our sin have gone astray from God and deserve His eternal judgment God would make a way of redemption at His own expense. He would bring forgiveness of sins and healing through His coming Messiah, Jesus.
The New Testament, of course, fully unveils this ultimate good news which brings eternal life. The one and only hope that any of us have for life is in this gospel, or “good news” (as that word means). And what is that good news? Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf the sins of all who trust in Him are forgiven and paid in full. Jesus reconciles us to the Father. Without Him we are dead in our sins and under God’s eternal judgment. We have no hope or ability to fix our situation ourselves.
But, by faith in Jesus to take our place we are revived, resurrected from the dead and adopted as the very children of God. What amazing undeserved grace from God that is! Indeed, there is no better good news than this.
Truth in Connection: John 3:16 expresses it in a very succinct way:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Have you received this good news and trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? It is the best news in the world—if you receive it. This is the only true hope of life which can eternally brighten the eyes, bring gladness to the heart, and fatten your bones with true vitality! To have this good news transform your life you must first see your sin as the evil that it is before the righteous God who made you. Then turn from trusting in your sinful way of life and cast yourself in faith on Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Receive His love, forgiveness, and life. Trust Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and to make you a new creation in Christ Jesus. In Him we have life, eternal life, with God.
Not only does this good news give us eternal life with God after we die, but it also brings life and refreshment now if we continue to be teachable from God’s wisdom and allow Him to continue to transform us. For the Christian the eternal unquenchable hope that we can have moment by moment in Jesus strengthens, fortifies, encourages, lifts up, and sustains us like nothing else ever could. As we walk in fellowship with Jesus day by day—with no unconfessed sin coming between us—we ourselves are filled with His radiant light. It can then gladden the hearts of those we interact with and share the light with. Listen to what Jesus said would be the result of believing in Him and becoming His disciple in John 8:12 and 12:46—
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
John 12:46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
He gives us His life and His light and it transforms us. Ephesians 5:8-16 puts it this way:
Ephesians 5:8-16 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
As it begins transforming us we should in turn begin to become a light to others of God’s amazing redemption and life. God’s purpose for us is to share His light, the good news of His gospel and Word, with others—like the Great Commission commands us (Matthew 28:18-20). As His goodness shines through us our words and works will point people to salvation and to His wisdom for life. That is what Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14-16—
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
Luke, in his extended account of that part of the Sermon on the Mount, adds this:
Luke 11:34 “The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 “Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. 36 “If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”
These passages and this proverb should cause us ask ourselves whether or not we have bright eyes that gladden the heart. Is the light of God really in us? Is the light of the joy and good news of Jesus Christ making such a difference in our lives that it is spreading the good news of the redemption of Jesus to those around us? Can the radiance of God be seen in our demeanor? In our actions? In our words? The eternal joy and hope that we have in Jesus should be daily evident in all of these areas of our lives.
Yes, of course, to some extent it will look different in each of our lives as we have different personalities and are at different stages of growth. Some are shyer and quieter. Others are more demonstrative and very expressive. That is all okay. Nonetheless, that light of Jesus should peak out of our eyes as the joy, hope, peace, purpose and light which He has given to us shines out from us. Is the radiance of Christ’s goodness, righteousness, and truth bursting forth from your countenance?
If it is not, then we need to refocus our hearts and minds on the amazing good news of Jesus that should impact every single aspect of our lives. Then and only then will the rivers of living water flow out of our souls to gladden others and revive their souls.
We are all called to be sober-minded and self-controlled (1 Corinthians 15:34, 2 Timothy 4:5, Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:6), but when we find ourselves looking and feeling sour, dour, gloomy, grumpy, or frazzled we need to remember the Word of God found here in Proverbs 15:30 “Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.” Remember the good news we say we believe. Let the truth of our faith, hope, and love in Jesus gladden our hearts and revive our own bones. Then may we share it with others.
Sometimes this may seem impossible. Sometimes the weight of our worries and fears, the relentless nature of our circumstances, the battle against sin and temptations, or the pain of living in this broken world can just seem to overwhelm us. Yet, the reality is that it is not impossible. There is truly hope in Jesus Christ to overcome all of that and more. We can say and know this on the authority of the Word of God. In Christ we are the light of the world. Thankfully, though, Scripture does not just tell us the facts of our new life in Christ. It also tells us the way that this hope can continue to overcome all of our trials and continue to be expressed.
Think about it. What did Jesus do for us to help us while we are trying to persevere here on this earth, fight our temptations, and continue to carry out His mission? He sent His Holy Spirit to personally indwell us. He gave us His Word to infallibly guide us. He gave us the command to partake of communion to continually remind us of what He did for us and to bring us into close relationship and fellowship both with Him and each other in His body the church.
Given all that, what is the way we are to overcome challenges and have His light shine through us? The answer can be seen in the reality that the communion observance pushes us to experience, and in the direct truth of God’s Word that we are commanded to follow, and in the Spirit’s witness within our hearts. We need to set our minds on things above as Colossians 3:1-2 says. We need to focus on everything that Jesus has done, is doing, and will do for us to be able to have the hope, joy, gladness, peace, contentment, and radiance of God flow through us. God’s Word needs to dwell in us richly. Listen to how Hebrews 12:1-4 puts it.
Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
Like Jesus we can have joy even through trials and hardships as we fix our eyes on Him. Indeed, faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)! We can learn to be content in all circumstances like Paul was: through focusing on knowing Jesus and letting His light shine through us. Then, like Paul commanded in Philippians 4:4 from the depths of a prison cell, we can indeed “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” . When it is God’s glory and goodness shining through us nothing can dim its radiance. May that be what our lives grow to look more and more like as we walk and dwell in God’s Wisdom.
Conclusion
If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want to know more of this good news which can bring life to your bones please come see us. We would love to talk with you more about Him. Likewise if you have any other questions about this verse or your walk with the Lord please come talk with us. We are available. Let’s pray.
© 2023, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
English (US) · 