A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23

Don't you love it when you say the right thing - in the right way - at just the right time? That is what our proverb is about today. It is about being wise enough to know when to speak - and not only that - but what to speak when you have the opportunity.

The beginning of this proverb starts with a Hebraism about the mouth. There is joy in having an answer of the mouth, which the way that this Hebraism would read. It has to do with the ability to speak well - or in this case to speak what helps others. When speaking of Moses' complaint to God about his inability to speak, this similar Hebraism is used. Moses complained to God that he had a "heavy mouth." This meant that he stuttered and stammered when he spoke. This speech problem made Moses think he could not be a spokesman for God. God gave him Aaron to speak for him, but we see plainly that Moses did not struggle to speak when the Spirit of God moved upon him to confront Pharaoh. The mouth of the man here in proverbs knows no such problem. He brings joy to others as they here the "answer of his mouth," which means the perfect thing to say in the moment. Whether this is a word of teaching, reproof, correction, or training in righteousness - the best word to speak is one that is in agreement with God's Word on the matter.

The prophet Nathan spoke the perfect word to David to bring him to repentance over his adultery and cover-up of his sin. Joshua spoke the perfect word to the people of Israel as they needed to decide whether they would serve the Lord. David spoke the perfect word to Goliath to remind him that God was going to give David victory because of Goliath's mocking of God. Daniel had the perfect words to speak to Nebuchadnezzar when he needed his dream interpretted. Jesus always had the perfect word to speak to detractors, to those who were hungry for his Word, and to those who came to Him needy and longing for God's grace and healing.

A timely word is delightful - both to the one who speaks it and to the one who receives it. There are so many who come to church hurting who need to hear such words. They long for a word of encouragement - for someone to lift them up. Others who are complacent and full of themselves need rebuke. Others still may need exhortation because they are timid about following the Lord radically. And a few who are long term church members, but who do not know Christ, need someone to love them by sharing the gospel with them so they can move from just being religious - to being Christians. No matter what the need, God will give us these "answers of the mouth." He will do so as we surrender to Him and desire far more to speak the truth in love - than just to engage in small talk.

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.   Proverbs 15:20

At first look this proverb might look a little prejudiced, giving dad all the gladness and mom the pleasure of being despised by the foolish son.  Yet the proverb actually reveals some interesting things to us about children and how they affect both parents as they grow older and make choices according to the way that we have taught them. 

One would think this proverb is about parents and their reward for rearing godly children, but it is not.  It is rather a proverb dealing with children - and is a warning to them.  First, we see that a wise son makes his father glad.  When you see a son who is wise, he is going to be the delight of both parents, but especially his dad.  He will speak glowingly of his boy, not because of all his achievements, but rather because he acts with wisdom in all his ways.  You can have a very successful son in the eyes of the world, and still have a child who is a fool.  Many fortunes have been won then lost because a young man is filled with business savvy, but has no wisdom in the way he lives with the riches he amasses.  A wise son, though not rich or wealthy, is such a delight to his father.  He watches his boy make good decisions - to love his wife and his children.  He watches as his boy makes decisions according to the wisdom his father has taught him - both his earthly and heavenly Father that is. 

Our proverb turns to the mother though, and refers to how her foolish son treats her.  The passage says that he despises her.  The word for "despises" is the Hebrew word "bazah" which means to hold in contempt and disdain; to consider worthless or vile.  It is quite a strong word and it indicates a child who is very foolish because he does not appreciate his mother.  He holds her in contempt even though she has loved him  and cared for him.  Many a foolish boy is ashamed of his mother - and cringes when she shows him love openly.  Such a young man will not be blessed in his life, because he disdains one of the choicest servants he will ever know.  In despising his mother like this, he disains his father on earth - her husband, and he disains his Father in heaven - her maker and the One who gave her to him. 

How a child views his mother has much to say about his heart.  The child who is more concerned with looking cool to his friends will treat his mother with contempt and disdain.  He breaks her heart often - even though she continues to serve and love him.  This young man has no humility or gratefulness, which will come back to haunt him later in life.  He spurns her wisdom for the opinions of his foolish friends.  Solomon's son did this with his father's advisors and watched his kingdom split as a result. 

Oh, young man - and honestly, even older men.  Treasure the mother that God gave you as one of His choicest gifts.  Openly acknowledge her to others and praise her before your friends.  I often tell people that when a young man courts your daughter, pay close attention to how he treats his mother.  You are watching in that how he will one day treat your daughter.  When a man cannot love and honor and treasure his mom, you are looking at a fool.  That fool will not prosper in ways that matter for eternity - you can bank on the Word of God that this will be true.  Therefore fathers, teach your sons by your actions and attitudes to honor their mothers - to thank them for all that they have done for them.  Teach them that this is practice for having a prosperous and delightful marriage.  If they cannot treasure the woman who they can see - how will they be ready to treasure one they have not seen yet?

