Sunday Service 9-20-20 - Proverbs 12:15-21 - The Beginning and End of the Wise-Righteous and the Foolish-Wicked

Proverbs 13 Sermon C (8-14) - Good Sense from Home to Heaven 1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. 9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,a but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. Proverbs 12 Sermon D (15-21) - The beginning and end of the wise-righteous and the foolish-wicked. Proverbs 12:15-21 (ESV) 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Back to the beginning. The beginning of the wise-righteous, the beginning of Ch 12, the beginning of Proverbs, the beginning of wisdom. Listening/Hearing. Recapitulation of verse 1, but with extra nuance because of the instruction that came between these two verses, instruction about an evil man's words versus a righteous man's words and which one we should listen to along with an excellent wife versus a wife who brings shame, etc. The truth of this proverb to me is obvious but it also seemed obvious to me that this was an incomplete truth that needs filling out. What about a situation where you believe and what's right or what all to be done, are we supposed to be passive and let others with different opinions rule today? We should obviously listen to advice, weigh the character and motivations of the person giving it, weigh it in other ways,, but it seems to me a very complex question to have to weigh our own hearts and its opinions along with the hearts of our advisors and their opinions. Our tendency is probably to go with just what we think and so this proverb and others like it are needed. But what are the balancing Proverbs to this? I'm thinking of Jesus and how he did not listen to the advice of some of the quote" more righteous people around him, people like Mary and his brothers who sought to bring him home, people like Peter who said it shall never be and Jesus said get behind me Satan, people like the religious leaders of his day. I suppose Jesus listened to a higher authority as his counselor, the holy Spirit the father the scriptures, not to mention his own heart being righteous. I think of Saul receiving Samuel and God's rebuke wantonly, I think of David receiving Nathan's rebuke with humility sorrow and repentance. Moses (Exod. 18) and David (1 Sam. 25) are examples of men who were willing to listen to others. Even the boy Jesus in the temple asked questions as well as answering them. When I first heard the gospel, it was hard to believe that these people had found the truth and I was in ignorance, but by God's grace I listened to their advice and was saved. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Verse 16 the vexation of a fool is known at once but the prudent ignores and insult. I do think this ties back to verse 15 about listening to advice, we shouldn't take advice as an insult, we shouldn't be vexed by disagreement. The ability to ignore an insult shows great maturity in christ. Shows great security of who you are and who God is. Back to verse 15 we should in wisdom listen to advice, it doesn't mean we always take it. This is something a wise man has to be self aware of am I listening to the advice truly? Or am I already hardened and made up my mind for my own purposes? Am I really weighing and considering these things fairly and objectively? A theme in Proverbs is how to spot a fool. A characteristic highlighted here is that he 'shows his annoyance at once'. The 'prudent' overlook insults. Skin like a rhinoceros hide and a readily turned cheek are vital for Christians, who must 'not repay anyone evil for evil' (Rom. 12:17). Fools, on the other hand, have never learned to count to ten. They are pots that quickly boil. (For similar proverbs, see 16:32; 19:11; 29:11; 14:17, 29; 15:18; 17:14, 27-28; 19:19; 25:28.) Biblical examples of hot-tempered outbursts are found not only in Saul (e.g. 1 Sam. 20:30) and Nabal (1 Sam. 25:10), but also on one occasion in the meekest man of his day, Moses (see Num. 20:10-12). We all need to take care. Insults will always hurt, but we do not have to show that they do. It is part of God's character to overlook insults. He sends the rain and sunshine on righteous and unrighteous alike. Slowness to anger is one of his great characteristics (see Exod. 34:6). 'He is patient ... not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance' (2 Peter 3:9). It is often overlooked, but we see this in Jesus when he 'drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables'. This was not done in a burst of temper. Before doing it, he carefully 'made a whip out of cords' (John 2:15; cf. Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46). Peter reminds us that this was typical: 'When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly' (1 Peter 2:23). 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence but the wicked uters seat. This is verse 17. Whatever we say we should be able to back it up and justify it, we should not have to make up things or exaggerate things to make our case. And this is extremely difficult and important for Christians especially when we disagree. Are we coming from the Bible first and foremost? Secondly are we being honest in the facts and reasons that we give for our way? Do not overstate your case. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Satan and Jesus. What about you and your words? And here is the balance to verse 16 - it's not that insults don't hurt, they do, but there must be an armor to protect, a strength to bear it. Where does it come from? The wise words that bring healing ... the Gospel. