Proverbs Chapter 12
Proverbs
Chapter 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Here knowledge, as the contrast teaches, chiefly implies discipline, which is most necessary to acquire spiritual knowledge. This is so contrary to our proud hearts that the submission of the will is our only road to Christian attainment.
Irritable pride hates correction. If we find that we are upset when our faults are pointed out to us, that shows we lack not only grace but understanding. We are behaving as if we were stupid, "like the horse, which bites and kicks out at the man who performs a painful operation on him. He is surely a brute, and not a rational creature, who has swallowed poison and would prefer it to take its course than take the necessary antidote in case his folly is exposed" (Lawson). Oh, for a teachable spirit to sit at the feet of our divine Master and learn from him.
2. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a crafty man. Goodness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. A good man is a man filled with the Spirit. He reflects God's goodness.
The contrast to a good man is a crafty man. On the great day, the aii-seeing Judge will take speedy action against him (Malachi 3:5; Psalm 50:16-21).
3. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Here we see that a man who lives by wickedness may prosper for a time, but he cannot be established, for only God can do that.
The condition of the righteous is firm and cannot be shaken. Their leaves may fall in the wind. Their branches may tremble in the storm. But they are rooted in God and cannot be moved. This is a bright prospect for the church, against whom not even the gates of hell can prevail (Matthew 16:18).
4. A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Faithful (31:11-12); chaste (Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:2); respectfully obedient (Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 3:4-6); immovable in affection (Titus 2:4); delighting to see her husband honored, respected, and loved; covering, as far as possible, his failings; prudent in the management of her family (14:1); conscientious in the carrying out of her domestic duties (31:27-28); kind and considerate to all around her (31:20, 26); and as the root of all, fearing the Lord (31:30)—such is a wife of noble character. Let a young woman, in contemplating this holy union, ponder in deep prayer its weighty responsibility. Will she be a crown to her husband or make him ashamed? Will she be what God made the woman ("a helper" [Genesis 2:18]) or what Satan made her (a tempter to her husband)? If she is not a crown to her husband, she will be a shame for herself. If she causes her husband's bones to decay, she will be a plague to herself.
5. The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The workings of good and evil are traced to their source. The plans of the righteous man, which are renewed in the spirit of his mind, are just. He learns to measure everything by God's unerring rule and to lean on his God rather than to trust in his own judgment.
6. Words are the natural expression of thoughts and plans. How murderous were the words of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:1-4). Yet even in the middle of a hail of words, the speech of the upright rescues them. The wisdom of our divine Master was an unfailing preservative (Matthew 22:34-35, 46).
7. We cannot but wonder at the divine patience that allows wicked men to fill the earth with such a mass of guilt and misery. Yet their triumph only lasts for a moment. In contrast to this, the house of the righteous stands firm. They will have a place in the Lord's house and in eternity (Revelation 3:12).
8. A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised. The normal judgment of this world is to replace light with darkness (Isaiah 5:20). What causes men to be despised? It is not their poverty, obscurity, or misfortune, but their warped minds. They are too proud to be taught. Perverse Nabal was despised by his own family (1 Samuel 25:17, 25). The prodigal son was despised by his former companions (Luke 15:15-16). All such people will live in shame here and in doom hereafter (Daniel 12:2).
9. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. A man who can barely afford to have a servant may be despised by his rich neighbors. But his state is better than the proud show of rank or family where there is no means to sustain it. Nothing is so despicable as to be proud when there is nothing to be proud about. Yet it is hard, even for the Christian, as Bunyan reminds us, "to go down the Valley of Humiliation, and catch no slip by the way." We need our Master's unworldly, elevated spirit (John 6:15) to make a safe descent. Remember that the dazzling glare of man's esteem will fade away before the glory of our Lord's appearing!
10. A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. The details of Scripture are one of its most valuable properties. It shows the mind of God on many points that are apparently trivial. Here it tests us by the way we treat animals. They were given to man, as the lord of creation, for his use, comfort, and food (Genesis 1:28; 9:3), not for his wantonness. A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal (Genesis 24:32) and never forces it beyond its strength (Genesis 33:13-14). Therefore, the brutal habits, the coarse words, and inhuman blows done against animals are disgraceful. The delight of children inflicting pain on animals for their amusement, if not restrained, ends up with their growing into hard-hearted adults. For, as Mr. Locke has wisely observed, "They who delight in the sufferings and destruction of inferior creatures will not be apt to be very compassionate and benign to those of their own kind." Thus the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel and have no feeling.
But why is this humanity marked as a feature of a righteous man? Because it is the image of our heavenly Father, who spreads his cherishing wings over his whole creation (Psalm 33:5; 145:9, 16). Witness the sanctions of his law (Exodus 22:30; Deuteronomy 5:14; 25:4). So his children should reflect his whole image of love.
