While reading and studying chapter 12, I noted that it began with the call to desire knowledge and being willing to accept instruction.
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2011 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws.
For me, Proverbs has proven at times to be very painful instruction as it cuts deep into my own unworthiness before God. It dissects through the chaff of the darkest nature of my self-exalting human heart, leaving me so aware of my own inability to gain righteousness
. Yet, throughout; it lists the blessings for the righteous. If we read through the examples of righteousness presented in chapter 12; once more I believe the truth is like a surgeon fine instruments cutting away the cancer in our soul. I have paraphrased the 18 points of instruction that are presented in chapter 12.
1. If you love and desire knowledge, you will accept instruction even when it points out where you need correction.(verse 1)
2. A virtuous wife makes her husband feel like a King while a deceitful wife saps the life from her husband’s bones.(verse 4)
3. Rely on the thoughts provided by God—those are right; while, all the counsel you hear from unbelievers will deceive you. God will guide your thoughts when you seek His Counsel (verse 5)
4. Wicked words cut through the heart and watch as the victim bleeds to death; while the words of the righteous are to uplift and to bring life. (verse 6 and verse 18)
5. Don’t put on the airs and “try to keep up with the Joneses”; but live humbly and enjoy the blessing you have with peace and joy. (verse 9)
6. Good people provide and care for their animals with kindness. (verse 10)
7. Don’t chase after foolish get rich quick schemes; continue to steadily do the work God gave you to do. (Verse 11)
8. The wicked desire after the profits gained by evil means, not realizing that the only way to real treasure can be found in the foundational roots of the righteous (the gospel of Christ).(verse 12)
9. Gossip and lies lead to one’s destruction, while the words that spring forth from a righteous heart brings peace. (verse 13)
10. With kind, gentle well spoken words one can find favor and bring prosperity to the place they work—thus prospering as well. (verse 14)
11. Fools think that their way is right and only they are right while the wise will ask for directions. (verse 15)
12. Fools have short fuses and quickly become angry while the wise hold their anger, recognizing that the attacker is most likely hurting themselves. (verse 16)
13. The righteous will tell the truth when placed on the witness stand which will bring clarity while the evil try to cover the truth with deceit. (verse 17)
14. The wise do not need to flaunt their knowledge while the fool prove their foolishness by their own continuance boasting and talk. (verse 23)
15. Diligence in work results in success and happiness while the lazy of heart will always be unhappy slaves to their jobs. (verse 24)
16. A kind word born out of a heart of love can help to lift a heart that is broken and heavy laden. (verse 25)
17. The righteous are beacons of light to guide others out of darkness while the evil lead them toward destruction. (verse 26)
18. The lazy are always unhappy with what they have (thinking they deserve more) while the diligent always find delight in what they see as the blessings of their labor. (verse 27)
So, how did you do? Have you ever refused directions thinking you were right? Did you ever chase after some foolish get rich quick scheme? Did your words ever hurt someone? Did you ever get angry quickly because someone cut you off in traffic or because they shouted insults or they criticized you? What about work are you always diligent? Do you grumble because you think you deserve more? Are you quick to see and reach out with a word of hope to someone who is down? Have you ever found yourself flaunting what you know?
Get the point? On the scale of justice, I am guilty. I am a fool if I were to think that I can just pull up my bootstraps and try a little harder to get this thing call life right. I need a Savior who is willing to cloak me with His righteousness and I need the wisdom of an Omnipotent God to guide me. As Isaiah proclaimed
“I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness” Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)
And because He covers me with His cloak of righteousness I can be a partaker of all these rich favors which He also provides to His proclaimed righteous:
1. God’s favor (verse 2)
2. Safety and Security in God (verse 3)
3. Firm Foundation that will Stand (verse 7)
4. True Friends (verse 8)
5. Truth that stands as true for eternity (verse 19)
6. Joy (verse 20)
7. “All things work together for Good”—God’s perfect plan of love (verse 21)
8. God’s Delight (verse 22)
9. Eternal life with God (verse 28)
Thank God for Grace which allows me to sing, Remind Me Who I AM by Jason Gray
Jason Gray – Remind Me Who I Am
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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