"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"
Proverbs 15:23
Part 2
Yesterday:
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth.”
Having an appropriate answer to share with others is a joy.
“And a word spoken in due season.”
Timely talk helps people listen to what is said.
Today:
Solomon spoke of appropriate and timely words when he wrote,
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Words, well-spoken, have a beauty that makes them appealing to the hearer.
“The proverb may have had its origin in some kingly gift to the son of David, the work of Tyrian artists, like Hiram and his fellows. Others gazed on the cunning work and admired, but the wise king saw in the costly rarity a parable of something higher. ‘A word well set upon the wheels of speech’ excelled it”[1] (Barnes).
To have the ability to speak well, we need the Lord’s help and wisdom. His wisdom and understanding in dealing with people are valuable resources.
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16).
We need to listen to the Lord in His Word to learn from Him how and when to speak.
“The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season…”
“How good is it!”
The right words at the right time is a blessing to those who hear them!
“…such a word is in itself well-conditioned and successful, and also that it is welcome, agreeable, and of beneficial influence” [2] (K&D).
Here is an illustration of a wise woman who understood this principle. Because he mistreated David and his men, in anger, David was on the way to kill Nabal. On the road, David met Abigail, Nabal’s wife. She came to speak to David about her husband. She was a kind and well-spoken woman, and with her gracious words, she convinced David to spare her husband’s life.
“And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand” (1 Samuel 25:32-33).
Her appropriate words, spoken at the right time, in the right way, stopped David in his tracks and spared her husband at that time.
Believers, how we need the Lord’s help with our speech! Our words and timing need His insights.
Quote: “I have kept thy precepts, and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee” (Psalm 119:168).
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword.