June 16th 2018 – Proverbs 12:23-28

A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labour.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbour,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 23-28

In 23, it is the quality of discretion that is in view. Some people appear to find it impossible to keep quiet about the things they hear -- and this, alas, applies all too often when confidences are given them by those who have a right to expect them to be honoured and kept. It is very sad when a Christian cannot be trusted not to pass on to others what he has been told as confidential. The message in 24 is pertinent and to the point. Someone has called this 'the gospel of work'. It comes as a salutary reminder to all those who hanker after short cuts to success, in whatever realm. You have to work hard to get to the top, in any field, and this applies just as much in spiritual life. It is astonishing the number of people who want to start at the top. Not so, says the Word. The bottom is the place for starting - and it is the only safe place. 'Heaviness' in 25 is rendered 'anxiety' in RSV, and this is probably what is in view rather than depression. The antidote? Something we can all provide, 'a good word'. Here particularly we can see the power of words. There is a ministry of mutual encouragement always at hand in such situations, and we must never be slow to exercise it. It can, on occasion, save a man from despair. The translation of 26a is very problematic, and the AV is unlikely to be right. The literal rendering is 'The righteous makes investigation of his neighbour'. He does not rush into a friendship impetuously, and does not surrender his moral judgment to anyone (so Kidner). The reference, then, is to the exercise of the spirit of discernment. What is said in 26b makes it clear that this is very necessary in the realm of friendship. There is always the danger of being led astray. The meaning of 27 is that the slothful man does not finish what he starts. He begins with all good intentions, it may be, but he lacks application, and 'sticking-power’, and gives up long before the end. We all know lives like this: they turn their hand to this, that and the other, but rarely finish anything. Link this with the thought in 24. It is hard work that gets one there and wins the rich dividends.