INSIGHT FOR LIVING 5
INSIGHT FOR LIVING 5
Following on from this, Solomon again warns Christians against going guarantor for anyone (CP Pr 11:15). We dealt with this subject in our study on Pr 6:1-5. The clear teaching throughout is that Christians must never guarantee another person's debt. If they have gone surety for someone they must extricate themselves from the situation as quickly as they possibly can. Suretyship is a sign of a lack of understanding (CP Pr 6:1-5 with 17:18; 22:26). A gracious woman holds to honour, and a man in great power holds to wealth (CP Pr 11:16 with 31:30). Next, Solomon observes that a man's disposition affects his own health - the man who is merciful and kind benefits himself; a cruel man does himself harm (CP Pr 11:17 with 14:27 and Mt 5:7). A wicked man does deceptive work, but he that sows to righteousness will have a sure reward (CP Pr 11:18 also 20:17 and Hos 10:12-13 with Ga 6:8-9; Jas 3:18). Solomon then contrasts two destinies (CP Pr 11:19): righteousness unto life; wickedness unto death (CP also 4:10-12; 10:11; 12:28 with Psa 91; Ro 6:17-23; Jas 1:15; 1Pe 3:10-11). Those with perverse hearts are an abomination to God, but He delights in the upright (CP Pr 11:20 also 2:12 and 3:32 with Psa 16:3). Though the wicked pledge support for each other in sin they will not go unpunished. Only the righteous will be delivered (CP Pr 11:21 also 16:5 with Psa 112:1-2).
Solomon then asserts that like a gold jewel in the nose of a pig, is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion (CP Pr 11:22). Discretion here means taste, perception, intelligence, behaviour, reason, judgement, and understanding. Thus, as a gold jewel in the snout of a pit is incongruous, so too is a beautiful woman who has no bearing, is immodest, and lacks moral sense. To quote The Message version of the Bible: "like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful face on an empty head" (CP 11:23). The righteous are consecrated to the good things of God, but the wicked are consecrated to things that will incur His wrath (CP 10:28 with Ro 2:7-9). Solomon next highlights six unfailing laws in the Divine order (CP Pr 11:24-26): what you give you gain; what you keep you lose (CP V 24 with 13:7; 19:17; Psa 112:9; Mt 5:7), God blesses the bountiful and repays what is cheerfully given (CP Pr 11:25 with 22:9; 28:27; Ecc 11:1-6; Lu 6:38; 2Cor 8:13-15; 9:6-15), the man who takes advantage of scarcity to make himself rich will be cursed, but blessing will be upon the one who helps others in adversity (CP Pr 11:26 also Amos 8:4-7 with Ecc 11:1-6; Ac 20:35). These all comprise the law of sowing and reaping, as also do the last five verses in Pr 11 (CP V 27-31 also V 18 with Ga 6:7-9).
Those open to instruction show that they really want to learn, but one who resents being told anything is as stupid as a brute beast (CP Pr 12:1 also 1:22; 30:2 and Psa 49:20; 73:22; 92:6 with Pr 1:7; 6:23; 10:17). God gives grace to the righteous, but condemns the wicked (CP Pr 12:2 also 8:35-36 and Job 5:13 with 1Cor 3:19; Jas 4:5-12). Not wickedness, but righteousness, shall establish a man (CP Pr 12:3 also 10:25; 11:5 with Psa 1:1-6; Jer 17:7-8). A wife with strength of character is the crowning joy of her husband, but one who disgraces her husband is as rottenness to his bones (CP Pr 12:4 with 31:10-31). Virtuous here means valiant, wealth, valour, strength, worthy, strong, might (CP Pr 12:5). A man's aims are a mirror of his character (CP 12:6(. The wicked make plans to shed the blood of the innocent, but they are delivered by the words of the righteous (CP 12:7-9). The wrath of God will destroy the wicked, but the righteous will not be moved (CP V 7 also V 3; 10:25 and 11:23 with Psa 15:1-5; Mt 7:24-27; Lu 6:46-49). A wise man with insight is spoken well of, but he is held in contempt who has no principles (CP Pr 12:8 with 18:3). Better is the man who is slighted but has a servant, than he who honours himself but has nothing to eat (CP Pr 12:9 with 13:7). Low rank and food on the table is better than pretended status and starvation.
