(The following Notes were first published in March 1991)

Saturday, November 25 th - Proverbs 11: 10,11

The world, though it does not love God, loves the fruit of godliness. Despite the animosity secular society harbors against the Lord and His people, most men confess that the wicked are noxious blights without which society could well do, while the righteous serve as pillars of strength and blessing. I recall being told years ago during a visit to Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, that the local Communist Party head complained that if he wanted a building built or maintained properly, he dared not trust the Marxists, but had to rely instead upon the Christians. The city of Susa was in confusion over Haman’s decree to exterminate the Jews (Esth. 3:15), whereas the city rejoiced when Mordecai, the faithful Jew, was honored (Esth. 8:15). Thus even godless citizens testify to the blessing of the Lord and against their own ingratitude.

Sunday, November 26 th - Proverbs 11: 12,13

The word despises in v.12 entails not only a loveless, disrespectful attitude, but also words and actions by which that attitude is made public. A small, envious heart, if not mortified, will impel one to become invasively curious as to the affairs and attitudes of others, not so that others may be known, loved, respected, and supported, but so that their frailties and failings may be discovered and published.The one who has a spirit faithful to the Lord, on the other hand, will be faithfully loving and supportively trustworthy in his dealings with others. Such a man of understanding and respectful sympathy will disclose confidences to no one who has no business knowing. Rather he will lay delicate matters only before the Lord, and perhaps before others whose godliness renders them caring, healing instruments in His service.

Monday, November 27 th - Proverbs 11: 14

Individuals and nations need eyes to see things, not as they appear to be, but as they truly are. Life is full of hidden hazards and without sure vision people will fall. No single person can possibly foresee every pitfall. Thus, those who are most consistently delivered from trouble and lifted to triumph are humble enough to recognize their visual deficiency. They also cultivate relationships with wise and faithful souls, whose counsel they respect and invite. The more of such counselors we have, the better we see the true picture.

Tuesday, November 28 th - Proverbs 11: 15

Perhaps this verse is a word of balance to humble and sober the counselors referred to in v.14. For to give our counsel as a portion of the data which will help enable a friend to make his own wise decision is one thing; to commit ourselves and our families to the cause of one whom we may barely know, and whose circumstances and true responsibilities may be concealed from us, is something else. We must lovingly give to others, but only what we legitimately can give without unduly impoverishing others who are dependent upon us.

Wednesday, November 29 th - Proverbs 11: 16

A woman who is touched by and filled with the grace of the Lord will be admired and honored. Her character, not her outward appearance, attracts the undying esteem of God and man (1 Pet. 3:3,4). She, though being a weaker vessel, attains that which is infinitely more precious and enduring than what many graceless men, who employ ruthless force, could ever hope to attain.

Thursday, November 30 th - Proverbs 11: 17

Mercy is more than condolence, for it does not only pity a person in need, but offers practical assistance to lift a soul out of his misery. Thus mercy would seem to be a costly virtue. In reality, however, it enriches both recipient and giver. This is so because its source is not found in the natural, fallen, finite heart, but rather in the perfect and infinite bosom of the eternal God. When we draw on Him to help others, He sees to it that we too are blessed in the process (Mt. 5:7). Whereas the cruel man, who selfishly ignores the plight of others, or exploits their plight, thinking that he shall gain thereby, always finds himself hurt most of all in the end.

Friday, December 1 st - Proverbs 11: 18,19

Wicked men are motivated by hopes of self-advancement. The evil tactics to which they resort hold out promises of success. However, since the author of evil is a liar and murderer, all he can provide is death. Satan promises god-like status, but delivers only the grave. Thus those resorting to the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) allow themselves to be deceived, earning death as the wages of sin.

The righteous do not so much labor as they allow to grow, quietly and gradually, seeds of the very righteousness of Christ, yielding the blessed fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23). Such fruit enables them to sow seeds of righteous deeds to the glory of God, the good of man, and their own reward.

Saturday, December 2 nd - Proverbs 11: 20,21

A man may be outwardly conformed to godliness, but inwardly perverse. Such a one is an abomination to the Lord, Who sees and weighs our hearts. Although such perverse ones join hands with others in their mutual hypocrisy, they will not escape the just punishment of God. Those who are blameless in attitude and action inspire delight in the heart of the Lord. They also secure manifold deliverances for themselves and their families, because our God maintains integrity of attitude and action Himself. Those in whom He delights He acts with omnipotence to defend.

