Read Proverbs 12:15–28
Questions from the Scripture text: What does a fool think of his way (Proverbs 12:15a)? What does the wise man do instead (verse 15b)? When is a fool’s wrath known (Proverbs 12:16a)? What does a prudent man do instead (verse 16b)? What does the truth-speaker declare (Proverbs 12:17a)? What does the false witness declare (verse 17b)? What can a man speak like (Proverbs 12:18a)? But what does the wise tongue do (verse 18b)? How long will the truthful lip be established (Proverbs 12:19a)? How long the lying tongue (verse 19b)? What is in the heart of the deviser of evil (Proverbs 12:20a)? But what does a counselor of peace have (verse 20b)? What cannot overtake whom (Proverbs 12:21a)? What will the wicked have a filling of (verse 21b)? Who abominates the lying lip (Proverbs 12:22a, cf. Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 11:20)? What does He think of the truthful (Proverbs 12:22b)? What does a prudent man do with some of his knowledge (Proverbs 12:23a)? What does a fool’s heart proclaim (verse 23b)? Whose hand will rule (Proverbs 12:24a)? But what will happen to the lazy man (verse 24b)? What does anxiety lead to (Proverbs 12:25a)? What has the opposite effect (verse 25b)? What should the righteous diligently do (Proverbs 12:26a)? What does the lazy man fail to cook (Proverbs 12:27a)? What, therefore, has great value (verse 27b)? To what does the way of the righteous lead (Proverbs 12:28a)? What does it certainly avoid (verse 28b)?
What does walking with God involve? Proverbs 12:15–28 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, )? the Holy Spirit teaches us that walking with God involves godly speech, and diligence, in the path that leads to eternal life.
The second section of chapter 12 also (cf. Proverbs 12:1) begins with an introduction about the need to be instructible (Proverbs 12:15).And it ends with a conclusion that is a synthesis of how the difference in ways, that was introduced in verse 15, makes quite literally all the difference for the righteous (Proverbs 12:28). Just as in the first half of the chapter, the core of this second half are two subsections, one on wise words (Proverbs 12:16-23) and another on wise work (Proverbs 12:24-27). In both sections, the instruction is given almost entirely by way of comparison.
Proverbs 12:16-23 address the subject of wise words. A fool always expresses his emotions (Proverbs 12:16a), is willing to lie from his own false heart that devises evil (Proverbs 12:17b, Proverbs 12:19b, Proverbs 12:20a), uses words like sword thrusts (v18a), and expresses all of his thoughts (Proverbs 12:23b). However, the prudent man conceals wrong emotions (Proverbs 12:16b), speaks only truth in righteousness that seeks peace (Proverbs 12:17a, Proverbs 12:19a, Proverbs 12:20b), uses words to heal others (Proverbs 12:18b), and keeps most knowledge to himself (Proverbs 12:23a). How important (and beneficial) a part of walking with God is godly speech!
Proverbs 12:24-27 address the subject of wise work. The man who can’t make himself work will be forced to by others (Proverbs 12:24b), allow himself to be easily discouraged (Proverbs 12:25b), be lazy even about choosing friends (Proverbs 12:26b), and even too lazy to benefit from work that he has already done (Proverbs 12:27a). However, the diligent will rule others (Proverbs 12:24a), employ good words to stir up gladness to live (Proverbs 12:25b), be diligent even about choosing friends (Proverbs 12:26a), and treasure the diligence that improves all else to him (Proverbs 12:27b).How important (and beneficial) a part of walking with God is diligence!
The conclusion (Proverbs 12:28) is set up by the pathways in Proverbs 12:15 and the outcomes in Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 12:21. Now, the conclusion synthesizes these two themes. The reason that there is only life and no death in the well-counseled way of the righteous is because death is a just sentence from YHWH, while life (in Him!) is His reward to the righteous. In the same manner as Proverbs 11:20 (cf. Proverbs 11:1), Proverbs 12:22 reminds us of the personal nature of these outcomes from His hand.
How are you relating to God in your words? How are you relating to God in your work?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us to be righteous in Your Son, our Lord Jesus. And thank You for Your Spirit’s ministry in applying His character to us in the areas of our words and our work. Glorify Yourself in Him, by conforming us to His image, and rewarding us with His inheritance, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”