The kindness of the righteous extends to their animals, but even in this regard the kindness of the wicked is still cruel (CP Pr 12:10). Kindness to animals is legislated under the law of the Old Covenant and even concerns birds' nests (CP Pr 27:23; Ex 20:10; 23:4-5; De 22:6-7; 25:4). Paul quoted De 25:4 in 1Cor 9 in the New Testament in the context of ministers of God's word being able to live off the gospel (CP 1Cor 9:9-14). Next Solomon contrasts the honest pursuits of the wise worker with the worthless pursuits of a man with no common sense (CP Pr 12:11 with 28:19). The wicked desire the ill-gotten gains of other evil men, but as firmly rooted trees the righteous yield their own fruit (CP Pr 12:12, also V 3 and 7; 10:25 and 11:30 with Psa 1:1-3). The lies of the wicked get them into trouble; the wholesome talk of the righteous keep them from it. A righteous man is satisfied with the fruit of his lips and he will reap what he sows (CP Pr 12:13-14, also 1:29-33; 11:8-9; 13:2-3; 15:23; 21:23; with 2Pe 2:9). A fool will not listen to wise counsel as will the wise (CP Pr 12:15 also 3:7 and 21:2 with 9:9). A fool will quickly make his wrath known, but a prudent man will hold his peace (CP Pr 12:15 with 11:13 and 29:11).
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies (CP 12:17 also V 22; 14:5, 25; 19:5, 9 and Psa 52:1-5 with Ex 23:1 and Rev 21:8; 22:15). The words of the wicked hurt and injure like a sword piercing the body, but the tongue of the wise is health (CP Pr 12:18 with 15:4 and Psa 64:2-3). Lies will be refuted and all liars punished (CP Pr 12:19 with 19:9; Psa 52:4-5 and Rev 21:8). Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but joy fills the hearts of those who plan for good (CP Pr 12:20 with 6:12-14; 24:1-2). No vain thing will happen to the just, but the heart of the wicked is filled with evil (CP Pr 12:21 with V 13; 1:31, 33; 2:8; 11:5, 8; 22:8). God abhors lies, but delights in those who keep their promises (CP Pr 12:22 with 3:32; 6:16-19; 11:20). A wise man does not air his knowledge, but a fool displays his foolishness (CP Pr 12:23 with 10:14; 13:16; 15:2; 29:11). Hard workers become leaders; the lazy never succeed (CP Pr 12:24 with 10:4; 17:2). Anxious hearts become heavy, but a word of encouragement lightens them (CP Pr 12:25 with 15:13-15, 23 also Isa 50:4). The just man guides his friend in righteousness, but the wicked leads them astray (CP Pr 12:26 with 5:22-23 and 14:22). A lazy man wastes what he has; a diligent man makes good use of this wealth (CP Pr 12:27 also V 11 with 19:24). The path of the Godly leads to eternal life - there is no fear of death (CP 12:28 also 3:1-2, 13-18; 11:4; 14:32 with Jn 3:36, 4:36; 8:51; 11:26; 1Cor 15:54; Ga 6:8).
In Pr 13:1 next, Solomon contrasts two kinds of sons: a wise son and a scoffer. The wise son will learn from his father's instruction; the scoffer will not even listen (CP Pr 13:1 with 1:8, 22). Solomon's next two proverbs observe the secret of life (CP Pr 13:2-3). The mouth of a righteous man produces blessing and life, but that of the wicked, cursing and destruction (CP also 12:14 with 8:6-10; 10:19; 18:21; 21:23; Jas 1:26; 3:1-18; 1Pe 3:10-11). The desires of a lazy man are not satisfied, but those of a righteous man are (CP Pr 13:4 with 10:4-5, 24; 12:11, 24, 27; 14:23; 21:25-26; 27:23-27; 28:19). The righteous hate lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and brings shame upon himself (CP Pr 13:5 with 12:22; 19:26; Rev 21:7-8). Righteousness guards him who is upright in the way, but wickedness overthrows the sinner (P Pr 13:6 with 2:21-22; 5:22-23; 10:9; 11:3, 5-6; 21:12).
Opinions are divided among bible scholars as to the exact meaning of Solomon's next Proverb (CP Pr 13:7). This is a Proverb where the lack of context clouds the interpretation and the verse is not repeated elsewhere, so there is no variant form to help interpret the meaning. This author accepts it at face value that it is simply stating a fact: "there are some who act as if they are rich but have nothing, and there are others who act as though they are poor but have great wealth". Readers will have to decide for themselves how they interpret this and V 8 that follows (CP Pr 13:8). The literal English rendering of this verse according to Hendrickson's Interlinear Bible is, "the ransom of a man's life are his riches but the poor man does not hear rebuke" (CP Pr 13:9). This Proverb is a prophecy which will be fulfilled in the new earth. The light of the righteous will never go out. They will rule and reign with Christ throughout eternity, whereas the wicked will be eternally damned (CP also V 13; 4:18-19; 20:20; 24:20 with Rev 20:11-15).