Proverbs 19:12 Commentary and Bible Study

The placing of these two proverbs next to each other is certainly deliberate, but what is the relationship between them? Both speak of anger, and both express the greater good that comes from anger not being exercised, but what does verse 12 add? Here is a more terrible anger, a more irresistible anger, a more destructive and final anger. It was the right of a sovereign ruler in ancient times to put forth his anger and no one could question it or appeal from it, because the will of the king was the law. In this respect the king was a picture of the Lord who does not invite a jury to help him reach his judgments, but acts alone and in doing so makes the law an expression of his character. God will show his justice to the world on the day of judgment so that all marvel at his severity. But he will also show his grace and mercy towards the objects of his love chosen before the foundation of the world. He alone will decide when to show mercy and when to harden, and those who receive mercy are no less guilty than those who are hardened. The roaring of a lion spells doom to those near it, and to have the wrath of an ancient king aroused against one was a terrible thing, for there was nobody to turn to for help. How careful each citizen had to be not to disobey the king, but how much more we should fear the Lord who will determine our eternal state. Grace is so marvellous because it is so unexpected, and so much beyond our control. We have forfeited all rights to mercy and kindness from our God, and placed ourselves entirely in his hands. We can only appeal to something that we do not in the least deserve, and the granting of our requests is completely out of our power. But what good comes from the favour of the king? In ancient times he had the authority to exalt someone to a position of prominence which would transform their circumstances and their prospects. Though we should fear the wrath of the King of kings, we should praise and worship him for his kindness much more, for this achieves what justice alone could never achieve.