The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Proverbs 11:20

When God uses the word "abomination" it is only when it is about things that are very serious - and very wrong.  Today's proverb uses that word as well as later using the word "delight."  We have before us a proverb that tells us what God hates, as well as what He loves. 

What God considers to be an abomination is someone who is perverse in heart.  The word for "perverse" is the Hebrew "iqqesh" which speaks of something or someone who is crooked and perverse.  This word is used to describe those who have moral, religious, or social perversions - and was used corporately of Israel to describe their crookedness.  This one is twisted in their thinking, and therefore tends to twist what God says so that in the end God says what he wants to say.  The perversity is said to be in the heart of this individual.  Since we know that Scripture says that our hearts are the watercourse of our lives - this is a very serious problem.  The fundamental center of this person's decision-making process is crooked and twisted.  God considers such a man an abomination.  In case we need any reminder what the word abomination means, we can know that it means to abhort or to detest.  The word loathe is also associated with this concept. 

Before we jump to a conclusion and state that God shouldn't feel this way about someone, we need to remind ourselves why Satan was cast our of heaven.  It is because he had a perverse heart that lifted himself above God.  The heart of the devil is a despicable thing - and God abhors it - and all those who seek to function with that same flawed, perverse thinking will fall under the wame ban

But before we think this proverb is just about the evil, we have an equal and opposite action and attitude as well.  The Lord delights in those who are blameless in their walk.  They seek to honor and obey God in all things.  This is not just in isolated incidents, but speaks of their entire way of life.  We see the Hebrew word "derek" used here - which speaks of a lifestyle.  It is their way of life - to seek to be blameless before God and man.  The Lord loves such a person - and finds His delight in watching them honor Him throughout their day.  In the end, this is due as well to the state of their heart as well.  They delight in obeying Him - and He delights in their obedience.

But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.  He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. Proverbs 24:25-26

We continue with Solomon's comments on partiality and favoritism.  There is a blessing that comes to those who do what is right in these situations.  We are told of those who "rebuke" the wicked.  These are the men who give a right answer when faced with issues of justice and righteousness.  Let's take a couple of minutes to learn what they do - and how they are rewarded.

To "rebuke" here means more than just speaking a simple word of correction.  The Hebrew word is "yakah" which means to argue, convince, convict, judge, or reprove.  This word usually has the meaning of clarifying where someone stands morally.  This involves making arguments to establish the ground upon which a moral judgment is made.  The word is used of God's reproof and rebuke of the wicked and sinful.  When He rebukes, there is no doubt the right-ness of His Words - and the biblical reason behind them. 

When we rebuke the wicked - it is not just a simple statement that we make.  This blessed man comes to the wicked with wisdom, with understanding, and with arguments to help the wicked grasp why their actions are wrong.  Christians need to embrace this kind of rebuke and reproof as they seek to convince those who stand in biblically unjust positions of the truth.  It is not enough just to say, "I rebuke you for your stand!"  The wise man comes with ordered and convincing arguments.  He does not come just to state that a position is wrong and ungodly - he makes a case that convinces and convicts the one holding it. 

We are told to this kind of man there will be delight and blessing.  These will come as he experiences first the blessing of God who delights in wisdom and justice.  Knowing the smile of God - and His approval of our works and words is more to us than the favor of all the nations.  Please understand that when a godly man takes a stand worldlings will hate him - and some will mock his views.  But many will see his arguments and rejoice that righteousness is being upheld.  If the "wicked" are in positions of power - this man may face problems - even imprisonment - but the blessing from God - and the joy of the people will abound in what he has said.  They may not be able to rescue him from imprisonment, but his words will be embraced by those who love what is just and righteous - and that includes Almighty God Himself.  Remember if your stand for truth, righteousness, and justice costs you in this life - that you will be richly rewarded in the life to come - in eternity. 

We are told at the close of these statements that, "He kisses the lips who gives a right answer."  The right answer here is the honest and true answer.  It is the person who does not let the world, or any kind of personal favoritism enter into their thinking and judgment.  The proper judgment in this matter is God's judgment.  And the "kiss" that is spoken of here is the kiss one gives in approval.  The idea expressed here may seem strange to us in the United States, even forward and weird.  But in the middle east it was common to express approval with a kiss.  Thus the idea here is that when we speak what is right - approving the righteous and rebuking the wicked - there will be favor for us.  Those who love what is right will hear - and it will be as one receiving loving favor to hear it. 

Wise men speak what is right.  They do not allow favoritism and partiality to cloud and darken their judgment.  They are instructed by the Word of God as to what is proper and true.  They open their mouths to speak this truth to others - not just in a denunciation - but with convincing arguments that help to instruct men as to what is good and right.  To have such men around you is a blessing that cannot be measured.  Such men are rare and hard to find, so if God gives you one - thank Him for the favor He has shown you - and treasure this blessing always.