For quite a few chapters we will be looking at proverbs that
are “aphorisms”, which are concise statements of truth, generally short and
easy to understand. I will select
various proverbs on which I will offer comment.
There are scholars who have attempted to group these aphorisms
thematically, but I think that only adds difficulty to studying this book of
Proverbs. I think one should read each
of the proverbs and reflect on them individually as to how they might pertain
to one’s life circumstances.
Chapter 12
Verse 1 speaks to people of all ages. We should never reject the opportunity to
learn. It always makes us better
people. By contrast, stupid (NIV) people
hate being corrected. Ignorance begets
ignorance, making this a vicious trap.
Verse 9 is interesting.
To paraphrase, it says that it is better to be a “nobody” and enjoy the
successes of life than to pretend to be something you are not, and actually
have nothing. This coincides with other
proverbs that give laud to the wise person who withholds his comments while the
fool spends his words bragging about empty accomplishments, trying to look
important. The wise man should always
yield to this fool, knowing that he will expose himself before he shuts up.
Study on verse 10. It
addresses one’s treatment of animals being an indicator of true character. There has been research that shows that many
hardened adult criminals share a trait that dates back to their childhood. That trait is cruelty to helpless domesticated
animals. It only makes sense that if a
child will exercise such disrespect for animals, he will grow up to exercise
disrespect for human beings. {If you
ever observe your child or grandchild disrespecting animals, please stop what
you are doing and address this. One way
is to show the child how to treat the animal with kindness and council the
child on just how precious each of God’s creatures are. It would have frightened me if I observed
either of my children doing this.}
Verse 16 tells us to ignore insults. This is wise because most insults are not
meant to be insults anyway. Another
person’s words are merely misinterpreted, exaggerated to the negative.
Verse 22 repeats that God hates a lying tongue, and verse 24
speaks again on laziness.
Verse 26 is a good verse to remember and teach your
children. “Choose your friends
carefully”. I’ve spoken before on the
influence of one’s chosen friends. It
can be devastatingly destructive.
Chapter 13
The very first verse is supported by the Ten
Commandments. Honor your father’s (or
mother’s) instruction. This is
particularly important to the learning process because a father gives only that
instruction that is good for the son.
You can always trust the teachings of your father to be pure in spirit.
As it says in verse 5, as the righteous grow older, they
come to hate evil and its origins because the wise know the consequences. {I don’t like to harbor hate in my thoughts,
but I find it difficult to watch what has happened in recent years and not
reflect and discuss. I hope the trend of
this society turns back to the other direction in my lifetime.}
Verse 7 – We should never “pretend” to be something we are
not, even to be poor. However, this
verse is saying that pretending to be poor is better than pretending to be
rich.
Verse 20 repeats the thought of choosing your friends
wisely.
Verse 22 is not speaking about putting money aside for
future generations, but rather it is saying that the wealth of a wise man lasts
for several generations, while the fool’s wealth will end up in the wise man’s
coffers.
You’ve heard variances of verse 24, the most often used of
which is “spare the rod and spoil the child”.
I could take up an entire lengthy post on this one proverb, but I
won’t. But I will say this: It takes a higher level of love to force
oneself to discipline his/her children.
In other words, do you love that child enough to make yourself suffer
through the administration of discipline? It is part of the job, like it or not.
Chapter 14
This chapter opens with the speaking of the wise woman and
how she builds her house (home). I’ve
got to give Peggy credit. She always did
things to build up the strength of her family and lift up the individual
members, constantly reminding them of how important and precious they are. She always made them understand their
potential, and encouraged them to follow their dreams. We have been so fortunate to have her in our
lives.
Verse 7 (not to be redundant) repeats the admonition to stay
away from people of bad influence. Young
parents need to know when to start counseling their children on this.
Verse 9 is another indictment against the foolish
person. When he is advised to make
amends for his actions, he simply makes fun of the very mention of it. This is a sure tell.
Another sure tell is in verse 15. A foolish person will believe anything. He often gets “suckered” out of his money
because he listens to fast-talking people.
Also related to this, I always liked the phrase “If you stand for
nothing, you will fall for anything”.
Very few foolish people stand for anything that is Godly or wholesome.
Verses 17 and 29 speaks against the “quick-tempered”. Quick-tempered people make a lot of mistakes,
sometimes hurting other people as well as themselves. These people often claim they were “born that
way”. Don’t you believe it! A quick temper can be diminished down to an even-temperament
with just a small amount of effort.
I like verse 23. It
always reminds me of certain people who waste hours and days talking about what
needs to be done and how to do it, when all they need to do is stop talking,
roll up their sleeves, and get started.
Verse 30 reminds us that envy will rot and burn our insides.
I’ll end this post with verse 34. I love this great nation I was blessed to be
placed in. But I am concerned for it and
my descendants. We need to turn back to
God and the Judeo-Christian principles that made us a great nation. Perhaps all generations before me have said
the same thing, but I truly believe there is a problem.
Nest post – Proverbs Chapter 15
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