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”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH
Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment