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A Study of Proverbs 12
May 27, 2007
One of our members requested a study of Proverbs. The twelfth chapter repeats some points already made and introduces new ones. Righteousness prevails. The wicked pervert truth and imagine evil. God shall destroy the wicked, but reward the righteous.
Bernie Parsons
A Study of Proverbs Chapter 12
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Load church of Christ on May 27, 2007
Proverbs 12:1: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
We discussed this previously. The wise seek knowledge and wisdom. The foolish reject knowledge and wisdom. The wise gets wiser and the fool remains foolish.
Proverbs 12:2: “A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3: A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”
We sing the song sometimes, “I shall not be moved” taken from this passage. God upholds the righteous and condemns the wicked.
Proverbs 12:4: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”
We read more about a virtuous woman in chapter 31. A pure woman who subjects herself to her husband, and works hard for her family, is a blessing to her husband. She works with him. One who is impure, indiscreet, lazy, or quarrelsome can bring a man down.
Proverbs 12:5: “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6: The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7: The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.”
The righteous are right because they align their thinking with the rightness of God. Wicked people offer bad advice, and have ulterior motives. They look out for themselves, hurting others while furthering their own cause. They shall not stand before God, but shall fall. The righteous shall stand.
Proverbs 12:8: “A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.”
Good people uphold the wise, while despising the perverse.
Proverbs 12:9: “He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.”
A humble man with wealth is better than a proud man who has nothing to eat.
Proverbs 12:10: “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
A righteous man takes care of his animals, while the wicked tend to cruelty, not only in relationships with people, but in how they treat their animals.
Proverbs 12:11: “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12: The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13: The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
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 worker, such as a farmer, earns what he eats, and takes pleasure in it. The wicked steal from others. People respect and assist those who work for a living, but condemn and punish those who take what is not theirs.
Proverbs 12:15: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
A foolish person thinks that he is always right. A wise man seeks the advice of wise and trusted persons.
Proverbs 12:16: A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”
James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
In our wrath, we often say things that we later regret, and do things that we ought not. It is best to cool off, and to keep our anger to ourselves. Sometimes situations can be resolved through patience and kindness.
Proverbs 12:17: “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”
The righteous are not deceitful, nor are the deceitful righteous.
Proverbs 12:18: “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
We see from these verses that it is better to think twice before we speak in anger. We need to approach our antagonists softly and gently. Kind words can heal rifts.
Proverbs 12:19: “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Truth stands while lies crumble over time.
Proverbs 12:20: “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.”
Evil people deceive others, and their minds are upon malice. Those who advise peace give and receive joy for their efforts.
Proverbs 12:21: “There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.”
The just do not imagine evil nor plan malice. The wicked are full of their evil ways.
Proverbs 12:22: “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
God hates lying and loves truth. He does not accept white lies and little lies.
John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Proverbs 12:23: “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.”
I have heard it said, “It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt”. That statement appears to be taken from this verse. As I have told you before, just because you know something does not mean that you have to tell it! Some things are best left to oneself.
Proverbs 12:24: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”
Those who work hard and guard their resources wisely usually end up being in charge and becoming leaders. The lazy have to continually borrow from others, or work for others, because they are not careful with their resources.
Proverbs 12:25: “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”
Our goal is to build people up, and shore them up when they are weak. Kind and encouraging words go a long way. When people are depressed or sorrowful, we should try to lift their spirits by our speech.
Proverbs 12:26: The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.”
The righteous stand out by virtue of their righteousness. The wicked think that their way is right, and it is to them, but the righteous understand that God is against the wicked.
Proverbs 12:27: “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”
Some hunt for sport, and not to eat. Kill what you eat, and eat what you kill. The lazy man will not prepare what he has killed, but lets it go to waste. A diligent man will use that which he hunts, and waste nothing, for it is a precious resource.
Proverbs 12:28: “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.”
This statement stands on its own merit. Righteousness produces and supports life. The righteous edify, encourage, and comfort. The righteous are not destroyers and wasters.
Matthew 7:13: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
