Proverbs 12:7-8, God’s Boomerang – Again!
June 6, Proverbs 12:7-8
Luke 12:41-49 “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him” (Lk. 18:7).
God’s Boomerang – Again!
These two proverbs concentrate on the reciprocal consequences for good or evil in the lives of good or bad men. “We cannot but wonder at the long-suffering, that suffers the wicked thus to load the earth with such a mass of guilt and misery (Bridges). Have we not, like the martyrs of Revelation (6:10), often cried out, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
1. Persist or Perish: Verse 7 declares that the wicked are overthrown, but the house of the righteous stands. The overthrow of the wicked is set in the context of their plots to overthrow others. It’s the old trick of the boomerang returning to the hand that threw it. Justice will, in the end, overturn the wicked and they will perish, cease to exist (Ps. 37:35-38). Their time of triumph is running out! They have no enduring power, or capability of reformation within themselves. Kidner refers to “the inherent instability of evil,” whatever appearances to the contrary may seem to indicate. The wicked soon are no more, but the house of the righteous survives, persists. Would that every young person recognised the precious privilege of being brought up in a righteous, a godly home! The righteous are established (v.3), and so also is their house. The Hebrews believed that a man’s influence and life was continued through his sons. When a son followed his godly father’s life and practice, he prolonged his father’s name and influence and by caring for his property, his father’s house will continue to stand for generations. By the same token, if the sons of the wicked persist in wrecking their inheritance, it will not belong till there is nothing left. What has gone wrong that causes children to reject their godly parents’ wisdom and example? Exceptions there are, but both Testaments strongly support the solidarity of the family. May God give us stronger families in these critical days.
2. Promote or Prohibit: Vs.8 declares that, in God’s order of things, honour attends goodness, and contempt wickedness. Commended (halal) is a root meaning to shine, then, to give praise for the light that shines, hence, Hallelujah! Here it means to receive praise. Someone has remarked that appreciation is often more important than praise. Let us show more love to those who love us. Let us express more appreciation to our pastors and dedicated workers who give unstintingly of themselves in the cause of Christ in our local congregations. Wisdom merits commendation, honour. The word rendered wisdom is unusual. Its root idea is insight, prudence, to understand. The phrase: according to his wisdom is a combination of two words, literally, by the mouth of his prudence. The idea is to speak with common sense what one has learned, or what we might call, applied wisdom. Abigail and Stephen are examples of this (1 Sam. 25:3; Acts 6:9-15). Even bad people recognise good ones when they see them. What makes one despised? It is not poverty or circumstances or race, but perversity! Perverse is related to iniquity, and means a warped or twisted mind. Such a one is too proud or too perverted, to be taught, but, the day of Judgment is coming, by and by (Rev. 3:12)!
Thought: The righteous are often feeble, but their house shall stand forever.
Prayer: For the Saviour’s commendation that brings true promotion.