Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 621 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
The Wise Are Teachable - Proverbs 12


Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 621 of our Trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday.  Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs.  Today we will explore Proverbs 12 from The Voice Translation which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at ‘The Big House’ in Marietta, OH.   I am preparing some of the Wisdom-Trek episodes ahead of time in preparation of returning to Arizona to continue our work on the construction projects which we are involved in.  I had to miss two months due to the additional commitments with our granddaughter Hazel, but now that we are getting back to a more predictable schedule, I was able to schedule next week in for traveling.  It will require Paula managing the additional duties that we have been sharing this past couple of months, but she is confident that will not be an issue.

As with the various responsibilities that we have for our clients, family, and ministry it seems like we are always learning each day. In order to learn, you have to be teachable.  As we explore the chapter 12 of Proverbs our focus today will be:
The Wise Are Teachable
“Those who love discipline love knowledge, but fools hate any kind of correction” From the very first verse, chapter 12 is dominated by contrasting statements: “But this, but that—but but but!” Nearly every proverb is a contrast (except for two which we will consider in a moment). This is actually a very effective teaching tool because when we see opposite things side by side, we can more clearly see the difference between them and make better decisions.The chapter’s structure forces you to make some choices specifically related to your use of words and how you treat people.

Sometimes the arrangement of proverbs can seem haphazard, but a closer look reveals truly beautiful and intentional structures. In chapter 12 there are 28 proverbs, divided cleanly into two sections of 14 Proverbs each.

Here’s what the breakdown looks like:

Part 1

Verse 1 - The wise person is teachable
Verses 2-13 - 12 contrast proverbs about Words and Deeds
Verse 14 - A non-contrast Conclusion

Part 2

Verse 15 - The wise person is teachable
Verses 16-27 - 12 contrast proverbs about Words and Deeds
Verse 28 - A non-contrast Conclusion

The symmetry of the structure drives the point home. The righteous are teachable and are careful watchers of the things they say and do. In verse 28, the final line concludes with a clear-cut reference to eternal life: “Life springs up along the path of integrity, and death has no place along its course.”

As I read through chapter 12, listen intently and ask the Lord for power to live by the wisdom of these proverbs as you speak and act today.

Now listen up as I read Proverbs chapter 12:

1 Those who love discipline love knowledge,
but fools hate any kind of correction.
2 The Eternal prefers those who do good,
but He condemns those who plot evil.
3 Doing what is wrong keeps everyone off balance and insecure,
but those who do right will never be uprooted.
4 A dignified wife brings honor to her husband,
but a shameful wife is like decay eating away at his bones.
5 The thoughts of the right-living tend toward justice,
but the guidance of the wicked is trickery and treachery.
6 The words of the wicked ambush from the shadows, seeking blood,