Sunday, December 3 rd - Proverbs 11: 22

The world prizes outward beauty above all. The graces of a godly character are despised in comparison with physical attractiveness. But such adulation of beautiful appearance bespeaks a delusion which fails to assess true value. For in truth, a beautiful woman who lacks a gracious character, and thus acts and speaks with indiscretion, is as a gross, unclean beast. Her beauty serves only as an incongruous attachment which comes nowhere near covering or compensating for her vileness. Read 1 Pet. 3:3,4 for a description of real beauty.

Monday, December 4 th - Proverbs 11: 23-27

These verses remind us of the saying of our Lord about the one seeking to save his life losing it, and the one losing his life for the Lord’s sake saving it. The godly soul desires good things, meaning things good in themselves and good for others. Such a soul finds joy in generously sharing with others. He truly delights in such giving because he has received and rejoices in the munificent provisions of God in Christ, which can never be exhausted, but only serve to enrich the one most committed to sharing them with others. As the grace of God unlocks our lives so that we give lovingly and lavishly to others, we receive in return the gratitude of others, and above all the good favor and blessing of the Lord. In contrast, selfishness is suicidal. Far from enriching, it impoverishes, adding the curses of men and the wrath of God to the deprivations in which it results.

Tuesday, December 5 th - Proverbs 11: 28

Riches form no basis for lasting trust. Material things are lifeless objects unable to sustain a living soul. Thus the one relying on riches leans on a dead and decaying reed which eventually will collapse, letting him fall. But righteousness is a living force derived from the living Lord. It is imputed to us, then sanctifyingly imparted to us, as the very likeness of Christ is formed in our characters. Thus the righteous partake of increasing vitality and flourish everlastingly. Psalm 1 is a good commentary on this proverb.

Wednesday, December 6 th - Proverbs 11: 29

This verse warns us not to indulge in psychological projection, whereby we take out on members of our own family the frustrations which have accumulated in our lives due to our own cowardice, indolence, and irresponsibility. We should avoid abusing or neglecting our families, lest we exhaust the bonds even of familial love, finding our household empty, except for the windy rages of our own bitterness. Nor should we slip into foolishness, lest we find ourselves destined for servitude. Our calling is to serve responsibly and lovingly by God’s grace, thus establishing liberty and security in ourselves and in our homes, which will then be full of loving, supportive family members and blessed delight.

Thursday, December 7 th - Proverbs 11: 30

Righteousness is not only a living force within a soul (cf. note on v.28), it spreads through our lives to become a source of blessing for others. The fruits of a righteous life, such as loving deeds, believing prayers, and godly conversation, serve to impart abundant and eternal life to others, as others are led to partake of the Savior who sustains the righteous, with the fruit of His Spirit being produced within them. But in addition to their being like fruitful trees, the righteous are rational, mobile sources of life, who wisely and winsomely reach out to others, inviting them to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Friday, December 8 th - Proverbs 11: 31

If the righteous receive at least initial fulfillments of God’s promises in this life, we should not be surprised to see the wicked beginning to taste divine threats. God is not mocked here or hereafter. For the faithful, the best is yet to be; for the sinner, the worst. Eternal life begins here and now, as does eternal punishment. Let us choose and cultivate life and righteousness, and enjoy the blessed rewards of divine grace.

Saturday, December 9 th - Proverbs 12: 1-3

Right and wrong loves, characters, and ways are contrasted in these three proverbs. For one who loves knowledge, the discipline and correction of the Lord will also be loved as the means of obtaining knowledge. The proud man mistakes such necessary means of enlightenment as harmful threats which he hates. His pride blinds him and binds him in stupidity. The Lord loves and favors good characters, made good by His grace, while He condemns those who are and do evil. Wicked ways may seem most effectual, but it is only the one who dies to self and lives submissively before the Lord who stands in unshakably grounded security. Never are these patterns mixed, so that a lover of knowledge hates discipline, or a deviser of evil obtains divine favor, or a worker of wickedness enjoys a firmly rooted stand.

Sunday, December 10 th - Proverbs 12: 4

A virtuous wife is excellent in character and deeds because she is a trophy of divine grace. Her loving support and competent fulfillment of responsibilities render her a precious treasure for her husband. Her virtues often supply that which is lacking in her man, thus crowning him with a nobility he would otherwise lack (Prov. 31:10-31). However, a wife riddled with vices, such as folly, indolence, vanity, boisterousness, carnal curiosity and indiscretion, not only shames her husband in public, but also weakens him in himself. Here is a call for wives to nurture godly virtues, and for their husbands to esteem and love them accordingly.

