Lesson 21 of 28
2. PROVERBS WITH THE SECOND PART DIFFERENT
The Proverbs of Solomon and other wise men take up the biggest part of the Book of Proverbs, Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 29:27.
Some of these proverbs say about the same thing in both parts of the verses, and we have studied hundreds of these. Now we will look at the other kind, those which are different in the second part. Both parts are true, but the second part is in contrast with the first part. Most of these proverbs have the word but between the two parts of the verse.
We will consider these proverbs under nine headings. This method will help you to find a proverb on some special subject. There are many different kinds of people in the world. These proverbs will help you to understand people.
A. Wise and Foolish People
B. Righteous and Wicked People
C. Righteous People and Fools
D. Wise and Wicked People
E. Hard Workers and Lazy Persons
F. Merciful and Cruel People
G. Truth-tellers and Liars
H. Rich and Poor People
I. Other Good People
A. SECTION WISE AND FOOLISH PEOPLE
God gave Solomon the gift of wisdom, and the book of Proverbs tells us about God’s wisdom and how to get it. In this first section we will read 45 proverbs about wise people in contrast with those who are foolish.
We will divide the 45 proverbs into four smaller sections.
1. The desire to be wise
2. How is wisdom revealed?
3. The wise person in relation to others
4. The wise person’s reward
1. THE DESIRE TO BE WISE
Some people love to be simple and ignorant it, Proverbs 1.22 - How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?, and some love wisdom, Proverbs 4.6 - Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
In this section we see a great contrast between those who love wisdom and those who love foolishness.
Proverbs 12.1 - Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. You can get knowledge from your teachers and a wise person is glad to be told when he is wrong. By contrast it is foolish to refuse advice from others whom you respect.
Proverbs 15.14 - The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. The more you know the more you want to learn. If you understand a little about the Bible, you want to know more. But fools seem quite content with their foolishness.
Proverbs 15.32 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. This is much the same as Proverbs 12.1 - Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish, but here the person who listens to advice gets more understanding, while he who refuses to listen is really hurting himself.
Proverbs 14.6 - A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Some people say they want to get wisdom, but they never find it. They laugh at sin,
Proverbs 14.9 - Fools ma ke a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour, and do not really want to change. But wise people want more knowledge and learning is easier for them.
Proverbs 15.21 - Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. The person without wisdom is happy in his foolishness, but a wise person walks in the right way. Wisdom keeps us from sin, Proverbs 2.10-11 - When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee; Proverbs 4.11-12 - I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble, and that is just the reason why fools do not want wisdom, they love their sins too much.
Proverbs 10.23 - It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. Again the fool gets pleasure from doing what is wrong, so he never really wants to get wiser. But the wise person gets pleasure from wisdom; Proverbs 3.16-17 - Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; Proverbs 9.1-2 - Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table; Proverbs 9:5 - Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
2. HOW WISDOM IS REVEALED
The wise man is soon known and so is the fool.
Proverbs 14.33 - Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Wisdom is in the heart of every wise person, but it can be seen by others. So also the foolishness in the heart of fools is soon revealed. (Two old translations add the word not which would make the verse mean that wisdom is not known in the mind of foolish people. Both possible meanings are true.)
Proverbs 13.16 - Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. You can tell a wise person from a foolish one by the things he does. The wise man does what he knows is right, but the fool soon shows everybody how wrong he is.
(a) Wisdom is revealed by words
Proverbs 15.2 - The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Wisdom is different from knowledge, and some people know a lot but are not very wise. A truly wise person knows how to use his knowledge properly. A fool keeps on talking even though everyone knows it is foolishness.
Proverbs 15.7 - The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. Again the wise person can and does give knowledge to others, but dull people are not able to give out what they do not have in their minds.
Proverbs 12.23 - A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. On the other hand it is sometimes wiser not to tell everything you know. The mind of fools has nothing but folly in it and they are so proud they cannot stop talking. So everyone soon knows how empty they are.
Proverbs 29.11 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. This proverb says about the same thing. It is stupid to tell everything you know all at once. Joseph did not tell his brothers who he was until the right time came, Genesis 42.8 - And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him; Genesis 45.3 - And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
Proverbs 12.18 - There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. It is possible to hurt a person very much by words. The words of a sinful woman are like a sword in the end, Proverbs 5.3-4 - For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword; and so are the words of a liar, Proverbs 25.18 - A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. David said the words of his enemies were like swords, Psalm 57.4 - My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword; Psalms 59.7 - Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?; Psalms 64.3 - Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. On the other hand, words can heal those who are hurt. It takes wisdom to know what to say, Proverbs 12.25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad; Proverbs 15.23 - A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
(b) Wisdom is revealed by actions
Proverbs 14.8 - The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. The wise person must first look after his own way of life. We all have problems and the Bible helps us to understand what we should do. Fools think they are wise and they may be able to deceive themselves, but no one else would believe them.
