A Good Son Knows Father Knows Best

Proverbs 15:10-12:

10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs has said plenty of times that a huge part of wisdom is having the humility to be corrected. However, these 3 verses reveal a greater truth. We should desire good discipline and God knows all, even the realms not often associated with him. Sheol, Old Testament hell, and Abaddon, destruction, are seen as clearly by God as our hearts. He knows what rebuke we need and scoffers, know-it-alls, do not like that correction. They will not seek out wise counsel because they don't know how little they know compared to the Lord.

God Has a Posse

Proverbs 15:8-9:

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

This idea is startling. The sacrifice of those without God is not desirable. Here's the more famous version:

1 Corinthians 13: 1-313
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

Challenging words for secular kindness.

The Wise Produce Knowledge

Proverbs 15:7:

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

We already know that the wise produce wisdom, but they also produce knowledge. Knowledge, not wisdom, is some kind of head content that can help give some parameters for wisdom. Those who have wisdom spread knowledge. Those who don't don't. It's why being aware of who is influencing and choosing good influence is so important.

Real Wealth for the Righteous

Proverbs 15:6:

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Practically speaking, following God's instruction is financially beneficial. This makes sense in a cooperative society that those who follow God's law, will prosper. But it's interesting that the rewards for the righteous are not income, but treasure. Seems to imply non-material gains (family, nation, health, knowledge, wisdom).

The Wise Welcome Instruction

Proverbs 15:5:

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

There is a clear role for parental authority in life of God's people. A wise some listens to the instruction, where as the unwise do the opposite. There seems to be a large emphasis on admitting wrongness than being correct. Saying "this is what I believe and I don't care what anyone else says" is a scary place to be.

Sticks and Stones Got Nothing on Words

Proverbs 15:4:

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

The mouth is regular used a metaphor for what goes in and out of a person. It can also affect those around us. And as this verse points out, our words can help and they can hurt. I bet if we could given a daily report on how our words impacted those around us we'd talk a lot less.