Monday, December 11 th - Proverbs 12: 5,6

Not only the words and actions, but also the very inner thoughts of the righteous are just. Thus when they speak, there is wisdom, integrity, and a weight of authority in their words which serve to deliver them and those who rely on their counsel from all manner of threats. In contrast, the counsels of the wicked may seem plausible, but their words are false and untrustworthy. Their hearts desire to hurt others so that they themselves may attain supremacy. Hence let us learn to listen to godly souls, rather than to those who simply say what we may wish to hear. Just deliverance is always better than deceitful devouring.

Tuesday, December 12 th - Proverbs 12: 7

The wicked may lie in wait for blood (v.6), but in the end it is they who are slaughtered. When they are cast down by the just and powerful hand of the Lord, they rise no more. But the righteous stand, and what they build with their lives stands as well. They and their works last forever, enduring the final conflagration at Christ’s glorious return (2 Pet. 3:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15), and all shocks and stormy tests prior to that great day. This enduring quality is found only in lives which are built by vital faith and obedience on the rock of Christ (Lk. 6:46-49).

Wednesday, December 13 th - Proverbs 12: 8,9

The wisdom of the Lord gives us true insight into the workings of the world and the people in it. Such insight bears practical fruit which others tend to see and appreciate. Yet, even if men do not highly esteem insightful souls, the wise tend to acquire means sufficient to give full exercise to their abilities. Such means include material and men, whose loyal appreciation for the wise motivates them to be loving servants of the wise. The perverse are despised. Their actions bear the bitter fruit of their rotten hearts. They usually will be proud, but such hollow self-honoring impresses few and provides ever diminishing returns in all areas of life.

Thursday, December 14 th - Proverbs 12: 10-12

The wicked, driven by empty, evil hearts, pursue empty things and trust in evil machinations to provide for them. When they must work, they remain utterly selfish, expecting others, including their own beasts of burden, to take up their slack. At their kindest they are cruel; at their cruelest they are monstrous. But the righteous are kind and considerate, even of lowly animals. The fact that they have been touched by divine grace shows in the most mundane affairs of their lives. They realize that they have been entrusted by their loving heavenly Father with a stewardship. Hence, they work hard, but compassionately. The result is a sweet and natural felicity leading to the production and enjoyment of much fruit.

Friday, December 15 th - Proverbs 12: 13,14

Evil consequences return to their source. Wicked words always come back to haunt and ensnare their speakers. The righteous encounter trouble as well. Yet theirs is not a self-generated misery. In fact, because they trust in the Lord, who causes all things to work together for their good (Rom. 8:28), they escape trouble and are led continually in the triumph of Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). Thus their words and deeds serve for their advancement and reward, not for their being cast down in shame and defeat.

Saturday, December 16 th - Proverbs 12: 15

The peevishness and pride of a fool close his mind to all counsel, all correction, and to consequent success in his endeavors. He consults only his vain and vacuous heart for intelligence, and is led blindly into many blunders. The wise man, however, is humble enough to realize that he has only a limited perspective on any given question. Thus, he seeks to see and consider matters through the numerous eyes of many counselors, correcting his course as necessary in order to achieve aims higher and better than at first even he had conceived.

Sunday, December 17 th - Proverbs 12: 16-18

A fool lacks discretion and the restraint of courtesy. If he is offended, he cries out for all to hear. Yet the prudent man lovingly and considerately bears with the infirmities of others. Unintended misdemeanors he endures quietly, for he loves their perpetrators more than he hates their failings. When such a prudent one does speak, however, his communications are true and right. Meanwhile, the bawling fool deceives, exaggerating offenses committed against him. Such loveless and rash speech wounds deeply in retaliation for superficial and relatively innocent annoyances received. In contrast, the quiet and loving bearing of all things (1 Cor. 13:7), and the faithful declaring of the truth in love, serve to heal both wounding and wounded parties.

