Proverbs 16:15 Commentary and Bible Study

This proverb expresses positively what the previous expresses negatively. The king’s wrath is as the messenger of death, but his favour is the messenger of life. What is hyperbole when spoken of an earthly king, is strictly true when spoken of the King of glory. To have the king’s favour in ancient times was to have someone acting for us who was able to protect from rivals, to open doors of opportunity, to give privilege within the realm, to provide lands and wealth and honour in his kingdom. Such absolute power and authority is dangerous in the hands of a fallen human being, however carefully he has been prepared for the task; only the Lord can be trusted to hold such power, and Christ’s office as King certainly resembles the type of kingship in ancient times where the will of the king was law. But our God is good and cannot be tempted with evil, He alone is worthy to hold such power and can do so without any apprehension in the hearts of his people, indeed we would fear to have power in the hands of any lesser being. We would fear a system in which our case was resolved by anyone but him alone. Only he has the infinite wisdom to decide our destiny; only he has the infinite mercy to deal with our sins. There can be no substitute for him in even the smallest decision that is made concerning us, because there is no one like him and his attributes of wisdom, mercy, justice, goodness and truth cannot be communicated to any other. Each one of us looks to Christ alone for salvation, and we dare not accept any substitute for him. The king’s favour is as the cloud of latter rain, that is, the spring rains that were so essential to a good harvest, and which the farmers eagerly waited for if their labour was not to be in vain. The sight of the cloud was enough to raise hopes within them that God was going to graciously provide for their needs again and had not forgotten them. Any small sign from the king – a look of kindness, a smile of appreciation – was enough to cheer the heart with the thought of good to come. The believer sees the smile on the face of the Lord when he hears the promises of the gospel which can never be revoked, and when he senses the Spirit’s confirmation that these promises are firm and unchanging for ever.