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Friday, February 12, 2010

Wisdom Project 2/12



Proverbs 12 - NIV
Proverbs 12 - ESV

Proverbs 12:27 . . .

The lazy man does not roast his game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions.


Commentary:

The lazy man does not finish his projects; he does not roast and eat the game he has hunted. He throws away his chances for something better by quitting too soon. However the person who has mastered diligence and finishes his task has a precious tool at his disposal, namely, perseverance.


Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.
_________

WISDOM PROJECT: For this month, I will supply links to both the NIV and ESV versions of the chapter each day (Feb. 1 = Proverbs 1, etc.) in the post—both of which contain the audio.

And in the month of February a unique feature for the WP will be Commentaries on selected passages/verses from within the chapter for the day. And for the most part, these comments will be from links in the Online Bible Study Resources feature here on the 3 John 8 blog (scroll down in the column to the right to find the links).

Note to Proverbs class participants: this is the place where you should post your application comments for the Daily Proverbs Reading Assignment.

28 comments:

Jessica said...

Vs. 26 "One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." The footnotes at the bottom say "chooses his friend wisely" In the past when working at secular environments I have made some friends there and have seen a difference in my life and my walk with the Lord. But in the end those friends never really last. I am blessed to have the true friends I do in my life that encourage me in my walk with God.

Unknown said...
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julee said...

When people are anxious, tired and/or stressed, they don't need comments that are the same--just makes their heart heavier. "A cheerful heart" is needed. Words that change the focus, yet aren't flippantly happy.

julee said...
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Jilli Bair said...

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
I love how this verse is so blatantly honest - if you love discipline, you will love, understand, and seek knowledge. But if you hate reproof, you're senseless! This verse is a great reminder for me to value the criticism and instruction I receive instead of hating it.

Unknown said...

Prov 12 too has much to say re:discipline. Verses 1, 24, and 27 speak of the rewards of those that choose the path of discipline and diligence, while warning of the poor choices of ignoring correction and being slothful (lazy, inactive, sluggish).
I am thankful that discipline is highlighted again - for me today. As recently as last week - actually one week exactly, on Friday 2/5, I shared a new insight of mine towards discipline with “the evil deeds of the wicked man – especially due to a lack of discipline…” I spoke of the appreciation for and the benefits of this ‘new discipline’ of daily Proverbs reading. Since then I have been challenged and tested more and more in this area, with varying results.
Please pray with me, and for me, that with each and every new day I choose NOT to hit the snooze button on God, that I rise when He calls, and I spend the time with Him that He desires and deserves.
Isaiah 55:6-7 – Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his ways…[and] return to the LORD (ESV, paraphrase mine). Mike T.

Jim Morrison said...

Verse 18 - "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." I am encouraged by this verse to remember to be careful with my words and think about what I am saying before it is said. If I am careful with my words they should help others and not hurt them even more. I think this verse goes well with 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Unknown said...

There are numerous times that I felt like I was seeking a righteous or wise path, but I was just looking to my impulsive emotions to guide me. Verse 15 "The way of a fool seems right to him,but a wise man listens to advice." I know that I have sought after "advice," but I always spoke to people that would side with my intentions, or sometimes I would listen to wise counsel and never truly heed it. How easy it is to believe that our way is the right way...kind of like Satan. I am learning to be more patient and humble when seeking the Lord's will. That may mean I need pray more and seek several wise individuals before I reach a conclusion.

Tim K. said...

Verse 23 from today's Proverb speak to me and remind me that it is better not to say anything, even if it is wise, than to say something foolish when speaking without thinking. "It's better to keep qiuet and let people think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".

mdungan said...

Vs. 18 " There is one who speaks rashly like the thrust of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

This stuck out to me because this is somthing I need to practice. Sometimes I am so quick to talk or even ridicule somone and I end up hurting them or even myself. I must learn to be wise in what I say and be breathing life into others with my words.

Bill H said...
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Bill H said...

Michael, we can hold each other accountable in this--that is my main motivation for starting the WP on the blog, to get myself back into the discipline of it ... indeed, it is a good thing
BH

Carrie L. said...

16 "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks insult".

Many times I have been like the fool in this verse showing my annoyance and retaliating when someone is rude or insults me. I need to work on this so that I may be like the prudent man who overlooks the hurt of an insult and returns it rather, with a kind word.

