Proverbs 12

Lesson 12 of 28

12. HARD WORK

Some people do not like to work and we will read some proverbs about laziness in a few of the lessons. Here we see that it is good to have a heart that makes you willing to work.

Proverbs 24:27 - Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

A field is a place of work, and a house is the place of comfort. Business should come before pleasure. Some people do not like work and so they rob others to fill their houses with treasure, - We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: P roverbs 1:13, but their houses will be destroyed; - The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall
flourish. Proverbs 14:11 and The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Proverbs 15:25.

Proverbs 27.23-27 - Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens . Proverbs 27:23-27,

A farmer should make sure that his sheep and cattle are well. If not, he may find himself getting poor; even kings may lose their crowns and their wealth. A farmer must work hard to be successful. He can raise hay for his cattle and also feed them with grass growing wild on the mountains. Sheep provide wool for clothing for the family, and his goats may give enough milk for his servant girls also. He can sell some of his stock and buy another field.

We are not all farmers but we should be willing to work just as hard, - Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11.

Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. A hard worker will succeed in life and be promoted. Kings want good workers around them, - Genesis 47:6 -The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. - 1 Samuel 16.17 - And Saul said unto his servants, provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

The Lord Jesus will give rewards to those who serve Him well, - Luke 19.17 - And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Proverbs 24.10 - If thou faint in the day o f adversity, thy strength is small. - Hard workers do not give up easily. They get in the habit of finishing a job no matter how difficult. Weak people get weaker still when trouble comes or in time of crisis.

14. SELF-CONTROL

We have noticed in the lessons that a wise man is careful about what he says, Proverbs 17.27-28 - He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding, and Proverbs 21.23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

This is a form of self-control, and now we will look at four other proverbs on this subject.

Proverbs 9.11 - For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. A wise man learns to control his temper and not get quickly angry. Solomon knew from his father that God does not get angry quickly, Psalm 103.8 - He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities and the Lord Jesus taught that it was dangerous to get angry, Matthew 5.22 - But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Love in the heart keeps us from getting easily angered, - Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own , is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1 Corinthians 13:5. A man of wisdom will not tell everyone when someone does him wrong; it is more honourable to keep your temper and forget the wrong, - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8.

Proverbs 16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. - Self-control is better than the power to win battles. Some men think it is great honour to fight and defeat their enemies. The greatest enemy is inside us and only God's power can give us victory. Shepherds in the church must not get angry quickly, - a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; Titus 1:7

Proverbs 25.28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. - Men used to build walls around a city to keep out the enemy, - Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath g iven us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 2 Chronicles 14:7. Without walls a city could easily be captured and a man without self control is often defeated by his spiritual enemies. The Holy Spirit gives us self control, - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22.

Proverbs 11.22 - As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. - A beautiful woman must also have self-control. If not she may soon fall into sin and lead others into sin. A pig is dirty and rough, even if someone puts a gold ring in its snout. The gold gives a little beauty, but a pig is a pig.

A woman without morals may be beautiful on the outside, but her heart is evil, - Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. Proverbs 6:25.

15. THOUGHTS

This is the last section of proverbs about the good things of the heart. In the Bible the heart is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 6.5, where we read about the thoughts of the heart. - And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

God found that the thoughts of man’s heart were only evil all the time, except Noah’s. The Lord always hates a heart with wicked thoughts, - These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19, and the wise father warned his son to be careful about his heart, - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life Proverbs 4:23.

Here we have three proverbs which show we may not be able to know what another person is thinking in his heart. –

Proverbs 20.5 - Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. - A person's thoughts are private,

Proverbs 14.10 - The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy, - like water in a deep well. It takes great wisdom to find out what another is really thinking. Sometimes you may not want to tell your problems even to a close friend, but you may feel better if you do so.

Proverbs 20.11 - Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. - People may refuse to say in words what they are thinking, but we can tell what they are really like by their actions. This is easier with children because they are not experienced in hiding their feelings.

Proverbs 25.3 - The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. -It is still harder to know what kings are thinking because they do not have to answer any questions. Men find out later from what the king does. The King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, graciously tells us, His friends, what he is going to do, - Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15.

C. THE HEART BAD THINGS

We have seen that there may be good things in the heart: wisdom, mercy, willingness to work hard and self-control. Now we will consider a number of proverbs about the bad things.

16. Foolishness
17. Greediness
18. Sorrow
19. Laziness
20. Weakness
21. Bad Thoughts
22. Pride
23. Envy and Jealousy

16. FOOLISHNESS

Here we have twenty proverbs which teach us that:

1. Fools never change
2. How to treat fools
3. The results of acting foolishly
1. Fools never change

Proverbs 17.16 - Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? Wisdom can be bought, but not with money, - Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23. To get wisdom is better than silver or gold, but real effort is necessary. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16. A fool may have money and suppose he can buy wisdom, but he is not willing to work hard for it.

