Proverbs 15:19 Commentary and Bible Study

Is there irony in the first part of this proverb? Solomon seems to comment on the complaint of the sluggard, the lazy man, that his way is blocked by all manner of obstacles that impede him. These are the excuses that he uses to justify his idleness, for he tries to convince all around him that there is a good reason why he is a sluggard since life is so difficult for him. If this is the meaning then Solomon takes up the protest of the slothful and presents it as if it were true, when in fact he knows it is just an excuse. However, the way of the sluggard does indeed become hard, not because he is persecuted by unfair circumstances as he claims, but because his inner laziness and his desperate attempts to find an excuse become harder and harder obstacles for him to overcome. He effectually constructs his own barriers in life, in convincing himself that his way is harder than that of others. Laziness can afflict the believer also, so that he makes excuses for his failure to serve the Lord with energy and good will. His life is different to all others, and he does not have the opportunity of others. It may well be true that we are unable to serve as others, but complete honesty is needed in our evaluation of this. If our desire to serve is genuine then when the situation changes we will respond to it immediately, but if we only hide behind excuses, then when one is removed we will look for another. The way of the righteous is made plain. He does not surround himself with reasons why he cannot be honest, be faithful, worship God in sincerity, be a witness to Christ, love his neighbour as himself. For him the way is plain because he advances with thankfulness to God. Again, this is partly a matter of his perception, but it is also because God makes plain the path before him. He sees many prayers answered, and experiences the providence of God working for his good. Not that he is without trials and problems, but they all work to his advantage in the plan of God.