◄ Proverbs 13:12 ►
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Study Bible
Hope deferred makes the heart sick
This phrase captures the emotional and spiritual toll of unfulfilled expectations. In biblical times, hope was often tied to God's promises and the anticipation of His intervention. The Israelites, for example, experienced deferred hope during their long wait for deliverance from Egypt and later during the Babylonian exile. The heart, in Hebrew thought, represents the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. When hope is delayed, it can lead to despair and spiritual malaise, as seen in the lamentations of the prophets. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of the groaning of creation awaiting redemption (Romans 8:22-25).

but desire fulfilled is a tree of life
The "tree of life" is a powerful biblical symbol, first appearing in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). It represents eternal life and the fullness of God's blessings. In this context, a fulfilled desire brings rejuvenation and vitality, akin to the life-giving properties of the tree. This imagery is also found in Revelation 22:2, where the tree of life appears in the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. The phrase suggests that when God fulfills our righteous desires, it leads to spiritual renewal and joy. This fulfillment can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate source of life and satisfaction for believers (John 10:10).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human nature and divine wisdom are reflected in this verse.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of spiritual and practical life.

3. Tree of Life
A symbolic element in biblical literature, representing eternal life and divine blessing, first mentioned in the Garden of Eden.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Hope
Hope is a powerful motivator in the Christian life. When delayed, it can lead to discouragement and spiritual malaise. Understanding the nature of hope helps believers navigate periods of waiting.

The Impact of Deferred Hope
Recognize that deferred hope can lead to emotional and spiritual struggles. It's important to seek God's presence and community support during these times.

Fulfillment and Joy
When desires align with God's will and are fulfilled, they bring life and joy, akin to the "tree of life." This fulfillment is a foretaste of eternal life with God.

Trusting God's Timing
Trust in God's perfect timing is crucial. His plans are often beyond our understanding, but they are always for our good and His glory.

Cultivating Patience and Faith
Develop patience and faith through prayer, scripture study, and fellowship. These practices help sustain hope and trust in God's promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel enhance our interpretation of Proverbs 13:12?

2. In what ways can the "tree of life" imagery in Proverbs 13:12 deepen our understanding of God's promises throughout the Bible?

3. How can we practically support one another in times when hope is deferred, according to biblical principles?

4. What are some personal experiences where you have seen a "desire fulfilled" become a "tree of life"? How did this impact your faith?

5. How can we cultivate a heart that trusts in God's timing, especially when our hopes seem delayed? Consider connections to other scriptures that address patience and trust.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 2-3
The "tree of life" is first introduced in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing eternal life and God's provision.

Psalm 42:5
This verse reflects the theme of hope and longing, similar to the "heart sick" feeling when hope is deferred.

Romans 5:5
Discusses hope that does not disappoint, connecting to the fulfillment of desire as a "tree of life."

Revelation 22:2
The "tree of life" reappears in the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Sermons
Hope and DisappointmentW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:12
Hope DeferredW. Arnot, D. D.Proverbs 13:12
The Sickness of Disappointment and the Joy of FruitionE. Johnson Proverbs 13:12
The Wisdom of Docility, Etc.: a Sermon to the YoungW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:1, 13, 18
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Deferred, Desire, Desired, Fulfilled, Heart, Hope, Longing, Makes, Maketh, Making, Pass, Prolonged, Sick, Tree, Weariness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 13:12

     4526   tree of life
     5014   heart, human
     5297   disease
     5835   disappointment
     9614   hope, results of absence

Library
The Tillage of the Poor
'Much food is in the tillage of the poor.'--PROVERBS xiii. 23. Palestine was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The consequence, as intended, was a level of modest prosperity. It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligent husbandry of the man who had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of the Holy Land. Hence the proverb of our text arose. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--PROVERBS xiii. 7. Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like a millionaire and is a pauper; another, that of a man who lives like a pauper and is rich. The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps, more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together, because in all ill-governed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
[Sidenote: The various methods of approach] The Old Testament may be studied as literature, as history, as the record of an important stage in the evolution of religion, as the revelation of God to the race, or as a practical aid to the individual in living the true life. Each angle of approach calls for different methods and yields its correspondingly rich results. Studied in accordance with the canons of modern literary investigation, a literature is disclosed of surpassing variety, beauty, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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