Proverbs 16:14 Commentary and Bible Study

In a kingdom where the king has absolute power and where his will is the ultimate and final ruling on all judgments, so that there is no appeal to any higher authority, then the very worst news that a citizen can hear is that the king is angry with him. His anger is going to lead to some action, but whatever action he takes, it is going to be bad for the one it is directed towards. His trembling subject may hear that the king is angry with him before the blow falls on him, and so news of the kings anger is the harbinger of death. It is like the arrival of messengers that bring terrible news of the death of loved ones, for the king is not about to set aside his anger and pacify it himself. He is angry for a reason and he will execute judgment. A wise man will not treat news of the king’s anger in a haughty way and refuse to yield but he will quickly try to appease it and change his behaviour and ask for pardon. Greater power is on the king’s side, and if some prince of a region within the king’s territory rebels against his ruler, then forces will be sent to crush him and the outcome is not in doubt. A proud reaction would be madness, and appeasement is the only wise choice.In the case of human kings this wrath may be arbitrary and less than perfect, but it must still be respected and the proverb is true even when applied to earthly kings. But our divine King is wise beyond all human telling; his power is infinite and his judgments are final. They concern not just time but eternity, and if the kings of the earth are to be feared, Christ, our heavenly King, is to be feared infinitely more. What he determines for our eternal destiny is what will stand for ever and it cannot be changed. Since every case will be decided on the basis of what we do in this life and whether we repent and trust in Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, then time becomes disproportionately important in comparison to the brevity of mortal life. Therefore we will be careful not to harden our hearts before him as if we had any power to resist his will. Instead we will confess our sins and turn from them quickly, appealing to the mercy that lies hidden like a smiling face behind his frowning providence. To provoke the king to retribution is the very worst thing we can do, for we depend on him to guide us through a myriad of snares and pitfalls in this life.