Category: Proverbs

Precious

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Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 

‘The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.’ The slothful hunter is too lazy to roast his prey, but the precious treasure of the diligent man is utilized for the good of all. Plenty of hunters today hunt for trophies and not for food.

Those who are diligent appreciate what they have and acknowledge their blessings as precious. Without a thankful heart, we will not receive from God. From John 6:11 as well as on other such occasions we see Jesus giving thanks to God for blessings already provided, putting emphasis on thankfulness rather than asking for food to be blessed. Psalms 92:1 reminds us that it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD and to sing praises unto His Name. 

More Excellent

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Proverbs 12:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduces them. 

‘The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduces them.’ The just man guides his friend in righteousness, but a wicked neighbour leads him astray.

Five blessings of the righteous: They have a refuge (trust) in God. They are joyful in God. They have security in God. They are blessed by God. They have God’s favour or grace (Ps. 5:12).

Twelve characteristics of the righteous: They walk uprightly – without blame. They work righteousness. They speak truth inwardly. They don’t backbite (Ps. 15:3). They do no evil to neighbours and receive no reproach about them. They hold vile people condemned (Ps. 15:4). They honour them that fear the Lord. They keep their word even to their own hurt. They take no advantage of one in need to increase riches (Ps. 15:5). They refuse bribes. They protect the innocent.

The Heart of Man

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Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad. 

‘Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.’ Anxiety, sorrow, and rebuke prostrate a man, but one statement of good news makes the heart light.

‘Stoop’ – Four examples of when sorrow prostrated men: Ezra (Ezra 9:3-10:3); Nehemiah (Neh. 1:4); David (Ps. 40:12; 2Sam. 18:33) and Jeremiah (Jer. 8:18; 9:1).

Psalms 69:19-21 predicts the sufferings of the Messiah on the cross and we see that He was heartbroken: Reproach had broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. 

‘A good word makes it glad.’ Three examples of good news making glad: are Jacob (Gen. 45:27); Darius (Dan. 6:18-23) and the disciples (Matt. 28:5-8; Luke 24:32).

The Diligent

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Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 

‘The hand of the diligent shall bear rule.’ Three examples of the diligent ruling: are Eleazar (Gen. 24:2, 10); Joseph (Gen. 39:4, 22) and Jeroboam (1Kin. 11:28).

Eliezer of Damascus (Gen. 15:2). He was Abraham’s head servant. Abraham predicted God’s angel would go before Eliezer to get a wife for Isaac. It was fulfilled as in Genesis 24:12-67.

Joseph’s master in Egypt saw that the Lord was with him and the LORD made all that Joseph did to prosper in his hand. Joseph found grace in his master’s sight, and he served him: and made him overseer over his house. After Joseph was jailed he found favour in the sight of the the keeper of the prison. Joseph had absolute power over his new realm, including all the prisoners and all that was done in the prison. He later became the second in command over Egypt and the head of Israel, just as his dreams predicted.

God rented the ten tribes from the house of David and gave them to Jeroboam to rule over (1Kin. 11:29-39).

Knowledge vs Foolishness

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Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 

‘A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.’ A wise man never brags about his education, knowledge, or experience, but a fool tells everybody how wise he is. The wisdom of this world is a craft, or subtle trade, which people carry on with others to benefit themselves.

The wise of the world is always full of schemes and plans for earthly gain, all of which are empty and vain. The natural man is the man living under the control of the fleshly passions, the sensual and depraved part of man in contrast with the rational part (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:29-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Col. 3:5-10). He has no sense of spiritual values and no relish for them. He counts it the highest wisdom to live for this world and carnal pleasures. Spiritual things are foolishness to him. He cannot see their supreme excellence due to animal appetites and being spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-9).

No Evil Happen to the Just

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Proverbs 12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 

‘Evil’ [Hebrew: ’aven] iniquity, especially connected with idols. Hence, it means vanity or a vain thing because idols are nothing (Job 15:35; Ps. 10:7; Pro. 22:8). Here it means that no vain thing will happen to the just, for all things work together for their good (Rom. 8:28). God turns to the advantage of the righteous or just any intended evil that happens.

Seven troubles God keeps one from: Sickness (Job 5:18); famine (Job 5:20, 22); war (Job 5:20); gossip and slander (Job 5:21); destruction and calamity (Job 5:21-22); wild beasts of the field (Job 5:22-23); sin (Job 5:24). If a Christian falls into these calamities it is because of sin and disobedience.

