No Harm Befalls The Righteous Now. What is the lesson of Proverbs 12 1?
The first part of verse 1 reads, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,”. A person that readily accepts constructive criticism and discipline is motivated to improve and to achieve a specific goal. Paul urged Christians to run the race of life with the goal of winning.
Anyone knows that excellence in any athletic endeavor requires effort, requires personal discipline, and requires the determination to carry through to the end. The same is true concerning spiritual goals.
No one can be live a righteous and faithful life pleasing to God without knowing what God expects. That search for knowledge will last a lifetime. Just like physical training, this search for knowledge will require motivation, effort, and perseverance.
The second half of verse 1 is, to say the least, blunt. “But he who hates reproof is stupid.” There are people who seem to be incapable of accepting advice or instruction. They blunder through life bouncing from one mistake or disaster to another.
The predictable results are never their fault. They rarely experience happiness unless it is making the people around them unhappy. Yet God, in His infinite wisdom and care, provides the way to find spiritual peace and contentment.
No Harm Befalls The Righteous Now
What does Proverbs 12:2 mean?
Verse 2 states, “A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but He will condemn a man who devises evil.” Jesus promised that His burden is light, but the result of a good and righteous life is the hope of eternal life with the Living God. And anyone, who rejects such a beautiful invitation, and focuses on evil activities is truly stupid and he will be condemned.
What does Proverbs 12:3 mean?
Verse 3 contains a principle that is borne out time and again in history, “A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.” Wickedness does not last. Evil contains the seeds of its own destruction.
The same thought is contained in verse 7, “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.” Every characteristic of evil is weak and destructive. Where is trust, where is loyalty, where is peace, where is there a lasting future? Nations, war lords, mob bosses, and gang leaders always live in an environment of distrust, suspicion, and paranoia. The end for them is usually quick and permanent.
What does Proverbs 12:4 mean?
Verse 4 carries an interesting thought, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.” There is a saying that a man’s wife cannot make her husband’s career, but she can destroy his career. When a husband and wife live according to God’s instructions, the marriage is stronger than the two individually. The two truly become one. But a marriage that is full of strife and rebellion will undermine the husband’s confidence.
When a person is asked to help another, that person may agree to help with no hesitation, or he may say, “What’s in it for me?”
This is the point in verse 5, “The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” The main concern of a righteous and honest person is to do, or say, what is right. Usually his/her response will be joined with care and concern.
But the wicked focuses on how the actions or response will further his/her person desires. That is why it is so important to select friends and close associates with care. Many a person has been pulled down by deceitful counsels.
No Harm Befalls The Righteous Now
What does Proverbs 12:10 mean?
Verse 10 carries a thought that is rarely considered by many people. “A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.” In Genesis 1:28-30, God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to multiply, subdue the earth, and have dominion over all that was living.
After Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, they were still to multiply, and they were still given dominion over all living things. Because of Adam’s sin, he would have to toil and labor to grow the food they would need. But the right to use what God had created remained.
However, use of God’s creation did not mean that His creation was to be abused. Through sin and ignorance, the environment in many places in the world have been polluted and destroyed by the actions of mankind. Once fertile areas are now deserts or deadly to all life.
But the principle stated in verse 10 is more immediate. A righteous man, or woman, will have regard for the lives of his animals. Even animals that are destined to be food should be cared for properly. But a wicked, angry man will often give vent to his anger by beating or mistreating the animals he owns.
No Harm Befalls The Righteous Now
What does Proverbs 12:21 mean?
Verse 21 states, “No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.” At first, this passage seems to contradict other passages in the Bible. The New Testament is full of passages that clearly state that Christians will face trails and sacrifice. Yet, this seems to suggest the opposite. But every person must keep in mind the true goal in life.
The blessings of righteousness do not necessarily come with physical blessings, but the true blessing of righteousness is spiritual in nature. There will be trials and struggles in this life, but harm will not be the consequence of righteous living.
Those that live unrighteous lives will suffer the consequences of their poor choices. Their inner being will not experience the peace that can come from Jesus Christ. And every wicked person will face the looming reality that this life will end. Where is their hope? Where is their anticipation? Where is their defense before the Living God?
No Harm Befalls The Righteous Now
What does Proverbs 12:28 mean?
The conclusion of the matter is stated in verse 28, “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” In the last few verses of Revelation, Jesus stated “Yes, I am coming quickly.” The Apostle John’s response was “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” That should be the prayer of every Christian!
[…] 7 states, “There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.” This proverb is different from most other proverbs. Typically, a passage will describe […]