Posted by Jeff Short on April 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof is no death.
– Proverbs 12:28
I understand the Hebrew is difficult in this proverb, and particularly the second phrase. Various interpretations have been given. The proverb doesn’t have a contrast and the first phrase sets the context. The
way of righteousness, or the way of wisdom, is the way of life (Proverbs 8:35; 9:11). It’s the way of life now in the sense of wholeness and the way of life ultimately in hope beyond the grave. The second phrase indicates either there is a path of death, or there is no death in the path of righteousness. The general tenor of the Proverbs contrasts wisdom and folly as life and death. Wisdom and heeding wisdom tends to longer life (Proverbs 4:10). The way of folly is natural and wisdom delivers from death (Proverbs 15:24). The sober warning is given in Proverbs 8:36 that to hate and refuse wisdom is to embrace and love death.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
– Proverbs 12:27
The Proverbs speaks much of diligence and slothfulness. The first phrase shows the
slothful man cannot finish what he has started. He has no commitment and perseverance to see a project through (Proverbs 19:24; 26:15). He creates a lot of waste and is left unsatisfied (Proverbs 6:11; 13:4; 21:25-26). The quarry taken in hunting is similar to the image of the harvest. There is a short time to roast it before it spoils. So, the slothful squander opportunities. The contrast expresses a different view by the
diligent. All
substance got through hard work and great blessing is
precious, not to be wasted.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
– Proverbs 12:26
The language of this proverb is difficult and the interpretations various. The word for
excellent means to explore, or search out. The word for
seduceth means to wander, vacillate, or go astray. The contrast is between the different effects the
righteous and the
wicked have on their neighbor. The searching out indicates a careful guidance and the wandering indicates going astray from the way of wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
– Proverbs 12:25
The word for
heaviness means anxious care, and
stoop is obviously to bow down. A person with many anxieties is weighed down and burdened. A
good word is encouraging, helpful, and fitting (Proverbs 15:23; 16:24; 25:11; 27:9). Words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21). That power can be used for good or ill. Obviously, wisdom strives to use words aright.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
– Proverbs 12:24
Proverbs consistently commends diligence, or hard work (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4; 12:27; 13:4; 19:15; 21:5). Diligence is a part of walking in wisdom. As Solomon put elsewhere, “time and chance” happens to all, so there is no absolute guarantee that diligence will lead to prosperity, but it is generally true (Ecclesiastes 9:11). To
bear rule means to have dominion and it isn’t limited to positions of government. It refers here to the ascendance of the
diligent to greater responsibility and authority. The word for
tribute means a tax or forced labor situation. This contrast shows how the
slothful descend in responsibility and authority. They are neither wise nor diligent like the ant, which needs no overseer (Proverbs 6:6-8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
– Proverbs 12:23
The word for
concealeth means to hide or cover. A couple of senses are covered here. The wise man stores up knowledge (Proverbs 10:14), and he measures out his words (Proverbs 10:19; 11:13; 15:2). The main thought of the proverb is restraint or control over the tongue exercised by the
prudent. The contrast comes in the fool proclaiming, or crying out, foolishness. Talkativeness is a mark of a fool (Proverbs 15:2). Not only does a fool pour out foolishness, but he also proves himself to be a fool by doing so (Proverbs 13:16; Ecclesiastes 10:3).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
– Proverbs 12:22
A lying tongue is on the famous list of what the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16-17). The word for
abomination means hateful or detestable. The contrast is with those who
deal truly. This casts the proverb in light of the habits or practice of those who deal falsely or truly. The latter is the
delight, or pleasure, of the Lord.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
– Proverbs 12:21
The word for
evil means trouble or sorrow. The first phrase seems to run counter to reality. We know the wise and good have sorrows and troubles that come to them in life. We understand the meaning when we consider the contrast. The
just don’t have the troubles and sorrows of their own making as the
wicked do (Proverbs 14:14). The word for
mischief means calamity or adversity. The
wicked will not only have distresses but will be
filled with them, which indicates fully and continually. This is the fruit of their own way (Proverbs 1:31).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
– Proverbs 12:20
Wisdom here considers the results, or by-products, of intentions for others. The word for
imagine means to devise and
evil is calamity or all sorts of bad. The gain from devising evil is
deceit, or treachery. It refers to the state of mind of the one who devises evil. A
counsellor is an adviser. The word for
peace means well-being or general wholeness or welfare. So the
counsellor is promoting peace and speaking peace to others. They gain
joy, or happiness, as a result.
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Proverbs 12:28
Posted by Jeff Short on April 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof is no death.
I understand the Hebrew is difficult in this proverb, and particularly the second phrase. Various interpretations have been given. The proverb doesn’t have a contrast and the first phrase sets the context. The way of righteousness, or the way of wisdom, is the way of life (Proverbs 8:35; 9:11). It’s the way of life now in the sense of wholeness and the way of life ultimately in hope beyond the grave. The second phrase indicates either there is a path of death, or there is no death in the path of righteousness. The general tenor of the Proverbs contrasts wisdom and folly as life and death. Wisdom and heeding wisdom tends to longer life (Proverbs 4:10). The way of folly is natural and wisdom delivers from death (Proverbs 15:24). The sober warning is given in Proverbs 8:36 that to hate and refuse wisdom is to embrace and love death.– Proverbs 12:28
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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