Proverbs 12

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 12

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel

Date Penned: (970-931 BC)

Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)

Theme: Wisdom for All People (c 10-24)

Message: Instruction and Knowledge (v 1-28)

Proverbs 12 Commentary

(12:1) Willing to Learn - If you don't want to learn, years of schooling will teach you very little. But if you want to be taught, there is no end to what you can learn. This includes being willing to accept discipline and correction and to learn from the wisdom of others. People who refuse constructive criticism have a problem with pride. Such people are unlikely to learn very much.

(12:3) Real Success - To have deep roots and be established means to be successful. Real stability and success come only to those who do what is right. Their efforts stand the test of time. Yet sometimes it seems that wickedness does indeed bring success. We all have known people who have cheated to pass a test or to get a larger tax refund. Is this not a success? And what about people who ignore their family commitments and mistreat their employees but get ahead in business? These apparent successes are only temporary. They are gained at the expense of character. Cheaters grow more and more dishonest, and those who hurt others become callous and cruel. In the long run, evil behavior does not lead to success; it leads only to more evil. Those with deep roots in God's Word and God's people will show integrity, courage, diligence, and love for justice in how they conduct their affairs. The apostle Paul encourages believers to grow by regarding Christ as the Lord of their lives and letting their roots grow down into him (Colossians 2:6-7).

(12:13) Living by Truth - Evil people twist the facts to support their claims. Those who do this are likely to be trapped by their own lies. But for those who always tell the truth, the facts--plain and unvarnished--give an unshakable defense. Living by the truth leads to a life of confidence and peace. (See the chart.)

(12:16) When someone annoys or insults us. we naturally want to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, when this happens. stay calm and answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results Proverbs 15:1 says, A soft answer turneth away wrath

(12:19) God's Word is Truth - Truth is both timeless and timely; it offers wise advice, accountability, and justice today, which in turn impacts the future. Truth is always relevant and consistent because it comes from God's changeless character. Think for a moment about the centuries that have passed since the proverbs in this book were written. Consider the countless hours that have been spent carefully studying every sentence of Scripture. The Bible has withstood the test of time. Because God is truth, you can trust his Word to guide you wisely.

(12:21) Proverbs are Principles - This is another general but not universal principle. Although harm and misfortune do come to righteous people, these people are able to find opportunities in their problems and move ahead. The wicked, without God's wisdom, are ill-equipped to handle their problems.

(12:23) Prudent People - Prudent people have quiet confidence. Insecure or uncertain people (fools) feel the need to prove themselves, but prudent people don't have to prove anything. They know God will equip them to be capable of what he has called them to do, so they can get on with their work. Beware of the trap of showing off or putting on a false front. If you are modest, people may not notice you at first, but in time they will respect you.

(12:27) Diligence - Diligent people make wise use of their possessions and resources; lazy people waste them. Waste has become a way of life for many who live in more prosperous parts of the world. Waste is poor stewardship. Make good use of everything God has given you, and ascribe proper value to your resources.

(12:28) No Fear in Death - For many, death looms like a darkened door at the end of life, a passageway to an unknown and feared destiny. But for God's people, death leads up a bright pathway to a new and better life. So why do we still fear death? Is it because of the possibility of pain, the separation from loved ones, the uncertainty of a new world, or perhaps seeing Jesus face-to-face? God can help us deal with those tears. The Bible shows us that death is not final but just another step along the path of our eternal life with God. To learn more about heaven and eternal life. look up these topics in the subject index at the back of this Bible

Dave Burnette's Life Application

A Loving Father

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 12. In our text today, we see a continuation of Wisdom's instruction, seeing a positive and negative consequence for our decision. As we continue to see Wisdom, we see the Heart of God as He loves us and wants us to make wise decisions. In making applications, we see that God wants us to experience His best. The Lord is delighted in our smart choices and loves to see us succeed, just as a parent loves to see their child choose the right path. How about you? Do you know the Lord cares about the decisions you make? Let us learn from our text today and the wise instructions in its text to understand how much the Lord wants us to succeed by making the right, which brings Him joy because He loves us.

Proverbs 12

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Proverbs 12

¹Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

²A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

³A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

⁴A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

⁵The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

⁶The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

⁷The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

⁸A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

⁹He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

¹⁰A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

¹²The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

¹³The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴A 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.

¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

¹⁶A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

¹⁷He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

¹⁸There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

¹⁹The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

²⁰Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

²¹There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

²²Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

²³A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

²⁴The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

²⁵Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

²⁶The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

²⁸In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

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