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Satan and Jesus. What about your mouth? A web of lies eventually comes unraveled. One lie usually must be accompanied by another and another and the foundation of this structure is sloppy, easily destroyed. Build your relationships and your reputation on the foundation of truth. Only this will endure through the storms. The first part of the proverb finds its fulfilment ultimately in Christ, who said, 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away' (Matt. 24:35). 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. A complex proverb ... not a simple comparison but an insightful combination. Deceit drives evil ... people are willingly deceived by the deceiver. They think that evil will satisfy, that their peace and joy will be from evil. Because they are deceived (suppressing the truth by their unrighteousness) about reality, they act accordingly. But, joy is in the heart of the one who devises peace (think of the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace ...) There is something producing this joy and peace ... and not only do they have peace, they PLAN peace (kind of like the plans of the righteous are just - verse 5). When we cause others pain, there will be a tension in us that leaves no room for true joy, because we're living in a way contrary to the order God made in the creation. When we bring peace to others, and live and plan in such a way to bring peace with us flowing to those around us, helping them flourish, it increases our joy. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9) - being called sons of God means we are like God - and who is the most joyful being - God Himself is complete joyful independent of anything else, He is joyful in Himself, in His nature. And, He chooses to increase this joy, this peace, to share it in His plan for Creation - not because He needs it but because He chooses it. And, we will be like that as His children through the Gospel - we start to experience what it's like to have joy inside of us that is independent of circumstances and that we don't need anyone else or anything else to have it but we choose to increase it and to share it with others and in doing so, this cycle continues. Jesus said it like this, "I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace." ... and again, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." Then his beloved disciple John echoes Jesus' words and heart when he says in his letter, "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." That's why we do what we do - for the sake of joy and peace (just like everyone, it's how we were created - with that longing), but true deep wisdom is not deceived about where it comes from. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. How is this true? Because trouble/ill lies in two different dimensions - temporary and eternal. Temporary is less than a drop in an ocean. Eternal is the ocean and beyond. We must not be like Job's friends and misunderstand this proverb and say, well if I have trouble here in this world, there must be something wrong with either me or God - Either I'm not doing my job, or He's not doing His. Jesus told us this, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world." "If the world hates you, it hated me first." And, the apostles echoed this refrain, "Through many hardships we must enter the kingdom of God." We will have trouble precisely because we are Christians, precisely because we pursue righteousness. But... Isn't this good news? This proverb is an OT version of Romans 8:28 - All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, those who are called according to His purpose. In the most true and ultimate sense, no ill befalls you if you are righteous in Christ. Please remember this, Church!! Take heart in this. On your deathbed, know this, believe it, hold onto it to the end. And, you will wake up in the arms of Christ seeing your faith become reality. No ill can befall you! All things, even the worst things, even death itself, must serve you, will serve your eternal good. What a blessing to know this in this turbulent world! What a singular focus this should give us - don't worry about anything else - focus on righteousness, focus of the kingdom of God, focus on Christ. That alone assures us of the good news of this verse, nothing else can grant this. Conversely, if you are not righteous in Christ, if you are still counted as wicked in your sin, it doesn't matter what gains you may see in this life, you will lose it all when that imminent and inescapable day of death comes. And, trouble will be your eternal fate. It starts with listening. Do you hear this? Hear and believe and be healed by these wise words of our righteous Lord. And, then go and be like Him, letting wisdom and peace and healing words flow from you to others ... Your joy will be full ... No ill will befall you. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Here is the ultimate truth - God's character. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. What do you act like? Are you brash or are you prudent? 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Part of the nuanced teaching of proverbs on wealth and poverty. It's when this principle is violated in society that God intervenes and is on the side of the truly oppressed. That society faces judgement. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. The Gospel! And the practical friendship/relationship. 26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. You are a guide ... be a guide. So many will lead them astray ... so many will lead you astray. 27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. ?? 28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. The ultimate prize/destiny/motivation. What do we want?