“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge” Part II
(“the just shall come out of trouble”)

(Pro 12:8-13)

Pro 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Pro 12:9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
Pro 12:10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.
Pro 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
Pro 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

In this next section of proverbs we’re introduced to the immediate and long term benefit of staying in the word of God (Joh 8:31-32) that will equip us to deal with the dying daily process within ourselves, that we’ve been called unto (1Co 15:31).

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Godly confidence, as opposed to having confidence in our own flesh, is something that can only be miraculously achieved by His judgements in our lives (1Pe 4:17). God’s elect are therefore likened unto the generation who have no confidence in the flesh. The flesh and the law for the lawless (1Ti 1:9) that governs that flesh are discussed in these scriptures, and the blessing that becomes ours when we go from being of the concision to become spiritually circumcised by God’s spirit, the new governor on our hearts by which we are led (Rom 8:14, Php 3:1-11).

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you [it is] safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe [of] Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Gal 2:20, Php 2:12-13)
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Rom 5:10)
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

By God’s grace (Eph 2:8) we can be brought to see the comparative language in these proverbs as a mirror that we are looking into, which God commands us to use to help us cleanse the inside of the cup of our own lives (Jas 1:23-27, Mat 23:26).

It is those who are of the generation that have no confidence in their flesh who come to see that they are the chief of sinners, as typified by the publican who couldn’t so much as lift his head to heaven because he truly saw his own wretchedness as oppose to the Pharisee, which represents our first man Adam with his own righteousnesses and many wonderful works that blind us to how God sees all flesh (Luk 18:10-14, Rom 7:22-25, Rev 3:17).

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Joh 8:36). So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

God reveals to His people first that they are the generation who are guilty of the blood of the prophets from Abel to Zacharias, and these proverbs like all of God’s word point to that reality of how God alone can bring us to cry out to him (Heb 5:7-8, Luk 12:5), as we recognize our daily need for His deliverance from our own self-righteousness that constantly wants to establish itself on the throne of our hearts (Eph 1:5-12).

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh (Eph 5:30), when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Pro 12:8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:30), and so in this opening verse we’re looking at we are being told straight out of the gate that if we don’t acknowledge Christ as our wisdom and the reason we know anything about God, then our hearts are going to reflect a perverse spirit that will be rejected of Him. That self-righteous spirit is within us and can only be overcome and ruled over by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our lives to destroy that man of perdition who holds fast to the mystery of iniquity (self-righteousness)(2Th 2:5-8).

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Pro 12:9 [He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

We are striving through Christ to give our flesh no quarter in this life with the rest of the saints so we can find life (Gal 2:20, Mat 10:39). Christ is our hope of glory (Col 1:27), the “servant” within me who makes me better than the self-righteous old man in me that “honoureth himself” and in doing so “lacketh bread” and is starving. These verses in Romans sum up for us what this proverb is telling us about this inward struggle against the powers and principalities that we all wrestle against (Rom 7:22-25, Eph 6:12)

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [the spirit of Christ who is a servant in me is who I delight in]
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [my flesh wanting to honour itself and not give all glory and honour to God for all things including the sin in my life (Rom 8:28)]
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Pro 12:10 A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

With Christ in us we are mindful of the beast that we are, and take care to take care of ourselves and others (Gal 6:10).

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

No man ever hated his own flesh in other words and we are Christ’s flesh and bones (Eph 5:30) that we nurture and take care of. We have a comparative in this proverb of our old man within us that does not have our best interest at hand, not being able to remain unspotted from this world and visit the fatherless and widow with the tender mercies of God’s word (Psa 146:9, Jas 1:27). The cruel-deceived-first-man Adam cruelly proclaims that God’s punishment on our life should be forever, twistedly thinking this is somehow God’s mercy on those who won’t have to burn in hell forever. We all at first paint God out to be a monster in one way or another, revealing what is actually in our own hearts.

Psa 146:9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Pro 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.

The admonition in this proverb is telling us that our labours are not in vain in the Lord, and tilling the land is analogous of fighting a good fight of faith so that we can be satisfied with the word of God. If we follow the traditions of man we will be void of understanding (Isa 3:1) and doing so in vain (Mat 15:9).

Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

“Vain” H2638 châsêr khaw-sare’: From H2637; lacking; hence without: – destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.
“Vain” G3155 matēn mat’-ane: Accusative case of a derivative of the base of G3145 (through the idea of tentative manipulation, that is, unsuccessful search, or else of punishment); folly, that is, (adverbially) to no purpose: – in vain.

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

Pro 12:12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.[ESV]
Pro 12:12 He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds. The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.[DRB]

God is burning up all the wicked desires of the elect, turning us into a new creation that is connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, through whom we can bear much fruit. It is God’s favour in our lives that brings about this growth that would otherwise never happen (Tit 2:11-12). We must expect that in God’s vineyard we are going to be pruned so that more fruit can be borne (Joh 15:2-3, Heb 12:5-7).

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching^G3811 us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Pro 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

We’ve all done it and said something that we don’t want to say, and in doing that, “The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips” . When Christ’s words and ways become our ways and words and works, we stumble less and less as He increases [the word, his righteousness] and we decrease [our own righteousnesses and the way that seems right unto us]. Christ was never snared by His words and with His life within us, our goal will remain, of bringing every thought into subjection (2Co 10:3-5) unto our faithful high priest who knows how to deliver us from our conscience (1Jn 2:1-3) when we do stumble in this life. It is through Him alone that “the just shall come out of trouble” (Jas 3:5-12).

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (Eph 6:12)

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue [is] a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; (Rev 13:4-5, Rev 5:4) [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge” Part I

(Pro 12:1-7)

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
Pro 12:2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Pro 12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Pro 12:4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Pro 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
Pro 12:6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Pro 12:7 The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

The opening verse and last verse of this chapter of proverbs (Pro 12:1, Pro 12:28) work in conjunction with each other, and remind us how all the verses that we’ll study in proverbs or elsewhere in God’s word (2Ti 3:16-17), point to the blessing that will be given to those who are blessed to love instruction and love knowledge, in this life.

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
Pro 12:28 In the way of righteousness [is] life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The reward for loving instruction and loving knowledge is stated in the last verse this way, “In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death”, which is another way of saying that those who are blessed in this life to read, hear and keep the sayings within all of scripture (Rev 1:3), will be sanctified and purified by living by every word that proceeds from God’s mouth (Joh 17:17), and will enter into life (Mat 4:4, Mat 19:17). Living by those words means those words are changing us and are no longer being cast behind us (Luk 6:46), as we’re now led of God’s spirit which His words are (Rom 8:14, Joh 6:63).

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.[“In the way of righteousness [is] life”]

The words of eternal life will perfect holiness in time in each person who is blessed to abide in the truth and endure to the end (Mat 24:13), thoroughly furnishing us unto all good works in this life and the next by recognizing that we are the ones who first “hateth reproof”, and hold fast to “wicked devices” and live with a heart that is “deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9, Rom 7:24), the negative spiritual state that can only be overcome by the “life” of Christ within us (Rom 8:9, Col 1:27) who makes a way for us through God’s spirit to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts in this age in advance of all the world (Eph 1:11-12, Tit 2:12-13, 2Co 4:4, Rom 8:28-29).

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ [2Co 1:9, Psa 23:4].

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (“enter into life”)

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, (“enter into life”) that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

With God’s mercy being shown to us in this life (Rom 11:30-32, Rom 11:25-26) through judgement that includes fiery trials (1Pe 4:12), we can lie dead in the street of that great city of (Rev 11:8), and gain great hope that saves us (Rom 8:24-25 , Rom 5:5, Rom 5:10) as we come to be convinced through this dying daily process that we are more than conquerors through Christ, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God (2Co 4:7, 2Co 4:14-18, Rom 8:31, Rom 8:38).

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (“enter into life”) [“And hope maketh not ashamed” Col 1:27]

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (Rom 8:9), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you (now in earnest Eph 2:6).
2Co 4:15 For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. [“For we are saved by hope”]

In short, “In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death” is telling us that those who are blessed to endure unto the end of this life, through a lifetime of judgement, will be able to extend that same mercy and goodness of God to the rest of humanity (Rom 11:30-32, Rom 11:25-26), having been judged and made ready to do so (Rev 19:7-8, Rev 21:2).