Monday, December 18 th - Proverbs 12: 19,20

Men may hate those who speak the truth of God, but that truth and its proclaimers endure forever. Nor are the publishers of truth without present consolations. The truth of God invites men to make peace with God through the Redeemer. Those who declare such tidings of peace are filled with a sense of joyful privilege in their sharing, and exultation when others respond positively to their testimonies. In contrast, the lying tongue, though its subtlety or boisterous intimidation may win the day, enjoys short-lived triumphs. Even such brief victories are hollow. Those devising evil and employing a lying tongue to effect their aims know in their hearts that they stand on a sham, a pretense, a deception destined to be exposed and vanquished in the light of the truth. What kind of joy would this knowledge inspire within such liars?

Tuesday, December 19 th - Proverbs 12: 21

The righteous need not fear any circumstantial calamity. Even the darkest and most painful providences which come to them are ordained by God (Job. 1:8-12; 2:1-6) for their ultimate good (Rom. 8:28). The redeemed may even face death, the final enemy, with an eye steadied by the assurance that Christ has removed the sting of that great foe (1 Cor. 15:55-57; Heb. 2:14,15). The righteous may be confronted by threats, but threats have no power to harm them, or even, when threats are prayerfully and trustingly encountered, to disturb their inner peace (Phil. 4:6,7). But the wicked fall victim to circumstantial troubles which penetrate their souls, rendering them misery incarnate. Indeed, the worst troubles which afflict the wicked arise from within themselves.

Wednesday, December 20 th - Proverbs 12: 22,23

Untrue words spoken, even if they are uttered carelessly and never are acted upon, arouse the ire of Almighty God. Yet notice that the Lord directs His condemnation towards the speaker more so than towards what is spoken. That is because a foolish, perverse, and evil heart is a living source which conceives and proclaims lies and folly without any consideration of the injury such communications cause others, not to mention the God of truth Himself. The regenerate speak faithful words, and follow through consistently with faithful deeds. This incarnation of truthful integrity delights God, who sees the image of His own dear Son in such faithful souls. This is not to say, however, that faithful ones incessantly or indiscriminately disclose all that they know. Prudence takes account of information possessed, the capacity of those to whom disclosure is being contemplated, the right and need others may have to know, and the personal motive for making declarations—all before speaking. These factors are weighed, and what one knows is then communicated or concealed accordingly.

Thursday, December 21 st - Proverbs 12: 23

A prudent person seeks to speak truth in love. Thus if he knows something, but realizes that his motive for declaring it is pride or vindictiveness, he will conceal the matter in silence. Likewise, if he knows something which is perhaps true, yet which if spoken would prove unnecessarily painful to another, his love will dictate that he keep such knowledge to himself. Only a fool uses his words to brag, or to hurt others. Even truth coming through fools is perverted into folly. Thus let us test our hearts and weigh our words.

Friday, December 22 nd - Proverbs 12: 24

The indolent attempt little, achieve less, and thus advance only in the realm of misery and bondage. Having little, if any, inner drive, they can be trusted to do nothing except render eye-service which is most ruthlessly supervised. But the diligent attempt and achieve great things, receiving promotion and honor in consequence of their accomplishments. These rule themselves, and especially their sinful tendencies, thus making themselves fit to have responsibility over others. The advancement of the diligent and demotion of the indolent extend beyond this life; for sloth is sin, diligence a godly virtue, each to be rewarded accordingly by the Lord (Mt. 25:14-30).

Saturday, December 23 rd - Proverbs 12: 25,26

Anxious cares, which not only come upon a man but which enter his heart so that they grow therein due to his unceasing ruminations upon them, form heavy burdens grievous to be borne. Yet sympathetic, affirming words often help to lighten the load and transform drudgery into delight. There is a right and wrong way to express sympathy and affirmation, however. The sympathy of the wicked is really only commiseration, their affirmation usually some form of cynical charge against God, His providence, and His people. Thus men are led to indulge their anxieties with bitter resentment, or to cast them off in a spirit of irresponsible rebellion. In this they are led astray by the counsel of sorry comforters. The righteous point the way to Christ, who not only sympathizes, but who also offers effective help (Heb. 4:15,16). By casting their burdens on Him, men are acting most responsibly, finding in the event that He who cares for them takes the burdens, replacing anxiety with His true and lasting peace (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil 4:6,7). May we be such righteous guides, gladdening the heart of an anxious soul this day.

Sunday, December 24 th - Proverbs 12: 27

The lazy soul never roasts his prey, because due to his self-indulgent sloth he never bestirs himself to the degree required to catch his prey. He lives on foolish and vain hopes that things in life will come to him. Diligence, in contrast, is a precious possession enabling one to conceive and achieve ever higher aims. A man possessing diligence has the key to possessing all things.