THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PROVERBS

CHAPTER 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.

Life is too precious to waste without learning. And our living affects other people's lives. So it is important that we learn. Children must receive instruction and reproof or they will not learn.

Christians are "born-again" believers. It is important for them to receive instruction and reproof from God in order that we learn to live His way.

A truly saved person will want to learn from God, and will "study to show himself approved of God" (2Timothy 2:15). That person will find "favour" with God.

The ultimate aim of instruction and reproof is to "establish" a person so that he may make good decisions. It is the same with a Christian. When he is guided by the Lord's instruction and reproof, he will be established in the righteousness of Christ Himself. Being established in the righteousness of Christ is being adopted into the family of God. And that means God will NEVER disown that child.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

The "virtuous woman" is described in Proverbs 31. She has a desire to be a true "help meet" (Genesis 2:18). God's intention for man and woman in marriage is that they should compliment one another, and that their desires should be toward one another. (See Ephesians 5:22-33)

Marriage is a holy institution, and the first of only two institutions that God Himself formed (the church being the other). Marriage should be reflective of our relationship with Christ.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

The "thoughts" of a person are reflected in his "words." Jesus verified the doctrine of depravity when He said, "That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man" (Mark 7:20). He went on to say that out of the heart of man comes thoughts of evil (Mark 7:21-23).

Without God, man is constantly and continually sinful.

But WITH God, man can have "right" thoughts, and his words will reflect the fact that he has been DELIVERED from the magnetism of sin. Yielding the life to God through surrender to Christ brings REgeneration. (See 2Corinthians 5:17)

If a person has a genuine relationship with Christ, his "words" will reflect holiness and not sinfulness.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. 9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Again, let me say that true wisdom can only come from surrender to Christ. This wisdom is reflected in character and integrity. A person who lives such a life will be "commended" by others.

The person who lives WITHOUT integrity will be "despised," and will go lacking in honor.

Righteousness is reflected in the mannerisms of life. A good man will care for his possessions and be sure they are in proper working order.
He will also provide for his family and not be given to following "vain persons."

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 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.

It is the "root" of a tree that is the strength of the tree. When a person has his intentions rooted in Christ, he will yield "fruit" in godliness.

The "just" are those whom GOD has justified (Romans 3:24-24). Their attention is toward God and their intention is toward godliness. Justification by God is reflected in words and actions.

We cannot determine if a person is saved, that is God's judgment alone. But we are supposed to be "fruit inspectors." ((See Jesus' dissertation in Matthew 7:16-20))

The "wicked" are "snared" by evil words and deeds; meaning they are SHOWN or EXPOSED.

The "recompense," or reward of living in godliness is satisfaction and fulfillment (verse 14).

Again, let me say that the "fool" in the Bible is a person who has disavowed the reality of God (Psalm 14:1). True wisdom is reflected in LISTENING to God's Word which is wise "counsel" indeed.

16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

I remember taking advanced speech in college. In one of the very first classes of that course, the professor said, "Just remember, the speech of a person reflects the character and integrity within." After class, I went to the professor and asked, "Have you been reading Proverbs?" He said, "Yes, how did you know?" I said, with a smile, "..the speech of a person reflects the character and integrity within." He smiled and said, "Very good observation!"

The use of sound speech has as its goal MINISTRY (verse 18).

Jesus Christ is the epitome of TRUTH (John 14:6). But all men are LIARS (Romans 3:4). The only way for a man to be "established" in truth is to surrender to Christ.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Deceitfulness and lying go hand in hand. What child has not tried to get his own way by lying?

But, be it known, lying is an ABOMINATION to God; as much as murder or homosexuality. It is abhorrent to Him. He will be removed from it, and have no part of it.

On the other hand, God is WITH those who speak and live in TRUTH (verse 22).

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

The truly wise person will "conceal" his wisdom. What does that mean? It means he will not BOAST of it. However, fools are quick to proclaim "foolishness," by boasting.

If a man is diligent in his business, he will be promoted. But those who are slothful, or lazy, in their work will not be promoted.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Sorrow is felt like a great weight which causes the shoulders to stoop. (By the way, arthritis will do that too.)

Sorrow is helped by a "good word." Friends should encourage friends with the truths of God.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Righteousness is reflected in kindness and care toward one's neighbor.

Righteousness is also reflected in caring for that which one has.

Living in the righteousness of surrender to Christ is REAL LIFE!

And the joy of that life is to know there is no REAL DEATH!

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26)

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.