Proverbs 12:15-28

Proverbs 12:15-28

We hear much about the great division in our nation. We have not been so divided since the fratricidal war of the 1860s. The near complete absence of civil discourse does not bode well for our country. If you want likes, followers, and a large social media presence, you need to be extreme. So voices of advocacy and opposition on every subject become more shrill and more radical. To be popular in this extreme atmosphere, the message is, “I and my side are right, and if you listen and agree with me, it would be best for everyone.” One example will suffice. A young Black man who was charged with killing a white peer is portrayed as a racist by one side and a victim by the other. A charity raised about $1 million for his family. A white woman yells a racial slur while on a playground. The event is recorded and posted and becomes a flashpoint. Fundraisers are established, and she and her family will receive almost $1 million. This kind of noise is foolish.

In contrast, Proverbs 12 offers wisdom. The advice of 12:15-23, if followed, would offer much help to our sad state. As we read these verses, we shouldn't say, “They are fools and should pay attention.” Rather, we ought to ask, “Am I being foolish?” Could verse 16 apply to us if we read it this way, “If you give a fool your anger, it is immediately posted to social media”? In contrast, a wise man keeps shameful things hidden. Verse 18 could say letting out your frustration loudly is like randomly swinging a sword in a crowd. Keeping your opinions under wraps is productive because if your opinions are right, time will prove them so (v. 19). Verse 23 seems odd to us, but consider thinking about it in a different way: “The fool's heart is in his mouth; the wise man's mouth is in his heart.” We are more influenced, in real terms, by being in real relationships and offering guidance where we say less, but what we say has more value (v 26). Our temptation is to say, “Yea, they ought to do this: talk less, relate more. But this path isn't for sinners or fools; this is the path for the people of God.

“Lord, grant me the wisdom to say less while building closer relationships. AMEN.”

Proverbs 12:1-14

Proverbs 12:1-14

There are unexpected insights and glimpses of wisdom available to us by asking a few simple questions. For example, in verse 6B, who are the “them” being rescued? At first reading we might say those rescued are the "upright." But there may be more to it than that. It might be that the ‘words’ or ‘mouth’ of the upright are rescuing those that the evil plan to kill, but these are not the same people as the 'upright.' An illustration might be that there are wicked people who, for various reasons, advocate for abortions, while the ‘upright’ teach about and prevent these in-womb murders.

Verse 9 offers a dichotomy that we might miss because of translation. The last part of verse 9A might be translated as “but is a servant to himself." This contrast works a little better. The self-employed, hard-working entrepreneur and small businessman (shopkeeper, tradesman, craftsman) is better off than the one who pretends to be a captain of industry or executive who is on the verge of financial ruin. 

The need to supply a noun in English may inadvertently limit the scope of v. 11. In 11b we could, or even should, read “he who pursues vain lacks sense/heart." What could fill that gap where we have placed the noun "things"? Certainly things could apply; we think of foolish trinkets of our life. We could include people who are fans or groupies of low-character entertainers. We could even include various religions or philosophies; think of persons who would rather focus on speculations. From video games to watching sports, people without sense or heart squander their lives.

Verse 12 gives us an odd contrast. Why is a net (the word translated as "plunder" or "booty") contrasted with a tree? The picture here is of patience. A well-set snare may yield game quickly, but a planted tree will take years to be fully fruitful. Wicked people can be very important in the short run, but those who are righteous play the long game.

“Lord, help me to practice the wisdom of waiting. AMEN.”