Proverbs 12:1-16
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait for blood,"
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.
To have wisdom is to be teachable by God through His word and ministers of it; it is foolishness to be right only in your own eyes! If you love His teaching it is because you treasure the knowledge wisdom is founded upon, while those hating godly instruction are brutishly senseless as it says here (בַּעַר ḇa‘ar), senseless in their self-imposed ignorance. Those seeking understanding to become wise in God’s eyes set done good roots which gains God’s favor. Those with evil intentions will not be established, but rather condemned in the end. John 3:18 makes this more clear by explaining how those who refuse the instruction of God’s Son as the work of righteousness to deliver them will be condemned forever. Those believing do the work of righteousness to life (John 6:29). The roles we are given can bring shame when not lived out in wisdom, such as the example of a wife given in verse 4 of this chapter. This wisdom begins in our thoughts and comes out in such actions with understanding or in ignorance by the ill choice of a corrupted will from the fall. The deceit of the world who reject wisdom leads to bad counsel to be avoided, but the upright in God give helpful advice to deliver from the harm intended by the wicked who are out for gain at other’s expense. But we know in the end that the evil ones will be overthrown and the wise righteous one’s house will stand because it is founded on the Rock as a sure foundation. Christ is God’s living Word, and as God’s wisdom we find no other name to build on which lasts (1 Corinthians 3:11). Those who only honor themselves and refuse the solid foundation of this wisdom end up constructing a house on shifting sand that will fall in times of trouble. They show cruelty and disregard for all God’s creatures, and do not plan for the future with wisdom and consideration for others whom God created, but live frivolously and seek evil rewards to show their lack of understanding. That is not wise. Their words will judge them in the end as a snare captures the unsuspecting animal, but those with understanding and wisdom are satisfied with God’s provision and providence, and find reward in their words which honor Him and His creations. Yes, the fool thinks that his own way is right and shows it with extreme anger against God, His word, and His people. Those with understanding are prudent and teachable, covering shame in grace. May we always be wise and teachable, not rejecting good and godly counsel to gain understanding.
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