That “righteousness” of God that is formed in this “life” is the greatest of all gifts that God bestows upon very few (Mat 22:14, 1Co 15:46, Joh 18:8-9, Joh 10:28-29) that are prepared by God alone who makes a way for His people to endure to the end of this life, changing our hearts so these words can be spoken of us, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge”, no longer being that brutish first man who “hateth reproof” (Rev 22:7, Rev 20:6).

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
Pro 12:2 A good [man] obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

If God blesses us to become as children, we will be entreatable like that little child of (Mat 18:3-6), loving the instruction of a loving Father as His spirit leads us into all truth (Rom 8:14, Joh 16:13). It is by God’s favour, His grace that chastens us (Heb 12:6), that we have the “wicked devices” of our life burnt out of us.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Pro 12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

God must deal with that first root and branch within us by destroying it (Mal 4:1-2) if we are to become “the root of the righteous” that “shall not be moved”.

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Here are some encouraging verses that explain why the root of the righteous will not be moved, and point us to the truth that in time all will be saved and made holy.

Rom 11:16 For if the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump is also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches.
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches [the rest of the world to be grafted into the body in the second resurrection]. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee [boasting against the world is excluded by the law of faith, Christ faith that is given to us as a gift from God (Eph 2:8, Rom 3:27)].

Rom 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.[Christ will rule over all gentile flesh, starting with the Gentile nations within the body of Christ who are first judged in this life, so that one day they can outwardly rule over all the gentile nations of this world, which all flesh is to God. (1Pe 4:17, Col 1:27, Oba 1:21)]

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Pro 12:4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

We are Christ’s flesh and bones (Eph 5:30) and can only become that virtuous woman who is a crown to her husband by having that “rottenness in his bones”, in our bones, destroyed and removed through judgement.

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [“a crown to her husband”]

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.[our crown is the righteousness of Christ that is represented by the fine linen that is given to us in this age (Rev 19:8)]

Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things,(Rev 19:8) and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The “virtuous woman” represents the church, the bride of Christ; and the crown being on the head of our husband, Christ, signifies that the Lord directs the church and leads us in paths of righteousness for his name sake (Psa 1:1-3, Psa 23:3). We cast our crowns before the throne of God which is symbolized in these verses (1Ch 29:15-16).

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

1Ch 29:15 For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.
1Ch 29:16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name [cometh] of thine hand, and [is] all thine own.(Rev 19:8)

Pro 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] right: [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit.
Pro 12:6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Pro 12:7 The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

More and more contrast is given to us in these next three verses that remind us that, when we lean unto our own understanding, we are being positioned to find out that the counsels of the wicked within me will lead to deceit (Jer 17:9). If God blesses us to not lean unto our own understanding and trust the Lord with all our hearts, which can only happen through judgement (Pro 3:5-7, 1Pe 4:17), then our thoughts will be right before God, “The thoughts of the righteous [are] right”.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Satan constantly wants to sift us like wheat, as described with these words, “The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood” (Luk 22:31), and it takes the mouth of the upright, those who have God’s holy spirit within them, “the mouth of the upright”, to speak to us spiritual words in due season (Luk 12:42, Gal 6:9) so that those words “shall deliver them”(1Ti 4:16, 1Jn 4:6).

Luk 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season?

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. [Joh 8:31-32]

The wickedness or wretchedness within us can only be overthrown by the Lord building the house (Psa 127:1, Rom 7:24-25) is what we are being shown in this proverb, “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand”.

Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Christ has promised God’s elect that this first corrupt marred-in-the-hand-of-the-Potter temple or vessel that we are, is going to be torn down and built up in three days, speaking of his own body, the church which is his flesh and bones, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Col 1:24, Eph 5:29-30, Joh 2:19-21).

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Joh 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
Joh 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body. (Eph 5:30)

It is the Lord alone who will stand, “but the house of the righteous shall stand”, as He builds the church up and blesses us to come to a point where we have the whole suit of armour on us by God’s grace (Eph 6:13-14, 1Pe 4:17, Rom 14:10), and having done all, are now able to stand, through Christ (Php 2:12-13, Eph 6:13). The whole suit of armour tells us that there is a process that is required to put on the righteousness of Christ that is revealed to “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge”

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Having done all, Lord bless us to be found with your righteousness and not our own on that glorious day of your return (Luk 17:10, Php 3:9).

Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.[Php 2:12-13]

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: