Tag: Truth

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).

Evil vs Just – Part 2

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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]: Trucebreakers [Greek: asunthetos] are not morally bound to any agreement; not dependable; treacherous to covenants; faithless to promises; and false to trusts. False accusers [Greek: diabolos] slanderer; adversary. Incontinent [Greek: akrates] no control of appetites and passions. Fierce [Greek: anemeros] wild; savage; uncivilized. Despisers of good men [Greek: aphilagathos] unfriendly to good men. Traitors (2Tim. 3:4) [Greek: prodotes] betrayers (Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52). Heady [Greek: propetes] rash; hasty; reckless; headstrong. Highminded [Greek: tuphoo] senseless; conceited; silly. Lovers of pleasure. Sensual gratification is their god (2Tim. 3:4). Having a form of godliness (2Tim. 3:5) [Greek: morphosis] a semblance; sketch; form (Rom. 2:20). Their religion is only in their creed and formal confession of faith, not in their hearts. Denying the power of godliness (2Tim. 3:5).

To be continued…

Evil vs Just – Part 1

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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. 

‘The wicked desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yielded fruit.’ The wicked desire the prey taken in the net of other evil men, but the root of the righteous is made sure.

‘The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips.’ Five examples of being snared by own lips: Korah (Num. 16:1-3, 31-35; Ps. 64:8); the Amalekite (2Sam. 1:2-16). Adonijah (1Kin. 2:23); Daniel’s accusers (Dan. 6:24) and the Jews (Matt. 27:25).

Thirty characteristics of wicked men (1Tim. 3:2-13): Lovers of themselves (2Tim. 3:2) [Greek: Philautos] fond of oneself; selfish. Covetous [Greek: philarguros] fond of money. Boasters [Greek: alazon] braggarts; self-exalted (Rom.1:30). Proud [Greek: huperephanos] self-important. Blasphemers [Greek: blasphemia from blasphemos] were it means to speak evil of (Jude 1:8; Eph. 4:31); rail (1Tim. 6:4; 2Pet. 2:11); revile (Matt. 27:39); defame (1Cor. 4:13); slander (Rom. 3:8); insult by blasphemy (Matt. 12:31). Disobedient to parents, head-strong children (Rom. 1:30). Unthankful [Greek: acharistos] ungrateful (Luke 6:35). Unholy [Greek: anosios] without piety; no reverence. Without natural affection (2Tim. 3:3). Living in unnatural affection sins; perverts; homosexuals; sodomites (Rom. 1:21-32). To be continued…

Be Satisfied

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Proverbs 12:11 He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding. 

‘He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread.’ Two examples of tilling: are Isaac (Gen. 26:12) and Jacob (Gen. 30:14; cp. Pro. 28:19).

Matthew 10:10, Lucas 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18 all clearly state that the workman is worthy of his meat or labour (12:14) and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that if any would not work, neither should he eat. This principle is based upon the part of the curse to make a living by the sweat of the brow (Gen. 3:19). Idleness has always been a curse and always will be. It is wrong to support men who will not work and share their own responsibility. Ephesians 4:28 explains that we should not steal (even through begging) from others but rather labour and work with his hands that which is good. 

‘He that follows vain persons is void of understanding.’ Two examples of the following of vain persons: are Abimelech (Jdg. 9:1-57; cp. Pro. 24:21) and Theudas (Acts 5:36-37). Being void of understanding means one does not have the wisdom to discern evil (7:7) and most people are followers of such individuals which will most certainly lead to their own downfall. We are commanded to follow Christ and the example He set for us (1Pet. 2:21-23).