Proverbs Pt. 51 Do you love to learn from God?

Today we move into Proverbs 13. This is an interesting chapter packed full of sharp contrasts that make effective points. We have the righteous man and the virtuous woman placed in contrast to wicked people and fools. 

The Divine Name Jehovah is the only name of God to appear in this chapter and it appears only one time. Remember that Jehovah is the covenant making, promise keeping God who always does what He says He will do. He is the unchanging God who inhabits eternity but dwells with those of humble hearts and contrite spirits. He alone is the source of lovingkindness. 

We will see the contrasting characters and different outcomes of each kind of person. 

Proverbs 12:1  Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 

The first verse of Proverbs 12 sets up all the remaining contrasts in this chapter. The righteous man loves instruction and knowledge. 

The man who loves instruction. 

Psalm 32:8-9  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9) Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

David wrote this Psalm and he tells us the joy that he found after he confessed his sins. Here is a promise from God that encouraged King David. Jehovah promises to instruct and teach believers in the way that they should go. Then, the LORD reminds all men "Do not be like a horse or mule that must be tamed and governed by reins, bits and bridles." 

Instruction and knowledge refer to discipline like a student studying and learning. It is for a wise man who receives moral discipline and correction if needed. He "loves" the instruction and knowledge that he gains because he knows that following it puts him on the right path that is pleasing to God. 

The wicked, brutish man.

The wicked man hates to be corrected and is brutish. The word "brutish" refers to someone who is unlearned, ignorant and uncivilized. It refers to someone who is unfeeling, savage as an animal. 

2 Peters 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 

Jude 1:10  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 

Peter and Jude spoke about men who were like natural brute beasts. How did they act? They spoke evil of things that they do not understand and that are marked for eternal condemnation. They can only speak about natural things, fleshly or carnal things because they know nothing about spiritual things. Their actions cause them to be polluted and unclean. 

The good man lives a good life. 

Proverbs 12:2-3  A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3) A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.  

The man who receives instruction and correction turns into a good man who follows the wisdom from God. This man obtains favor from Jehovah, that is, he receives the blessings promised by God for all who fear Him and keep His commands. 

Psalm 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 112:5  A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

It is clear that the righteous man or good man is held up for us as a model worth pursuing. His steps are ordered by Jehovah. An ordered life is guided, directed and firmly established on the right path prescribed by God. The good man delights in walking on this path. His attitude is changed. He is gracious, and willing to lend to those in need. He conducts his own business discreetly. 

He also will condemn those who are immoral and always plotting evil actions. He will shine the light of God's truth into their darkness. He will not be moved or swayed by anything that is contrary to the will of God as revealed in scripture.

The plans of the evil ones will come undone  because they will stand before God and receive judgment for their sins. 

Proverbs 12:4  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 

A beautiful picture of a virtuous woman is found in this text. She is a source of joy, blessing and encouragement to her husband. Her moral purity is a crown to her husband and her family. The strange woman is put in contrast and she makes her husband ashamed. The immoral woman is like a deadly disease that makes his bones rotten.

Proverbs 12:5-8  The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6) The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7) The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. 8) A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 

A righteous man has clean and pure thoughts, and his speech is wholesome and God oriented. His house will be established which is the idea of leaving behind a spiritual heritage that positively impacts generations to come. He is guided by wisdom and instruction from God that leads to a wonderful quality of spiritual satisfaction and growth. 

In contrast, the advice of the wicked is full of lies and deceit. Their speech is filled with evil plots against innocent people. Their house will not endure but will be overthrown. The man with a perverse heart will be despised by most others.

Thoughts to Ponder...

The truth presented in these texts is simple. Hear and heed what God says. Listen and learn from His truth. Knowing God and obeying Him will always bring blessing and a quality of life that the world cannot experience or offer. 

Those who refuse instruction from God are like dumb animals, natural brute beasts who are irrational, illogical and stubborn. Their words are vile and their actions are depraved.

Which man or woman do you want to be? A righteous man or woman or an immoral, perverse man or woman? Blessing and cursing is set before us in these simple examples. You must individually decide whether to hear and heed God or to refuse to listen and learn. I pray that we all hear and heed His Wonderful Word.

Bob