11. He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Special honor is given to the person who works his land. God assigned such a task to Adam in paradise. It was the work of Adam's eldest son. Its origin appears to have been under immediate divine teaching (Isaiah 28:23-29). In ancient times it was the business or relaxation of kings (2 Chronicles 26:10). "Of all the arts of civilized man, agriculture is transcendently the most essential and valuable. Other arts may contribute to the comfort, the convenience, and the embellishment of life. But the cultivation of the soil stands in immediate connection with our very existence. The life itself, to whose comfort and convenience and embellishment other arts contribute, is by this sustained; so that others without it can avail nothing" (Wardlaw).
Idleness is a blot on our royal name (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). As an old writer observes, "The proud person is Satan's throne, and the idle man his pillow. He sits in the former and sleeps quietly on the latter" (Swinnock). The man therefore who chases fantasies instead of doing honest labor proves himself to lack judgment, and he will reap the fruits of his folly (13:20).
12. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. Man is always restless to press on to something that has yet to be enjoyed. The Christian reaches up to higher privileges and increasing holiness (Philippians 3:12-14). Evil men emulate each other in wickedness. The root of the righteous only flourishes when the righteous depend on Christ as the source of their blessings and so will forever remain fruitful (John 15:5). "As surely as the vine-branch can have no powers independent of the root, so surely cannot the Christian think, act, or live as such, but only so far as he derives his abilities from the stock, on which he is grafted" (William Jones). The spiritual branches "are nourished and increased by the living root of God's grace and blessing" (Diodati).
13. An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. We see that an evil man can trap himself. His sinful talk traps his own life (18:7; Psalm 64:8). "Many have felt the lash upon their backs for the lack of a chain on their tongues" (Henry).
On the other hand, the godly use of speech enables a righteous man to escape from trouble, into which the wicked rush headlong (Jeremiah 26:12-16).
14. From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. We have seen the trap of the tongue. Here is its blessing, not to others only, but for ourselves as well. Here we have the characteristic of the saints of God who speak about the glory of God's kingdom (Psalm 145:10-11). We will be satisfied with good by the fruit of our consecrated lips (Proverbs 13:2; 15:23).
15. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. The fool's conceit hinders his wisdom. He needs no guidance; he never asks for advice. He sticks to his own ways because they are his. He has no doubt about heaven. Instead of the way being so narrow that few people find it, in his view it is so easy to find that few people can miss it. Thus all his religion is self-delusion. Oh, my God, save me from myself, from my own self-deceitfulness.
What a proof of wisdom is a teachable spirit. Was not Moses wiser for listening to Jethro's advice, and David for listening to the restraining advice of Abigail? How precious, then, for the child of God is the work of the divine Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).
16. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Always discipline your tongue. An unbridled tongue is proof of an unrenewed heart. Never let it loose when you are angry. How easily the fool is known by his anger. He has no control over himself. The fool's anger is an even more painful sight in God's children. Self-control, which covers rising anger, is true Christian prudence. So when we feel that we are becoming angry, we must at once cry to him who stills the storm (Matthew 8:26; Psalm 65:7). We do well to keep before our eyes his blessed example who, when he was reviled, did not retaliate (1 Peter 2:23).
17. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. This proverb may seem to be so obvious that nothing needs to be said about it. But Scripture not only teaches what is profound and searching, but stamps everyday truths with God's seal so that we may obey them.
A false witness does not always tell blatant lies, but he also lies when he misrepresents the truth and conceals the truth. Telling the truth and telling lies characterize two types of people in the world. Be sure that you are characterized by truth and righteousness.
18. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Who has not felt the piercings of false, unkind, inconsiderate words? How keenly have the servants of God suffered from this sword! Many will speak daggers without compunction who would be afraid to use them. Surely it was not without reason that our Lord accused an angry word or tongue with the guilt of murder (Matthew 5:21-22). Indeed, "a great and almost incredible calamity it is that man, who was created for humanity, should be so corrupted that no animal in the world is more ferocious and malignant" (Daille).
Wisdom is the guiding principle of the tongue that brings healing. It is full of discriminating tact, directing us, how, when, what, and to whom to speak. This is no negative responsibility. It is not enough that there is no poison in the tongue. It must bring healing.
19. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. How important it is to have our eye on eternity as we speak. The lasting value and permanent results of truth would then be seen. Speaking the truth may lead us into trouble in this world (Matthew 10:32-39). But who will speak against the martyr's testimony: "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley; play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as, I trust, shall never be put out" (Foxe). The lips of the faithful minister of God also endure forever.
Truth then is eternal. Lying, even if it suits our purpose to escape from a difficulty, lasts only a moment. "None are so visibly blasted as those who make no conscience of a lie" (Matthew Henry).
