Proverbs 13

1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Well I suppose it would be a good place to stop for a moment and really look at this verse.  How would you differentiate between a wise son and a smart aleck? It would not be hard if all you got from the child were nasty responses to any instruction or urging.  However, that is not the case most of the time.  The child has the sense to know if you make mom and dad mad all the time then you will not receive any slack whatsoever.

Cutting them some slack is teaching them to be a sluggard.  It teaches them that you personally have not committed to the entire discipline of being one of Wisdom.  Wisdom never challenges what is right; it only challenges what is wrong.  Think about that next time when it is easier to let something go versus making a stand for what is right.

Most of us entered into parenting with little preparedness.  Much of what was done to raise a child was from experiences we ourselves had or saw our parents do to us and our brothers and sisters.  What I am proposing here is that you stop that vicious cycle right now.  If you have a youngster, begin to employ the truths of Wisdom upon them when they are young.  Take the time to discern what is right as it aligns with Wisdom.  It takes more of an effort but the results could be supernatural even if you only succeed in a portion of conveyance.

Teach your child Wisdom and they will become wise. Then they will hear your instruction  - otherwise - they will become a scorner.  Remember, a scorner is someone that constantly runs his or her mouth and never shuts up and is always bellyaching about something horrible.  They even boast at how horrific their situations are.  That pithy feeling of embarrassment we feel when our son or daughter spouts something back in public sends chills through me even now.

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

If you watch what you say you will eat well and from the depths of a mans soul comes the fruit of his lips.  When a situation is difficult the things said are purely from the soul.  Basically any person that has the ability to control his or her tongue will be able to eat well.  It is important to understand the impact our tongues have on our very being: "What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." Mat 15:11 NIV

Transgressors on the other hand will reveal the fact they are transgressors and partake in violence.

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Again, watch what you say.  Often times it seems we have a justification for our saying one thing or another.  When that which is said should not have been said, we continue to deepen the justification in order to seem smart and save face.  This hinges solely on the concern for what those around us think of us when in fact: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Mat 10:28 NIV

 

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”  Abraham Lincoln

The destruction of a man comes when that which he states is found to be misleading.  If you are not an authority on a matter, leave it to the experts.  It is better to quote an authority than to spout a matter as your own and be discovered as a deceiver.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

“You gotta dream.”  We have heard that before.  Having a dream and pursuing it is one thing the sluggard would not do.  The sluggard will dream, express his or her dream and then wait to see who brings it to them.  The sluggard and the diligent alike have desire but the diligent pursues the tasks that move them closer to realizing their desires.  Remember the sluggard is the one that claims there is a lion in the path.  They find every excuse in the book to keep from having to do anything.  It is convenient for them to complain about all the things that are going wrong in order to tug on the heartstrings of those around them to feel sorry for them.  This way if the right person hears and feels sorry for them they contribute to this life style by helping them in some fashion.

5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Nothing destroys trust like a lie.  The mere act of betrayal is enough to send all but a few true relationships into the pits of hell.  Hate when it is in you and hate even more when it comes out of your mouth.  Know well its roots.  The lie was given birth in the Garden of Eden and is from Hell.  It was fashioned there, don’t let it take seed in you again from this point forward.

The wicked man is loathsome indeed.  Look at the definition of the word loathsome from the viewpoint of the thesaurus:

Definition:  

hateful

Synonyms:  

abhorrent, abominable, beastly, creepy, deplorable, detestable, disgusting, execrable, funky, grody, gross, hideous, horrible, invidious, lousy, nasty, nauseating, obnoxious, odious, offensive, pesky, pestiferous, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sleazeball, sleazy, slimy, spastic, stinking, uncool, vile

When you consider what loathsome is, it is a horrible place to imagine oneself.  Looking at some of the synonyms listed, I would have to confess to having the attitude depicted by some of those words.  The purpose is not to make you feel badly by looking at this in this way, the purpose is to motivate you to the perspective you choose to have.  You could say, “That is the past me, the me I am today is Wiser.”

6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

Have you ever wondered how many of us survive a sin?  The popularity of one that falls into sin seems to bring an onslaught of wolves.  They travel in packs.  They find the faults of a man then publish them in order to turn attention away from themselves.  This is what is meant by overthroweth a sinner here.  We have all seen and heard of preachers and religious people whom have fallen into some sin.  The proper way to handle the situation is to do according to Scripture.  Wickedness on the other hand only knows one way, destroy the person.

