Read Proverbs 12:1–14
Questions from the Scripture text: What love is always attended by love of knowledge (Proverbs 12:1a)? What is the condition of someone who hates correction (verse 1b)? What does a good man obtain from Whom (Proverbs 12:2a)? Whom will YHWH condemn (verse 2b)? What can’t wickedness do for a man (Proverbs 12:3a)? But what cannot be moved (verse 3b)? How does an excellent wife function unto her husband (Proverbs 12:4a)? But what does a shameful wife do to him (verse 4b)? What characterizes the thoughts of the righteous (Proverbs 12:5a)? And what characterizes the counsels of the wicked (verse 5b)? What do the words of the wicked say/do (Proverbs 12:6a)? What does the mouth of the righteous do (verse 6b)? What happens to the wicked (Proverbs 12:7a)? What happens to the righteous (verse 7b)? In what manner will a man be commended (Proverbs 12:8a)? Who will be despised (verse 8b)? Which two combinations are compared in Proverbs 12:9? Which is the better combination? What does the righteous man regard (Proverbs 12:10a)? What is the true nature of the wicked’s “mercies” (verse 10b)? In what does the work of tilling result (Proverbs 12:11a)? But what does following vain things show about a man (verse 11b)? What do the wicked covet (Proverbs 12:12a)? But what yields fruit (verse 12b)? What ensnares the wicked (Proverbs 12:13a)? Who come through trouble (verse 13b)? By what may a man be satisfied (Proverbs 12:14a)? What will be rendered to a man (verse 14b)?
What good is good sense? Proverbs 12:1–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that good sense causes a man to use his mouth and his hands in a fruitful and blessed way.
This chapter consists of two sections that each begin and end in much the same way: beginning with a proverb about teachableness (Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 12:15), and concluding with a proverb about the outcomes that wisdom or folly can expect (Proverbs 12:14, Proverbs 12:28).
Proverbs 12:1-3 introduce this section, identifying YHWH as personally upholding he teaching/values presented here (Proverbs 12:2, cf. Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 11:20). The book as a whole has identified YHWH has the source of instruction, knowledge, and correction (Proverbs 12:1). This wisdom has an ethical component, so that the wise man of verse 1 is the “good” man of Proverbs 12:2. His love of instruction is, ultimately, a love of God Himself, and the good that he obtains is from the favor of the God Whom he loves. On the other hand, hating correction is not only brutish (Proverbs 12:1b, more literal than NKJ) but condemned by God (Proverbs 12:2b). So the wise (Proverbs 12:1) and the good (Proverbs 12:2) are also the righteous (Proverbs 12:3). The certainty of the outcomes in verse 3 are emphasized by the negative, telling what is impossible: it is impossible either that the wicked be established or that the righteous be moved.
Proverbs 12:4-7 centers (literally, Proverbs 12:5-6) upon the effects of righteous vs wicked speech—especially as it affects one’s household (Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 12:7). The word “excellent” in Proverbs 12:4a is actually a “strength” word, both spiritual and literal, physical fortitude for her callings. But, in contrast to the shameful wife (verse 4b), the emphasis is upon her nobility and strength of character. The righteous establishes not only himself but his household (Proverbs 12:1b).
In Proverbs 12:8-12, the focus shifts from words to deeds and property. “wisdom” in Proverbs 12:8 is literally “his mouth of insight.” It is an idiom for good sense, and it flows naturally from the previous theme in Proverbs 12:5-6. This good sense is especially seen in the management of household affairs (cf. Proverbs 12:7). He manages well enough not only to have bread for himself, but for another who contributes to the productivity of his house (Proverbs 12:9). He understands, and treats well, not only the servant from verse 9, but even his beast (Proverbs 12:10). And, rather than taking servants and servant beasts as an excuse for laziness, he himself joins in the labor (Proverbs 12:11). The wicked, by contrast, envies the ill-gotten gain and both the “ill” way in which it is gotten (Proverbs 12:12a)! How different than the righteous, who are so blessed by God that not only does fruit grow in the bud upon the stem, but even from his root (verse 12b). What a fruitful thing it is to be a man who lives in the knowledge of his God!
Finally, Proverbs 12:13-14 pull together the ideas of speech, from Proverbs 12:4-7, and productivity, from Proverbs 12:8-12. The wicked attempts to use his mouth to ensnare others, but the trap springs upon him himself, while the righteous comes safely through (Proverbs 12:13). But both the mouth and the hand of the righteous aim to be fruitful, resulting in the good that the Lord brings upon him (Proverbs 12:14).
How could your use of your mouth improve? What is an area of your life where you need more sensible diligence?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for bringing us into the knowledge of Yourself, and giving us to live with good sense before You. Please grant that we would bring good to our households, and to Your household, by the way that we speak and work, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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