Proverbs 18.1 - Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. - Others would like to set themselves apart as if they really wanted to get wisdom but then they just argue against those who are truly wise. It is good to be separate from evil. But some people cannot get along with others so they separate themselves as if they were better than anyone else. Jude describes false teachers in this way, - These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude 1:19. Some translations speak about the person who is against everybody else and always tries to start a quarrel.

Proverbs 18.2 - A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. - The fool has no real desire to get wisdom, but he likes to speak up and say what he thinks. This only shows others how little he really knows.

Proverbs 26.7-9 - the legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. - He may try to talk like a wise man and use a proverb, but he uses the wrong one and so adds nothing to what others are talking about. He is like a lame man who cannot walk very well; or like a drunken person who is not steady enough to take a thorn out of his own hand.

Proverbs 27.22 - Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. - You might try to make a fool wiser by punishing him, like someone pounding grain so it can be used for food. It will never work; he just loves to remain foolish.

Proverbs 26.11 - As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. - A fool may give up his foolishness for a little while, then return to it later. He is like a dog that throws up some bad food which it has eaten, then later returns to eat it again. Peter wrote about people who turn from the world and its evil, and say they are Christians, then later go back to the world again, 2 Peter 2.20-22. They are like the dog in this proverb and are in a worse condition than they were before. - For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:20-22.

2. How to treat fools

Proverbs 26.4-5 - Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.- How should you answer a fool when he speaks to you? You might answer him in the same way, but that would make you seem foolish as
he is, and he might think he is quite wise. It would be better to show him he has spoken foolishly. People would not know how foolish he is if he did not talk so much, - Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28.

Proverbs 23.9 - Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. - You might try to show a fool what is wise, but he will not be able to understand the value of what you say.

Proverbs 17.12 - Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. - A bear can easily kill a man, and a mother bear will become very angry if anyone tries to steal her little cubs. A fool can be even more dangerous if he is trying to insist on some foolish plan.

Proverbs 14.7 - Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. - Perhaps the best way is just to leave him alone when you find that he is talking foolishly. It seems useless to try to teach a fool or to argue with him.

3. The result of acting foolishly

Fools should not be given honour, they should be punished.

Chapter 26 teaches us about fools in verses 1 and 3 to 12.

Proverbs 26.1 - As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 

Proverbs 26.3-12 - A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

People do not expect snow in the summer or rain in the dry season. In the same way it is not proper to give honour to a fool.

Proverbs 26.8 - As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. - David
killed Goliath by a stone from his sling, and some soldiers could sling a stone very accurately, - (And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 1 Samuel 17:49 and Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. Judges 20:16). To do this it is important not to tie the stone so tightly that it will not fly out. Our proverb says giving honour to a fool is like tying a stone too tightly in a sling.

Proverbs 18.6 - A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. -Instead of receiving honour a fool should be punished if he speaks too much. He may cause an argument which is never helpful.

Proverbs 19.29 - Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. - Some proud people just laugh at sin and at God. They are like fools, they will not listen to anyone who tries to teach them, -

Proverbs 13.1 - A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 15.12 - A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

Proverbs 27.22 - Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 

Both proud and foolish people may talk as if they wanted wisdom, -

Proverbs 14.6 - scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth; and Proverbs 17.16 - Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? - and they both cause quarrels, Proverbs 22.10 - Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease and Proverbs 18.6 - A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

In Proverbs 19.29 we see that both proud scoffers and fools need to be punished. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. - Proud and wicked men treated our Lord Jesus as if He were a fool; they beat Him on the back with a whip, - Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Matthew 27:26.

Proverbs 26.3 - A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. - Animals can be controlled only by a whip or a bridle. A whip drives them on, a bridle holds them back. The fool must be treated in the same way.

Proverbs 11.29 - He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. - This proverb brings together the fool and the troublemaker. It is important to obey fathers and mothers, - If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 and Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:1, but many cause trouble in the family and some leave altogether. They cannot expect to receive a share of property. Fools seldom succeed in life, - The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. Proverbs 10:21; they may get a job working for a wiser person.

Proverbs 18.7 - A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. - A fool should learn to keep quiet, - Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding Proverbs 17:28. - He shows he is a fool by what he says, and this leads him into a trap.

Proverbs 26.10 - The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. - This proverb has two main translations. It may mean that God will punish fools and sinners, - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 and -And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 2 Peter 2:13. Or it may mean that it is not wise to hire a fool or a stranger to do any work for you. Both are true: a fool will not succeed in this world or in the next. Neither man nor God will accept him. -

Matthew 7.26 - And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matthew 23.17 - Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Matthew 25.3 - They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Luke 12.20 - But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Proverbs is the book of wisdom and it says a great deal about fools and foolish actions. Every chapter in Proverbs says something about fools, foolishness or foolish behaviour.