Wednesday, November 6, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 12:1-4


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Wisdom’s Opposing Counterparts: Lifestyles: Proverbs 12:1-4
1) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
2) A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3) A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4) A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

In chapter 12, Solomon uses a variety proverbs to emphasize that wisdom always has an evil counterpart.  This is the great problem that we face, NEVER is wisdom the only option from which we can choose, for every wise choice there is also a foolish and harmful choice that can be made.


EXPOSITION:
Solomon begins our study of the opposing counterparts of wisdom by giving us a passing view at the basic lifestyles that can oppose the lifestyle of one that is wise…

1) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
A Lifestyle of Wisdom’s antagonistic counterpart concerning the Word of God:
1.  The wise person is one who earnestly desires the warnings and corrections of God.  This person will also seek to learn the truths of God’s Word.  This is because God’s warnings and corrective measures are found exclusively in His Word.
2.  The opposing counterpart of this type of wisdom is found in a foolish, undiscerning man who despises and brushes off the corrective instructions of God.

I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.   (Psalms 119:26-27)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.   (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

2) A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A Lifestyle of Wisdom’s dissimilar counterpart concerning pleasing the Lord:
1.  The lifestyle of a man who is pleasing to the Lord will secure the Lord’s favor and delight.
2.  The lifestyle of a man whose plans and goals are evil will receive the Lord’s declaration of judgment arising from His displeasure.

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.  (Psalms 112:5)

The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said [to be] bountiful.  For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.  The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.   (Isaiah 32:5-7)

   
3) A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A Lifestyle of Wisdom’s differing counterpart concerning wicked actions:
1.  A person who possesses a lifestyle of disobedience to the Lord will not be firmly founded by God.
2.  A person who possesses a lifestyle of obedience to the Lord will be firmly established, settled and founded upon Him.
That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?  Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;  [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?  He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.  The eye also [which] saw him shall [see him] no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.   (Job 20:5-9)

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.   (Colossians 2:6-7)


4) A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
A Lifestyle of Wisdom’s divergent counterpart concerning the testimony of a spouse:
1.  A woman who is deserving of praise and honor by others is one that works to improve her husband’s reputation and value in the eyes of others. 
2.  A woman that dishonors her husband and brings reproach upon him in public is like a cancer in his bones that will gradually work to his death.

(Please note in like manner a husband should work to enhance his wife’s reputation and honor among others.  This can be clearly seen in:
1 Peter 3:7 – “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, GIVING HONOUR UNTO THE WIFE, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.       
Ephesians 5:25-28,33 – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular SO LOVE HIS WIFE EVEN AS HIMSELF…”)

A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.  House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.   (Proverbs 19:13-14)


SUMMARY:
There are many aspects of our lifestyle that can run contrary to the characteristics of a wise lifestyle.  In this opening part of our study we have seen that these contradictions to a wise lifestyle can apply in varied ways…
1.  The role of the Word of God in our lives
2.  The spiritual character of our lives
3.  The moral character of our lives
4.  The relationship of spouses

Solomon will be continuing our study by giving us several more specific contradictions to a lifestyle lived wisely through the application of God’s Word.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.




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