Notes from Proverbs 12:1-3

[Last night I had the privilege of leading the Bible study at Kosmosdale Baptist Church. Here are my notes from the lesson.]

            Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

                        but he who hates reproof is stupid.

            A good man obtains favor from the LORD,

                        but a man of evil devices he condemns.

            No one is established by wickedness,

                        but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

(Proverbs 12:1-3 ESV)

Initial Notes:

Verse 1. xref. Jude 10; Prov 5:11-14; 7:6-9; 21-23, re: the son who does not heed discipline, but whose life is destroyed by an adulterous woman.

Verse 2a. Pleasing the LORD: xref. Matt 19:17;

[B]elievers are accepted through Christ as individual souls, their good works are also accepted through Christ. It is not as though the believers are (in this life) wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God's sight, but because He looks upon them in His Son, and is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although it is accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections. (2LBC 16:6)

Verse 2b. God condemns a person who makes evil plans.

Verse 3. xref. Psa 1; Matt 7:24-28.

Outline:

I.      Introduction

A.   These verses introduce a chapter that is once again focused on words and deeds: the clearest reflections of the heart.

B.    These verses once again show humanity divided into two categories:

1.     The Good: established by God, obtaining favor from the LORD, loving discipline and knowledge.

2.     The Wicked: plotting evil. hating reproof, without any sure foundation, and under God’s condemnation.

II.    Verse 1

A.   Discipline: instruction; correction (illus. a trainer in a gym)

B.    Knowledge: basic intelligence, contrasted with stupidity, a good in itself

C.    Stupid: unreasoning, brutish (Jude 10)

D.   Example:

1.     Prov 5:11-14

2.     Prov 7:6-9; 21-23

III.  Verse 2

A.   Verse 2b, Explanation

B.    Verse 2a,

1.     Only One Good (Matt 19:17)

2.     In Christ, we are called to good deeds (Eph 2:10).

3.     2LBC 16:6

C.    Application: we must plan out our lives in a way that is pleasing to the LORD.

IV. Verse 3

A.   Psa 1

B.    Matt 7:24-28

V.   Conclusion: Heed the Word