Proverbs 22

Lesson 22 of 28

4. THE WISE PERSON’S REWARD

The Scripture tells us that wise people will be rewarded in the future and fools will be punished.

Proverbs 10.8 - The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool s hall fall. A wise person will hear and obey God's commands, but a fool talks too much and this leads to ruin, Proverbs 15.2 - The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 10.13 - 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. Words of wisdom are expected from a wise man because people know he is wise. The fool will be punished but it will not make him change his ways, 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.

Proverbs 10.14 - Wise men lay-up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is n ear destruction. Wise men store up knowledge and so become wiser, but foolish words bring anyone closer to ruin.

Proverbs 10.17 - He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. A wise man pays attention to what his teachers say. Good teachers will show him the way of life. Fools refuse all advice and so they make great mistakes. These four proverbs in chapter 10 all tell that the future for wise people is bright, and that fools will soon be punished.

Proverbs 17.10 - A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hun dred stripes into a fool. Just a few words will help a wise person to do what is right, and we should try to help anyone who makes a mistake, Galatians 6.1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore
such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself , lest thou also be tempted. On the other hand, a fool will not listen even if he is severely punished. It was against the law to beat a man with more than forty strokes, Deuteronomy 25.3 - Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if
he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee, so it is plain that fools are hopeless.

Proverbs 14.18 - The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Ignorant people could always learn, but if not their reward will be more foolishness. On the other hand wise and prudent people do learn more and so they will have knowledge like a crown of honour.

Proverbs 16.22-23 - Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Wisdom is a source of life. More, you could be a fountain of blessing to others, if you have wisdom in your heart, Proverbs 10.11 - The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked; Proverbs 13.14 - The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death; Proverbs 18.4 - The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Wisdom in the heart will teach you what to say. The Lord Jesus promised that every believer could bring much blessing to others through the Holy Spirit, John 7.38 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Proud fools, however, try to teach but they simply spread their foolishness to others.

Proverbs 22.3 - A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. A wise and prudent person is able to see trouble before it comes, and so he can hide or get ready for it. David did that, 1 Samuel 20.5 - And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even; 1 Samuel 22.1 - David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. But simple ignorant people never stop to think, they hurry right on and suffer for
it, Proverbs 14.16 - A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. We should pay attention to this proverb. It is so important that the Holy Spirit had recorded it again in

Proverbs 27.12 - A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Proverbs 13.18 - Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. A fool refuses all advice, Proverbs 12.15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise; Proverbs 15.32 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding, so he will be poor and put to shame. The wise man will be honoured in this world, Proverbs 3.35 - The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools, and the Lord Jesus will take all true Christians to glory when He comes, 1 Thessalonians 2.12 - That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory; Hebrews 2.10 - For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings; 1 Peter 5.10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Proverbs 14.24 - The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. Again the wise person will probably succeed in this world. We have seen that the righteous person in the Old Testament was blessed with riches, Proverbs 22.4 - By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life; but this is not always true today. Fools have no crown except to show everyone that they are fools. Today many people get rich like the rich fool in Luke 12.16-21 - And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 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? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God, or Luke 16.19-31 - There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. They are clever at making money but God calls them fools.

Proverbs 21.20 - There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. This proverb also teaches that the wise man may have treasure in his house and also olive oil and other rich food. But a foolish person wastes food and spends his money as quickly as he gets it.

Proverbs 14.1 - Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. A wise woman also takes good care of her house and her family, Proverbs 24.3 - Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established; Proverbs 31.15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens; Proverbs 31.21 - is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet; Proverbs 31.27 - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. A foolish woman does the opposite.

Even in the Old Testament a wise man might be poor and without honour, Ecclesiastes 9.15 - Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Proverbs 14.35 - The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. Finally, the king will show favour and be kind to his servant who acts in a wise way or who can give him wise advice. On the other hand the king is ashamed and becomes angry with a stupid servant who should have known how to do better.

We are servants of Christ our King. He will surely be pleased if we serve Him faithfully and well. He will also be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him, and He will be angry with anyone who says he is God's servant but really is not, See Matthew 25.21 - His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord; Matthew 25:30 - And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; Mark 8.38 - Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

So the future rewards of the wise are glory, life, more knowledge and learning, safety, honour, riches, and the king’s favour. But a foolish and sinful person can expect nothing but shame, a fall, punishment, ruin, error, more foolishness, poverty, and the king’s anger.

B. RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED PEOPLE

We will now study eighty-seven proverbs which show the difference between people who are righteous and those who are wicked. In the previous lesson, we found proverbs which tell us how people show they are wise or foolish; what their relation is to others; and what their rewards will be.

In later lessons we will use the same method.

5. How is righteousness revealed?
6. Righteous people and their relations to others
7. The rewards of righteousness

5. HOW IS RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED?

God alone will judge all men but we should be able to tell the difference between righteous and wicked people. Character is revealed by actions and words, but only God knows men’s hearts.

1. Character revealed by actions

Proverbs 10.9 - He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. Righteous people can have peace because all men will know the righteous way they live. Sinners will also usually be found out and others will know what they are by what they do.

Proverbs 21.8 - The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. The way you live reveals your true character. Many men live crooked lives, but some have pure hearts and they show this by their works. This is the only way we can show others that our hearts have been made pure, they can know by our actions, James 2.17 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Proverbs 21.29 - A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. A wicked person may seem to have lots of confidence, but yet have fear in his heart, Proverbs 10.24 - The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. Those who follow the Lord know where they are going, indeed, God Himself will guide them. So you can know righteous people because they obey God's Word, Psalm 25.9 - The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

2. Character revealed by words

Proverbs 10.11 - The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. A righteous man speaks words which help others to receive eternal life. But a wicked person speaks violent words which threaten other people, so we can know what he is thinking. God will judge us by our words, Matthew 12.37 - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned.

Proverbs 10.20 - The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The words of a righteous person are valuable. But even the thoughts of wicked people are not worth much.

Proverbs 10.31-32 - The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. The righteous man speaks words of wisdom and they are acceptable to those who love the Lord. But a wicked person twists his words and he will be punished for the bad things he says. David knew that Doeg had lied to Saul and that God would punish him for it, 1 Samuel 22.9-10 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine; Psalm 52.1-5 - Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

Proverbs 12.6 - The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. A sinner may suggest to you to join him in some plan to get rich quickly by killing somebody, Proverbs 1.11-13 - if they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil. You know at once that he is a wicked man by what he says. A righteous man would speak up to warn this person that someone is planning to kill him.

Proverbs 12.13 - The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Again we see that a wicked person will fall into a trap because of his own words, but God will help the righteous man to escape from trouble.

3. God knows the thoughts of the heart

Character is formed in the heart. You may speak and act very nicely, but your thoughts in your heart tell what you really are. God knows our thoughts even though we do not say or do anything which would show other men that we are wicked. In this section we have three proverbs which teach us that the life of righteous people is different from that of sinners.

Proverbs 12.5 - The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The righteous person has right thoughts. He judges fairly and plans to do good to others. The wicked person is thinking about some way to deceive you, Proverbs 12:20 - Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Proverbs 15.26 - The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. The Lord knows all our thoughts and He hates the evil thoughts of wicked people. God is pleased with our thoughts when we worship Him and give glory to Christ, John 4.23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him; John 5.23 - That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Proverbs 15.28 - The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. We should stop and think before we answer important questions. The wicked person is thinking evil things and quickly says what he thinks, even though his words are evil. By his words you can tell what is in his heart.