EGW WritingsProverbs 12

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 21, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 21, 1894, par. 9

O, how can God bear with the misdeeds of those who have had great light and advantages, and yet follow the course of their own choosing, to their eternal harm? Solomon, who had solemnly charged the people at the dedication of the temple, “Let your heart be perfect with the Lord your God” [1 Kings 8:61], chose his own way, and in his own heart separated from God. The mind that was once given to God and inspired of God to write the most precious words of wisdom (the book of Proverbs)—truths which are immortalized—that noble mind, through evil associations and yielding to temptations, became inefficient, weak in moral power, and Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored his God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 40, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 40, 1898, par. 15

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs, but after a time his wisdom became mingled with chaff. When came the chaff? After a manhood of such glorious promise, a change came in Solomon’s history. He did not continue true to his purity and allegiance to God. He broke through the barriers which God had erected to preserve His people from idolatry. The Lord had singled out Israel as a nation, making them the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world. But Solomon cherished pride of political powers. He encouraged alliances with pagan kingdoms. He procured the silver of Tarshish and the gold of Ophir, but it was at the expense of destroying sacred trusts. Evil communications corrupted good manners. One false movement led to an acquaintance with idolaters. He formed marriage alliances with the daughters of pagan worshipers, and his wives led him away from God. His separation from God through communication with idolaters ruined him.

My Life Today

Goodness, February 19

ML 54.1

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord. Proverbs 12:2.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]

MR No. 525—The Effects of Meat Eating on Man

7MR 422.1

I have seen large flocks of sheep, hundreds and even thousands in a flock. Some of these flocks followed the shepherd and seemed to understand where he desired them to go. He had no whip, no dog, as we generally see, but whenever a sheep strayed, he made a peculiar noise with his mouth. Every sheep seemed to understand it, and all pressed close together, following the shepherd. This reminded us of the sheep following the True Shepherd. The affection of animals for man seems to approach so closely to human intelligence that it is a mystery. We need to consider these things. The animals were created by God. They see, they hear, they use their organs as faithfully as human beings use theirs. They are the Lord’s creatures. And His word declares, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” (Proverbs 12:10.)

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 40—Balaam

PP 442.5

Balaam had given evidence of the spirit that controlled him, by his treatment of his beast. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10. Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals or leaving them to suffer from neglect. He who created man made the lower animals also, and “His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:9. The animals were created to serve man, but he has no right to cause them pain by harsh treatment or cruel exaction.

Selected Messages Book 2

War in Old Testament Times

2SM 334.4

Some can see only the destruction of God’s enemies, which looks to them unmerciful and severe. They do not look upon the other side. But let everlasting thanks be given, that impulsive, changeable man, with all his boasted benevolence, is not the disposer and controller of events. “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10).—Spiritual Gifts 4a:49-52.

From Eternity Past

A Donkey “Sees” More Than a Prophet

EP 313.2

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10. Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals or leaving them to suffer from neglect. The animals were created to serve man, but he has no right to cause them pain by harsh treatment.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 102, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 102, 1896, par. 10

I have seen large flocks of sheep, hundreds and even thousands in a flock. Some of these flocks followed the shepherd, and seemed to understand where he desired them to go. He had no whip, no dog, as we generally see, but whenever a sheep strayed, he made a peculiar noise with his mouth. Every sheep seemed to understand it, and all pressed close together, following the shepherd. This reminded us of the sheep following the true Shepherd. The affection of animals for man seems to approach so closely to human intelligence that it is a mystery. We need to consider these things. The animals were created by God. They see, they hear, they use their organs as faithfully as human beings use theirs. They are the Lord’s creatures. And His Word declares, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” [Proverbs 12:10.]

Education

Chapter 26—Methods of Teaching

Ed 237.1

“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 12:18.

In Heavenly Places

The Power of Truthfulness, June 21

HP 179.1

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:19.

Radiant Religion

At Peace with God and Man, January 10

RRe 12.1

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. Proverbs 12:20.

Conflict and Courage

The Price of a Lie, April 26

CC 122.1

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 47—League With the Gibeonites

PP 506.1

Great was the indignation of the Israelites as they learned the deception that had been practiced upon them. And this was heightened when, after three days’ journey, they reached the cities of the Gibeonites, near the center of the land. “All the congregation murmured against the princes;” but the latter refused to break the treaty, though secured by fraud, because they had “sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel.” “And the children of Israel smote them not.” The Gibeonites had pledged themselves to renounce idolatry, and accept the worship of Jehovah; and the preservation of their lives was not a violation of God’s command to destroy the idolatrous Canaanites. Hence the Hebrews had not by their oath pledged themselves to commit sin. And though the oath had been secured by deception, it was not to be disregarded. The obligation to which one’s word is pledged—if it do not bind him to perform a wrong act—should be held sacred. No consideration of gain, of revenge, or of self-interest can in any way affect the inviolability of an oath or pledge. “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord.” Proverbs 12:22. He that “shall ascend into the hill of the Lord,” and “stand in His holy place,” is “he that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Psalm 24:3; 15:4.

This Day With God

Ask, Believe, Claim, May 12

TDG 141.1

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22.

Radiant Religion

Those Who Follow the Truth, February 10

RRe 43.1

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight. Proverbs 12:22.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 97, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 97, 1899, par. 7

When almost there he met the boys coming back. They were carrying the trunk between them, and you may be sure they were hungry, tired boys. The cars had passed before they reached the station, and therefore your son did not go. All this performance was carried on upon the Sabbath. Your son stated that he would get away, he would not stay. All talk and reasoning is thrown away on him. He said that he had received a letter from his mother saying that he could come home. He was asked for the letter, but he said that he had burned it. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight.” [Proverbs 12:22.]

Radiant Religion

Be Glad When a Good Word Is Spoken, May 10

RRe 132.1

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25.

God’s Amazing Grace

That We May Excel, September 20

AG 271.1

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. Proverbs 12:26.

My Life Today

The Way of Righteousness Is Life, January 1

ML 5.1

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Proverbs 12:28.

To Be Like Jesus

Seek to Be Temperate in All Things, July 8

BLJ 202.1

In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28, NKJV.