Proverbs 19:5, 8, 9, Blast or Blest?

Posted on Posted in Devotions Tagged with ,

December 9, Proverbs 19:5, 8, 9

2 Peter 2:1-11 “You cannot do wrong to get a chance to do right.”

Blast or Blest?

Just as perjurers will perish, so seekers after wisdom prosper. How often Scripture deals with truth, liars and wisdom (Ex. 23:1; Dt. 19:16-21; Ps. 120:3; Rev. 21:8), yet truth is still put “on the scaffold” and falsehood is “the way things are” (Isa. 9:15-17;Jer. 23:25-32; Ezek. 13:22)! Where then is wisdom to be found in the midst of all this duplicity (2 Thes. 2:8-10; 1 Tm. 4:1-2)?

1. Doubly Blasted: These two proverbs, 19:5 and 19:9, are identical except for the last word. In vs. five it is not escape, while in vs. nine it is shall perish. Both stress the gravity of lying, and that “crime doesn’t pay.” To be not unpunished means not to be innocent or exempt. It’s not OK to lie, ever (Rom. 3:8), so why is it found in every area of life and at every level? Do we think we won’t be called to account? Some may be convinced that it is unavoidable, but Scripture teaches that lying is wrong and serious consequences follow! “Lying covers a multitude of sins – temporarily” (Moody). Like children, “we begin telling lies in play and end telling them in earnest.” If we treat lying lightly, fear of oath-breaking soon wanes which is the prevailing situation in every court of law. Remember, a lie, which is half-true, is doubly a lie. “The devil likes to let his lies a-soak for a while in the oil of truth, for this gives them a savour of probability” (CHS.). He shall perish, be destroyed, as the judgment for sin! He is doubly blasted; he shall not be unpunished, and more, he shall perish. The false witness has broken both Tables of the Law. He has injured his neighbour, and worse, he has dishonoured God. “Lying is a damning and destroying sin” (Henry). They are as wounds which pierce into the utmost parts of the belly (Pr. 18:8). Liars are found out sooner or later, but even if they escape here, after this there is the judgment of a holy God.

2. Doubly Blest: He that gets wisdom loves his own soul; he that keeps understanding finds good (vs.8). Those who get wisdom and understanding show that they love their own souls, and find good, and thus are doubly blest, blest within and without. This is to have the greatest good which is nothing less than all good, even eternal good (Ps.19:11). “Only those love their souls, and consequently love themselves, aright, get wisdom, true wisdom” (Henry). To get wisdom is to buy or acquire heart, so the Hebrew. This gives a new meaning to the expression “Have a heart!” It more than pays for the search, for it brings true prosperity (1 Pt. 3:10). It is not merely in material things, but in peace of mind, joy and satisfaction (Ezek. 36:26). Do you sense your need of this wisdom, then ask God to give it to you (Jas. 1:5), and once you get it, take care that you keep it (Jn. 14:21). “Truth must be translated into actions, embodied in life” (Thomas). To follow any other way is to destroy your own soul as well as to injure others (Pr. 8:36; 15:32).

Thought: “Knowledge is the fountain of wisdom” (Charnock).

Prayer: Lord, give me that heart of wisdom.