Proverbs 12:20-28

TEXT Proverbs 12:20-28

20.

Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil;

But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21.

There shall be no mischief happen to the righteous;

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22.

Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;

But they that deal truly are his delight.

23.

A prudent man concealeth knowledge;

But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule;

But the slothful shall be put under taskwork.

25.

Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;

But a good word maketh it glad.

26.

The righteous is a guide to his neighbor;

But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.

27.

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting;

But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.

28.

In the way of righteousness is life;

And in the pathway thereof is no death.

STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 12:20-28

1.

How many stated and implied truths can you find in Proverbs 12:20?

2.

What is the meaning of mischief in Proverbs 12:21?

3.

What is the meaning of evil in Proverbs 12:21?

4.

Why does it matter what God thinks of our speech (Proverbs 12:22)?

5.

Cite two contrasts in Proverbs 12:22.

6.

Why would a prudent man conceal knowledge (Proverbs 12:22)?

7.

Cite three contrasts in Proverbs 12:23.

8.

What is a sloth from which our word slothful comes (Proverbs 12:24)?

9.

Find two contrasts in Proverbs 12:25.

10.

If the righteous was a guide to his neighbor in Old Testament times, how is this even more true in New Testament times (Proverbs 12:26)?

11.

By extension could Proverbs 12:27 be used against killing for sport (Proverbs 12:27)?

12.

Cite other passages besides Proverbs 12:28 that connect righteousness with life.

COMMENTS ON 12:20-28

Proverbs 12:20. Deceit in the hearts of those who devise evil is contrasted with the joy that is in the hearts of those whose counsel toward peace. Those who devise evil will do anything (lie, cheat, etc.) in order to accomplish their ends. Those who counsel peace have the good feeling of joy.

Proverbs 12:21. Mischief and evil here both mean calamity or difficulty. Other passages using evil in this way: Amos 3:6; Ecclesiastes 12:1. Had Jonah obeyed God, he would not have had the nightmarish experience he did (Jonah 1:1 to Jonah 2:6).

Proverbs 12:22. Strong verses against lying: Proverbs 6:17; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15. God is for truth-telling (Ephesians 4:25) and for sincerity (John 1:47).

Proverbs 12:23. A triple contrast: prudent vs. fools; concealeth vs. proclaimeth; and knowledge vs. foolishness. Why would a prudent man conceal knowledge? He is not wont to utter unadvisedly what he knows but waits for fitting opportunity, either from humility or wise caution (Pulpit Commentary). In contrast a foolish man cannot help exposing the stupid ideas that arise in his mind (Pulpit Commentary).

Proverbs 12:24. The diligent bear rule in the community, in business, in the church, etc. See these two classes in the Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:12-24). Before Esau and Jacob were born, God predicted that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) (Genesis 25:23). Jacob was diligent (aggressive to get ahead, and he used every opportunity and every means at his disposal to do so), but Hebrews 12:16 calls Esau a profane person, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright. What is God's evaluation of diligence and indolence? I love Jacob; but Esau I hated (Malachi 1:2-3).

Proverbs 12:25. While a person's own grief can make his heart heavy, a good word from someone else can cheer it up (Isaiah 50:4; Proverbs 12:18). Proverbs 15:13 treats both conditions of the heart.

Proverbs 12:26. Here are two kinds of neighbors: a true neighbor (one who is a guide) and a bad neighbor (one who causes another to err). The second greatest commandment in the law of Moses and one also found in the new covenant: love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-39; Romans 13:8). The law of love is to help one another (Galatians 6:2; Galatians 5:13); nor will love work injury to a neighbor (Romans 13:10).

Proverbs 12:27. The slothful man may kill game, bring it home, lay it down, and not bother to roast it so that it might be eaten. Not so with the diligent to whom everything acquired is precious (valuable). Some people will never get ahead because of not taking care of what they have; others get ahead by taking care of everything they have.

Proverbs 12:28. Often the Hebrew poets restated the same thought in different words, such as here. This form emphasizes the fact that righteousness leads to life, not to deatha fact often taught in the Bible (Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:18; Psalms 37:29).

TEST QUESTIONS OVER 12:20-28

1.

What do devisers-of-evil employ to accomplish their ends (Proverbs 12:20)?

2.

What emotion do counselors of peace receive (Proverbs 12:20)?

3.

Prove that mischief and evil sometimes mean difficulties in the Bible (Proverbs 12:21.)?

4.

What is God's reaction to lying lips (Proverbs 12:22)?

5.

What is the triple contrast in Proverbs 12:23?

6.

What causes a prudent man to conceal knowledge (Proverbs 12:23)?

7.

What class gets elevated to ruling (Proverbs 12:24)?

8.

What twin brothers exemplify the two sides of Proverbs 12:24?

9.

What should we do when we find people with heavy hearts (Proverbs 12:25)?

10.

What contrast toward neighbors is found in Proverbs 12:26?

11.

Who does not roast what he shoots (Proverbs 12:27)?

12.

What common practice in Hebrew poetry is observed in Proverbs 12:28?