Remember the list from Proverbs 2:5;

·         If thou wilt receive my words

·         Hide my commandments with thee

·         Incline thine ear unto wisdom

·         Apply thine heart to understanding

·         Criest after knowledge

·         Liftest up thy voice for understanding

·         Seekest her as silver

·         Searchest for her as for hid treasures

This is like the list of Righteousness.  These are the things that keep a man upright in the way.  Focusing on right is the means to find the way, not focusing on the things that are wrong.  That which is wrong will present itself without seeking it, however, by comparing it to righteousness or truth, there is little trouble distinguishing which decision to make regarding what ever does come our way.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

This does not mean you have to be poor to be rich but it does in a sense.  Finding less value in the treasures of the world for our sustenance is what is being said.  If you put too much value in physical possessions, when those possessions are gone you are of no value at all.  This version of poor is from the worldly perspective.  Contrast that with Pr 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”  The value of “the fear of the Lord” and the awesomeness of “find the knowledge of God” are riches beyond what many of us may have ever expected to lay our hands on.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The ransom of a man’s life?  What is that?  What does that imply?  There is an entity which controls or governs his life for which he has no control.  One definition says, “price of a life.”  I found it interesting the original Hebrew is also translated as in Gen. 6:14 “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.”  It strikes me there is the sense of a thick covering.  In other words, it could be that all you do when your life is ransomed, enjoins you ever deeper to your own demise.  All is governed by the pressure of what covers you.  Ask yourself, what covers you? 

The entire first part of this verse is trying to say is don’t put your hope into things that don’t matter ultimately.  But it is also advising, the ransom is not so uncommon.  Remember riches are treasures; treasures are where our hearts are.

Poor are poor sometimes because they lack the ability to hear good advice.  Poor in this particular verse could refer to a condition that befalls us all now and then.  At some point there is an attitude as we mature, finds us poor in some area.  Can you look back at a situation and see where God was trying to guide you?  If not, pray for that very specifically.  You must have that relationship with Him.  The ability to face rebuke is a sign of maturity.  But more importantly repenting and setting a new path is the “heareth” part.  When the attitude is one founded on becoming wise the rebuke becomes chastening.  When the wise matures even more, the chastening becomes his assurance of His love for us and a true sign of our love for Him.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Ps 5:11 - But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Ps 19:8 - The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Ps 35:27 - Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

The three verses above are a miniscule snapshot of the “light of the righteous.”  Make no mistake about it my friend, the light of the righteous is an awesome supernatural light. 

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

How often have we found ourselves in a discussion where we were justifying our facts by delivering credentials of our past?  This is a dangerous area.  Contention is the lack of mobility on a point or principle.  Contention is the place where we might say, “I don’t care who this guy thinks he is, he is wrong.”  A wise person may hear something.   They become curious, go look it up, and then decide for themselves based on facts and not hearsay. Then the next time the topic comes up, they will know.  It is then up to them to use proper discretion as to actualizing the conversation.

You success depends on the advice you get and where you get that advice is crucial.  Don’t ask a carpenter for advice on your car.  Be wise with those you seek advice.  Make sure they have a vested commitment to truth.  Sometimes you may not like what they tell you but you have to understand the warnings.  I would say it to be wise to have more than one advisor on occasion. 

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Vanity in the Hebrew here is like vapor or breath and vainly.  It is a form of the word which means, to act emptily, become vain, be vain.  The best rendition into today’s vernacular would be “Smoke & Mirrors” which is to say it is empty and void of reality and a con.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

The word “hope” is in this form means expectations and “deferred” means drawn out over time.  We have all experienced this where our hopes or dreams take longer than we would like.  Many of us have experienced the jubilation of realizing our dreams.

13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Here “word” and “commandment” are the same.  Be careful not to say to yourself as you read this, “Oh I would never do that.”  The commandment has much in the way of revealing sin and sometimes in our carnal condition we justify our flesh’s prominence.  Look at what Paul wrote in Romans 7:7-12, “7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Earlier we discussed the “Light of the Righteous” and here we have the “Fountain of Life.”  This is one of the few verses in this section of Proverbs that is all positive.  Wisdom is the vehicle of understanding the law. Wisdom is the way to being wise.  Understand here, the verse is saying the wise give off or fountain life.  One with Wisdom is full of life in a supernatural way.  Their insight is sound; their advice is solid and thought provoking.  Understanding discretion, one with Wisdom shares his or her discernment.  That is why it is depicted as a fountain of life.  Shower in it for it keeps you from the snares of the death.

15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Think about it this way, if you are always doing things that are treacherous and deceitful there will be few that come to your aid unless they need more treachery and deceit.

The word “understanding” has the sense of prudence and insight. Pr 3:4 “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”  There are a multitude of verses that depict the one having understanding and Wisdom as being blessed.

