Tag: Life

Virtuous

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Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 

‘Virtuous’ [Hebrew: chayil] strength of mind or body (Rth. 3:11; Pro. 12:4; 31:10, 29). A morally strong woman is a crown to her husband, but the morally weak contracts and transmits destructive diseases.

‘Crown’ [Hebrew: ‛atarah] is used here as an emblem of honour (cp. Est. 8:15; Job 19:9; Pro. 4:9; 14:24; 16:31; 17:6; Isa. 28:1-5; 62:3). Ten crowns are mentioned in Scripture: Crown of honour (12:4; 17:6; Est. 8:15; Job 19:9). Crown of kings (2Sam. 12:30; Est. 1:11; 2:17; Rev. 19:12-16). High Priest’s crown (Ex. 29:6). Crown of pride (Isa. 28:1-5). Crown of thorns (Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2-5). Crown of glory (1Pet. 5:4; Pro. 4:9; 16:31; Isa. 62:3). Crown of righteousness (2Tim. 4:8). Crown of life (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10). Corruptible crown (1Cor. 9:25). Soul winner’s crown (1Thess. 2:19).

Thirty-one characteristics of a virtuous woman: Morally perfect (complete) (31:10); invaluable; trustworthy (31:11); inherently good and true (31:12); ingenious – proficient (31:13); thrifty – laborious (31:14); dutiful – considerate (31:15); versatile – judicious (31:16); tireless – healthy (31:17); joyful – efficient (31:18); watchful – cautious; thrifty – skilful (31:19); charitable – benevolent (31:20); generous – merciful; fearless – provident (31:21); clever at decorating – furnishing (31:22); refined in taste; respected – popular (31:23); industrious – prosperous (31:24); dependable – honest (31:25); confident – hopeful; wise – discreet (31:26); kind – understanding; prudent – practical (31:27); energetic – ever active; an ideal wife and mother (31:28); honoured by her family (31:27-28); excels in virtue (31:28); God-fearing – humble (31:30); deserving – successful (31:31); honoured by the public (31:31).

Good vs Wicked

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Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 

‘A good man obtains favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.’ God gives grace to the righteous but condemns the wicked (Jas. 4:5-11). Their plans or devices will turn against them.

Luke 6:45 states that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. From Scripture, we have these good treasures summarized in 1Corinthians 13:4-8 describing the nature of godly love and Galatians 5:22-23 describing the fruit of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:10-15 also gives examples and we see the nine things to put on as a true believer (Col. 3:10, 12): The new man (Eph. 4:24); bowels of mercies (2Cor. 6:12); kindness (1Cor. 13:4); humbleness of mind; meekness; longsuffering; forbearance (Gal. 5:22); forgiveness (Matt. 18:35); divine love (1Cor. 13:4).

Divine love is to be put on as the outer garment and finishing touch to a well-dressed Christian. After putting on the eight other things, one is to put on this outer cloak as the bond of perfectness or as a girdle. It is to cover all, unite all, and bind all together as one. This is true perfection (Matt. 5:43-48; 1Cor. 13:1-13).

Luke 6:45 also states that an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Rom. 1:21-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21).

Instruction vs Reproof

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Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish. 

‘Instruction’ [Hebrew: muwcar] to understand; comprehend; chasten; discipline.

‘Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge.’ The one who rejects wisdom and sins against her does so to the damnation of his own soul (8:36). It is therefore not so much sin and satan, but the man himself that is responsible for his rejection or reception of wisdom which leads to eternal life. If he receives the teaching of God, sin will not have dominion over him, and if he resists satan, the devil will flee from him (Jas. 4:7; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:12-13).

‘But he that hates reproof is brutish.’ He is as stupid as an animal (cp. Pro. 30:2; Ps. 49:10; 73:22; 92:6).

Seven facts about the wicked: They are brutish (Ps. 92:6). They are ignorant of the truth. They are fools. They work iniquity (Ps. 92:7-8). They are enemies of God (Ps. 92:9). They shall be scattered. They shall perish; be destroyed forever off the earth (Ps. 92:7, 9).

Those who live with their consequences and in lives that are broken and sometimes beyond repair because of continuous iniquities are guilty of hating instruction. They don’t follow any godly advice (20:18; Ps. 1:1) and hate to ask for it, for they are almost always wise in their own eyes (3:7; Rom. 11:25). God’s Word is perfect in converting the soul and it makes the simple wise (Ps. 19:7). It is the Wisdom we should hear, walk in and obey (8:32,34; Ps. 119:2).

