Proverbs 10-12

Proverbs 10

1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

This chapter compares the works of the righteous to the works of the evil, and how God will deal with both. The is a great chapter for any Christian looking for the blessings of God. The versus above set the tone for the chapter. Talking about how a wise son makes his father glad. Our father in heaven wants nothing more for us than to make wise choices, so he can bless us. When we go through affliction and chastening, it seems like all God wants to do is hurt us. This is not the case at all, he is merely correcting wrong behavior. This chapter perfectly illustrates that. It also is a dire warning for people who reject God and the doom that awaits them.

4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Here are two great verses that deal with laziness. A problem that I really struggle with. When it is time to work, you better work or you will face the consequences.

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Here we deal with the sins of the tongue. The consequences faced for speaking evil. Love and knowledge seem to be the way of the Godly. Use your mouth to say only things lovely and ask important questions that can give understanding. Can you imagine if everyone did this? What would the world be like? My guess is that the wicked people would be much happier and never miss their wicked ways. The world would be a joyous place.

28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

We end the same as we began in this chapter with God re-affirming his dealing with the just and the unjust. To the just, wonderful things like gladness, strength, and eternal life. To the unjust eternal torment in hell. Every verse here alludes to eternal hell for the lost. Such as the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. God's kingdom will be set up on earth.

Proverbs 11

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

This chapter starts out dealing with people who are full of themselves and the destruction that awaits them. Then it talks about riches. All the money in the world can not save a person from an eternity in hell.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Again we are shown the trouble that wickedness causes and how the wicked are dealt with. God is faithful to reward good works on earth and in heaven. We are saved by grace, but blessed by works. Those who do evil and don't believe in Jesus will receive eternal death or hell. I don't know about you, but I want a blessed life and not the punishment of God. The Chapter ends with praising the virtues of the righteous. It encourages soul winning, which we should all do.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Proverbs 12

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

2 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.

Here we open with God instructing his people to be wise and follow his statutes. We are continuing with the previous chapters themes of God dealing with the just and the unjust.

This chapter so plainly lays out God's laws and how simple they are. All people have to do is obey them. We should not seek after our own desires and pleasures, but follow after God's righteousness. The world would be such a wonderful place if people could just live for God.

These chapters have reminded me of so many evil people in my life that had no concern for God or anyone else for that matter.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Here we see wicked people being punished for their evil speaking and the just being rewarded for the fruit of their mouth. Evil people believe everything they do is right, but just people seek counsel to make smart decisions. These themes are echoed through out this chapter. We end on a familiar passage.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Again we see that the righteous have eternal life and will not experience spiritual death.

All of these chapters have similar beginnings and endings. They all ended affirming that the righteous will see heaven. How does one become righteous? Through Jesus Christ. Here is the gospel of salvation by which all people are saved and made righteous.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: