Proverbs 12:23 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.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
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.
A prudent man is a sensible man. The prudent man knows when to speak and when to be quiet. Jesus taught that you don’t throw your pearls to the swine.
Jesus did not open His mouth when He was slandered at His trial. He knew that the accusers were lying. Pilate also knew the accusers were lying. Jesus had spent 3+ years publicly speaking to the people. He had done many miracles and many people were helped with those miracles. People that do not want to receive knowledge are not worthy of being given knowledge. It is a sad thing when people refuse knowledge and are content to receive foolishness.
The heart of fools proclaim foolishness. That is what the chief priest led the people in during Jesus’ trial. That is what those who counselled Amnon were like. They counselled him on how to deceive his father, David, and then get his sister to a vulnerable place where he could defile her. Amnon was a fool and he chose foolish counsel to fulfil his lusts. Then after he fulfilled them, he found that they did not satisfy him at all.
In verse 24 we see that the diligent man is worthy of ruling. A ruler does not need to run a country. Canada has a fool ruling it. That fool has gathered a number of fools around him. The opposition parties are also operated by fools. They have all chosen to defy God. They are all willing to protect sodomites and protect the murder of unborn children. You cannot do that and be blessed.
The slothful person will be under tribute. Look at what is happening to our country. The government is establishing policies that are causing companies to move out or lay people off. The government is claiming they will support companies but that just puts companies in debt to a government that is intent on driving people to their knees. When a society is begging, it will give in to irrational plans.
Thus we have many people in this country that are slothful when it comes to what really matters.
In verse 25 we see that a man that is burdened with problems will show it. He will not know joy. He will not see any hope. This discouragement will affect the health of the individual.
A good word can change the outlook of the people. Our government is promising a pipeline in the west. Anyone who is thinking, knows that the government of Canada and Alberta are lying. There is no intent of running a pipeline to the west coast. All there is is an attempt to stop Alberta from separation. We will see just how gullible the people of Alberta are.
In the spiritual realm, most pastors are lying to their people. They are promising things that they cannot make happen. Having a team at the front that is trying to swallow their mics as they jig around as if they need to go to the washroom, and singing songs that repeat empty slogans that are deceptive. They know how to make noise, but have no good word for anyone. Jesus Christ had many good words to speak to people. The apostles also had many good words to say. A godly pastor will speak those same good words. God is not interested in flattery. God is Truth and He speaks Truth. The Truth shall make you free.
The righteous does not need to fight for superiority. He is more excellent than his neighbour. He has better ideas and better motives. He accomplishes things that matter. He is there to help his neighbour, not mooch off of him.
The way of the wicked is out there to get his neighbour to stumble. Whether it be gambling, or the drugs or the liquor or the pornography or the sodomy, etc. The wicked have nothing good to offer. They are a drag on society.
In verse 27 we see that the slothful person does not roast that which he hunts because he does not hunt. He is too lazy. He thinks others owe him a living. He is the first in line at the food bank. He is marching on the boulevards to deceive people into giving him money. They are never content.
A lazy person cannot be content. They have a completely wrong mindset. The diligent man works carefully and effectively. He is thankful for what he can produce. He does not waste what God blesses him with. He is happy with what God has enabled him to do.
The way of the righteous is life. The righteous man is honest and truthful. He is worth trusting and working with. It is a breath of fresh air to have a righteous man around. He does not lead a person the wrong way. Mr. Trudeau brought in legalized marijuana. That was a big mistake and a calculated choice of wickedness. He was obviously using drugs and his policies reflected that. He still does not know how to make wise choices. He is a husband and a father, but his wife has nothing to look up to and his children cannot look up to him.
The Bible tells children to honour their parents in the Lord. It also tells fathers not to provoke their children to wrath. When you defiantly reject God and try to force that wickedness upon your children you are provoking them to wrath. The wrath of God is upon those who hate Him.
Those that follow the way of the righteous will not face eternal death. Jesus offers eternal life to those who will repent toward God and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Following Christ is the way of life.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Pastor Bartel