Ignorance is the state of the average heathen who gets to know only a little about nature. Christianity teaches man the true and full knowledge of God and nature and of the origin and destiny of all things (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:9-11).

Troubles His Own House

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Proverbs 11:29 He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 

‘He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.’ He that dissipates his property by riotous living shall inherit emptiness in the end.

Eight sins noted in 1 Peter 4:3-4: [1] Lasciviousness. [Greek: aselgeia] every form of lewdness and impurity. [2] Lusts.[Greek: epithumia] strong or vehement desires (Col. 3:5). [3] Excess of wine. [Greek: oinophlugia] to be hot or to boil; to be aflame with wine or any alcohol. [4] Revellings. [Greek: komoi] lascivious feasts, boisterous festivity, singing and drinking in honour of heathen gods. [5] Banquetings. [Greek: potois] winefeasts; drinking matches. [6] Abominable idolatries. At social functions, the most impure, obscene, and perverted sexual behaviour, and abominable rites were practised. [7] Excess of riot. [Greek: asotia] flood of profligacy, sweeping away all rule, order, and restraint before it. [8] Speaking evil of you. [Greek: blasphemeo] blaspheming God and man (gossiping). Translated as “speak evil of” (1Pet. 4:4, 14; Rom. 14:16; 1Cor. 10:30; Tit. 3:2; 2Pet. 2:2, 10, 12; Jude 1:8, 10); “revile” (Matt. 27:39); “rail on” (Mark 15:29; Luke 23:39); “report slanderously” (Rom. 3:8); “defame” (1Cor. 4:13); “speak blashpemy” (Matt. 26:65); “blasphemously” (Luke 22:65); “blasphemer” (Acts 19:37); and “blaspheme” (Matt. 9:3; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10; John 10:36; Acts 13:45; 18:6; 26:11; Rom. 2:24; 1Tim. 1:20; 6:1; Tit. 2:5; Jas. 2:7; Rev. 13:6; 16:9, 11, 21).

‘Fool’ – Three Hebrew words translated as “fool” in Proverbs: [1] The Hebrew: ’eviyl means the lax or careless habit of mind and body; to be perverse, silly, and a fool. Used 19 times in Proverbs (1:7; 7:22; 10:8, 10, 14, 21; 11:29; 12:15-16; 14:3, 9; 15:5; 16:22; 17:28; 20:3; 24:7; 27:3, 27:22; 29:9). [2] The Hebrew: keciyl means dense or stupid, manifesting itself in impiety and irreverence. Used 49 times in Proverbs (1:22, 32; 3:35; 8:5; 10:1, 18, 23; 12:23; 13:16, 19-20; 14:7-8, 16, 24, 33; 15:2, 7, 14, 20; 17:10, 12, 16, 21, 24-25; 18:2, 6-7; 19:1, 10, 13, 29; 21:20; 23:9; 26:1, 3-12; 28:26; 29:11, 20). [3] The Hebrew: nabal refers to a vile and vulgar person. Used 3 times in Proverbs (17:7, 21; 30:22; cp. Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

The Liberal Soul

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Proverbs 11:25-27 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself. He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him. 

‘The liberal soul’ – God blesses the bountiful soul and repays what is cheerfully given.

‘Shall be made fat.’ Three examples of liberality blessed: The widow (1Kin. 17:10); the Shunammite (2Kin. 4:8, 37) and Publius (Acts 28:7-8).

‘He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.’ The man who takes advantage of scarcity to make himself rich will be cursed, but blessing will be upon the one who helps men in adversity.

‘He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him.’ He that seeks the good of others gains their favour, but he that seeks their harm shall reap it himself.

Scatters vs Withholds

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Proverbs 11:24 There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty. 

‘There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.’ What you give you gain; what you keep you lose. Luke 6:38 teaches that with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again and 2 Corinthians 9:6 we read again of this unfailing law taught by Jesus that he which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

As it is written (Ex. 16:18), He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack (2Cor. 8:15).

Just as surely as everything in nature reproduces after its kind, harvests being as sure as the sowings, so every man will reap what he sows and be responsible for his own destiny (Gal. 6:7-8). It is folly to talk about reaping eternal life when one sow to the flesh (Gal. 6:8; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 1:29-32). It is equal folly to talk about being lost if one sows to the Spirit.

