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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Posted by Jeff Short on April 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
– Proverbs 12:19
The
lip of truth and the
lying tongue are obviously put for a contrast between true and false words. True words endure, have lasting value. False words are momentary. They are usually spoken for some immediate purpose and not for lasting worth. Even if we think of cultural myths that perpetuate from one generation to the next, they will ultimately fall and truth will always stand (Proverbs 19:5, 9; Revelation 21:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
– Proverbs 12:18
Wisdom teaches words are powerful (Proverbs 18:21). The contrast of this proverb is between the power for bad and the power for good. The word for
speaketh means babble and indicates rash, hasty speech like that prompted by anger. The
piercings of a sword speak of a wound from stabbing. Rash and angry words are wounding, and sometimes deeply so (Proverbs 25:18). The contrasted words are
wise words. Wise words are honest and just (Proverbs 24:26). Wise words are calm and measured (Proverbs 10:19; 15:1). Wise words are also appropriate for the season (Proverbs 15:23). The word for
health means a curative, i.e. a medicine. Thus, wise words are also wholesome, nourishing, life-giving (Proverbs 10:21; 16:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
– Proverbs 12:17
The word for
righteousness means justice and along with the term
false witness, this proverb has a legal connotation. Speaking truth reliably manifests or upholds justice (Proverbs 14:5, 25). So the thought here includes consistency or reliability in those who speak truth. A
false witness is more than one who lies. Their lies or deceit through omission perverts justice (Proverbs 19:28; 24:28).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
– Proverbs 12:16
The word for
presently means in a day, or we might say immediately. The second phrase shows the proverb is considering reactions to
shame, or being crossed in some way. The fool has no self-control and reacts immediately with anger. He must make his displeasure known (Proverbs 29:11). The word for
prudent means shrewd and it can be used negatively or positively. The word carries the idea of making plans. The man described in the second phrase is one who thinks things through and determines the best course of action. He doesn’t react in the heat of anger like the fool. He weighs carefully before he speaks or acts (Proverbs 14:8, 15). The word for
covereth means to conceal or hide. A good way for us to look at it would be in terms of overlooking. A prudent man overlooks an insult without spouting off about it.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 8, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
– Proverbs 12:15
The
fool in Proverbs isn’t necessarily unintelligent but rather he refuses instruction and correction. In fact, he despises it (Proverbs 1:7; 15:5). Solomon uses another description that parallels this proverb when he speaks of not being “wise in thine own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7). The fool stubbornly clings to his own thoughts and ways. If he is willing to receive any counsel, it will only be that he already agrees with. The word for
hearkeneth means to hear intelligently. This is exactly what Solomon admonished his son to do and thus be wise. The only path presented to acquiring wisdom is to receive correction and instruction (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 19:20).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
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.
– Proverbs 12:14
To be satisfied is to be filled to satisfaction. The metaphor of
fruit is suggestive. It is what is produced and usually not immediately. Whether we think of a farm setting or wild fruit, it takes time to get the product. We should view our words as a kind of work and sowing. Then we must understand that word-work and sowing will produce a harvest, whether bad or good (Proverbs 13:2; 18:20-21). It is just as the work of our hands that brings a
recompence, or a requital of our effort. Refusal to heed wisdom in this matter means the sluggard will have nothing in the winter (Proverbs 20:4).
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
– Proverbs 12:13
Proverbs speaks much to words, their use and their danger. Here words of
transgression, or rebellion, ensnare the speaker. Solomon warned his son of speaking hastily and the snare that could result from it (Proverbs 6:1-2). The word for
trouble means tightness, or straitness. We might say to get in a bind. The
wicked speak rebellious words that get them in a bind (Proverbs 18:7), but the
just speak wise words that deliver, or keep, them out a bind (Proverbs 13:2; 18:20).
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Proverbs 12:21
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.
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).– Proverbs 12:21
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