The Root of the Righteous

[Proverbs 12]

Have you ever heard of the drama The Tree with Deep Roots that aired on SBS in Korea starting October 5, 2011? It is a drama based on the novel The Tree with Deep Roots by Lee Jeong-myung, which portrays the seven days leading up to the proclamation of the Hunminjeongeum (the Korean script) during the Joseon dynasty. The story revolves around a series of murders in the Gyeongbokgung Palace by scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon (a royal academy) and shows the greatness of the creation of Hangul and the struggles that were hidden behind it. After watching the drama, I came across a reflection written by someone that said: "The excellence of Hangul, from the motivation of King Sejong, who prayed for its creation, to the various situations he struggled with during the process, was all vividly imagined and shown in the drama. As someone who grew up under the culture of the Korean people, who directly write in Hangul, I not only feel proud to have had such a great king but also take great pride in writing with such a noble script" (Internet). The person went on to say, "This is a drama that should definitely be shown to the younger generations abroad who don't know how easy it is to learn Hangul and how noble the thought process behind its creation was, especially once the English subtitles are added."

Through this drama, which gives us a glimpse into how our Korean language, Hangul, was created and the difficulties and challenges it faced, we are led to reflect on the root of our faith as believers in Jesus Christ. By the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we have received forgiveness of sins, and by His resurrection, we have been declared righteous. This leads us to ask the question: What is the root of those who are righteous before God?

In today's passage from Proverbs 12:3, the Bible tells us: "A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved." Reflecting on this verse, under the title The Root of the Righteous, let us meditate on the entire chapter 12 of Proverbs and receive the lessons that God gives us, and may we obey them.

First, the root of the righteous will not be moved. In other words, the righteous are firmly established.

Look at today's passage in Proverbs 12:3: "A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved." The Bible tells us that a person cannot be firmly established if their roots are in wickedness (v. 3). In other words, if a person's root is in evil, they cannot stand firm and will inevitably be shaken. This reminds me of Psalm 1:4: "The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away." The reason the wicked are shaken like chaff is because they reject correction like animals (Proverbs 12:1). Why do the wicked hate correction? The reason is that, as Proverbs 12:15 tells us, the wicked are foolish and think their ways are right. Therefore, the foolish wicked person does not listen to the counsel of the wise (v. 15). Moreover, the wicked plot evil (v. 2) and devise deceit (v. 5). The words of the wicked aim to cause harm to others (v. 6). As a result, the wicked are described in the second half of verse 4 as having "a disgraceful wife," which corrupts their life like rotting bones. What does this mean? The wicked cannot stand firm on their own, and neither can their household be established. In the end, these wicked people will fall and be destroyed (v. 7).

However, the root of the righteous will not be moved (v. 3). How is it that the root of the righteous will not be moved? How can the righteous remain firm? The secret is that the righteous love correction. In other words, the righteous are deeply rooted in knowledge and, therefore, can stand firm. Look at verse 1: "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." The reason the righteous love correction is because they love knowledge. Therefore, they accept God's discipline gladly. The reason is that the righteous desire to walk in the righteous and correct path. Thus, as Proverbs 12:5 tells us, "The thoughts of the righteous are just." In other words, the plans of the righteous, who love correction and knowledge, are fair and honest. To such a person, God gives grace (v. 2) and provides them with a good wife, and through her, God makes the husband’s life honorable (v. 4). In other words, God gives the righteous a wise wife, and through her, He honors the righteous. Therefore, in the end, God not only establishes the righteous (v. 3) but also establishes their house (v. 7).

Secondly, the righteous bear fruit because of their roots. In other words, the righteous produce fruit.

Let’s look at Proverbs 12:12: “The wicked covet the goods of evil, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.” The Bible tells us that the wicked covet the gain of injustice (v. 12). The reason they covet such gain is because their hearts follow a way of recklessness (because they are chasing fantasies) (v. 11). Friends, the greed in the heart of the wicked pursues fantasies and things of no value. Therefore, the wicked will use all kinds of unjust methods to steal from others. Their thoughts are twisted (v. 8), they do not think about working with their own hands (v. 11), but only about taking what belongs to others. One reason for this is that the wicked are lazy (v. 24). That’s why, in Proverbs 12:27, the Bible says that the lazy wicked “do not even hunt for what they will eat.” Not only are their thoughts twisted (v. 8), but their hearts are twisted as well. Let’s look at the first part of Proverbs 12:20: “In the heart of those who plot evil is deceit…” The wicked, whose hearts are bent on evil, can never experience joy ("glee"). Instead, their hearts are full of cruelty (v. 10). This is why, in Proverbs 12:6, the wicked plan to steal the remnants of others, even if it means spilling blood. With such twisted thoughts and hearts, the wicked’s mouths are also twisted, and as it says in Proverbs 12:13, "In his lips is a snare of sin." The lips of the wicked speak deceit (v. 17). In other words, the wicked have a “lying tongue” that only lasts for a brief moment (v. 19). So, even though the wicked may be starving, they act “high and mighty” before others (v. 9). Moreover, the wicked “speak rashly like the thrust of a sword” (v. 18) and hurt the hearts of others.

However, the righteous bear fruit because of their roots (v. 12). How do the righteous live lives that bear fruit?

(1) The righteous are diligent.

Look at Proverbs 12:27: “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” The righteous do not covet unjust gain like the wicked (v. 12). Also, the righteous are not lazy like the wicked who “do not hunt what they will eat” (v. 27). Instead, the righteous are diligent, cultivating their land, and thus have an abundance of food (v. 11). The righteous also take care of the lives of their animals (v. 10). Therefore, the diligent righteous will rule over others (v. 24). But the lazy wicked will be ruled over (v. 24). In short, the wealth of the righteous comes from diligence (v. 27).

(2) The righteous are wise.

Look at the first part of Proverbs 12:8: “A man is praised according to his wisdom…” The wise righteous do not exalt themselves like the wicked (v. 9). Instead, they hide their knowledge (v. 23; 10:14). They have self-control and humility, and when the right time comes, they share what they know, not to elevate themselves, but to build up others (cf. 14:1). Moreover, the wise righteous do not consider their ways perfect, like the foolish, but listen to the counsel of others (v. 15). The reason the wise righteous listen to counsel and accept discipline is because they know that the more they listen, the wiser they become (v. 19:20). Additionally, the wise righteous know that when they have many advisers, they will enjoy peace (victory), so they are willing to listen (v. 11:14). The wise righteous do not express their anger immediately, unlike the foolish, but patiently endure wrongs (v. 12:16). They are able to endure wrongs because they have love within them. Love covers all wrongs (v. 10:12). They endure wrongs because they seek peace (v. 12:20).

(3) The righteous act truthfully.

Look at Proverbs 12:22: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” God delights in the righteous who act truthfully. Therefore, the righteous do not have lips that are only momentarily false (vv. 19, 22), but they have truthful lips that are preserved forever (v. 19). And they speak the truth (v. 17). Moreover, the truthful lips of the righteous are like a healing balm (v. 18) that brings joy to others (v. 25). The righteous also become guides for their neighbors (v. 26). Even more, the righteous’ honest lips can save people (v. 6). Therefore, in the final verse of this passage, Proverbs 12:28, the Bible says: “In the way of righteousness there is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

I would like to conclude with a reflection on the Word. In the book "Deep Spirituality" by Pastor Kang Jun-min, it mentions that Pastor Andrew Murray, who emphasizes deep inner communion with God, introduces a disease called ‘root disease’ that affects orange trees in South Africa (internet). According to the author, a tree infected with this disease continues to bear fruit as usual, so an average person might not notice that the tree is sick. However, experts can hear the prelude to a slow death in that tree. The roots of grapevines are also said to be a type of this root disease. The author explains that unless the old roots are cut and new roots are grafted, a fundamental cure is impossible. After transplanting the roots of American grapevines into native grapevines, over time, while the trunk, branches, and fruit remain the same, the roots become fresher and more resistant to disease. The point the author is trying to make is that the place where disease comes and where healing is needed is in the unseen inner part. Just as the problem of a diseased tree lies in root disease, the problem in people's lives also has its root cause in a spiritual disease of the soul. Therefore, the author argues that in order to live a correct spiritual life, we must be deeply rooted in Jesus.

So, are we truly deeply rooted in Jesus? My hope is that both you and I will deeply root ourselves in Jesus, standing firm and unwavering, while bearing fruit through Him.