Proverbs 14.15 - The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. The simple person believes everything he hears, he is too foolish to judge what is right and wrong. For example, he would listen to the words of the foolish and sinful woman, Proverbs 7.7 - And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding; Proverbs 9.16 - Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him. A wise and prudent man acts according to knowledge.
Proverbs 14.16 - A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. Again the wise person sees trouble before it happens, Proverbs 22.3 - A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. He fears God and turns away from sin before he gets into it. By experience he knows God’s Word and can tell the difference
between good and evil, Hebrews 5.14 - But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. But the foolish person rushes on in his pride until he is in trouble.
Proverbs 17.24 - Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. We have seen that a wise man wants more wisdom, Proverbs 12.15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 15.14 - The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. It is necessary to study hard, to make a real effort and give a lot of time to Bible study. Some people try to learn a little about everything, their minds wander all over the world. They never really learn wisdom.
Proverbs 28.26 - He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Another mark of a foolish person is his pride and self-confidence, Proverbs 26.12 - Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him; 1 Corinthians 10.12 - Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. We should put our trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3.5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding; Proverbs 16.20 - He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he; Proverbs 29.25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Those who have wisdom should show it in their life, walk and actions. The Lord will deliver them from sin and every evil.
(c) Foolishness is revealed by pride
Proverbs 12.15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. The fool thinks that his actions are correct, but other people would not agree. You know that foolishness and pride go together. The wise person is willing to take advice,
Proverbs 15.32 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Rehoboam refused good advice and accepted what was bad, 1 Kings 12.6-14 - And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Proverbs 14.3 - In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. Foolish people talk and you can soon see that they are proud. We also understand that proud people show that they are foolish. Pride will be punished; Proverbs 16.18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall, but the words of wise people keep them from trouble.
3. THE WISE PERSON IN RELATION TO OTHERS
What is the relationship between wise people and others? Is it the same as that of fools to other people?
(a) Father and mother
Proverbs 10.1 - The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. The first proverb of Solomon shows the difference. A wise son makes his father glad, but a stubborn son makes his mother sorry. The same is true of both father and mother. Under the law a son was put to death if he absolutely refused to obey his parents, Deuteronomy 21.18-21 - 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.
Proverbs 15.20 - A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. This son does not love his mother or care what she thinks. She may be heartbroken when her son turns away from the Lord, but he could not care less.
Proverbs 13.1 - A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A son should listen to his father’s advice. This shows he is wise and wants to become wiser. Some young people laugh at their old parents and will not listen to anything they say. They will be sorry someday. However, you should not listen to your parents if they try to turn you from the Word of God. In that case it is better to obey God than parents.
Proverbs 15.5 - A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. The rebellious son does not obey his father, he despises good advice. He will be very sorry later on, Proverbs 5.11-14 - And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. It is wise and prudent to listen to your father.
Proverbs 13.24 - He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. The father is responsible to train his children, and he proves that he loves them when he punishes them to keep them from evil, Proverbs 19.18 - Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 22.15 - Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. We are all born with a sinful nature, Ephesians 2.3 - Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others, and it is the duty of parents to teach their children wisdom, self-control and obedience.
Proverbs 28.7 - Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. The wise father advises his sons to keep God’s law, and if they do, they are wise sons. Any father would be ashamed of a son whose friends were gluttons, spending their time eating and drinking or worse, Proverbs 23.20-21 - Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. This is the same word as in Deuteronomy 21.20 - 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.
(b) Neighbours
Proverbs 11.12 - He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. We should love our neighbours and not despise them, Proverbs 14.21 - He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Only a fool does this. A wise man knows when to keep quiet, Proverbs 29.11 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards..
Proverbs 29.8 - Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. In a city many people live close together and arguments are sure to arise. Wise men are needed to settle quarrels, Matthew 5.9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Laughing fools try to make others look ridiculous, and so a small argument may grow into a big fight.
Proverbs 29.9 - If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. This fool has no sense of right and wrong, so he may often get into an argument with a wise person. The fool may get angry or just laugh about it, but either way there is no peace.
Proverbs 13.20 - He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. A wise man helps those who know him and listen to him, and they get wiser also. The opposite is true of fools. Their friends also become foolish and so they will share the punishment of all fools. So we see fools are soon known by the way they treat their parents and their neighbours.
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God...(Acts 20:26,27). “Come now, let us reason together...” (Isaiah 1:18).