The way of the transgressor by his nature has them he transgressed looking for him.  Rarely today do we have those that actively pursue the transgressor but it does happen.  In most cases, they lay in wait for the next time you need something.  In their limited moment of power they pounce upon you in pride victory.  Be careful, as it states, the way of the transgressor is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

The prudent man knows who needs to know and who does not need to know.  In some of my business dealings certain things could not be stated until everything was in place.  I have even heard in the business realm, “loose lips sink ships.”  The fool on the other hand is anxious to tell everyone what is about to happen.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

We have all heard the old saying, “don’t shoot the messenger.”  Well, in the days of this original writing, that is exactly what used to happen.  Messengers were sent with very important messages.  These messages were valuable to the recipients.  If the messenger could be corrupted, the messages could be intercepted and deceitfulness could be worked by the wicked.  When messages would arrive to kings from other kings, consideration of the validity had to be of the uttermost concern.

Notice the positive spirit of the faithful ambassador.  He is not called a wicked messenger he is called an ambassador.  Messenger and ambassador are translated the same here but look at this verse: Pr 25:13 “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.”  The ambassador has more than his or her own personal gain at heart, the good of all is substantial to them.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Don’t fall into the trap of understanding this verse by allowing your mind to consider yourself above one that refuses instruction.  I am convinced this verse is to indicate that one can “refuse” now and then.  Find poverty and shame now and then. The area of that specific refusal will not prosper.  With Wisdom you have to seek the message missed.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

If you have been saved and are born again, you may have been with fools.  Even after salvation you may have found yourself with those that would make loathing comments about your new heart condition.  If you were wise you have moved away from them.  Trust me in this, those fools, sitting in their own deceit are corrupting your name among the remaining fools.  They sentence any of those who choose the path of righteousness to be cast out and not trusted in their ranks anymore.  Again in their foolishness they perform the work of Wisdom.  You see they cannot mix with righteousness.  It tempers their deceit.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Who are your friends?  Are they wise?  Are they the kinds of friends you can learn from?  Are they good examples of the kind character you would like to be noted for?  You should concern yourself with this issue if you want to have the opportunity to grow in Wisdom.  Remember, the wicked will chop you into pieces if they see you growing away from them.  They are loosing the support they used to depend on you for and this makes them nervous.

You should find in you the desire to seek counsel when you need information.  If those around you are wise you don’t have to go that far to find that insight.  If you are around fools and ask a question the fool will seek to destroy your character first and a man without character is no man at all, hence destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

Notice here evil is following the sinner.  There is a constant looking over the shoulder of the sinner.  He knows the results of his deeds.  You could look at this another way as well.  Where there is a sinner the is evil right there behind him.  In contrast, the righteous go about their life and are repaid for their good.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

If we conduct our lives in accord with Wisdom, we will have an inheritable estate once we are gone.  There are a number of promises, which grant not only Righteousness in our souls but also possessions.  This verse is saying those possessions should be inherited by our grandchildren.  In some cases this is done by willing them to their parents or by forming a trust fund.  Make sure there are plans for when we go because many have experienced the sorrow of seeing their loved one’s possessions consumed by the wrong people.

As for the “sinner” there is one aspect to remember here.  Seldom do they possess their own goods to begin with.  The word “wealth” used here has an intertwined meaning with the connotation of things but also strength and is derived from a Hebrew root meaning to twist or writhe in anguish.  Basically it is saying the wealth of the sinner is not free of torture when possessed in the first place.  Secondly it cannot actually be fully owned since the sinner most likely obtained it through thievery or other craftiness.  When the sinner dies all their so called wealth is returned to the just.

23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

The poor for which it is talking about here are the poor that are poor because they are poor of Wisdom.  They have had to till more than enough ground for their own needs and are working the extra for what they have borrowed.  That is what is meant when it says “that is destroyed for want…”  The judgment is the payment for something possessed now.  I would suspect there was some of that in order to purchase the land to begin with.  It was common practice then to promise a portion of the crops for payment of the land.

The problem here is the actual judgment.  If kinsmen are enforcing the judgment, the way in which the gathering was done was not with the purpose of leaving with nothing less than the finest of the crop.  In other words, as judgment infers, there is a painful payment made even if it leaves other parts of the crop destroyed.

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

This is bound to conjure up a discussion among those who think it is deplorable to strike a child and those that don’t.  It really doesn’t depend on what side of this issue you stand on.  This is saying, if it is necessary and you don’t chasten them you do not love them.  It is as though the wrong they do is better than the pain they would incur.  When Wisdom would say the pain of a foolish child weighs heavy on the minds of their parents. Pr 17:25 – “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.”  It is the responsibility of the parents to teach right from wrong.  Part of the problem today is there is more right than wrong.  Much of what used to be wrong or private is out in the open now.  this verse also says, “chasteneth him betimes.”  That is early.  It does not mean just give them a spanking in the morning to get them off on the righteous trail.  It means early in their life.  When they are young.  The earlier things become second nature the more likely they are to enjoy their fruits or suffer the torments.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Much like when we have eaten a perfect meal, the satisfaction rings through us, that is what is likened to here.  The complete satisfaction of what his soul yearns for.