20. The root of deceit is here traced to our hearts. How early it is found there. A lie quickly falls from a child's lips when he is tempted. Deceit takes many forms: falsehood, exaggeration, and deliberate perversion.
22. "One common but most responsible instance of this," observes Mr. Goode in his valuable sermon on this text, "is instructing servants to say: 'Not at home.' Great is their guilt who thus tempt a fellow creature to utter a palpable untruth for the paltry convenience of a master. No Christian servant will consent to defile his conscience by acquiescing in any such iniquity. 'It is a mater of common consent, and every one understands it.' Be it so, it is untruth still, and lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. Moreover, if it is so generally understood and admitted without offense, then how much more honorable and Christian it is to say at once, 'We are engaged. We wish to be alone!' Who that accepts one excuse will not readily accept the other?" No part of Christian education is more important than the training of children in the deepest reverence for the simplicity of the truth. Dr. Johnson has well observed that the prevalence of falsehood arises more from carelessness about truth than from intentional lying. If a child is saying what he has seen in the street, "do not," he advises, "allow him to say that he had seen it out of one window if he has seen it out of another." Let them know that every deliberate deviation from strict accuracy bears the stamp of lying lips.
23. A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. Here knowledge implies a talent to be wisely, not indiscriminately, passed on. As far as the knowledge found in Scripture is concerned, this must not be kept to oneself. It must be openly declared to suitable people at the right time. But much harm can be done by obtruding on the ungodly those interior matters of Christian experience that we are invited to tell to those who fear God. Every truth is not therefore suited for every person or for every occasion (Ecclesiastes 3:7; Amos 5:13). Our blessed Lord told his disciples to prudently conceal what he did until the appropriate time arrived (Matthew 16:20; 17:9). The apostle Paul kept some of his spiritual experiences to himself for fourteen years and then only mentioned them to validate his apostleship (2 Corinthians 12:1-6).
Fools, however, proclaim their folly everywhere. They are dogmatic in arguments when wiser men are cautious. They teach when they should be learning. Distrust of self and humility are most important if we are going to use God's gifts to his glory.
24. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. Diligence is the normal path along which to advance. The faithful steward is made to rule over his lord's household (Matthew 24:45-47).
A lazy spirit enslaves a person. "He is perpetually needing the counsel of others, and hangs on to it" (Dathe). We must be warned about being a useless servant (Matthew 25:26-30). Christians should beware of neglecting the responsibilities of living just to indulge themselves.
25. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. A heavy heart is a weighty sickness; it makes us stoop under its unbearable burden. But how a kind word cheers [us] up. "This maxim therefore points out an easy and cheerful way to being useful" (Scott). Here we realize the precious efficacy of the Gospel. It is full of kind words (Matthew 11:28; John 14:27).
Human sympathy may give temporary relief. But "that is the grace, softer than oil, sweeter than roses, that flows from the Savior's lips into the sinner's wounds; and being poured into the contrite heart, not only heals, but blesses it, yes, and marks it out for eternal blessedness. Oh, how sweet is the voice of pardon to a soul groaning under the burden of sin!" (Leighton).
26. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Although the wicked Balaam acknowledged the excellence of the righteous, he was still seduced by his own way, to his ruin (Numbers 31:8). Saul's testimony to David and Joash's respect for Elisha nevertheless allowed them to be led astray by their own corrupt deeds. So let me weigh my path most carefully. Who am I walking with? Am I walking in the right direction?
27. The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions. How miserable is the habit of sloth! It is a deadly disease. It can only be remedied by God's help and checked by early discipline and being constantly alert to it and always resisting it. Sometimes, however, a man rouses himself to the labor of hunting. But his fitful exertion is soon over, and he cannot even bring himself to prepare his supper.
Is this not a graphic picture of someone who claims to follow Christ but is lazy in his faith? He starts off very enthusiastic about being Christ's disciple, but if he has no root, he soon withers and shrivels (Matthew 13:20-21). What is the point of starting off with a flourish if you do not seek grace to persevere? Godliness without effort loses its full reward (2 John 8).
So, Christian, be diligent. Spend and be spent in Christ's service. Your privileges will be enlarged. Your God will be honored. Your crown will be secure.
28. In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. Here righteousness is crowned with life and immortality. "In the path of righteousness is life; yes, the highway is immortality" (Dr. Good). The way of righteousness is the way of God's salvation, in which God's children come to him; and it is the way of his commands in which they walk. Enjoying the sense of God's love, confiding in his unimaginable, satisfying friendship, consecrating ourselves in spiritual devotion to his service, anticipating the fullness of his eternal joy—this is life and immortality. For where the life of grace is possessed, the life of glory is secured.