Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones.
The light of the eyes
This phrase can be understood as the brightness or clarity that comes from the eyes, often symbolizing joy, understanding, or wisdom. In Hebrew, "light" (אוֹר, 'or) is frequently associated with divine presence and guidance. The eyes are often seen as windows to the soul, reflecting one's inner state. In a historical context, light was a precious commodity, especially in ancient times when artificial lighting was limited. Thus, "the light of the eyes" suggests a natural, God-given joy and clarity that can uplift the spirit. This aligns with the biblical theme that true joy and wisdom come from God, illuminating our lives and bringing cheer to our hearts.

cheers the heart
The heart, in Hebrew thought, is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. The verb "cheers" (שָׂמַח, samach) implies a deep, abiding joy that goes beyond mere happiness. It suggests a state of contentment and peace that comes from within, often as a result of divine influence or understanding. In a scriptural context, the heart is where God communicates with individuals, and a cheerful heart is often seen as a sign of God's favor and presence. This phrase emphasizes the transformative power of joy and wisdom, which can uplift and invigorate one's entire being.

and good news
The term "good news" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, besorah) is significant in both Old and New Testament contexts. In the Old Testament, it often refers to messages of victory or deliverance. In the New Testament, it is closely associated with the Gospel—the ultimate good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Historically, good news was a rare and precious thing in a world often filled with hardship and struggle. This phrase highlights the power of positive, uplifting messages to transform lives and bring hope, reflecting the Christian belief in the transformative power of the Gospel.

nourishes the bones
The bones are symbolic of strength and vitality in Hebrew culture. The verb "nourishes" (דִּשֵּׁן, dishen) implies a process of enrichment and strengthening. In a physical sense, nourishment is essential for growth and health, and in a spiritual sense, it represents the sustenance that comes from God's word and promises. This phrase suggests that just as physical nourishment strengthens the body, so too does spiritual nourishment—through good news and divine wisdom—strengthen the soul. It underscores the holistic nature of God's care for His people, providing for both their physical and spiritual needs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

3. The Heart
In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. It is often referenced in Proverbs as the seat of moral and spiritual life.

4. The Eyes
Symbolically, the eyes represent perception and understanding. In this verse, they are associated with bringing joy and enlightenment.

5. Good News
In the context of Proverbs, good news can refer to any positive, uplifting message that brings encouragement and strength to the listener.
Teaching Points
The Power of Perception
Our perception can greatly influence our emotional and spiritual well-being. By focusing on the positive and seeking understanding, we can bring joy to our hearts.

The Impact of Good News
Sharing and receiving good news can have a profound effect on our physical and spiritual health. As believers, we should strive to be bearers of good news to others.

The Connection Between Joy and Health
A joyful heart is not only spiritually beneficial but also contributes to our physical health. Cultivating joy through gratitude and positive relationships is essential.

Encouragement in Community
Being part of a community that shares uplifting and encouraging news can strengthen our faith and nourish our souls.

The Role of Wisdom in Daily Life
Applying the wisdom of Proverbs in our daily interactions can lead to a more fulfilling and God-honoring life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "the light of the eyes" relate to your current understanding of joy and perception in your life?

2. In what ways can you actively seek out and share good news within your community or family?

3. Reflect on a time when good news significantly impacted your emotional or physical well-being. How can this experience guide your interactions with others?

4. How can the teachings of Proverbs 15:30 be applied to improve your spiritual and physical health?

5. What other scriptures come to mind that emphasize the importance of joy and good news, and how can they be integrated into your daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 17:22
This verse also speaks about the impact of a cheerful heart on one's health, emphasizing the importance of joy and positivity in life.

Isaiah 52:7
This passage highlights the beauty of bringing good news, connecting to the idea that uplifting messages have a profound impact on the receiver.

Philippians 4:8
Paul encourages believers to focus on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy, which aligns with the idea of nourishing the soul with good news.
Religion and Common SenseE. Johnson Proverbs 15:24-33
People
Abaddon, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bone, Bones, Bright, Brings, Enlighteneth, Fat, Gives, Gladden, Health, Heart, Joy, Makes, Maketh, News, Puts, Refreshes, Rejoices, Rejoiceth, Report, Tidings
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 15:30

     5137   bones
     5426   news
     5938   sadness
     8287   joy, experience

Library
God, the All-Seeing One
A sermon (No. 177) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 14, 1858 At The Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens by C. H. Spurgeon. "Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" -- Proverbs 15:11. You have often smiled at the ignorance of heathens who bow themselves before gods of wood and stone. You have quoted the words of Scripture and you have said, "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not." You have therefore argued that
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Hedge of Thorns and the Plain Way
A sermon (No. 1948) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."--Proverbs 15:19. You must have noticed how frequently godly people almost wear out their Bibles in certain places. The Psalms, the Gospel of John, and parts of the Epistles are favourite portions, and are thumbed in many an old believer's Bible till the fact is very noticeable. There are certain sheep-tracks
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

God, the All-Seeing One
We have in our text, first of all, a great fact declared,--"Hell and destruction are before the Lord ;" we have, secondly, a great fact inferred,--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" I. We will begin with THE GREAT FACT WHICH IS DECLARED--a fact which furnishes us with premises from which we deduce the practical conclusion of the second sentence--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" The best interpretation that you can give of those two words, "hell" and "destruction,"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.'
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83]
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What,"
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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