Proverbs 27: King James Bible
A Prudent Man – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter twenty seven, Verse 12
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Daily Inspiration from This Verse – A Prudent Man
Why does the prudent man foresee something coming when the simple doesn’t? I’d say because the simple aren’t looking, or when they do look ahead and see evil coming, they don’t recognize it as such. Somewhere, somehow, the prudent man learned that if you don’t want to step in a mess, you need to look where you’re going and avoid certain things.
However, being able to look ahead and foresee evil coming isn’t what’s being prudent, it’s what one does with the information that determines whether or not he’s simple or prudent. Walking down the street (for example) someone who’s prudent may avoid walking through a small puddle, because they’ve noticed in the past that it’s not just a puddle, but a pothole about 7 inches deep. He makes sure not to step in it because he’s already aware of what will happen if he does.
Someone who is simple pertaining to the layout of the particular stretch of road might think nothing of stepping in that puddle, because at a glance, it would barely make it past the sole of the shoe. So he steps in it, and sinks up to the shin.
Not everyone is prudent by nature or would have the ability to behave prudently without prior experiences, or by the experiences of others. Those who are wise learn, and draw from what they learn, in order to be prudent. Some of us learn by the school of hard knocks.
Some people learn things the easy way, others through the hard way (easy way is better). Being simple doesn’t have to be forever though. We can learn to be prudent, that is if we choose to do so. The simple are often broken of simple ways, by the punishment of passing on into trouble.
Not everyone that is simple is a fool. But someone can sure be taken as foolish,who is simple in the manner stated in the verse above, and doesn’t learn from previous experiences. When he continues on just to have it happen all over again, you start to think of a couple of verses. Such as a dog eating his own vomit, or a fool repeating his own folly.
Jesus tells us a few things that he’s like for us to be prudent about, that go right along with the verse above. Above, the Lord says that the prudent “foresees” the evil and hides himself. And it’s hard to foresee anything without looking. Therefore, we must be watching out.
Jesus tells us different things that he wants us to watch for, and not be simple about. He tells us not only to watch, but also to pray over things like:
- entering not into temptation
- his imminent return
- to escape troubles to come
- to be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man
None of these things are possible without getting to know the Word of the Lord, and learning what to be watching out for.
Related New Testament Scripture
Matthew 26: King James Bible
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13: King James Bible
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Luke 21: King James Bible
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Ephesians 1: King James Bible
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians 6: King James Bible
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Prayer
Father,
No matter how hard we try, we’ll never know what’s ahead as you can. But as we walk, please aid us in shedding off simple ways, and adopting prudence in every area that you will. Please open our eyes when we don’t realize that they’re closed, and open up our understanding to the things that are ahead. Help us to always respond and behave in prudence, so that we may be all the more like you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen
Question
Have you ever noticed that the difficulties of a prudent man are far easier than the trouble of the simple?