READING: Proverbs 12-13 – The Proverbs of Solomon

Someone said he was reading the dictionary, but it kept changing the subject. The book of Proverbs is like that, but unlike the dictionary, Proverbs is not alphabetized. The proverbs are intended to prompt meditation. Keep this in mind as you read each day’s selection. Something will speak to your heart every day. 

“No one finds security by wickedness.” (12:3a) The wicked folk are always looking over their shoulders to see if someone they have gipped is coming behind them. “But the root of the righteous will never be moved.” (12:3b) Righteous people do not have that problem. They are secure from harm, for they are like a tree planted by the water that will not be moved. 

“The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.” (12:7). When the wicked die, there is no hope for them; they are cast out into utter darkness. The CEB translates this, “The wicked are destroyed and are no more.” What does “destroyed and are no more” mean? In contrast, the righteous endure. 

“The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” (12:10) Good people are kind to their animals, but a mean person is cruel to them. Why are people so mean to their animals, by sponsoring dogfights and other cruel sports? 

“Those who till their land will have plenty of food, but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.” (11:11) Hard work pays off, but people who work only on useless projects are foolish. They may not be wicked, but they are foolish. However, what most people think is useless sometimes turns out to be valuable. Having a vision for the future is not necessarily a waste of time. 

“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult.” (12:15-16) If someone disagrees with a fool, the fool will immediately show anger. Witness the ‘Woke culture’ where people ‘cancel’ those who disagree with them and do all they can to keep others from listening to opinions other than their own! 

“The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray.” No one knows everything about everything. Fools think they do; wicked people deliberately lead people into Ponzi schemes. Good people advise on things they know about. The ERV translates this, “Good people are careful about choosing their friends, but evil people always choose the wrong ones.” 

“A wise son loves discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” (13:1) Discipline does not just mean punishment; it means teaching and training as well. However, “Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.” (13:24) Do not anger your children by punishing them without first giving them instruction, teaching, and training. 

Doing right is never wrong. 

So, why do we do what we know is wrong? 

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MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for myself)    

Holy Father, my prayer for all who read this and for myself, is that each of us will find at least one proverb each day to meditate on. This is my prayer for all who read this and for me, in the name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN!