Posted by Jeff Short on April 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
– Proverbs 12:12
The interpretations of this proverb are various. There is actually a double contrast in this proverb. The
net of evil men is contrasted with the
root of the righteous and the desire of the
wicked is contrasted with the yield of the
righteous. The
net of evil men is the plans and means of evil men to capture, or make a quick gain. The
root is something that must be planted in the ground, fed, and kept. It grows and over time yields a produce. One seeks a big gain all at once through some ill stratagem and the other sees ahead and patiently waits for the honest gain of borne fruit. The word for
desireth means to delight in or take pleasure in. The wicked’s desire is to grasp and get by whatever means, and the quicker the better. The word for
yieldeth means to give. The wisdom of the righteous teaches them to desire to bless others and not only seek their own gain.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
– Proverbs 12:11
The first phrase commends honest, hard work and recognizes it will be rewarded. This is one who avoids the ridiculous excuses of the sluggard (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13) and empty talk (Proverbs 14:23). He works and enjoys the fruits (Ecclesiastes 2:24). The contrast in this proverb is different than the usual contrast of diligence and laziness. The contrast is of one who follows after vanity. The word for
vain persons here is literally empty. It can refer to worthlessness, whether of people or general pursuits. The picture then is not of a sluggard hinged to his bed who is too lazy to raise a hand to his mouth (Proverbs 26:14-15). The picture rather is of one who puts time and energy running after worthless schemes or pleasures. He invests himself in unprofitable pursuits. This would include get rich quick schemes, excessive pleasure seeking, or generally being one who works harder at getting out of work than what the work would be if done directly. Such a one is
void of understanding, or lacks wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
– Proverbs 12:10
The word for
righteous is common and means justice. It gives the idea of dealing justly or fairly with others. Here the righteous man is considerate of
the life of his beast. The phrase expresses how thorough his kindness is as it extends to animal life. The law had certain provisions pertaining to animals and their treatment (Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 22:27-28; Deuteronomy 22:6; 25:4). The righteous man has understanding, particularly of the creation and the respect we should have for it. The contrast with the
wicked is heightened by comparing their conduct toward people. The word for
tender mercies means compassion. The phrase expresses that the wicked have so little regard for others that even their compassion is cruel.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better then he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
– Proverbs 12:9
This is one of the proverbs that deals with reality versus appearances.
Despised here refers to someone of mean standing in the community. They have humility of circumstances. The fact they have a
servant illustrates they have some means, though modest, through honest work and gain. To be
better means to be better off, or in a better state than another. In this case, the first is better than the one who boasts and promotes himself to be seen as wealthy, powerful, etc. when he is poor in reality. Jesus spoke of this sort of humility when he taught that we should let another honor us if honor is indeed due us rather than taking honor to ourselves (Luke 14:8-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 31, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
– Proverbs 12:8
The word for
wisdom means intelligence or good sense. It indicates clear thinking as opposed to the
perverse, or crooked, mind. Wisdom here sees things as they are and makes prudent assessments. Wisdom is therefore
commended or celebrated.
Perverse thinking fails in analyzing reality and the resulting counsels are wrong. So they are
despised, or held in contempt.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
– Proverbs 12:7
This proverb refers to the
wicked being cut off (Proverbs 2:22). Wisdom teaches there is no stability or longevity in the folly of wickedness. Contrariwise, the
righteous will be established and their expectation not ashamed (Proverbs 2:21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 29, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
– Proverbs 12:6
To
lie in wait for blood is to set a trap. The
words of the wicked are here distinguished from their plans. Their very speech is a snare as well as their schemes (Proverbs 1:11-19). The
mouth of the upright is contrasted because their words deliver from snares and nets (Proverbs 10:13, 21, 32). The tension in this proverb is over the instruction of the simple. Will the wicked lure them, or will they learn wisdom at the mouth of the upright? The thought of deliverance here is akin to winning souls in Proverbs 11:30.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
– Proverbs 12:5
The principle in this proverbs was expressed by Jesus in terms of a tree bearing fruit only according to its type (Matthew 7:17-19). The word for
thoughts means plans or intentions. The intentions of the
righteous are the fruit they produce, which fruit is
right. The word for
counsels literally means steerage and indicates guidance or advice. These are the fruit produced by the
wicked and, therefore, they are
deceit, or treachery. Kidner observed that we ignore this proverb when we elect leaders based “on the strength of their promises rather than their principles.”
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
– Proverbs 12:4
The word for
virtuous means strength, ability, resource, and efficiency. Today we would think of virtuous as meaning of high moral fiber, but the word in this proverb is fuller and richer in meaning. She is not a prudish woman but she is a woman of substance, intelligence, and accomplishment. A virtuous woman is described more fully in Proverbs 31:10-25. Such a woman is a
crown to her husband. She is not only an adornment, but she is ennobling to him. She is an inspiration and complement that raises him to new height. The contrasted thought is of a woman that makes
ashamed. This word indicates being put to shame, embarrassed, and disappointed. Such a woman is foolish, lazy, and contentious (Proverbs 14:1; 19:13-14; 21:9, 19; 27:15-16). Such a woman is not a crown but rather like a decaying disease,
rottenness in his bones. Rather than bringing her husband to greater heights as a man of substance, she reduces him and eats away at his strength and ambition. She breaks him down like termites eating away at the house structure until the roof sags and eventually caves in.
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Proverbs 12:12
Posted by Jeff Short on April 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
The interpretations of this proverb are various. There is actually a double contrast in this proverb. The net of evil men is contrasted with the root of the righteous and the desire of the wicked is contrasted with the yield of the righteous. The net of evil men is the plans and means of evil men to capture, or make a quick gain. The root is something that must be planted in the ground, fed, and kept. It grows and over time yields a produce. One seeks a big gain all at once through some ill stratagem and the other sees ahead and patiently waits for the honest gain of borne fruit. The word for desireth means to delight in or take pleasure in. The wicked’s desire is to grasp and get by whatever means, and the quicker the better. The word for yieldeth means to give. The wisdom of the righteous teaches them to desire to bless others and not only seek their own gain.– Proverbs 12:12
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
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