Without Discretion

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Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 

‘As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout.’ Nose jewels are common in the East (Gen. 24:47; Isa. 3:21). A jewel in the swine’s snout is as becoming as a beautiful woman who lacks moral discretion. No amount of jewellery, clothing and outward adoration can hide someone’s true nature.

‘Swine’ – Used figuratively of sinners in three classes: Indiscreet women (11:22); Deceived people (Matt. 7:6); Backsliders (2Pet. 2:20-22).

‘Discretion’ [Hebrew: mezimmah] is used in a good sense of judgment and discretion (1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2). Translated as “intents” (Jer. 30:24) “thought” (Job 42:2; Ps. 10:4; Jer. 23:20) and “devices” in a wicked sense (12:2; 14:17; Job 21:27; Ps. 10:2; 21:11; 37:7; Jer. 51:11). Someone without discretion is described in Scripture as one with evil intents, thoughts and devices.

Unpunished

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Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 

‘Though hand join in hand.’ Verbal contracts were closed with a handshake. Here, though the wicked pledge such support to each other in sin, they will not go unpunished. Only the righteous will be delivered.

‘Unpunished’ – That is, shall not be guiltless. Five examples of judging wicked rebels: The Babel builders (Gen. 11:1-9); Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-38); Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50); the Canaanite kings (Jos. 9-10) and the ten kings (Rev. 17-19).

‘The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.’ Four examples of righteous descendants being delivered: Noah and his family (Genesis 6-8); Lot and his family (Gen. 19:17-29); the Jews (Est. 7-9) and the Hebrew children (Dan. 3:1-30).

A Froward Heart

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Proverbs 11:20 They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 

‘Abomination to the LORD.’ Twenty things that are an abomination to God: The froward man [Hebrew: luwz] perverse; one who turns aside (3:32; 11:20). A proud look (6:16-17). A lying tongue (6:17; 12:22). Hands that shed innocent blood. A wicked scheming heart (6:18). Feet quick to sin. A false witness that speaks lies (6:19). A sower of discord. Wickedness (8:7). A false balance (scale, 11:1). Sacrifice of the wicked (15:8; 21:27). The way of the wicked (15:9). The thoughts of the wicked (15:26). The proud of the heart (16:5). Justifying the wicked (17:15). Condemning the just. Diverse weights (20:10, 23). Diverse measures. Refusing to hear the law (28:9). Prayer of the rebel.

‘His delight’ – God delights in the saints (holy ones) and excellent ones on the earth (Ps. 16:3). Six things that God also delights in:  Just weights (11:1); the upright (11:20); they that deal honestly (12:22); the prayer of the upright (15:8); the way of good men (Ps. 37:23) and mercy (Mic. 7:18).

Six examples of being God’s delight: Enoch (Heb. 11:5); Noah (Gen. 6:8); Israel (Deut. 10:15); The upright (11:20); Saints and the excellent (Ps. 16:3) and Jesus Christ (Isa. 42:1).

Deceitful vs Righteous

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Proverbs 11:18-19 The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. 

‘Deceitful work’ [Hebrew: sheqer] falsehood; lie (11:18; 20:17; 31:30). Employment, pleasure, and possessions acquired by deceit may be sweet at the time, but afterwards they become bitter disappointments (20:17).

God tries the hearts that are so deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9-10) and the reins, the innermost mind and feelings (Job 16:13; 19:27; Ps. 16:7; 26:2; 73:21; 139:13; Prov. 23:16; Isa. 11:5; Jer. 11:20; 12:2; 17:10; 20:12; Rev. 2:23).

Four examples of deceitful workers: Pharaoh (Exo. 1:20); The Gibeonites (Jos. 9:4-21); Absalom (2Sam. 15:1-37); Caiaphas (Joh. 11:49-50).

‘Sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.’ Five examples of reward by right sowing: Noah (Gen. 6:22; 7:1; Heb. 11:7); Abraham (Heb. 6:15); Joseph (Genesis 37-41); Simeon (Luke 2:25-32) and Paul (1Cor. 9:1; 2Tim. 4:7-8).

‘As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.’ Righteousness promotes health and long life (Ps. 91:1-16; 1Pet. 3:10-11), but wickedness shortens life.