Proverbs 19:16-25 – Essentials to a well-ordered life

The strength of a society is determined by the strength of the homes. And a strong home is made up of well-ordered lives. When everyone in the home seeks to live life observing sound principles, a well-ordered home is guaranteed. In Proverbs 19:16-25 God has given us seven essentials that will help us to live a well-ordered life.

To have a well-ordered life, verse 16 said one needful thing is to be obedient to the commandment. The word commandment here is most likely referring to God’s commandments given through Moses. The Ten commandments, as we know, are the summary or the distillation of all that God expects of His people. Obedience to them means life and a well-ordered society. Verse 17 singles out an area where we can exercise obedience. In Moses’ writings in the first five books of the Bible, we find God time and again shows great concern for the poor and needy. He gave instructions that they ought to be cared for. Here we are told, The LORD becomes obligated to one who lends to the poor. Giving to the poor does not necessarily mean giving money. It can also mean providing any assistance that could alleviate the condition of the needy.

Proverbs 19:18 gives us the second essential to a well-ordered life. It is none other than discipline. When discipline is instilled, a child has a better chance of growing up to be a decent and well-mannered adult. Disciplining a child while he is still young and impressionable is needful. When good habits and conduct are instilled they will form his manners in life. The second half of this verse tells us that not to discipline a child while he is yet susceptible to training will ensure his death. This is a strong word. Perhaps the word ruin will be a good replacement. If we do not train a child while he or she is yet trainable, we ensure his ruin - moral, spiritual and ultimately physical ruin. Verse 25 also relates to discipline. In this verse we are told that discipline is not only an essential it should be commended. Here we see two ways of administering discipline. A simple person needs to be shown how to avoid trouble. When he sees how a wicked suffers, he will wise up. But for one who is sensible and street-smart, a word of reprove will do the job. Parents should evaluate their children and deploy the right way to administer discipline.   

The next essential to a well-ordered life is to exercise self-control. A lack of it spells trouble. Any one lacking it will have to pay the price for the lack. He could be salvaged from the consequence once, but if his temper is not harnessed, he is likely to repeat it again. The verse is a call for us to exercise self-control. This is certainly one of the fruits of a spirit-guided and led life. And we need it to live a well-ordered life.

Verses 20-21 show us the fourth essential to a well-ordered life. It is wisdom learned through wise counsel. People who seek wise counsel and apply them to life will be enabled to live an organized life. He will be able to live discerningly and act appropriately all his life. Verse 21 tells us that the best counsel we can have is the counsel of the LORD. We all make plans and determine how we want our life to be, nothing beats the will and purpose of God. When we seek the mind of our faithful unchanging LORD and plan to walk according to His will, we will walk securely.  

Verse 22 spells out the next essential to a well-ordered life, it is being honest. When we have a desire to be kind it is a good thing and we ought to seek to be kind. But what good would it be if we are not able to keep our word and intention. This suggests that when we promise to do something good for another person, we should endeavour to do so. It is not good to make a promise and then not keep it. We must say what we mean and mean what we say.

Godly fear is the next essential to a well-ordered life. Verse 23 says “The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” When we yield to God and live a life pleasing to Him, He places a protective hedge over our life. We can experience peace in times of turmoil and uncertainty. His grace will be more than sufficient for all our needs. Yielding to Him will help us to lead a sanctified life.  

In verse 24 the essential is put in a negative way. It is to denounce laziness. A person who is lazy will find himself unwilling to do a thing to help himself. He will not even be willing to lift his finger to feed himself. This of course is an exaggeration to prove a point. When a person is lazy he will wince at the slightest work. He is not willing to exert the smallest effort to secure his own living.   

It is said that “A well-ordered life is like a tower; the view half way is better than the view at the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.” Exercising these seven essentials given in these verses help to view life from a higher plain. Let us put them into practise.