Unknown said...

As I'm listening to this chapter I can't help but ask the question, why would anyone choose the wicked ways when the outcome of such a choice is so bad. Benefits only come to the wise, a wicked man will endure everlasting punishment. Verse 28 speaks very clearly that the righteous path leads to immortality. To hate discipline is stupid, in my words, to choose the wicked path is STUPID! I'm still just lost at why? Isn't self-preservation an ingrained trait that we all possess? Then why choose eternal destruction?

Sarah said...

The second part of verse one caught me right off the bat. "He who hates correction is stupid." I think a person that does not want to be corrected because they are selfish, is stupid, because they are not taking advice from people that are trying to help him. Sometimes it is hard to take correction, but that is life and we need to not be selfish and take what is needed.

SarahK said...

So often I find myself talking away and not making sense or not having my facts straight. Verse 23 is a great reminder to be very careful with my words. :)

Danyelle Steckiel said...

vs 16. hit me. How often do i get annoyed or frustrated when someone puts me down or corrects me? Somtimes i almost immediately have a come back and try to rip that person down quicker than they did to me. Or when someone corrects me, I get frustrated sometimes. But as Christians, we need to listen to correction and be as the wise man and overlook the insults and put downs of others.

Unknown said...

Proverbs 12:24
"The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor."
- This a great verse that speaks about how we ought not to be lazy like the slothful. In order to be successful we are commanded to be diligent in what we do and if we aren't then we will be put in positions where we will be forced to work and usually are in a lot worse conditions. I need to take advantage of school now so that I can be better prepared to "rule" later in life through everything that comes me way.

Lisa Griffiths said...

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge...
What a strong truth that I need to spend more applying to my life. Sometimes I pass by so many learning opportunities because I am too lazy to really set time aside to learn. I need to make sure that I am being disciplined not only in my sports, or also in my spiritual life, but in my schooling and learning as well.

Erin said...

Proverbs 12:19, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." A lie is just a temporary solution at the time of a problem. Although a lie may get someone out of the truth, lies always have their way of catching up to them. This is the truth: "They that deal trul are his delight." (Proverbs 12:22) It's better to tell the truth and deal w/the consequences rather than getting caught in a lie and paying the consequence then.

Melissa Jordan said...

I know this verse has already been mentioned but it is worth mentioning again, "whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is stupid". It is very blunt but I like it because it is a good reminder to take into consideration what others are saying and really evaluate my actions, to take the rebuke and seek to change and grow. I want to be both approachable and teachable, not react but think about what the person has to say and take it to heart.

Renee said...

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

I think I said this before but it struck me again that words are powerful. Sometimes I can be so thoughtless in what I say and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind which often may be hurtful. I need to stop and think about the impact of what I am going to say.

Unknown said...

in my short life i have struggled with many things. However, one of my pride-filled downfalls when i wa younger (and one i still struggle with today) is receiving reproof in a Godly manner. Verse one says that whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, BUT he who hates reproof is stupid. YA,.... thats definitely what i was/ am working on. Its a good reminder to not be.... Stupid :)

Cody F said...

This chapter really seems to deal with two major issues, one being a lazy person and one being a lying person. I think its interesting that they are interwoven throughout the passage. As I was reading, I thought about how the two are closely intertwined. In many cases, if someone is to lazy to do something, they will lie about it, either saying they did it, or making excuses about why they didn't. Then it contrasts it with being righteous and upright, and what we should do instead.

Unknown said...

Verse 16, "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Sometimes I/we get way too bent out of shape over little things. If we could all learn to control ourselves a little, I think our testimonies would improve.

Nate said...

a fool is right in his own eyes....I think about the times in my life and sometimes in others around me when we have so defended something even though we "me" knew it was not right. Also i have sometimes been a type of person who hates to be wrong. it does not matter for what but we often extremely dislike being wrong. A wise person will humble themselves when they know they are wrong therefore showing humility. Most stuff is not worth being so argumentative over. I need to work on this!

Rachel said...

"The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult."
I was a bit convicted when I read and thought about this verse; how quick am I to show my frustration, anger, or negative emotions when I ought to let things go, forgive, or just be calm in a situation? Nothing is profited by sinning in a frustrating situation; properly handling stress or hurt or frustration is the only way to get past it.

Unknown said...

Thank you Bill, 'let it be done'.