Promises of Psalms 91:1-16: If you abide under the shadow of the Almighty He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and the noisome pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers. His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow [attacks] that flies by day or of the pestilence [sickness] that walks in darkness or that which destroys at noonday. Though 1,000 fall at your left and 10,000 at your right, it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the wicked. There shall no evil befall you and no plague come near your dwelling. God shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. God will answer him, be with him in trouble, honour him, satisfy him with a long life and will show him His salvation.

Many are the promises of God. They cover every known need of life, here and hereafter, and reveal to what extent God has made provision to help man in his struggle to overcome sin, sickness, and satan, and regain the full dominion that he lost in Adam when he fell. The ultimate purpose of God in all His present dealings with man is to bring him back to the place where he was before the fall and purge him of all possibility of failing in the future.

Truth vs Lying

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Proverbs 12:17-20,22 He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

‘Speaks truth’ – Four uses of the tongue: Speaking truth (John 14:6). Speaking lies (1Tim. 4:1-2). Speaking cutting things (12:18; Jas. 3:1-18). Speaking blessing (12:19; Matt. 8:8).

‘The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.’ The 7th prophecy in Proverbs (12:19) and it is unfulfilled. Two kinds of tongues and destinies (Jas. 3:1-18; 1Pet. 3:10-11).

‘But a lying tongue is but for a moment.’ Four examples of lying tongues judged: Ahab (1Kin. 22:30, 37); Hananiah (Jer. 28:2, 11); Gehazi (2Kin. 5:22-27) and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10).

‘Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.’ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy is in the heart of those who give counsel of peace.

‘Delight’ – Seven things God delights in: People that deal truthfully (12:22). Just weights (11:1). People upright in their ways (11:20). Prayers of the upright (15:8). Lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth (Jer. 9:24). The Messiah (Isa. 42:1). Israel (Isa. 62:4).

A Fool vs a Prudent Man

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Proverbs 12:15-16 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise. A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame. 

‘The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.’ A fool will not listen to wise counsel as will the wise.

‘The way’ [Hebrew: derek] to proceed, walk with the feet (used 13 times in Psalms 119 (verses 1, 3, 5, 14, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37, 59, 168) Here it refers to the way of God; how God instructs man to go to be saved, holy, and happy. It is the revelation of the way that God would act among men. When used for fools and sinners it shows their sinful ways that are right in their own eyes and heeds no warnings or rebukes.

‘A fool’s wrath.’ A fool will make his wrath known at once when he is offended, but a wise man will hold his peace.

‘Presently known’ – Four examples of a fool’s wrath: Jehoram (2Kin. 6:31); Jezebel (1Kin. 19:1-2); Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:19) and the Jews at Nazareth (Luke 4:28).

‘A prudent man’ – Four examples of prudence: Gideon (Jdg. 8:2-3); Saul (1Sam. 10:27); David (1Sam. 17:29-30) and Hezekiah (Isa. 36:21).

Satisfied with Good

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Proverbs 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. 

‘A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.’ A good man shall be satisfied with the fruit of his lips, and he will reap the good that he sows (Gal. 6:7-8).

Life and death are greatly determined by the power of the tongue, and he who uses this power rightly shall live because of it (18:21; 1Pet. 3:10-11).

Twelve uses of the tongue condemned: gossiping (Deut. 22:13-19); talebearing (11:13; Lev. 19:16); false witnessing (Ex. 20:16; 23:7); whisperings (Rom. 1:29); slandering (1Tim. 3:11); false accusations (Tit. 2:3); vain talking (Tit. 1:10); defaming (Jer. 20:10); tattling (1Tim. 5:13); lying (6:17; Rev. 21:8; 22:15); deceiving (Rev. 12:9) and backbiting (Ps. 15:3; Rom. 1:30).

Evil vs Just – Part 3

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Proverbs 12:12-13 The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 

Thirty characteristics of wicked men (1Tim. 3:2-13) [continues]: Destitute of godliness, having no faith that one can be godly in this life. From such turn away. Use their show of piety to gain entrance into homes to deceive (2Tim. 3:6). Capture for their own pleasure silly (foolish) women whom they deceive. Ever learning fallacies but never the knowledge of the truth (2Tim. 3:7). Resist truth (2Tim. 3:8). Have corrupt minds. Reprobate concerning faith. They are evil (2Tim. 3:13). They seduce women – entice them to surrender chastity (2Tim. 3:6, 13). They increase in evil. They deceive and are themselves deceived.

‘The just shall come out of trouble.’ Three examples of deliverance: are Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:10, 24, 30); Esther and her people (Esther 7:3-9:25) and Peter (Acts 11:2-18; 12:3-18).

Three blessings of trust in God: Help from God in time of need. Deliverance from enemies. Salvation for soul and body (Ps. 37:40).