The sermon text for this Lord’s Day will be Proverbs 12:16.
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult. (ESV)
A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame. (NKJV)
1. The ESV translators rendered the second sentence of this proverb differently than the NKJV translators did. This difference actually helps us better understand the second sentence. In your own words, how does the prudent man respond to provocation?
2. Why is it foolish to vent your anger? (Prov 29:11; Eccl 7:9; Job 5:2)
3. Can you think of any biblical characters who vented their anger and received judgement from God? (Examples: Num 22:29; 1 Sam 25:10-11, Est 3:5; etc.)
4. Is it ever proper for a Christian to express his anger? (Ps 4:3-4; 37:8; Eph 4:26) Was Jesus expressing anger when He cleansed the temple? (Matt 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48; John 2:13-17) What Jacob justified in his anger against Laban? (Gen 31:36) Was Moses justified in his anger against those who worshiped the golden calf? (Ex 32:19) Was Nehemiah justified in his anger with the Jews? (Neh 13:25)
5. Read Proverbs 15:28. What are some practical steps that will guard a righteous person’s response to provocation? (Prov 15:2; 16:23; 17:27; 29:20; 1 Pet 3:15-16, 1 Tim 2:8; etc.)